The Turn: Blue Collar to Billions Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-turn You've fought hard for your business. Growth was earned, not given. Maybe you've scaled, maybe you've sold— but who have you become in the process? This isn't another podcast obsessing over multiples and deal structure. We get to the heart of what you're actually going through. Hosted by Kory Mitchell, CEO of Iconic Founders, we sit down with blue-collar business owners who've built something real— businesses like HVAC, landscaping, pest control, construction. These are honest conversations about the challenges, the lessons, and the moments that changed everything. Because the real story isn't just how you got here—it's about the lessons along the way. About the Host, Kory Mitchell: Kory Mitchell is the host of The Turn and the founder of Iconic Founders Group. He's lived the founder's journey—building a small regional specialty contracting business with his family into a national ($200m)brand and navigating two transactions, including a 9-figure exit. With 25+ years in the specialty contracting industry, Kory learned how personal and high-stakes the decision to sell can be. Now he guides founder-led companies through legacy-preserving transactions and serves as a board member for several large national specialty trades businesses, bringing an operator's perspective to strategic growth. About Iconic Founders: Iconic Founders Group provides expert guidance for blue-collar industry founders ready to grow and sell their businesses while preserving legacy. We work with founder-led businesses doing $3M–$20M in profit across specialty contracting and trades—including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, pest control, roofing, concrete, environmental services, tree services, excavation, asphalt paving, restoration, and more. Whether you're seeking liquidity, finding a partner to scale, or protecting the team and culture that made you great, Kory and the Iconic Team serves as a trusted advisor throughout the entire process—from readiness to strategic buyer alignment, all the way to a proud and well-earned close. Learn more at www.iconicfounders.com. Built Something Great? We Want to Hear Your Story. Whether you're in the thick of scaling, contemplating an exit, or reflecting on lessons learned, we'd love to connect. Visit us at www.iconicfounders.com and subscribe to The Turn wherever you get your podcasts. © Iconic Founders Group 2026 29d50124-4dc2-5eb1-92b4-bd1cb38fef80 yes f22bdf50-f7b8-11f0-8d67-f5010ee8c8fc Introducing The Turn: Blue Collar to Billions en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:26:37 -0400 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:27:06 -0400 http://www.iconicfounders.com https://img.transistorcdn.com/dTTkVevDEINe3XJbLNyxPhpkHv3fsdcyipPmETaLc8A/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hZTY2/ZjNjOGQzMWE2MzZk/MWI4NTFkODhhOTJh/MTZjYS5qcGc.jpg The Turn: Blue Collar to Billions http://www.iconicfounders.com episodic Iconic Founders Group You've fought hard for your business. Growth was earned, not given. Maybe you've scaled, maybe you've sold— but who have you become in the process? This isn't another podcast obsessing over multiples and deal structure. We get to the heart of what you're actually going through. Hosted by Kory Mitchell, CEO of Iconic Founders, we sit down with blue-collar business owners who've built something real— businesses like HVAC, landscaping, pest control, construction. These are honest conversations about the challenges, the lessons, and the moments that changed everything. Because the real story isn't just how you got here—it's about the lessons along the way. About the Host, Kory Mitchell: Kory Mitchell is the host of The Turn and the founder of Iconic Founders Group. He's lived the founder's journey—building a small regional specialty contracting business with his family into a national ($200m)brand and navigating two transactions, including a 9-figure exit. With 25+ years in the specialty contracting industry, Kory learned how personal and high-stakes the decision to sell can be. Now he guides founder-led companies through legacy-preserving transactions and serves as a board member for several large national specialty trades businesses, bringing an operator's perspective to strategic growth. About Iconic Founders: Iconic Founders Group provides expert guidance for blue-collar industry founders ready to grow and sell their businesses while preserving legacy. We work with founder-led businesses doing $3M–$20M in profit across specialty contracting and trades—including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, pest control, roofing, concrete, environmental services, tree services, excavation, asphalt paving, restoration, and more. Whether you're seeking liquidity, finding a partner to scale, or protecting the team and culture that made you great, Kory and the Iconic Team serves as a trusted advisor throughout the entire process—from readiness to strategic buyer alignment, all the way to a proud and well-earned close. Learn more at www.iconicfounders.com. Built Something Great? We Want to Hear Your Story. Whether you're in the thick of scaling, contemplating an exit, or reflecting on lessons learned, we'd love to connect. Visit us at www.iconicfounders.com and subscribe to The Turn wherever you get your podcasts. You've fought hard for your business. sell my business, sale my business, how do you sell a business, how do you sell your business, how do you sell a company, scaling business, sell your business, sale your business, how to sell my business, how do i sell my business, how can i sell my business, how to sale my business, how can i sale my business, how to sell your business, how to sell your company, selling my company, i want to sell my business, how to sell my small business, how do i sell my small business, i want to sale my business, how can i sell my small business, blue collar side hustle, blue collar businesses Kory Mitchell support@lowerstreet.co No No Family Business to $410M Exit 6 6 Family Business to $410M Exit full 46feaf80-96ce-4b91-8723-e13cdceb38f1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9da6adcf Tony Mallinger joined his family's roofing products manufacturing company in 2001. His dad bought it in the late eighties for about $2 million. By the time Tony led the first sale in 2020, it was doing $62 million. Four years later, after two acquisitions under private equity, they sold again—for $410 million.

But this isn't just a growth story. It's a family business story. Three brothers, a father who wanted to treat everyone the same, and years of misalignment that made the success feel hollow. Their best year ever? Everyone was miserable. That's when Tony knew it was time to sell. He pushed for a fiduciary board, hired the best M&A attorney and banker, and signed the purchase agreement two weeks before COVID hit. The family relationships got rough after the first sale. The good news They're better now. But the lesson is clear (and it's a rather common one): you can win the deal and still have wounds to heal.

Here's what we discuss: 
• How his father—an accountant—bought a $2M manufacturing company 
• Growing from $10M to $62M through strategic accounts and speed-to-market 
• Working with two brothers and a father—and why alignment was the hardest part 
• Setting up a fiduciary board with real governance 
• How his father transferred 90% of equity to the kids early 
• The moment everyone was miserable after their best year 
• Signing the purchase agreement two weeks before COVID 
• Staying on as CEO and buying their #2 competitor six months later 
• Going from $62M to $130M in four years 
• The second exit at $410 million

Running a blue-collar business and wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or reach out to theturn@iconicfounders.com.

]]> Tony Mallinger joined his family's roofing products manufacturing company in 2001. His dad bought it in the late eighties for about $2 million. By the time Tony led the first sale in 2020, it was doing $62 million. Four years later, after two acquisitions under private equity, they sold again—for $410 million.

But this isn't just a growth story. It's a family business story. Three brothers, a father who wanted to treat everyone the same, and years of misalignment that made the success feel hollow. Their best year ever? Everyone was miserable. That's when Tony knew it was time to sell. He pushed for a fiduciary board, hired the best M&A attorney and banker, and signed the purchase agreement two weeks before COVID hit. The family relationships got rough after the first sale. The good news They're better now. But the lesson is clear (and it's a rather common one): you can win the deal and still have wounds to heal.

Here's what we discuss: 
• How his father—an accountant—bought a $2M manufacturing company 
• Growing from $10M to $62M through strategic accounts and speed-to-market 
• Working with two brothers and a father—and why alignment was the hardest part 
• Setting up a fiduciary board with real governance 
• How his father transferred 90% of equity to the kids early 
• The moment everyone was miserable after their best year 
• Signing the purchase agreement two weeks before COVID 
• Staying on as CEO and buying their #2 competitor six months later 
• Going from $62M to $130M in four years 
• The second exit at $410 million

Running a blue-collar business and wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or reach out to theturn@iconicfounders.com.

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Iconic Founders Group Iconic Founders Group 2083 Tony Mallinger joined his family's roofing products manufacturing company in 2001. His dad bought it in the late eighties for about $2 million. By the time Tony led the first sale in 2020, it was doing $62 million. Four years later, after two acquisitions under private equity, they sold again—for $410 million.

But this isn't just a growth story. It's a family business story. Three brothers, a father who wanted to treat everyone the same, and years of misalignment that made the success feel hollow. Their best year ever? Everyone was miserable. That's when Tony knew it was time to sell. He pushed for a fiduciary board, hired the best M&A attorney and banker, and signed the purchase agreement two weeks before COVID hit. The family relationships got rough after the first sale. The good news They're better now. But the lesson is clear (and it's a rather common one): you can win the deal and still have wounds to heal.

Here's what we discuss: 
• How his father—an accountant—bought a $2M manufacturing company 
• Growing from $10M to $62M through strategic accounts and speed-to-market 
• Working with two brothers and a father—and why alignment was the hardest part 
• Setting up a fiduciary board with real governance 
• How his father transferred 90% of equity to the kids early 
• The moment everyone was miserable after their best year 
• Signing the purchase agreement two weeks before COVID 
• Staying on as CEO and buying their #2 competitor six months later 
• Going from $62M to $130M in four years 
• The second exit at $410 million

Running a blue-collar business and wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or reach out to theturn@iconicfounders.com.

]]> sell my business, sale my business, how do you sell a business, how do you sell your business, how do you sell a company, scaling business, sell your business, sale your business, how to sell my business, how do i sell my business, how can i sell my business, how to sale my business, how can i sale my business, how to sell your business, how to sell your company, selling my company, i want to sell my business, how to sell my small business, how do i sell my small business, i want to sale my business, how can i sell my small business, blue collar side hustle, blue collar businesses No 15 People to $50M in Profit 5 5 15 People to $50M in Profit full dd695ef9-c002-41e9-934a-d2b6b1a7cd81 https://share.transistor.fm/s/019e58c1 Bryan Carruthers started his first company in the middle of the 2008 financial crisis, right after college. A tiny consulting firm called Consilium. He sold it to a publicly traded business a few years later. Then he went the private equity route—got backing, bought a 15-person shop, and built it into a national $50 million EBITDA business in under five years. Then he sold it to one of the largest consulting firms in the world.


Most founders are obsessed with ownership percentage. Bryan was obsessed with acceleration. He gave away two-thirds of his first company to partners who knew more than he did. He took 5-10% in a PE-backed roll-up because he knew he could build something bigger, faster. He called it "ignorance as a superpower"—jumping before he knew what he was doing, then bringing in the pieces to make it work. Three exits. Each one bigger than the last. And he never owned more than a third of any of them.


Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.

Iconic Links: 
• Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com 
• Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com 
• Production: Lower Street https://lowerstreet.co

]]> Bryan Carruthers started his first company in the middle of the 2008 financial crisis, right after college. A tiny consulting firm called Consilium. He sold it to a publicly traded business a few years later. Then he went the private equity route—got backing, bought a 15-person shop, and built it into a national $50 million EBITDA business in under five years. Then he sold it to one of the largest consulting firms in the world.


Most founders are obsessed with ownership percentage. Bryan was obsessed with acceleration. He gave away two-thirds of his first company to partners who knew more than he did. He took 5-10% in a PE-backed roll-up because he knew he could build something bigger, faster. He called it "ignorance as a superpower"—jumping before he knew what he was doing, then bringing in the pieces to make it work. Three exits. Each one bigger than the last. And he never owned more than a third of any of them.


Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.

Iconic Links: 
• Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com 
• Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com 
• Production: Lower Street https://lowerstreet.co

]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Iconic Founders Group Iconic Founders Group 1784 Bryan Carruthers started his first company in the middle of the 2008 financial crisis, right after college. A tiny consulting firm called Consilium. He sold it to a publicly traded business a few years later. Then he went the private equity route—got backing, bought a 15-person shop, and built it into a national $50 million EBITDA business in under five years. Then he sold it to one of the largest consulting firms in the world.


Most founders are obsessed with ownership percentage. Bryan was obsessed with acceleration. He gave away two-thirds of his first company to partners who knew more than he did. He took 5-10% in a PE-backed roll-up because he knew he could build something bigger, faster. He called it "ignorance as a superpower"—jumping before he knew what he was doing, then bringing in the pieces to make it work. Three exits. Each one bigger than the last. And he never owned more than a third of any of them.


Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.

Iconic Links: 
• Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com 
• Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com 
• Production: Lower Street https://lowerstreet.co

]]> sell my business, sale my business, how do you sell a business, how do you sell your business, how do you sell a company, scaling business, sell your business, sale your business, how to sell my business, how do i sell my business, how can i sell my business, how to sale my business, how can i sale my business, how to sell your business, how to sell your company, selling my company, i want to sell my business, how to sell my small business, how do i sell my small business, i want to sale my business, how can i sell my small business, blue collar side hustle, blue collar businesses No Bootstrapped to Over $70M 4 4 Bootstrapped to Over $70M full 8d267091-3fcd-4a9d-8224-a1f7f7350081 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5f843213 Chris Meyer didn't stumble into entrepreneurship—he trained for it. Two and a half years at Ernst & Young, 400 business plans reviewed, and a clear list of criteria for what he wanted. In 2006, he found it: a $5-6 million materials company called Mintech that specialized in turning industrial byproducts into construction and environmental solutions. He was 27, had never worked in the industry, and put everything on the line to buy it.


What happened next sounds insane on paper. Take-or-pay contracts where he paid for materials whether he had buyers or not. Expanding into markets where he had no customers. Signing liabilities before he had revenue. But Chris wasn't gambling—he was calculating. Exclusivity clauses before he signed anything. Relationships with suppliers so deep that when 2008 hit and his suppliers went offline, they worked with him instead of against him. He turned crisis into opportunity, figured out logistics on the fly, and kept his customers whole even when it cost him.

Sixteen years later, he sold to a strategic partner—a supplier he'd known for over a decade—for $72 million. Majority cash upfront, three-year employment agreement, and a piece of the upside. He and his wife shared part of the exit with the entire team. Now he's reprioritizing: time with family, giving back through the Boys & Girls Club, and staying open to whatever's next.

Here's what we discuss:

  • Growing up with entrepreneurial parents and learning business at the kitchen table
  • How he reviewed 400 business plans before finding the right one
  • Buying a $5-6M company at 27 with seller financing and bank debt
  • Why he did nothing for the first six months after acquiring the business
  • Take-or-pay contracts: the calculated risk that fueled explosive growth
  • How the 2008 crisis forced him to expand geographically—and why that was a good thing
  • Treating suppliers, carriers, and customers all like customers
  • Building storage infrastructure to smooth out the highs and lows of construction
  • The oil and gas boom and how customers pulled him into new markets
  • The two-to-three year courting process that led to the sale
  • Why he took majority cash instead of rolling equity
  • Sharing the exit with his team—and why it mattered
  • Reprioritizing life after the deal: family, community, and what's next

Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.


Iconic Links:

Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com

Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com

Production: Lower Street https://lowerstreet.co

]]> Chris Meyer didn't stumble into entrepreneurship—he trained for it. Two and a half years at Ernst & Young, 400 business plans reviewed, and a clear list of criteria for what he wanted. In 2006, he found it: a $5-6 million materials company called Mintech that specialized in turning industrial byproducts into construction and environmental solutions. He was 27, had never worked in the industry, and put everything on the line to buy it.


What happened next sounds insane on paper. Take-or-pay contracts where he paid for materials whether he had buyers or not. Expanding into markets where he had no customers. Signing liabilities before he had revenue. But Chris wasn't gambling—he was calculating. Exclusivity clauses before he signed anything. Relationships with suppliers so deep that when 2008 hit and his suppliers went offline, they worked with him instead of against him. He turned crisis into opportunity, figured out logistics on the fly, and kept his customers whole even when it cost him.

Sixteen years later, he sold to a strategic partner—a supplier he'd known for over a decade—for $72 million. Majority cash upfront, three-year employment agreement, and a piece of the upside. He and his wife shared part of the exit with the entire team. Now he's reprioritizing: time with family, giving back through the Boys & Girls Club, and staying open to whatever's next.

Here's what we discuss:

  • Growing up with entrepreneurial parents and learning business at the kitchen table
  • How he reviewed 400 business plans before finding the right one
  • Buying a $5-6M company at 27 with seller financing and bank debt
  • Why he did nothing for the first six months after acquiring the business
  • Take-or-pay contracts: the calculated risk that fueled explosive growth
  • How the 2008 crisis forced him to expand geographically—and why that was a good thing
  • Treating suppliers, carriers, and customers all like customers
  • Building storage infrastructure to smooth out the highs and lows of construction
  • The oil and gas boom and how customers pulled him into new markets
  • The two-to-three year courting process that led to the sale
  • Why he took majority cash instead of rolling equity
  • Sharing the exit with his team—and why it mattered
  • Reprioritizing life after the deal: family, community, and what's next

Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.


Iconic Links:

Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com

Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com

Production: Lower Street https://lowerstreet.co

]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400 Iconic Founders Group Iconic Founders Group 2119 Chris Meyer didn't stumble into entrepreneurship—he trained for it. Two and a half years at Ernst & Young, 400 business plans reviewed, and a clear list of criteria for what he wanted. In 2006, he found it: a $5-6 million materials company called Mintech that specialized in turning industrial byproducts into construction and environmental solutions. He was 27, had never worked in the industry, and put everything on the line to buy it.


What happened next sounds insane on paper. Take-or-pay contracts where he paid for materials whether he had buyers or not. Expanding into markets where he had no customers. Signing liabilities before he had revenue. But Chris wasn't gambling—he was calculating. Exclusivity clauses before he signed anything. Relationships with suppliers so deep that when 2008 hit and his suppliers went offline, they worked with him instead of against him. He turned crisis into opportunity, figured out logistics on the fly, and kept his customers whole even when it cost him.

Sixteen years later, he sold to a strategic partner—a supplier he'd known for over a decade—for $72 million. Majority cash upfront, three-year employment agreement, and a piece of the upside. He and his wife shared part of the exit with the entire team. Now he's reprioritizing: time with family, giving back through the Boys & Girls Club, and staying open to whatever's next.

Here's what we discuss:

  • Growing up with entrepreneurial parents and learning business at the kitchen table
  • How he reviewed 400 business plans before finding the right one
  • Buying a $5-6M company at 27 with seller financing and bank debt
  • Why he did nothing for the first six months after acquiring the business
  • Take-or-pay contracts: the calculated risk that fueled explosive growth
  • How the 2008 crisis forced him to expand geographically—and why that was a good thing
  • Treating suppliers, carriers, and customers all like customers
  • Building storage infrastructure to smooth out the highs and lows of construction
  • The oil and gas boom and how customers pulled him into new markets
  • The two-to-three year courting process that led to the sale
  • Why he took majority cash instead of rolling equity
  • Sharing the exit with his team—and why it mattered
  • Reprioritizing life after the deal: family, community, and what's next

Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.


Iconic Links:

Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com

Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com

Production: Lower Street https://lowerstreet.co

]]> sell my business, sale my business, how do you sell a business, how do you sell your business, how do you sell a company, scaling business, sell your business, sale your business, how to sell my business, how do i sell my business, how can i sell my business, how to sale my business, how can i sale my business, how to sell your business, how to sell your company, selling my company, i want to sell my business, how to sell my small business, how do i sell my small business, i want to sale my business, how can i sell my small business, blue collar side hustle, blue collar businesses No Measure Value, Not Revenue 3 3 Measure Value, Not Revenue full 48357730-8d55-4ba0-a64a-68d8fc86c165 https://share.transistor.fm/s/cd862164 Tom Heaviland bought a one-truck landscape company with his dad in 1985. They each put up $11,000. Thirty-five years later, he sold it to BrightView—the largest player in the industry—for millions. But getting there wasn't linear. He lost his biggest contract overnight when a developer pulled out. His dad died suddenly in 1997. And for seven years, he was stuck splitting everything 50/50 with his stepmom who even didn't work in the business.

The real turn came when Tom stopped asking "how much can I make?" and started asking "what's this worth?" At 57, he got serious about value—not revenue, not profit, but what a buyer would actually pay. He shut down the construction division. He focused on recurring revenue and high-margin enhancement work. He surrounded himself with the right people and stopped being slow to fire. In five years, the business went from $5 million to $15 million, and margins jumped to the mid-50s.

Tom closed in November 2019. Four months later, COVID killed his earnout. But he'd already taken his attorney's advice: be happy with the deal you have, because nothing's guaranteed. He's 68 now, still working, still loving it. His one regret? Not measuring value sooner. Those last five years—when he finally got serious—that's when the real money got made.

Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.

Iconic Links:
Learn More: www.iconicfounders.com
Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com
Production: Lower Street www.lowerstreet.co

]]> Tom Heaviland bought a one-truck landscape company with his dad in 1985. They each put up $11,000. Thirty-five years later, he sold it to BrightView—the largest player in the industry—for millions. But getting there wasn't linear. He lost his biggest contract overnight when a developer pulled out. His dad died suddenly in 1997. And for seven years, he was stuck splitting everything 50/50 with his stepmom who even didn't work in the business.

The real turn came when Tom stopped asking "how much can I make?" and started asking "what's this worth?" At 57, he got serious about value—not revenue, not profit, but what a buyer would actually pay. He shut down the construction division. He focused on recurring revenue and high-margin enhancement work. He surrounded himself with the right people and stopped being slow to fire. In five years, the business went from $5 million to $15 million, and margins jumped to the mid-50s.

Tom closed in November 2019. Four months later, COVID killed his earnout. But he'd already taken his attorney's advice: be happy with the deal you have, because nothing's guaranteed. He's 68 now, still working, still loving it. His one regret? Not measuring value sooner. Those last five years—when he finally got serious—that's when the real money got made.

Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.

Iconic Links:
Learn More: www.iconicfounders.com
Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com
Production: Lower Street www.lowerstreet.co

]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2026 03:33:00 -0500 Iconic Founders Group Iconic Founders Group 1192 Tom Heaviland bought a one-truck landscape company with his dad in 1985. They each put up $11,000. Thirty-five years later, he sold it to BrightView—the largest player in the industry—for millions. But getting there wasn't linear. He lost his biggest contract overnight when a developer pulled out. His dad died suddenly in 1997. And for seven years, he was stuck splitting everything 50/50 with his stepmom who even didn't work in the business.

The real turn came when Tom stopped asking "how much can I make?" and started asking "what's this worth?" At 57, he got serious about value—not revenue, not profit, but what a buyer would actually pay. He shut down the construction division. He focused on recurring revenue and high-margin enhancement work. He surrounded himself with the right people and stopped being slow to fire. In five years, the business went from $5 million to $15 million, and margins jumped to the mid-50s.

Tom closed in November 2019. Four months later, COVID killed his earnout. But he'd already taken his attorney's advice: be happy with the deal you have, because nothing's guaranteed. He's 68 now, still working, still loving it. His one regret? Not measuring value sooner. Those last five years—when he finally got serious—that's when the real money got made.

Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.

Iconic Links:
Learn More: www.iconicfounders.com
Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com
Production: Lower Street www.lowerstreet.co

]]> sell my business, sale my business, how do you sell a business, how do you sell your business, how do you sell a company, scaling business, sell your business, sale your business, how to sell my business, how do i sell my business, how can i sell my business, how to sale my business, how can i sale my business, how to sell your business, how to sell your company, selling my company, i want to sell my business, how to sell my small business, how do i sell my small business, i want to sale my business, how can i sell my small business, blue collar side hustle, blue collar businesses No Two Exits. Totally Different Outcomes. 2 2 Two Exits. Totally Different Outcomes. full 7f5df32c-dce8-4e77-85c2-162707034653 https://share.transistor.fm/s/efff1ba3 Kris Birch started working in his dad's lawn and snow business in 2005. Fifteen years later, he sold it to a national brand. The deal looked good on paper, but within a year, most of the team was gone and the business had been absorbed into corporate machinery. When he finally walked away, he discovered something important: he'd already started building his next company.


But Kris’s story is a little different because most founders think you only get one shot at an exit. Kris got two. After the first sale fell apart, he and his business partner Tony built a tree care company from scratch. Six years later, they sold again, this time to private equity. Different buyer, different structure, different outcome. The second time around, Kris knew which questions to ask. Live and learn.


Here's what we discuss in this episode:

• Why working with family requires a third party to navigate the hard conversations

• How Kris transitioned from his dad's lifestyle business to a growth-focused operation

• The moment he realized he wasn't good at operations—and who he brought in to fix it

• What recurring revenue and service diversification did for his business valuation

• Why his first exit to a national brand didn't go as planned

• The difference between selling to corporate acquirers vs. private equity

• How peer groups and EOS transformed the way he ran his businesses

• What due diligence actually feels like (spoiler: everyone hates it)

• Why the second sale was faster, smarter, and more aligned with his values

• His advice to young founders: do hard things, then recover intentionally


Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.


Iconic Links:

Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com

Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com

Production: Lower Street https://lowerstreet.co

]]> Kris Birch started working in his dad's lawn and snow business in 2005. Fifteen years later, he sold it to a national brand. The deal looked good on paper, but within a year, most of the team was gone and the business had been absorbed into corporate machinery. When he finally walked away, he discovered something important: he'd already started building his next company.


But Kris’s story is a little different because most founders think you only get one shot at an exit. Kris got two. After the first sale fell apart, he and his business partner Tony built a tree care company from scratch. Six years later, they sold again, this time to private equity. Different buyer, different structure, different outcome. The second time around, Kris knew which questions to ask. Live and learn.


Here's what we discuss in this episode:

• Why working with family requires a third party to navigate the hard conversations

• How Kris transitioned from his dad's lifestyle business to a growth-focused operation

• The moment he realized he wasn't good at operations—and who he brought in to fix it

• What recurring revenue and service diversification did for his business valuation

• Why his first exit to a national brand didn't go as planned

• The difference between selling to corporate acquirers vs. private equity

• How peer groups and EOS transformed the way he ran his businesses

• What due diligence actually feels like (spoiler: everyone hates it)

• Why the second sale was faster, smarter, and more aligned with his values

• His advice to young founders: do hard things, then recover intentionally


Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.


Iconic Links:

Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com

Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com

Production: Lower Street https://lowerstreet.co

]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500 Iconic Founders Group Iconic Founders Group 2289 Kris Birch started working in his dad's lawn and snow business in 2005. Fifteen years later, he sold it to a national brand. The deal looked good on paper, but within a year, most of the team was gone and the business had been absorbed into corporate machinery. When he finally walked away, he discovered something important: he'd already started building his next company.


But Kris’s story is a little different because most founders think you only get one shot at an exit. Kris got two. After the first sale fell apart, he and his business partner Tony built a tree care company from scratch. Six years later, they sold again, this time to private equity. Different buyer, different structure, different outcome. The second time around, Kris knew which questions to ask. Live and learn.


Here's what we discuss in this episode:

• Why working with family requires a third party to navigate the hard conversations

• How Kris transitioned from his dad's lifestyle business to a growth-focused operation

• The moment he realized he wasn't good at operations—and who he brought in to fix it

• What recurring revenue and service diversification did for his business valuation

• Why his first exit to a national brand didn't go as planned

• The difference between selling to corporate acquirers vs. private equity

• How peer groups and EOS transformed the way he ran his businesses

• What due diligence actually feels like (spoiler: everyone hates it)

• Why the second sale was faster, smarter, and more aligned with his values

• His advice to young founders: do hard things, then recover intentionally


Running a blue-collar business? Wondering how to think about value or selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.


Iconic Links:

Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com

Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com

Production: Lower Street https://lowerstreet.co

]]> sell my business, sale my business, how do you sell a business, how do you sell your business, how do you sell a company, scaling business, sell your business, sale your business, how to sell my business, how do i sell my business, how can i sell my business, how to sale my business, how can i sale my business, how to sell your business, how to sell your company, selling my company, i want to sell my business, how to sell my small business, how do i sell my small business, i want to sale my business, how can i sell my small business, blue collar side hustle, blue collar businesses No The Hardest Part Comes After the Exit 1 1 The Hardest Part Comes After the Exit full da4ef17e-05ae-4d8f-983b-c25c498936bd https://share.transistor.fm/s/7f341473 Today’s guest is Adam Mopsick. Adam started a construction business in Miami in 1996. Twenty-five years later, he sold it to private equity for life-changing money. The 2008 recession killed his GC business and forced him to reinvent, building an owner's rep firm from scratch that grew every quarter for six years. When he finally got the exit everyone dreams of, he discovered the hardest part wasn't the deal. It was figuring out who he was without the business.

Most founders think the exit is the finish line. Adam learned it's just the starting gun for a different race. He stayed with the acquirer less than a year before walking away. For 25 years, his business had been his identity—his team, his purpose, his daily mission. When that disappeared, the money didn't fill the void. He tried fishing. He may have become slightly obsessed with padel. But what he needed was another mountain to climb. Two years later, he's sitting on boards, mentoring and coaching founders, and advising a variety of startups. His non-compete is almost up. And he's starting to get the itch again.

Use code ICONIC for 15% OFF your next Salt of the Earth order: https://drinksote.com/ICONIC

Here's what we discuss:

• Why construction's "terrible service" is actually a massive opportunity
• How recurring revenue business models trade at higher multiples than project-based work
• The real difference between running projects and building a business
• What private equity actually looks for in acquisitions (and which ones are founder-friendly)
• Why the hardest part of an exit isn't the deal—it's the identity crisis that comes after
• What it feels like when the business you built becomes someone else's
• How to think about your next chapter when the thing that defined you is gone

Iconic Links:
Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com/
Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com
Production: Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/

]]> Today’s guest is Adam Mopsick. Adam started a construction business in Miami in 1996. Twenty-five years later, he sold it to private equity for life-changing money. The 2008 recession killed his GC business and forced him to reinvent, building an owner's rep firm from scratch that grew every quarter for six years. When he finally got the exit everyone dreams of, he discovered the hardest part wasn't the deal. It was figuring out who he was without the business.

Most founders think the exit is the finish line. Adam learned it's just the starting gun for a different race. He stayed with the acquirer less than a year before walking away. For 25 years, his business had been his identity—his team, his purpose, his daily mission. When that disappeared, the money didn't fill the void. He tried fishing. He may have become slightly obsessed with padel. But what he needed was another mountain to climb. Two years later, he's sitting on boards, mentoring and coaching founders, and advising a variety of startups. His non-compete is almost up. And he's starting to get the itch again.

Use code ICONIC for 15% OFF your next Salt of the Earth order: https://drinksote.com/ICONIC

Here's what we discuss:

• Why construction's "terrible service" is actually a massive opportunity
• How recurring revenue business models trade at higher multiples than project-based work
• The real difference between running projects and building a business
• What private equity actually looks for in acquisitions (and which ones are founder-friendly)
• Why the hardest part of an exit isn't the deal—it's the identity crisis that comes after
• What it feels like when the business you built becomes someone else's
• How to think about your next chapter when the thing that defined you is gone

Iconic Links:
Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com/
Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com
Production: Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/

]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:15:00 -0500 Iconic Founders Group Iconic Founders Group 2010 Today’s guest is Adam Mopsick. Adam started a construction business in Miami in 1996. Twenty-five years later, he sold it to private equity for life-changing money. The 2008 recession killed his GC business and forced him to reinvent, building an owner's rep firm from scratch that grew every quarter for six years. When he finally got the exit everyone dreams of, he discovered the hardest part wasn't the deal. It was figuring out who he was without the business.

Most founders think the exit is the finish line. Adam learned it's just the starting gun for a different race. He stayed with the acquirer less than a year before walking away. For 25 years, his business had been his identity—his team, his purpose, his daily mission. When that disappeared, the money didn't fill the void. He tried fishing. He may have become slightly obsessed with padel. But what he needed was another mountain to climb. Two years later, he's sitting on boards, mentoring and coaching founders, and advising a variety of startups. His non-compete is almost up. And he's starting to get the itch again.

Use code ICONIC for 15% OFF your next Salt of the Earth order: https://drinksote.com/ICONIC

Here's what we discuss:

• Why construction's "terrible service" is actually a massive opportunity
• How recurring revenue business models trade at higher multiples than project-based work
• The real difference between running projects and building a business
• What private equity actually looks for in acquisitions (and which ones are founder-friendly)
• Why the hardest part of an exit isn't the deal—it's the identity crisis that comes after
• What it feels like when the business you built becomes someone else's
• How to think about your next chapter when the thing that defined you is gone

Iconic Links:
Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com/
Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com
Production: Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/

]]> sell my business, sale my business, how do you sell a business, how do you sell your business, how do you sell a company, scaling business, sell your business, sale your business, how to sell my business, how do i sell my business, how can i sell my business, how to sale my business, how can i sale my business, how to sell your business, how to sell your company, selling my company, i want to sell my business, how to sell my small business, how do i sell my small business, i want to sale my business, how can i sell my small business, blue collar side hustle, blue collar businesses No Introducing The Turn: Blue Collar to Billions 1 1 Introducing The Turn: Blue Collar to Billions trailer 4899facc-338a-48e2-9aa7-41245a0ee884 https://share.transistor.fm/s/650c6310 Welcome to The Turn.

Host Kory Mitchell sits down with blue-collar business owners who've built something real—businesses like HVAC, landscaping, pest control, tree services, roofing, and construction.

These are honest conversations about the challenges, the lessons, and the moments that changed everything. Not M&A theory or deal structures, but the real stories from founders who've scaled and sold. The challenges that nearly broke them. What they wish someone had told them before they sold. And how their lives changed after the exit.

Kory's been there himself. He's built businesses and sold them. He understands the questions blue-collar founders are wrestling with about burnout, empowering others, charging what you're worth, and figuring out what comes next. Because the real story isn't just how you got here, it's about the lessons along the way.

The Turn is a podcast from Iconic Founders. New episodes bi-weekly starting Wednesday, February 11, 2026.


About Iconic Founders

Iconic Founders works with blue-collar business owners who are navigating growth, scale, and exit. To learn more, visit iconicfounders.com.

]]> Welcome to The Turn.

Host Kory Mitchell sits down with blue-collar business owners who've built something real—businesses like HVAC, landscaping, pest control, tree services, roofing, and construction.

These are honest conversations about the challenges, the lessons, and the moments that changed everything. Not M&A theory or deal structures, but the real stories from founders who've scaled and sold. The challenges that nearly broke them. What they wish someone had told them before they sold. And how their lives changed after the exit.

Kory's been there himself. He's built businesses and sold them. He understands the questions blue-collar founders are wrestling with about burnout, empowering others, charging what you're worth, and figuring out what comes next. Because the real story isn't just how you got here, it's about the lessons along the way.

The Turn is a podcast from Iconic Founders. New episodes bi-weekly starting Wednesday, February 11, 2026.


About Iconic Founders

Iconic Founders works with blue-collar business owners who are navigating growth, scale, and exit. To learn more, visit iconicfounders.com.

]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2026 03:33:00 -0500 Iconic Founders Group Iconic Founders Group 63 Welcome to The Turn.

Host Kory Mitchell sits down with blue-collar business owners who've built something real—businesses like HVAC, landscaping, pest control, tree services, roofing, and construction.

These are honest conversations about the challenges, the lessons, and the moments that changed everything. Not M&A theory or deal structures, but the real stories from founders who've scaled and sold. The challenges that nearly broke them. What they wish someone had told them before they sold. And how their lives changed after the exit.

Kory's been there himself. He's built businesses and sold them. He understands the questions blue-collar founders are wrestling with about burnout, empowering others, charging what you're worth, and figuring out what comes next. Because the real story isn't just how you got here, it's about the lessons along the way.

The Turn is a podcast from Iconic Founders. New episodes bi-weekly starting Wednesday, February 11, 2026.


About Iconic Founders

Iconic Founders works with blue-collar business owners who are navigating growth, scale, and exit. To learn more, visit iconicfounders.com.

]]> sell my business, sale my business, how do you sell a business, how do you sell your business, how do you sell a company, scaling business, sell your business, sale your business, how to sell my business, how do i sell my business, how can i sell my business, how to sale my business, how can i sale my business, how to sell your business, how to sell your company, selling my company, i want to sell my business, how to sell my small business, how do i sell my small business, i want to sale my business, how can i sell my small business, blue collar side hustle, blue collar businesses No