During our conversation, Jeff opens up about the transformative experiences that molded his technology career and the hurdles he's conquered. He delves into how he's built success by ensuring his personal values align with his business objectives, while also sharing candid insights about managing partnership relationships.

Discover the origin story of ENO8, as Jeff shares valuable lessons on software development, building strong client relationships, and breaking through business growth barriers. This episode offers a compelling look at one entrepreneur's journey from rural Texas to tech industry leadership.

***

About ENO8
ENO8 is a Dallas-based tech studio that empowers companies to design and develop innovative, impactful digital products. Our partners realize real business returns from new technology initiatives because we arm them with our proprietary innovation process and a best-in-class, experienced team. Through working with us, our clients move faster, reduce their risk, and increase the impact of bringing new digital products to life.

To learn more, visit eno8.com

***

📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

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From a young age, Matt has always been curious about his future career path. Initially pursuing political science in college, he soon discovered his true passion was in computer science. His first post-college job provided valuable hands-on experience in software development, igniting his interest in the field.

Matt's entrepreneurial spirit took flight in 2007 when he launched a weather data startup. This venture taught him the importance of collaboration and understanding client needs. Listen in as Matt discusses his current project, Summit, and how it aims to revolutionize business automation.

***

About Matt
Matt is the founder of Summit, a no-code modeling platform that allows non-developers to create amazing new tools and programs for their automated workflows.

Before Summit, he co-founded a company called Riskpulse (now Everstream AI). Matt built the initial product — the web's first interactive weather maps, and then led sales and marketing, selling enterprise contracts to the Fortune 1000. Many of the household items you use every day are shipped using a risk score my co-founder Brad and I invented.

About Summit
Summit is an automation technology company based in Austin, TX. The Summit platform empowers users to create custom triggers, actions, and models that open up a universe of new possibilities inside workflow automation software. Break the limits of no-code.

To learn more, visit www.usesummit.com.

***

📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

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Seth's entrepreneurial journey began with family inspiration. Post-college, he and his brother established Granny's Goodies, offering exam survival kits to students.

Building on this experience, Seth later founded Big Frey Branded Goods & Swag Kits. He encourages fellow entrepreneurs to savor small victories and prioritize long-term objectives over short-term challenges.

This episode dives into Seth's lifelong entrepreneurial adventures, offering insights and lessons learned along the way.

***

About Seth & Big Frey Branded Goods & Swag Kits
Seth Frey is the visionary and chief innovator behind Big Frey Promotional Products, where his creative expertise and strategic acumen have set new standards in the branding world. Under his leadership, Big Frey has grown into a leading provider of distinctive promotional items, helping businesses make memorable impressions with every product.

Seth’s professional journey is rooted in a strong background in marketing and design. His commitment to transforming promotional items from simple giveaways into powerful brand tools reflects his dedication to excellence and innovation. This drive has positioned Big Frey as a trusted partner for businesses looking to enhance their brand reputation and presence.

Outside of the office, Seth balances his professional life with a rich personal life. A devoted family man, Seth and Karen - his greatest cheerleader of 27 years - are blessed with three wonderful daughters who keep their life vibrant and full of joy. Alongside his daughters, he has two energetic Labradors, whose playful antics and unconditional loyalty bring an extra layer of happiness to his family life. This blend of family dynamics and love for his dogs adds depth to Seth’s life, infusing his work with a sense of balance and fulfillment.

Seth is also an avid skier. He finds exhilaration on the slopes and draws inspiration from the precision and thrill of skiing. This passion mirrors his approach to business—where calculated strategy meets creativity.

With a strong commitment to both his professional and personal spheres, Seth Frey continues to drive Big Frey Promotional Products toward new heights, all while maintaining a solid dedication to his family, friends and zest for life.

To learn more about Big Frey, visit www.bigfrey.com

***

📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

📱 Connect with us on socials
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We explore key topics like the value of mentorship, navigating financial highs and lows, and the power of open communication with business partners. 

Reagan, a motivational speaker and author, and Elle, the founder of an Enneagram coaching business and luxury greenery company, Gracious Garlands, also reveal their future plans and insights on entrepreneurship.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on balancing marriage and business!

***

About Reagan
Reagan Pugh is a writer and speaker dedicated to helping individuals and teams find more meaning in life and work. With a focus on emotional intelligence and self-awareness, Reagan delivers keynote speeches and workshops to thousands of people each year, having worked with organizations like Facebook, Pepsi, Whirlpool, Cardinal Health, all branches of the US Military, Meals on Wheels, and the American Red Cross. Prior to writing and speaking full time, Reagan guided programs on storytelling and culture at companies like Nike, Western Digital, and Kimberly Clark as Chief Storyteller for a global management consulting firm. From 2009 to 2011, Reagan served as a tenth-grade English teacher with Teach for America on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. During that time, he  launched a theater program that, in its inaugural year, won the state one- act play competition for the first time. Reagan has instructed at Texas State University, Trinity University, and Angelo State University. He continues to prioritize speaking to student audiences throughout the United States, having visited over 50 college campuses to date. Reagan is a TEDx speaker and frequent podcast guest. His first book, Too Emotional: Overcome the Thunderstorm of Feelings, Shame and Self-Doubt, was published in May of 2024. He lives with his wife, Elle, and their white Labrador, Lily, in Austin, Texas.

To learn more, visit https://www.reaganpugh.com/

About Elle
Elle Pugh is a Certified Enneagram Facilitator and Coach, Registered Nurse, and entrepreneur dedicated to holistic wellness and personal growth. Whether it’s one-on-one coaching, training leadership teams at multiple Fortune 100 companies, or designing workshops for startup teams, Elle is committed to helping individuals and organizations understand themselves so they can find healing and renewed connection with one another. Elle started her career in the pediatric cardiac ICU. After realizing the US healthcare system is not designed to heal people, she left the bedside to take a role as the first employee at a healthcare startup. There she grew the team to over 30 medical professionals and formed her working philosophy that healthy organizations are made up of healthy individuals. Elle's entrepreneurial endeavors also extend to Gracious Garlands, a luxury wreath company known for its farm-fresh products and a made-to-order catering company that helped her make money in college. An unabashed Swifty, she still loves to cook and her goal is to ski 50 plus days every winter. 

To learn more about Beyond Enneagram, visit https://www.beyondyourtype.co/

To learn more about Gracious Garlands, visit https://graciousgarlands.com/

***

📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

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In this episode, we welcome Chris Hamilton of Hotchkiss Insurance. He shares valuable insights on choosing practical, cost-effective benefit plans for your workforce.

Scott here: As a founder myself, I've experienced firsthand the weight of choosing employee benefits. Our conversation revealed strategies I hadn't considered before, and I'm sure listeners will gain a fresh perspective on this topic as well.

***

About Chris:
Chris Hamilton is a partner at Hotchkiss Insurance and leads the employee benefits practice. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in corporate finance and in the insurance industry, working with mid-market, regional and national employers. At Hotchkiss, he leads a team of employee benefits consultants and specialists focused on helping companies improve performance and profitability. Chris’s approach is to understand a client’s situation and offer creative solutions to help improve their business, while developing a long-term relationship as a strategic resource. He holds an MBA and BBA in finance.

About Hotchkiss Insurance:
At Hotchkiss Insurance, we know by safeguarding one's most valuable assets, people and businesses are better able to grow and prosper. We work with you to understand your unique business and deliver tailored insurance solutions and risk management to protect you from life’s uncertainties. With an advisory approach and an ability to reduce complexity, we demonstrate an abiding care for all of those who entrust themselves to us. Whether you know you need business insurance, risk management, employee benefits consulting, personal insurance, surety, or you just want to start the conversation, we've got you covered. Hotchkiss is Texas-based, with main offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, and San Antonio. For more than 40 years, we've protected businesses of all sizes and industries. (Including construction, education, restaurants, landscapers, nursery growers, manufacturing, religious institutions, commercial construction, technology, home builders, energy, more)

To learn more, visit https://hotchkissinsurance.com/

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

Steffie shares her mission to revolutionize women's shoes by marrying style with comfort. She recounts the hurdles she faced, from designing her initial high heel prototype to finding a manufacturer willing to produce her bespoke creations.

Listen as Steffie delves into the intricacies of balancing innovation, running a business, and maintaining personal drive. This conversation offers insights into her remarkable path and provides a glimpse into what's next for Getaway Sticks.

***

About Steffie
Dr. Steffie Tomson is a native Houstonian and scientist who saw a gaping hole in the women's footwear market. Have you ever worn uncomfortable heels? Of course! We all have. Women deserve to be stylish and comfortable, and Dr. Tomson found a way to engineer heels for 10k steps a day. Join us for a morning of fashion and footwear as Dr. Tomson tells us about her journey from brains to bunions and everything in between.

About Getaway Sticks
Getaway Sticks is a women’s fashion footwear brand dedicated to empower women through a simple idea: Create an elegant heel that is actually comfortable AND stylish. Steffie Tomson founded Getaway Sticks in 2020, on a mission to simplify women’s footwear without sacrificing style. Women know it’s what's inside that counts. That’s why Steffie designed Getaway Sticks using athletic foam throughout, rather than using the industry standard of hard plastics and metals. These unforgiving materials do not belong in the foundation of a shoe! When it comes to heels, the only hard consideration should be which pair of Getaway Sticks to wear.

To learn more, visit https://getawaysticks.com

***

📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

📱 Connect with us on socials
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Rick's story demonstrates that while technological expertise isn't a prerequisite for developing a stellar product, assembling an exceptional team is crucial—good thing he's nailed down an interviewing methodology for hiring the best of the best.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Rick's journey underscores the importance of full commitment to your venture and maintaining an open mind to feedback and diverse viewpoints throughout the process.

***

About Rick
Rick Girard is the Founder & CEO of Intertru, an AI-powered platform designed to help hiring managers with method-driven interviewing analytics & insights. He is also the host of Hire Power Radio Show & Podcast—a weekly series on LinkedIn Live. Rick enjoys helping business leaders hire accurately for core value alignment and transferable skills. Over the past 9 years, he’s developed a proven methodology for interviewing that backs decision-making with data & facts over personal biases & opinions. When he’s not helping other founders and business leaders, you can find Rick competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, surfing, snowboarding, rock climbing, and running with scissors (so dangerous!).

About Intertru
Intertru is a method-driven interviewing accuracy platform that uses AI and HireOS® methodology to ensure that your company hires the strongest people, every time. Their mission: eliminate bad hiring from planet Earth! 

To learn more, visit https://intertru.ai/

***

📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

👤 Justin Smith, Founder of Ebenezer Consulting
👤 Roy Keely, Founder of FirmStudio
👤 Taylor Brooks, Founder of Simple

We hope you enjoy our banter and discussion around business, leadership, and professional development. It was a great time sharing the space with fellow founders—stay tuned for more panel episodes like this one!

--

🎧 Listen to the show & view featured guests: https://founderstory.transistor.fm/

📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

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In this episode, we learn from Jonathan Lusk, an entrepreneur who grew up in a small town in Texas before going on to attend Texas A&M and build a career in wealth management. Jonathan started out at AT&T and Goldman Sachs, but eventually left to launch his own independent investment firm. More recently, Jonathan co-founded BirdDog, an online marketplace that connects landowners with hunters looking for places to hunt. We’ll hear about Jonathan’s journey from small town kid to successful entrepreneur, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he’s bringing technology and innovation to the hunting industry. Jonathan is all about living life to the fullest, taking risks, and constantly learning and growing, so I think listeners will find his outlook inspiring regardless of their background or industry.

***

About Jonathan:
Jonathan grew up in North Texas on a fish farm where he developed a love for the outdoors. Upon graduation from Texas A&M, he joined the workforce, married his college sweetheart, and started a family. After completing his MBA at Rice, he worked on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs and then launched his own finance company. Jonathan loves relationships and finds great joy in making sure BirdDog hunters are changed through the friendships they make in the outdoors. Jonathan now resides in Washington, TX where he lives on a little piece of land with his wife, Kat, and kids, Jackson, Sam, and Charlotte. They enjoy fishing, hunting, and being outdoors.

To learn more about his latest venture, BirdDog, visit birddogit.com.

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

In this episode of In the Thick of It, host Scott interviews Taylor Brooks, founder and CEO of Simple Donation. Taylor shares his journey from growing up in Atlanta to attending Auburn University and working various jobs before starting Simple Donation, a software company that builds online donation platforms for nonprofits and churches. He discusses the challenges of balancing a full-time corporate job while also running his startup on the side for many years. Taylor provides insights into building company culture, hiring the right people, learning from mistakes, and focusing on solving customer problems rather than just selling features. He emphasizes creating long-term value and building relationships. Throughout the interview, Taylor stresses the importance of persistence and consistency in business. He aims to continue leading Simple Donation for 30-40 more years with a stewardship mindset.

***

About Taylor:
Taylor Brooks is the Founder and CEO of Simple - a company that provides financial tools for churches such as online giving, event registration payments, donor analytics, and corporate card programs.

He was born and raised in Atlanta, GA, graduated from Auburn University, and moved to Texas in 2010. #texasforever

Taylor has been married to Rachel for 14 years and has three children: Wyatt, Lyle, and June. For fun he likes to hunt, fly-fish, read old books, listen to old music, and play tennis.

About Simple:
An easy-to-use giving platform for churches that use Rock RMS, with personal consultation tailored to your congregation's needs. All in service of helping you grow the generosity of your people. We're here to support your mission so you can focus on your ministry. With expert guidance, analytics, and custom giving software designed for your Rock RMS church, we're your partner for community impact and giving that's cheerful, meaningful, and … simple.

To learn more, visit simpledonation.com.

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

Clayton Flurry is the Founder of Flurry’s Market + Provisions, a beloved local butcher shop and grocery store in Flower Mound, Texas. After spending nearly two decades in the oil and gas industry, Clayton decided in 2020 to leave his career and pursue his entrepreneurial passion. Despite having no prior experience running a retail business, he bootstrapped Flurry's Market from idea to launch in just 9 months.

Opening amidst a pandemic came with plenty of challenges from supply chain disruptions to cash flow problems, but Clayton’s commitment to hiring knowledgeable staff, providing quality products, and serving the community with care has allowed the business to thrive. He's learned first-hand how perseverance, adaptability, and faith are key to overcoming the trials of entrepreneurship. Clayton shares his thoughts on surrounding yourself with the right people, treating employees well, and the importance of getting up every day to make a positive difference in people's lives.

***

About Clayton:

Clayton Flurry is the founder of Flurry’s Market, a beloved local butcher shop and grocery store in Flower Mound, Texas. Prior to launching Flurry’s Market in 2020, Clayton spent nearly two decades working in the oil and gas industry, first as a landman in the field and later taking on leadership roles for energy companies. His experience in the corporate world gave him the courage to leave his career to follow his entrepreneurial passion. Despite no prior retail experience, Clayton’s commitment to service and community has made Flurry’s Market a thriving local business.

About Flurry's Market + Provisions:

Voted best Meat Market in Denton County, Flurry's Market is a specialty meat market, bistro & butcher shop located in the heart of Flower Mound, TX.  Our Mission is centered around quality, service, and value.

To learn more, visit flurrysmarket.com.

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

Last year, we kicked off the podcast with our first guest: Chelsea Curtis, Founder & Managing Partner of Seaport Consulting, a successful Salesforce consulting firm in Boston, MA. Chelsea shares her path to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges and triumphs she encountered along the way. She highlights the importance of taking risks, building strong client relationships, and sticking to her values. Chelsea also provides valuable insights into the hiring process and the significance of investing in technology for business growth. Whether you're a founder or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons and inspiration for building a thriving company.

***

About Chelsea:
Chelsea is a four-time certified Salesforce professional with over 10 years of experience consulting, implementing, and supporting the Salesforce platform. As Managing Partner, Chelsea oversees all aspects of the business and directly manages the consulting team. Prior to founding Seaport Consulting, Chelsea worked as a technical project manager who successfully led a company-wide Salesforce implementation, and played golf professionally on the LPGA Futures Tour. In addition to leading Seaport, Chelsea sits on the board of Mass Golf, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing golf in Massachusetts, and serves as the chair for their diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.

About Seaport Consulting:
Seaport Consulting is a Boston-based consulting firm who helps companies implement, integrate, and enhance Salesforce. Seaport's approach marries your goals, your people, and your processes with a customized Salesforce solution that's right for you.

To learn more, visit seaportconsulting.com.

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

In this episode, we explore Robert (Bob) Bowden's transition from landman to thriving business owner. Bob shares his experience founding two distinct companies: Verity Advisors, which assists in unclaimed property recovery, and VerityPay, offering text-based payment solutions for B2C businesses. He discusses the hurdles and victories encountered along the way, including managing market fluctuations and investigating cross-state expansion opportunities.

This conversation offers valuable lessons in resilience and flexibility, relevant to both established entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners.

***

About Bob
Robert Bowdon is the President and Founder of Verity Advisors, LLC. His passion is the timely and complete return of all outstanding assets to clients of the business. After more than a decade working in the oil and gas industry as a petroleum landman, Robert founded Verity Advisors to address the growing issue of returning dormant assets to their rightful owners – and it starts with a deep-seated understanding of estate entitlement and corporate ownership. Through a dedication to simplifying this complex process, Robert has successfully facilitated thousands of recoveries totaling tens of millions of dollars and spanning across a wide array of asset types and ownership complexities. Robert has implemented a team of professionals who are experts in their respective fields to grow the business and provide the absolute best experience possible for Verity clients.

Outside of the office, Robert enjoys spending time outdoors and raising his two boys and daughter with his wife, Dee. Robert and his family are active members of Bethel Church of Houston and enjoy volunteering and supporting various organizations including Patriots for Veterans, the Archibald Project, KSBJ, Food for the Hungry, and the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

Robert holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of West Florida. He made Houston his home in the early 2000s and has grown a deep appreciation for the city and Texas as a whole.

About VerityPay
VerityPay is a web-based SaaS platform which quickly and easily delivers payments from your business operating system to consumers via their mobile device, with instant reconciliation.

About Verity Advisors
Verity Advisors is a Class A Investigations company focused on the recovery and return of various assets to our clients. The firm creates a collaborative recovery strategy where our mission is single-minded: we are focused on timely, safe return of what is rightfully yours. Our clients rely upon us to successfully navigate the complex process of proving ownership on their behalf.

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

Joni's fascination with technology began in his youth, sparked by learning about the unidirectional flow of electrons in diodes. Initially pursuing electrical engineering, he later switched to programming, joining a web development firm in the late 90s.

His time working in Silicon Valley during the dot-com era revealed a critical issue: many businesses lacked proper insight into their data.

Recognizing this gap, Joni launched DataSelf to offer affordable business intelligence resources for growing small to medium-sized businesses.

•••

About Joni
I'm a geek at heart and an experienced businessman. I'm passionate about technology and how our brains handle modern business. I’m on a mission to improve how growing mid-sized organizations make decisions. I work at the point where analytics, cognitive science, human behavior, and business all come together. I figured out that I was a geek at heart when I was in 7th grade. I went crazy when I learned that a diode is a one-way street for electrons. I started out as an electrical engineer but quickly focused on hard-core programming. After a few years of brushing bits and bytes, I moved to business and got an MBA. I moved to the US from my native country, Brazil. Since then, I've been involved in upper management positions in five technology start-ups, including being a founder and the CEO of the last two. 

About DataSelf
DataSelf helps mid-sized organizations use big data and analytics to gain and sustain a competitive edge. DataSelf leverages data warehousing, ETL+, Tableau, Power BI and its own secret sauce including 8,000+ KPI templates. They deliver great value from day one.

To learn more, visit dataself.com.

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

In this episode, we dive into the world of asset protection with estate planning attorney, Candace Sandifer. She outlines key measures entrepreneurs should implement to safeguard their business interests.

Candace stresses the importance of enlisting the help of attorneys who specialize in your industry and encourages open, honest discussions during the planning process. Whether you're a business owner or not, this episode offers essential insights into why it's critical to start estate planning sooner rather than later.

Tune in for practical advice that could prove invaluable in protecting your legacy and ensuring your wishes are carried out, no matter what the future holds.

About Candace:
Candace Sandifer is a Partner at the Houser Law Firm and manages the Southlake office.  Candace has practiced law since 2008 and began her career in Washington DC, as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General, and represented DC Public Schools in their General Counsel's office.  After moving back to Texas in 2011, Candace's practice shifted to a focus on estate planning, probate and business law.  She has been at the Houser Firm since 2019, and enjoys working with families across the state of Texas.  Candace is an avid reader of historical fiction and cookbooks and truly loves podcasts about economics.  She also loves to cook, garden, pretend she is Martha Stewart, and travel to the mountains of Colorado with her husband Collin, and her three children.   She has a dog named Sophie who is the most beautiful rescue Rhodesian Ridgeback who ever lived and a cutie black cat named Jack.

About Houser Firm:
The Houser Law Firm is a boutique estate planning firm with a commitment to innovative and sophisticated legal solutions to protect our clients' legacies of wealth. At the Houser Firm, “protecting legacies of wealth” is more than just a tagline to us. We recognize that our clients work incredibly hard to achieve their successes. We also understand how difficult it can be to place that hard-earned success in the hands of someone else. You deserve legal advocates who care about you and your family’s future as much as they do their own. With our experienced attorneys at your side, you can rest easy knowing that your legacy will endure.

To learn more, visit www.houserfirm.com

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

Kasey shares both the highs and lows of running her business. She recounts the exciting moments of unexpected growth and landing her first international client. However, she also addresses the challenges faced along the way, including cash flow management, talent acquisition, establishing core processes & values, and navigating client misalignments.

Throughout the conversation, Kasey emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and kindness towards others in the entrepreneurial journey. This episode offers valuable insights for both seasoned and aspiring business owners, highlighting how fostering a fun and collaborative work environment can contribute significantly to business success.

***

About Kasey & Kasey S Consulting
"Hi, I'm Kasey! Connection is my passion, storytelling is the conduit.

I graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Masters in Organizational Communication in 2019, however, I have always considered myself a creative way before my official title...even while working full time in Corporate America. After years of creating for myself, it was a natural fit to use my social media knowledge to help other businesses succeed. After a nudge from my mentor, I decided to take the leap and start a marketing agency in May of 2021. My passion for helping small/medium size businesses with their marketing without the hefty price tag honestly is how Kasey S Consulting began. Because after all, every business is so uniquely different with various marketing needs. After launching my business, then came my first hire, Erin, one of my best friends from middle school. She now leads our team as the account manager, supporting all things client relations. Fast forward to today, we are about to celebrate our second birthday! I could not be more thankful of how far KSC has come and all the team members who have played a part in its success thus far."

To learn more, visit www.kaseysconsulting.co

Scott and Yobany discuss the impact of interest rates, the role of personal guarantees, cash management, fraud prevention, and lending processes for small to medium-sized businesses. 

Yobany provides practical tips for approaching banking relationships and shares insights on what business owners should look for when developing a financial plan with their bank. This discussion equips aspiring entrepreneurs with valuable information to navigate the banking world more effectively.

***

About Yobany:
Yobany Mayen has over 20 years of experience in Commercial Banking spanning three financial institutions and two areas of expertise: Commercial Relationship Management and Treasury Management Services. After graduating from Texas A&M with a finance degree, he entered the Commercial Banking Analyst Training Program at JPMorgan Chase Bank, spending time in New York, Austin, and San Antonio, TX, where he currently resides. Later, he moved to Amegy Bank, a division Zions Bancorporation, and now is at Encore Bank as an SVP, Treasury Management Regional Sales Leader and shareholder. He earned his Certified Treasury Professional (“CTP”) designation in 2003, serves as the President of the San Antonio Association for Financial Professionals (“SAAFP”), and is a volunteer committee member for one of the largest regional annual trade conferences in his industry (TEXPO), which will be hosted in San Antonio in 2025.

The recurring themes of his career through a large, medium, and small bank are: winning as a team, finding financial solutions to help clients achieve their goals, and enjoying building relationships with interesting and successful people. Two of the most interesting people he knows are his parents, who immigrated to the United States at young ages, worked hard to be successful in their own careers, and supported him as a first-generation college graduate.

He is married to Angie Lewis and has a blended family of 7 kids, 5 grandkids, and one Cavapoo named Bentley. He and his family attend Northeast Bible Church in Garden Ridge, TX and volunteer in the children’s ministry.

About Encore Bank:
Encore Bank was established in 2019 after its founders moved to the Capital Bank, rebranded it as Encore Bank and began its remarkable growth journey. Starting with just $159 million in total assets, seven employees and a single office, Encore has since expanded its presence into 19 markets across seven states. As of May 15, 2024, Encore Bank had $4 billion in total assets. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Encore Bank is a privately held, commercially focused bank that couples highly experienced and talented bankers with innovative technology to offer unprecedented levels of service to its clients through a hospitality-inspired concierge approach. Encore Bank provides a full suite of financial products and services with purpose, passion and precision.

To learn more, visit bankencore.com

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

In this insightful episode, Laura Neathery, founder of LJ Consulting & Marketing, shares her expertise on the invaluable role of partnering with a marketing agency. Discover the ideal timing to engage an agency and the key qualities to prioritize for a successful collaboration.

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, effective marketing demands consistency, quality, and accountability–a long-term game that requires expertise across multiple fronts, from social media channel management to digital advertising, SEO, email marketing, and beyond.

If you're an entrepreneurial business owner seeking to amplify your brand's reach, this episode offers invaluable insights into finding the marketing support you need to thrive.

***

About Laura:
A lifelong Texan, Laura Neathery began her journey with a focus on photography. Her creativity and passion for stories led her to journalism emphasizing PR, Advertising, and Marketing. This foundation in visual storytelling and communication naturally led her to the marketing field, where she applied her skills in brand development, digital strategy, and demand generation across various roles. This journey involved agency and client-side marketing enabling her to see and understand both sides of marketing.

Laura spent years amid brilliant creatives and digital experts and knew she could bring her own spin of partnership to small to medium-sized businesses seeking scalable marketing solutions. This realization prompted her to establish LJ Consulting & Marketing, L.L.C. in 2018. Laura’s agency democratizes digital marketing, offering end-to-end digital services including SEO, social media management, web design, SMS marketing, and more while ensuring transparency through a client portal for real-time updates. This approach allows businesses to enhance their marketing efforts effectively and efficiently.

About LJ Consulting & Marketing:
LJ Consulting & Marketing, L.L.C. is a digital marketing agency dedicated to helping small to medium businesses grow their online presence. They offer a range of services, including SEO, social media marketing, web design and development, PPC management, content writing, online reputation management, and more. Their approach involves a detailed consultation, thorough audit, and strategic execution to deliver measurable results and a high return on investment. They emphasize innovation, data-driven strategies, transparency, and a client-centric approach to ensure their clients' success in the digital landscape.

To learn more, visit ljcandm.com

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If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

Sam discusses the challenges of rapidly modernizing the company's systems, managing supply chain disruptions, and keeping crews motivated during uncertain times. He emphasizes the importance of having standard operating procedures in place so the business can run smoothly without relying too heavily on the owner.

New and aspiring business owners will gain valuable insights from Sam's experiences with proactive communication, taking ownership of mistakes, and continuously seeking ways to improve the business.

About Sam:
Sam Bluntzer is a Texas A&M University alumnus from New Braunfels, Texas. After college, he joined the marines and went on to become a F-18 fighter pilot, serving tours in Japan, Iraq, and other deployments over an 11-year career. Following his time in marines, Sam used his operational experience to transition into the oil and gas industry in Fort Worth, Texas. Today, Sam owns and operates Blue Ribbon Rain Gutter, a successful rain gutter installation company servicing customers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

About Blue Ribbon Rain Gutter:
Blue Ribbon Rain Gutter is your trusted partner for seamless rain gutter installation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. With over 19 years of dedicated service and thousands of completed installations, Blue Ribbon Rain Gutter treats each customer's home as if it were their own, delivering top-notch gutter solutions regardless of the project's size.

To learn more, visit blueribbonraingutter.com

Many people often think of Memorial Day as the start of summer, but I encourage everyone to take a moment to remember those who've sacrificed themselves for our freedom in the United States. 

While Veterans Day honors both living and deceased veterans, Memorial Day is also an appropriate time to thank everyone who has served. We've had a few veteran guests on the show thus far, including:

• Clayton Flurry: Episode #6 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-flurry-85667338/
• Drew Murr: Episode #16 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewmurr/
• Ahmed Qureshi: Episode #33 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-q-927237/

I recommend giving their episodes a listen and reaching out to them to thank them for their service. Happy Memorial Day to you and your family!

***

If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us

Randy dives into the origins of Cyber Trust Alliance, which began as an idea while working at a managed service provider (MSP) to address the cybersecurity and compliance needs of small and mid-sized healthcare organizations. He discusses the challenges of educating the market, developing the right pricing model, and learning to delegate effectively as the company grew.

Throughout the conversation, Randy emphasizes the importance of mentorship, building a strong advisory board, and collaborating with partners to accelerate growth. He shares valuable insights on the mindset shifts required when transitioning from employee to founder and the critical role of self-reflection and accountability in leadership.

About Randy:
A 30-year technology veteran, Randy has led businesses in healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, and IT services.  He and his partners founded Cyber Trust Alliance to simplify compliance for healthcare organizations. Randy holds a BA in Business Economics from Wheaton College; has served in leadership of the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners for 18 years; and was honored to be the Inaugural Man of WIT for the Global Women in Technology Association. He’s married to Beth, a Professor and Sr. Associate Dean at the University of Texas in Austin and the proud father of 4 grown children.

About Cybertrust Alliance:
Cybertrust Alliance helps organizations and their third party vendors assess, manage, and track compliance with regulatory initiatives, utilizing virtual Telassessment technology and Risk Management software. With their solution, compliance is a simple, easy to understand, and manageable process for everyone.

To learn more, visit cybertrustalliance.com

Throughout the episode, Ray discusses the challenges and triumphs of building and scaling various businesses, including an online language school, a marketing agency, and a chocolate factory in the Philippines. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the lifetime value of a customer, learning how to have constructive disagreements, and trusting business partners.

Ray also opens up about his own struggles with depression and the lessons he's learned from his entrepreneurial journey. He stresses the significance of getting good at something to find enjoyment in it and the value of persistence in the face of failure.With 22 profitable businesses under his belt, Ray shares his insights on what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur and the importance of focusing on what you're good at to build a lasting legacy.

About Ray:
Ray Blakney is just your typical award-winning Filipino-American entrepreneur who grew up in Turkey and lives in Mexico. He has nearly two decades of business experience that have included starting, growing, and leading over a dozen profitable companies along with hundreds of staff from across the USA and Latin America.

Marked by a fearless approach to opportunity and a creative entrepreneurial spirit, Ray has always found fulfillment in the electric exchange  of collaboration among colleagues and peers. He unintentionally stumbled upon business coaching in early 2023 and quickly found that the greater impact was  not hidden in immediate conversations about business strategy but rather in helping calibrate and strengthen a person’s foundation first.

Thus began his executive coaching ventures within the online education industry. He often tells his clients, “You are my client first. Your business comes second.” And the results speak for themselves. When the entirety of a person’s life is in alignment, a business can’t help but flourish.

After hours, Ray can be found spending time with his family, traveling, or teaching semi-professional sword fighting. He lives in Playa del Carmen, Mexico with his wife and son.

About Rayvensoft Ventures:
To learn more about Rayvensoft Ventures visit rayvensoft.com.

Ahmed shares life before launching his business, including stories of his childhood in Saudi Arabia, majoring in Middle East Studies at BYU, and helping Papa John’s expand internationally all while serving his country in the reserves. Ahmed highlights the importance of collaboration and the significance of having the right capital partnerships in a startup’s early journey.

Today, Ahmed finds inspiration in witnessing the awe and excitement from clients when using the BILT app. But, getting the startup to where it is today didn’t come without its sacrifices and major responsibilities.

About Ahmed
Ahmed Qureshi is a global business executive, consultant, entrepreneur and national security professional who has more than 30 years of experience living, studying and working both at home in the United States and abroad. He has worked for multi-national corporations, his own start-up firms and has advised organizations in cross cultural team building and other business best practices.

In 2015 he co-founded BILT Incorporated and serves as the President and COO; BILT is a SaaS network technology firm supporting global brands with 3D interactive and XR immersive Intelligent Instructions via a cloud-based application focused on improving the end user experience. In 2004 he co-founded Harbinger Technologies Group where he helped develop entity resolution software solutions and oversee the training of more than 35,000 law enforcement and military personnel; he helped sell the company in 2007. Prior to Harbinger, he served as the vice president for global business development at INVESTools Incorporated and as the head of Middle East operations for Papa John’s International.

From 2004 to 2017 he was an adjunct professor at the United States Air Force Special Operations School based at Hurlburt Field. He is a graduate of the Middle East Studies program at Brigham Young University, the MBA program at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, the Naval War College command and staff program, the Joint Forces Staff College and was a yearlong Fulbright grantee to the University of Jordan. He completed his doctorate at King’s College, University of London, writing on US policy and military decision making in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations. He has been a drilling reservist since 1992 and has deployed overseas for various operations and training missions. He currently resides in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with his family.

About the BILT app
The BILT app is a revolutionary new tool for anything requiring assembly, set-up, repair or maintenance. BILT is 3D and interactive; it allows you to TAP on a part for details, PINCH to zoom in & DRAG to rotate the image 360°. Whether you need a new part or you want to troubleshoot, the information is right at your fingertips. There's no need to squint & no need for paper instructions. BILT allows you to protect your investment by registering the product, capturing the receipt & holding the warranty, so you always have it on your device.  It's like a virtual filing cabinet in your pocket.

To learn more, visit www.biltapp.com

George has an extensive career that all started with helping people find the perfect parking spot. After years of using traditional management methods, George founded ParkHub to optimize parking operations with innovative technology and subscription-based models for businesses.

Today, George has a diverse portfolio of companies he’s helped build, including a leather goods brand, RUJO Boots. During the show, he discusses the motivation behind starting the business and the challenges he’s faced along the way. George shares the importance of finding the right team, encouraging a culture of collaboration, and recognizing failure is not fatal, but an opportunity for growth.

About George
George has spent 25+ years serving the parking industry with 13 years managing parking operations on a national level; including airport operations, portfolio management, and university and municipality experience.

When he’s not modernizing the parking world, he’s at his home in Dallas, Texas, spending time with his wife Chelsey and their two children. George graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s of Science in Regional Development | City Planning. George is a proud Eagle Scout, Past Worshipful Master of his Texas Masonic Lodge, winner of the 2016 Greater Dallas Business Ethics Award, 2016 recipient of the National Parking Association 40 under 40 award, 2016 finalist of EY Entrepreneur of the Year, 2018 finalist for Tech Titans Fast Growing Tech Company (DFW), 2019 Innovator of the Year by the National Parking Association, 2020 40 under 40 award by Electronic Transaction Association and devoted member his local Highland Park United Methodist Church congregation.

About Rujo Boots
RUJO’s mission is simply to provide people with a better boot for a better price. We only sell directly to you. There are no stores, there are no coffee mugs or T-shirts and there are no middlemen. RUJO is designed in Dallas, handcrafted in Mexico, and worn all across this great land.

To learn more, visit rujoboots.com

Marcus shares stories of his upbringing and recounts early ventures into his entrepreneurial journey, including starting a catering business and a vending management company. After realizing the need for a formal education, Marcus obtained his GED and attended Lone Star College, later transferring to Texas A&M University. With the help of a mentor, Marcus gained acceptance into the industrial distribution program, which opened doors for his future career. 

Marcus emphasizes the importance of persistence and highlights the unexpected opportunities and connections that shape our career paths. Through his journey, Marcus has come to appreciate the value of learning, tenacity, and the impact of meeting the right people along the way.

About Marcus:
Marcus Jeffrey, Co-Founder of FreeFuse, has a passion for growing companies and fine-tuning sales processes. His career has been a thrilling journey of turning ambitious visions into reality. At the heart of his work is a deep-seated desire to innovate and lead industries into new frontiers, a journey that led him to becoming a Co-Founder of FreeFuse. The platform is an endeavor in reshaping media consumption, making it more interactive and engaging through a 'choose-your-own-adventure' approach. Beyond the technology, Marcus is driven by the challenge of building effective, scalable sales strategies and fostering relationships that last.

About FreeFuse:
FreeFuse is revolutionizing media consumption. Our platform offers a unique 'choose-your-own-adventure' approach, making every experience interactive and captivating. Whether it's for reshaping education inside or outside your organization, boosting community engagement, or streamlining your sales and marketing efforts with low-to-no touch mechanisms, FreeFuse delivers. Dive into content that adapts to your choices, making learning, engagement, and marketing more dynamic than ever before.

To learn more visit freefuse.com

Roy is a life-long entrepreneur who started his career selling baseball cards as a kid. Not much has changed since then, only now he’s selling technology and helping businesses bring products to life.

Roy shares stories about his upbringing and life post-college, taking a job in circuit board prototyping and another selling to accounting firms. Later, he co-founded a successful managed IT services company that focused on serving accounting professionals. Feeling inspired by these experiences—and challenges—the idea of starting his own company, Firm Studio, came to life.

Today, Roy’s team consists of experts in design, development, and business strategy to equip businesses with a profitable future. Throughout the episode, Roy shares the lessons he’s learned, including framing work as the “mingling of souls” and being cautious about financial commitments that are difficult to uphold.

About Roy:
Roy started his career hustling in a huge neighborhood outside of Houston where he peddled in various trading card activities. Later, upon turning 13, he leveraged his experience to work for the local card shop for $5/hr in cards. His role from when he was 13 to now hasn’t changed much, but instead of trading cards, its accounting tech. Ultimately Roy’s vision for life revolves around 2 words: commissioning wins. He seeks to do this by coming alongside passionate, smart people to go faster and further when it comes to launching new companies that have their roots in the accounting community. He has spent 15+ years helping firms with their most complex technology problems and has developed a vision on how firms can take their roadmaps back.

About Firm Studio:
Firm Studio is a globally distributed team of experts in design, development, and business strategy working together to equip businesses with a more profitable future.

To learn more, visit www.firmstudio.io.

Adam Curran, Managing Principal at Holt Lunsford Commercial, shares the importance of working with an experienced broker and the qualifying questions you should be asking them. Plus, he gives his perspective on trends in the real estate market today.

Other topics discussed:

• When you should lease or buy a property (and benefits of each)
• The importance of having a 10-year business plan
• Advice for someone looking to start a career in commercial real estate

About Adam:

Adam Curran joined Holt Lunsford Commercial in 2023 and serves as Managing Principal Industrial Tenant Representation. He is responsible for leading the industrial tenant representation service line at HLC, training and overseeing brokers and advising clients on industrial property leasing, sales, and subleasing.

Prior to joining HLC, Adam was a Senior Director at Cushman & Wakefield (CW) where he completed over 4.8 million square feet of industrial transactions and trained/mentored young agents entering the business. During his tenure at CW, he successfully negotiated transactions for BMW, SiteOne Landscape Supply, GC Packaging, and PODS to name a few. Previously, he served as COO/Vice President of Mercer Company and a Market Director at NAI Robert Lynn. Adam has completed over 10 million square feet of industrial transactions throughout his near 20-year career.

About Holt Lunsford Commercial:

Holt Lunsford Commercial is a Dallas-based full service commercial real estate firm.

The company’s core lines of business include Investments, Project Leasing, Tenant Representation, Property and Facility Management, Accounting, Development Services and Construction Management, Insurance Consulting, and Multi-Family. We are comprised of a team of talented professionals who are guided by a set of values that defines our company’s corporate culture. We use our knowledge, our talent, and our influence to help others make wise real estate decisions.

To learn more, visit https://holtlunsford.com/

Handling payroll and HR functions in-house can be complex and time-consuming, especially for growing SMBs. Chris covers the common challenges business owners face, such as keeping up with changes in HR technology and how to navigate compliances and regulations.

Chris gives advice on finding the right HR resource for your business, as well as best practices for boosting employee engagement.

Whether you currently handle these functions in-house or are considering outsourcing, tune in to hear Chris’s advice on how to position your people and business for success.

About Chris:
Chris Goheen is the President of Workforce Go!. Chris has a passionate belief that people are the most important factor in the consistent success of any organization’s business results. He brings clients knowledge garnered over his 21 plus years of experience in solution implementation, training, consulting, and people management with tenured expertise in employer solutions, including talent acquisition, paperless employee engagement, time & labor management, risk mitigation and compliance, employee, benefits, payroll administration, and decision support. Chris is a proactive team member, great listener, and phenomenal organizational leader.

About Workforce Go!
Through leading HCM technology, organizations can have it all without sacrificing service. Receive one-on-one client training and support. Deal with experienced service professionals who understand your business inside and out while leaving your HCM complexities to Workforce Go!. Receive best-in-class solutions while still receiving personalized support.
To learn more, visit

Melissa Bell, Director of Sales and Marketing at Venn Technology, asks Scott all his favorite questions about his own entrepreneurial experiences. He shares memories of life growing up, his college days at Texas A&M, and the jobs that led him to discover his true passion: helping people eliminate manual processes with automation.

Scott highlights the importance of finding a role that aligns with one’s values and the significance of learning from different people and opportunities, even if they don’t directly lead to one’s desired career path.

Today, Venn Technology is a company commonly described as “fun” by partners and clients. This reigns true because of Scott’s passion to build a company he’d want to work for.

About Scott:
Venn Technology's founder, Scott Hollrah, has been a regular listener of the podcast How I Built This. The show focuses on founders who have made it big. They tell the story of how they created their company that turned into a huge brand and, ultimately, their exit. As much as he loves and learns from it, Scott is really interested in hearing from founders who are still building and growing their companies—founders who are “in the thick of it."

About Venn Technology:
Venn Technology is an award-winning professional services firm that partners with midsize organizations and software publishers to implement systems and automate workflows that free people to focus on what they are best at. With expertise in accounting, ERP, and CRM integrations, our pre-built and custom workflows are designed to put an end to siloed processes—saving clients time and money by eliminating error-prone, time-robbing manual operations that cause continual frustration and put organizations at risk. Our mission: Integrate, automate, be free!

To learn more, visit venntechnology.com

Running the financial and accounting aspects of a business is complex, time consuming, and often outside of the wheelhouse for most entrepreneurs and business owners. That’s why many companies, both small startups and larger established businesses, are turning to outsourced accounting firms.

As the CEO of Bright Balance Accounting, a fractional accounting and finance firm, Patrick has more than 15 years experience in finance across multiple industries. Tune in to learn when it makes sense to outsource your accounting, what to look for in a firm, and how the right partner can provide strategic advice to grow your business.

About Bright Balance:
Bright Balance delivers cost-efficient, quality transaction processing, accounting, financial reporting, and financial analysis services to the middle market using an integrated onshore and offshore team. They strive to offer unmatched professional service in the most flexible and cost-efficient, quality transaction processing, accounting, and FP&A / CFO augmentation to the middle market, with a team of people who maintain a high level of trust, love to deliver results, and have fun doing it!

To learn more, visit brightbal.com

He speaks of feeling like the “black sheep of the family” when he didn’t pursue a career in education and major life events that led him to discover his passion: roofing.

Tune in to hear Cody’s advice on mentorship, staying true to yourself, and how every experience and personal connection leads to something. Aspiring founders and entrepreneurs will gain valuable takeaways in this episode, like recognizing the strengths of others in coexistence with your own.

About Cody:
Cody Durham is the founder and driving force behind 10 Gage Ridge Roofing. With over two decades of sales and entrepreneurial experience, Cody established 10 Gage Ridge Roofing in 2017, embarking on a journey that has seen steady growth year after year. Beyond the 10 Gage Ridge, he loves spending time in the great outdoors traveling, hunting, and fishing. Whether it's spending quality time with his family or embarking on countless adventures in an effort to visit all of the national parks across the U.S., Cody's passion for life is evident in everything he does.

About 10 Gage Ridge Roofing:
10 Gage Ridge Roofing, founded in 2017 by Cody Durham, is a leading roofing company based in Mansfield, Texas. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, we specialize in providing high-quality roofing solutions for residential and commercial properties. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to delivering superior craftsmanship and reliable service on every project.

To learn more, visit 10gageridgeroofing.com.

Raised in rural Wisconsin, Jim followed his creative passions for art, music, and design, attending college in Arizona before moving back home to launch CI Design, a branding and design agency, at the age of 25.

Today, CI Design employs over 40 people and is a leading design agency in Milwaukee. Tune in to hear why Jim stresses the importance of purposeful evolution, surrounding yourself with the right people, learning from failures, and caring deeply about company culture.

About Jim:
For more than 30 years, Jim has shared his passion for brand with hundreds of clients. In addition to leading us as CEO, Jim remains a creative force for CI Design as Executive Creative Director. His leadership and creative solutions are a foundation for CI Design’s culture and offerings. From our foundation as a Branding Company, Jim has helped to grow CI Design into a full-service strategic marketing force complete with marketing strategy, UX, enterprise-level Web and App products, compelling video storytelling, and tradeshow and event solutions.

About CI Design:
We are a Brand and Marketing Agency. CID pairs story and strategy to bring creative insights for B2B companies that deliver results. From branding and marketing strategy, to video production and web development, content marketing and SEO strategy, we help propel marketers toward their goals with Creative Intelligence™ and thoughtful executions. In partnership with our clients and their teams, we maximize the power of their brands to convert the curious to customers.

To learn more, visit cidesigninc.com

He tapped into his curiosity about business and sales during corporate roles before taking the ultimate risk to start Simply Noted. Rick candidly details the realities of bootstrapping a tech company for over five years without investors while teaching himself software development, supply chain logistics and more.

Tune in to hear Rick’s outlook on building company culture, avoiding growth traps, and focusing on relationships over quick wins. He leaves founders with advice on knowing priorities, smart risks, and bringing teams along. Rick proves with tenacity and a willingness to learn, unconventional entrepreneurial paths can thrive.

About Rick:
Rick Elmore is an entrepreneur, sales and marketing expert, and a former college and professional football athlete. As the founder of Simply Noted, Rick has developed the world's first AI writing robot technology with 6 patents pending. This technology uses real pen and ink to scale handwritten communication.

About Simply Noted:
Simply Noted stands as the premier global technology leader in the handwritten notes industry. Our API-first platform revolutionizes the way genuine handwritten notes are created and distributed, offering a seamless integration for businesses. Entirely customer-funded, we collaborate with hundreds of leading startups and Fortune 5000 companies, empowering them to automate and scale their handwritten outreach efforts effectively.

To learn more, visit simplynoted.com. 

In this episode, Brian gives an inside look at the Tribe of solo entrepreneurs by sharing his real-world journey - the idea lightbulb moment, navigating start-up unknowns and learning curves as a new dad and founder in parallel, to persisting through early COVID headwinds through sheer grit.

Brian transparently details the exhilarating reality of bringing a pioneering business to life, dispelling myths of overnight success and glory along the way. New founders and solopreneurs will gain tangible tips on fearlessly executing on a vision despite inevitable challenges, while ultimately keeping the purpose, product and customer experience at the core.

About Brian:
Recently we asked our followers what questions we should start including in our founder interviews.  There were so many great ones and one in particular was perfect for our next guest.  Should you make a business out of your passions or hobbies? 

In this episode, I speak with Brian Borichevsky, founder and CEO of ROK Golf, an indoor golf entertainment company with locations in Austin, Texas. Brian shares his entrepreneurial journey, from watching his father build a successful meat provisions business to starting his own fantasy sports software venture before regulations changed. He then tapped into his life savings to launch ROK Golf during a chaotic time in his personal life.

We dive into the gritty realities of those early days, like realizing he had no point-of-sale system to take payments just days before opening. Brian also shares the steep learning curve of leasing retail space, hiring employees, managing cash flow, and delegating tasks. 

Ultimately, Brian's passion for golf and vision to create better jobs in an industry he loves is what sustains him through the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship.

About ROK Golf:
ROK Golf operates state-of-the-art indoor golf facilities created to bring elite Trackman technology to the whole of the golf world.  Designed by an avid golfer, for avid golfers, ROK Golf combines top technology with incredible instructors and master fitters in a seriously fun atmosphere where golfers can practice, take lessons, compete or just have a blast with friends all on your schedule.  Combining practice, instruction and fitting in one holistic model, ROK Golf is here to help in all areas of the game.  ROK Golf was founded in 2018 in Austin Texas and has locations in Westlake and Bee Cave.

To learn more, visit rokgolf.com. 

Learn when the right timing is for founders to invest in HR expertise, what the implementation process typically entails, and what the ongoing outsourced relationship provides. Discover some of the everyday people challenges HR outsourcing helps solve around compliance, documentation, terminations, and more. Ben also breaks down how the regulatory environment continues evolving with technology innovations, employment trends toward independent contracting, and shifting political dynamics.

If managing your team is the least favorite, yet critical, part of your emerging venture, this episode provides a blueprint for effectively outsourcing those functions so you can focus on your core business.

About Ben:
Ben graduated from Texas A&M in 2003 and began a career with an HR Consulting start up, Ethos HR Online, a subsidiary of Ethos Group, headquartered in Las Colinas, TX.  Ethos HR focused on meeting the Employee Relations needs of the retail Automotive Industry. As Ethos HR grew to become Ethos Group Compliance Solutions, Ben has enjoyed growing with the company, working in just about every role we have, from Customer Service to Field Rep to HR Specialist and now serving as a senior member of the leadership team.  Today EGCS help people in 12 different industries with their HR, Compliance and Safety needs, and Ben enjoys successfully combining his personal mission with his daily work.

About Ethos Group:
Ethos Group Compliance Solutions is the pioneer of compliance as a culture.  We help small to midsize organizations all over the United States identify and overcome obstacles with customized solutions in the Human Resource, Consumer Protections, Cyber Security and Safety space.  We use a combination of old fashioned in person consulting with the latest in software innovation to tailor solutions for your unique situation.

To learn more, visit egcs.com. 

After working for over a decade in his father’s HR tech company, Andy made the decision to strike out on his own. He shares what propelled him to make the leap, early hiring missteps, the angst of letting employees go, and near catastrophe when engineering factions failed to collaborate. Andy also opens up about the personal side of entrepreneurship - how he copes and finds work-life balance while managing the demands of both a high-growth startup and a family of six.

Far from portraying overnight success, his story personifies the perseverance required to create something from nothing. Andy’s openness about failures and false starts underscores the importance of commitment to vision and learning from mistakes on the winding road of business building.

About Andy:
Andy is the founder and CEO of Talewind, a sales automation platform designed to bring accuracy, consistency, speed, and a better buyer experience to every deal. Prior to starting Talewind, Andy was the Vice President of Business Development at the HR technology and software firm Perceptyx, where he helped grow annual revenue more than 2000% over 10 years. Andy has closed seven-figure software deals with Fortune ranked companies including Apple, Microsoft, FedEx, American Airlines, and many others. Through those experiences, he felt the tools that sales teams were using could be improved using automation, which led to Talewind. Andy lives in Temecula, CA with his wife and four children.

About Tailwind:
Talewind is a sales automation platform based in Temecula, CA, where we're focused on pouring our passion for people and sales into a radically better approach to the sales process. Talewind’s sales engine is built around each of our client’s sales documents and processes, able to automatically generate all sales documents and content for every deal, no matter the complexity.  

To learn more, visit talewind.com.

Chris outlines Sniffle's mission to improve healthcare by leveraging technology to reinforce the doctor-patient relationship and enable continuous care. He also discusses some of Sniffle's key features like its AI-powered diagnosis tool, prescription savings program, and insurance marketplace.

Throughout the conversation, Chris offers candid insights on the startup grind - persevering through repeated failures, hiring the right team, empowering employees, maintaining alignment with co-founders, and more. He reflects on the personal motivations behind launching Sniffle and the importance of contributing to the greater good.

About Chris:
Enthusiastically bringing three unique threads together to strengthen what Sniffle aims to do in Virtual Care. Over 16 years of success in supporting the growth of physician practices and hospital clinics across the nation, over 6 years of remarkable results co-founding a one-of-a-kind digital marketing agency, and most recently over 3 years selling in the complex world of ancillary insurance and employee benefits from a global powerhouse in the employee benefits space. The combination of these three experiences brings actionable ideas & plans to implement as Sniffle engages the market. Most importantly Chris and his wife are raising their two children and play an active role in contributing to their communities.

About Sniffle:
Sniffle has taken a “bigger picture” view of what it really means to provide better care virtually and is committed to supporting both providers and their patients through the evolution of telemedicine. Unlike other telemedicine platforms, Sniffle was built for relationships. This is not the typical transactional telemedicine model; this is virtual care where patients see their providers and there is continuity of care. No monthly memberships required for virtual visits. Download the Sniffle app and experience the “Better care. Bigger Picture” that you deserve.

To learn more, visit sniffle.com.

About Jonathan:
Jonathan grew up in North Texas on a fish farm where he developed a love for the outdoors. Upon graduation from Texas A&M, he joined the workforce, married his college sweetheart, and started a family. After completing his MBA at Rice, he worked on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs and then launched his own finance company. Jonathan loves relationships and finds great joy in making sure BirdDog hunters are changed through the friendships they make in the outdoors. Jonathan now resides in Washington, TX where he lives on a little piece of land with his wife, Kat, and kids, Jackson, Sam, and Charlotte. They enjoy fishing, hunting, and being outdoors.

To learn more about his latest venture, BirdDog, visit birddogit.com. 

Cloud Service has experienced tremendous growth, being ranked 112 on the Inc 5000 list with over 4000% revenue growth over 3 years. Dave attributes this success to delivering high quality work and genuinely focusing on customer success. He shares some core values like "craftsmanship" in their technical work as well as connecting people across the business. While Dave enjoys working with customers and partners, he is still adjusting to focusing more on the business strategy. Overall, he aims to continue CloudServus’ growth while exploring new challenges like his YouTube channel showcasing adventures as a pilot.

About Dave:
Dave Rowe is the founder behind CloudServus, a fast-growing Microsoft Consultancy and Licensing partner. An entrepreneur at heart, Dave's career has been marked by his unwavering commitment to bringing the right technology solutions to solve pressing business challenges. Prior to founding CloudServus, he honed his leadership and technological expertise during stints at Dell, Rackspace, and Catapult Systems. At each of these companies, Dave honed his expertise in understanding the intricate interplay between technology and business needs.

Dave graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor in Business Administration, majoring in International Business, minors in Management Information Systems and German. He was a letterman in football for the Oklahoma Sooners. He also played a couple of seasons in the German/Bavarian Football League. He lived and worked in Germany throughout various times in his life and speaks fluent German. He was born and raised in Austin, Texas, where he still lives with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, wakeboarding, snow skiing, and piloting small aircraft.

About CloudServus:
CloudServus LLC, based in Austin, specializes in a wide array of Microsoft consulting services. Established in 2019, CloudServus has assembled a team of elite industry consultants, ensuring consistent and enhanced client experiences with Microsoft solutions. Their consultancy expertise spans Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, and Microsoft Subscription & Cost Management.

To learn more, visit cloudservus.com. 

Some key EOS concepts covered include leadership team roles like "Visionary" and "Integrator," implementing effective rhythms like the weekly L10 meeting, and getting 100% of the right people in the right seats. Curt shares stories of the organizational transformation he has facilitated. Host Scott Gingold also swaps personal examples, crediting EOS for enabling him to take a month-long sabbatical with full confidence in his business and leadership team

While EOS can be self-implemented, Curt advocates for the high-impact guidance of a professional implementer. He unpacks the components of EOS and how strengthening alignment across all six areas - Vision, People, Data, Process, Issues and Traction - is key for fully realizing results. Anyone leading a small to mid-sized organization can benefit from learning more about the EOS operating system.

About Curt:
Curt Swindoll works with leadership teams, including ours at Venn Technology, to implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). EOS is a complete system of tools and disciplines that help leadership teams clarify and execute their vision.

During his 40+ year career, he has served in multiple C-level roles and provided strategic counsel to dozens of organizations. He has authored numerous articles and regularly speaks on issues of operational excellence. He has an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Curt and his wife, Debbie, have three grown children and seven grandchildren. 

About EOS:
EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System®, isn’t a computer operating system. It’s a people operating system that harnesses human energy throughout your organization with simple tools and principles.

EOS is a set of concepts and tools that comprises a complete business management system that empowers entrepreneurs to reach their business goals and improve the lives of every individual the business affects.

To learn more and to connect with Curt about what EOS can do for your business, visit eosworldwide.com/curt-swindoll.

After valuable learning experiences providing computer services and video production to local customers, Peter has honed his latest venture to provide an economical model for creating and editing unlimited videos for clients each month. He discusses the importance of solving real customer problems, hiring smart people, learning from mistakes, and persevering through difficulties with unrelenting optimism. While admitting business challenges still arise, Peter draws positivity from a traumatic childhood that fuels his motivation to empower those around him.

From documenting detailed processes to efficiently manage a remote creative team to planning for future growth, Peter explains hard-earned lessons from nearly 15 years of channeling his passion for helping people through entrepreneurship. Despite setbacks that would have pushed others into a conventional career, he retains the tireless energy and vision to carry his business and aspirations forward.

About Peter:
Peter Matejcek, the founder and CEO INHouse Video, stands at the forefront of video content innovation. He has collaborated with a wide range of companies, from startups to industry leaders like Microsoft, Intel, and Lenovo, delivering cutting-edge video solutions tailored to diverse business needs.

Peter embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and is driven by a passion for exploring new technologies, personal growth, and innovative approaches. His commitment extends beyond the professional realm, as an avid outdoor enthusiast who loves snowboarding, hiking, and embracing daily adventures as a father of three.

His journey is a testament to creativity, continuous learning, and leadership in the dynamic field of video technology, making his insights invaluable to fellow entrepreneurs and innovators.

To learn more, visit inhousevideo.com.

After testing different models including a ranch marketplace, Josh and team ultimately settled on fractional ownership of high-end ranches catering to outdoor recreation and investing. He shares with host Scott Hollrah the process of iterating based on customer feedback, deciding when to pivot, fundraising lessons learned, and the ups and downs of the startup rollercoaster. Josh also discusses the dynamics, benefits, and challenges of going into business with close friends, as well as how his faith shapes his perspective in dealing with success and failures. Whether leading a mature firm or just getting an entrepreneurial venture off the ground, Josh delivers hard-won wisdom for any founder in the thick of unpredictable terrain.

About Josh:
Josh has years of experience managing companies and leading teams. Josh is accustomed to structuring deals and executing various types of transactions, having served as the CFO & EVP of an aerospace manufacturer and in multiple private equity and investment banking roles. Josh holds a BSFS from Georgetown University, where he met his Pursuit co-founders, Trae and Tyler.

About Pursuit:
Pursuit offers customers the opportunity to own and enjoy high-end recreational properties via turnkey co-ownership and ongoing property management. Pursuit specializes in top-tier recreational properties throughout the world that possess scarce natural resources. Pursuit coordinates small ownership groups (ten or fewer) that cooperatively steward the land, enjoy it together, and benefit from investment growth. Pursuit then manages the property on customers' behalf with their enjoyment and investment goals in mind.

To learn more, visit pursuit-properties.com.

In this episode, Cameron shares with host Scott Hollrah the unique workings and occasional conflicts of going into business with family, the growing pains of bootstrapping vs seeking outside investment, and why culture trumps revenue when it comes to “firing” bad client fits.
He also discusses how respect, trust, and alignment with partners and employees enables the agility required to not only withstand but thrive in challenging conditions—like needing to scale back staff due to wider economic factors. For any founder in the thick of unpredictable ups and downs, Cameron delivers wisdom on reframing failure and nurturing growth mindset.

About Cameron:
Cameron Hay is the CEO and co-founder of Dispatch Integration - a software development and professional services firm located in Canada. He is a seasoned business leader and angel investor and has been active on the boards of several non-profit and high-growth technology companies. Cameron previously was the CEO of Unitron, a global leader in hearing healthcare technologies. He was a management consultant at Ernst & Young, and he began his career as a process control engineer at IBM. He has an engineering degree from the University of Manitoba and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business. 

About Dispatch Integration:
Dispatch is a software development and professional services firm based in Canada that focuses on building data integrations and automated business processes for enterprises across Canada, the US, Europe and ANZ. Dispatch helps companies create secure, reliable, automated and scalable business processes that deliver remarkable employee and customer experiences and exceptional efficiency and scalability.

To learn more, visit dispatchintegration.com.

About Taylor:
Taylor Brooks is the Founder and CEO of Simple - a company that provides financial tools for churches such as online giving, event registration payments, donor analytics, and corporate card programs.

He was born and raised in Atlanta, GA, graduated from Auburn University, and moved to Texas in 2010. #texasforever

Taylor has been married to Rachel for 14 years and has three children: Wyatt, Lyle, and June. For fun he likes to hunt, fly-fish, read old books, listen to old music, and play tennis.

About Simple:
An easy-to-use giving platform for churches that use Rock RMS, with personal consultation tailored to your congregation's needs. All in service of helping you grow the generosity of your people. We're here to support your mission so you can focus on your ministry. With expert guidance, analytics, and custom giving software designed for your Rock RMS church, we're your partner for community impact and giving that's cheerful, meaningful, and … simple.

To learn more, visit simpledonation.com. 

About Jim:
Jim Woodward spent 30 years building and running businesses as large as $100M, primarily in management and technology consulting to Fortune 500 companies, with full responsibility for marketing, sales, operations, service, and profitability. He also helped to found a highly successful, full-service ice machine leasing business that has become the nation’s largest. Today, Jim is a peer-advisor board chair and a business growth coach for Convene with a PCC coaching certification from the International Coaching Federation. In this work, Jim helps Christian business owners and CEO’s grow high performing businesses on a Biblical foundation so that people thrive and the Kingdom grows. Jim’s life purpose is to help people get unstuck, achieve their potential, and grow closer to Jesus. As part of this purpose Jim designs adult learning experiences like The Work Exchange (www.theworkexchange.org) which Convene and Biola’s Talbot Center for Faith, Work & Economics published.

About Convene:
Convene is a trusted community of Christian business leaders who meet monthly in peer-advisory teams across the world. Together, Convene members process opportunities and challenges, share priceless information from personal experience with each other, and grow in their faith through Christian executive learning content.

To learn more, visit convenenow.com. 

Throughout his winding career path, Drew exemplifies the entrepreneurial mindset of constantly learning, moving fast, and finding creative solutions. He offers advice on partnerships, hiring talented teams, and learning to effectively communicate with stakeholders.

About Drew:
Drew’s life has been a road-trip less traveled. Looking for challenges, he left college, went into real estate, then joined the Army, and from there went into oil and gas. He didn’t want to be away from his wife and kids for long stretches, he taught himself to code while working in the field. After creating a novel rig sensor data analytics program, he built a custom B2B SaaS app called Client Connect. This is where he met the team that would later form Banjaxed Solutions. When not leading innovative Software-and-a-Service solutions within the Salesforce ecosystem, Drew spends time with his family, reads, listens to podcasts voraciously, and wakes up early in the mornings to exercise and think. He explains, “I come to work every day for our employees and clients, the employees of our clients, and the clients of our clients. I love that we are a force multiplier for the economy, serving individuals in every aspect of society”.

Throughout his diverse career, Drew has exemplified perseverance and a willingness to pivot into new industries and opportunities.

About Banjaxed Solutions:
Banjaxed Solutions is a technology company that provides communications and data services for law firms using Salesforce. Founded in January 2021 by entrepreneur Drew Murr, Banjax Solutions emerged from the acquisition of Drew's previous company Client Connect, a text messaging application for law firms. After partnering with Dudley DeBosier law firm, Drew launched Banjax Solutions to focus on integrating communications tools and data migration services into the Salesforce platform utilized by many modern law firms. Headquartered in College Station, Texas, Banjax Solutions aims to revolutionize client engagement and case management for the legal industry.

To learn more, visit banjaxed.com. 

After finding his niche in ERP software pre-sales, Jeremy saw an opportunity to help smaller software firms improve their pre-sales capabilities on an outsourced basis. He took the leap in 2021, quickly landing initial customers and hiring his first employee within months.

Jeremy reflects on lessons learned while rapidly scaling Presales Leader to 18 team members in just two years, like hiring and training less experienced employees, managing remote vs. in-office staff, and dealing with the administrative complexities of high growth. He also discusses his approach to relationships-based business and focusing on customer success rather than marketing.His story offers inspiration to take the plunge with a new business model focused on talent development and serving others.

About Jeremy & Presales Leader:
Jeremy founded a company that helps software resellers and publishers drive SaaS revenue growth. His educational formation and 5 years of experience teaching Spanish provided a unique background for his career in technology. Drawing from interpersonal and communication skills learned early on, Jeremy has built a company focusing on presales, product marketing and post sales solution architecture called Presales Leader LLC.

To learn more, visit presalesleader.com.

He discusses the inspiration behind launching Quantum FBI, the challenges of hiring talent and setting up international operations, and lessons learned from acquiring his first clients and seeing the business grow. Throughout, Hector also reflects on the satisfaction of building strong client relationships and a company culture where employees feel invested in the mission.

About Hector:
Hector V. Perez, CEO and Founder of Quantum Finance and Business Intelligence, is an accomplished CPA and global business leader with three decades of financial expertise dedicated to strategic value creation. Hector spent 15 years at PwC and served as a Senior Director at TIAA as the Head of Group Financial Planning and Analysis. Hector has served several industries and specializes in banking and capital markets, asset management, professional services, and technology. He has held various business and community leadership roles including, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee of the Association of Corporate Growth’s New York Chapter and National Chair of the Board of the Association of Latin Professionals for America.

About Quantum FBI:
At Quantum FBI, we are on a mission to transform finance in a big way, through technology and business intelligence services. We transform what finance and accounting teams deliver, and how it is delivered. The result is a finance function that provides powerful business insights leading to better business decisions. Quantum FBI enables CFOs to make this shift and transform the finance operation while meeting current demands and solving immediate challenges. Whether you are looking for a short-term, project-based option or a long-term finance partner, Quantum offers model options to fit your needs.

To learn more, visit quantumfbi.com.

Throughout the episode, Scott explores Joe's motivations, challenges faced, factors behind his successes and failures, working with partners, and advice for other entrepreneurs.

About Joe:
Joe is a serial entrepreneur, change agent, radio personality, candidate for office, developer, and CEO in the medical and charter school arenas. He has identified, started, grown, and stabilized several businesses in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Joe is married to Christine and they are the parents of Hailey and Jack. Joe is a father, community leader, business owner, and supporter of local charities.

About Ethos Logos Publishing:
Ethos Logos delivers homeschool and charter school curriculum programs built on the foundations of Classical Education. The Ethos Logos Classical Curriculum platform was developed by experienced classroom teachers, home school teachers, and experts from private Christian Classical schools. We are the first group to build a full  K-12 classical curriculum for use and adaptation in the private, public, and homeschool arena. Millions of families are opting to teach their children in an environment that is safe and matches their family values. When we first embarked on open our Classical Education schools, we found that there were no roadmaps or step-by-step plans on how to successfully build our program. Ethos Logos set out to change that.

To learn more, visit ethoslogos.org.

She is transparent about the struggles and surprises faced in the early days, from working out of her home to office plumbing fiascoes, along with keys to eventually building a positive culture focused on relationships. Jennifer also discusses pivoting her offerings over time, including a failed attempt at becoming a software reseller, before finding her niche in bookkeeping and controller services. Aspiring founders will relate to the evolution of hiring and managing staff, including early mis-hires, bringing on her sister as employee #1, and now adding offshore team members. Jennifer reflects on important lessons learned about investing in the right people, establishing systems and processes, and building a brand, culminating in her biggest honor to date - making the Aggie 100 list.

About Jennifer & Devine Consulting LLC:
Jennifer has in excess of 15 years of experience, which includes serving as the Controller for an internationally respected commercial real estate investment, management and brokerage firm. She was responsible for all aspects of accounting for the operational divisions, which included internet services, real estate development, property management, brokerage services, and club activities. Since it was an international company there was the need to report in both domestic and international currencies. Jennifer specifically utilized the cross currency functionality of software to report multi-currencies out of one system (versus dual entry), ultimately saving the company hundreds of thousands in manpower.

The idea of running her own business and doing exactly what she loves has always been Jennifer’s dream. In 2011, Jennifer had the opportunity to purchase Accounting & Technology Solutions from the previous owner. Accounting & Technology Solutions is a certified reseller of the software Microsoft Dynamics SL (formerly known as Solomon). She then merged Accounting & Technology Solutions into Devine Consulting to encompass her accounting professional expertise with the software side of the business. Jennifer strives to provide her clients with personalized customer service.

To learn more, visit devineconsultingllc.com. 

About Mike:

Mike DeRosa is the founder of DeRosa Mangold Consulting, a value-added reseller of Sage Intacct based in Waco, Texas. Mike has over 20 years experience as a business owner, following careers in public accounting and software sales. Since starting his firm in 1999, Mike has weathered economic downturns, the pandemic, and various industry shifts while keeping focused on his vision. Mike prides himself on providing personalized service and being a trusted advisor to his long-time customers across Texas and beyond. He shares lessons from childhood entrepreneurship through leading a successful bootstrapped firm.

About DeRosa Managold Consulting:

DeRosa Mangold Consulting is a SaaS solutions provider centered around Sage Intacct’s best-in-class financial management software. Our team consists of controllers, accountants, business owners, and practiced team leaders committed to helping your business meet its needs as you continue to grow and face new challenges.

Since our founding in 1999, we’ve focused on providing world-class accounting solutions that help our clients run leaner, faster, and more profitably with the use of Sage Intacct. Over the years, we have not only seen it all, but we’ve done it all. Mounds of spreadsheets, outdated software, systems that no longer work together, lengthy closes, and more. We don’t judge you. We understand! We know what it’s like to work twice as hard to get results. We can prevent you from that experience with scalable, seamless, and flexible software which will change your ability to run your business more efficiently.

To learn more, visit desrosamangold.com. 

In this episode of In the Thick of It, Robert Ritzenthaler shares his journey from young entrepreneur to president and CEO of REM Capital. He discusses the ups and downs of starting a hedge fund during the dot-com bubble and lessons learned from that experience. Robert also shares how he transitioned into real estate and his role as an asset manager, highlighting the importance of transparency, taking personal responsibility, and being willing to learn and adapt.

About Robert:

Robert Ritzenthaler is the president and CEO of REM Capital, a real estate investment and management company he founded in 2011. With over 20 years of experience in finance, real estate, and entrepreneurship, Robert has a track record of building successful companies from the ground up. He takes a relationship-based, long-term approach to business and believes in leading with transparency and personal accountability. Robert enjoys mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and sharing the knowledge he's gained from his diverse career journey. When he's not working, you can find him spending time with his wife and five children.

About REM Capital:

With more than 100 years combined experience,, REM Capital focuses on acquiring and managing multifamily housing communities across the Southeastern United States. The company takes a conservative, long-term approach to real estate investing and places a strong emphasis on building trusting relationships with its investors, partners, and residents. Since its founding, REM Capital has experienced tremendous growth, now managing over $300 million in assets. Despite tremendous growth,, the company remains committed to its original vision of transparency, accountability, and creating win-win partnerships.

To learn more, visit remcapital.com.

Jennifer shares the powerful story behind starting this organization in 2018 at the encouragement of her father, despite having no prior nonprofit experience. She candidly opens up about overcoming self-doubt and evolving into her leadership role, as well as the lessons she’s learned about surrounding herself with wise counsel, embracing collaboration, and creating hope.

Scott and Jennifer discuss the weight of this mission balanced with the motivation to empower survivors, break generational cycles, and expand the impact of this model. Jennifer also provides perspective on the challenges faced by nonprofits, from funding limitations to being on call 24/7 as the founder. Throughout the conversation, Jennifer’s humility, empathy and passion shine through. This is a must-listen episode for any founder or nonprofit leader.

About Jennifer: 

Jennifer Salzman is the founder and executive director of The Heights of Ellis County, a nonprofit she started in 2018 to support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Despite having no prior experience running a nonprofit, Jennifer stepped up to turn her vision into reality after encouragement from her father. She now leads a growing organization that runs a family justice center and provides wraparound services focused on breaking cycles of violence. Jennifer earned her bachelor's degree in marketing from Texas Christian University. Though the path has involved overcoming self-doubt, she feels humbled and passionate about creating hope and helping families in need.

About The Heights:

The Heights of Ellis County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2018 and based in Waxahachie, Texas. It operates a family justice center that brings together community partners to provide wraparound services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The Heights serves all of Ellis County through free and confidential services including counseling, legal aid, medical exams, shelter placement, and more. By streamlining access to these vital resources, The Heights aims to create hope, empower survivors, and break generational cycles of violence. With community support it continues to expand its services and impact.

To learn more, visit theheightselliscounty.org.

About John: 

Dr. Morgan is the founder of People Prosper International, a nonprofit that works in the global poverty space to solve poverty through economic empowerment. He is also a Member and Director of Strategy and Org. Design for Sypnios Growth Capital, a firm that scales companies through world-class consulting and capital investment. John has a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, and his research focus was in the areas of Human Capability, Leadership Levels, and Organizational Design.

John and his wife live in the DFW area and they have five children and four grandchildren. John’s hobbies are building things, saltwater fishing, and a good bourbon and cigar with friends.

About People Prosper International: 

Together, we are actually solving poverty, not through endless charity, but through the timeless principles and practices of empowerment. It is the only sustainable way that poverty ever has been solved. Then...we are funding a mission. Those rising out of poverty are funding their lives and their life-changing ministries, businesses, agencies and organizations. And... we do this through The Church around the world. It is organized, it is motivated, and it is the hands and feet of Christ to change the world.

To learn more, visit peopleprosper.org.

In this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott sits down with his old friend Steve Durman, founder and creative director of Four Man Furnace. Steve shares his journey from growing up as an artistic kid in New Jersey to starting his career as an in-house designer for a casino marketing department and making his way to the big advertising agency Rap Collins Worldwide.

Eventually, Steve left to start his own creative shop, Four Man Furnace (named after a Biblical story). Operating first as a one-man band working with contractors, Steve built the agency up to 8 full-time employees at its peak. He shares the lessons learned from weathering client losses during the pandemic and his vision for the future, including being more selective about client relationships. Throughout the conversation, Steve stresses the importance of having a mentor or partner when starting a business.

About Steve:

Steve Durman is the Founder and Creative Director of Four Man Furnace - a Dallas-based creative agency founded in 2008. Prior to starting 4MF, he was directing teams of creatives to execute interactive marketing initiatives on brands such as Sony Playstation, DirecTV, Toyota, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Best Buy and Hyatt Hotels. His strategic thinking and creative design muscles were flexed on projects ranging from w online banner ad campaigns and loyalty program overhauls to full-scale website rebuilds such as Best Buy’s myrewardzone.com.

Do amazing work and be amazing to work with; those are the two core values that drive the daily activities for Steve and our creative team. It defines the client relationships he strives to cultivate.

Steve is supported by a full roster of talented and passionate creatives who have decades of experience across many industry verticals.

About Four Man Furnace:
We are an agency of designers and storytellers whose purpose is to create work that works.

We are independent and nimble, and passionate about creating solutions for clients who value high quality strategic thinking and creative execution. Our operation is structured around a tight-knit team of lead creatives who collaborate with our larger, diverse network of award-winning writers, cinematographers, animators, editors, and visual communicators.

To learn more, visit 4mf.co.

In this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Clayton Flurry, founder of Flurry’s Market + Provisions, a beloved local butcher shop and grocery store in Flower Mound, Texas. After spending nearly two decades in the oil and gas industry, Clayton decided in 2020 to leave his career and pursue his entrepreneurial passion. Despite having no prior experience running a retail business, he bootstrapped Flurry's Market from idea to launch in just 9 months. 

Opening amidst a pandemic came with plenty of challenges from supply chain disruptions to cash flow problems, but Clayton’s commitment to hiring knowledgeable staff, providing quality products, and serving the community with care has allowed the business to thrive. He's learned first-hand how perseverance, adaptability, and faith are key to overcoming the trials of entrepreneurship. Clayton shares his thoughts on surrounding yourself with the right people, treating employees well, and the importance of getting up every day to make a positive difference in people's lives.

About Clayton:

Clayton Flurry is the founder of Flurry’s Market, a beloved local butcher shop and grocery store in Flower Mound, Texas. Prior to launching Flurry’s Market in 2020, Clayton spent nearly two decades working in the oil and gas industry, first as a landman in the field and later taking on leadership roles for energy companies. His experience in the corporate world gave him the courage to leave his career to follow his entrepreneurial passion. Despite no prior retail experience, Clayton’s commitment to service and community has made Flurry’s Market a thriving local business.

About Flurry's Market + Provisions:

Voted best Meat Market in Denton County, Flurry's Market is a specialty meat market, bistro & butcher shop located in the heart of Flower Mound, TX.  Our Mission is centered around quality, service, and value.

To learn more, visit flurrysmarket.com.

In this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews his old college friend Erik Korem, founder and CEO of the health and fitness app AIM7. Erik has had an interesting career journey from college football player turned pioneer in sports science and wearables, eventually leading him to start his own company applying those learnings to consumer fitness. 

Building a startup from scratch amidst a global pandemic, he's learned critical lessons about the importance of finding the right technical co-founder, constantly adapting, and maintaining relentless persistence. Since then, AimSeven has hit product-market fit and found strong traction helping users optimize exercise, sleep, and mental fitness through personalized AI recommendations. 

About Erik:

Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance thought leader who introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense. Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience and holds a doctorate in Exercise Science.

Erik is also the Founder and CEO of AIM7. AIM7 is an AI health and fitness app that unlocks the power of wearables by providing you with daily personalized recommendations for your mind, body, and recovery to help you look, feel, and perform your best.

About  AIM7:

AIM7 sets busy people free by turning wearable tech and health data into personalized recommendations that improve health and well-being. To learn more about AIM7, visit aim7.com.

Learn from Erik's health and wellness content:

• Instagram: @erikkorem
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikkorem/
• Twitter/X: @ErikKorem
• Listen to The BluePrint with Dr. Erik Korem wherever you get your podcasts 
• Neuroscience Shows That Nightly Scents Could Boost Memory and Help Your Productivity (Inc.com, Erik Korem)

On this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Ashish Patel, CEO and founder of Simpat Tech, a software development company. They discuss Ashish's background as an immigrant growing up in Maryland and how that shaped his entrepreneurial drive. Ashish talks about his career journey, including working for a large tech company and then a consulting firm before deciding to start his own business. He shares the story of how he started Simpat Tech with just one client and has grown it to over 60 employees today, including a team of nearshore developers. They also cover one of Scott's favorite topics: building high-performing teams in a purpose-driven culture.

About Ashish:

Delivering successful custom software isn't easy. Having the best software technology or the best engineers isn't enough to guarantee a good outcome. Instead, solving today's challenges requires both technical know-how and strategic insight to identify and leverage the right technology, for the right project, at the right time.

Throughout his career, Ashish Patel has seen that quality software isn't developed by accident. Instead, it results from the intelligent effort driven by teams that balance start-to-finish technical excellence with the ability to align project outcomes with business priorities to drive real ROI.

Ashish Patel has honed his technical expertise through past engineering and product management roles. As the CEO and Founder of Simpat Tech, he puts his experience to work, leading a team of nearshore software development engineers that empower Simpat Tech's clients to utilize technology in ways that make sense for their businesses.

About Simpat Tech:

Simpat Tech is a custom software development consultancy that started in 2015 to transform industries, organizations, and lives with world-class quality software that facilitates innovation and improves collaboration.

Our company is integrated by a team of innovative IT Consultants who solve our clients’ most complex challenges and mission-critical goals. To learn more, visit simpat.tech.

On this episode of In the Thick of It, Scott interviews Justin Smith, founder and CEO of RedAway Medical Waste Solutions. Justin shares his journey from flipping houses in Kentucky to launching RedAway in 2013 to serve smaller medical waste customers with better care.

Justin talks about navigating regulations, finding good partners, and scaling through subcontractors while maintaining exceptional service. He also discusses the importance of hiring for character, providing opportunities for employee growth, and staying focused on customers rather than comparisons. Justin reflects on learnings from mistakes along the way and how he overcame the fear of not trying by surrounding himself with the right people. His advice to prospective entrepreneurs - take the risk and bet on yourself.

About Justin:

Justin Smith, loves and serves Jesus. He is a devoted husband and father to five children. Justin co-founded Original Texas Group, a holding company specializing in the start-up, operations, and strategic scaling of service businesses. To date, Original Texas Group has funded and started four businesses including RedAway, a national medical waste solutions business, that grew to 28 employees, offering hundreds of services across 38 states. RedAway successfully exited to a Private Equity backed roll-up in Q1of 2023 with a 4.5x return. Justin assumed the role of M&A lead for this, and all buy and sell side transactions.

Prior to starting Original Texas Group and RedAway, Justin was the Market Chief Executive Officer over the Dallas market for all post-acute services with Kindred Healthcare. Justin is an experienced board member and loves to mentor other entrepreneurs and serve through his church. He is the co-founder and president emeritus for the Myhre Syndrome Foundation, a worldwide Patient Advocacy Organization for families suffering with a rare genetic disorder.  This is a journey his family is blessed to experience alongside one of their children living with the disease.

About RedAway Medical Waste Solutions:

RedAway provides an essential regulated service of properly collecting, transporting, and disposing of medical and hazardous waste for healthcare facilities while aiming to treat all customers with excellent service.To learn more, visit redaway.com.

About Brian:

Born in Plainview, Texas, Brian grew up on a family farm where he learned to create value through hard work. From there, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University before starting a career with Arthur Andersen & Co. In February 1991, Brian and his wife Nancy began practicing public accounting with Terrell & Terrell, CPAs. Within a year, the firm refocused all professional services exclusively on business software automation and eventually rebranded as BTerrell Group in 2008.

Brian enjoys cycling and leads group rides for the Plano Bicycle Association. He and his wife Nancy live in Dallas and enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren.

About BTerrell Group:
Brian Terrell founded BTerrell Group in 1991 and oversees management and strategy for this Dallas-based provider of Sage Intacct financial management software, which is the only accounting application ever to be designated by the AICPA as their Preferred Provider of Financial Applications. In addition, BTerrell’s experienced developers tailor the application’s business functionality to exact customer requirements, when necessary. To learn more visit www.bterrell.com. 

About Chelsea:
Chelsea is a four-time certified Salesforce professional with over 10 years of experience consulting, implementing, and supporting the Salesforce platform. As Managing Partner, Chelsea oversees all aspects of the business and directly manages the consulting team. Prior to founding Seaport Consulting, Chelsea worked as a technical project manager who successfully led a company-wide Salesforce implementation, and played golf professionally on the LPGA Futures Tour. In addition to leading Seaport, Chelsea sits on the board of Mass Golf, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing golf in Massachusetts, and serves as the chair for their diversity, equity, and inclusion committee.

About Seaport Consulting:
Seaport Consulting is a Boston-based consulting firm who helps companies implement, integrate, and enhance Salesforce. Seaport's approach marries your goals, your people, and your processes with a customized Salesforce solution that's right for you. To learn more, visit seaportconsulting.com.