Our Featured Guest for March 22, 2026 is Ken Davenport and our Entrepreneur Spotlight Guests are Dominic Forth, Stacey Iltis & Kari Schroeter
In this high-impact episode of Passage to Profit, hosts Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart dive deep into the intersection of entrepreneurship, storytelling, and innovation with an extraordinary lineup of guests who are redefining success across industries—from Broadway to media to fitness franchising.
At the center of the conversation is Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Ken Davenport, who shares how raising over $100 million for theater productions mirrors the realities of startup entrepreneurship. From risking everything on a single idea to embracing unpredictability and failure, Ken reveals why Broadway may be the ultimate entrepreneurial proving ground—and what business owners can learn from it.
Joining the discussion is Dominic Forth, CEO of Thought Leaders America and founder of TV Bookers, who breaks down how entrepreneurs can leverage media exposure to build authority, trust, and visibility in an AI-driven world. He shares insider strategies on landing TV appearances, crafting compelling stories, and why authenticity is the most valuable currency in modern marketing.
Also featured are Stacey Iltis and Kari Schroeter, co-founders of Fly Dance Fitness, who transformed a local dance fitness studio into a rapidly growing national franchise. Their journey highlights the power of community, social media virality, and seizing opportunity during uncertainty—including how the pandemic became a catalyst for explosive growth.
Throughout the episode, listeners gain actionable insights on resilience, marketing innovation, audience psychology, and the evolving role of AI in business. Whether you’re a founder, creator, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode delivers powerful lessons on turning bold decisions into breakthrough success.
Ken Davenport – Broadway Producer & Entrepreneur
Ken Davenport shares how producing Broadway shows parallels building startups—high risk, high reward, and driven by audience demand. He reveals the pivotal moment when giving away his product (free tickets) sparked profitability through word-of-mouth, and explains why success in theater—and business—is ultimately determined by the customer. Ken also dives into “dramatic marketing,” a bold strategy of doing what’s never been done before to capture attention and scale visibility.
Key Takeaways:
- Word-of-mouth can outperform paid advertising when leveraged correctly
- Audience demand—not expert opinion—determines success
- Bold, unconventional marketing drives massive exposure
- Passion investing requires both emotional and financial commitment
Read more at: https://kendavenport.com/
Dominic Forth – Media Strategist & CEO, Thought Leaders America
Dominic Forth explains how entrepreneurs can build credibility and authority through strategic media placement. Drawing on 20+ years in television, he shares how storytelling, authenticity, and audience-centric messaging are essential for success in both traditional and digital media.
Key Takeaways:
- TV exposure builds trust, but podcasts and YouTube drive deeper engagement
- Authentic storytelling is more powerful than self-promotion
- Local media is an underrated gateway to national exposure
- AI is transforming how content is discovered and consumed
Read more at: https://www.thoughtleadersamerica.com/ and at: https://www.thetvbookers.com/
Stacey Iltis & Kari Schroeter – Founders, Fly Dance Fitness
Stacey and Kari tell the story of how they scaled Fly Dance Fitness from a single studio into a multi-location franchise. By embracing social media, authenticity, and community-driven fitness, they created a brand that resonated nationwide—especially during the pandemic.
Key Takeaways:
- Social media virality can unlock rapid business expansion
- Community and experience matter more than the product itself
- Timing and bold decision-making are critical for scaling
- Building the right team is essential for sustainable growth
Read more at: https://www.flydancefitness.com/
FAQs
1. What is the main theme of this Passage to Profit episode?
This episode focuses on entrepreneurship, storytelling, and innovation, highlighting how bold decisions, audience understanding, and strategic marketing drive business success.
2. What can entrepreneurs learn from Broadway production?
Entrepreneurs can learn about risk-taking, audience-driven decision-making, resilience after failure, and the importance of collaboration and timing.
3. How can business owners get featured on TV?
According to Dominic Forth, success comes from strong storytelling, authentic messaging, and building relationships with media producers—often starting with local TV opportunities.
4. Why is storytelling important in business?
Storytelling builds emotional connection, trust, and engagement, making it easier for audiences to relate to your brand and take action.
5. How did Fly Dance Fitness grow so quickly?
They leveraged social media, created authentic and relatable content, and capitalized on increased digital engagement during the pandemic to expand into franchising.
6. Is traditional media still relevant in 2026?
Yes, TV still offers strong credibility, but digital platforms like YouTube and podcasts provide greater long-term visibility and audience engagement.
7. How are entrepreneurs using AI in this episode?
Guests use AI for research, content analysis, audience insights, and scaling operations—but emphasize maintaining human authenticity.