Anything But Typical

“I take people as a story… I can see their higher self before they can.” – Carlos Salum Carlos grew up under Argentina's military dictatorship—surrounded by uncertainty, but also by entrepreneurs, poets, and principled people who knew how to thrive despite it. That tension didn't crush him. It sharpened his vision—so much so that, by adulthood, traditional paths like law & medicine felt like cages, not callings. So he did what most people won't: He bet on himself. On a handshake, he pitched a partnership to the world's top tennis coach. No credentials. No fancy title. Just conviction. Then he flew to Germany, crashed on a friend's couch, & hustled up a seven-city speaking tour with no internet, no safety net, & no backup plan. Eight months later, the world's biggest sports agency called him “Houdini” as he coached legends like Agassi, Seles, & Sampras. But it was never just about tennis. It was always about helping people live with alignment, intention, and impact. Today, he brings that same fire to business owners. Ready to align with something deeper? Find him at SalumInternational.com. Joseph Campbell said, “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” Carlos helps people remember that.

“I want to know what I'm capable of… but I'm not an adrenaline junkie. I just want to know how far I can take it—because I want to know what my greatest potential is.” – Perry Gladstone At 8, Perry was selling comic books at flea markets. At 15, he opened a skateboard shop that pulled in $100K that summer. By 24, he launched a snowboard company in his kitchen that became Canada's biggest—& sold it before he turned 30. But it was never about the money. For Perry, business has always been about access—to adventure, freedom, & experiences no one else would hand him. If he wanted to do something, he built a way to do it. That's how he became a record-setting free diver, a coach to high-powered CEOs, a musician, & a master at intentional reinvention. The common thread? Radical self-awareness. He knows exactly what drives him—& he helps others find the emotional through-line that connects everything they've ever done. What Perry builds isn't just business. It's identity. It's legacy. To learn more, find him at PerryGladstone.com. Poet Rainer Maria Rilke said, “The only journey is the one within.” Perry's been on that journey all along.

"If I can be good about business, & I can do my business well—but then also care about my people & have that noticed in the marketplace—that's way more important to me." – Greg Lafferty At 27, Greg seemingly had it all: the pedigree, the projects, the prestige of a big job at NASA. But what he really wanted was a life of impact. So, he retired (yes, at 27!) from the confines of government & began a decades-long journey of entrepreneurship rooted in faith, grit, & people-first leadership. Years later, that same spirit would draw Christina Wright to him. A few referrals & persistent follow-ups later, she landed a meeting with Greg—who was launching a company with no name, no business plan… & no investor relations lead. She jumped in anyway. Today, this mission-minded duo is building Branch Wealth Partners—an education-driven real estate firm helping people build real wealth with wisdom, heart, & long-term vision. They're not chasing “get rich quick.” They're building something that lasts. To learn more, learn more at branchwealthpartners.com. It's like Tony Hsieh said: “Chase the vision, not the money. The money will end up following you.”

“So, it's not just about your business growth. It's also about … creating value & meaningful relationships.” – John Hall In third grade, John launched a lunch brokerage business. By college, he was building a student housing empire. And today? He's a keynote speaker, investor, & co-founder of multiple companies — wildly different ventures but all rooted in one thing: adding value to others. He didn't start out this way. Early in his career, he admits he was ego-driven & always worked an angle. Over time, he learned that the true measure of success isn't power or profit. It's the number of lives you elevate along the way. That belief shows up in everything he does, from how he hires, to who he partners with, to the companies he builds & invests in. For John, kindness is strategy. Relationships are capital. And success is leaving people better than you find them. From ego to impact, this story is about building a business that puts people first without sacrificing growth. To learn more, find him at Relevance.com & ArticleX.com. John was listening when Zig Ziglar said, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”

“I believe that the more my clients know I care about them, the more I can nudge them toward success.” – Natalia Worthington Natalia wasn't supposed to be here—literally. As her parents rode a bus to make a life-altering decision, her father had a change of heart. That choice sparked a life defined by curiosity, compassion, & quiet rebellion. Born in Soviet Russia, she came of age in a system that crushed curiosity & rewarded obedience. But at home, things were different. Her father, an English professor, championed critical thinking & lifelong learning—lessons that would one day save her. Years later, as a young mom in a new country, Natalia battled isolation, depression, & weight gain. But instead of giving in, she channeled her hunger to learn & took control of her story. She healed—& then made it her mission to help others do the same. Today, Natalia helps clients thrive in six areas of deep health—from fitness to purpose. Her goal isn't just a workout. It's total transformation. To learn more, find her at customfitcoaching.com. Arthur Ashe once said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Natalia did just that.

“One sip of alcohol literally leads to prison...there's nothing in between anymore.” – Robbie Shaw For years, Robbie tried to outmaneuver the consequences of addiction—until the day the truth hit him like a bus. No more negotiating, no more "just one more time." His choices were death, jail, or life. We're so grateful he chose life. That choice set him on an unexpected path. From addiction to recovery coach, mental health advocate, & entrepreneur, he didn't just rebuild his life—he built a business to help others share their stories. Now, as the founder of EVRYBDY Studios, he's proving that the best way to transform pain is to turn it into purpose. Whether it's podcasting, coaching, or even ice baths in his driveway, Robbie is all in on the power of storytelling, vulnerability, & doing hard things. If you've ever felt stuck in a cycle you couldn't break or just love stories of redemption, resilience, & redefining success on your own terms: follow him @evrybdystudios & check out his podcast Champagne Problems. It's been said that "Your greatest test is your greatest testimony." We don't know who said it, but Robbie proves it.

“If you're not uncomfortable, you're not doing the job correct.” – Dan Flaherty With a career that has ventured from the disciplined halls of corporate American to unconventional sales & management consulting, Dan's story comes with a powerful lesson: Growth comes from embracing calculated risk, stepping out of our comfort zones, & learning not to do more but to do it differently. But it's not all work & no play. This passionate family man & Hellcat racer understands that success is not just about business milestones. It's about work-life harmony —enjoying breakfast & dinner with his kids while fueling his passion for race car driving. In a world where many cling to a scarcity mindset, Dan embraces abundance—championing collaboration, knowledge sharing, & servant leadership. Whether on the racetrack, in the boardroom, or in the living room, Dan welcomes trial & error as part of his journey. Uncomfortable? Sometimes, but this approach turns every setback into a steppingstone for growth, & that has made all the difference. Are you ready for the blueprint on building a life that's balanced, impactful, & rewarding? Connect with him on LinkedIn. Both Dan and Dolly Parton remind us: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."

“People don't manage people. People lead people.” – Jamey Boiter Growing up, Jamey was blessed by a father that didn't just raise him. He led him. In doing so, he gave Jamey a blueprint for servant leadership that would shape his entire career. From an early passion for architecture to pivoting into graphic design, Jamey learned that the true essence of creativity isn't just making things, it's solving problems. That mindset led him to Bolt Group, where he's spent decades helping companies like Chick-fil-A, Lowe's, & IZOD bridge the gap between brand, product, & purpose. But he's not just a designer. He's a builder of businesses, leaders, & legacies. His unique approach integrates brand strategy with product innovation, turning companies into category leaders. Now, he's doing the same for his own team, ensuring the future of Bolt Group is as bold as its past. If bold leadership, design thinking, & culture building drive you, find him at Boltgroup.com Great design isn't just about aesthetics. It's about solving problems that matter. It's like Steve Jobs said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."

"I'm not a greedy guy. I don't chase money—it follows me." – Donald Baker What does success look like to the average entrepreneur? For most, it's all about wealth. For Don, it's about impact. From the beginning, he's sought to empower his employees & do the right thing, no matter the cost. Whether transforming air quality standards in pools to protect swimmers or creating ESOPs to give his employees a financial stake in their futures, Don shows us that perseverance, purpose, & innovation can exist in any business. Shaped by his father's lessons, he shares why he believes “most people don't know what they're capable of,” and that hands-on, creative leadership leads to breakthroughs that redefine industry. Don builds pools. More importantly, builds opportunities, legacies, & futures where hard work & innovation are rewarded. If you're seeking inspiration & looking to make a difference in your industry, this episode will challenge you to rethink what it means to succeed. Learn more about his work Paddock Pool Equipment Company, Pure Aqua Products, and Paddock Construction Company. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “You don't chase success—you create it with the right mindset.” Don's a living example.

"Everyone you meet is somebody's hero—even though you don't think they are." – Gerard "Jay" Woelkers Born into a family of 15 children, Jay learned at a young age what it means to serve. At 18, he joined the Navy, starting as an E1—the lowest rank—and rose to O6 over 39 years, commanding thousands of sailors. But his decades-long journey wasn't about climbing the ranks or pinning awards on his own lapel; it was about lifting others up along the way. His secret? A people-first philosophy. Whether building trust on the battlefield, mentoring young sailors, or transforming the culture at Walter Reed, Jay's focus is simple: value people, build trust, & pursue excellence. Amazing results will follow. This episode isn't just about leadership—it's a playbook for how to show up for your team, your family, & your community. To learn more about Jay's ongoing mission as a leadership speaker & how you can take a page from his playbook, connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about his leadership talks. Zig Ziglar said, "You don't build a business. You build people, and people build the business." Jay Woelkers is living proof. It's also a great way to live.

“So, this is a story I like to tell. We're in the office. The phone's not ringing. It's just a regular workday. We're just sitting there, & I said, ‘Well, I'm going to go out and find some work.'” – Billy Austin What happens when an engineer from Charlotte, NC buys an engineering firm in 2007, only to face the Great Recession a year later? For Billy Austin, it wasn't spreadsheets or strategy that saved him — it was his willingness to try anything, including a blind car ride into the unknown. With no clients calling, Billy got in his car, drove to an industrial park, & started knocking on doors. That bold move sparked a partnership with Duke Energy, giving his fledgling engineering firm the lifeline it needed to thrive. His self-made journey serves as encouragement to all entrepreneurs who need to remember that trust doesn't come automatically, growth starts with humility, & when in doubt, just take the first step – even if you don't know where it's going. To learn more, visit ShultzEngineering.com. You can't help of think of Helen Keller when you hear Billy's story. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

"The essence of an entrepreneur is you can build whatever you want — come up with an idea for goodness' sake & get started!” – Lloyd Reeb At 16, Lloyd did just that – he got started. When he overheard his dad say, "Our kids will never be able to afford a house at the beach," he didn't accept it. Instead, he asked his dad to co-sign a loan so he could buy land near Atlantic City. That moment sparked a passion for business & freedom that fuels him today. He's not alone. His wife, Linda, is equally driven, empowering everyday moms to lead their families & communities with purpose. Lloyd & Linda aren't ordinary entrepreneurs. Yes, Lloyd built retirement communities for 37+ years & Linda transforms women into leaders. But it's not businesses they build — it's legacies. As for measuring success? Freedom, impact, & legacy are the only metrics that matter for them. And in this episode, they're sharing their blueprint for how YOU can do it too. Find them at Halftime.org & MomsMentoring.com. David Frost said, "Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally." The Reebs were listening.

"We just try to do good work & have that lead to the next introduction." – Justin Cunningham What happens when a former investment banker & food allergy app creator joins forces with a corporate operations expert who left Berlin, Germany, for Disney (yes, Disney!) to bring big ideas & investment strategies to business owners? Magic…eventually! Like all good entrepreneurial journeys, the story of Justin's & Daniel's success comes with unexpected twists – including COVID hitting just as they launched their business. For two young guys starting out, they faced a tough choice: slow down & potentially close shop, or double down & work even harder to help clients in an unprecedented time. They chose the latter. In doing so, they not only created a successful advisory business that clients deeply trust & endorse, but they set the stage for an unbreakable partnership built on trust, resilience, & complementary strengths. To learn more, Find them at KlarVentures.com. Transparency, teamwork, & unwavering commitment to clients & team. It's like Henry David Thoreau said, "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."

"I want to build a platform, and my team wants to build a platform that blesses people—not a business empire, but a platform to bless people." – Charlie Workmon When you picture logistics companies, what do you see? Gruff individuals scrambling around hectic warehouses, driven only by tight deadlines? That's definitely the norm. But not in Charlie's logistics company, Riverstone Logistics. White glove service, purpose-driven culture, bold community service initiatives, & faith-driven leadership mark his. "Neat," you might say, "but I'm sure he's lagging behind his competitors." Hardly. In fact, he's blown them out of the water, scaling from $13M in annual revenue to over $400M in just four years! From humble beginnings in Atlanta's moving industry to now leading an industry powerhouse, Charlie shows that faith & purpose can guide decisions and be the catalyst for success. So much for conventional wisdom. To learn more, find him at RLX.us or on LinkedIn. The echoes of Henry Ford are so evident in Charlie's perspective on business. "The purpose of business is to produce happiness, not to pile up millions."

“I'm not sure I ever really wanted to be an entrepreneur.” – Fabi Preslar Ever turned your biggest fear into your proudest achievement? That's Fabi's story. Inspired by her father's ambitious (but unsuccessful) business ventures—from running a French restaurant in rural South Carolina to raising chinchillas—Fabi saw firsthand the risks of entrepreneurship. As her father's ventures failed, her family lost everything, leaving Fabi to grow up a guest in someone else's home. Why would she ever dive into entrepreneurship herself? For Fabi, it started with a need—an extra $100 a month when she was home with her baby. But soon she was all in, & good mentors helped her overcome her fears around entrepreneurship & embrace the idea of “failing forward.” Today, after more than two decades of learning, Fabi's built one the southeast's most regarded publishing companies, reminding us just where tenacity & authenticity can lead, even when the journey begins in the most unexpected way. To learn more, find her at FabiPreslar.com. Can't help but think of what George Addair said: "Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear."

"My life is being a navigator and helping navigate people just get started." – Brian Ondrako Listening to Brian now, it's hard to imagine him as a young child in small-town NY, struggling with feelings of inadequacy & lack of self-belief, but those are his roots. A persistent negative mindset & placing blame on others were his defense mechanisms of choice, & they left him stuck in a cycle of procrastination & self-doubt through adulthood. That is until the shame & regret overcame his fear, & he told those mechanisms to take a hike! Embracing a mindset of action & growth, Brian set out to "just get started" – making small, incremental changes one step at a time. So transformative was it for him that he just couldn't keep it a secret. Today, through his coaching, podcast, & books, Brian encourages everyone to move past their doubts, take the first step, & navigate life with confidence. We could all use some of that. To learn more, find him at BrianOndrako.com. Brian's journey & leadership is captured perfectly by Zig Ziglar: "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great."

“We just really love living life with other people.” – Monica Hickman Rural Tennessee might not seem like the obvious place to birth a business, but that's just where David & Monica Hickman's radical love for community – & their eventual business --was born. Neighbors helping neighbors & new faces at the dinner table were the norm & solidified the idea that connecting with other people was what made “home” great. Today, David & Monica's luxury events in countless communities across Charlotte, NC look very different than the humble meals served at mom's kitchen table, but the idea the is the same: The people in your community bring life to where you live. Know & love them well. Whether it's at rooftop charcuterie night or ballpark bash, this story of hard work, servant leadership, & a shared vision to make Charlotte (and beyond!) a “sticky” place for young professionals to find a home and community & put "people-first" values into place will leave you inspired. To learn more about community-building as an art form, find them on SocialHubCompany.com. Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Cities are made of friendships.” He'd sure love this.

"I really do want to be known for getting the most out of the people around me and helping them grow."— Danny Mizrahi From New York's breakneck pace to building powerhouse companies, Danny Mizrahi is the ultimate growth champion. Whether launching tech startups or scaling businesses to the Inc. 5000, his approach is all about helping others reach new heights—personally and professionally. It's how he built his own companies, Contango and Sunbird Messaging App and helped 46 entrepreneurs hit that coveted million-dollar mark in revenue. His secret? Building relationships, hustling hard, & always giving more than you get. So simple but so impactful. If you're looking for common sense entrepreneurial inspiration that values people over everything (delivered by one of the most unstoppable guests we've ever hosted): Find him on LinkedIn or by Googling "Danny Sunbird." Danny's style is reminiscent of a quote by John C Maxwell… "Coaching is not just about giving advice; it's about building relationships that empower others to discover their own solutions and grow."

“The thing that most excites my soul is creating, establishing, developing, & then making sure it doesn't die.” – Titus Bartolotta Locals in the Lake Norman area of Charlotte, NC know the name Bartolotta. That's because Titus & his wife, Christina Bartolotta (also a podcast guest!), do more than run businesses there. They're community builders, investing in projects that richly improve lives. That alone would make for a good interview. But what makes Titus' journey exceptional is how difficult & diverse it was. Raised in poverty & trained in an unlikely mix of culinary arts, seminary, & big screen TV sales, he eventually became a business owner & mentor when the call to create & sustain something purposeful became too great to ignore. From consulting to authoring a book to running two restaurants, Titus blends business acumen with deep personal conviction, humor, humility, & passion as he lifts others up & leads authentically. To learn more, find him at RiseCafe.com & CollaborativeSolutionsGroup.com. John C. Maxwell said, "Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another."

"You have to make decisions to really do the hard things… that's what leadership is." – Will Jones When Will was chosen to lead a well-known Charlotte, NC, philanthropy, he was thrilled. Service to others is woven into the fabric of his life. But he inherited a problem that too often plagues nonprofits: an unwavering passion for service hamstrung by little to no business acumen. Big dreams, not enough money. In his first year as leader, Will faced a $5 MILLION deficit. The solution? Seek more donations & drastically cut costs? Not a chance. Using the perspective he'd gained in the private sector, Will opted to embed a familiar yet powerful business strategy into the organization – laser-focused priorities, leadership training, culture building, & a proper growth strategy. The result? 20% year-over-year growth in the 12 years he's been in charge – results ANY organization would be proud to claim. To learn more about Will's epic perspective, find him on LinkedIn and ThompsonCFF.com Management consultant & author Peter Drucker said, "The best nonprofits are run more like businesses than most businesses are." We have an example here.

“It's all about the opportunity to inspire people.” – Johan Koornhof On the surface, Johan has much in common with the executives, business owners, and leaders he serves. He's smart, successful, & entirely self-made. He owns his own company and serves as an ambassador to several organizations. But what sets him apart is that none of those things capture the most interesting parts of his journey, one that started in South Africa, spread to Scotland and the United States, and nearly ended tragically twice, once on the side of a mountain and later in an ICU battling COVID-19. He is no stranger to the lows of life, yet in them, he gained life-giving perspectives on purpose, intentional leadership, and personal character that have transformed his own life and the lives of countless others he chooses to serve selflessly. Much to our benefit, he shares them openly in all he does, including this podcast. What a gift. To learn more: Check out Be Real and connect with Johan on LinkedIn. C.S. Lewis said, “Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for extraordinary destiny.” He was right. Johan is living proof.

“People don't think big enough.” – Tamara Bunte Growing up in the Midwest, Tamara assumed she'd follow the same path as everyone else: go to college, get a job, and work until retirement. She was smart, safe, and secure, the very values her community shared. But those values weren't hers. Even as a young child, she was curious. Why are some people happier and more successful than others? What makes the difference? So nagging were those questions that, at 12 years old, she asked for the tapes of famed motivational speaker Tony Robbins and set goals to work for Dale Carnegie & Robbins himself. And that's exactly what she did. Today, Tamara runs her own company, teaching unique sales strategies to companies of all types (and gives some great tips in this podcast!). She also leads a thriving non-profit and a faith-fueled Etsy shop. Her passion and purpose in life underscore them all and fuel her (self-made) success. To learn more, find her at TamaraBunte.com & on LinkedIn. Hard work matters, but start with a plan and make it a big one. That's Tamara's story. It's like Emeril Lagasse said, “If you think big, it's going to be big.”

“Creative nerdery is my personal brand.” – Mike Montague Imagine for a moment you're an HR rep reviewing resumes. Along comes a successful web designer turned DJ who later became an acclaimed sales expert, podcast host, and author, who later became an improv comedian—all while being a smash at each thing. Where would you put this person in your organization? If you're completely stumped, join the club. No one has ever known exactly where to put Mike. That never stopped him. Like many entrepreneurs, Mike's resume is long and varied. But what makes him unique is that, whether inside a massive organization like Sandler or within his own company, his “creative nerdery”—best defined as playful intelligence—shines through. Every job becomes uniquely his own, whether it was asked for or not. And that's made all the difference. If stories of challenging the status quo & imparting your personal brand on your work make you happy, this is the episode for you. Famed author Dodinsky said, “Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind.” It sums Mike up perfectly. It's also great advice for each of us. Find him on LinkedIn or at PlayfulHumans .

“I'm just generally curious about a lot of things.” – Hollis Carter Entrepreneurs, inquisitive & risk-tolerant by nature, tend to have diverse backgrounds. Hollis' is almost dizzying. This master of the side hustle has started more companies than you can count, beginning in early childhood. But it's the SAAS company he built into a 7-figure virtual business in less than a year & becoming a (very young) founding investor in one of the nation's most unique ski resorts that grabs your attention. Then, of course, there's his membership-based community for entrepreneurs (with arguably the funniest name you've ever heard) that makes you wonder. Is he just skipping randomly from one thing to the next? Hardly. Coursing through the heart of every one of Hollis' companies is community, & his knack for building it in the most natural & mutually beneficial ways will leave you wondering why it's ever been tried any other way. To learn more: Find him at BabyBathwater.com or @HollisC on Instagram. Hollis' endeavors are proof of Akio Morita's assertion: “Curiosity is the key to creativity.”

“I'm a relationship person at my core.” – Todd Hirschfeld Growing up, Todd had a seat at some impressive dinner tables, a perk of being the son of a celebrity attorney. Athletes, movie stars, and even the legendary Muhammad Ali graced his family's dinner table on many occasions. For most people, kids especially, that kind of limelight would be blinding. For Todd, it illuminated a vital lesson: Connections and genuine personal relationships, over everything else, open doors & bring life to new opportunities. It's a lesson he's carried with him ever since. Whether trying to break into NASCAR as a driver, becoming a team liaison, or now marketing and directing over-the-top experiences for sporting and special event guests, Todd has prioritized people and relationships to conceptualize new businesses and overdeliver on expectations. The result? He's created one of the most unique, successful, and diversified companies his customers adore, and he's not done yet. To learn more, find him at HMSworldwide.com or LinkedIn. Looking at Todd, it's easy to see that Alan Cohen was right. “Success in business depends more on relationships than spreadsheets.”

"Business… that's just a vehicle to make community impact." -Chris Moxley Those of us lucky enough to call Charlotte, NC, home often joke about how rare it is to meet a native Charlottean (so many of us moved here for new opportunities). But Chris is one of those unicorns, born and raised in Charlotte, and his love for his city and its people has inspired one of its most unique brands. Chris and his former UNC roommates co-founded a lifestyle brand that merges hometown pride and premium apparel. But it's what 704 Shop does outside its South End storefront that makes it so unique: radical community building that promotes upward mobility and connecting community members who love the city as much as they do. Chris' entrepreneurial journey is rooted in a pay-it-forward philosophy, a lesson he imbibed while growing up in some of Charlotte's most challenging neighborhoods. His belief is simple yet powerful: Every hurdle can be surmounted when good-hearted individuals invest in one another. To learn more: Find him at 704shop.com & connect on LinkedIn. When President John F. Kennedy said, "One person can make a difference, & everyone should try," Chris must have been listening.

“I get a real sense of purpose out of providing for others.” – Marc Hutto Expensive, frustrating, and typical—these are the words most employers and job seekers use to describe their experiences with recruiters. Sure, the position is eventually filled, but it costs a fortune, and there's no guarantee the new employee will stick around. That's why Marc turned traditional recruiting on its ear. Forget aggressive recruiters desperate to earn their placement fees. Forget overinflated profiles of unemployed job seekers desperate to find “anyplace” to land. Forget it all. It doesn't work. Uncovering people's purpose, values, and individual “career drivers” and then introducing them to the employers who share them does. Marc has made it his life's mission to help businesses & employees find their perfect long-term match & do it in the most cost-effective way possible. Talk about a noble purpose. To learn more: Find him at RevealGlobal.com & connect on LinkedIn. Tom Rath said, “Make work a purpose, not just a place.” In such a typically cut-throat industry, seeing someone take that idea to heart is refreshing.

“I want someone when they look at what I'm doing, to say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.'” – Chris J. Loucy For many years, Chris' entrepreneurial journey was the stuff of dreams. Following a successful stint in sales, he rolled the dice on his own flooring company & won…big time. He blew his competition out of the water & experienced almost unreal growth. Until one day, when the dream became a nightmare. An unfair lawsuit filed against his company eventually became too big to fight. Chris was forced to close his doors. Which is where the story would end if he was a “typical” entrepreneur. Of course, he's anything but! Today, you'll find Chris helping small business owners mitigate their financial risk in their own companies by establishing business credit & the company's financial foundation. His mission? To prevent others from experiencing the kind of heartache & ruin he personally experienced. Service & purpose. Well done, indeed. To learn more: Check out how Chris is impacting others at JGalt.io Serving others instead of wallowing in self-pity... It's like Rick Warren said, “Don't waste your pain; use it to help others.”

"We think that we are providing benefits to somebody and incentives. Actually, we're creating little fires and warring factions." - Kevin D. Monaghan Most organizations incentivize key employees with creative pay & perks like equity splits. Better pay + better benefits = obviously happy employees who stick around, work hard, & grow the company. t's easy and great math, except for the fact that it doesn't work. As Kevin can speak to personally, equity splits often produce arguments, jealousy, and resentment. Key employees are left at risk. It's a tough pill he was forced to swallow, sleeping on the floor of a 9'x9' apartment, rebuilding his life after losing everything to a work "family" who promised him the moon & then burned him badly. So, what's the alternative to splitting equity & keeping good people? Kevin knows now, & he's on a mission to tell the world. Check out IntuitiveCompensation.com for more info & download his FREE book at BucketsBook.com.

“I hated it, hated it with a passion.” — George Ramsay When George looks back on music lessons of his youth, he remembers only misery. Stuffy piano teachers, monotonous scales, and the dread of upcoming recitals made faking sickness a weekly occurrence. Music lessons were the enemy, and he'd do anything to miss them. But watching a high school friend learn from a teacher who taught improvisation & the rock music he loved changed his perspective. Music instruction could bring students alive, not just “make them better.” It could be FUN! He picked up the guitar with that teacher in mind and fell in love. Then he knew, “I just had to do something in music.” Together with his business partner, George has turned in-home music instruction on its ear. Equally as important, his business model provides a level of financial security for gig workers (his instructors) unheard of in the industry. People, passion, perspective. It's all here! To learn more:

“It's important to us to help people see that they matter.” – Christina Bartolotta Christina & her husband, Titus, are no strangers to business success. From car sales to consulting, this dynamic duo seemingly does it all & very well. Today, you'll find them in the kitchen of their newest endeavor & one of Lake Norman, NC's newest & deeply loved restaurants, Rise Cafe. Serial entrepreneurs with a passion for growing their bank accounts? Not even close. Behind every business the Bartolottas own & operate, a deep passion & love for people resonates. They simply have a heart for building businesses that richly improve lives & communities. It's a noble cause, one made even more exceptional once you hear Christina's journey. With no exaggeration, she has endured & found purpose in one of the most traumatic childhood journeys we've ever heard. Both Christina & Titus embody a favorite quote by Simon Sinek: “Profit isn't a purpose; it's a result. To have purpose means the things we do have real value to others.” This one will leave you speechless. To learn more:

“I love our business model. It's one where we can be truly honest with our clients.” Broc Buxton When cousins Jeffrey Wanner & Broc Buxton were growing up together, neither of them imagined that Broc would eventually join Jeff in building a company that would revolutionize the way other small businesses select professional employer organizations (PEOs). But as they matured, they recognized important qualities in each other that would fuel that endeavor: diligence, integrity, & a mutual love for solving problems that plague business owners. (If PEOs are unfamiliar to you, take heart. This episode will show you how you can outsource important HR functions, drive down costs, & how Jeff & Broc do it so differently.) Jeff & Broc turned their love for people & business into their passion for simplifying clients' lives. Their one-of-a-kind, free (yes, free!) service helps business owners just like you sift through the marketing noise & select the best option for their workforce. Family, friendship, passion. How often do those collide? Check out Pair PEO and try out their calculator.

“I love our business model. It's one where we can be truly honest with our clients.” Broc Buxton When cousins Jeffrey Wanner & Broc Buxton were growing up together, neither of them imagined that Broc would eventually join Jeff in building a company that would revolutionize the way other small businesses select professional employer organizations (PEOs). But as they matured, they recognized important qualities in each other that would fuel that endeavor: diligence, integrity, & a mutual love for solving problems that plague business owners. (If PEOs are unfamiliar to you, take heart. This episode will show you how you can outsource important HR functions, drive down costs, & how Jeff & Broc do it so differently.) Jeff & Broc turned their love for people & business into their passion for simplifying clients' lives. Their one-of-a-kind, free (yes, free!) service helps business owners just like you sift through the marketing noise & select the best option for their workforce. Family, friendship, passion. How often do those collide? Check out Pair PEO and try out their calculator.

“I want people to recognize my passion for things – my passion for living, my passion for ensuring other people's success.” — Reece M. Arlin, MBA When this car-loving, fitness-focused, self-proclaimed “terrible employee” graduated from college, he was certain buying & operating a gym was the path before him. But like most entrepreneurs, his first big plan never materialized. When a good friend suggested they start a marketing company focused on fitness sales, Reece took the chance & said yes. Together, they've built something extraordinary. Marketing geniuses? Not necessarily (though they certainly have the chops!). Passion for finding their niche, hiring the right people, staying true to their voice, pivoting in the face of adversity, & seemingly effortlessly growing a company with a totally remote workforce? Absolutely. Reece wasn't born with all the answers. He was gifted with the passion to find them. And that has made all the difference. Check out Business Marketing Solutions Group.

“I just want to be known as a good guy.” – Palash Desai Most Ivy League business school graduates turned Silicon Valley execs aren't known for their big hearts. Big profits, yes, but compassion & love for others take a distant back seat. Not so with Palash. In the middle of a very lucrative engineering career, he dropped it all to buy a two-person cleaning company in Charlotte, NC. Did he love cleaning? No. Was Charlotte home? No again. But that tiny cleaning company offered Palash a unique opportunity: to build a highly profitable & sustainable business that could address income inequality in a city known for lacking social mobility. Purpose-driven capitalism. That's the heart of The Organic Maids, which now employs over 30 cleaning professionals making more than the average new college graduate -- bringing people out of poverty & changing their families' & communities' futures. That's the work of a very good guy. Palash must have been listening when Leonardo DaVinci said, “Make your work to be in keeping with your purpose.” Connect with Palash on LinkedIn and check out The Organic Maids.

“So much of what I gain is from helping people in bad situations. Our clients, 95% of them are going through the worst time in their life.” – Jan Barefoot It isn't unusual to hear firefighters or police officers talk about serving others on their worst days. Still, Jan Barefoot doesn't wear a uniform or jump into action following a 911 call. She isn't a first responder at all. But she just might be the brains behind figuring out who's to blame for the chaos. This former legal secretary with a passion for detective work & justice is the woman behind one of the Carolina's most established & rapidly growing private investigation firms. Suspected adultery, fraud, missing persons, extortion, you name it, Jan's team tackles it all & has earned the respect & admiration of clients & top law firms alike. What's her secret? Serving clients with humility & never allowing ethics to take a back seat to financial success. That's a lesson for any entrepreneur.  Check out Barefoot PI and connect with Jan on LinkedIn.

“I love life. I love to make people smile.” – Wilton Rogers III Growing up on a farm, Wilton got his very first taste of entrepreneurship: selling eggs to his mother's friends at church. But it wasn't the money that made his heart soar ($2 was his weekly profit!). It was the happiness he felt providing something people needed. That joy became his greatest form of payment. Multiple business opportunities would come & go throughout his life, but getting to know people, identifying their pain, & providing real solutions to better their lives was the common thread to them all. It still is. But what makes this story unexpected is that Wilton applied the same passion for people & service that inspired him as a kid to one of the coldest, most robotic industries on the planet: artificial intelligence. If stories of infusing purpose into unexpected places make your heart soar: Find him on LinkedIn, on his web site at Simply Automate, or listen to his podcast, Automation Nation.

“When you don't have a choice…the one thing you do get to choose is who you get to do it with, so don't do it alone.” Robert F Williams In the 1990s, when financial deals & payouts came easy, Bob's life looked like a page from a storybook: beautiful family, a booming investment business, and thousands of successful deals. But his story, like any good one, contained a plot twist: Struggling with frequent travel away from his family, Bob lost everything when a trusted entrepreneur made off with millions he'd personally invested & encouraged others to invest. The suspect then died, dodging all accountability. Bob was crushed financially & his zest for life was destroyed. Thankfully, another plot twist was coming in the form of a good friend who wouldn't let Bob “do it alone.” He got him back into business & life. Now for the ultimate surprise: Bob did the same for Gary years later when troubles came his way. 

“People follow me for advice, but when I get feedback, it's more about something business unrelated.” – Damon Burton If you don't know Damon, you may be wondering why over 32,000 people follow him for advice on LinkedIn or flock to read his book, “Outrank.” If you do know him, you'll know why seeking his advice is a no-brainer. This SEO expert has beat million-dollar companies at their own game & offers proven strategies for his audience to grow their companies. But good SEO advice isn't all. That “something” he speaks of makes being in his presence genuinely unique, & it's the absolute love, adoration, & praise he shares for his wife & children, mirrored in how he sees, commends, & nurtures his team. If you're encouraged by industry leaders who not only upset their industry but unabashedly honor their lives & the people in it, this is the episode for you.

It's easy to look at Renee & think that the comforts of Easy Street & a golden parachute allowed her to build the 13th largest woman-owned business in the Charlotte area & the only woman-owned industrial business in Union County (not to mention authoring a book & forming a foundation), but nothing could be further from the truth. A small-town girl introduced first to banking & then manufacturing sales, Renee created a name for herself in a male-dominated industry by working hard & maintaining her integrity. Where others took shortcuts (morally & otherwise), she sought higher ground. Amidst incredible challenges, including domestic violence, a brain tumor that put her in a wheelchair, and the harsh economies of the Great Recession and COVID lockdowns, Renee forged her business into the industry forefront. Perhaps most importantly, she retained her humanity, positivity, & love for good – qualities fueling the purpose of her life's next chapter: giving back.

A quick message first: We had audio issues for the first 16 minutes of the show. We cleaned it up as much as possible, but you'll notice a difference. Apologies for that! "It's really about fit & relationship." — Brad Batten When Johannes Zwick & Bradley Batten first met at Davidson College, neither imagined a future as partners in private equity. But these fraternity brothers turned friends had important partnership traits in common: integrity, ambition, diligence, & love for people. Most importantly, they recognized & respected those qualities in each other. (By the way, if you can't believe these traits are being used to describe private equity investors, you're in for a treat. These guys are unexpected—you know, “anything but typical!”) Johannes & Brad turned their love for business & their focus on fit & relationship into a one-of-a-kind private equity firm. Today, they invest financially & operationally in small businesses eager to scale & do so while preserving each company's employees, culture, & core values. Forget everything you know about rip, strip, & flip private equity firms. These guys represent "investment with heart & purpose."

“I would love for people to one day, potentially, say that Mike put a piece of God in them… This is the goal of my life.” — Michael Metcalf Jr. 

Mike doesn't mince words when it comes to his perspective on life. Maybe it's because he witnessed the unthinkable as a young child or faced physical adversity on the football field at App State. Maybe his grandmother, “the smartest person I ever met”, provided much inspiration. We'll never know. What we do know is this: Mike is a transparent, vulnerable, reflective leader who seeks out the good in individuals as he builds effective teams, & his perspective is so refreshing & life-giving to organizations that companies big and small chomp at the bit for a sliver of his time. Is now a good time to mention he's a NASCAR pit crew leader by trade? (Bet you weren't expecting that!) If you love stories of unexpected journeys & finding purpose in all you do: NOTE: Mike is providing the special pricing for his book, “12 Second Culture” and running it for 12 days. $8.88 down from $24.99. Use promo code “anythingbuttypical” upon checkout to get the discount! Link to the website for the book in comments.

Ty Harmon, Founder and President at Harmon Construction, overcame hardship and instability growing up. His mother was never able to own a home. Ty went onto the construction management industry. When he was ready to step out on his own, Ty made sure to never forget his childhood. Ty's company is focused on giving clients "the exceptional construction experience." In addition to commercial and retail construction, Harmon Construction also specializes in complex single & multi family development, construction of schools, and non profit construction. In this episode, Ty shares how he navigated an industry with very few minority business owners. We talk about the importance of having an elite management team. Harmon goes into the focus of surrounding himself with high quality and talented people.   Check out Harmon Construction, and follow Ty on LinkedIn.

“It's OK if I have a day where I work for 15 min.” – Chris Claflin. That's a mind-blowing statement coming from a successful entrepreneur in property management, where words like “hustle” & “growth” flow with ease, but that's the heart of Chris Claflin. It wasn't always. One of 7 children born to a blue-collar household, Chris was schooled in the virtues of hard work & company loyalty. He followed those teachings all the way to Boeing, working double overtime for 9 years & finding joy in corporate life. But when ugly company culture reared its ugly head (sound familiar?), Chris knew the next step was entrepreneurship. It was up to him to design a life worth living. With his wife, Chris has done just that, & he's learned some incredible lessons about living in your thrive zone & fiercely protecting what matters – all while growing a company & preserving his ultimate goal: the freedom to do whatever he wants.

“It's OK if I have a day where I work for 15 min.” – Chris Claflin. That's a mind-blowing statement coming from a successful entrepreneur in property management, where words like “hustle” & “growth” flow with ease, but that's the heart of Chris Claflin. It wasn't always. One of 7 children born to a blue-collar household, Chris was schooled in the virtues of hard work & company loyalty. He followed those teachings all the way to Boeing, working double overtime for 9 years & finding joy in corporate life. But when ugly company culture reared its ugly head (sound familiar?), Chris knew the next step was entrepreneurship. It was up to him to design a life worth living. With his wife, Chris has done just that, & he's learned some incredible lessons about living in your thrive zone & fiercely protecting what matters – all while growing a company & preserving his ultimate goal: the freedom to do whatever he wants.

This is a special episode of the Anything But Typical Show. Our own Gary Frey has published a book titled: Silence The Imposter Syndrome- 7 Weapons To Silence Imposter Syndrome. In this episode, Gary takes us behind the scenes of what it takes to get a book published. We talk about the options to publish such as self publishing, an independent publisher, and a large publisher. We go into what Gary's book writing journey looked like. Gary shares his experience with different interactions. He tells us some of the best advice he was given along the way. Be sure to grab Gary's book, and let him know how it impacted you or changed your mindset!

Devan overcame childhood struggles with the help of baseball being a driving and motivating force in his life. It helped him stay out of trouble, strive for freedom early in life, and get to college. When Devan made the pros, everything was on track. So when he got released, Kline needed to figure out what was next. With no money and no ability to get a lease, Devan began holding boot camp workouts in parking lots and abandoned theaters. He and his wife, Morgan, saw the impact they were creating and the opportunity in front of them. Burn Boot Camp was born. Devan shares with us how they've grown so successfully. He talks about why they didn't bring investors on or make other deals giving up control. He goes into how and why he is constantly working to get away from job titles. This is a must listen episode to learn, be inspired, and grow. Follow Devan on Instagram @Devan.Kline Subscribe to his YouTube Channel @Devan.Kline

“Have the courage to suck.” – Brian K. Anders That's uncommon advice coming from an engineer, but not every engineer has a heart like Brian. Nor do they have his experience. Brian gained his grit loading trucks at night to pay for school & his passion for client service watching his wife change lives as a private investigator. He rejected corporate life to relentlessly pursue his dream job in forensic engineering, despite having no previous experience in it. I don't use the word relentlessly lightly. Brian used a supply closet as an office & showed up to job sites without the promise of pay just for the chance to be helpful & prove himself. His willingness to try & fail, combined with the question, “How do I add more value?”, propelled him both then and now. Today, Brian's forensic engineering companies serve clients in 49 states & 5 countries. He is a valuable, one-of-a-kind resource to all he serves. In this episode, Brian shares lessons learned along the way and plenty of entertaining stories!

In this episode, co-hosts Ben McDonald and Gary Frey discuss imposter syndrome in business and in life. Gary has written a book titled Silence The Imposter Syndrome, coming out October 2023. We talk about how imposter syndrome has been present in each of our lives. Ben shares what it was like being a 22 year old athletic director surrounded by 60 year old career academic leaders. Gary shares a freeing moment he experienced through a conversation with a boss at Bank of America. 

This is a special Anything But Typical episode! Entrepreneurship runs in the family, as we interview co-host Gary Frey's son, Zach Frey. As a child, Zach would constantly be drawing. He had a fascination with drawing and designing shoes. This hobby turned into a career, with Frey working at brands such as Reebok, Puma, and Wolf & Shepherd. But the vision of creating a better shoe was too strong. In this episode, Zach shares his journey from the big corporations to the launching and growing of Flux Footwear. We go into what differentiates their shoes. We talk about hurdles faced. And we hear insights about branding and marketing a quickly growing company. Check out the shoes at FluxFootwear.com and connect with Zach on LinkedIn.

On the surface, Jeff Conway looks like a typical successful restauranteur: passionate about food, pursuing growth, dedicated to his family and community, but certainly living on “Easy Street”. What lies beneath, though, in an unbelievable tale: wild success followed by a false accusation & 13 months federal prison time, reflection, redemption, & ultimately rebuilding with the unwavering support of family, friends, & faith. You can't afford to miss this one. Jeff shares his insights from his time in public companies. He discusses his experience in prison. Jeff goes into how he rebuilt afterwards. And we go full circle into the successful restaurant businesses Conway is running today. After listening to this episode, go follow Jeff on LinkedIn.