Best Shades Of Entrepreneurship™ Podcasts (2025)

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Women’s Empowerment & Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia 29:13

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7d ago29:13

29:13

Amna Alyamani has turned her childhood passion into a successful career and she is a woman fueled by her passion for baking, which she discovered at the tender age of 7. She has since pursued her dream, scaling heights and enjoying success in the culinary industry. In this podcast, Amna retraces her passion for baking and answers our questions abou…

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Prepare for Future: Social Media Addiction, AI & The Power of Storytelling with Max Stossel 59:10

15h ago59:10

59:10

Is social media stealing our time, our focus, and even our childhood? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with poet, storyteller, and social media reformer Max Stossel. From building one of the early apps designed to hook attention, to now leading a global movement for mindful tech use, Max brings a rare insider’s perspective on how technolog…

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Embracing Fear and Following Your Dreams with Bisila Bokoko 46:56

2h ago46:56

46:56

Send us a text Bisila Bokoko is an international business woman who got her start in the corporate world in Spain and then eventually in the USA. Today she shares her journey from corporate executive to international entrepreneur, wine brand founder, and creator of the Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project. Born to African parents from Equatorial …

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Developing Expertise in Hospitality Management and Leadership 34:11

4d ago34:11

34:11

Julia Krebs is a Senior Lecturer at Les Roches Marbella Global Hospitality and Hospitality Consultant, based in Marbella, Spain. In this podcast we ask Julia about her international career and how it has shaped her approach to working in diverse environments. Julia is passionate about helping to shape the next generation of hospitality professional…

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9 to 5 Job vs Entrepreneurship: Rethinking Success, Stability & Growth with Mike Bourgeois 51:59

7h ago51:59

51:59

In this episode of The Growth Mindset Podcast, we sit down with Mike Bourgeois, an executive with over 25 years of experience in corporate life, leading teams across various well-known companies. Mike brings a rare blend of wisdom from both the boardroom and entrepreneurial ventures, sharing what it really takes to succeed while staying grounded. H…

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Financial Planning is like Advanced Care Planning in Palliative Care - just Essential! 44:52

8d ago44:52

44:52

We have a fireside chat with my good buddy Pratik and we discuss his approach to his career, personal life, and financial journey. Pratik shares with us his learnings and also many golden nuggets. Nobody teaches us these life lessons. We kinda have to learn these as we go. Sadly, many of us still are struggling to learn these life lessons. To leave…

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Who Was Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)? The Truth, The Life & The Message of Islam with Dr Shadee Elmasry 51:13

18d ago51:13

51:13

In this episode of The Growth Mindset Podcast, we explore the remarkable life of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) — uncovering his struggles, wisdom, compassion, and leadership. Our guest, Dr. Shadee Elmasry walks us through the Prophet’s early years, his mission, his family life, and the timeless lessons that continue to guide millions today. This is not just…

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The Art of Negotiation 24:15

8d ago24:15

24:15

In this podcast, Tatjana Kniazeva describes her amazing, inspirational and challenging story of having to create a life for herself in London and how she went on to become a successful hospitality negotiator. With over two decades of experience in the global hospitality industry, Tatjana currently leads a high-performing team of hotel negotiators a…

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Debunking Health Myths: Gut Health, Longevity, and Cancer Prevention with Dr. Arpit Bansal 1:25:18

8d ago1:25:18

1:25:18

In this powerful episode of The Growth Mindset, we sit down with Dr. Arpit Bansal, a surgeon and health expert, to uncover the truth behind the biggest myths in health, fasting, cancer prevention, and longevity. From exposing marketing gimmicks to sharing science-backed lifestyle strategies, this episode will shift how you think about health, disea…

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Physicians are more than just physicians - some of us are also entrepreneurs 37:27

14d ago37:27

37:27

Physicians have skills that can be applied to many industries and sectors of the economy. Many of us have followed our passion or calling. Many of us can still do this while working our day job. To leave me with your feedback or comments, please email me at [email protected] To reach me for financial coaching, email me at the address above.…

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Lebanese Hospitality and Managing an Iconic Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon 36:25

22d ago36:25

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In this podcast Manrique Rodriguez talks about Lebanese hospitality and compares Lebanon to other countries in the Levant and Middle East and shares his extensive, global insights into the hospitality field. He touches on the topic of hospitality changes and challenges and the importance of moving towards more sustainable practices and eco-tourism.…

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The Evolving Role of the Revenue Manager 29:00

22d ago29:00

29:00

In this podcast Linus Fredberg answers our questions about Revenue Management and Optimization and walks us through his educational and global career paths. Linus also talks about what a typical day looks like in his current position as the Regional Director of Northern Europe for Revenue Management for Accor’s MGallery, Sofitel, Sofitel Legend and…

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Beyond the Bottom Line with Sundra Essien (S9,E10) 34:49

22d ago34:49

34:49

Send us a text What if business success isn't about endless growth? Sundra Essien, co-founder of Isang's Hair and Body, returns to Shades and Layers for our 100th episode for this discussion. Sundra and I first spoke in 2020 during the first season of the podcast and a period of uncertainty in the world. Today, she returns to once again challenge e…

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When Hospitality meets Technology… 34:07

28d ago34:07

34:07

Andrey Parshukov is currently the Head of Business Growth at JetRockets, a forward-thinking company specializing in custom web and mobile application development across various industries. In this podcast, Andrey talks about his career path from studying hospitality in Switzerland and working in the hospitality field to teaching in Vietnam and deve…

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Introducing: Madame Speaker Says with Magogodi oaMphela Makhene 1:04:07

1M ago1:04:07

1:04:07

Send us a text BONUS EPISODE 📣 INTRODUCING our new podcast bestie Madame Speaker Says hosted by Magogodi oaMphela Makhene. For this special bonus episode, we did a podswap and the featured guest is skin educator, beauty editor and founder of ThisThatBeauty, Felicia Walker. The skin is your largest living organ and Felicia believes it is not vanity …

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Hospitality Training in Cameroon – Preparing for Future Hotels and Tourism 26:56

1M ago26:56

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In this podcast, Laurence Toudjui gives our listeners a glimpse of Cameroonian hospitality by describing the current projects that are underway in her native country. Cameroon is currently catching up with other African countries that attract tourists. With its 400 km of Atlantic coast, Cameroon has fabulous sites for beach loving visitors and the …

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Celebrating 5 Years of Entrepreneurial Wisdom 8:46

1M ago8:46

8:46

Send us a text We celebrate five years of Shades and Layers by reflecting on the top entrepreneurial lessons from dozens of women who have shared their journeys on the podcast. This special birthday episode distills key insights that transcend industry, geography, and experience level to help entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey. • Embrace c…

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Know Yourself: Lessons Learned from a Sports and Events Career Path 28:27

2M ago28:27

28:27

Margaux Michel is currently the Alumni Relations Manager at Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland. In this podcast we ask Margaux Michel to describe her varied experiences working in the Sport and Event Management field. An athlete herself, Margaux explains how her multi-cultural background helped shape her career and why she was eager…

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Turning Great Locations Into Iconic Properties: Hospitality in Portugal 39:46

2M ago39:46

39:46

In this podcast, Alexandre Maia de Carvalho tells our listeners about his hospitality career in Portugal and why it continues to be one of the top-ten destinations for European tourists and is gaining popularity for travellers coming from the US, China and Canada. Alexandre’s specialty is luxury hotels and resorts, and in this podcast he describes …

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Turning Creative Hospitality Storytelling into ROI 26:26

2M ago26:26

26:26

Scott Eddy has made hospitality and tourism storytelling his field of expertise and he helps hospitality brands and destinations thrive in a fast-evolving digital world. With over 20 years of digital marketing and entrepreneurship under his belt, he has honed his brand strategy skills, Scott now travels year-round professionally as a video globetro…

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Oh doctor...don't forget about the taxes! 1:09:55

2M ago1:09:55

1:09:55

While I am not an accountant, I like to learn about taxes in Canada. This is because it allows me to better properly plan my financial life. I recognize many of us in the medical community shy away from learning about taxes that impact us. It is not in our best interest. It is essential to understand taxes well. If you have any comments or have ide…

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Salim Khan on The Golden Age of Islam, Why was it Erased, and How Muslims Can Reclaim Their Forgotten Legacy 1:31:53

2M ago1:31:53

1:31:53

Why is one of the most intellectually rich periods in Islamic history missing from mainstream education? In this profound conversation, we sit down with Salim Khan, a researcher and author passionate about Islamic history, to uncover the brilliance and decline of the Golden Age of Islam. He is the author of the book "The Golden Age of Islam". From …

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Hospitality Education in Luxembourg 34:04

2M ago34:04

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In this podcast, Claudine Thoma talks about her professional path from hospitality to education and why she decided to pursue her passion for the hospitality field as a young woman. She also discusses hospitality and hospitality education in Luxembourg, her native country and how she successfully stepped outside of her hospitality business passion …

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Future of Hospitality: Where Innovation Meets Education 43:50

3M ago43:50

43:50

In this podcast, Krisztina Soreg, PhD talks about her educational path as an Economist and her career choice to become a professor at Les Roches Hospitality Management School in Marbella, Spain. She answers our questions about the role of education in shaping the current hospitality field and the importance of disruptions and challenges to the stat…

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Norwegian Hospitality and a Scandinavian Approach to Hospitality Leadership 38:10

3M ago38:10

38:10

In this podcast, Andrès Reyes Gjerme talks about his career choices and what he considers to be the main challenges in hospitality leadership today. He describes the importance of finding balance and adapting to an ever-changing, diverse working environment. He describes the hospitality and tourism industry in Norway and answers our questions about…

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Our International Medical Graduate (IMG) colleagues face different financial challenges 48:08

3M ago48:08

48:08

I have many colleagues who have done their medicine in other countries. They have struggled tremendously before succeeding here in Canada. Many of their struggles are not unlike the Canadian trained physicians. However, they face other additional challenges. In this episode, I am chatting with Samir, a good friend and colleague from Egypt. He recou…

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Episode 210 Scaling Global Talent: How Pranav Dalal Built Office Beacon into a Remote Work Powerhouse 43:07

3M ago43:07

43:07

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores welcomes Pranav Dalal, founder and CEO of Office Beacon. Pranav shares how he pioneered remote staffing long before it became a trend, scaling his global team to thousands of full-time employees across four countries. Discover how he identifies strategic "hooks," builds world-cl…

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Creating Cocktail Magic at The Chapel Bar in Vienna 34:46

3M ago34:46

34:46

Robin Salem, who works at a The Chapel Bar, a speakeasy in Vienna, Austria, is the first bartender that 50 Shades of Hospitality has interviewed for our podcast. Robin explains to our audience how he went from working as a chef to becoming a barman. The Chapel Bar offers over 30 signature cocktails and mocktails presented in a beautiful book offere…

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Print in a Digital Age: Isha Gaye on Reconnecting Africa and the Diaspora (S9,E10) 41:36

3M ago41:36

41:36

Send us a text In this week's episode, Isha Gaye shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to founder and CEO of Afrique Noire Magazine, a print publication celebrating African creativity and connecting the diaspora to the continent. As a 2020 college graduate, nothing unfolded as planned for Isha and so lockdown forced her to reflect on her true wis…

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Episode 209 From Elephants to Empires: How Libby DeLucien Built Multiple Businesses from Scratch 28:14

3M ago28:14

28:14

In this inspiring episode, Gabriel Flores interviews Libby DeLucien—multi-business owner, software founder, and children’s book author—about her remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Libby shares how she went from growing up in a family that owned the largest herd of Asian elephants in North America to launching residential cleaning companies, recrui…

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Hotel and Hospitality Development in Central and Eastern Europe 39:33

3M ago39:33

39:33

In this podcast, Christian Michel tells our listeners about hotel development and in particular, the continued growth and development of the Central and Eastern European markets. Christian describes his long career with Wyndham Resorts and how he has honed his knowledge of hotel development in Central and Eastern Europe. Christian also speaks to ou…

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Episode 208: Keeping It Fresh: Cold Chain Logistics and the Agri-Business Hustle with Colby Varley 41:09

3M ago41:09

41:09

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Colby Varley, Vice President and Co-owner of ATS Salinas, a 40-year-old logistics firm specializing in refrigerated transportation. From driving trucks to leading operations, Colby shares his full-circle journey in the high-stakes world of perishable produce. Tune…

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Finding Your Hospitality Path and Exploring Options 27:40

4M ago27:40

27:40

Winner of the Best Swiss Receptionist Bucherer trophy in 2015, Judith Malavallon went from working in an iconic BEAU RIVAGE Palace to becoming a teacher at the school she attended in Switzerland. After a management change, she continued teaching at another prestigious Hospitality School in Lausanne. But Judith is a firm believer in having a healthy…

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Episode 207: From Employee to Owner, Corey Morris on Mastering Digital Marketing & Agency Growth 51:05

3M ago51:05

51:05

In Episode 207 of The Shades of Entrepreneurship, Corey Morris, CEO of Voltage and author of The Digital Marketing Success Plan, shares how he transitioned from agency employee to owner—while learning the hard truths about profitability, digital marketing ROI, and building a focused team culture. Corey walks through how he went from managing operat…

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Sabbatical: The True Cost of Success with Karabo Lediga (S9, E9) 50:27

4M ago50:27

50:27

Send us a text What happens when the dream your mother sacrificed everything for becomes your personal nightmare? Johannesburg-based filmmaker Karabo Lediga joins us to explore this haunting question through her debut feature film "Sabbatical" – a raw, honest portrayal of mother-daughter relationships in post-apartheid South Africa. A 30-something …

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Exciting News About 50 Shades of Hospitality 19:36

4M ago19:36

19:36

After more than two years and 10,000+ downloads of 50 Shades of Hospitality Podcasts, your producers and hosts, Egidio Marcato and Crystal Forest Cavin discuss their motivation and passion for creating a global hospitality podcast. In this podcast Egidio and Crystal are pleased to announce their future collaboration with Mauricio Schuler and his co…

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Episode 206: Systems, Scaling & Creative Freedom with Jonathan Ronzio, Co-Founder of Trainual 53:20

4M ago53:20

53:20

In Episode 206 of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, Jonathan Ronzio, co-founder and CMO of Trainual, shares how systems, structure, and documented processes are the keys to scaling a business—and unlocking creative freedom for founders. From adventure filmmaking to building one of the top business ops platforms, Jonathan opens up about the identity …

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When the Hospitality path leads you to become a Business Angel 29:21

4M ago29:21

29:21

In this podcast, João de Saldanha describes his path from hospitality to the world of finance and investment. Despite some early disappointments, João was able to move forward and he shares his insights into how difficulties can be turned into opportunities for growth and success. He also explains how his hospitality training was a powerful tool fo…

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Episode 205: Marketing with Purpose – John Horn on Strategy-First Advertising 41:55

4M ago41:55

41:55

In Episode 205 of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, Gabriel Flores interviews John Horn, CEO of StubGroup, a digital marketing agency built around strategy-first advertising. John shares how he helped build the company from the ground up, why understanding a client’s business context is crucial, and how Stub Group helps companies overcome ad account…

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Mom's Magic Oil: The Bask & Lather Story with Shaina Rainford (S9, E8) 27:54

4M ago27:54

27:54

Send us a text In 2020, then nurse practitioner, Shaina Rainford got seriously ill from COVID. She survived the illness, but lost all her hair and found nothing on store shelves that could help with her condition. Then, she remembered that her younger sister went through something similar – not COVID – five years prior, and their mother had made a …

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Winning Gold! World Skills Champion of Hotel Reception 43:24

4M ago43:24

43:24

In this podcast, we speak to Carmen Többen who won the WorldSkills Gold Medal for best receptionist in Lyon, France last year. After winning the Gold Medal at the SwissSkills competition in Bern in 2022 and the EuroSkills Gold Medal in Gdansk, Poland in 2023, Carmen used those exceptional experiences to win gold in Lyon. Carmen walks us through the…

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Episode 204: Reinventing the E-Commerce Supply Chain with Izzy Rosenzweig 30:54

4M ago30:54

30:54

In Episode 204 of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with Izzy Rosenzweig, founder and CEO of Portless, to discuss how he's rethinking global e-commerce fulfillment. From struggling brand owner to innovator, Izzy shares how the Portless model slashes lead times, improves cash flow, and supports brands manufacturing in As…

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San Leonardo - An Italian Wine Estate with a Rich History 35:49

5M ago35:49

35:49

In this podcast, Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga shares the extraordinary history of his family-owned winery, Tenuta San Leonardo, which is an estate of historical significance where great wines are created in Trentino. It produces San Leonardo, a Bordeaux-style red wine which was described by the wine journalist, Jancis Robinson as "surely the most succ…

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Episode 203: Betting on Yourself with James Hilovsky – Navigating Franchise Ownership 35:51

4M ago35:51

35:51

In this episode of The Shades of Entrepreneurship™, host Gabriel Flores sits down with James Hilovsky, CEO of The Fran Dream, to explore the world of franchise ownership. James shares his transition from the fast-food industry to franchise consulting, the steps to evaluate a good opportunity, and why networking is crucial to franchise success. Supp…

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Exploring Mexico’s Culinary Heritage 29:15

5M ago29:15

29:15

In this podcast, Philippe Rey-Westlund and Byron Rey-Westlund talk about their culinary adventures in Mexico and what has and continues to inspire these explorations of Mexico’s culinary history. Both Byron and Philippe talk about their initial experiences with Mexican cuisine Byron grew up in the Cupertino, California (Silicon Valley) surrounded b…

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The BASE Framework: How to Achieve Your Dreams with Brandi Hudson (S9,E7) 33:30

5M ago33:30

33:30

Send us a text One of the most effective ways to succeed in entrepreneurship is mindset. To help you get in the right frame of mind for your new or existing venture, The SAL Podcast gets you a coach to answer some challenging questions on your journey to success. This time we have Performance Coach and Happiness Expert, Brandi Hudson. In this episo…

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Making idealistic culinary dreams come true 34:34

5M ago34:34

34:34

Walter el Nagar is a passionate Chef with a multicultural background and a strong desire to make not only a culinary mark but a social one as well. In this podcast, Walter describes his passion for creative culinary arts and his professional path across the globe. Walter was born in Milan in 1981 to an Egyptian father and Italian mother, both of wh…

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The Hidden Cost of Success - How Ego Blocks Peace and What Entrepreneurs Must Surrender to Find It with Armin Shafee 1:01:34

5M ago1:01:34

1:01:34

What if everything you’ve been taught about success is only half the story? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, we sit down with Armin Shafee—a former millionaire entrepreneur, award-winning international speaker, and VP of Think and Grow Rich. Armin built a multi-million-dollar coaching empire, only to discover that external achieve…

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Episode 202: Reinventing Direct Mail in the Digital Age with Wilson Zehr 50:00

5M ago50:00

50:00

Wilson Zehr, founder of Zairmail, joins The Shades of Entrepreneurship to share how direct mail is evolving in the digital age. From launching hybrid mail solutions to creating Speedy, a tool for one-to-one mailing, Wilson explains how automation and audience targeting make direct mail more effective than ever. He breaks down the benefits of first-…

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Surfing and Community Tourism 26:23

5M ago26:23

26:23

In this podcast we speak to Bastian Barnbeck who is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Waved, a non-profit organization that empowers students from rural coastal communities in Panama, using surfing a tool for social change. With a background in Hospitality, Management Consulting and Corporate Social Responsibility, Bastian discusses how he h…