Episode #234: Colton McKey – Five Freedoms
Colton McKey – Five Freedoms Colton McKey is on a bold mission: to acquire and grow a cash-flowing business while building his entrepreneurial freedom. After a decade in manufacturing operations and two successful e-commerce exits, Colton left corporate America to fully commit to business ownership. Based in Prosper, Texas, and operating under his company Five Freedoms, Colton is charting his own path toward building a legacy. Key Takeaways: The leap of faith: Colton left a stable corporate career to pursue full-time entrepreneurship, giving himself a year-long runway to acquire a business. Focus on profitable stability: His acquisition strategy targets businesses with at least $1M in revenue and a 15–20-year track record, minimizing risk while maximizing potential. Leveraging SBA loans: Colton highlights how Small Business Administration financing can help aspiring owners secure deals without needing massive upfront capital. Systems for success: From creating a professional buyer profile to networking with over 50 brokers, Colton shares the importance of presenting yourself seriously to gain access to quality opportunities. Balancing family and ambition: With a supportive wife and three young kids, Colton’s story is also about managing personal stakes while chasing entrepreneurial dreams. Catch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM4ycx4JkUs Memorable Quote: “I don’t regret what I did… I wanted to own and operate my own business, and I decided to put my whole heart and soul into making it happen.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Colton Globe
Episode #233: Reginald Benjamin – VAST Wellness Solutions
Reginald Benjamin, VAST Wellness Solutions — W-2 Sales Pro Turned Compliant CBD Entrepreneur Reginald Benjamin is a dynamic sales leader who splits his time between a high-performing W-2 role and building VAST Wellness Solutions, his compliant hemp/CBD brand. Based in Texas, he also serves clients as a licensed real estate agent in Dallas, bringing an operator’s mindset to luxury leasing and sales. Reginald matters because he shows entrepreneurs how to validate demand, stay compliant, and scale—without abandoning the day job that funds the dream. Key Takeaways: Do the homework first. Before you buy inventory or “throw all your eggs in,” research demand, define your audience, and build a marketing plan and social presence you can actually activate. Compliance is the moat. VAST sells CBD/CBG products (topicals, tinctures, flower, vapes) and avoids psychoactive deltas/HHC. He urges buyers to check COAs and cannabinoid profiles and to skip sketchy sources without lab reports. Payments matter. Get compliant merchant processing before you scale. Square’s CBD program and hemp-friendly bank departments exist—but they’ll audit you, so keep your house in order. Real-world outcomes (his experience). After ACL reconstruction and chronic hamstring issues, Reginald says CBD/CBG—especially via vape—brings relief within minutes without the “cloudiness.” He’s also seen a client family report calmer days and improved vocabulary for their child using CBD/CBG. Play the long game. The 2018 Farm Bill opened the door for hemp; clarity is improving as universities (e.g., Texas programs) study genetics and dosing. Meanwhile, Reginald’s mantra: crush your day job, use 5–10 pm to build, and scale responsibly. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUn4owwjME8 Memorable Quote: “Do your research before you start… Is there a demand for it?” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Reginald Linkedin
Episode #179: Kristin Clark – College Planning Untangled
Kristin Clark — College Planning Untangled Kristin Clark is the CEO and founder of College Planning Untangled, where she helps high school and college students identify career paths they’ll actually love. After 20+ years running marketing departments, Kristin saw a bigger need: students (and plenty of adults) are overwhelmed by picking a major, anxious about the future, and missing a strengths-based roadmap. Her work shifts the conversation from “What’s your major?” to “What career fits your interests, talents, and skills?” Key Takeaways: Start with the career path, not the major—when you pick the path, the right major follows. Traditional counselors focus on getting into college; Kristin fills the gap on why you’re going and what outcome you want. Two-thirds of students find choosing a major the most overwhelming part of planning; about 30% don’t return after freshman year—clear signals the system is broken without better guidance. Kristin layers interests + skills + CliftonStrengths (Gallup) to spot patterns—turning “I don’t know” into concrete options (e.g., a creative, golf-loving builder exploring golf-course design). Alternatives and on-ramps matter: dual-credit classes, associate paths, or a structured gap year can boost readiness and outcomes. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xze0veFbuGU Memorable Quote: “If you pick a career path, the major falls out of it.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Kristin Globe
Episode #231: Genny B – Coffee with Genny B
Genny B — Coffee with Genny B Coffee lover, community builder, and podcast host, Genny B turns simple “let’s grab a coffee” moments into meaningful conversations. After four years as a Starbucks barista and a self-made “60 days, 60 coffees” tour to celebrate turning 60, she launched Coffee with Genny B—a show about connection, stories, and the magic that happens over a cup. Genny matters because she makes podcasting feel human and doable: focus on what lights you up, speak in your authentic voice, and keep showing up. Her interviews span coffee roasters and shop owners to non-profits, athletes, and creators—proving great conversations can come from anywhere as long as they’re real. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNGB1v3Uvw8 Key Takeaways: Conversations first, coffee second: The show is about connecting with people from all walks of life—coffee is the bridge, not the destination. Start with authenticity: Pick a theme you genuinely care about and talk like you do off-mic; your “real” voice is your brand. Think of one listener: Create a clear persona and speak to that person, not to a crowd—it keeps the message focused and relatable. Consistency beats downloads: Don’t chase metrics; keep publishing, improve each week, and let your audience find you. Mindset is everything: Define your “why,” commit, and keep going—quality and impact follow perseverance. Catch the full story of Brad Harris and his inspiring journey building Good Wave on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNGB1v3Uvw8 Memorable Quote: “Find something that lights you up—and go after it.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Genny Linkedin
Episode #230: Patricia Brown
Patricia Davis Brown of Patricia Davis Brown Designs — From High-End Kitchens to Design Influence Patricia “Patty” Davis Brown is the seasoned interior designer behind Patricia Davis Brown Designs in Vero Beach, Florida. Starting in cabinetry and kitchen & bath design, she evolved into a whole-house and commercial designer with deep expertise in lighting—then parlayed that craft into a thriving digital platform and multiple revenue streams. Her story is a blueprint for creative pros who want staying power, not just headlines. Why she matters: Patty turned risk into reinvention—opening a high-rent showroom at 29 while raising two kids, earning her professional license, mastering lighting design, and later launching online businesses (including her blog, Dig This Design) that made her an in-demand brand partner, speaker, and consultant. 5 Key Takeaways from this Episode: Bet on yourself early: Opened her own showroom in 1992 and built a national name by photographing work and entering competitions—before the internet mattered. Own the lighting: She learned to measure and design lighting properly, often rehabbing entire homes’ lighting—because great design can’t shine in bad light. Diversify or drown: The recession forced a pivot—she launched a virtual design company, an e-commerce site, and a blog that later became a dependable, compounding income stream. Influence through expertise: Her blog led to brand collaborations (like Delta/Brizo during New York Fashion Week) and paid speaking/consulting gigs—proof that authority attracts opportunity. Choose clients wisely: She urges pros to learn to spot red flags early and walk away when the fit is wrong to protect your license, reputation, and sanity. Watch the full interview now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTBkXxdT1DA Memorable Quote: “Don’t be afraid of change—if you never change, you never evolve.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Patricia Globe
Episode #228: Ted
Ted (ActivEngage): Turning Millions of Dealer Conversations into Better Car-Buying Experiences Who he is: Ted, Executive Chairman and founder of ActivEngage, has nearly three decades in automotive—starting from washing cars to leading e-commerce at AutoNation—and has built one of the industry’s most trusted managed messaging platforms. His team powers chat, text, social messaging (and even calls in some cases) for dealerships, OEMs, and marketplaces—running 24/7 and training agents on millions of real conversations to deliver faster, more empathetic customer experiences. Why he matters: ActivEngage effectively defined the modern “managed chat for dealers” space. By combining purpose-built software with a trained human team, Ted helps dealerships of every size increase response speed, cut staffing complexity, and guide shoppers with empathy through high-stakes decisions like service appointments and vehicle purchases. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVMT7239fAA 5 Key Takeaways from this Episode: Managed service first, software second: ActivEngage launched as a managed service to guarantee quality, training, and oversight—then productized the software for broader use. Humans > chatbots (for now): Bots assist internally, but consumers “absolutely prefer” real people for nuanced, high-value conversations; response time in seconds keeps shoppers engaged. Economies of scale for dealers: 24/7 coverage in-house requires multiple hires and constant training; sharing a specialized team delivers better coverage at lower cost. Data-driven improvement: Millions of chats are analyzed daily for topics, satisfaction, and consistency—insights that refine training and (carefully) power AI assistance behind the scenes. Omnichannel, end-to-end support: From dealership and OEM sites to marketplaces like AutoTrader, ActivEngage helps shoppers compare vehicles, check availability, and even navigate digital retailing tools (e.g., Roadster, Darwin, Cox Accelerate). Watch the full interview now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVMT7239fAA Memorable Quote: People absolutely prefer, you know, live communication with a real person.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Ted Linkedin Globe
Episode #227: Ben Nizri – Congruent Clarity
Ben Nizri, Congruent Clarity — Turning Small Business Plateaus into Scalable Systems Ben Nizri is a Business Breakthrough Strategist and Exit Planning Advisor behind Congruent Clarity. Born in Azerbaijan, raised in Israel (including eight years in the Air Force), and now based in Winnipeg, Canada, Ben brings a systems-first lens—quality assurance, operations, and certified lead auditing—to help small businesses break through growth ceilings. He matters because he shows founders how to shift from “more of the same” growth to true scalability, with pricing, process, and mindset working in sync. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COHYqSaJAug 5 Key Takeaways from this Episode: Growth ≠ Scale: Growth adds resources linearly; scalability breaks the link between resources and results by building repeatable systems. Fix the offer before the ads: Doubling leads without capacity or clean processes just multiplies unhappy customers and margin mistakes. Price for profit: Small increases flow straight to the bottom line; discounting comes directly off it. Compete on value—not price. Delegate to scale: Founders stall when they try to run everything themselves. Effective delegation and structure beat heroics. Mindset + discipline beat talent: Skills can be learned. Discipline, clear “why,” and consistent action outpace natural talent over time. Watch the full interview now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COHYqSaJAug Memorable Quote: “I’m coming in and reading the label on the jar you’re sitting in.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Ben Linkedin Globe
Episode #226: Monika Shah – Small Packages
Monika Shah, Small Packages — Turning Thoughtful Gifting into a Relationship Engine Monika Shah is the CEO and co-founder of Small Packages, a curated gifting company built to help people connect when they can’t be together in person. She joined co-founder Julie at the start of COVID, fell in love with the mission, and now leads the build of Present, an app designed to help you remember important moments, nudge consistent check-ins, and make it effortless to show up for the people who matter. From negotiating sweat-equity partnerships to shipping nationwide (and into the UK), Monika shares the playbook for growing a modern gifting brand that’s really about relationship health and retention—not one-and-done transactions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpR9iIvDltE 5 Key Takeaways from this Episode: Sweat equity done right: If you join as a partner, negotiate a clear vesting/milestone schedule up front—trust plus structure protects everyone. From CPG to startup exits: Monika was the first hire at a startup that later sold to SC Johnson, giving her end-to-end perspective on building, scaling, and exiting. Gifting as strategy, not swag: Small Packages pairs curated boxes with handwritten notes and corporate-friendly workflows to open doors and deepen relationships. Present app = retention engine: In beta, Present reminds you about birthdays, anniversaries, and “it’s been a while” check-ins, offers call prompts, and logs touchpoints—plus a gift marketplace beyond boxes. Fast growth, smart expansion: Small Packages ships across the U.S. and has opened gifting to the UK; the business crossed $1M revenue in ~3 years by pairing physical product with tech-driven service. Watch the full interview now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpR9iIvDltE Memorable Quote: “We want you to be present in your relationships.” — Monika Shah Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now
Episode #225: Mike Bacile – The Daily Java
Mike Bacile, The Daily Java & King’s Coffee Company — How “Failing Fast” Built a Coffee Empire Mike Bacile is a Texas-born serial entrepreneur and the CEO behind The Daily Java (wholesale café solutions) and King’s Coffee Company (in-house specialty roasting). Since 1995, he’s helped churches and independent cafés launch and scale with a practical “franchise-like” system—without the franchise fees. From early missteps to landing national equipment deals, Mike’s story is a masterclass in choosing the right opportunities and executing with consistency. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJRzvC8PIYM 5 Key Takeaways from this Episode: Failure ≠ Final: Mike treats failure as feedback—“the wrong bus” to step off—so you can board the one that gets you where you want to go. Differentiate or disappear: His coupon-book venture won by becoming the biggest at SMU, UNT, TCU, and UT Arlington—proof that a clear differentiator beats “me too” every time. Quality over callbacks: Early on, cheap espresso machines created costly service headaches; switching to top-tier equipment led to a 13-year run supplying Maggiano’s, Macaroni Grill, and Corner Bakery nationwide. A franchise feel—without the franchise: The Daily Java pairs equipment packages with a “25 Steps to Success” program, install, and training—especially powerful for church cafés and high-throughput layouts. Build tribe, know your numbers: After crossing seven figures, joining Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) gave Mike accountability, global peers, and the push to price correctly—crucial in shifting markets. Watch the full interview now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJRzvC8PIYM Memorable Quote: “Failure is just a frame of mind—an opportunity.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Mike Globe
Episode #224: Lane – Marion Relationship Marketing
Lane — Marion Relationship Marketing Lane is the co-founder of Marion Relationship Marketing, a digital marketing agency serving small businesses from Austin, Texas and beyond. A third-generation product of small business grit, he pairs over a decade in the industry with a no-nonsense, client-first approach—built on transparency, measurable results, and authority-driven marketing. Growing up in a family-run preschool and daycare, Lane learned early how owners survive downturns, stretch budgets, and keep the lights on. That perspective drives his agency’s “client bill of rights,” month-to-month partnerships, and relentless focus on proving ROI—so business owners can stop chasing clients and get back to serving them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI3TjddL9q0 5 Key Takeaways from this Episode: Niche to win: speak to one ideal client at a time—specific pain points beat generic messages every day. Build authority, not hype: stack reviews (including video), case studies, and clear promises (access/ownership, month-to-month, real-time reporting). Prove value fast: early touchpoints matter—show live ad screenshots, call recordings, and tracked conversions to connect spend to results. Content is your compounding asset: list your 10 most-asked questions, Google them, then publish better answers—repeat. Treat ad spend like a scalpel, not a sledgehammer: segment campaigns by service, protect brand terms, and avoid broad-match budget leaks. Watch the full interview now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI3TjddL9q0 Memorable Quote: “We do not sell diamonds—we sell an experience of the private jeweler.” Want to be a Guest on our Show? Apply Now Connect with Lane Linkedin