In this episode of Pieces of Impact, I sit down with Michael Hughes, an accomplished business leader who has helped take two Silicon Valley companies public by growing revenue, building high performing teams, and leading with energy.

Michael’s career spans Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, London, the Bay Area, and now Lake Tahoe, with leadership roles at companies like Barracuda Networks and ChargePoint, where he led revenue operations through NYSE IPOs. Today, he serves as President at 1Password, a global leader in identity and security.

Beyond the resume, this conversation explores the human side of leadership. We talk about hiring for energy and attitude over experience, the role of empathy and relationships in building great teams, and how adaptability has shaped Michael’s career.

We also discuss mentorship, recognizing personal weaknesses, and why every milestone is just another stepping stone rather than the finish line.

We touch on the realities of remote work, especially for younger professionals, the future of hybrid teams, and how emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles may reshape how we live and work.

00:00 Introduction to Michael Hughes

03:09 Michael's Career Journey

06:02 Lessons in Leadership and Self-Awareness

09:02 Hiring for High Performance

11:57 Choosing the Right Company and Boss

15:06 The Importance of Mentorship

18:05 Building Effective Teams

20:55 Connecting Employees to the Mission

23:53 Measuring Success and Activity

27:04 Cultural Sensitivity in Business

30:09 Navigating Corporate Acquisitions

37:25 Navigating Private Equity Acquisitions

42:12 The Venture Capital Landscape

49:32 Lessons from Startup Challenges

57:53 Advice for the Next Generation

01:09:17 The Future of Work: Remote vs. In-Office

01:11:42 The Importance of In-Person Work

01:12:52 The Evolution of Office Spaces

01:14:52 Innovations in Work Environments

01:16:32 The Future of Autonomous Vehicles

01:21:09 The Impact of Autonomous Technology on Society

01:24:53 Rapid Fire Insights and Personal Reflections

In this episode of Pieces of Impact, Steve Seger sits down with entrepreneur Jake Reisig. Jake is a Partner at Bluegrass Wealth Ventures and co-owner of Jeannie’s Cleaning, with experience spanning investment sales, real estate operations, and business ownership. Previously, he advised property owners and investors at Capstone Companies. He’s also the founder of RateMyCollegeLandlord.com and studied Finance at Xavier University.

00:00
Introduction to Jake
03:11
Jake's Upbringing and Early Influences
06:10
The Role of Sports in Jake's Life
08:56
Transition to College and Entrepreneurial Spirit
11:55
College Experience and Business Ventures
18:01
Advice for College Students and Finding Opportunities
20:49
Networking and Building Relationships
23:57
The Importance of Passion in Business
27:11
Long-Term Investment Strategies
33:00
Current Business Ventures and Real Estate Focus
39:01
Understanding the Power of Ownership
43:01
Investment Strategies and Raising Capital
46:13
Acquisition of a Cleaning Company
49:56
The Role of an Operator in Business
54:48
Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights
59:47
Final Thoughts and Wisdom on Ownership

In this episode of Pieces of Impact, Steve Seger sits down with Bret Halsey, a former professional soccer player turned real estate investor, to discuss his transition from athletics to business. Bret reflects on competing at the highest level, including guarding Lionel Messi, navigating major health setbacks, and applying the same discipline and resilience to building a multifamily real estate portfolio. The conversation explores risk management, networking, intentional growth, and the parallels between elite sports performance and long term success in real estate.

00:00 From Soccer Dreams to Real Estate Ventures

03:05 Navigating the College Soccer Landscape

06:01 The Transition to Professional Soccer

09:00 Facing Adversity: Health Challenges in Pro Sports 12:11 The Shift to Real Estate Investing

14:58 Building a Real Estate Portfolio

17:57 The Journey with FC Cincinnati

20:54 The Impact of Networking in Sports and Business 23:50 Playing Against Legends: The Messi Experience

27:05 The Decision to Go Full-Time in Real Estate

29:47 Refining Strategies in Real Estate Investing

32:56 The Evolution of a Real Estate Entrepreneur

35:46 Looking Ahead: Future Goals and Aspirations

44:59 Scaling for Success in Real Estate

48:13 Understanding Risk and Leverage

51:18 Prospecting for Deals: The Cold Calling Advantage 54:03 Evolving Business Models: From Small to Large Properties

58:17 Learning from Challenges: Contractor Experiences 01:05:40 Starting Over: Building a Real Estate Business 01:08:36 Defining Key Real Estate Terms

01:14:40 Long-Term Vision: Goals and Growth in Real Estate 01:18:52 Rapid Fire Insights: Personal Reflections and Wisdom