In this powerful episode, Jamie Seeker sits down with Jim Parrish, founder of Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, based in Northern Virginia. Jim shares how he built a multi-million-dollar personal injury practice rooted in values and client trust—all on a contingency-fee model where the firm only gets paid if clients win.

Drawing from his early days inside the insurance industry, Jim now uses that knowledge to fight for accident victims in car and commercial trucking crashes. But what really sets him apart is his commitment to process, strategy, and community—from internal AI-powered systems to giving away bikes and coats through his community programs.

He talks about hiring ahead of the curve, managing high-stakes deadlines, and staying true to the mission—even when no one’s watching. This episode is packed with takeaways for entrepreneurs navigating risk, growth, and purpose.

• Jim started his firm just two weeks before the birth of his first child—leaning on faith, grit, and strategy to make it work.
• His contingency-fee model means his firm doesn’t get paid unless the client wins—so case selection, risk management, and internal process are critical.
• Selective intake is a must in Virginia due to the harsh “contributory negligence” law, which bars recovery even if the victim is just 1% at fault.

• The firm has developed a detailed procedural manual and leverages AI and KPIs to monitor internal performance.
• Jim meets regularly with case managers to proactively stay ahead of deadlines—citing “be early” as a business and life principle.
• Delegation and trust are essential for scale—especially in high-risk businesses where mistakes are costly.

• Jim hires and trains based on shared values first, skills second.
• He leads internal scenario-based training sessions to prepare staff for insurance company tactics.

• Community service began with time (volunteering and coaching) and evolved into financial giving as the firm grew.
• Signature initiatives:
• Wild Summer: Kids at Play – Gifting bikes and outdoor gear
• 500 Coat Drive – Providing warm clothing for local families
• Scholarships – Funding students entering college

• Hard work is non-negotiable.
• Delegation, trust, and building a values-aligned team are keys to sustainable leadership.
• Giving back isn’t a phase—it’s a mindset from day one.

Tammy Lisi, affectionately known as The Unicorn Chemist, joins Jamie Seeker to share her unconventional journey from chemistry intern to neurophysiology researcher to co-founding Formulate Robotics, a tech-powered contract manufacturing company operating out of rural Iowa. In this deeply authentic episode, Tammy opens up about breaking into male-dominated STEM fields, the emotional weight of fundraising, lessons learned from hiring missteps, and the quiet tenacity it takes to lead in science, business, and innovation.

Tammy’s story is a reminder that innovation doesn't only happen in big cities or corporate labs — and it’s proof that your background doesn’t box you in; it equips you to lead.

🔬 From Molecules to Machines

• Tammy started her career in veterinary chemistry and moved into neurophysiology research at the University of Iowa, where she worked for over a decade and published peer-reviewed articles.
• After leaving academia, she renovated a horse property, reassessed her path, and eventually launched a consulting lab, Unicorn Chemist.

🤝 The Power of Partnership

• Co-founded Formulate and later Formulate Robotics with Osmaan Shah, combining her science background with his expertise in robotics and coding.
• The company developed an automated manufacturing platform to solve pain points for brands in personal care and pharma.

💼 Business & Financial Lessons

• Tammy shares a candid story about hiring too early and hiring the wrong fit — a quality chemist rather than a creative R&D thinker — which hurt the business for years.
• Eventually pivoted to working with experienced freelance chemists instead of a traditional in-house team.

👩‍🔬 Women in STEM

• Often the only woman in a room full of men — even early in her career on a 14-person science team.
• Faced moments of exclusion and being underestimated, like being told to “call the real chemist.”
• Tammy emphasizes that becoming the recognized expert in your space shifts the power dynamic.

🧠 Inner Doubt and Resilience

• Admits to still second-guessing herself, even decades into her career.
• Encourages young women to work hard, stay humble, and trust their ability to grow into confidence.

📍Rural Innovation

• Operates her robotics lab from rural Iowa, proving that cutting-edge science and scalable solutions can be built anywhere.

Tammy’s journey proves that scientific innovation, financial wisdom,...

Pete Bernard’s journey spans from launching firmware startups in high school to leading major innovations at Microsoft and now reshaping the global conversation around Edge AI. In this conversation, Pete breaks down the mindset behind product innovation, why timing and customer clarity matter more than features, and how conviction, collaboration, and education play critical roles in staying ahead in fast-evolving tech landscapes.

From financial planning in billion-dollar product teams to bootstrapping startups, Pete offers a transparent, practical look at decision-making across business models. And at the heart of it all? A commitment to empowering people—with knowledge, with access, and with the courage to lead.

• Started building software in high school in New Jersey
• Moved from Boston to Silicon Valley for early tech roles and startups
• Joined Microsoft, where he spent nearly 20 years building products like Zune, Windows Phone, and Azure IoT
• Now leads the EDGE AI Foundation, formerly tinyML, based in Seattle, WA

• Great products aren’t just cool—they solve real, specific problems for real people.
• Timing in the market is often more critical than the tech itself.
• Microsoft taught him to think at scale: “If it’s not a billion-dollar business, it’s not worth doing here.”

• Conviction in the vision is essential: “That conviction permeates the whole organization.”
• Leadership means making the hard financial and strategic decisions early—and not waiting for someone else to do it.

• Pete’s vision for the EDGE AI Foundation: “Not just about accelerating business, but empowering people through knowledge.”
• The Foundation supports scholarships, education programs, and global tech community-building.

• Startup mode: Focused on smart capital allocation, high growth expectations.
• Corporate innovation: Every project had to justify billion-dollar ROI and high margins.
• Nonprofit mode: Still solving problems and creating value, just for a different kind of “customer.”