The Personal Side of Business Podcast

From Nanny to CEO: Building a Luxury Staffing Empire with Rebecca Stewart (Audio Ony)

What does it take to build a trusted, high-end staffing agency serving celebrities, professional athletes, and high-profile families?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with Rebecca Stewart, Founder and CEO of VIP Nannies & Household Staffing, to explore her incredible journey from working as a nanny to building one of the nation's premier luxury household staffing agencies. Rebecca shares how a chance opportunity, a small business loan, and unwavering determination transformed into a thriving, award-winning business celebrating nearly two decades of success.
Rebecca opens up about scaling a people-centered business, hiring for elite households, matching personalities over résumés, navigating the challenges of COVID, and why service mentality matters more than anything else. They also dive into leadership, coaching youth sports, entrepreneurship, and the lessons learned from working with some of the world's most successful families.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, parent, or simply fascinated by the world behind luxury household staffing, this conversation offers valuable insights on leadership, growth, and building a business rooted in trust.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How Rebecca turned a nanny job into a nationally recognized business• The qualities that separate exceptional candidates from everyone else• Why personality fit matters just as much as experience• How COVID permanently changed the household staffing industry• The importance of systems, boundaries, and hiring the right team• Lessons on leadership from both business and coaching youth sports• Why surrounding yourself with successful people can elevate your own journey
Connect with Rebecca Stewart and VIP Nannies & Household Staffing:Website: vipnannyagency.comInstagram: @vipnanniesla
Subscribe to The Personal Side of Business for more authentic conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers who share the stories behind their success.
personalsideofbusiness.com

From Nanny to CEO: Building a Luxury Staffing Empire with Rebecca Stewart (With Video)

What does it take to build a trusted, high-end staffing agency serving celebrities, professional athletes, and high-profile families?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with Rebecca Stewart, Founder and CEO of VIP Nannies & Household Staffing, to explore her incredible journey from working as a nanny to building one of the nation's premier luxury household staffing agencies. Rebecca shares how a chance opportunity, a small business loan, and unwavering determination transformed into a thriving, award-winning business celebrating nearly two decades of success.
Rebecca opens up about scaling a people-centered business, hiring for elite households, matching personalities over résumés, navigating the challenges of COVID, and why service mentality matters more than anything else. They also dive into leadership, coaching youth sports, entrepreneurship, and the lessons learned from working with some of the world's most successful families.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, parent, or simply fascinated by the world behind luxury household staffing, this conversation offers valuable insights on leadership, growth, and building a business rooted in trust.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How Rebecca turned a nanny job into a nationally recognized business• The qualities that separate exceptional candidates from everyone else• Why personality fit matters just as much as experience• How COVID permanently changed the household staffing industry• The importance of systems, boundaries, and hiring the right team• Lessons on leadership from both business and coaching youth sports• Why surrounding yourself with successful people can elevate your own journey
Connect with Rebecca Stewart and VIP Nannies & Household Staffing:Website: vipnannyagency.comInstagram: @vipnanniesla
Subscribe to The Personal Side of Business for more authentic conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers who share the stories behind their success.
personalsideofbusiness.com

Keeping People Interested: An Empathy-First Marketing Playbook (Audio Only)

What if the most important marketing metric isn't clicks, conversions, or impressions—but the ability to keep people interested?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with marketing strategist, fractional CMO, and author Jonathan Lo to explore how empathy, human connection, and genuine value creation are becoming the biggest differentiators in today's AI-driven world. Jonathan shares his unique journey from electrical engineering and humanitarian work to leading marketing initiatives for multi-billion-dollar organizations.
They discuss why businesses often focus too heavily on the 3% of customers ready to buy today while ignoring the other 97%, how AI is changing the future of marketing and e-commerce, and why authentic human connection may become even more valuable as technology advances.
Jonathan also dives into the core ideas from his new book, Keeping People Interested, offering practical insights for founders, entrepreneurs, marketers, and growing businesses looking to build stronger customer relationships and sustainable growth.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why empathy is a competitive advantage in marketing
The "97% Rule" and how it impacts business growth
How AI will reshape marketing and consumer behavior
Why branding and human connection matter more than ever
Common marketing mistakes growing companies make
How founders can create long-term customer loyalty
The balance between data, psychology, and creativity in business
Whether you're a startup founder, business owner, marketer, or simply interested in the future of business, this conversation offers valuable insights into keeping customers engaged in an increasingly automated world.
 
Check out more about Jonathan and his book and company...
www.jonathanklo.com
www.saltfoundrystrategy.com
 
Check out my website and more episodes and info at personalsideofbusiness.com
#ThePersonalSideOfBusiness #JonathanLo #MarketingStrategy #CustomerExperience #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Branding #AI #Marketing #Leadership #SmallBusiness #Podcast

Keeping People Interested: An Empathy-First Marketing Playbook (Video)

What if the most important marketing metric isn't clicks, conversions, or impressions—but the ability to keep people interested?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with marketing strategist, fractional CMO, and author Jonathan Lo to explore how empathy, human connection, and genuine value creation are becoming the biggest differentiators in today's AI-driven world. Jonathan shares his unique journey from electrical engineering and humanitarian work to leading marketing initiatives for multi-billion-dollar organizations.
They discuss why businesses often focus too heavily on the 3% of customers ready to buy today while ignoring the other 97%, how AI is changing the future of marketing and e-commerce, and why authentic human connection may become even more valuable as technology advances.
Jonathan also dives into the core ideas from his new book, Keeping People Interested, offering practical insights for founders, entrepreneurs, marketers, and growing businesses looking to build stronger customer relationships and sustainable growth.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why empathy is a competitive advantage in marketing
The "97% Rule" and how it impacts business growth
How AI will reshape marketing and consumer behavior
Why branding and human connection matter more than ever
Common marketing mistakes growing companies make
How founders can create long-term customer loyalty
The balance between data, psychology, and creativity in business
Whether you're a startup founder, business owner, marketer, or simply interested in the future of business, this conversation offers valuable insights into keeping customers engaged in an increasingly automated world.
 
Check out more about Jonathan and his book and company...
www.jonathanklo.com
www.saltfoundrystrategy.com
 
Check out my website and more episodes and info at personalsideofbusiness.com
#ThePersonalSideOfBusiness #JonathanLo #MarketingStrategy #CustomerExperience #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Branding #AI #Marketing #Leadership #SmallBusiness #Podcast

From Hospitality to Hawaiian Entrepreneurship | Matt Smith of Puuwai Flowers

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with Matt Smith, co-owner of Puuwai Flowers in Kauai, Hawaii. Matt shares the journey of how he and his wife, Rosana, transitioned from careers in hospitality into building a growing floral business rooted in relationships, creativity, and customer service.
The conversation dives into the realities of starting a business on a small island, learning through setbacks, and defining roles as a husband-and-wife entrepreneurial team. Matt explains how their hospitality background helped shape their approach to branding, service, and client relationships while navigating the unique logistics of sourcing flowers from around the world to Kauai.
Jet and Matt also discuss:
Growing a business almost entirely through word of mouth
Working with weddings, corporate events, and celebrations of life
The challenges of shipping flowers to Hawaii
Learning from criticism and turning it into business growth
Balancing marriage and entrepreneurship
Why defining business roles is critical for couples in business together
This episode offers an honest look at entrepreneurship, resilience, and building a lifestyle business in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
To learn more about Puuwai Flowers, visit their website and follow their work on Instagram.
puuwaiflowers.com
IG@ puuwaiflowerskauai
Check out more episodes and videos at personalsideofbusiness.com

How to Become the Go-To Expert in Your Industry | Christine Blosdale on AI Visibility, Branding & Podcasting

What does it really take to become known, trusted, and seen as an expert in today’s digital world?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with expert authority coach and longtime broadcaster Christine Blosdale to talk about personal branding, podcasting, AI visibility, and overcoming imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur. Christine shares how she transitioned from 20 years in radio into helping coaches, authors, and entrepreneurs build authority-driven brands that stand out online.
The conversation dives into:
Why most podcasters quit after 7 episodes
How AI is changing entrepreneurship and marketing
The importance of “AI visibility” and being searchable online
Why authenticity matters more than perfection
Using podcasting to build long-term authority
Repurposing content into books, blogs, reels, and courses
Helping introverted entrepreneurs show up online
Overcoming fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome
Why people connect with real personalities over polished brands
Christine also talks about her new book, The Expert Authority Code: How to Get Seen, Trusted and Paid for What You Already Know, and explains how entrepreneurs can position themselves as trusted experts in their industries.
If you’re building a business, trying to grow your personal brand, or looking to become more visible in the AI-driven digital landscape, this episode is packed with insight and practical advice.
Check out Christine at www.expertauthoritycoach.com
If you'd like to learn more about The Personal Side of Business, please check out personalsideofbusiness.com

19 Businesses Later: How Nathan Baws Builds, Scales, and Finds Opportunity Everywhere

Nathan Baws has started over 19 businesses—and he’s still going.
From selling paper airplanes as a kid to building companies across health, property, restaurants, and global ventures, Nathan breaks down what it really takes to succeed in business over the long run. In this episode, we dive into the power of mentorship, why most entrepreneurs stay stuck working in their business instead of on it, and how joint ventures can completely transform growth overnight.
Nathan also shares how he evaluates opportunities, avoids burnout, and uses mindset, health, and dopamine-driven habits to stay sharp as an entrepreneur.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck in the day-to-day, or unsure where to focus your energy—this episode will reset how you think about business.
Check Nathan out at www.nathanbaws.com
If you would like to hear more entrepreneurial journeys, check out personalsideofbusiness.com

Cooking Classes, Chef Training & Food Business Growth | The SLICE Utah Story

Looking to start a culinary business, become a chef, or improve your cooking skills?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, we interview Deb and Chris Holbrook of SLICE Utah, a fast-growing culinary school offering professional chef training, cooking classes, and food-based community experiences.
They break down how their 12-week Chef Bootcamp accelerates culinary education, what it really takes to succeed in the food industry, and how they’ve built a business centered around connection, learning, and hands-on experience.
This episode is packed with insights for:
Aspiring chefs and culinary students
Entrepreneurs starting a food or restaurant business
Anyone interested in cooking classes, chef training, or culinary schools
Business owners looking to scale through community-driven experiences
You’ll learn:
How to start and grow a culinary business
The difference between culinary school vs. real kitchen experience
Key business lessons (food costs, labor, pricing, profitability)
Why cooking is a critical life skill for kids, teens, and adults
How SLICE Utah built programs like date night classes, team-building events, and youth chef camps
If you're thinking about entering the food industry or want to understand the business behind culinary success, this episode gives you a real-world look inside.
Explore SLICE Utah programs and classes: https://sliceutah.com/
If you are interested in hearing more journeys from entrepreneurs, please check out personalsideofbusiness.com

He Lost It All… Then Built It Back Through Relationships | Shawn Finnegan

What happens when you go from raising $1.5 million… to just $2,500 in your bank account?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with entrepreneur Shawn Finnegan, co-founder of TaxHive and creator of the X Room, to unpack one of the most powerful lessons in business: relationships are everything.
Shawn shares the brutal reality of nearly losing it all—facing payroll he couldn’t cover, pressure from investors, and the weight of failure. But in that moment, he made a decision that changed everything: he rebuilt his business through connection, community, and strategic relationships.
Today, that same philosophy has helped him:
Scale multiple businesses
Build a thriving entrepreneurial community (The X Room)
Partner with high-profile names like Kevin O’Leary
Help small business owners save thousands through smarter tax strategies
This conversation dives deep into:
Why most entrepreneurs ignore their network (and pay for it)
The exact mindset shift that saved Shawn’s business
How to walk into any room and build meaningful connections
The biggest mistakes business owners make with taxes
Why “who, not how” is the key to scaling
If you’re building a business, feeling stuck, or trying to grow faster—this episode will change how you think about success.
Your next breakthrough in business isn’t a strategy…It’s a relationship you haven’t built yet.
Follow Shawn Finnegan on social media to learn more about:
Tax strategy for small businesses
Entrepreneur networking systems
The X Room community
IG-finneganshawn
IG-the.xroom
taxhive.com

The Employee Benefit That Could Reduce Turnover by 50% | Larry & Cheri Salazar

What if one employee benefit could help companies reduce turnover while helping employees achieve homeownership?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with Larry and Cheri Salazar, founders of NestSTEPS Benefits, a company helping employers offer homeownership benefits to their teams.
After experiencing their own challenges with buying a home, Larry and Cheri built a program that helps employees create financial plans, save for down payments, receive employer contributions, and learn how to maintain long-term homeownership.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why the average first-time homebuyer age continues to rise
How employee turnover can cost companies thousands
Why traditional workplace perks often fail
How employers can help employees buy homes
Why financial education is critical before purchasing a home
How this model could reshape employee benefits in the future
This episode is for business owners, HR leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in solving one of today’s biggest affordability challenges through innovation.
This one feels very aligned with your audience because it speaks directly to employers/business owners while still having a broader human angle.
You can check out more info at www.neststepsbenefits.com or contact Larry & Cheri at info@neststepsbenefits.com801.874.1860.
If you would like to hear more entrepreneurial journeys, check out more episodes at personalsideofbusiness.com