Get to know the contributing authors from the book The Space for Leadership
Click on any author's name to be taken directly to their website.
Jeff Giganocavo (Jah-Knock-ah-Vo) as you’ve come to learn has an impactful and profound personal story, a story you’ve been able to connect to within these pages. Professionally speaking from age seven he understood the power of small business and the impact it has on those who own the business and the communities they live in.
After selling his first business at the age of 16 to buy a car he’s been on an epic entrepreneurial journey ever since and is now a sought out consultant for business owners who desperately want to do life and business on their terms.
Jeff does business in your bedroom. He co-owns Gardner’s Mattress & More, the region's premier better sleep store. For 13 years in a row they have been named a Reader’s Choice Winner - favorite place to buy a mattress.
He is fanatical about the 5-star experience and has gathered thousands of online and in-store 5-star reviews. His book Sleep Better has helped thousands of people wake up happy too.
As a driven entrepreneur, he has licensed both his own custom software and educational marketing materials to others in his industry and in other industries. On any given day his marketing ideas, tools and software are in use across more than 500 retail door fronts.
Jeff’s marketing skills and knowledge have been featured regularly in Forbes, Target Marketing, Dan Kennedy’s NO BS series of books & newsletters, Furniture Today, Sleep Savvy Magazine, Marketing Miracles, Predictable Profits Playbook, Lead the Field, Fox Business News, WGAL and Success Magazine.
Jeff’s passion for business is to unlock the potential of every business owner. Shift them into the investor seat in their business and unlock the true joy and reward of business ownership so they can truly do life and business on their terms and live what Jeff calls their very own Big Ticket Life.
An award-winning leadership expert in human behavior, Lisa Marie Platske has received accolades from the White House, the United States Small Business Administration, and The International Alliance for Women, recognized as one of the top 100 women making a difference in the world.
She left her Federal law enforcement career to be the CEO of an international leadership development company, Upside Thinking, Inc.
Lisa Marie delivers presentations worldwide sharing research on how vulnerability and forgiveness are critical to exceptional leadership -- as well as her proven 7-step leadership model centered on connection, positioning, and executive presence. An international best-selling author in 5 countries, Lisa Marie has written or co-authored 7 books.
A member of the Forbes Coaches Council and a regular contributor to Forbes.com, she has trained or coached over 100,000 leaders around the globe to make a bigger positive impact on the planet since 2005. She lives on Summit Hills Farm in the Bluegrass Region in KY where she runs her online business without internet access.
Wiley "The Mind Ninja" McArthur is a Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistics Programming, Hypnotherapy, and Executive Business Coaching.
He has experienced the gamut of businesses searching for his AUTHENTIC self. Wiley finally found it in helping his clients discover the EASY button in their life.
He excels at finding the fun and learning from the bad to live the most inspired life!
As Richard Bandler said, "It's never too late to have a happy childhood!" Find the learning and level up your life!
Wiley is focused on helping all who he can and supports Adaptiveops.org, which is an organization that rescues lost souls from the darkest of places.
He is also in the process of developing a program to help the homeless escape their limiting mindset to help light their fire and shine their authentic light in this world!
Monique Davis is a dedicated healthcare professional currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with a specialization in psychiatric mental health. With a background as a registered nurse (RN) holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Monique’s passion for providing exceptional care has been evident throughout her career.
In addition to her nursing expertise, Monique has devoted more than 18 years to assisting teenagers facing crises. In 2021, she took a significant step by establishing her own coaching business aimed at supporting families in crisis. Through her compassionate guidance, she has empowered numerous individuals to navigate challenging circumstances, equipping them with effective coping strategies and promoting healthier relationships and mental well-being.
Monique’s drive and entrepreneurial spirit have also led her to invest in real estate. Over the years, she has successfully flipped multiple properties, managed thriving Airbnb rentals, and undertaken construction projects, showcasing her keen business acumen and attention to detail.
As a mother of four grown children, Monique understands the intricacies of balancing personal and professional responsibilities, making her reflections relatable and insightful for readers.
Her ability to empathize, educate, and inspire will undoubtedly resonate with readers, providing valuable perspectives on various aspects of life.
Jennifer Thompson has 28 years of experience in advertising and marketing, dating back to the beginning of her career beginning at age 18.
She has dabbled in many mediums, including owning her own healthcare magazine based in Michigan, which she sold after six years. She then worked in mobile app downloads with companies such as EA Games, Chase Bank, Domino's® Pizza, and Walgreens, to name a few. She worked on their mobile app download initiatives as well as figuring out in-app purchases.
After this, she moved on from mobile app download and moved to own an ad network, which used PPC (pay-per-click) advertising, much like Google. It had a base of website publishers, which were matched with advertisers who were looking to buy that space.
She had clients such as eBay, Betty Crocker, Disney, and more. In 2015, she started Webspark Media. It's a local advertising agency, and they’ve grown to about 30 employees with many incredible clients that they've had for years and for many years to come!
Trisha Johnson was born and raised in Nashville, TN. She currently owns a small hobby farm where she resides with her husband and son. She is an animal-loving multi-tasker, explorer of possibility, reader, and an avid drinker of coffee. She is also a licensed REALTOR® and real estate investor.
While she loves exploring the views and lifestyle of a high-rise condo overlooking the city, that isn’t her target market these days. She prefers hunting for older homes with character, new homes with incredible design features, and homes with land. One of her favorite things about real estate is watching an uninhabitable property go through the renovations needed to make it a safe, sound, and beautiful home for the next owner to enjoy.
Her big career goals include working to create inventory within the affordable housing market, growing her investment portfolio, and exploring ways to make an impact on housing our un-housed population in a safe, structured, and supportive way.
Jeffrey Pierce is a best-selling author, speaker, coach, and small business owner, yet most importantly, was a husband for 36 years and a dad. Through Jeffrey’s personal life experience and 43 years as a private business owner and corporate business leader, he recognized the importance of an individual’s values, beliefs, and the importance of understanding that we are all capable of achieving any success if we are willing to put in the work.
With the transition of his wife, Jeffrey has recently put the construction tools aside and is spending time building people vs building buildings with his Next Level Consulting Group LLC business. In addition, he is building a team of A-Players in his Nu-Look Concrete Coatings LLC business.
The biggest competitor we face is the man or woman in the mirror. Jeffrey’s passion is to help others not have to face the adversities of life, like he did, without the right tools from your toolbox. We all have greatness within, if we are willing to do the work.
Jeff has a passion for helping parents and youth work through the hurdles that they most face. He certainly doesn’t want others to go through what he went through as a child and an adult without guidance from someone that has tools in the toolbox to build a strong personal foundation to be prepared for any adversity.
Jeff Brekken is more than just an experienced business owner; he's a man on a mission. His life's purpose is to help others, be it through his business acumen or his everyday actions. He believes in the power of support, positivity, and genuine compassion, and these values guide him in his work and personal life.
Jeff’s purpose is to provide a fantastic place for children battling cancer. This dream is manifested in his plans to open a camp, offering a retreat where these children and parents can find healing in the company of nature and surrounded by lots of farm animals.
Driven by his unwavering commitment to making a real difference, Jeff sees this camp as a place where children can experience joy and peace amidst their battles. They'll have the opportunity to encounter the healing power of animals, reflecting a shared journey that is both profound and transformative. This is not just about therapy; it's about creating moments of authentic happiness amid life's most challenging times.
The same purpose fuels his work with business owners with HR and mental health. Jeff is passionate about helping people find their place, their purpose, and their path, just as he hopes to help these children find a sense of peace and joy amidst their challenges.
At the end of the day, Jeff is more than a successful businessman. He's a visionary, a helper, and a beacon of hope for those who need it most. His love for family, his dedication to service, and his dream of creating a healing haven for children genuinely define him. For Jeff, his life's purpose is not just about doing well in business but also about doing good in the world.
I have been married to my wife for 43 years. We have two sons, Cole (35) and Reed (31), and two grandchildren, Ridge (13) and Swayze (11).
I worked over 18+ years in corporate America with AT&T®, The Hartford Insurance, and Bryan® Foods, which is a division of Sara Lee® where I was VP of Operations, Sales, and Marketing shelf stable and International division. From there, I turned my sites to entrepreneurship.
I spent the last 25+ years as an owner, managing member, minority owner, and operator in the entrepreneurial space across several industries beginning with Haas Outdoors, Inc, owner Mossy Oak® brand as EVP/CSO; as an owner of 5 RE/MAX® offices; Motto Mortgage®; Summit Property Management; Oxford Appliance Repair; real estate investment companies; and my consulting/coaching firm focused on all areas of operations, sales and marketing, strategy, production, product development, etc., for both personal and professional.
Amy Hesper is a bestselling author and inspirational fluid artist. She started using art to deal with the anxiety and stress of lockdowns. It was a way to escape by pouring the day’s emotions on a canvas. Now she helps others use her art as visual meditations to bring clarity and inspiration and find spiritual connections or healing.
After 40 years of not accepting herself and finally being sick and tired of feeling unworthy and rejected, Amy wrote a book to love and accept herself.
Amy makes it a point to encourage and support others so they believe in themselves. Her passion is creating and helping others feel seen, heard, and loved.