My ME Story

Karl Schmitt, Jr. is all about teamwork-- both in the office and in the sports arena. As President & CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission, his goal is to increase teamwork so that their mission is accomplished-- a mission that ultimately "puts heads in beds"!

Growing up in Louisville's west end through tumultuous times developed strong character traits that Karl Schmitt, Jr. has used to build a thriving sports event city. In the last eight years alone, sporting events revenue has topped the charts!

The Louisville Sports Commission acts as the economic tool to attract hotel room night visits (hence "heads in beds"). However, they are also proactive in promoting active lifestyles, especially with the youth in disadvantaged neighborhoods, in an effort to attract and retain a strong workforce.  In addition, they act as entrepreneurs by creating, owning, and operating their own events.

Hear how Karl's leadership at The Louisville Sports Commission has developed into a legacy, even after managing Covid and how lessons learned have played a role in developing better event experiences! 

Karl Schmitt, Jr. is all about teamwork-- both in the office and in the sports arena. As President & CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission, his goal is to increase teamwork so that their mission is accomplished-- a mission that ultimately "puts heads in beds"!

Growing up in Louisville's west end through tumultuous times developed strong character traits that Karl Schmitt, Jr. has used to build a thriving sports event city. In the last eight years alone, sporting events revenue has topped the charts!

The Louisville Sports Commission acts as the economic tool to attract hotel room night visits (hence "heads in beds"). However, they are also proactive in promoting active lifestyles, especially with the youth in disadvantaged neighborhoods, in an effort to attract and retain a strong workforce.  In addition, they act as entrepreneurs by creating, owning, and operating their own events.

Hear how Karl's leadership at The Louisville Sports Commission has developed into a legacy, even after managing Covid and how lessons learned have played a role in developing better event experiences! 

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."  - Winston Churchill

Ed Hart defines an entrepreneur as someone who can achieve success in different industries, as opposed to a successful business person who achieves success in a specific field. By that definition, Ed Hart is certainly an entrepreneur!

Curiosity stimulates learning opportunities and intrigues those that tend to gravitate towards the path of entrepreneurship. During his childhood, Mr. Hart was very curious by nature and this trait, coupled with his perseverance, allowed him to gain huge success with projects that the typical person would not think to undertake.  As an admirer of Churchill Winston, Ed Hart followed his words of wisdom with a profound clarity.

Renovation of property that is foreclosed on, revitalizing distressed theme parks, venturing into the big screen-- all different paths, all diversified, all turn-around successes due to foresight, a clear vision, and perseverance. 

Want to know how that person behind the success thinks? Listen to this podcast and gain rare insight into the person that is Ed Hart.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."  - Winston Churchill

Ed Hart defines an entrepreneur as someone who can achieve success in different industries, as opposed to a successful business person who achieves success in a specific field. By that definition, Ed Hart is certainly an entrepreneur!

Curiosity stimulates learning opportunities and intrigues those that tend to gravitate towards the path of entrepreneurship. During his childhood, Mr. Hart was very curious by nature and this trait, coupled with his perseverance, allowed him to gain huge success with projects that the typical person would not think to undertake.  As an admirer of Churchill Winston, Ed Hart followed his words of wisdom with a profound clarity.

Renovation of property that is foreclosed on, revitalizing distressed theme parks, venturing into the big screen-- all different paths, all diversified, all turn-around successes due to foresight, a clear vision, and perseverance. 

Want to know how that person behind the success thinks? Listen to this podcast and gain rare insight into the person that is Ed Hart.

The  Kentucky Center for the Arts is instrumental to our community.  As stated on their website, "Through a coordinated effort and community support, the Fund for the Arts builds a stronger community by investing in world-class Arts organizations, driving collaborative initiatives, fueling innovative arts-in-education programs and engaging corporate partnerships throughout the region."

The entertainment industry has struggled through COVID and touched a variety of platforms, from restaurants to caterers to venues to artists.  Collaboration and coordination with peer industries is imperative during this timeframe.

As businesses come online and people begin to feel confident in re-engaging in community efforts, entertainment and the arts will be an influential  leader to link our society and build strong fellowship bridges. The  Arts encourage our differences. It sees the strengths formed from capitalizing on our diversity.

Join us as we discuss with Kim Baker, President/CEO of the Kentucky Center for the Arts, how to overcome COVID struggles and "Keep Moving Forward"!

The  Kentucky Center for the Arts is instrumental to our community.  As stated on their website, "Through a coordinated effort and community support, the Fund for the Arts builds a stronger community by investing in world-class Arts organizations, driving collaborative initiatives, fueling innovative arts-in-education programs and engaging corporate partnerships throughout the region."

The entertainment industry has struggled through COVID and touched a variety of platforms, from restaurants to caterers to venues to artists.  Collaboration and coordination with peer industries is imperative during this timeframe.

As businesses come online and people begin to feel confident in re-engaging in community efforts, entertainment and the arts will be an influential  leader to link our society and build strong fellowship bridges. The  Arts encourage our differences. It sees the strengths formed from capitalizing on our diversity.

Join us as we discuss with Kim Baker, President/CEO of the Kentucky Center for the Arts, how to overcome COVID struggles and "Keep Moving Forward"!

"According to The Family Firm Institute, only about 30 percent of family businesses survive into the second generation, 12 percent are viable into the third generation, and only about 3 percent of all family businesses operate into the fourth generation or beyond." Evolution is critical to success, as well as strong processes and consistent vision.

Masterson's Food & Drink Group has successfully evolved into just that legacy. Initially established as a restaurant, they have expanded into the Number One catering seat in Louisville and now they are growing in the manufacturing world. In addition, they have diversified into an event facility (The Olmsted), a waterfront restaurant (Captain's Quarters), and a chartered yacht (CQ Princess).

While discussions to migrate more into the manufacturing arena were already underway, COVID definitely escalated that plan to a top priority. However, changing business lines is not an easy task. It takes a lot of collaboration, a common vision, and lots of effort! 

Join us as we discuss the dynamics of family business with Sueanna and how success continues into a third generation family business!

"According to The Family Firm Institute, only about 30 percent of family businesses survive into the second generation, 12 percent are viable into the third generation, and only about 3 percent of all family businesses operate into the fourth generation or beyond." Evolution is critical to success, as well as strong processes and consistent vision.

Masterson's Food & Drink Group has successfully evolved into just that legacy. Initially established as a restaurant, they have expanded into the Number One catering seat in Louisville and now they are growing in the manufacturing world. In addition, they have diversified into an event facility (The Olmsted), a waterfront restaurant (Captain's Quarters), and a chartered yacht (CQ Princess).

While discussions to migrate more into the manufacturing arena were already underway, COVID definitely escalated that plan to a top priority. However, changing business lines is not an easy task. It takes a lot of collaboration, a common vision, and lots of effort! 

Join us as we discuss the dynamics of family business with Sueanna and how success continues into a third generation family business!

Team staffing solutions are tough enough! Factor in a pandemic, a roller coaster economy, and a diverse workforce and the solution is often times buried in operational challenges.

Pre-Covid, Cara Silletto was already working with companies to blend their workforce diversities into a consistent message and training program. In her book, Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave and How to Keep Them Longer,  Cara suggests that "The only way for organizations to successfully and sustainably face the new realities of today's workforce and the evolution of employee expectations is through a deep understanding of how to effectively hire and manage shorter-term workers who have a different view of the workplace."

The last year, and most likely the majority of 2021, will present challenges with workforce supply, demand, retention, and growth. Companies will be faced with new challenges to recruit and retain their team, while struggling to increase efficiency and profitability. 

Join us as Cara suggests some workplace dilemmas and warning signs that can be used to grow your workforce into 2021 and beyond.

Team staffing solutions are tough enough! Factor in a pandemic, a roller coaster economy, and a diverse workforce and the solution is often times buried in operational challenges.

Pre-Covid, Cara Silletto was already working with companies to blend their workforce diversities into a consistent message and training program. In her book, Staying Power: Why Your Employees Leave and How to Keep Them Longer,  Cara suggests that "The only way for organizations to successfully and sustainably face the new realities of today's workforce and the evolution of employee expectations is through a deep understanding of how to effectively hire and manage shorter-term workers who have a different view of the workplace."

The last year, and most likely the majority of 2021, will present challenges with workforce supply, demand, retention, and growth. Companies will be faced with new challenges to recruit and retain their team, while struggling to increase efficiency and profitability. 

Join us as Cara suggests some workplace dilemmas and warning signs that can be used to grow your workforce into 2021 and beyond.