Entrepreneurs: Why Broadway Is the Riskiest Investment You’ll Love with Ken Davenport + Others (Full Episode)

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show interview Tony award-winning Broadway producer Ken Davenport, Dominic Forth from Thought Leaders of America and The TV Bookers and Stacey Iltis and Kari Schroeter from Fly Dance Fitness®. Tony Award–winning Broadway producer Ken Davenport reveals how raising over $100 million for shows mirrors venture capital, why even the most talented teams can’t guarantee success, and how audience demand ultimately decides every winner and flop. You’ll learn how entrepreneurs can navigate uncertainty, bounce back from failure, think ahead of shifting markets, and use bold, unconventional marketing to stand out. Read more at: https://kendavenport.com/ Dominic Forth is the CEO of Thought Leaders of America and founder of The TV Bookers, companies built around one core promise: get founders, CEOs, and thought leaders featured on major national media — or it’s free. His mission is simple but powerful: help experts stop chasing credibility and start owning authority. Read more at: https://www.thoughtleadersamerica.com/ and at: https://www.thetvbookers.com/ Stacey Iltis (CEO) and Kari Schroeter (COO) are the powerhouse duo behind Fly Dance Fitness®, a rapidly growing, female-founded dance fitness franchise built on the belief that fitness should feel like a celebration. Their mission transcends beyond just workouts — it’s about creating an experience every time someone walks through the doors. Read more at: https://www.flydancefitness.com/ Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas. Chapters (00:00:00) - Pushing Yourself to Profits(00:00:21) - Passage to Profit(00:01:32) - The One Decision That Changed the Direction of My Business(00:04:10) - What Was the Most Transformative Moment in Your Business?(00:06:16) - Sarasota Franchise: The Decision to Franchise(00:08:35) - What is the One Decision that Transformed Your Business?(00:09:57) - Broadway's Risky Investing(00:11:09) - What Makes a Broadway Show a Hit?(00:13:56) - In the Elevator With Joy Mangano(00:14:51) - Does a Successful Movie Make an Off-Broadway Musical?(00:17:39) - The New Yorkers: Broadway's Failure(00:19:07) - What Do Investors Look For In Broadway Investing?(00:20:27) - Have You Asked the Board For Input?(00:21:20) - In the Elevator With Tony Shalves(00:23:06) - Car Shield(00:24:11) - Better health insurance for you and your family(00:25:12) - Passing to Profit: Ken Davenport's Marketing Style(00:31:14) - Ken Deshaaney on His Legacy(00:33:12) - AI Use Cases for Business Owners Roundtable(00:34:10) - How We're Using AI in Our Business(00:39:00) - Debt Relief for Divorce and More(00:41:22) - Why Businesses Should Double Down on Innovation and Patents(00:44:03) - Dominic Forth(00:46:43) - The 3 Rules of a Great Story(00:50:03) - How to Overcome Fear During Acting(00:53:07) - How To Get Your Clients On TV(00:54:50) - Have Medical Contributors Got a Shot on National TV?(00:56:45) - Are Podcasts More persuasive than News?(00:57:49) - Podcast and Television(01:02:49) - Fly Dancer Fitness Franchise(01:06:29) - What Made It So Special For Our Class?(01:08:21) - The Dance Company:(01:10:52) - How Fly Dance Fitness Became A Franchise Company(01:15:16) - Ken Davenport(01:16:21) - Dominic Fourth(01:17:32) - Stacey Ultitz on Her Secret to Success(01:18:03) - Richard Gearhart and Carrie Schroeder