How did Leonardo Del Vecchio go from growing up in an orphanage to building a global eyewear empire?

In this special edition of BAM BizTALK, Angel Garcia and Gina Lewis explore Del Vecchio’s journey, the bold decisions behind Luxottica, and the business principles that helped shape his success.

From learning manufacturing firsthand to expanding into eyewear brands and retail, his story offers lessons on persistence, leadership, strategic growth, and recognizing opportunities.

Topics Discussed

1. Leonardo Del Vecchio’s childhood and early life in Italy
2. Growing up in an orphanage and overcoming early challenges
3. His early experiences in manufacturing
4. Learning the eyewear business from the ground up
5. The beginnings and growth of Luxottica
6. Making bold decisions in business
7. Building a competitive position in the eyewear industry
8. Expanding into eyewear brands and retail
9. Strategic growth and business acquisitions
10. Lessons entrepreneurs can learn about persistence, risk, and leadership

In this episode of BAM BizTALK, Angel talks with Ian Chisholm, founder and partner of The Roy Group and author of “Quiet Champions,” about why mentor isn’t a title you claim, it’s one others have to hand you. Ian shares the story behind The Roy Group, named after his own grandfather, and what it actually takes to earn the word: example, instruction, advice, and coaching.

The conversation also covers compassionate excellence versus perfectionism, and the appetites for validation, connection, and power that quietly shape how people lead.

Topics Discussed

1. Why “mentor” is a word you earn, not a title you claim

2. The four patterns that build toward earning it: example, instruction, advice, and coaching

3. The story behind The Roy Group, named after Ian’s grandfather

4. Why Ian still reacts strongly to people calling themselves a mentor unprompted

5. What it felt like the first time Ian was called a mentor without asking for it

6. What compassionate excellence looks like versus chasing perfectionism

7. The appetites for validation, connection, and power that shape how people lead

8. Which of those appetites was hardest for Ian to recognize in himself while writing the book

9. How mentorship carries real power and influence, and the responsibility that comes with it

10. What Ian is still working to earn in his own growth as a mentor

Book: Quiet Champions – quietchampions.ca

Ian Chisholm, The Roy Group – roygroup.net/our-team/ian-chisholm

#mentorship #podcast #midlandtx #inspiration

For our 100th episode, we sit down with Miguel and B. Martinez, founders of BL3S Squad, a nonprofit built in memory of their nephew, Andrés “Bless” Martinez. After losing Andrés to suicide, the family found a way forward through baseball, community, and honest conversation about mental health.

Miguel and B. walk us through how a small backyard rag ball tournament grew into a registered nonprofit that now brings families across the Permian Basin together every year. They talk about the stigma that keeps people, especially men, from admitting they’re struggling, and why events like the Rag Ball Tournament give people a safe space to connect.

We also get into BL3S Squad’s partnerships with organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation, and how they point people toward resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline when they need it most.

The episode closes with details on this year’s fourth annual Rag Ball Tournament, coming up September 19, plus a new 5K run on September 23 with the Desert Run Collective.

This one is about what community can do when people choose to heal out loud instead of alone.

Topics Discussed

1. How BL3S Squad started after the family lost Andrés “Bless” Martinez to suicide
2. Why baseball and the rag ball format became the way they chose to honor him
3. Growth from a small family fundraiser into an official nonprofit
4. Breaking the stigma around mental health, especially for men
5. Creating spaces where people feel safe saying “I’m not okay”
6. Partnerships with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation
7. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and other local mental health resources
8. How family involvement shapes the tournament, from kids to grandparents
9. Details on the fourth annual Rag Ball Tournament, September 19
10. The new September 23 5K run with the Desert Run Collective and how to get involved

#midlandtx #odessatx #permianbasin #bam #bamventures #bl3ssquad #healingthroughcommunity #mentalhealthawareness #suicidepreventionawareness #988lifeline