EPISODE · Jul 16, 2026 · 1H 5M
Fired From His Own Company: Rebounding from a $50 Million Dollar Loss
from Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy · host Mary Meyer
🎙️ Welcome to Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy!In this rich and inspiring episode, Mary Meyer sits down with Don Kurz, entrepreneur, former championship athlete, dance instructor, and author of Do the Hustle: Life Lessons from Studio 54, the Championship Lacrosse Field, and the Boardroom. If you've ever wondered how to keep going after life knocks you flat, this conversation is for you. Don's story is a remarkable trifecta of sports, dance, and business, from tearing his ligaments on one of the first Astroturf fields to teaching disco steps, dancing at the iconic Studio 54, taking a company public on NASDAQ, and later navigating painful losses with grace and hard-won wisdom. With warmth and refreshing honesty, Don shares what it really took to pivot again and again: accepting brutal reality without sugarcoating it, trusting the "gut algorithm," and discovering that vulnerability is not a weakness but a genuine superpower. You're not alone if you've ever felt blindsided by a setback you never saw coming. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that the pieces do eventually come together, if you're willing to do your part.🌟 Topics Covered:How an athlete became a disco dance instructor at Studio 54Pivoting from dance into a career in business and consultingBuilding and taking a company public on NASDAQFacing being fired from his own company and a major financial lossThe "accept and embrace" philosophy for handling setbacksThe mind-body connection and the "gut algorithm"Why vulnerability is a leadership superpowerBalancing creativity, business, and the human touch with AIKey takeaways:Accept the brutal reality of a situation before trying to move forwardMove forward with enthusiasm and trust, not grudging resignationYour gut quietly processes data, emotion, and probability; learn to listenVulnerability builds trust and rallies a team more than false certaintyCreative tension, handled well, is healthy and productiveSetbacks you can't control are part of the journey, not the end of itSome questions I ask:How did the book come about?How did you pivot from dance instructor into the business world?How do you pivot out of something as painful as being fired from your own company?Is there anything you did for the emotional part of it?What was your next venture after that?Why would a company work with Omelette? What's your target client?How can people get your book?What else would you like to share about vulnerability?Learn more about our guest:Website: donkurzauthor.comBook: Do the Hustle: Life Lessons from Studio 54, the Championship Lacrosse Field, and the Boardroom by Don KurzCompany: Omelette (creative agency)Featured article: a piece in Authority Magazine on authenticity and vulnerabilityResource List:Books mentioned: Do the Hustle by Don KurzCompanies mentioned: Omelette, Equity Marketing, Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC), Willis Towers WatsonOrganizations referenced: Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, Arthur Murray dance studios, Studio 54, NASDAQConcepts referenced: The gut algorithm, accept and embrace, creative tension, the mind-body connection, Sarbanes-OxleyAvailable at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellersSponsor Information:We are excited to have IT company https://www.mindiii.com as a podcast sponsor. Founded in 2015, MINDIII is a Product Development and Data + AI Company that builds scalable digital products and intelligent data platforms. They help businesses design, engineer, and launch high-impact web and mobile applications, powered by modern data engineering, analytics, and AI solutions.Specialities:Product Strategy & Full-Stack DevelopmentAI-Powered Web & Mobile Apps Data Engineering & AnalyticsAI & ML SolutionsCloud & DevOps SolutionsIT Consulting & Dedicated TeamsUI/UX & Workflow AutomationSoftware Testing, Maintenance & SupportEmail - [email protected] to request a quote for software services listed above.Connect with Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy Podcast:Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy is now connecting business owners, startup founders and real estate investors with necessary funding.Click here to apply: https://hhwwmmcllc.getbizfunds.com/home-4850🌟 Connect on @Instagram, @Facebook, @TikTok and @LInkedIn @HealthyHappyWiseWealthyhttps://www.youtube.com/@HealthyHappyWiseWealthyNetworkListen on @Spotify, @Audible, @Applepodcasts, @iHeartRadio, @Pandora and moreVisit: https://healthyhappywisewealthy.com/Know someone who should be a guest? Email [email protected] Meyer is a podcast host, actor, sales professional, mother and entrepreneur helping people and organizations share meaningful conversations that support health, wisdom, clarity, and growth.Produced by the All-Talented Erika Christie #DoTheHustle #Resilience #Entrepreneurship #TrustYourGut #Vulnerability #LifeLessons #CareerPivot #Leadership #Studio54 #MindBodyConnection #HealthyHappyWiseWealthy #DonKurz
What this episode covers
🎙️ Welcome to Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy!In this rich and inspiring episode, Mary Meyer sits down with Don Kurz, entrepreneur, former championship athlete, dance instructor, and author of Do the Hustle: Life Lessons from Studio 54, the Championship Lacrosse Field, and the Boardroom. If you've ever wondered how to keep going after life knocks you flat, this conversation is for you. Don's story is a remarkable trifecta of sports, dance, and business, from tearing his ligaments on one of the first Astroturf fields to teaching disco steps, dancing at the iconic Studio 54, taking a company public on NASDAQ, and later navigating painful losses with grace and hard-won wisdom. With warmth and refreshing honesty, Don shares what it really took to pivot again and again: accepting brutal reality without sugarcoating it, trusting the "gut algorithm," and discovering that vulnerability is not a weakness but a genuine superpower. You're not alone if you've ever felt blindsided by a setback you never saw coming. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that the pieces do eventually come together, if you're willing to do your part.🌟 Topics Covered:How an athlete became a disco dance instructor at Studio 54Pivoting from dance into a career in business and consultingBuilding and taking a company public on NASDAQFacing being fired from his own company and a major financial lossThe "accept and embrace" philosophy for handling setbacksThe mind-body connection and the "gut algorithm"Why vulnerability is a leadership superpowerBalancing creativity, business, and the human touch with AIKey takeaways:Accept the brutal reality of a situation before trying to move forwardMove forward with enthusiasm and trust, not grudging resignationYour gut quietly processes data, emotion, and probability; learn to listenVulnerability builds trust and rallies a team more than false certaintyCreative tension, handled well, is healthy and productiveSetbacks you can't control are part of the journey, not the end of itSome questions I ask:How did the book come about?How did you pivot from dance instructor into the business world?How do you pivot out of something as painful as being fired from your own company?Is there anything you did for the emotional part of it?What was your next venture after that?Why would a company work with Omelette? What's your target client?How can people get your book?What else would you like to share about vulnerability?Learn more about our guest:Website: donkurzauthor.comBook: Do the Hustle: Life Lessons from Studio 54, the Championship Lacrosse Field, and the Boardroom by Don KurzCompany: Omelette (creative agency)Featured article: a piece in Authority Magazine on authenticity and vulnerabilityResource List:Books mentioned: Do the Hustle by Don KurzCompanies mentioned: Omelette, Equity Marketing, Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC), Willis Towers WatsonOrganizations referenced: Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, Arthur Murray dance studios, Studio 54, NASDAQConcepts referenced: The gut algorithm, accept and embrace, creative tension, the mind-body connection, Sarbanes-OxleyAvailable at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellersSponsor Information:We are excited to have IT company https://www.mindiii.com as a podcast sponsor. Founded in 2015, MINDIII is a Product Development and Data + AI Company that builds scalable digital products and intelligent data platforms. They help businesses design, engineer, and launch high-impact web and mobile applications, powered by modern data engineering, analytics, and AI solutions.Specialities:Product Strategy & Full-Stack DevelopmentAI-Powered Web & Mobile Apps Data Engineering & AnalyticsAI & ML SolutionsCloud & DevOps SolutionsIT Consulting & Dedicated TeamsUI/UX & Workflow AutomationSoftware Testing, Maintenance & SupportEmail - [email protected] to request a quote for software services listed above.Connect with Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy Podcast:Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy is now connecting business owners, startup founders and real estate investors with necessary funding.Click here to apply: https://hhwwmmcllc.getbizfunds.com/home-4850🌟 Connect on @Instagram, @Facebook, @TikTok and @LInkedIn @HealthyHappyWiseWealthyhttps://www.youtube.com/@HealthyHappyWiseWealthyNetworkListen on @Spotify, @Audible, @Applepodcasts, @iHeartRadio, @Pandora and moreVisit: https://healthyhappywisewealthy.com/Know someone who should be a guest? Email [email protected] Meyer is a podcast host, actor, sales professional, mother and entrepreneur helping people and organizations share meaningful conversations that support health, wisdom, clarity, and growth.Produced by the All-Talented Erika Christie #DoTheHustle #Resilience #Entrepreneurship #TrustYourGut #Vulnerability #LifeLessons #CareerPivot #Leadership #Studio54 #MindBodyConnection #HealthyHappyWiseWealthy #DonKurz
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Fired From His Own Company: Rebounding from a $50 Million Dollar Loss
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