In this conversation, Benjamin Mena, the founder of Select Source Solutions and host of the Elite Recruiter Podcast, is interviewed by Aaron Opalewski of Sparking Success. They discuss various topics related to government contracting, recruiting, and the impact of AI in the industry. Benjamin shares his journey into the government contracting space…

In this episode, Aaron and EJ discuss the importance of recurring business and gross profit margins in growing a recruiting agency. They explain that recurring business provides valuation and stability to the agency, while gross profit margins determine the profitability of each placement. They also touch on different forms of recurring revenue, su…

In todays episode, Sarah Englade shares her journey in the recruiting industry and the founding of her company, Monarch Talent Solutions. She emphasizes the importance of niching down and focusing on a specific market, in her case, accounting, finance, and human resources in Houston, Texas. Sarah highlights the value of building relationships and p…

In the episode, Mike Williams, founder of Carnegie Search, joins the Sparking Success podcast to discuss the challenges of growing a recruiting business. They talk about the importance of setting realistic goals and not sacrificing excellence for rapid growth. Mike shares his strategy of focusing on developing his team and maintaining a high level …

In this weeks episode,Jake Raska from Carrera Capital Advisors discusses the story of starting Carrera and the importance of building strong teams. He emphasizes the value of collaboration, complementary skill sets, and continuous improvement. Jake also highlights the significance of being present for family while managing a busy work schedule and …

Tom Caravela, a career services expert and entrepreneur, is the first guest on the Sparking Success podcast. He shares his journey of starting his own executive search firm, The Carolan Group, and the success of his podcast, MSL Talk. Tom's decision to start the podcast was driven by his desire to help job seekers and professionals in the pharmaceu…

Partnerships in business and life are discussed in this episode. The host shares his experiences and insights on the importance of bringing different skills to a partnership, having clear agreements, and ongoing communication. He emphasizes the value of partnerships in achieving success and fulfillment. The host also acknowledges the significance o…

In this episode, Aaron Opalewski and E.J. Swanson discuss the importance of choosing the right career path. They highlight three key factors to consider: evaluating the organization or department, evaluating the vehicle or opportunity, and taking action. They emphasize the need for alignment with the company's values and mission, as well as the imp…

In this episode, Aaron shares four top lessons he has learned throughout his career that he believes will be helpful for other entrepreneurs and business leaders. The first lesson is to focus on the fundamentals and control the controllable aspects of your work. The second lesson is to collaborate with others in your industry, even if they are cons…

On todays episode Aaron and Ej delve into the strategic decision to give away 960 pizzas and the business implications behind it. It explores the concept of customer lifetime value, community engagement, and the importance of long-term business outlook. The discussion also touches on the significance of financial stability and the impact of generos…

In this episode, Aaron and EJ discuss the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in leadership. Aaron shares his personal journey of developing EQ over the years and how it has impacted his leadership style. They emphasize the need for leaders to evolve and grow in their EQ as their team and responsibilities expand. They also discuss the balance…

Summary In this episode, Aaron Opalewski and EJ Swanson discuss the art of negotiation in recruitment. They emphasize the importance of understanding the needs and desires of both the client and the candidate in order to make the best match. They highlight the value of thorough communication and preparation in the negotiation process. They also str…

In this episode, Aaron Opalewski and EJ Swanson discuss the importance of stepping away from work to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance. They share their personal experiences and insights on when and how to take time off, especially for business owners and leaders. They emphasize the need for intentional time management and bein…

By Aaron Opalewski

In this episode, Aaron and E.J. discuss sales mistakes that people make when connecting with customers and clients. They emphasize the importance of understanding the context and situation of each prospect and not blindly going straight to the top decision-maker. They highlight the mistake of not respecting the chain of command and not building rel…

In this episode, Aaron Opalewski discusses the importance of setting vision and direction within an organization. He shares his approach to crafting vision and the challenges he has faced in communicating it effectively. Opalewski highlights the significance of off-sites, leadership meetings, company meetings, and daily stand-ups in aligning the te…

Summary In this episode, Aaron Opalewski and E.J. discuss the importance of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) in evaluating the profitability and value of a business. They explain how EBITDA is a key number that indicates how much money a business makes and how it can be used to assess the growth and potential…

Join Aaron as he share with Mark Whitby from the The Resilient Recruiter Podcast Growing a recruitment business to 7 or 8-figure portfolio companies might be much simpler than you think. Few firm owners achieve this, but Aaron Opalewski stands as an example of this entrepreneurial success. He co-founded his first staffing company at just 24 and has…

In this episode , Aaron Opalewski shares his expertise on talent acquisition strategies. He discusses the importance of having a talent acquisition funnel to consistently generate potential candidates. He also emphasizes the significance of personal and company branding in attracting talent. Aaron highlights the need for an effective interview proc…

Summary In this episode, Aaron Opalewski and EJ Swanson discuss the importance of performance management in organizations. They outline a three-step process for addressing performance issues: friendly conversation, serious discussion, and opportunity plan. They emphasize the need for empathy and clear communication throughout the process. They also…

In this episode, Aaron discusses the importance of knowing your numbers in business and how to develop a gross profit strategy. He emphasizes the need to understand financial statements, such as income statements and balance sheets, and the difference between sales revenue and gross profit. Aaron explains that knowing your numbers allows for data-d…

In this episode, Aaron Opalewski and EJ Swanson discuss the importance of feedback loops and how they can lead to success in various areas of business. They explore feedback loops in projects, the development of new service lines, and the positive outcomes that can result from analyzing failures. They emphasize the need for quick adjustments and th…

In this episode, Aaron discusses the importance of anchoring achievements to key objectives. He emphasizes the difference between goals and objectives, highlighting the significance of objectives in driving growth and contributing to a larger mission. Aaron also shares personal stories of how he attaches meaning to his objectives, such as impacting…

In this episode, Aaron discusses the journey of growing a business at different levels of gross profit. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on gross profit rather than just sales revenue. Aaron shares insights and challenges encountered when crossing the $1 million, $3 million, and $10 million marks. He highlights the need for the leader to be…

In this episode, Aaron discusses the concept of vertical integrations and their role in driving efficiencies, lowering costs, and creating leverage within a business. He emphasizes the importance of timing and focusing on core competencies when considering a vertical integration. Aaron shares examples of successful vertical integrations within Spar…

In this episode, Aaron Opalewski introduces the Sparking Success podcast and shares his personal journey from his upbringing to his current role as the CEO of Spark Companies. He discusses the importance of faith and how it has guided his path. Aaron also talks about his experiences in school, sports, and personal training, highlighting the lessons…

When Brandon Burns says he works out every day, he does not mean "most days" or "sometimes." He just gets up and DOES THE WORK every single day. That's the discipline it takes to make it as a keynote speaker, coach, and influencer at 26. Today, he joins Kelly to talk about the mentality behind his success. Highlights include: Brandon is the right h…

This may be the best episode of Harder Than Life yet. This week, we explore the fascinating life of Jillian Riddell, an ER nurse and podcaster with a crazy story. At age 17, she started college while 9 months pregnant. As a child, her dad hid her from her family. Through all that, Jillian has kept her promise to "be the light" to those around her. …

Matt Williams once heard his wife tell him: “I can’t tell if you’re playing or working.” THAT is the kind of infectious energy that podcaster and badass Matt Williams is bringing to this episode of Harder Than Life. Matt, who has used his positive mindset to successfully launch the Fro Pro Snacks line, is 13 years sober. He and Kelly dive into how …

If you ask Greg Scheinman, the there is no EASY way to do anything well. Living a better, healthier life is SIMPLE, but 'simple' ain't easy. Through his books, podcasting, and coaching, Greg is trying to teach people how to maximize middle age. Instead of dreading mid-life, Greg is changing the narrative to help people live their best life as they …

Adam was once described as a “lotsaholic.” Everything in his life - from his best habits to his worst decisions - is cranked up to 11. For the longest time, Adam thought of his struggles as a fight against himself. It wasn’t until he learned to surrender that be became Harder Than Life. This week features a team-up worthy of its own crossover comic…

If you ask McKenna Reitz what it is like to live with alopecia, she will tell you she never has a bad hair day. This week, Kelly welcomes the bold and beautiful McKenna Reitz to the Harder Than Life podcast! Despite losing every hair on her body in 2015, McKenna’s attitude and confidence are better than ever. What she went through, and how she grew…

David Meltzer has won and lost (and won again) more money than most of us will see. If you listen to this podcast, you almost certainly know him as the Kevin Bacon of the personal development space. As an author, businessman, podcaster, and philanthropist, David is never more than six degrees away from your favorite motivator. Today, he joins Kelly…

99% of what makes a good business partner happens outside the office. If their goals, attitude, and lifestyle are aligned with your own, chances are their work will mesh with yours too. Kelly met Aaron Opalewski by chance on a flight to Nashville, kicking off a friendship and business partnership, and the two have been winning together ever since. …

If you ask him, Julian Hayes will tell you that being a pastor was always his calling. Today, he’s known as “Pastor Ju,” a man of God whose passion for his community is infectious. However, the road Julian had to walk was not an easy one. The improbable story of how it all happened, and how Julian learned to live into his purpose, is at the heart o…

Renee Vardouniotis & Angie Leitnaker want to change the way we think about education. After several years of working within the traditional school system, they came together to develop the CAPE (Compassionate, Aware, Purpose-driven, and Effective) Movement. CAPE teaches children both practical skills and emotional intelligence, which Angie and Rene…

Chef Chris has lived an interesting life or three. Seriously, it would be easier to list the things he hasn’t done. Chris grew up in a Buddhist monastery. He was a competitive cheerleader. He’s cooked fine meals for Russian oligarchs. He found and then kicked drugs and is now an Executive Chef at KYU NYC. Dude is only 35 and his story is already in…

Unlike most, Ryan Jaros started early. His entrepreneurial mind led him to not only create the Pursuit of Perfection brand, but also led him inward, to face his learning disabilities and overcome them. He and his fantastic mustache are absolutely Harder Than Life, and we are excited to share Ryan's story with you! Show Links Each and every episode …

Everything we do on Harder Than Life is for charity. This week, we want to talk about one of the awesome organizations we are partnering with: Variety - the Children’s Charity of Detroit. This small but mighty organization serves more than 20,000 children with special and unique needs every year. At the helm is Michelle Murphy, the former teacher t…

This week, Kelly is joined by personal and business coach Kristen Cullen! Kristen is a branding expert whose holistic approach to brand-building - and to life - is truly unique. She and Kelly connect on how they are changing misconceptions about what it means to be vulnerable, and why vulnerability is so essential to becoming Harder Than Life. Feat…

After a destructive relationship with alcohol left him homeless for 18 months, Jim Hernandez embraced sobriety. Today, he’s the man behind the addiction recovery non-profit Valor Rising and the Valor Fitness Clothing line. When he isn’t working as a recruiter, Jim dedicates himself to helping others overcome addiction and build healthier lives. Thi…

When Michelle Rios says she saw a sign that her life needed to change, she’s being literal. When she most needed it, Michelle saw a billboard for a therapist and decided to prioritize her mental health. Then, her life changed forever. Now, Michelle Rios is an executive and host of the Live Your Extraordinary Life podcast. In this episode, Kelly tal…

According to Coach Jeff Forester, we are most qualified to help the people we once were. For Jeff, his past struggles have made him a perfect coach for troubled young adults. This week, Jeff, founder of Hi-Lite Coaching and host of the Pathways to Greatness podcast, joins Kelly for a far-reaching conversation. The two discuss healthier ways for men…

Dylan Smith was misdiagnosed with ADHD at a young age and was properly diagnosed with dyslexia at age 16. His response? He resolved to wake up early, stay up late, and grind on his studies to succeed. He chose to be Harder Than Life and today, he joins us to tell his story. When Dylan isn't killing it in the IT world, he is raising awareness throug…

*Trigger Warning: This episode includes graphic discussions on the topics of sexual assault, eating disorders, and other distressing subjects. Discretion is advised. Kimberly Riggins wants you to love your naked ass. In fact, that’s the name of her podcast and her coaching academy, where she helps people learn to live without shame. This week, Kim …

You have to love you. It’s non-negotiable. This week, Kelly welcomes mindset coach Nicole Frazier to the podcast. Nicole helps people grapple with the private, painful issues that often hold us back from our full potential. Today, she tells her story and shares her outlook on living a more complete life. In this packed episode, Nicole shares: How t…

Jon Doolen once fired Kelly. Now, they’re closer than ever. Welcome back! In this episode, Kelly reunites with Jon Doolen, his former boss turned executive coach & strategic advisor. Jon’s rich background includes serving in the U.S. military, a civilian career in logistics, and now, he's the man behind Doolen Strategy Partners. The life-changing h…

Do you ever feel you are unworthy? Philanthropist and influencer Bridjet Morris understands the feeling, which is why she dedicates herself to empowering women and teaching people how to build their confidence. Today, she joins Kelly to share her story and have a vulnerable conversation about self-worth, overcoming obstacles, and living into your p…

Superstar motivational coach and host of Entrepreneur’s Habits & Hustle podcast Jennifer Cohen reveals the secrets of her success, and how anyone bold enough can emulate them. Jennifer was recently named " 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness " by Yahoo and ranked #16 " Most Impactful Fitness Entrepreneurs " by Web MD. Upon her TedxTal…

Mike Diamond has made it his purpose in life to inspire, motivate, and educate people so they can reach their full potential and live their best lives. Over the years, Mike has lived many lives and made a lot of friends by helping them climb out of what some would consider rock bottom. Today, he joins Kelly to share his journey in this powerful epi…