Ellen Yin didn’t always love food. As a child in New Jersey, she was more into McDonald’s than her mom’s cooking. But when she did discover the magic of restaurants and the food they served, she was hooked. All through her time at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, she dreamed of owning a restaurant. This was true even after she began working in advertising and hospital management. Today, she is owner and co-founder of High Street Hospitality Group, managing four restaurants in Philadelphia and one in NYC.

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REINVENTORS: Ellen Yin, Healthcare Administrator To Restauranteur

When I met Alex Beyer in 2010 at a piano competition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we struck up a conversation about his passion for soccer and his dream of becoming a NASA astronaut. Since then, he has gone on to win third prize at the Dublin International Piano Competition and the Queen Elisabeth Competition, while graduating from the Harvard/New England Conservatory dual degree program. And it was at the peak of his piano competition career that he pivoted, away from the life of a concert pianist. Today he is a Student Naval Aviator in the United States Navy.

REINVENTORS: Alex Beyer, Pianist To Navy Pilot

Megan Moore now tells students she speaks to, that a career doesn’t begin once they’ve won a job, competition, or role - it starts the moment they walk into music school. As an artist faced with the horrors of a once packed schedule disappearing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Megan has thought much about what a career is to her, through her journey of rising as a young operatic star to co-founding LYNX, a non-profit now working with people with nonverbal autism. Today she is the First Prize winner of the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition.

REINVENTORS: Megan Moore, Opera Singer To Arts Advocate

As a senior in high school, Katherine Balch focused on applying to dual degree programs, so she could study music and something else. She refused to pigeonhole herself into a career track, and has kept that same spirit well into her now-flourishing career as a composer - even with the awards and prizes she has received, she’s open to change, maybe even away from composition one day. Today she is the 2020 Elliott Carter Rome Prize Fellow.

REINVENTORS: Katherine Balch, Aspiring Historian To Composer

When Side Project Jerky was launched almost ten years ago, it was meant to be exactly that - a side project. Working as a construction estimator, Marcos Espinoza saw the beef jerky business as a more fun way to earn extra income than a rental property. But through the years his fascination with jerky has continued to grow, culminating in the decision to pivot and focus much of his efforts into the business after he was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic.

REINVENTORS: Marcos Espinoza, Construction Estimator To Beef Jerky Maker

This episode begins with a reflection on what has been happening in this country in the wake of the murders in Atlanta and the sharp increase in hate crimes against Asian people. When Keegan Fong was in high school, his family frequently hosted his friends for dinner. It wasn’t until he left home that he realized how special his mom’s cooking was. As he worked in the action sports industry as a marketing manager, he began dreaming of his own business which would showcase his mom’s cooking and the family’s welcoming spirit. Today, he is owner of Woon Kitchen in LA.

REINVENTORS: Keegan Fong, Marketing Manager To Restauranteur

In high school, John Geating was dead set on becoming a Navy pilot. But because of a medical disqualification, he was forced to drastically alter his path. Through his numerous pivots, including becoming a janitor, working at a yogurt factory, and becoming a property manager in New Zealand, he’s taken the long road to where he is now. But on his journey, perhaps the most devastating change he experienced was the loss of his dad. Today he is co-owner of the delightful Leeward Furniture. Follow the show on Instagram: @skiptherepeat

REINVENTORS: John Geating, Aspiring Navy Pilot To Woodworker

Friendships have been the most important aspect of opening doors for Jason Sturgill. From founding a record label, to a stint in telemarketing, to working at one of the big names in the advertising world, and becoming an illustrator, the serendipity and spontaneity that relationships bring have been central to his pivots. Today his list of clients include Nike, Muji, Teva, and Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Follow the show on Instagram: @skiptherepeat

REINVENTORS: Jason Sturgill, Record Label Founder To Illustrator

Steven Banks always felt that he was alone. As a classical saxophonist, no one looked like him or had a similar background - a fact that left him with what felt like a huge responsibility to represent all black people in classical music. That feeling fueled him to become an advocate for diversity and inclusion, as well as expanding into becoming a composer. He is the first ever saxophonist to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. Follow the show on Instagram: @skiptherepeat  

REINVENTORS: Steven Banks, Saxophonist To Advocate For Diversity

As a nineteen year old college student, Jeannine A. Cook became pregnant. Initially fearing that her life and dreams were over, she eventually rose to meet those challenges, graduating and becoming an educator. Service has always been central to her ideas about what it means to be a human being - through her pivot and founding Harriett’s Bookshop, she is cultivating the next generation of activists. Follow the show on Instagram: @skiptherepeat

REINVENTORS: Jeannine A. Cook, Educator To Activist & Bookshop Owner

Emily and Brian Kellett first met through friends in Columbus, OH - she was a student studying industrial design and he worked as a freelance designer for a local brewery. Now married, today they’re owners of STUMP, a gorgeous plant shop with locations in four different cities - but they never expected to be here. The real life experience and lessons learned through their many pivots are at work on a daily basis for their newest venture.    Follow the show on Instagram: @skiptherepeat

REINVENTORS: Emily & Brian Kellett, Designer/Teacher To Plant Shop Owners

When Vikram Nayar was working in finance, he had no idea that entrepreneurship in the beverage industry was his future. In fact, he had no idea what hard seltzer was - he just knew he desired the challenge and grind of entrepreneurship. Today, he is one half of the twin brothers behind hard seltzer brand, Two Robbers. Follow the show on Instagram: @skiptherepeat

REINVENTORS: Vikram Nayar, Investment Banker To Hard Seltzer Entrepreneur

Ryan Fitzgerald is a man of many many pivots. And through it all, he’s leaned on two things - a sense of adventure and the belief in himself to figure it out. From screen printing to detailing cars to founding Philly’s hottest supper club, he’s taken the lessons from all of his previous businesses to create his newest venture, 1-900-ICE-CREAM. Follow the show on Instagram: @skiptherepeat

REINVENTORS: Ryan Fitzgerald, Screen Printer To Ice Cream Maker

"Skip the Repeat" is a podcast hosted by pianist Kai Talim. It features long form conversations with friends and guests who are the artists, musicians, and creatives at the forefront of their respective fields.

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Skip the Repeat

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