When Craig Rupp left Iowa in the 80s, he never wanted to step foot on a farm again. A whirlwind career as an engineer took him to some of the biggest companies - Motorola, Apple, Samsung - but he always felt a strong connection to his roots. He had an idea he couldn’t shake - an opportunity to change farming forever. Introducing Sabanto and its best-in-class Autonomous Operator, Steward. On the day of their first big test, the tractor froze, stuck in a field in a blizzard - no planting, no company, no future. If Craig wanted this to work, he had to find a solution - and fast. 

Ben is back with a series of episodes celebrating businesses from across America, starting with the great state of Iowa and Sabanto Agriculture. Joining Ben is Sachin Seghal Founder of Elevate Digital Marketing in Des Moines and Brian Lamb, Northeast segment head for Middle Market at JPMorgan Chase. Together they discuss the developments in Artificial Intelligence and its importance for small businesses while sharing insights on how small businesses can effectively transition to mid-sized enterprises and beyond. 

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Transitioning to civilian life after years of military service can be daunting. Some veterans pursue higher education, while others explore business and entrepreneurship, each journey uniquely personal. What remains constant is the importance of ensuring service members are well-prepared for this transition. 

In this special episode of The Unshakeables, Ben sits down with Ryan Pavel, a veteran and CEO of the national nonprofit Warrior-Scholar Project, to discuss his transition from the military. Ryan shares how the discipline and determination he developed during his service helped him achieve his dream job: guiding and preparing other veterans for a fulfilling life after service. 

Additionally, Ben is joined by Mark Elliott, Managing Director and Global Head of Military and Veterans Affairs at JPMorgan Chase, who offers his insights on why veterans often become exceptional leaders and passionate entrepreneurs

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The Unshakeables returns with a special episode. Join Ben as he sits with Jay Bailey, CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, and Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, host of Therapy for Black Girls, live from The Experience: Atlanta, an event presented by Chase for Business. They discuss the mindset that makes small business owners truly unshakeable. Both small business owners, Jay and Dr. Joy witness the grit and resilience of Atlanta's business community. So listen in as they delve into what it means to become Unshakeable.

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Desi Perkins launched her YouTube and Instagram profiles to focus on makeup-and people LOVED it. And when she launched a line of sunglasses with a major sunglass brand, people ate that up, too. But when it came time to renegotiate the contract with that brand… that didn’t go as planned. She and her husband Steven set out to do it on their own, knowing if the brand failed it was on them. 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Desi and Steven about their daring real-life expansion of the online brand. Discover how they converted digital followers into real sales, demanding the best from their suppliers and refusing to settle for lackluster deal terms from a major company. These are The Unshakeables.  

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Rob Starkman’s sophomore year was not a typical college experience. He spent most days chugging energy drinks and sweating over fabric dyes in his dorm room. It had all started a few months before, when Rob took on a new role as student manager of the men’s basketball team and it all almost ended when one of the largest companies in the world sent him a cease and desist letter. 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Rob about the stroke of inspiration that started Rock ‘Em Socks in a dorm room, and the large legal team that went after the business. Discover how he fought back, overcoming obstacles from outside and inside—his company, and the hard-won lessons that put Rock’Em on the map. 

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The 2008 Global Financial Crisis was hard for almost everyone. Fuquan Bilal remembers it like it was yesterday. A real estate investor, among other things, he came home to the news of the crash and the sharp realization that he lost $2 million overnight. That could have been the end with advisors telling him to file for bankruptcy. 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Fuquan about how he fought to keep his companies afloat. Discover how he brought his business back from the dead, ignoring common sense, for his own gut instincts, his investments to diversify his income, and back into better communities for all. These are The Unshakeables.   

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When Denise Woodard found out her daughter Vivi had severe food allergies, she went into super mom mode. She looked for food that was nutritious and fun but what she found at the store was disappointing at best. So she took to the kitchen and started making her own snacks for Vivi, laying the foundation for Partake Foods, a Black-owned, female-led company offering allergy-friendly foods. As her snacks started to gain traction, Denise realized she needed more capital—and fast—if she wanted Partake to succeed. 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Denise about Partakes-humble beginnings and near failure to launch. Discover her commitment to funding Partake, pawning her engagement ring and emptying her savings in the process, and a chance meeting in a trade show bathroom that unlocked new doors for the company. These are The Unshakeables. 

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It can be tough to start a business. And if you’re a young family on the brink of the birth of your first child, it can be even tougher. Yet George and Margarita Rivera did it anyway. When George came home and told Margarita he quit his job to start his own electric company, she had apprehensions. Could they keep their family afloat while starting this new company? 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with the founders of Doc Watts Electric about those first rocky months. Discover how they built a company as they built their family, learned the tools of the trade while learning how to run a successful business— and avoided their competitor’s mistakes by looking to the future. These are The Unshakeables. 

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Melissa Gallardo’s childhood smelled like dark-roast coffee and lavender Fabulosa. As an adult, she found it difficult to find fragrances that made her feel at home, so she took it into her own hands and taught herself to make candles. It was a fun hobby side hustle until a 5,400 candle order almost sent her over the edge. 

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Melissa, founder of Bonita Fierce Candles, about taking her passion project from her side hustle to her full-time job. Discover how she started the company in her spare room while working 9-5 and finishing a graduate degree, built a relatable brand by focusing on her personal experience and how she landed her first big order. These are the Unshakeables.

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 Alex Vega always loved cars. It started with a $500 car in high school and led to a custom detailing and modification business. Until one day, a business partner revealed his true colors and unceremoniously dumped Alex back to square one. But that wasn’t the first time that happened to Alex—and it wouldn’t be the last.

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with Alex, owner of The Auto Firm, about how even the biggest red lights in the world can't stop you when you know your brand, the importance of paperwork (especially when working with friends), and how finally finding a trusted advisor-led to his greatest growth yet. These are The Unshakeables. 

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In March 2020, while the entire world was shutting down, Doug and Jason Barrow, brothers and owners of Luna Gourmet Coffee & Tea, had other problems. One morning at the office, one of their employees said the building smelled like campfire. Now roasting coffee does get a little toasty—but never like this.

Join Ben and Tanya as they chat with the Barrow brothers about their business's phoenix-like comeback. Discover how they rebounded, securing fresh funding, finding unexpected allies, and building a dedicated support team that propelled them to greater heights. These are The Unshakeables.

The Unshakeables is brought to you by Chase for Business and Ruby Studio.

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