On the season finale of Founders in Flight, we're joined by Brandon Thornton, president and third-generation owner of a 76-year-old family accounting firm, Thornton Tax and Financial Services in Hurst, Texas. In this episode, Brandon talks about taking on a family business, bringing in two partners, building the right team and finding his place in the next chapter of the company. 

Brandon shares what he learned from hiring the wrong people, why founders can outgrow the professionals around them, and why choosing the short-term win can create bigger problems down the road. He also gets candid about building a business while trying to be present for his family, and why success means making time to enjoy what you’ve built. 

These conversations are designed to give you practical insights into leadership, growth, and building companies that actually make an impact.

Sit back, relax, and let's take flight.

Our guest, Ross Paterson, Founder and President of XM Performance, has spent more than 30 years working alongside business owners, and he’s seen just about every version of the founder journey. In this episode, he and Sean get into what changes as a business grows, when doing everything yourself stops working, why letting go can be harder than starting, and what it takes to build a team that can carry the business forward. They also talk through Ross’s own path from the Army to entrepreneurship, the lessons he learned starting a business in 2007, and why the best founders never really stop learning.

These conversations are designed to give you practical insights into leadership, growth, and building companies that actually make an impact.

Sit back, relax, and let's take flight.

In this episode, Sean sits down with Dave Korinek, founder of Magnetic Creative, to mark 20 years in business. Dave shares how a one-person creative shop grew into an agency built around strategy, content, and growth marketing, why he stepped out of the CEO chair to get back to the work he actually loves, and how he learned to spot the difference between clients who want a vendor and clients who want a real partner.

They also cover Dave's advice for early founders: know your value, be selective about who you work with, and start a lot of little fires before you run toward the one that burns brightest.

These conversations are designed to give you practical insights into leadership, growth, and building companies that actually make an impact.

Sit back, relax, and let's take flight.

In this episode, Sean sits down with Jared Flinn, the founder of BulkLoads to talk about the real journey behind building a company from the ground up. After 15 years of growing the business, he shares the moments of uncertainty and fear that shaped him as a founder and the lessons he learned along the way.

They talk about what it actually takes to build something that lasts, from understanding your market and creating meaningful relationships to staying true to your purpose as the business grows. The conversation explores the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including the pressure founders put on themselves, the fear of making the wrong decision, and the importance of giving your team the space to learn and fail just like you did.

Sean and Jared also dive into why authenticity matters when building a brand and attracting the right people. They discuss how purpose can create deeper fulfillment in business and why the companies that truly connect with people are often the ones built around something bigger than just the bottom line.

This conversation goes beyond business strategy. It’s a look at the mindset, resilience, and relationships behind building a company that makes an impact. Whether you’re starting your first business or leading a growing organization, there are lessons here for anyone trying to build something meaningful.

These conversations are designed to give you practical insights into leadership, growth, and building companies that actually make an impact.

Sit back, relax, and let's take flight.

In this episode, Sean sits down with Jonathan Penn to unpack one of the more unexpected founder journeys you'll hear. From the film industry in LA to stepping into an engineering firm and growing it, to eventually finding his calling in Airstream repair and restoration, Jonathan's path is anything but linear.

They get into what it really costs to leave corporate life behind, how the skills of a film producer translate directly to building a business, and why Jonathan believes the founder of Airstream would still be proud of what the brand stands for. Jonathan also opens up about imposter syndrome, generating early revenue, setting customer expectations, and the tension between giving yourself grace and holding a high standard.

This one is for anyone who has ever asked themselves what they are really building and who they are building it for.

These conversations are designed to give you practical insights into leadership, growth, and building companies that actually make an impact.

Sit back, relax, and let's take flight.

In this episode, Sean sits down with Dr. Shannan Crawford, a therapist, to discuss the inner world of the business owner and how the work you do on yourself directly shapes the business you build. She unpacks impostor syndrome, unconscious roots, and the stories we tell ourselves as leaders, and why ignoring them might be the most expensive mistake you make.

They get how you can upgrade your operating system as an entrepreneur, toggle between your craft and your identity, wear the right hats, and what it looks like to step into your internal board meeting. Dr. Shannan also touches on self-medicating, free writing, fight or flight, and how a deep and profound sense of peace is more available than most business owners realize.

This one is less of an interview and more of a therapy session for anyone building something. If you have ever felt like a fraud, made a decision from the wrong place, or wondered if you are really cut out for this, this episode is for you.

These conversations are designed to give you practical insights into leadership, growth, and building companies that actually make an impact.

Sit back, relax, and let's take flight.

In this episode, Sean sits down with Troy Vaughn of Principle Services to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to build a people-first business in the power industry. Troy shares lessons on scaling with intention, developing strong teams, seeking wise counsel, and creating a culture that values both operational excellence and personal growth.

These conversations are designed to give you practical insights into leadership, growth, and building companies that actually make an impact.

Sit back, relax, and let’s take flight.

In this episode, Sean sits down with Daryl Rocheleau of Poo Pit to discuss the costly infrastructure and wastewater challenges affecting municipalities across North America. From groundwater infiltration and sewer system failures to scaling an innovative environmental solution, Daryl shares lessons on entrepreneurship, operational leadership, team building, and solving overlooked problems at scale.

These conversations are designed to give you practical insights into leadership, growth, and building companies that actually make an impact.

Sit back, relax, and let’s take flight.