Kevin Harrington's path from teenage driveway sealer to "Original Shark" epitomizes the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation and business growth. During our Board of Advisors quarterly meeting, Kevin shared candid insights from his five-decade journey that transformed American marketing forever with Board of Advisors CEO Jimmy Ralph.

Kevin's story begins with humble origins—selling driveway sealing services door-to-door at 15 years old to save for his first car, which he proudly purchased in cash by 16. This early taste of entrepreneurship evolved into a heating and air conditioning business where he pioneered customer acquisition strategies by offering free furnace cleanings to new homeowners, establishing relationships that generated substantial future business.

The defining moment came in 1980 when Kevin spotted an opportunity where others saw nothing. Noticing that Discovery Channel went dark for six hours daily, he negotiated to fill that airtime with product demonstrations. This spark of inspiration birthed the infomercial industry, eventually generating billions in sales through iconic products like the Ginsu knife, George Foreman Grill, and partnerships with celebrities from Suzanne Sommers to the Kardashians.

His infomercial growth strategy took a quantum leap when he expanded internationally, licensing his infomercial content globally through partnerships secured at industry events. This move skyrocketed revenues from $100 million to $500 million annually. The lesson? "You can't be in the right place if you're home," Kevin emphasizes, underscoring that while virtual connections matter, physical presence at networking events creates breakthrough opportunities.

What distinguishes Kevin's approach is his unwavering belief in strategic partnerships and advisory relationships. "I can't do it all," he admits, describing how creating his own "dream team" of advisors with expertise in operations, finance, and banking transformed his business trajectory. That is what created Kevin's interest in being an "Original Advisor" at Board of Advisors, he wanted to be a part of a group of entrepreneurs supporting each other through shared wisdom and strategic connections.

Today, Kevin channels his experience into developing the next generation through the Kevin Harrington Foundation, which has trained over 27,000 high school students in entrepreneurship through Junior Achievement programs.

Ready to accelerate your business growth through strategic advisory relationships? Join us at our next Board of Advisors event and discover how surrounding yourself with experienced entrepreneurs can help you avoid costly mistakes and identify hidden opportunities.

Welcome back to the Board of Advisors Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Ray Perez, global branding expert, entrepreneur, and faith-driven leader, to dive deep into what it means to build a transformational business rather than a transactional one.

Ray shares his journey from chasing revenue and recognition to realizing that authenticity, humility, and impact are what truly build lasting brands and relationships. From his work elevating entrepreneurs’ brands to his nonprofit Influence With Love, Ray reveals why purpose-driven branding matters more than ever—and why who you choose to elevate can change lives.

In this conversation, you’ll hear powerful insights on:

• The difference between transactional vs. transformational business models
• Why authenticity and alignment are the keys to building a loyal community
• The role of faith and giving in business growth and personal fulfillment
• How personal branding drives perception, opportunity, and impact
• Why leaders must be intentional about who they elevate and build up

Ray also shares personal stories of generosity, his commitment to faith-based entrepreneurship, and his mission to help leaders maximize influence and monetize their mission while making a difference.

If you’re serious about building a brand—and a business—that lasts, this episode is packed with the wisdom you need.

👉 Connect with Ray at rayperez360.com

👉 Learn more about Board of Advisors at boardofadvisors.com

Subscribe now for more real conversations with real entrepreneurs, only on the BA Podcast.

On this episode of the Board of Advisors Podcast, we sit down with Matthew Chang, founder of Chang Robotics, the Chang Robotics Fund, Curabotics, and the AIM Company. Matthew is at the cutting edge of robotics, automation, and industrial AI—building solutions that tackle some of America’s biggest challenges, from hospital efficiency to energy use and manufacturing competitiveness.

In this conversation, Matthew shares how technologies like Curabotics are transforming healthcare by giving nurses robotic assistants, unlocking time for real care and reducing workplace injuries. He dives into the AIM Company’s mission to strengthen American manufacturing by democratizing access to venture capital, making it possible for more accredited investors to fuel innovation in robotics, AI, and sustainable industry.

We also explore the engineering-first design process behind Chang Robotics, why automation doesn’t eliminate jobs but instead unlocks productivity, and how this shift can actually revive the middle class by creating better-paying, more technical jobs across industries.

This episode is more than just robotics—it’s about unlocking $2 trillion in productivity, building companies that solve real-world problems, and creating new opportunities for both entrepreneurs and investors. If you’ve ever wondered how robotics and AI will shape the future of healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and beyond, this episode is for you.

The Board of Advisors Podcast brings together elite entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders who share the strategies, struggles, and stories behind building companies that scale. We want to deliver real, actionable insights that you can use to help you grow your business.

Interested in learning more about Board of Advisors? Check out boardofadvisors.com or if you are interesting in joining check out bainvite.com

Follow along with Matthew Chang’s journey

Matthew Chang's X @ https://x.com/matthewachang
Chang Robotics: https://www.changrobotics.ai/
Curabotics: https://www.curabotics.com/