Turning Engineering into Art, Preventing Workplace Burnout, and Designing Unforgettable Events
In this episode of the Passage to Profit Show, entrepreneurs from three very different industries share the pivotal decisions that shaped their careers and businesses. From transforming naval engineering into a billion-dollar greeting card company, to improving workplace mental health and designing high-pressure luxury events, this conversation explores the mindset, creativity, and resilience required to succeed in entrepreneurship.
Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart sit down with Wombi Rose of Lovepop, Christina Muller, LCSW of Mind Your Workplace, and Alyssa Pettinato of Alinato Events and the MissJudged Podcast to discuss business pivots, innovation, burnout, leadership, and how entrepreneurs can adapt to changing markets while staying true to their mission.
Listeners will hear how unexpected life moments, bold risks, and creative thinking can turn challenges into opportunities—and how technology, including AI, is helping founders work smarter.
Wombi Rose – Co-Founder of Lovepop Cards
Wombi Rose is the co-founder and CEO of Lovepop, the company known for its intricate 3D pop-up greeting cards that combine engineering, art, and storytelling. Trained as a naval architect and marine engineer, Rose originally designed ships before discovering that the same mathematical principles used to design vessels could be applied to paper engineering.
Rose and his co-founder, John Wise, encountered Vietnamese kirigami pop-up art while traveling and realized that their engineering background could revolutionize greeting cards. What started as a creative experiment evolved into a fast-growing consumer brand.
Key milestones in Lovepop’s journey include:
- A pivotal decision to build their own manufacturing operation in Vietnam rather than outsourcing production.
- Rapid growth after appearing on Shark Tank, where Kevin O’Leary invested in the company.
- Scaling to millions of customers and generating over $1 million in sales within the first month after their television appearance.
Today Lovepop’s mission is to create one billion magical moments through meaningful connections between people. By combining art, engineering, and emotional storytelling, the company helps people express sentiments that can sometimes be difficult to say out loud.
During the episode, Rose also discusses:
- The power of creativity in entrepreneurship
- How engineering principles influence product design
- Scaling a consumer product business
- Leveraging AI tools to analyze demand and guide product development
Read more at: https://www.lovepop.com/
Christina Muller, LCSW – Founder of Mind Your Workplace
Christina Muller is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Mind Your Workplace, a consulting firm focused on workplace mental health, burnout prevention, and leadership connection.
With more than 15 years of experience in mental health and organizational consulting, Muller helps companies create healthier workplace cultures where employees feel seen, supported, and engaged.
Her work was inspired by her own personal turning point—being diagnosed with thyroid cancer during pregnancy. The experience reshaped her priorities and led her to build a business centered on helping leaders improve workplace wellbeing and communication.
Muller developed the C Model, a leadership framework that encourages managers to:
- Spot employee effort or challenges
- Empathize with the situation
- Engage with meaningful support or action
This approach focuses on improving psychological safety, strengthening trust between leaders and employees, and reducing burnout.
During the discussion, Muller explains:
- Why employee recognition improves engagement and productivity
- How leaders can create “micro-moments” of connection with employees
- Why psychological safety is essential for workplace performance
- Strategies to address burnout in high-pressure environments
Her work emphasizes that supporting employee wellbeing isn’t just compassionate leadership—it also strengthens organizational performance. Read more at: https://www.christinamuller.com/
Alyssa Pettinato – Founder of Alinato Events & Host of the MissJudged Podcast
Alyssa Pettinato is the founder of Alinato Events, a New York-based luxury event planning company known for high-end corporate events and creative wedding experiences.
After briefly working in corporate life, Pettinato quickly realized entrepreneurship was her true path and launched her event planning company at just 22 years old. Over the past 15 years, she has built a reputation for managing complex events with creativity, honesty, and an unconventional approach.
A major turning point in her business came in early 2020 when she decided to expand into weddings. While corporate events slowed during the pandemic, weddings continued—allowing her company to survive and grow during a difficult time for the events industry.
Pettinato credits her success to:
- Authenticity and transparency with clients
- Creative design informed by her artistic background
- Strong emotional intelligence when managing high-pressure moments
She also hosts the MissJudged Podcast, where she explores judgment, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.
In this episode, Pettinato shares insights about:
- Building trust with clients planning once-in-a-lifetime events
- Managing high-stress situations in live event production
- Using AI tools to visualize design concepts for clients
- The importance of personality and authenticity in service-based businesses
Read more at: Read more at: https://www.alinato.com/ and at: https://www.missjudgedpodcast.com/
Key Takeaways from the Episode
Entrepreneurs in any industry can learn from several common themes that emerged in this conversation:
1. Major breakthroughs often follow bold commitments.
Lovepop’s growth began when its founders committed fully to the business and built their own manufacturing operation.
2. Personal challenges can lead to powerful business ideas.
Christina Muller’s health journey inspired her mission to improve workplace mental health.
3. Adaptability is essential for long-term success.
Alyssa Pettinato pivoted into weddings just before the pandemic, helping her business survive during industry disruption.
4. Creativity and innovation exist at the intersection of disciplines.
Lovepop’s unique product emerged from combining engineering and art.
5. AI is becoming a valuable tool for entrepreneurs.
From analyzing product demand to visualizing event designs, AI is helping founders improve efficiency and decision-making.
FAQs
Who is Wombi Rose?
Wombi Rose is the co-founder and CEO of Lovepop, a company that creates intricate 3D pop-up greeting cards. Trained as a naval architect, he used engineering principles to develop innovative paper designs that transformed the greeting card industry.
What is Lovepop?
Lovepop is a greeting card company that designs elaborate pop-up cards combining art and engineering. The company gained national attention after appearing on Shark Tank and has grown into a global brand focused on creating meaningful emotional connections.
What does Christina Muller do?
Christina Muller is a licensed clinical social worker and workplace consultant who helps organizations improve employee wellbeing and reduce burnout through leadership training, culture change, and mental health strategies.
What is the C Model for leadership?
The C Model is Christina Muller’s leadership framework designed to improve employee connection and engagement. It encourages leaders to spot employee effort, empathize with challenges, and engage with meaningful support.
Who is Alyssa Pettinato?
Alyssa Pettinato is the founder of Alinato Events, a New York-based luxury event planning company, and the host of the MissJudged Podcast. She specializes in high-end weddings and corporate events.
How do entrepreneurs use AI in their businesses?
Entrepreneurs use AI for many tasks, including analyzing product demand, identifying business blind spots, visualizing creative concepts, researching markets, and improving marketing strategies.