Our Featured Guest for July 5, 2026 is Ryan Stana and our Entrepreneur Spotlight Guests are Joey Stiver and Ronald Platt.
From global live entertainment and billion-dollar telehealth to reinventing support for divorced families, this episode of Passage to Profit explores how entrepreneurs transform bold ideas into thriving businesses. Hosts Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart sit down with three founders who took unconventional paths to success, sharing lessons on bootstrapping, scaling companies, embracing calculated risks, and using AI to improve operations while keeping the human element at the center. The episode also features the show’s Intellectual Property News segment covering the decades-long Havana Club trademark dispute and practical lessons every entrepreneur should know about protecting valuable brands.
Ryan Stana – Founder & Executive Chairman, RWS Global
Website: https://www.rwsglobal.com/
Ryan Stana shares the remarkable story of building RWS Global from the corner of his New York apartment into one of the world’s leading live entertainment production companies. Today, RWS Global produces live entertainment experiences for cruise lines, theme parks, resorts, sporting events, Broadway productions, and major international events across more than 50 countries.
Ryan explains how he bootstrapped the business for over two decades without outside investment before strategically bringing in private equity to accelerate growth while maintaining majority ownership. He discusses hiring more than 8,000 performers annually, acquiring one of New York’s largest casting agencies, and producing nearly 400 sporting presentations during the Paris Olympics.
Listeners also learn Ryan’s philosophy on leadership, building company culture, creating memorable live experiences, work-life balance, scaling creative businesses, and why AI should enhance—not replace—human creativity.
Joey Stiver – Founder, Amble Health
Website: https://joinamble.com/
Joey Stiver tells one of the most inspiring entrepreneurial comeback stories you’ll hear. After overcoming significant personal challenges early in life, Joey launched his first business using an $8,000 credit card and eventually built multiple healthcare companies generating more than $1 billion in revenue—all without venture capital.
Joey explains how Amble Health simplifies telehealth by connecting patients with licensed physicians through an affordable, transparent platform that removes many of the traditional barriers associated with healthcare. He discusses the evolution of telemedicine after COVID-19, improving patient access to medications, streamlining physician consultations, weight-loss treatments, anti-aging therapies, and why transparency in healthcare pricing became one of his company’s biggest competitive advantages.
He also shares practical advice on bootstrapping, surviving the difficult early years of entrepreneurship, building without outside funding, and staying focused on solving real customer problems.
Ronald Platt – Founder, National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF)
Website: https://nasdf.webflow.io/
Ronald Platt discusses how a simple but powerful idea became the foundation for the National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF). After recognizing the enormous challenges many people face following divorce—including financial hardship, emotional isolation, and lack of community support—Ron created an organization designed to help individuals rebuild their lives while creating meaningful connections.
He shares the story of risking his own financial future by mortgaging his home after potential investors questioned whether the idea could succeed. Ron also explains NASDF’s vision, including innovative insurance products designed specifically for divorced individuals and families, while emphasizing perseverance, resilience, and learning from failure.
Intellectual Property News
Richard Gearhart examines the latest chapter in the decades-long Havana Club trademark dispute between Bacardi and the Cuban government. Entrepreneurs will learn why trademarks require ongoing maintenance, how international trademark rights can become incredibly complex, and why protecting intellectual property is essential to preserving long-term business value.
AI Business Roundtable
The panel also discusses practical AI applications for entrepreneurs, including:
- Using AI to enhance creative workflows without replacing human creativity
- Improving software development and operational efficiency
- Creating better marketing campaigns
- Teaching AI skills through workforce development
- Balancing AI automation with authentic human relationships
- Avoiding overreliance on AI while maintaining critical thinking
Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Mind
The episode concludes with each entrepreneur sharing one powerful lesson for business owners:
- Ryan Stana on creating actionable goals.
- Joey Stiver on pursuing purpose instead of money.
- Ronald Platt on embracing failure as part of success.
- Richard Gearhart on celebrating business wins.
- Elizabeth Gearhart on continuously adapting to AI and emerging technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ryan Stana?
Ryan Stana is the Founder and Executive Chairman of RWS Global, an international live entertainment production company that creates experiences for cruise lines, theme parks, resorts, sporting events, and major global events.
What is RWS Global?
RWS Global is one of the world’s largest live entertainment production companies, providing creative production, casting, staffing, and entertainment services in more than 50 countries.
Who is Joey Stiver?
Joey Stiver is the founder of Amble Health, a telehealth platform that connects patients with licensed physicians and affordable healthcare services.
What is Amble Health?
Amble Health is a telehealth company that provides convenient online access to physicians, prescription treatments, and wellness services through a streamlined digital platform.
Who is Ronald Platt?
Ronald Platt is the founder of the National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF), an organization dedicated to supporting divorced and single-parent families through community resources and innovative financial solutions.
What is discussed about AI?
The guests discuss how AI is improving creativity, software development, operations, marketing, education, and business efficiency while emphasizing that human judgment and relationships remain essential.
What intellectual property topic is covered?
Richard Gearhart explains the Havana Club trademark dispute and why entrepreneurs should carefully protect, maintain, and renew their trademarks.