The Principled Entrepreneur

Banking & Fed Policy: Market Insights from First Security President

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:30:00 -0500

Join Caleb Moore as he sits down with Jared Wood, President of First Security Bank, for an in-depth discussion on the banking industry, Federal Reserve policy, and what the new Fed Chair appointment means for business owners. They explore interest rate projections, commercial lending challenges, and the state of entrepreneurship in America. Jared shares insider insights on what banks really look for when evaluating loans, the struggles facing new construction, and why liquidity matters more than ever. This conversation offers practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, real estate professionals, and anyone trying to navigate today's complex financial landscape. Whether you're seeking a business loan, considering real estate investments, or simply want to understand market forces shaping the economy, this episode delivers actionable insights from two seasoned professionals who've been doing business together for years.

Fighting Federal Overreach: The Illinois River Watershed Crisis

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:57:15 -0600

When Oklahoma's Attorney General decided to make a name for himself, Arkansas poultry farmers became collateral damage in a legal battle that's been brewing for nearly two decades. Heather Keenan, 2024 Arkansas Realtor of the Year and third-generation poultry farmer, provides an insider's perspective on the devastating Illinois River watershed lawsuit that's threatening to destroy 400 family farms and $6.67 billion in economic activity across northwest Arkansas. This comprehensive deep-dive explores how a 2005 environmental lawsuit against five major poultry integrators—Tyson, Cargill, Peterson Farms, Georges, and Simmons—has evolved into a political weapon under Attorney General Gentner Drummond's aggressive prosecution. Keenan breaks down the complex phosphorus regulations that sparked the original case, detailing how the industry invested millions in conservation efforts, nutrient management plans, and technological advances over the past 20 years to address legitimate environmental concerns. The conversation reveals the shocking December 2024 federal court judgment that prompted Tyson and other integrators to abandon their contracts with generational farmers, leaving families with multi-million-dollar specialized facilities and no income stream. Keenan explains the devastating economics: farms worth $2 million with active contracts become nearly worthless without them, trapping families in impossible debt situations. Beyond the immediate crisis, this case sets a dangerous precedent for private property rights nationwide. The court-appointed "special master" system grants unprecedented government oversight of private land for up to 30 years, essentially creating a new form of regulatory authority that bypasses traditional constitutional protections. Keenan argues this isn't really about environmental protection—it's about judicial overreach and political grandstanding that threatens agricultural freedom across America. Essential listening for anyone concerned about food security, property rights, and the constitutional limits on government power in rural America.

From Food Stamps to Congress: Kevin Hern's American Dream Journey

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0600

Congressman Kevin Hern shares his remarkable journey from poverty in rural Arkansas to becoming a successful McDonald's franchisee and U.S. Representative. Growing up on food stamps with no running water, Hern worked his way through engineering school, survived the Challenger disaster derailing his astronaut dreams, and built a McDonald's empire from scratch.

He reveals the hard-won principles that drove his success: surrounding yourself with smarter people, embracing failure as a teacher, and never giving up when knocked down. This conversation explores the difference between handouts and hand-ups, why the American Dream is a journey not a destination, and what business leaders don't understand about government.

A powerful story of grit, faith, and the opportunities that make America unique.

Building a $150M Empire with Other People's Money: Andy McNeil's Private Equity Journey

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:54:48 -0600

Andy McNeil, chairman and former CEO of Denali Water Solutions, shares his remarkable journey from managing a turkey processing plant to building Terra Renewal into a $150 million company and eventually creating what's now nearly a billion-dollar enterprise.

In this conversation, McNeil breaks down the mechanics of private equity - how entrepreneurs can leverage other people's money to accelerate growth, the risks involved, and the strategic partnerships that made it all possible.

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKgGSpYhN6s

🕐 CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Introduction
1:14 - Podcast Intro
1:32 - Welcome & Andy's Resume
3:17 - Owning a Restaurant
4:38 - Atlanta to Arkansas
5:50 - College at Auburn & Notre Dame
8:00 - First Job at Cargill
9:17 - Meeting His Wife
10:26 - Terra Renewal Beginnings
12:04 - Growing to $150M
12:17 - Using Other People's Money
13:01 - Oil & Gas Venture
13:26 - 2009 Oil Collapse
14:38 - How Private Equity Works
17:17 - Starting Denali (2014)
19:22 - Acquisition Strategy
22:45 - Grocery Store Food Waste
26:13 - Other Ventures: LRS & Ramco
28:04 - Denali CEO & Scale
30:08 - Giving Back to Community
31:42 - Sludges & Crawford County
33:02 - Giving Up Control
34:50 - McLarty Capital Partners
36:30 - Choosing Partners
45:51 - Scaling & Leadership
51:24 - Managing Risk & Anxiety
53:06 - Lessons from Employee Theft
56:53 - A Luck Story
1:00:34 - Investment Philosophy
1:01:07 - Future: Grid & Energy
1:07:45 - Policy & Affordability
1:22:32 - Book Recommendations
1:28:04 - Advice for Entrepreneurs

How One Risk Changed Everything: Fred “Boom Boom” Roumbanis’ Comeback Story

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600

Fred "Boom Boom" Roumbanis isn't your typical success story. He didn't grow up fishing. He didn't have ions. What he had was a Zebco 33 Classic, a BMX bike, and a dream that started at age 8 on a California reservoir. Twenty years later, Fred has won 4 national tournaments, earned 8 gold medals, and built multiple fishing-focused businesses. But the path there? Far from smooth. - The 45-minute swim that almost ended his career — His boat sank mid-tournament with a teenager aboard. What happened next shows the power of preparation meeting crisis. - Driving to Wisconsin completely broke — Fred was so financially strapped he couldn't afford the next tournament entry fee. One conversation changed everything. - From comfort zone to strength zone — Why Fred says the key isn't getting comfortable, it's knowing what you're great at and leaning into it. - Building Frog Factory and Galilee Fishing — How Fred turned his signature technique into product lines and business partnerships. - 00:00 — Introduction - 05:12 — How Fred got into fishing (spoiler: no fishing background) - 08:00 — The tackle box that started it all - 15:22 — The boat sinking story - 33:46 — Driving to Wisconsin broke: "Everything was dark" - 34:50 — The one sentence that gave him hope - 67:34 — Galilee Fishing: the new venture - 68:07 — The Frog Factory story - 84:30 — Comfort zone vs. strength zone About Fred Roumbanis: - 20-year professional bass fisherman - 4 national tournament wins - 8 gold medals in international competition - Founder: Frog Factory, Galilee Fishing - Known as one of the top power-fishing specialists in the sport with Fred: - Website: fredroumbanis.com - Instagram: @fredroumbanis - Frog Factory: gsmoutdoors.com/brands/boom-boom-frogs - Galilee Fishing: gillfishing.com Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The Principled Entrepreneur 00:22 - Meet Fred "Boom Boom" Roumbanis 01:46 - How the Moores first met Fred and Julie 03:14 - Why Fred chose Arkansas (could live anywhere) 05:12 - The origin story: no fishing background 06:15 - Dad was a cable car conductor in San Francisco 07:30 - The tackle box that changed everything (age 8) 08:31 - First bass catch: adults applauded on the dock 09:22 - Career day: "I'm going to be a pro fisherman" 15:22 - THE BOAT SINKING: "We're going to have to swim" 16:08 - Swimming 45 minutes to save his co-angler 19:30 - Breaking into the pros 27:00 - First big wins and building momentum 33:46 - ROCK BOTTOM: Driving to Wisconsin completely broke 34:50 - The conversation that changed everything 38:00 - How he came back and won 45:00 - The power of muscle memory and playing to strengths 55:00 - Julie: the partner behind the scenes 01:07:34 - Galilee Fishing: the new venture (faith-based brand) 01:08:07 - Frog Factory: from signature technique to business 01:12:00 - What's next: the "Iron Man of bass fishing" goal 01:24:30 - Comfort zone vs. strength zone 01:25:15 - Closing thoughts

He Lost His Brother in WWII. What Kept Him Going?

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600

At 18, Floyd Brantley learned his brother was killed on the USS Atlanta through a newspaper headline. The letters he'd mailed came back marked "ship sunk." What followed was a century of service, loss, love, and unshakeable faith that will move you to tears. - How Floyd survived the Great Depression working 3 jobs at age 12 while staying in school - The Christmas Day moment when an American sailor and a Japanese prisoner sang "Amazing Grace" together - Marriage wisdom from 60+ years: why Beth never argued, always encouraged, and never brought up settled issues - Why this 100-year-old WWII veteran says today's America is more divided than anything he's ever seen - The one thing a non-Christian told Floyd this country needs: a national revival - 00:00:00 - Introduction to Floyd Brantley, soon to be 100 years old - 00:01:30 - Growing up in Depression-era Texas - 00:03:30 - Parents' separation and working 3 jobs at age 12 - 00:06:47 - Learning of his brother's death on USS Atlanta - 00:13:41 - Becoming a Navy Corpsman with the First Marine Division - 00:19:48 - Caring for Japanese prisoners of war - 00:21:57 - The Christmas story: singing Amazing Grace with a Japanese prisoner - 00:28:40 - Meeting Beth Pearson at church before shipping out - 00:33:25 - Marriage secrets: communication, forgiveness, encouragement - 00:41:15 - "We're at war against the evil within our own hearts" - 00:46:40 - America's division today vs. WWII and Vietnam - 00:53:00 - Advice to young people: find your purpose and pursue it - 01:05:30 - Closing thoughts and birthday celebration plans Floyd Brantley is a WWII veteran who served as a Navy Corpsman with the First Division Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater, including action on Saipan. Born in 1925 in Texas, he survived the Great Depression, lost his brother in the war, and went on to build a life of service, faith, and family. He is celebrating his 100th birthday with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders among the guests. Caleb and Jody Moore host The Principled Entrepreneur, where they dive into real stories of grit, growth, failures, and victories - exploring what it really takes to build your business and life on purpose and principle. [Add social links, website, podcast platforms] Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction - Meeting 100-year-old WWII veteran Floyd Brantley 01:30 - Growing Up in Depression-Era Texas 03:30 - Parents Separate - Working 3 Jobs at Age 12 06:47 - "Ship Sunk" - Learning His Brother Died on USS Atlanta 09:11 - The Pain of Returned Letters 13:41 - Becoming a Navy Corpsman with the Marines 14:45 - "Why Me?" - Counseling Wounded Soldiers 19:48 - American Compassion for Japanese Prisoners 21:57 - Christmas Day: Singing Amazing Grace with the Enemy 26:50 - Christian Faith Crossing Enemy Lines 28:40 - Meeting Beth Pearson at Church 33:25 - 60 Years of Marriage: "Lord, Honey, We Need to Talk" 35:35 - "You Can Learn" - Encouraging Others 39:47 - Raising a Family in the 50s and 60s 41:15 - "We're At War Against Evil Within Our Hearts" 46:40 - America's Division - Worse Than Vietnam? 48:04 - What We've Lost: Honor, Responsibility, Patriotism 53:00 - Find Your Purpose and Pursue It 01:05:30 - Closing: 100th Birthday Celebration Plans

From "Bubba Linux" to FEMA Director: A Serial Entrepreneur's Journey

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600

What if the traits that made school difficult could become your greatest business advantage? John Weathersby, a self-described "serial entrepreneur" with dyslexia and ADHD, has built tech companies, advised the military on open source software, led the National Graphene Association, and now serves as a Federal Disaster Recovery Officer at FEMA. His secret? He's a "conduit of people" who s dots others can't see. - Why entrepreneurship might be a "mental disorder" (in the best way) and how to embrace your unconventional thinking - How to build teams by finding the "shiny spot" in everyone and leveraging their unique talents - The art of bringing powerful people together - from Intel and IBM executives to Navy CTOs - Why nonprofits can be incredibly profitable and how to think about them differently - How entrepreneurial thinking transformed FEMA's disaster response operations - The power of learning more from failures than successes - and how to rebound every time - 00:00 — Introduction to John Weathersby and his unique path - 03:14 — How dyslexia and ADHD shaped his entrepreneurial mindset - 04:14 — "You can find a shiny spot on just about anybody" - 12:00 — Getting Intel, Red Hat, IBM, and Oracle in the same room - 12:48 — The "Bubba Linux" story: Mississippi meets Silicon Valley - 21:23 — How entrepreneurial efficiency thinking works in government - 22:30 — The backstory: From retirement to FEMA - 26:20 — Becoming FEMA's philanthropy advisor - 27:01 — Yellowstone floods deployment experience - 44:14 — True leadership: "A football team is not made of quarterbacks" - 1:04:45 — Learning more from failures than successes - 1:29:11 — The failed pitch that taught him about listening - 1:30:33 — "I'm going to get up one more time than you knock me down" John Weathersby is a Federal Disaster Recovery Officer at FEMA with over 5 years of service, responding to major disasters including the Yellowstone floods. Before FEMA, he was a serial entrepreneur with experience in open source technology, where he earned the nickname "Bubba Linux" while working with the U.S. Navy at Stennis Space Center. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Graphene Association and has extensive experience building trade associations and ing corporate leaders with government opportunities. Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. About the Podcast: The Principled Entrepreneur with Caleb and Jodie Moore dives into real stories of grit, growth, failures, and victories. Every conversation explores what it really takes to build your business and your life on purpose and principle. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:23 - Welcome to The Principled Entrepreneur 01:24 - Meet John Weathersby, FEMA Director & Serial Entrepreneur 03:14 - "Entrepreneurship is a Mental Disorder" - Embracing Dyslexia 04:14 - Finding the Shiny Spot in Everyone 04:50 - Building Teams: "If It's Just You, Single Point of Failure" 12:00 - Bringing Intel, IBM, Red Hat & Oracle to Washington 12:48 - The "Bubba Linux" Story at Navy Stennis Space Center 21:23 - Entrepreneurial Efficiency in Government 22:30 - How FEMA Called: The Retirement That Wasn't 26:20 - Becoming FEMA's Philanthropy Advisor 27:01 - Yellowstone Floods: First Major Deployment 44:14 - Leadership Lesson: Football Teams Aren't All Quarterbacks 45:02 - Self-Assessment: "Are We Doing This Right?" 01:04:45 - Learning More From Failures Than Successes 01:05:11 - When Things Fall Apart: Don't Beat Yourself Up 01:29:11 - The Failed Pitch Story: Know Your Worth 01:30:03 - "What Do We Learn From That?" 01:30:33 - John Wayne Philosophy: Getting Up One More Time 01:31:07 - Closing & Arkansas vs Ole Miss Football Banter

99% of Farms Won't Do This. Here's Why They Did.

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0500

While Arkansas farm bankruptcies in Q1 2025 exceeded all of 2024 combined, the Ralston Family Farm is thriving. How? They rejected the conventional playbook and joined the 1% of farms that sell directly to consumers. - Why 99% of farms are trapped in the co-op commodity system (and how to escape) - The 5-tier regenerative farming certification that Whole Foods demanded - How a $400K combine became a $800K combine - and what that means for farm survival - The "farm-to-fork" model that landed Blue Apron and 820+ retail stores - Why entrepreneurial risk-taking is a family trait that gets passed down - How an 8-acre solar array transformed their operation economics s: - Robin Ralston - Matriarch of Ralston Family Farms, 10th generation in agriculture, oversees business operations - Ashley Enis - Robin's daughter, quality assurance and certification specialist, balances teaching with farm operations About Ralston Family Farms: Based in Arkansas, Ralston Family Farms is one of the few certified regenerative rice operations in the United States. They operate a complete farm-to-fork model with their own mill, selling directly to consumers, retailers (820+ stores), and food service partners like Whole Foods, Blue Apron, Ben Keith, and Cisco. - Website: RalstonFamilyFarms.com - Available at Whole Foods, Amazon, and 820+ retail locations nationwide Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction - Meet the Ralston Family 01:51 - Origin Story: 10 Generations of Agriculture 02:46 - Starting the Farm in the 1990s 07:13 - Blue Apron Partnership (2016) and BRC Certification 08:22 - Ashley's Role: Never Driven a Tractor 08:32 - The Entrepreneurial Mindset Passed Down 13:44 - Kids Watching Parents Struggle 14:07 - Corporate Competition for Farmland 15:18 - Farm Bankruptcy Crisis in Arkansas 16:14 - "Your Profit is in Your Inputs" 20:45 - Farm-to-Fork: The 1% Business Model 21:19 - The Whole Foods Challenge: Get Certified 22:10 - Regenified Certification and Gabe Brown 23:08 - 5 Tiers of Regenerative Farming 28:43 - Sales Channels: Online, Retail, Food Service 29:46 - 820+ Stores Nationwide 30:00 - Employee Count and Operations 34:29 - Learning Curve of Regenerative Farming 35:07 - 8-Acre Solar Array and Sustainability 01:00:00 - Giving Back: Arkansas Food Bank Donations 01:03:35 - Faith, Risk, and Not Living in Fear 01:05:01 - The 1% Way of Doing Business

Interview with Logan Duvall, When His Son Got Cancer, He Changed How America Eats and Lives

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0500

When Logan Duvall's 5-year-old son Lander was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, he asked the oncologist a simple question: "What should I feed him?" The answer - "It doesn't matter" - set him on a mission that would transform his family's farmers market into a 132,000-subscriber health education movement. - How to focus on what you can control during a crisis - The "lattice work of mental models" for ing knowledge across disciplines - Why "stacking" beats "scaling" in building a mission-driven business - How teaching accelerates your own learning - The truth about nutrition that mainstream medicine often ignores - Practical first steps for taking control of your family's health - 00:00 — Introduction to Logan Duvall and Sowing Prosperity - 03:08 — Logan's early career: pipelines, EMS, and real estate - 08:38 — Taking over the family farmers market after grandfather's passing - 09:54 — The devastating diagnosis: Lander's stage 4 cancer at age 5 - 12:00 — "What can I control?" - The mindset that changed everything - 15:01 — How cancer transformed his passion for the market - 16:37 — Why teaching is the best way to learn - 18:21 — Responding to critics: "You're not a doctor" - 25:02 — The power of sharing your story publicly - 26:11 — Logan's "superpower": the lattice work of mental models - 37:10 — Why we're never outside anymore and how it affects health - 53:59 — Stacking vs. scaling: building a mission-driven business - 01:12:26 — RFK and the health awakening movement - 01:12:46 — First steps to taking control of your health Logan Duvall is the founder of Sowing Prosperity, a YouTube channel with 132,000+ subscribers focused on health, nutrition, and self-reliance. He operates Mimi and McGee, a thriving farmers market in Arkansas that includes a bakery and artisan production. After his son's cancer diagnosis, Logan dedicated himself to researching nutrition and sharing his findings to help others. with Logan: - YouTube: Sowing Prosperity - Farmers Market: Mimi and McGee (Atkins, Arkansas) About the Podcast: The Principled Entrepreneur podcast features in-depth conversations with business owners who live by their principles. Hosted by Caleb and Jody, each episode explores the stories, struggles, and lessons behind building businesses with integrity. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:09 - Meet Logan Duvall - YouTube sensation and farmers market owner 02:11 - The long friendship between Logan and the hosts 03:08 - Logan's early career: petroleum, EMS, and working 96-hour shifts 03:55 - How EMS gave insight into healthcare crises 08:34 - Taking over Mimi and McGee after grandfather's cancer battle 09:52 - The devastating news: Lander's stage 4 cancer diagnosis at age 5 10:27 - "What's going through your mind?" - Processing the unthinkable 12:00 - The research begins: ordering every cancer book available 13:06 - "What do I feed him?" - The oncologist's shocking response 14:17 - Understanding nutrition as the first layer of control 15:01 - How cancer transformed perspective on business and success 16:37 - Teaching as learning: sharing knowledge publicly 17:37 - Logan's passion for cancer research and education 18:21 - Responding to critics about qualifications 25:02 - The impact: success stories from followers 26:11 - The "lattice work of mental models" - Logan's superpower 37:10 - Why modern life diss us from nature 38:48 - Ancient evidence: diseases of kings vs. workers 53:59 - Stacking vs. scaling: a different approach to business growth 01:07:07 - First steps to taking control of your health 01:13:44 - Closing thoughts and gratitude

Randy Zuk: 3 Traits That Separate Elite CEOs

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Randy Zuk has seen hundreds of CEOs walk through the Arkansas State Chamber. After decades of observation, he's identified the 3 traits that separate those who build lasting success from those who don't. , we sit down with the President of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce to unpack what elite business leaders do differently. From Steve Jobs' 80% signal focus to Elon Musk's legendary 100% signal mindset, Randy breaks down the specific characteristics that correlate with entrepreneurial success. - The "signal vs noise" framework and why top CEOs filter distractions ruthlessly - Why data-driven decision making separates sustainable businesses from flash-in-the-pan ventures - How empathy (understanding what motivates people) drives real business outcomes - The role of integrity and trust in building companies that last - Why Arkansas is now #1 in GDP growth and what's attracting major businesses Key Insights: - Steve Jobs was 80% signal, Elon Musk is 100% signal - zero noise - Successful entrepreneur traits have "always been rare and will always be rare" - Empathy isn't about sympathy - it's about understanding what motivates each person - Trust and integrity: "If you're not good for what you say, they won't march into firestorms with you" About Randy Zuk: Randy Zuk is the President of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, where he has worked with hundreds of business owners and Fortune 500 executives. He brings decades of experience observing what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who struggle. - Arkansas State Chamber: arkansasstatechamber.com - Principled Entrepreneur Podcast: [Website/Social Links] Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction - Setting the Stage 01:32 - Meet Randy Zuk, Arkansas State Chamber President 02:17 - Randy's Career Journey: From Insurance to Chamber Leadership 08:45 - Why Arkansas is Attracting Businesses (Lifestyle + Business) 09:47 - Arkansas Economic Growth: #1 Fastest Growing GDP 17:56 - Low Cost of Living: Arkansas's Competitive Advantage 18:45 - Homegrown Entrepreneurship Opportunities 19:00 - Phoenix Innovation & Manufacturing Success Stories 27:00 - How Big Corporations Choose Arkansas 29:03 - Traits of Successful Business Leaders 29:27 - Signal vs Noise: The Framework Top CEOs Use 29:51 - Steve Jobs (80% Signal) vs Elon Musk (100% Signal) 31:21 - The Three Key Traits: Focus, Data-Driven, Empathy 31:46 - Defining Empathy in Business Leadership 33:01 - Trust & Integrity: The Foundation of Success 39:35 - Walmart's Stock Splits: A Case Study in Growth 39:58 - Character Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs 53:43 - The SWEAT Pledge by Mike Rowe 54:52 - Closing Thoughts & Takeaways

Is Airbnb right for you? | 2025 Housing Update | Are we strapped by fear!

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:21 - Topic Overview: Airbnbs, Market Update, Fear Discussion 00:45 - Our Airbnb Journey: Two Cabins on Petit Jean Mountain 01:35 - Why We Chose Short-Term Rentals Over Long-Term 02:30 - Buying During COVID: Our Biggest Fear 03:15 - Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting 06:26 - The Hospitality Mindset: Surprise and Delight 07:45 - Crazy Guest Story: The "Gas Leak" Phone Call 11:30 - Managing Maintenance and Expenses 17:00 - Is Airbnb Still Worth It in 2025? 19:21 - Short-Term vs Long-Term: The Real Numbers 20:28 - Why Airbnb Should NOT Be Your First Investment 22:57 - 2025 Housing Market Update Begins 23:14 - Inventory Levels: Back to Pre-COVID Numbers 24:30 - Why Buyers Are Hesitant Right Now 29:34 - The Psychology of Making Offers 39:40 - Book Discussion: Living Without Fear 40:01 - Fear-Based Decision Making in Today's Market 42:58 - The Snake Story: Fear vs Reality 44:54 - Breaking Free from the "What If" Mindset 50:42 - Don't Believe the Lies: Final Thoughts 51:33 - Closing and Birthday Wishes

She Cold-Called Olive Garden. Here's What Happened.

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0500

What happens when a small-town Chamber of Commerce CEO cold-calls Olive Garden corporate? In Russellville, Arkansas, it sparked a $4.5 million development that's now attracting Academy Sports, national restaurant chains, and turning heads across the state. - How Megan Selman used retail "leakage data" to pitch national brands on Russellville - Why Arkansas jumped from #18 to #12 in best states for business - The "gut instinct" approach Eric Bowen uses to evaluate markets (and why it works) - How manufacturing job growth drives retail development (the domino effect) - Why Arkansas's 5.2% GDP growth leads the nation - The power of getting city leadership, developers, and utilities in the same room Key Insight: "Success happens when you get outside your comfort zone. You can't scale if you're not willing to take risks." - Eric Bowen s: - Megan Selman is CEO of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce, driving economic development in Arkansas's River Valley region - Eric Bowen is founder of Bowen Kemp, Darden Restaurants' largest preferred developer in the country, building Olive Gardens, Longhorns, and more across multiple states - Russellville Chamber of Commerce - Bowen Kemp Construction Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction - Meet Megan Selman & Eric Bowen 00:55 - Eric's Background: Real Estate to Construction 02:30 - Starting in the 2008 Recession: "Best Time to Learn" 03:00 - The Main Street Story: Why Not Near the Interstate? 04:00 - Megan Cold-Calls Olive Garden Corporate 05:00 - Eric's "Wing It" Approach to Site Selection 08:15 - Learning Different Working Styles 09:00 - Understanding Retail Leakage Data 10:00 - The Academy Sports Decision 11:15 - How the Olive Garden + Academy Deal Came Together 12:15 - Darden Restaurants: 15 Brands Under One Roof 13:00 - "I'm Their Cowboy" - Eric's Role with Darden 16:10 - Arkansas's Business-Friendly Environment 16:45 - Arkansas: #1 Most Moved-To State 17:00 - From #18 to #12 in Best States for Business 22:30 - Manufacturing Drives Retail: The Domino Effect 24:00 - Russellville as the Manufacturing Hub 35:00 - John Maxwell Quote: "Do You Want to Do What I Did?" 36:00 - Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone 36:05 - From Broker to Largest Preferred Developer 43:55 - The Power of Getting Everyone in the Same Room 45:00 - Megan's Ability to Pull People Together 53:45 - Don's 17 Years of Economic Development Experience 54:50 - Closing Remarks & Takeaways

Why Arkansas is the #1 State People Are Moving To

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Thu, 29 May 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Arkansas just became the #1 state for inbound movers in America. Senator Breanne Davis, the Republican Caucus Whip and mother of four, joins Caleb and Jody Moore to reveal exactly what's happening in the Natural State - from banning Red Dye #3 to eliminating income tax. - How Arkansas processes 1,600-2,000 bills in a single legislative session - Why Red Dye #3 is being banned from food by January 2027 (and what Tyson had to say) - The "Bell to Bell, No Cell" policy keeping phones out of schools - Farm-to-School initiatives supporting local farmers - Arkansas' strategy to lower income and corporate taxes to compete with Texas and Florida - How constitutional amendments work (and why change takes time) - The real challenges of balancing motherhood with political leadership - 00:00 - Introduction & Senator Davis' 7-year journey - 05:00 - Red Dye #3 ban: Why Arkansas is leading on food safety - 11:30 - Working with companies like Tyson on implementation - 15:00 - Universal school meals and Farm-to-School programs - 20:00 - Cell phones in schools: Bell to Bell, No Cell - 22:00 - Work-life balance as a mom in politics - 26:00 - LEARNS Act and education reform under Gov. Huckabee Sanders - 33:00 - Arkansas as #1 state for inbound movers - 35:00 - Tax policy: Income tax reduction strategy - 41:00 - Deregulation and competing with Texas/Florida - 55:00 - Leadership lessons: Courage and asking questions - 62:00 - Closing thoughts on Arkansas' bright future Senator Breanne Davis represents Northwest Arkansas in the Arkansas State Senate. Now in her fourth session over seven years, she serves as Republican Caucus Whip. She's an Enneagram 8 ("The Challenger"), a mother of four, and runs a small flower farm. She was instrumental in passing the LEARNS Act and continues to champion education, health, and economic development. - Podcast: The Principled Entrepreneur (Caleb & Jody Moore) - Subscribe and leave a comment with topics you'd like us to cover! Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Senator Breanne Davis 00:30 - Seven years in the Arkansas Senate 01:00 - Processing 1,600+ bills per session 02:45 - The challenge of keeping up with legislation 05:00 - Red Dye #3 ban - personal health journey 08:00 - Research on food dyes and behavior in children 11:30 - Working with Tyson on recipe changes 13:00 - California's influence and Arkansas strategy 15:00 - Universal school meals and nutrition 16:30 - Farm-to-School initiative for local farmers 20:00 - Cell phones in schools - Bell to Bell, No Cell 21:00 - Parenting and phone addiction as adults 22:00 - Work-life balance with four kids 26:00 - Governor Huckabee Sanders and education reform 27:00 - LEARNS Act and teacher support 33:00 - Arkansas: #1 state for inbound movers 35:00 - Income and corporate tax reduction strategy 37:00 - Competing with Texas, Florida, Tennessee 41:00 - Government efficiency and deregulation 42:30 - Constitutional amendments and the legislative process 55:00 - Definition of leadership and courage 01:01:00 - Courage is not the absence of fear 01:02:00 - Closing and appreciation

145% Tariffs Hit Tomorrow": One Manufacturer's Survival Plan

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:00 -0500

While politicians debate tariff policy, small business owners like Nate Harrison are watching shipments sit in Chinese factories, calculating whether a 145% tariff makes their business viable. , the President of Phoenix Innovation - a custom poultry processing equipment manufacturer - pulls back the curtain on what tariffs actually mean for American entrepreneurs. - What tariffs actually are and how they stack (it's not what most people think) - The real-world impact: shipments held in China, down payments at risk, pricing decisions - Why a manufacturer might LOVE and HATE tariffs at the same time - The 6-month timeline businesses are working with before the pressure becomes critical - How China exploits tariff loopholes through assembly vs. manufacturing distinctions - Why intellectual property protection is at the heart of the tariff battle - The "convenience cost" Americans pay - and how it relates to trade policy - Three book recommendations for business leaders: Love Works, Fearless, and Extreme Ownership - 00:00 - Introduction and why tariffs matter now - 01:30 - Meet Nate Harrison, Phoenix Innovation - 05:30 - What is a tariff? Breaking down the basics - 08:53 - The imbalance: 6% vs 20%+ tariff rates - 10:01 - Vietnam's 90% import tariff revealed - 14:35 - The 6-month pressure timeline for businesses - 15:30 - Shipments held in China: Real stakes for small business - 21:39 - $439 billion from China: The scale of trade - 22:09 - Are tariffs good or bad? The nuanced answer - 23:01 - Intellectual property and patent protection - 28:42 - Kevin O'Leary's 400% tariff argument - 35:32 - Why Arkansas is competitive for manufacturing - 39:24 - Consumer convenience vs. costs - 41:27 - Book recommendations for business leaders - 44:04 - Leadership lessons: Leading up and down Nate Harrison is the President of Phoenix Innovation, a custom poultry processing equipment manufacturer based in Arkansas. His company supplies equipment to major brands including Costco. Nate deals with tariff implications daily and holds patents in the industry. Caleb and Jody Moore host The Principled Entrepreneur podcast, bringing real conversations with business owners about the challenges and principles that drive success. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Episode 5 00:21 - Welcome Nate Harrison from Phoenix Innovation 01:30 - Phoenix Innovation: Custom Poultry Processing Equipment 03:30 - Why Small Businesses Are Watching Tariff Negotiations 05:30 - What Is a Tariff? Basic Definition 07:00 - How Tariffs Hit the Importing Business 08:53 - The Tariff Imbalance: US vs Other Countries 10:01 - Vietnam's 90% Import Tariff Example 14:35 - How Long Can Americans Absorb Higher Prices? 15:30 - Shipments Held in China: Down Payments at Risk 18:00 - The 4-6 Month Decision Window 21:39 - $439 Billion in Goods from China 22:09 - Are Tariffs Good or Bad for Business? 23:01 - Patent Protection and Intellectual Property 28:42 - Kevin O'Leary's 400% Tariff Argument 30:00 - Million Dollar Ideas vs Implementation 35:00 - Why Arkansas Works for Manufacturing 39:24 - Consumer Convenience and Its True Cost 40:16 - What If We Shipped by Rail Again? 41:10 - The Anxious Generation: Parenting Detour 41:27 - Book Recommendation 1: Love Works by Joel Manby 42:16 - Book Recommendation 2: Fearless (Adam Brown) 42:52 - Book Recommendation 3: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink 44:04 - Leadership: Leading Up and Down the Chain 44:27 - Wrap-Up and Thanks

How to Buy Property at Arkansas Tax Auctions

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Most people don't know that thousands of Arkansas properties go up for auction every year at below-market prices. , Land Commissioner Tommy Land reveals exactly how the state's tax delinquent property sale process works - and how you can participate. - How the 4-year tax delinquency process works (2 years county + 2 years state) - The difference between live auctions and online eBay-style auctions - Why some "cheap" auction properties aren't actually good deals - The clear title process and hidden costs buyers must budget for - Requirements for non-US citizens purchasing state land - How the state sold 25,000 backlogged parcels through their new online system - Who owns Arkansas riverbeds and mineral rights (hint: it's the state) - The Arkansas River navigation project and why it matters for commerce - 00:00:00 - Introduction and Tommy Land's background - 00:01:15 - How Tommy became Land Commissioner at age 19 (buying his first property) - 00:04:18 - Tax delinquent real estate overview (10-15,000 parcels/year) - 00:04:51 - Live auction vs. online auction process explained - 00:05:31 - Tips for investors buying through the Land Commissioner's office - 00:06:11 - Non-US citizen purchase requirements and penalties - 00:09:01 - The 4-year delinquency timeline explained step-by-step - 00:16:00 - Due diligence: researching properties before auction - 00:24:06 - Clear title process and budgeting for additional costs - 00:32:44 - How online auctions cleared 30,000 backlogged parcels - 00:37:06 - Arkansas waterways: who owns what - 00:37:45 - State ownership of riverbeds and mineral rights - 00:40:30 - Levy task force and flood protection - 00:48:35 - Arkansas River navigation and economic opportunity - 00:58:09 - Closing thoughts on principled leadership Tommy Land has served as Arkansas Land Commissioner since 2019, bringing decades of personal real estate experience to the role. He bought his first home at 19 (requiring a court petition to be declared an adult) and has bought and sold property throughout his career. His wife previously served as County Assessor, giving the family deep expertise in Arkansas property systems. Caleb and Jody Moore are Arkansas-based real estate professionals who host conversations with principled leaders in business, government, and faith. - Subscribe for more interviews with principled leaders - Comment with questions or topic suggestions - Share with fellow real estate investors Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and welcome 01:15 - Tommy's origin story: Buying his first home at 19 04:18 - Tax delinquent property overview 04:51 - Live auction vs online auction process 05:31 - Key tips for property investors 06:11 - Non-US citizen purchase requirements 09:01 - The 4-year delinquency timeline 16:00 - Due diligence before bidding 24:06 - Clear title process and hidden costs 32:44 - Online auctions: Selling 25,000 backlogged parcels 37:06 - Arkansas waterways and state ownership 37:45 - Riverbeds, mineral rights, and ordinary high water marks 40:30 - Levy districts and flood protection 48:35 - Arkansas River navigation opportunity 58:09 - Closing thoughts and appreciation

Escape Student Loans and Own a Home Years Earlier

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0500

What if your child could graduate college debt-free and buy their first home at 30 instead of 38? Dr. Russell Jones, President of Arkansas Tech University and former FBI recruit, breaks down the revolutionary changes happening in Arkansas education that could transform your family's financial future. - Why 70% of Arkansas students who aim for bachelor's degrees won't finish within 6 years - and what to do instead - How the new 3-year bachelor's degree option can save 25% on tuition and time - The "stackable credentials" strategy: Get marketable certificates every year while working toward your degree - How House Bill 1512 is doubling lottery scholarships and creating new pathways - Why electricians and welders are out-earning many 4-year degree holders - The AR Futures program: Free first 2 years for high-demand career fields - How to reduce student debt by $1,000 immediately with one simple change Key Stats Discussed: - $1.75 trillion: Total US student debt (up from $500B in 2006) - $38,000: Average student debt per graduate nationally - $33,000: Average student debt in Arkansas - $13.4 billion: Total student debt in Arkansas - Age 38: When average graduate can afford first home - 8%: Current student loan interest rates (up from 3-4%) Dr. Russell Jones serves as the 13th President of Arkansas Tech University. His unique background includes an engineering degree, FBI service, a PhD from the University of Texas (accounting and cybersecurity), and international teaching experience in New Zealand, France, and China. He brings both academic expertise and real-world perspective to education reform. - Arkansas Tech University: atu.edu - Principled Entrepreneur Podcast: [Your links] Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction - Meet Dr. Russell Jones 01:17 - Dr. Jones' Journey: Engineering, FBI, and Academia 02:34 - Teaching Overseas: New Zealand, France, and China 04:30 - The Higher Education Crisis: Shrinking Enrollment Pipeline 06:30 - Why Students Choose 2-Year Colleges and Trade Schools 08:15 - The "Instantaneous Reward" Generation 09:23 - Stackable Credentials: Earn Credentials Every Year 10:07 - 3-Year Bachelor's Degrees: Coming to Arkansas 10:40 - Concurrent Courses: Start College in High School 11:01 - Three-Tier High School Diplomas Explained 16:58 - 800 Students at Arkansas Tech Career Center 17:17 - High-Demand Trades: Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Auto 18:27 - House Bill 1512: 215 Pages of Education Reform 20:28 - The Skilled Trades Shortage Crisis 22:47 - Apprenticeships: Graduate with a Job Guarantee 23:52 - Student Loan Debt: Breaking Down the Numbers 26:19 - AR Futures: Free First Two Years for Trade Students 28:08 - How HB 1512 Doubles Lottery Scholarships 33:45 - Subsidized vs Non-Subsidized Loans Explained 34:39 - Why Interest Rates Delay Home Ownership to Age 38 35:08 - Trades Path: Buy a House Years Earlier 37:32 - Pell Grants: Free Money You're Missing 38:16 - The Danger of Borrowing the Maximum 46:59 - Book Recommendation: The Anxious Generation 48:02 - Seven Habits of Highly Successful People 49:36 - Closing: The Future of HB 1512

We're Not in a Housing Bubble. It's Worse.

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction - Welcome to Episode 2 00:38 - Setting the Stage - Why Consumer Debt Matters 02:06 - Debt and Your Credit Score - How It All s 04:30 - Breaking Down Household Debt - The $18.4 Trillion Number 06:30 - Credit Card Debt Hits $1.21 Trillion 08:30 - Interest Rates on Credit Cards - The 24% Trap 11:40 - The Stimulus Effect - How 2021 Changed Everything 16:04 - Not a Housing Bubble, A Consumer Debt Bubble 17:04 - The Market Will Self-Correct (Like It Always Does) 19:25 - Student Loans and the 2021 Payoff Trend 23:48 - What Happens If Delinquencies Hit 8-10% 27:46 - Average Savings by Age - The Shocking Numbers 29:00 - First-Time Buyers Need $21,800 Minimum to Close 32:42 - Advice for Buyers - Pay Off Credit Cards First 33:58 - Why Credit Score Is Overhyped 37:18 - Looking Ahead - Interest Rates and 2025 Projections 38:50 - Closing - Thanks for Listening

$5,800/Year Insurance? The Hidden Crisis Killing Home Sales

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0600

The Hidden Cost Killing Home Purchases Insurance just killed one of our deals. The buyers got a quote for insurance that was DOUBLE what the bank estimated - and they had to walk away from their dream home. This is happening everywhere. Oklahoma homeowners are paying $5,858/year on average. Insurance companies are fleeing California, Florida, and Texas. And natural disasters are passing the bill to ALL of us - even in states that haven't been hit. In this inaugural episode of The Principled Entrepreneur podcast, real estate professionals Caleb and Jody Moore (16 years in the business, co-owners of a real estate company) break down why this is happening and what it means for you. ### - Why insurance killed a recent home purchase (and how to avoid this happening to you) - The shocking state-by-state insurance cost comparison (Oklahoma leads at $5,858/year) - Why insurance companies are leaving California, Florida, and Texas - How natural disasters in OTHER states are raising YOUR premiums - Why 5.2 million Americans are expected to migrate in 2025 due to insurance costs - State Farm's 22% rate increase request in California - and what it signals - How rising premiums can lead to foreclosures (even for existing homeowners) - Arkansas's position as a top relocation destination and what that means for the market ### - 00:00 — Introduction: Meet Caleb and Jody Moore - 01:00 — Podcast mission: Real estate, business, and life - 02:00 — Background: 16 years in real estate, high school sweethearts - 09:24 — The insurance crisis: How it killed a real home purchase - 10:16 — Why insurance is so high: Natural disasters explained - 14:23 — State-by-state breakdown: Oklahoma's $5,858/year average - 15:17 — Americans on the move: 5.2 million expected to migrate - 16:37 — Insurance companies leaving states: The California exodus - 17:03 — State Farm's 22% rate increase request - 19:24 — How natural disasters affect YOUR premiums nationwide - 24:17 — Labor and construction costs driving prices higher - 25:00 — How premiums affect mortgage payments and foreclosures - 28:11 — The affordability crisis: Setting realistic expectations - 29:25 — Napoleon Hill's Law of Economy and what we're experiencing - 31:07 — Life segment: Atomic Habits by James Clear - 32:04 — Identity-based change: Working from the inside out - 33:08 — Michael Jordan's identity transformation story - 34:40 — Wrap-up and call to action ### Caleb and Jody Moore are high school sweethearts who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas and have spent 16 years building their real estate career. They co-own a real estate company, manage Airbnbs and rental properties, and are parents to three boys. The Principled Entrepreneur podcast covers real estate, business, and life lessons. ### - Subscribe and turn on notifications - Drop your questions and topic suggestions in the comments Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Meet Caleb and Jody Moore 00:34 - What This Podcast Will Cover 01:18 - Our Background: 16 Years in Real Estate 02:01 - High School Sweethearts to Business Partners 04:00 - Why We Started This Podcast 09:24 - The Insurance Crisis Explained 10:16 - Natural Disasters and Climate Impact 14:23 - State-by-State Insurance Costs 15:17 - The Great Migration: 5.2 Million Moving 16:37 - Insurance Companies Leaving States 17:03 - State Farm's 22% Rate Increase 19:24 - How Disasters Affect ALL Premiums 24:17 - Construction Costs and Roofing 25:00 - When Premiums Force Foreclosures 28:11 - The Affordability Crisis Reality 29:25 - Napoleon Hill's Law of Economy 31:07 - Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits 32:04 - Identity-Based Change 33:08 - Michael Jordan's Transformation Story 34:40 - Thanks and Call to Action

Sold Listing by Caleb + Jodi Moore

Caleb & Jodi Moore — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -0600

This gorgeous home located at 110 Hillcrest Dr. Russellville, AR is SOLD. What we love about this home is the 10-12 foot ceilings throughout, the remolded stylish and bright kitchen and of course, everyone want a 3 car garage. All this, and located in West Russellville in an established and coveted neighborhood. Listed by Caleb and Jodi Moore Moore and Co. Realtors. If you are thinking of making a move and looking for something similar, send us a message even if you are not ready just yet, it's a good idea to start browsing.