Podcast
Podcast
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, I interview Keith Alper — veteran entrepreneur, creative strategist, and founder of The Nitrous Effect — to explore how founders can build purpose-driven businesses without burning out.
We dive into the power of emotional leadership, how to grow a business that connects both head and heart, and how personal setbacks, including loss and grief, can shape a more meaningful definition of success.
Whether you’re a founder, startup leader, or business owner looking to lead with intention, this episode offers powerful lessons on resilience, conscious leadership, and redefining success beyond the bottom line.
With more than 30 years of experience, Keith Alper is a producer, entrepreneur and champion for free enterprise, innovation and entrepreneurial leadership.
According to Alper, his mission is to help other businesses and organizations to grow and succeed in ways that ultimately help everyone. This message is amplified in his bestselling book From Like to Love.
He founded many companies, including Nitrous Effect and its specialty agencies: CPG, Evntiv, Geniecast, UPBrand and Vidzu.
As an expert in entertainment, digital business and marketing, Alper has deep roots in event production. He has produced special events, meetings, videos/films, broadcasts and major entertainment projects around the world.
He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fortune and Inc. Magazine. Alper received over 200 industry awards, including the Inc. 500, Event Marketer It List and the Top 100 Multimedia Producers Award.
As a supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship, he has always been passionate about personal, professional and community development. Alper served on the boards of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), which he founded in 1993. Also, he has served as a board member for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Alper is a father, innovator and advocate for the advancement of diversity and inclusion in today’s organizations. In his role as the CEO of Nitrous Effect, he supports initiatives that encourage open and honest dialogue about diversity and how it fosters growth and supports creativity. In order to promote change, companies such as The Nitrous Effect are increasingly transforming the ways in which they collaborate and communicate across differences.
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, I interview Keith Alper — veteran entrepreneur, creative strategist, and founder of The Nitrous Effect — to explore how founders can build purpose-driven businesses without burning out.
We dive into the power of emotional leadership, how to grow a business that connects both head and heart, and how personal setbacks, including loss and grief, can shape a more meaningful definition of success.
Whether you’re a founder, startup leader, or business owner looking to lead with intention, this episode offers powerful lessons on resilience, conscious leadership, and redefining success beyond the bottom line.
Early Passion & Grit: From putting on shows at 15 to managing 400+ staff at Six Flags, Keith’s early love for entertainment and hustle laid the foundation for a lifelong career in experience-driven business.
Entrepreneurial Wisdom: Insights from 40 years of building businesses, surviving recessions, adapting to post-COVID realities, and why failures have been his greatest teacher.
Head & Heart Leadership: Keith’s philosophy of creating deep emotional engagement through events, branding, and client relationships that leave a lasting impression.
Family First: After the loss of his wife, Keith became even more committed to his role as a father—exploring how love, forgiveness, and presence drive both personal and professional growth.
Mental Health & Resilience: The role of therapy, friendships, and coaching in navigating grief, anxiety, and stress, and why vulnerability can be a business strength.
Living With Intention: From giving back through civic work to embracing new hobbies like travel and golf, Keith redefines success as making a meaningful impact with the time we have.
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