Business Growth & Scaling Episodes

Ever feel like you have too many ideas and not enough focus? Andrew Mathewes is here to show you why that might be your greatest strength. In this episode, Andrew shares his incredible journey of leaving a high-profile role at the National Civil Rights Museum to launch not one, but two completely different businesses simultaneously: Jehl Consulting, a tech consultancy for nonprofits, and Stomping Grounds, a massive brick-and-mortar play space for families. This episode is a masterclass in turnin...

As the new year approaches, are you tired of setting the same old resolutions that fizzle out by February? It’s time to stop making wishes and start building a strategic roadmap. In this Solo Sunday episode, Brian pulls back the curtain on his completely evolved annual planning process — a powerful 6-layer framework he’s using to design his best year yet in 2026. Forget spreadsheets and simple goal-setting. Brian walks you through a holistic system that starts with who you need to become and end...

Tired of the screen time battle and the overwhelming number of single-use gadgets for kids? This episode tackles the "iPad kid" epidemic head-on with Dhruv Chadha, founder of Ahmi. Drawing from his experience building hit products at Blackberry, Microsoft, and T-Mobile, Dhruv shares how his personal journey as a father led him to create Ahmi—an all-in-one intelligent device that serves as a monitor, sound machine, nightlight, and learning hub. This conversation is a masterclass for any entrepren...

Justin Steele, a former Google.org director who oversaw $700 million in grants, found himself on the other side of the table as a non-profit founder struggling to afford fundraising tools. Instead of accepting the status quo, he taught himself to code with AI and built Kindora, a Public Benefit Corporation that makes professional fundraising tools accessible to all. This episode is a masterclass in scrappy innovation, demonstrating how any entrepreneur can turn a personal "thorn in your side" in...

Ever feel like you have a brilliant business plan, but something mysterious always gets in the way of executing it perfectly? This episode is your answer. Dominique Samari, a former attorney turned strategist and healing arts practitioner, pulls back the curtain on the invisible forces—the hidden organizational and leadership patterns—that sabotage our success. This isn't just another strategy session; it's a deep dive into building a business that is not only successful on paper but is resilien...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Dom Kwong, the engineer-turned-CEO who is revolutionizing personal mobility with Damon Motors. Dom shares the inside story of how he’s tackling one of the biggest challenges in transportation—motorcycle safety—by applying advanced technology and data analytics in ways the industry has never seen before. This episode is a masterclass in innovation, showing how personal experience can fuel a world-changing business idea. For wantrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, D...

This episode is a masterclass in resilience from a man who has lived it. Aaron “Sergeant Q” Quinonez takes us on his incredible journey from a Marine special forces operator to a homeless veteran battling PTSD, and ultimately to a purpose-driven CEO of a 150+ employee company. This isn't just an inspiring story; it's a practical blueprint for rewiring your brain to overcome any obstacle. For wantrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, this episode is critical because it breaks down the science behind mind...

Peter Williams is the definition of a multi-talented entrepreneur, seamlessly blending raw creativity with razor-sharp business strategy. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on his journey of building Designerds, a creative agency that has served global giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Samsung for over a decade. Peter reveals the "grit and hard work" required in the early days, the mindset shift needed to transition from a hands-on creative to a visionary CEO, and the strategic thinking t...

Tired of launching new projects, software, or processes only to see them fail because your team won’t get on board? In this episode, Scott Sager, founder of ChangeMap, breaks down the critical difference between project management and true change leadership. He reveals why even the most perfectly planned initiatives flop and how you can bridge the gap between building a great solution and getting your team to actually use it. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur looking to lead tra...

In this powerful episode, Brian sits down with Brandon Pankey, a board-certified master arborist who transformed his lifelong passion for trees into Blue Pine Works, a thriving, mission-driven business. Brandon shares his raw and authentic journey from "glorified self-employment" to becoming a true CEO who leads a team, lands major city contracts, and builds a legacy. This episode is a masterclass in scaling a service-based business with integrity. You'll learn how to identify and solve problems...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Zakhar Azatian, the founder and CEO of BeHard, an app that has transformed the lives of over one million users. Zakhar shares his journey from software engineer to a two-time founder, detailing how he built B2C products that generate millions in revenue and create genuine impact. This episode is a masterclass for any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur looking to scale a product in a crowded market. You’ll learn the difference between simply “trying” marketing and...

In this powerful episode, Elke Wong, founder and CEO of TomorrowToday, shares her inspiring journey from pre-med to becoming a serial tech entrepreneur who is now transforming the education landscape. Elke unpacks how a single conversation with a friend revealed a massive operational inefficiency in schools, sparking the idea for a platform that empowers students and educators. This episode is a masterclass in how to build a mission-driven company by focusing on real-world problems. For any entr...

If you feel like you're constantly working in your business instead of on it, this episode is your roadmap to freedom and scale. We're joined by Joel Perso, a 5-time Inc. 5000 COO who has guided companies through triple-digit growth and eight-figure acquisitions. Joel breaks down the critical difference between a good company and a great one, revealing why a lack of focus is the silent killer of execution. This isn't just theory; it's a masterclass in operational excellence from someone who has ...

Ready to trade your 9-to-5 for a scalable empire? In this powerhouse episode, we're joined by franchising legend Cliff Nonnenmacher, who demystifies the world of franchising and provides a no-nonsense blueprint for building wealth. Cliff pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed, from financing your first location for explosive growth to working ON your business, not IN it. This isn't your typical high-level chat; it's a granular, tactical masterclass for anyone who wants to leve...

Tired of feeling like you're brute-forcing your business to the next level? In this episode, serial entrepreneur and digital operations expert Michael Greenberg breaks down the single biggest differentiator between businesses that stall and those that scale to 8-figures and beyond: the flywheel effect. Michael demystifies the buzzwords, offering a clear, step-by-step framework to build a rock-solid operational foundation. He reveals the five levels of digital maturity, the crucial difference bet...

What if AI could translate your pet’s barks and behaviors into early health warnings? In this episode, Brian sits down with Tim Maliyil, a visionary tech founder with over 30 years of experience, to discuss his latest venture, PerkyPet. Tim unpacks the journey of building an advanced AI platform designed to interpret your pet's vocal and physical cues, essentially acting as a 24/7 vet in your pocket. This episode is a masterclass for entrepreneurs on building a complex, high-stakes product from ...

People are the most important—and the most difficult—part of any business. In this episode, HR expert and founder Deya Booker breaks down how to turn your people strategy into your biggest competitive advantage. Drawing from her experience in Fortune 500 companies, Deya shares the powerful systems and leadership tools that big corporations use, but makes them accessible and actionable for solopreneurs and small businesses. This episode is a masterclass in building a strong foundation for growth,...

Dr. Carlos Castañeda is revolutionizing the mental health industry by bridging the gap between clinical expertise and cutting-edge technology. In this episode, he shares his journey from licensed counselor and professor to the founder and CEO of ThinkAITA, a digital health company using AI to support, not replace, therapists. He breaks down how he identified a critical gap in patient care—the time between sessions—and built a HIPAA-compliant AI platform to provide support when it's needed most. ...

Tired of endlessly scrolling through streaming services only to give up and rewatch The Office for the tenth time? You’re not alone. In this episode, we sit down with Chris Pearcey, the founder of Decisio Media, who is tackling the universal problem of decision fatigue in entertainment. Drawing from his extensive experience leading product and engineering at giants like Nike and AWS, Chris is building a patent-pending platform designed to help you discover what to watch, read, and listen to with...

Frustrated by her own overwhelming wedding planning experience filled with endless spreadsheets and email threads, Hannah Roze turned her pain point into Plannerd, a modern wedding planning platform. This episode is a masterclass in building a business with intention and strategy. Hannah breaks down her journey from identifying a problem she knew she could solve to iteratively building a product that truly serves its users. For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with ...

In this episode, Brian sits down with Jane Alexander, the founder and CEO of Emma Advisor, an AI-powered platform transforming the chaotic college admissions process. Jane shares how her own unconventional journey—from homeschool in rural Idaho to graduate work at Harvard—inspired her to build a tool that makes college guidance accessible to all families, not just the wealthy. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur looking to build a truly user-centric company. You'll learn why liste...

Tired of thinking of your business plan as just another piece of bureaucratic paperwork? In this episode, 30-year business veteran and planning expert Claire Pickens flips the script, revealing how your business plan is actually a living, breathing document that holds the key to your success and funding. She breaks down why the passion, story, and "secret sauce" you bring to the table are far more valuable than any AI-generated template. This episode is a must-listen for any wantrepreneur or ...

From a tenured engineering professor at Caltech to the CEO of a revolutionary deep tech company, Benjamin Shapiro’s journey is a masterclass in calculated risk and strategic innovation. In this episode, Ben pulls back the curtain on Lumenuity, his company that's creating next-generation optics to power everything from our smartphones and drones to AR headsets and self-driving cars. This isn't just a conversation about cool tech; it's a deep dive into building a high-impact business with a lea...

In this powerful episode, we're joined by Rebecca Dhrimaj and Adine Stone, the dynamic duo behind The Empathy Collective. They share their incredible journey from being laid off from their corporate roles (where Adine was Rebecca's manager!) to co-founding a change management consultancy built on empathy. They reveal why traditional "change management" often fails and how to instead build a resilient "change culture" where your team feels seen, heard, and engaged. For any entrepreneur leading a ...