The Personal Side of Business Podcast

How Intelligence Training Improves Leadership, Communication & Influence | Former Operative Don Weber

Former intelligence operative Dr. Don Weber joins The Personal Side of Business to share how decades working in global intelligence shaped his understanding of leadership, influence, communication, and human behavior.
After operating in high-risk international environments where reading people correctly could mean survival, Don now works with executives and organizations to help leaders better understand motivation, trust, and decision-making inside modern businesses.
In this episode, we explore:
How intelligence training translates directly into leadership success
The psychology behind influence and persuasion
Why emotional intelligence is a competitive advantage in business
How great leaders motivate different personality types
Lessons from high-pressure environments that apply to entrepreneurs today
This conversation bridges two worlds — intelligence operations and business leadership — revealing practical insights leaders can immediately apply to building stronger teams and making better decisions.
personalsideofbusiness.com
https://drwebercoaching.com/

From Trauma to Purpose: John A. King on Healing, Identity, and the Work Men Avoid

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with John A. King for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, masculinity, and rebuilding life after everything falls apart.
John shares his personal journey of surviving childhood abuse and trafficking, the moment his life imploded at the height of professional success, and how years of recovery reshaped his identity, purpose, and work with men today.
Together, they explore:
Why many men suffer in silence
How trauma shows up later in life—often in our 40s and 50s
The difference between “fixing” and healing
Why men heal better shoulder-to-shoulder, not face-to-face
How small, consistent habits can radically change a life over time
The role culture, upbringing, and masculinity play in emotional health
John also explains the philosophy behind The Phoenix Collective—a practical framework designed to help men move forward with clarity, discipline, and connection, without shame or dependency.
This episode is reflective, grounded, and real—especially for anyone navigating stress, burnout, identity shifts, or unprocessed trauma.
🎙️ Because behind every business, every career, and every life path… there’s a personal story.
 
drjohnaking.com
personalsideofbusiness.com

Building Teams the Right Way: HR Through a Human Lens

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with Sara Nicholson, Human Resource Advisor with the San Diego SBDC, for an in-depth conversation on what every entrepreneur needs to understand about HR—before hiring their first employee.
Sara shares her unconventional path from accounting and hospitality into human resources, and explains why HR is not the “evil department,” but rather the oil that keeps a business engine running smoothly. Together, they break down common HR myths, California compliance realities, and the foundational steps business owners must take to protect themselves and their teams.
This episode covers:
The essential HR foundations every business needs before hiring
Independent contractors vs. employees and why misclassification is risky
How to attract and retain quality employees on a limited budget
Why company culture matters more than perks or pay alone
Behavioral interviewing techniques that reveal how candidates really think
The role AI can—and cannot—play in modern HR practices
Whether you are hiring your first employee, scaling from 5 to 50, or simply want to reduce legal and emotional stress as a business owner, this conversation offers practical, real-world guidance grounded in experience and empathy.
🎧 A must-listen for entrepreneurs who want to grow responsibly, confidently, and human-first.
https://sdivsbdc.org/
personalsideofbusiness.com

Family, Freedom, and 47 Countries: The Journey of Attorney Matt Paré

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with San Diego injury attorney Matt Paré, whose story goes far beyond legal success. From growing up in small-town Maine to building his own thriving law practice, Matt shares how he’s crafted a career that allows him to travel the world with his family—visiting over 47 countries and skiing on three continents.
We dive deep into the entrepreneurial side of law, exploring how discipline, persistence, and strategic relationships helped him become a leading personal injury lawyer. Matt also reveals how AI technology is transforming legal work, from uncovering city records to managing complex medical cases, and why this innovation is leveling the playing field for solo practitioners.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, attorney, or traveler at heart, this episode will inspire you to design a business—and a life—that values freedom, balance, and global perspective.
Listen to learn:
How Matt transitioned from firm associate to successful solo attorney
Why travel experiences shape better business and personal values
How AI is becoming a game-changer in the legal industry
What mindset and structure create long-term career freedom
(Episode from The Personal Side of Business with Jet Bunditwong)
www.personalsideofbusiness.com
www.mattpare.com

How Paul Ramirez Found Purpose Through Hardship and Faith

What does it take to go from being a teenage father with no roadmap to leading one of San Diego’s trusted plumbing companies?
In this episode, Jet Bunditwong talks with Paul Ramirez, owner of Speedi Rooter Plumbing & Drain, about his extraordinary journey of resilience, faith, and entrepreneurship.
Paul shares how he:
Overcame early hardships and built a strong work ethic
Learned the plumbing trade from mentors and turned it into a career
Navigated failure, financial struggles, and personal loss
Rebuilt his business and life with purpose and faith
Now runs a debt-free company guided by integrity and stewardship
This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t about where you start — it’s about persistence, humility, and heart.
Speedirooter.com
🎙️ The Personal Side of Business highlights real entrepreneurs, real challenges, and the human stories behind every business journey.
#Entrepreneurship #TradesBusiness #SmallBusiness #Inspiration #FaithAndWork #JetBunditwong #SpeediRooter #PersonalSideOfBusiness #ThePersonalSideofBusiness #SanDiego

Beyond Interest Rates: Cristen Carver on Humanity, Hard Lessons & Helping People Start Over

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with mortgage veteran Cristen Carver, a powerhouse with nearly four decades of experience in lending, real estate cycles, and consumer finance.
Cristen shares how the mortgage world has evolved—from the wild, unregulated days of the ’80s and ’90s to today’s highly structured, compliance-driven industry. She breaks down the truth behind interest rates, the real causes of foreclosures, what first-time buyers should realistically expect, and why Southern California’s housing market is unlike anywhere else.
You’ll hear:
How mortgage lending has transformed over 40 years
What really drives housing affordability
Why buyers often get in trouble—and how to prevent it
The rise of 100% financing and alternative qualification programs
How remote work reshaped where Americans can live and buy
Cristen’s top advice for becoming a successful loan officer
Why networking and honesty matter more than ever in this industry
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a real estate professional, or someone trying to understand this shifting market, Cristen brings clarity, honesty, and decades of wisdom to the conversation.
personalsideofbusiness.com
https://www.cristencarverlender4u.com/

From Expat Dream to Global Business: How Brian Samson Built a Nearshore Empire in Argentina

What happens when you leave a comfortable life in San Francisco to chase an international dream?
In this episode, host Jet Bunditwong talks with Brian Samson, an entrepreneur who turned an expat adventure in Argentina into a thriving nearshore tech company. Brian shares how he raised $2 million, built a software team from the ground up, and learned to navigate Argentina’s complex business environment — all while redefining what it means to be a global founder.
🎙️ You’ll learn:
How to build a company abroad (and survive the red tape)
The real difference between offshore and nearshore outsourcing
Why more U.S. businesses are hiring talent across Latin America
How to think like a global entrepreneur — even if you start local
Whether you’re dreaming of living abroad, scaling a startup, or just curious how far determination can take you, Brian’s story will inspire you to think bigger — and go global.
 
https://plugg.tech/
https://personalsideofbusiness.com/
 
 

From Marine to Pilot: The Flight That Changed Everything with Tim Pierce of Hive Aviation

When a Groupon discovery flight turned into a life-changing moment, Tim Pierce knew he had found his calling. In this episode, host Jet Bunditwong talks with the founder of Hive Aviation, a Northern San Diego flight school offering affordable, personalized training for future pilots.
Tim opens up about his journey from serving in the Marine Corps to becoming a private flight instructor and entrepreneur. He shares the highs and lows of building his aviation business, how discipline from military life shaped his teaching style, and what it truly takes to earn your wings—both in the air and in business.
✈️ Highlights:
How one flight changed Tim’s life forever
The real cost and commitment behind becoming a pilot
Turning aviation passion into a sustainable business
Lessons from military service that apply to entrepreneurship
Overcoming fear, failure, and turbulence along the way
🎙️ Tune in to discover the personal side of flying, entrepreneurship, and chasing your dreams above the clouds.
You can contact Tim @ https://www.fly-hive.com/
Alaska ATMOS Rewards https://alaska.gqco.net/2aZ9DG
Hilton Honors Rewards https://hilton.ijrn.net/mOYVPZ
 
#Aviation #Entrepreneurship #VeteranBusiness #FlightTraining #PilotLife #SmallBusiness #PersonalSideOfBusiness #ThePersonalSideofBusiness #SanDiego

Faith, Family, and Potato Chips: The Teton Valley Brands Story

What does it take to turn a $10,000 dream into a thriving snack brand?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with Kyle and Amy Nehring, founders of Teton Valley Brands Potato Chips in Boise, Idaho. From late-night packaging sessions in their basement to raising capital and building a full production facility, their journey is one of grit, sacrifice, and resilience.
You’ll hear:
How a college idea became Idaho’s signature chip brand 🥔
The risks they took—selling their home, living without pay, and nearly losing it all 💸
Why faith and family were their foundation through the hardest years 🙏
Lessons in scaling, funding, and building strong partnerships 🚀
This is more than a snack story—it’s a blueprint for perseverance, entrepreneurship, and turning vision into reality.
Follow The Personal Side of Business for more inspiring founder stories that reveal the people and passions behind today’s businesses.
https://www.tetonvalleybrands.com/
Alaska ATMOS Rewards https://alaska.gqco.net/2aZ9DG
Hilton Honors Rewards https://hilton.ijrn.net/mOYVPZ
 
 

From Food Blogging to Wild Rise Pizza Co: Natalie Perry’s Entrepreneurial Journey

How does a personal blog about family recipes evolve into a 17-year career as a food blogger, cookbook author, and now the founder of Wild Rise Pizza Co.? In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with Natalie Perry in Boise, Idaho, to explore her inspiring path from casual food blogging to creating artisan sourdough pizza kits.
Natalie shares:
How food blogging “accidentally” became her career.
The lessons learned from photography, SEO, and cookbook publishing.
Why she launched Wild Rise Pizza Co. and how she’s growing it locally.
The balance between passion, family, and building a sustainable business.
If you’re curious about turning creativity into a livelihood—or you just love the idea of fresh sourdough pizza—this episode delivers both inspiration and practical takeaways.
https://www.perrysplate.com/
https://www.hotplate.com/wildrisepizzaco
Alaska ATMOS Rewards https://alaska.gqco.net/2aZ9DG
Hilton Honors Rewards https://hilton.ijrn.net/mOYVPZ