Jeffrey Marks’s career has taken him from the high-stakes world of M&A law to building restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip and ultimately to founding Lollipop, a workplace well-being platform that’s changing how companies support their people. In this episode, Jeffrey and Curtis explore how small, authentic gestures can have a massive impact on retention, engagement, and workplace culture. Jeffrey shares candid stories from his early legal career, his experience co-founding Titan Brands, and the personal turning points that shaped Lollipop’s mission. He explains how the platform gives managers real-time insight into employee well-being and equips them with practical tools to respond with empathy. For leaders looking to boost connection in meaningful, scalable ways, Jeffrey’s journey is both inspiring and actionable.

About Jeffrrey Marks:

Jeffrey Marks is a former M&A and securities attorney at a top global law firm, and the co-founder of Titan Brands, a Las Vegas-based hospitality group with four restaurants — two located inside Mandalay Bay and two off the Strip. Today, they’re the founder of Lollipop, a workplace well-being platform helping companies lead with empathy, not guesswork. Their work is rooted in the belief that small, authentic gestures can have a massive impact — and that emotional intelligence should be as actionable as any business tool.

Leading with Empathy at Scale with Jeffrey Marks

Gonzalo “Gonzo” Sanchez, founder of Everlast, is on a mission to change how we understand and manage stress at work and in life. Drawing from his experiences at Uber, Bird, and in telemedicine, he shares how Everlast uses wearables, biomarkers, and personalized roadmaps to help people unlock better health. Gonzalo and Curtis unpack the physiology of stress, emotional regulation, and why stress isn’t just psychological — it’s deeply physical. Gonzalo shares personal stories about hitting his own limits, the inspiration behind Everlast’s name, and how his team is reimagining stress as something to understand, not just suppress. It’s a fascinating conversation that blends science, storytelling, and strategy, giving leaders and individuals alike a new lens on well-being.

About Gonzalo:

Gonzalo is the founder of Everlast, a digital health company that helps people unlock their stress to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Everlast’s core belief is that stress doesn’t just live in your head—it shows up in your body. By combining biomarkers, wearable data, and lifestyle insights, the team connects the dots and delivers personalized plans that work for each member. Before launching Everlast, Gonzalo led marketplace operations in the telemedicine space, building and scaling clinician networks. Prior to that, he spent nearly a decade at Uber and Bird, where he built high-performing teams and launched marketplaces across multiple regions.

Gonzalo Sanchez on The Science (and Soul) of Stress

Sheila Williams brings more than 30 years of HR leadership to the table, blending her love of numbers with a deep commitment to people. Now a senior compensation consultant at VisionLink, she shares her journey from corporate America to consulting, unpacking why compensation strategy is both an art and a science. Sheila and Curtis dig into the idea of “compensation chaos” — what happens when companies lack structure — and explore how customized incentive plans can create clarity and drive growth. Sheila emphasizes the importance of transparency, communication, and designing pay strategies that reflect culture as much as spreadsheets. For leaders trying to balance budgets with employee experience, this conversation is a masterclass in getting compensation right.

About Sheila:

Sheila is a seasoned HR leader with over 30 years of experience who transitioned from her role as Vice President of Human Resources to pursue her passion for mentoring and making an impact beyond corporate America. Her career spans diverse industries and organizations of various sizes.  Her time in the C-suite adds a distinctive perspective to guide clients in developing HR and compensation strategies that drive competitive advantage, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Known for her candid communication style and dedication to mentorship, Sheila fosters strong client relationships and takes a personalized, hands-on approach to compensation design. She believes there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to compensation—it is too important to get wrong - it must reflect the organization's unique culture and priorities to achieve long-term success.

Crafting Compensation that Connects with Sheila Williams

Christopher Mallery spent years managing bustling restaurant teams before shifting gears to help business owners reclaim their time and sanity. As the founder of Top2Bottom Business Solutions, he now supports small businesses and franchises with clean financials, smoother operations, and smarter decision-making. In this conversation, Christopher and Curtis talk candidly about turnover, leadership in high-pressure environments, and the grind of wearing a dozen hats as an owner-operator. Christopher shares what it was like to lead teams of 60–100 people in a seven-day-a-week industry, the hard lessons he learned on retention, and how those experiences now shape his approach to supporting clients. He offers a grounded, insider’s perspective on why bookkeeping and operational clarity aren’t just back-office functions — they’re the foundation of sustainable growth.

About Christopher:

Christopher Mallery is a seasoned restaurant industry professional who transitioned from managing high-pressure environments to helping overworked business owners streamline their operations. With hands-on experience in operations, process management, accounting, and team leadership, he understands the demands of running a business. Christopher now leverages his passion for people and expert bookkeeping skills to support small businesses, franchises, and startups across the US, helping them reclaim balance and focus on what matters most.

From the Front Lines to the Back Office with Christopher Mallery

On this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Shawn Gulyas, founder of humanworks8, to discuss how organizations can elevate their culture by focusing on people first. Shawn introduces the eight truths that anchor his work, offering practical ways leaders can align values, strengthen performance, and simplify culture-building.

The conversation also touches on the role of technology, the importance of recognition and performance management, and why confident leadership often begins with something as simple as taking a breath.

About Shawn:

Shawn exists to design and facilitate creative experiences that challenge one’s thinking and action – helping individuals and companies find their authenticity and elevate their people touchpoints. After a 25-year leadership career in Human Resources, Shawn founded humanworks8 to work with organizations in need of bringing their work to life through championing people.  Think of Shawn as a “jump-starter” of energy and ideas around the belief that Everyone Matters and as a leader who creates cultures and communities where values, natural instincts and well-being are the essence of success. Other things Shawn believes in: Peace, Wonder, and Yoda.

Breathing Life Into Leadership with Shawn Gulyas

In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Ali Kraus, CFE and Chief Marketing Officer at Benetrends Financial, to explore her journey from autism educator to franchise industry leader. Alishares how her passion for people, culture, and community fuels both her marketing career and her nonprofit, Furry Frans, which brings comfort to children in crisis. She opens up about navigating stereotypes, fostering inclusive workplaces across generations, and why scaling culture takes more than HR—it takes energy, empathy, and shared leadership. Whether you’re growing a business or growing as a leader, Ali’s perspective on empowerment and authenticity will leave you inspired.

About Ali:

Ali Kraus, CFE, is the Chief Marketing Officer at Benetrends Financial, where she leads brand strategy, marketing, and growth initiatives for one of the franchise industry’s most trusted funding partners. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the International Franchise Association’s Women’s Franchise Committee, championing empowerment and leadership for women across franchising. Ali is the co-founder of Furry Frans, a nonprofit bringing comfort to children in crisis, and is passionate about building community, creating impact, and helping entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.

Building Culture, Breaking Barriers: Ali Kraus on Leadership in Franchising

Kate Halfwassen spent years leading organizations through transformation before teaming up with her husband to co-found their boutique consultancy. Together, they help businesses sharpen their focus, align their teams, and pursue ambitious growth goals. Kate joins Curtis to discuss what it’s really like to mix marriage and entrepreneurship, how family values shape their client work, and why leading with clarity and empathy makes all the difference.

About Kate:

Kate Halfwassen is a proven thought partner, having held key operations and finance roles throughout her career. Her C-Suite experience provides her with a deep understanding of business from the inside. She is known for championing empowerment and guiding teams toward achieving their growth goals. Kate excels at navigating the challenges of overwhelm by offering clear, actionable insights that align strategic vision with action steps across all levels of the organization.

Turning Shared Strengths into Growth with Kate Halfwassen

Curtis sits down with Rachel Aleknavicius to explore how Nava is reshaping the benefits landscape. From tackling outdated brokerage practices to creating AI-driven tools that simplify HR’s toughest challenges, Rachel sheds light on how benefits can transform from a source of frustration into a competitive advantage. She also shares why listening, transparency, and pushing back on “the way it’s always been done” are critical for organizations that want to attract and retain top talent.

About Rachel:

Rachel Aleknavicius is a benefits consultant with a passion for helping organizations turn their employee benefits into a true competitive advantage. With years of experience supporting large national organizations, public sector entities, and small-to-mid-sized businesses, she’s known for simplifying complex benefits challenges and delivering strategies that save money while enhancing employee satisfaction. As a proud single mother by choice, Rachel brings a deep sense of empathy and advocacy to her work, drawing on her own experiences navigating healthcare and workplace complexities. She partners closely with HR and executive teams to create innovative, sustainable benefits strategies that drive both talent retention and organizational success.

Beyond the Status Quo: Rachel Aleknavicius on Reimagining Benefits

In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Meghan Focht, Human Capital Director at Concurrency, to explore the intersection of people, culture, and technology. With over 15 years of HR leadership across industries, Meghan shares candid insights on guiding organizations through digital transformation, from embracing AI tools to managing cultural resistance and fostering psychological safety. She unpacks how leaders can empower employees, build trust, and drive adoption while keeping human connection at the center of work. If you’re curious about the future of HR, organizational change, and the skills tomorrow’s leaders need most, this conversation is packed with perspective and practical takeaways.

About Meghan:

Meghan Focht is the Human Capital Director at Concurrency and has over 15 years of HR experience. With experience in Education, manufacturing, hospitality, and IT, Meghan has experience in various areas of HR and across multiple industries. Meghan is married to her husband Brian. She has 3 kids: John, Kate, and Jane, and a 12-year-old chocolate lab, Clarence.

Building Culture in the Age of AI with Meghan Focht

In this episode of Behind the Build, host Curtis Forbes chats with Kim Walters, founder of Yes…And, LLC and cultural engagement specialist. With a background in education, leadership, and consulting, Kim shares how her journey — from teaching literacy to guiding organizations through cultural assessments — shaped her mission to help leaders “close the gaps.” Together, they explore how trust, belonging, and self-awareness drive retention and engagement, the pitfalls of minimization, and why inclusive hiring practices and reverse mentoring are critical for the future of work.

About Kim:

Kim Walters has been involved in education and consulting for over 20 years, working at the intersection of learning, leadership, and belonging. Her career has spanned middle-school literacy instruction, K–12 instructional coaching, and most recently, serving as Director of the Center 4All at CESA 6, where she led system-wide efforts to build inclusive, equity-centered educational environments. She is now the owner of Yes…And, LLC, where she acts as a cultural engagement specialist and helps organizations to close the gaps.

Closing the Gaps: Kim Walters on Belonging and Leadership

Explore what truly creates workplace happiness, builds a better culture, and drives greater engagement for the entire workforce — from the suits in the C-suite to team members on the frontlines. Get real-world insights and practical strategies to recognize, retain, elevate, and empower teams. From engaging interviews with thought leaders in our Voices web series to step-by-step how-tos, MustardHub helps you operationalize great culture and design the workplace of tomorrow... today. MustardHub Voices: Behind The Build addresses these hot topics and more with business leaders, entrepreneurs, HR professionals, consultants, coaches, researchers, and other brilliant minds committed to building, engaging, and elevating culture-driven, high-performing teams.

Fireside Chats: Behind The Build

MustardHub Voices: From the Frontlines takes you inside the businesses where great leadership happens in real time. Hear from owners, operators, and managers who aren’t behind closed doors — they’re right there with their teams, serving customers, solving problems, and setting the tone. From healthcare and childcare to retail, hospitality, home services, and more, our guests share what it really takes to keep people engaged, operations running smoothly, and customers coming back. You’ll walk away with actionable ideas, inspiring stories, and a deeper look at how leaders make an impact where the work and the magic  happen

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