Aaron Ploof

Jeff Broudy, PCI HIPAA

There are few creative business people like Jeff Broudy. He has an incredibly diverse skill-set that has allowed him to create multiple startups over the past 30 years. His expertise in various industries allows him to find successful ventures and opportunities.  His most recent successful startup company is focused on created an entirely new category – Compliance as a Service (Caas) His company, PCIHIPAA, changes lives by removing the uncertainties surrounding HIPPA compliance and data breach protection for private medical and dental practices across the United States.  Many practices don’t have the time and resources to comply with HIPAA nor keep their patient data safe.  Fortunately, Jeff Broudy and PCIHIPAA have created services to help practices solve their pain points while helping them save time and money. 

Jeff is a man who does not stay still for very long. He is constantly searching for new ways to improve his ability to help other people through his business. His biggest aspirations that he has in life is the ability to help people who are in need. This is the driving forcer behind all that he does. Jeff is an incredibly intuitive person who follows his gut whenever he does business with somebody or an organization. 2019 is already showing promising results for his company. PCIHIPAA BBB has shown that people are reacting positively to his company. There are many PCIHIPAA reviews showing that people are experiencing incredible changes for their medical businesses. The future is incredibly bright for his company.

What was your best / favorite subject in school?

One of my favorite subjects, besides lunch, was math. Working with numbers came naturally and was something I was always good at.  You work with a lot of statistics in the business world, and math led me to becoming a CPA and understanding how to read financial statements.  Looking back, I am fortunate enough that I spent a lot of time learning math when I was in school. Math has proven to be stepping stones throughout my career. 

What was your first job?

My very first job was delivering newspapers to my neighbors. I’d get up at 5 and ride my bike around the neighborhood delivering papers.  I learned early in life that hard work pays off.  My parents always supported whatever I did and taught me how to save money before buying all the shiny objects.  This allowed me to develop entrepreneurial skills that I carry now into my adult life.

Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?

Joe Kaplan was my fraternity brother and mentor.  Joe sadly passed away last year.  Joe taught me a lot.  While working for Joe in the medical payments industry, I began to learn about HIPAA compliance and identified areas where we could help practices save money, become compliant, and protect their practices.  When I was at Intuit, Scott Cook and Brad Smith taught me about Customer Driven Innovation.  I leveraged my learnings from Joe and Intuit to create PCIHIPAA. 

How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?

Working at Intuit was my MBA.  Working with Joe was my real life, business gone wild experience.  I’ve never been one to think I have all the answers.  I love learning from smart people around me.  I’d say developing strong, trustworthy relationships has prepared me the most for leading PCIHIPAA.  Relationship building is the most important part of running and growing a business. 

Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had

Every day is my best day!  You just have to think that way.  We have all had good and bad days, but my mindset is to make every day great and to bring your best.  I want our customers to feel that they will be in better place tomorrow for what we are doing for them today.  At PCIHIPAA we call it ACE – Amazing Customer Experiences.  Delivering ACE every day is what makes a great day. 

How do you keep yourself motivated?

Joe always said goals without timelines or only dreams.  My motivation comes from setting goals and working to achieve them.  Also, I have a great wife and two kids who rely on me.  Finally, all the employees at PCIHIPAA spend over 1/3 of their lives working at the Company.  Their success is my success.  We motivate each other to win.  We are creating a new category and we all want to b the greatest Compliance as a Service company that we can be.  That’s pretty f’ing motivating. 

What kind of business ideas excite you most?

The ones that change people’s lives.  What personal or business needs can we solve really well?  How can we take a pain point that is not being solved well and solve it easily and affordably?  That’s what we are thinking about every day.  That’s what’s exciting. 

Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?

I don’t rely on unorthodox techniques in order to gain exposure. Marketing is an area when building a category that can become very expensive, very fast.  There are so many ideas and marketing channels to address.  I’ve learned most the time there is no secret technique.  It’s a constant game of test, learn, improve, repeat. 

What Personal Achievement are you most proud of?

My kids Julia and Reid.  Wendy and I are lucky to have them.  They make us proud.  Don’t get me wrong, I am so proud of PCIHIPAA and I can’t wait to get up every day and go to work.  However, when you see others succeed, especially your kids, it’s an awesome feeling.

What wisdom would you have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?

Read more.  Network more. Learn faster.  I am learning more now in my 50’s, then I learned earlier in my career.  For all you younger readers, there is so much information out there, besides Netflix, take advantage of it.  Avid learners win. 

Mark Hanrahan

Building a company while also having a rich family life is not an easy feat to accomplish. In fact, this is the reason why the vast majority of people who fail to reach long-term success fail. Well, Mark Hanrahan is one of the individuals who found a way to balance their time well enough to accomplish all of their daily milestones while also being a constant presence at their household. 

As a long-term businessman who has been in the industry for over two decades, Mr. Hanrahan has done everything from public accounting to real estate. In fact, he stared his prominent career as a CPA working at an entry-level position at Carney, Alexander and Marold CPAs. During this time, he learned the basic concepts that pertain to establishing a company and helping it withstand the test of time. 

Now, Mark Hanrahan is the proud owner of Markmel Co. and has achieved almost all of the entrepreneurial objectives that he set for himself. More importantly, however, he found a way to properly juggle his work ventures with his family dealings. A great proof of this is the fact that he even has time for things like completing sixty triathlons and six Ironman races. 

As a successful businessman, what do you think are some common reasons why people fail to reach their goals?

I think that there is no way to give a reason that applies to everyone. I personally know more than a hundred different reasons that lead to someone’s entrepreneurial downfall. Some of the more common ones tend to boil down to things like procrastination and a lack of organization or time-management skills. Then again, there are businessmen and women who possessed the highest levels of these types of skills and still failed due to some other factors. In fact, I even know certain individuals whose ventures went bankrupt due to problems with addiction. Point being, it is very hard to put a one-size-fits-all label on a group of mistakes that people can make during their business careers. 

Since you mentioned addiction, how common do you think it is within the business spheres?

I do not think that it is incredibly common. Nevertheless, there are obviously instances of brilliant entrepreneurs who suffered due to their addiction issues. Take Seth Leaf Pruzansky, for example, as he is currently one of the very successful businessmen in the market. Right now, his company called Tourmaline Spring is doing amazing numbers and grabbing market share from the competitors effortlessly. In the past, however, Mr. Pruzansky was addicted to one of the most dangerous drugs in the world, heroin. 

What is one strategy that you would recommend to those who might be dealing with the aforementioned issues?

In all honesty, I do not think that I am quite qualified to speak on the issue. The reason why is the fact that I have never dealt with any problem of this nature myself. So, it is hard for me to put myself in someone else’s shoes and describe what I would do in a similar situation. Nevertheless, I do know that trusting people close to me would probably be my first step. That means that I would rely on my wife and close family to help guide me through the recovery period. 

What are some of the ways that you believe people can overcome failure?

Look for a silver lining. Sometimes, doing so will be quite difficult as the failure will seem too grave. Regardless, you have to be able to find the positive side and spin the failure as something that will help your career. In most cases, this is actually true as you are bound to learn from failing. For instance, losing market share to a competitor will help you identify your weaknesses that the opponent exploited. That way, you will be ready for similar scenarios in the future. 

Was there ever a point in your career when you thought that you will not be able to get back on track?

Definitely. In fact, I think that every business person in the world had dark thoughts of this nature at some point. For most people, they tend to take place in the early career stages when confidence is still being developed. In my case, it happened when I first started Markmel Co.

Eric Dalius

Eric Dalius is a philanthropist and retired real estate and marketing professional. He has a home in Miami, Florida, but frequently spends time traveling and staying throughout the U.S. Through the Eric J. Dalius Foundation, he has been greatly influential in providing access to post-secondary education. 

Eric Dalius graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 1992. During his career, he generated $100 million in sales. His outstanding success in the real estate and marketing fields enabled him to retire early. He has since turned his focus to fostering higher education in the United States. 

Dalius’s strong belief in the value of post-secondary education stems from his own personal background. Without access to higher education at Penn State, he would not have been able to reach such heights of success. Dalius is dedicated to helping underserved students achieve their dreams in higher education. 

Tell us about the core mission of your foundation.

My strong feelings about the importance of higher education led me to start my foundation. The core mission of the Eric J. Dalius Foundation is to provide students in need with the funds to attend colleges and universities in the United States. When young people are able to receive scholarship funding from philanthropists like me, they are better able to meet the challenges of today’s business world when they graduate.

What is the value of post-secondary education?

Post-secondary education provides students with a solid base to expand their potential. It also leads to better income and employment outcomes later in life. A recent Gallup study found that 70 percent of Americans believe it is important for students to receive a degree or professional certificate. 70 percent of Americans also believe that having a degree or certificate will help students get a better job.

People who do not graduate from college earn an average wage of just over $23,000, while college graduates earn $55,000 per year. Add an advanced degree like a master’s or Ph.D. and the average salary jumps to $65,000 per year. This seems like a foolproof argument for higher education. 

Why is it so difficult to afford higher education?

Only 24 percent of all Americans believe that post-secondary education is affordable. While the consumer price index in the United States has risen 115 percent since 1985, the inflation rate of higher education has ballooned by almost 500 percent. This means that a college education is further from the reach of the average American student.

How can educational foundations like yours support the needs of today’s college student?

Receiving financial aid from a charitable foundation means that students have better access to educational opportunities. This reduces the amount of student loans that must be taken out, allowing students to move forward with their lives after graduation without crippling debt.

What does the future hold for your organization?

I hope that I can continue to support deserving students for many years into the future. I am satisfied that the wealth I earned during my career has helped so many students realize their dreams of higher education.

What was your most fulfilling day of work?

I have a particular memory of a day when I made a major real estate deal. I had been worried about the outcome, and when the day came, I was so happy it had all worked out. I went to celebrate with my friends, and we had a wonderful time.

What was your best subject in school?

Business was my best subject. I was lucky enough to go to a high school with a strong business program. I was able to explore my interests at a young age. I also enjoyed history and math.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I am highly satisfied with the way my life has turned out. I don’t think I would make any major changes. I would tell my past self that he didn’t need to worry so much about whether he would succeed. I would tell him to believe in himself and to ignore the naysayers who think you aren’t good enough to achieve your dreams.

Jonas Gerard

Artist Jonas Gerard’s unique style of painting has endeared him closer to many art enthusiasts and exhibitors. Born in Morocco in the early 40’s, Gerard has maintained strong links with his North African birthplace. The self-taught artist is well-versed in spontaneous abstract expressionist style of painting. A scion of surrealism, this art movement sprinted after World War II and focuses on subconscious creation. Gerard is also familiar with illustrative, narrative and three-dimensional styles of painting expression. Besides painting, Gerard is a proud owner of two 5,000sq ft. art galleries. The galleries are located in the creative River Arts District in North Carolina. 

His greatest inspiration is music. While painting, Gerard applies random strokes of color and works intuitively, in-sync with the rhythm of the music and his inner intuition. Jonas Gerard grew up listening to different types of music, the most notable include the Brazilian Samba, French Café’ music, Moroccan ethnic and Afro-Cuban tunes. Owing to his painting prowess, Jonas Gerard has been invited to numerous solo and group exhibitions. The most famous venues include Henri Gallery, Washington DC; Tunberry Gallery, Miami and Tavelli Gallery in Aspen. Gerard is following in the footsteps of great Abstract Expressionist like Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock. 

Interview 

What’s your favorite subject in school?

I was not fond of school due to my dyslexia. In those days, no one knew what it was.  

What was your first job? 

I’ve been an artist for the best part of my life. 

How did it all start?

I was born in 1941 and got inducted into the arts at an early age before settling onto abstract expressionism. In the 70’s I emerged as one of the most recognized contemporary artists. Over the course of my career I have participated in numerous exhibitions across different states in the US. 

How have the previous engagements prepared you for what you’re currently doing?

Visiting various galleries for solo and group exhibitions has opened my eyes to the hidden treasures of the art world. I have had many successful outings in some of the best galleries in the US such as Mary Bell Gallery in Chicago and Artist in Residence Gallery, Coconut Grove in Florida. Besides learning from other artists during the exhibition, I have had the pleasure to share my world with art lovers, buyers and critics. My clients come from as far as Europe, South America and Asia. 

Describe your best day at work?

This happened sometime in 2015 when I painted a mural dubbed “Life, Love and Passion”. The painting is one of my favorite visual embodiments of love. The massive 8ft x 30ft piece of art hangs prominently over the entrance to Asheville’s Riverview Station. 

How do you keep your spirits high or motivated?

Music continues to inspire my work and so is light. Brilliant light dominates my art pieces as evidence in the copiousness of color and warmth. My preferred medium of painting is acrylics on canvas and collage objects. I always use the Golden Acrylic paints. Pertaining to music, I can trace my love for music to Morocco. The other facet is my Brazilian and French heritage. 

Which business ideas do you find most exciting?

The craft business ideas that I find stimulating are photography and glass blowing. With photography, aspiring and seasoned artist can create a business by printing photos and selling them to clients. I have a friend who makes a tidy sum blowing hot glass to make attractive vases and beads. This fascinating business idea is imaginative and promising for creatives. 

Have you ever used any unconventional techniques to attract business?

Not at all. The market is sufficiently divergent to accommodate different artists and their styles. My style of painting stands out because it exploits the free-form and the music cadence. For marketing purposes, I use social media and the online gallery to sell my work and promote visibility. The galleries also attract high foot traffic, which can be nurtured and converted into sales. 

What individual achievement are you most proud about?

I have several notable achievements, among them being named the Artist of the Year 2008 by the respectable, Asheville Area Arts Council. I’ve also had many good days at work; one of the most exciting is appearing on the popular 20/20 news special on ABC to discuss happiness in America. In 1975, I presented President Ford my work “We The People” as the official Bicentennial Portrait of America. The Smithsonian still has it in their collection today!

What word of wisdom would you have liked to share with your young self?

Let the allure to make money not distract your attention from creating something your heart desires.

Thomas Gaudreau

Thomas Gaudreau is an experienced educator and a highly regarded community leader. Until recently, Thomas served as the Founding Director of an Alternative School serving Middle School age students. His professional interests include: Education Innovation, Teaching, Education Leadership and Staff Development. Growing up in Northern Wisconsin, Thomas was mostly interested in outdoor activities and fine arts. He enjoyed activities like going on hiking trails and farm visitations. 

Thomas began his professional career in rural South Dakota as a Middle School literacy teacher. His initial sojourn as a teacher and community leader saw him work with Hispanic immigrant communities employed in the vast sheep ranching industry. Several years down the line, Thomas Gaudreau moved to Southern Minnesota. His rank as Intermediate Grade Teacher gave him the opening to showcase his leadership and advocacy skills. The responsibilities apportioned to him include: 

• Mentoring beginner teachers 
• Coaching peer teachers regarding the use of instructional technology and the importance of curriculum innovation 
• School District representative on social studies 
• Subject matter expert for the gigantic Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning 
• Leader of District-wide Staff Development Committee 
• Appointed Teacher Rights Chairman and Chief Labor Contract Negotiator 

Interview 

What was your favorite subject back when you were in school? 

My favorite subject was science. Besides conducting experiments and understanding the world, I appreciated the fact that science offered explanations to various phenomena. 

What was your first job? 

My first teaching job was in a Middle School teacher in South Dakota. The work entailed instructing students, enforcing behavioral rules, maintaining order and administering assignments. The job offered me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children. 

What prompted you to choose the industry you currently work in? 

The idea began back in Northern Wisconsin when I was a youth leader. I kick-started my career as a professional educator in South Dakota. The leadership qualities I had inculcated in my youth proved critical when I became a teacher. 

How have the initial jobs prepared you for what you do now?

 Working as Middle School teacher in South Dakota prepared me well for the position of Intermediate Grade School teacher in Southern Minnesota. Attributes like being resourceful and leading by example helped make me a better team member. In Southern Minnesota, I represented teachers in many professional forums across the School District and beyond, including Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning, Harcourt Brace Assessments and Pearson Assessments. The other leadership duties bestowed upon me include mentoring beginner teachers and overseeing the implementation of instructional technology and best practices. 

Describe your best day at work 

My most cherished moments are when I get into the classroom and begin interacting with students. I always feel good when students experience success in the classroom and out in the world. 

What do you do to stay motivated at work? 

Reading inspiring books and writing about my teaching experiences. 

Which business ideas excite you most?

 I am excited about new age business ideas like flexible, shareable workspaces and package free shopping. The package free shopping idea is growing because people are becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of wastage in food and drink packaging. Unlike the non-recyclable Styrofoam and plastics, package free shops now offer consumers simple and convenient alternatives. Selling flexible workspaces is a lucrative business niche, especially for unbound freelancers and big corporations looking for space to hold meetings away from the office. 

Have you ever used any unorthodox techniques to market your work or attract business? 

Nothing that I know seems out of place. Being a teacher, every new day presents an opportunity to shape the young ones and advance the course of education. Besides teaching, I am also involved in mentorship and curriculum development. The same unwavering passion is necessary for anyone with the desire to succeed in private business. 

What personal achievement are you most proud of? 

I believe the most outstanding achievement is collaborating with the School District, teachers and School Board during the week-long Teacher Institute event held annually in the summer. The training provides a perfect opportunity for education stakeholders to share their experiences and observe best educational practices. I have been called several times to speak and it’s always encouraging to receive positive commentary from my peers and seniors. 

What wisdom or word of encouragement would you like to share with your younger self? 

To be a good role model for students, learn to offer constructive criticism and try as much as possible to set realistic performance goals. The latter can be achieved by setting fittingly challenging assignments based on the student’s aptitude and experience.

David Simonini

David Simonini is an expert luxury home builder based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has designed a wide variety of single family home for a discerning market. Recently, his company, the Simonini Group, has branched out to construction of 72 apartments for the low-income housing market. This project in Lancaster, South Carolina is expected to ease constriction in the affordable housing market. Simonini Group was able to take advantage of the Trump Opportunity Zone program to support the construction. 

The Simonini Group has also worked on a development called Rea Court, a ten-unit development with six different floor plans. This community is priced from the mid-$500s. 

David Simonini is credited with introducing the New Urbanism style to Charlotte as well as European architecture. His homes and apartment complexes bring a new and vibrant sensibility to the housing market, making an impact on the Charlotte area for decades to come. 

What should our readers know about the Trump Opportunity Zones?

The Trump administration is dedicated to the expansion of economic opportunity for citizens of all income levels. The Opportunity Zones are dedicated areas which have high poverty levels or which border areas with high poverty levels. They offer tax breaks for companies that invest in the opportunity zones, making their use a win-win situation for everyone. 

What is special about the Charlotte, North Carolina real estate market?

Charlotte has been on an upswing lately. Prices are on the rise, and the housing market has been tight. High-quality homes are being built which will ease some of the constriction in the upper tier of the market. Many rental areas are being built, which may have the effect of driving the high rental prices down. This would be a benefit for the low- and moderate-income residents of Charlotte. 

What was your best or favorite subject in school?

I was always interested in history. I’ve been fascinated with the different architectural styles around the world. I enjoy reading history books today, and I am always looking to the past for architectural inspiration. 

What was your first job?

I interned with a property management company while I was in school. This opened my eyes to the wide variety of opportunities in the property management sector. It also sparked my interest in building homes. 

How do you keep yourself motivated?

I love my work. I don’t need very much external motivation. I love seeing a new home going up and imagining the family that will buy it. I enjoy thinking about the families who buy our houses enjoying them with their friends. 

What kinds of business ideas excite you most?

I am interested in the world of technology. I am excited by smart home technologies. I have a lot of smart home features in my own home. I would be interested in investing in a company that made turnkey smart home features for homeowners. It takes a lot of trial and error to get a smart home set up, and it would be nice to be able to call on a professional. 

Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?

My work speaks for itself. I haven’t had to do very much beyond publishing my listings in the usual places, both online and in print. My homes are in demand as it is. I have been doing more social media work, but I feel that social media isn’t unorthodox anymore. It’s a regular part of the marketer’s toolkit. 

What personal achievement are you most proud of?

Although I have achieved many of my business goals, I am the proudest of my family. I am blessed with a loving family which supports me in all of my endeavors. 

What wisdom would you have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?

I would have told myself to have faith in times of market downturns. I would tell myself to continue building high-quality homes even through difficult economic times. Cutting corners on quality helps no one.