Podcasts about scaling up

What happens when you build a company around one niche, listen obsessively to customers, and never stop improving? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore finally sits down for a full-length conversation with Frank Lecrone, Founder, President, and CEO of AquaPhoenix Scientific. What started in a small 60' x 60' space in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with three employees, maxed-out credit cards, and endless Staples runs has grown into a 300+-person organization serving industrial water professionals around the world.   Frank shares how AquaPhoenix became "the booth everyone wants to be next to" at AWT, why they built their entire business around industrial water treatment instead of trying to be everything to everyone, and how a simple continuous improvement system now generates hundreds of ideas a year from frontline team members. He also pulls back the curtain on acquisitions and private equity, explaining EBITDA in plain language, how to think about "add-backs," and what owners should understand long before they think about selling. Whether you're leading a growing company, running a route, or thinking about your own "second chapter," this conversation is a masterclass in culture, courage, and caring deeply about the people you serve. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps   02:20 - Trace Blackmore shares a recap from the recent 2025 AWT Conference, The Hang, and a Blood Donation Story   14:02 - Water You Know with James McDonald  15:20 - Upcoming Conference for Water Professionals  18:16 – Introduction of Frank Lecrone, CEO of AquaPhoenix Scientific (eight years in the making)  24:52 – Why Hanover?   26:59 – Supporting AWT  37:38 – Color-coded caps & QR Codes  42:30 – Learning from mistakes  45:31 – Core Values   48:26 – Acquisitions and Culture   1:03:32 – Valuations and EBITDA    Quotes  "We didn't grow by doing everything for everyone. We grew by doing exactly what one market needed and wanted—and then doing it better every year."  "The lack of information is almost always interpreted negatively. That's why you have to over-communicate, especially during acquisitions."  "EBITDA equals freedom. The more EBITDA you have, the less anybody can tell you what to do with your own company."  "We're not perfect. We screw things up like everyone else—but we fix it, and we fix it quickly, and we make doing business with us as easy as possible."  "I don't want to be the smartest person in the room. I want great people around me, giving ideas and pushing things forward, so I'm not the bottleneck."  "Business is like standing in a bathtub while the water rises. It feels fine until it reaches your mouth. The trick is noticing when it's at your knees and fixing the bottleneck then."  "We give a darn. We have 'GAS'—Give a #$%@—and if we can make it right and do it better, we absolutely will."    Connect with Frank Lecrone Email: frank@aquaphoenixsci.com   Website: Water Quality Testing Products | AquaPhoenix Scientific  LinkedIn:  Frank Lecrone | LinkedIn       Guest Resources Mentioned   AquaPhoenix Scientific   Aliquot – AquaPhoenix's Water Management Software  QR-coded Custom Test Kits (AquaPhoenix EndPoint® ID)    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  American Red Cross    Water You Know with James McDonald  Question: What industrial water treatment word is derived from the Greek word meaning "claw?"    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

When we think of paper flowers, we often imagine something small, intricate, and realistic. But what happens when you scale that beauty up tenfold? In this episode of Paper Talk, Quynh Nguyen, Sara Kim, and Jessie Chui explore the bold, beautiful world of large paper flowers and the practical realities that come with going big. Listen to this Episode to learn: Why large flowers require careful structural planning How to price and protect your work (and yourself) The importance of weather, shipping, and storage considerations Creative ways to include large flowers in your business offerings Creating giant paper flowers is both an artistic and logistical challenge. As Quynh shared, even the smallest miscalculation can cause a flower to droop or collapse. “I watched one of my large flowers start to wilt before my eyes,” she said. “I had to go back and rewire it.” Wiring each petal, reinforcing the base, and using durable materials are essential steps for any large-scale project. For Sara, the biggest lessons came from experience. “Even when my flowers stood perfectly in my studio, they would tip over at outdoor events. Wind, heat, and humidity change everything,” she explained. Over time, she realized that offering large flower installations professionally required more than artistic skill, it required business planning, insurance, and honest client communication. Jessie agreed, adding that the paper flower business side of things can't be ignored. “It's not just about making the flower,” she said. “It's about managing logistics, installation, and liability. Once you step into larger projects, you're responsible for safety and presentation.” So, what should artists know before offering giant paper flowers for events or retail displays? Structure Comes First - Use strong wiring, test every connection, and consider how gravity will affect your flower over time. Hanging or standing pieces should be tested for at least 24 hours before installation. Communicate Clearly with Clients - Set expectations about weather sensitivity and handling. As Sara put it, “Treat paper flowers like real flowers—they're beautiful but fragile.” Plan for Storage and Transport - Large flowers take up significant space. Think about storage, dust protection, and packaging. If you must ship, factor in both the size and fragility—shipping costs can quadruple quickly. Protect Your Business - Event venues often require liability insurance, especially for installations. “Even if you're just setting up a backdrop,” Jessie noted, “you need coverage in case something happens.” Start with One Big Bloom - If you're new to large-scale work, start small. Make one flower for yourself. It's fun, forgiving, and will teach you about scale, structure, and creativity. Despite the hurdles, large flowers remain a showstopper. They command attention, tell stories, and redefine what paper art can be. Whether they're adorning a wedding ceremony, retail window, or photo backdrop, these flowers remind us that art can bloom in any size. As Quynh summed it up beautifully, “Paper flowers can bloom in every size. The key is knowing how to make them stand tall.”

Join host Duncan MacPherson and his guest Rob Montella of First Trust as they discuss moving upstream in client engagement, emphasizing the need to understand client needs and enhance services through advisory councils. Rob shares insights from his time at Goldman Sachs and First Trust, highlighting the importance of adapting strategies for high-net-worth clients. Rob … Continue reading Moving Upstream: Scaling Up Your Business with Robert Montella (Ep. 86) →

Systems are one of those things we can be reluctant to change.  Most churches outgrow their systems without even realizing it. What worked then suddenly doesn't work now. And churches get stuck using old systems that are beyond their usefulness, all while hoping for different results. When you're in seasons of growth, you have to get more intentional about scaling up the systems that have started to break down due to growth to make your ministry sustainable.  In this episode, Amy and Sean discuss why systems function poorly for so long, what to do when you recognize key systems are broken and how to redesign systems during growth.   This Episode is Sponsored By DonorBox:  This Christmas season could be your biggest fundraising opportunity: church attendance often doubles and generosity surges. Donorbox Live Kiosk ensures you won't miss a single gift. No cash? No problem. Your congregants can tap, swipe, or use their phone to donate instantly. Automatically capture contact information, send tax receipts, and even set up recurring gifts. Join 100,000 organizations raising billions with Donorbox. Try Live Kiosk free at donorbox.org/unstuckpodcast    Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram. 

Are you planning time off or avoiding the truth about your team?In this solo episode, Bill explores how the holiday season acts as a diagnostic tool for your business. Are you building a company that thrives without you or one that collapses the second you unplug? He shares why most founders avoid taking time off and how strategically stepping away can highlight leadership gaps, capacity issues, and trust breakdowns. If you're feeling pulled in every direction heading into November or December, this episode is for you. Topics explored in this episode:(01:15) The Holiday Season Is a Double-Edged Sword*The holidays are often very joyful, but they also carry a lot of stress.*Leaders are managing business deadlines, shorter days, and personal expectations collide.*It's important to acknowledge that stress exists alongside celebration(02:25) Redefining “Thanksgiving”*Break “Thanksgiving” into two core practices: Thanks (appreciation) and Giving (generosity).*Start with gratitude for team members, family, and yourself.*Let go of expectations, and express that through generous action.(5:25) Build Systems That Let You Breathe*Think through the logistics of how you will see and connect with friends and family. *What's gone wrong in the past? How can you prevent it from going wrong this year? *Apply the same reflection to your team; ask how they're feeling and what support they needBill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Pranav Dalal is the visionary Founder and CEO of Office Beacon, a global outsourcing powerhouse with over 5,500 employees. Launching the business in 2000 after the dot-com crash, Pranav has expanded operations from India to the Philippines, Mexico, and South Africa, providing over 150 different services to clients worldwide. As a single father, he is actively building a multi-generational family business, with his children joining the ranks to learn the industry from the ground up. Pranav is also a forward-thinker who leverages unique partnerships with the NFL and SoFi Stadium to drive business growth.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode, host Jonathan Goldhill sits down with Pranav Dalal to discuss his 25-year journey of building a truly global enterprise. Pranav shares the origin story of shifting from the tech sector to B2B services and how he strategically scaled Office Beacon across multiple continents. We explore how he balances running a massive remote organization using systems like EOS and the "generational compact" he has established with his children. Pranav also offers fascinating insights into his unique sports marketing partnerships, his aggressive adoption of AI to disrupt his own business model, and the ancestral values that guide his leadership.KEY TAKEAWAYSThe Generational Compact: Pranav built Office Beacon with the specific intent of creating a multi-generational legacy. His children joined the business not through nepotism, but by starting at entry-level positions to learn humility and hard work.Scaling with EOS: Managing 5,500 employees remotely requires discipline. Pranav utilizes the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) five levels deep to ensure core values and goals are cascaded effectively across global teams.Innovative Partnerships: Moving beyond traditional marketing, Office Beacon holds exclusive partnerships with SoFi Stadium and the NFL Alumni Association, using stadium suites for daily business networking rather than just game-day entertainment.Disrupt or Be Disrupted: Pranav views himself as the "Chief Disruption Officer." He is heavily investing in AI education and implementation for 2026, believing that if he doesn't disrupt his own business model, a competitor will.Trust But Verify: A core leadership lesson Pranav instills in his children and team is the concept of "trust but verify"—maintaining faith in people while ensuring details and execution are validated to prevent costly mistakes.Ancestral DNA: Pranav reconnected with his heritage, discovering that his surname "Dalal" means "broker" in Persian/Hindi, which reinforced his belief that business and entrepreneurship are embedded in his family's DNA.QUOTES"My whole goal was to create a multi-generational family business.""If we're not disrupting ourselves, someone's going to disrupt you.""I realized that it was a very doable thing... that there are these family legacies out there in business that go back hundreds of years.""They fail, feel a sense of ownership even though I'm the owner... their mindset of being accountable is incredible.""I'm in the people business, and I should be the first one to say, 'Wow, I'm scared of AI,' but I'm embracing it a thousand percent."Connect and learn more about Pranav Dalal and Office Beacon: Pranav Dalal's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranavdalal/Office Beacon Website: https://www.officebeacon.com/  Email for inquiries: sales@officebeacon.comIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe, review, and share with a friend who would benefit from the message. If you're interested in picking up a copy of Jonathan Goldhill's book, Disruptive Successor, go to the website at www.DisruptiveSuccessor.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

An eight-million dollar grant program has supported industry to scale up production of the methane-inhibiting seaweed, Asparagopsis. Seaweed Farming program activities are expected to generate increasing economic returns over the next 30 years. Rural Reporter Brady Evans spoke with Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistant Secretary, George Day about how the money has been used and how it sets us up for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The More You Know" - Robin Deal A million-gallon-a-day perspective, distilled into actionable steps. Robin Deal, AquaPure Product Manager at Hubbard-Hall unpacks how seasoned pros can squeeze more performance—and less sludge—out of industrial wastewater systems without compromising compliance or plant uptime.    From "clear water in a jar" to stable discharge in the field  Robin details a practical jar-testing workflow: start from upstream processes, target pH using hydroxide/sulfide solubility curves, choose the right coagulant (aluminum, iron, calcium, lanthanum, or organics), and validate against metals/COD/BOD/phosphorus before scaling. The test bench isn't the finish line; it's the feasibility gate when you're treating 150,000+ gpd.  Lean wastewater: cost center or controllable system?  Commodity choices (lime, alum, ferric) can generate 70–85% more sludge than optimized blends—driving hazardous waste hauling, clogging lines, and shortening pump life. Robin reframes the "penny-per-pound" price war into a total-system economics conversation: sludge recyclability, maintenance cycles, and realistic break-even targets.  PFAS: remove now, plan to destroy  For hex-chrome platers and other industrial dischargers, Robin shares near-term and emerging options: carbon filtration for immediate removal, evaporation/condensation where capital exists, and destruction pathways under evaluation—advanced oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, "thermobotic agglomeration," and ball milling—with an eye on evolving limits and cost realities.  One Water thinking for manufacturers  "Water is water." Robin introduces the One Water mindset for plant leaders: tighten internal loops, reduce community draw and discharge impact, and align non-contact, potable, and wastewater under one stewardship model. It's not a club—it's a decision framework that's already influencing global brands and drought-stressed regions.  Treat each round of testing as a hypothesis check, each chemical as a system lever, and each gallon as a shared resource. That's how leaders turn compliance into predictable results. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  16:45 - Trace Blackmore shares insights on current industry events, an upcoming conference, the "magic button" idea for user-friendly wastewater control and announces The Hang to build community engagement 17:50 - Water You Know with James McDonald  23:04 - Interview begins: Robin Deal introduced as AquaPure Product Manager, origin story and family context   28:12 - First Jar Test Story   32:17 - Jar testing Workflow  42:34 - One Water concept  54:12 - Regulations   Quotes  "Just say yes to the job." "Lime is not a lean." "Best available technology does not mean best economic." "So just deep breath, stay calm and do the best that we can do and wait for those regulations to come out because they are coming" "Turn off the water in the polymer tank."    Connect with Robin Deal Email: robin.renee47@yahoo.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robin-deal    https://www.linkedin.com/company/hubbard-hall-inc./      Guest Resources Mentioned   The Wandering Inn: Book One in The Wandering Inn Series by pirateaba  Water Reuse Organization   American Water Works Association  Water Environment Federation    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind Start With Why Simon Sinek TedTalk  The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick M. Lencioni  James McDonald's Be Like Water Series  Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment by James McDonald     Water You Know with James McDonald  Question: What is the device called that is installed on the effluent line of an ion exchange unit to prevent resin from ending up downstream where it doesn't belong?    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

Dive into a lively episode of the Green Side Up podcast as hosts Jason and Jordan welcome special guest Joey Coberly, founder of Landscaping Bookkeeper and Lawn Care Launch. Joey shares his journey from leaving the corporate world to building businesses dedicated to empowering small operators in the green industry. Gain valuable insights into the art of bookkeeping, the importance of understanding profit versus salary, and the critical steps to setting your lawn care or landscaping company on a path to growth. Throughout the conversation, Joey dishes out practical financial wisdom, tells memorable stories from the field—including gator hunts and blue-collar life in Florida—and discusses innovative initiatives like the Lawn Care Launch bootcamp and exciting industry events such as the Landscape Rodeo and Equip trade show. Whether you're looking to level up your small business or simply enjoy real-talk and laughs from industry insiders, this episode delivers the inspiration and know-how to move your business forward. Connect with Joey: www.thelandscapingbookkeeper.com www.lawncarelaunch.com IG-@joeycoberly. @thelandscapingbookkeeper   Connect with Jason and Jordan:

What does it really take to lead powerfully and why does knowing yourself matter more than sounding confident?In this episode, Bill sits down with Susan Power, Founder and CEO of PowerUp Leadership, for a conversation about what it takes to lead well in today's world. Susan shares her personal evolution as a leader, from trying to “do it all” to embracing emotional intelligence, slowing down, and showing up as her full self.They discuss how leadership isn't about being louder or tougher, it's about knowing how you operate, communicating clearly, and making space for others to grow. Susan uses with her high-growth clients, including emotional check-ins, mindset shifts, and coaching techniques to increase self-awareness.Topics explored in this episode:(06:45) The Path to Becoming a Leader*Susan discusses how her leadership style has changed over the years. *Play to your strengths.*What does Susan struggle with the most in her leadership style? (15:25) Communicate with Power*The better leadership skills you have, the better you'll be at sales.*When things are hard, when you're tired, just remember, you're going to be okay. *You need to believe in yourself in order to go for new heights. (28:15) Leadership is Emotional; Lean Into It *It's okay to be emotional and expressive. *Susan loves to use an emotional wheel to help her clients get dialed in on their feelings. *Sometimes you have to slow down to pay attention to your body. (31:35) How You Show Up Matters*The value of coaching helps you increase your self-awareness.*It's okay to give people a heads up on how you operate. *Most people don't know what their weaknesses are. Thanks to Susan Power for being on the show!Learn more about Susan here: https://powerupleadership.caConnect with Susan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerupleadership/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify:...

In our latest paper reading, we had the pleasure of hosting Grégoire Mialon — Research Scientist at Meta Superintelligence Labs — to walk us through Meta AI's groundbreaking paper titled “ARE: scaling up agent environments and evaluations" and the new ARE and Gaia2 frameworks.Learn more about AI observability and evaluation, join the Arize AI Slack community or get the latest on LinkedIn and X.

Get stuck in – Michael Bourgeois, CWT How do standards get written in ways that working water treaters can actually meet? In this conversation, AWT Past President, current Related Trade Organization (RTO) Committee Chair, and Chemco Products Company Operations Manager, Michael Bourgeois CWT, explains how AWT's liaisons collaborate with peer organizations, so guidance reflects field reality—operations, risk, and achievable compliance.  From Field Bags to Board Rooms: Why RTOs Matter  Bourgeois outlines the purpose of AWT's RTO structure: volunteer liaisons track and influence work at groups whose missions overlap with industrial water—CTI, ABMA, ASHRAE, AWWA, ASHE, and others. The aim is simple and practical: make sure member voices are heard so guidance advances health outcomes (e.g., Legionella control) and day-to-day feasibility for service providers and suppliers.  Turning Reaction into Proaction  Historically, the industry learned about new rules after they landed. Bourgeois details how AWT is shifting to co-authoring cooling-water guidelines with CTI and re-engaging ABMA, so boiler-water limits and methods reflect current technologies and operations. The model: clarify shared goals, contribute content expertise, and formalize collaboration so members get usable documents at member pricing.  Concrete Moves: Boiler Water, Healthcare, and More  Examples include AWT's role on ABMA's Boiler Expo steering committee (with a focused water-treatment training block) and early conversations with ASHE on pathogen control in building and healthcare water systems. He describes how liaisons feed updates into a formal committee cadence, so the AWT Board and members see progress—not just headlines.  When working professionals help write the playbook, outcomes improve clients, operators, and public health—and members stop "reacting" to standards they had no hand in shaping.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below.   Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!     Timestamps   00:02:28 - Trace Blackmore shares his AWT excitement & community shout-outs  00:05:16 - Water You Know with James McDonald  00:06:44 - The magic of the Scaling Up buttons (why & how to use them)  00:20:25 - North Metal Quarterly Magazine (Grab physical copy by visiting Booth 212)  00:27:00 - Interview starts: Mike Bourgeois (Chemco; AWT Past President; RTO Chair)  00:33:58 - What is the RTO Committee and why it exists  00:36:31 - The 10 formal collaborators + 4–6 informal  00:36:43 - AWWA/ASDWA (Joe Hannigan); Premise plumbing link  00:38:19 - ASHE (healthcare engineering) early wins (Reid Hutchinson)  00:38:47 - ABMA (boilers) momentum (Steve Jobin) + Women of Boilers  00:40:28 - CTI (Mike); CDC (Patsy Root); WEF (Brian Liotta)  00:40:46 - AMPP (formerly NACE) (Jay Farmerie); WQA (Chuck Hamrick)  00:41:19 - ASHRAE (Bill Pearson) & the impact on Std 188  00:45:26 - Principle: Be proactive so standards are achievable for members  00:47:34 - Boiler Expo: half-day on water treatment (economics, pretreatment, failures, regs)  00:50:56 - Where to learn about RTO work  00:54:19 - Volunteers needed: attributes of great liaisons  00:58:48 - Breakthrough: ABMA boiler water guideline refresh (toward ASME alignment)  01:01:02 - Potential collaboration with ASHE on pathogen control guidance  01:01:39 - What Mike's most excited to see at the Broadmoor  01:02:22 - Mike's session: new OSHA walk-around rules  01:02:51 - Theme of the conversation: "Get stuck in" (join committees)    Quotes  "The button is magic—it breaks the ice for you and starts real conversations."  "Talk to every single booth. A year from now, you'll remember exactly who can help."   "RTO stands for Related Trade Organization—our way to shape the standards that shape us."   "Why write a standard no one can achieve? AWT's role is to make it achievable."   "If you want to help AWT, get stuck in. Volunteer. It pays back 10 to 100-fold."   "AWT's RTO liaisons keep members' interests represented before rules and guidelines are finalized—so they're practical and achievable."  "Look for committees aligned with your strengths."    Connect with Michael Bourgeois Email: mbourgeois@chemcoprod.com   Website: Home | Chemco Products Company  LinkedIn: Michael Bourgeois, CWT | LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/chemco-products-company/     Guest Resources Mentioned   ABMA's Boiler Water Quality Requirements and Associated Steam Quality for Industrial/Commercial and Institutional Boilers  Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed.) Hardcover – April 21, 2005 by Ayn Rand  AWT Committee  AWT Get Involved  Cancer Ward: A Novel (FSG Classics) Paperback – April 14, 2015 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Author)  Cooling Technology Institute (CTI)  Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas--Not Less Hardcover – by Alex Epstein   Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design Paperback – Illustrated, June 22, 2010 by Stephen C. Meyer  WTG-126: The Use of Non-Oxidizing Biocides in Cooling Water Systems    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  380 The WOW Effect: Women Leading Transformation in the Water Industry  447 Unlocking Team Potential with Culture Index with Randi Fargen  ASHE's "Water Management in Health Care Facilities: Complying with ASHRAE Standard 188"  ASPE's Engineering Methodologies to Reduce the Risk of Legionella in Premise Plumbing Systems  ASSE 12080 Training & Certification, Get certified to the ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 12080 Standard: Professional Qualifications Standard for Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)   AWT's Legionella 2019: A Position Statement and Guidance Document  North Metal & Chemical Co Quarterly Magazine Issue 3 -page 8 for Trace Blackmore Story  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Start with Why Simon Sinek - TedTalk  Submit a Show Idea  The 6 Types of Working Genius  The Rising Tide Mastermind    Water You Know with James Questions: What do you call the physical property of matter that is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree?    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

Rob Monson reveals how professionals can become A-players—and what leaders can do to retain them. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) The hard truth many leaders don't want to accept2) What A-players do differently from the rest 3) The simple trick to get a day back every weekSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1108 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT ROB — Rob Monson, founder of Tenfold Advisors, is Utah's leading business growth coach. A Scaling Up and Metronomics coach, he helps mid-market CEOs install disciplined systems that transform people, strategy, execution, and cash. His clients have driven Utah's most founder exits at a 7X EBITDA multiple, 10X profit gains, Inc. 5000 honors, and award-winning cultures. Formerly with Golf Channel and 1-800 Contacts, Rob now shares practical scaling insights as Tenfold Biz Coach on TikTok.• Tiktok: @rmonson12• Website: TenfoldAdvisors.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Tool: Liz Wisemen Multipliers Assessment• Website: The Systems Thinker• Book: Topgrading: How Leading Companies Win by Hiring, Coaching, and Keeping the Best People, Revised and Updated Edition by Bradford Smart• Book: Who by Geoff Smart• Book: Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Growing Firm by Vern Harnish• Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, 20th Anniversary Edition by Patrick Lencioni• Book: The Captain Class: The Hidden Force That Creates the World's Greatest Teams by Sam Walker• Past episode: 030: Optimal Practices for Prioritizing, Hiring, and Relating with ghSMART's Randy Street• Past episode: 552: The Foundational Principle that Separates Good Leaders from Bad Ones with Pat Lencioni• Past episode: 719: Liz Wiseman Reveals the Five Practices of Indispensable, High-Impact Players— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIO• Quince. Get free shipping and 365-day returns on your order with Quince.com/Awesome• Cashflow Podcasting. Explore launching (or outsourcing) your podcast with a free 10-minute call with Pete.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most shop owners look at revenue… Great shop owners look at Labor Efficiency Rate (LER). In this episode, Dominic Rubino talks with Greg Crabtree, author of Simple Numbers and Scaling Up contributor, about the most important number big shops track. You'll learn: 1. What the Labor Efficiency Rate is 2. Why the magic number is 2:1 3. How to know if your team is working efficiently 4. Why backlog can hurt you, not help you 5. How to think like a profitable manufacturer Greg also shares lessons from real companies he's worked with — including shop owners who hit strong profits by focusing on this one number.

What do you do when everything feels like it's falling apart?In this solo episode, Bill explores why “feeling groovy” isn't just a quirky phrase; it's a powerful tool for high-performing CEOs. Drawing inspiration from Simon & Garfunkel's 59th Street Bridge Song, Bill breaks down the connection between presence, creativity, luck, and leadership effectiveness.Topics explored in this episode:(01:15) Why CEOs Need to Feel Groovy*What “feeling groovy” means in a leadership context.*You can't inspire others if you're always in survival mode.*Slowing down is a powerful gateway to clarity, presence, and leadership.(03:50) The Power of Pause*How taking breaks helps you recover physically, mentally, and emotionally.*Even brief pauses improve your ability to make strategic decisions.*Creating space leads to insights and better human connection.(06:25) The “Happy People” Study*A fascinating social study on why “lucky” people spot more opportunities.*Presence and joy increase awareness and your luck! *Why mindset affects what you notice (or don't) in your environment.Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Fuquan Bilal shares how he scaled NNG Capital Fund, raised $50M, and built systems, teams, and mindset to create freedom through real estate investing.In this episode of RealDealChat, Jack Hoss sits down with Fuquan Bilal, founder of NNG Capital Fund, to discuss how he built a $50M+ portfolio through multifamily, affordable housing, and luxury new construction—powered by systems, people, and purpose.Fuquan explains how he started from nothing, burned his bridges to corporate life, and learned the hard way how to scale sustainably. He shares his experience implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), raising capital through transparency, and developing affordable housing in the Southeast while building luxury spec homes in New Jersey.You'll also hear how he uses AI for deal analysis, trains his team through systems, and helps investors earn passive income while providing quality housing for families in need.What you'll learn in this episode:How Fuquan started with one deal and scaled to raising $50M+ in capitalWhy transparency and communication build investor trustThe real work after closing: asset management & operational excellenceWhy self-managing properties can double profitabilityHow to implement EOS & Scaling Up to create real tractionLessons from right-sizing your team & aligning around core valuesFour pillars of business success: people, strategy, execution & cashWhy systems + mindset = scaleHow to use creative financing (seller carryback, bridge alternatives)How AI is transforming underwriting and deal review

Earn 1.0 CPD here: https://quiz.ensombl.com/ENSO-25110221-59400001 0.75 Client Care & Practice 0.25 Technical Competence This week, Rocksy speaks with Peter Monahan, CEO at EJM Advice. They discuss EJM Advice's journey through succession planning, acquisitions, business integration, operational reforms, and the adoption of AI to drive growth, profitability, and a client-focused culture in advice. Peter Monahan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-monahan-51b84813/ EJM Advice Website: https://www.ejmadvice.com.au/ Peter's Last Engine Room Podcast: https://ensombl.com/podcasts/engine5/ Scaling Up: https://scalingup.com/book/ Aspiriant Wealth Management: https://aspiriant.com/ Visit The Adviser Portal and partner with Zurich and OnePath today: https://ensombl.com/go/20251104 General Disclaimer – https://www.ensombl.com/disclaimer/

Holidays don't usually line up with release day—but this year they did. In this Halloween special, Trace uses the horror-movie trope of the "scary boiler room" to deliver practical, field-tested reminders for safer sampling, clearer thinking, and better decisions in high-heat, low-light spaces.   Boiler Rooms, Myths, and Real Risks  From Nightmare on Elm Street to Tower of Terror, pop culture loves dim steam, tight corridors, and clangy pipe-labyrinths. Trace contrasts that imagery with what matters to pros: light, ventilation, a stable work surface, and time for observation. He urges listeners to advocate for basics—task lighting, a table, and smarter workflow—so test results are usable, repeatable, and defensible.  Sampling That Won't Scare Your Data  Sampling isn't the job—thinking is. Trace reviews essentials: collect safely (sample coolers when available), fill bottles with no headspace, cool samples to about "hand-holdable" (~100°F) before running tests, and remember temperature and prep sensitivities—especially sulfite tests that use starch. Poor cooling "cooks the potatoes," skewing readings. Tie every test to a hypothesis about system behavior; use results to prove or disprove what you think is happening.  Observation > Automation  Don't just grab a bottle and walk. Log pressures and temperatures (DA/FT), verify blowdown practices (including surface blow and any cooling devices), check the sample cooler, and review boiler logs. Pair disciplined observation with testing so numbers have context.  Stretch Past the "Butterfly Line"  Halloween also prompts a leadership challenge: if you haven't felt "butterflies" lately, are you still stretching? Trace revisits public-speaking growth, previews his AWT presentations (presenting craft, Start With Why, Working Genius, and processes), and encourages pros to reframe nerves as excitement on the way to competence.  Make the boiler room less cinematic and more professional. Better lighting, better setup, and hypothesis-driven testing produce better calls—and better outcomes for customers.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps 07:05 - Why Hollywood loves boiler rooms  10:10 — Disney's Tower of Terror queue through a "boiler room" and hidden Mickeys  13:31 – Don't just sample – Observe  15:02 - Safety first: sample coolers when available; protect yourself from burns  35:21 - Water You Know with James McDonald  47:05 – Halloween Throwback    Connect with Scaling UP! H2O  Website:  www.scalinguph2o.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scalinguph2o/  YouTube: Scaling Up! H2O Podcast - YouTube    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Annual Convention and Exposition 2025  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea Start with Why Ted Talk  The Rising Tide Mastermind  The Hang Ep 166 The One Where We Celebrate Halloween  Ep 325 Rising Together: Conquering Challenges through Collective Support  Ep 427 July 4th! Entrepreneurship, Water Wells, and the Spirit of Liberty    Water You Know with James McDonald  Question: What is the pressure of a fluid called that's measured relative to "atmospheric" pressure?   2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

Building on last week's episode on AI and Operating Systems in SMBs, Dave West and PST Yuval Yeret dive into the challenges of scaling small and medium-sized businesses.Dave shares lessons from growing an organization from a small team to over 100 people—navigating silos, new stakeholders, and keeping teams outcome-focused. Yuval highlights common scaling pitfalls and explores frameworks like EOS, Scaling Up, and D4X, emphasizing vision, strategic goals, and evidence-based management.Learn how to maintain agility at scale, build cross-functional teams, and create an operating system that drives sustainable growth.Resource - Mastering Organizational Traction Trail Map

What happens when the hardest workers on your team start burning out?In this episode, Bill is joined by Paul Austin-Menear for a conversation about the unseen toll of hustle culture on your team, your operations, and your long-term performance. Together, they explore the red flags leaders often miss, from rising sick days to unchecked overachievement, and offer practical ways to build smarter, more resilient companies. You'll hear stories about simplifying systems, protecting downtime, acting on feedback fast, and creating environments where people thrive instead of burn out.Topics explored in this episode:(02:45) Having Hustle Isn't Enough*When is too much ‘Hustle' in your company a problem? *More sick days, more absences; leaders shouldn't ignore these signs! *Things break down and you lose business when your hustlers start to burn out. (9:50) Reframing Your Off Time *When you rest, you perform better. *On the weekends, everything should be OFF! Emails, messages, everything. *For those overachievers who couldn't help themselves, Paul would shut their emails off over the weekend. Work performance improved. (27:30) Are You Overcomplicating Your Process?*Bill shares a client story on how you can find ways to simplify.*Reduce the redundancies. It might not be as hard as you think! *Everything is trackable. You can find ways to reduce workload. (37:50) Act on Feedback Quickly*Engage your whole team, even from different departments, to spark innovation. *How to structure bonuses and incentives in a smart way. *So many times feedback sits in a folder and no one acts on it. Thanks to Paul Austin-Menear for being on the show!Learn more about Paul here: https://6catalysts.ca/Connect with Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pwamenear/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts:

After finding early success in the natural channel, Olyra revamped its packaging, flavors and formulation to resonate with mainstream consumers while preserving the ancient Greek roots at the heart of its story

In the finale of our new miniseries, Vertical SaaS: Fintech Disruption by a Thousand Cuts (sponsored by our friends at Pipe), we confront the biggest questions yet, like: How can maturing vertical SaaS companies scale without losing the obsessive focus that made them indispensable?  Should they expand into adjacent markets, or double down on their niche? And, as AI transforms oversight from slow, sample-based audits into continuous real-time monitoring, who will own the responsibility for keeping these systems safe? With Luke Voiles (CEO of Pipe) as cohost, we welcome special guest Darragh Buckey (Founder and CEO of Increase – and, before that, the first employee at Stripe). Along the way, we get candid about the capital “S” Specialization that's making this ecosystem work: Vertical SaaS companies own the workflows, fintech partners like Pipe handle capital and risk, and infrastructure providers take on the tough, regulated money movement no one else wants to touch. Get a front-row seat to how the “lasagna” of financial services is being rebuilt, one specialized layer at a time. And how, if we get it right, it will serve small businesses, developers, and the broader economy far better than the systems it's replacing. Don't miss this closing chapter of our Vertical SaaS: Fintech Disruption by a Thousand Cuts miniseries. Thanks for listening!  This episode was brought to you by Pipe. Pipe helps vertical SaaS platforms unlock fast, flexible capital, right inside their product. Learn more at pipe.com/fintechtakes. Sign up for Alex's Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don't forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson Follow Luke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-voiles/ Follow Darragh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darragh-buckley-56096312/ Learn more about Pipe here.

 Hiring in industrial water is slow, specialized, and expensive to get wrong. In this conversation, executive advisor Randi Fargen explains how a two-question, 5–7 minute Culture Index survey becomes an ongoing management and coaching system—not just a hiring screen—so owners cut turnover risk, speed onboarding, and improve day-to-day communication.    From “assessment fatigue” to a usable language  Most teams dread long assessments. This survey takes minutes and measures four primary traits—autonomy, sociability, pace/patience, conformity—plus three sub-traits (logic, ingenuity, mental stamina). Leaders get a shared vocabulary for why projects stall, what information different people need, and where the team is over-weighted in “gas” (vision/growth) or “brake” (quality/process).    Objective data where interviews fail  Resumes can be embellished, references are curated, and interviews are where candidates most modify behavior. The survey provides objective, EEOC-compliant data to align role demands with how a person is wired—a first pass for “right person, right seat,” followed by skills and experience checks. Trace shares a driver-hire example where data prevented a costly misfit and made the interview process smoother and more targeted.    Turnover, onboarding load, and the health check  Randi highlights research she cites with clients: 66% of employees have accepted roles they knew weren't a fit, and 50% of those left within six months—burning cash and team morale. The fix isn't one-and-done. Teams re-survey every 3–6 months to read dynamic “job behavior” shifts, diagnose disconnects early, and adjust coaching, workload, or process before problems harden.    Coaching at scale, not weaponization  Culture Index works best when deployed top-down and organization-wide (not just managers). Teams adopt simple practices—e.g., bringing pattern cards to meetings or adding patterns to email signatures—to reduce friction. A guardrail: never “weaponize the dots.” Use the data to maximize strengths and support challenges; never to excuse behavior or limit someone's potential.    Industry relevance and next steps  Because industrial water roles are niche and ramp time is long, using objective behavioral data helps retain talent you've already invested in. Randi closes with a free team diagnostic offer for companies that want to “test drive” the approach and leave with actionable insights—regardless of whether they proceed further.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps    02:01 - Trace Blackmore shares a Legionella Awareness Month recap (most listened yet, high sharing), shout-outs to some guests, note that the CDC recognized Legionella Awareness Month, the origin story from 2020 lockdowns, a call to keep challenging what we “know”  07:52 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals   12:51 - Interview with Randi Fargen, Executive Advisor with Culture Index  13:27 - Randi's self-intro: role and how she helps businesses (“right people, right seats”)  17:02 – Hiring Win; interviews get sharper when profiles guide questions  22:13 – Cost of Turnover  33:42 - What's measured: four primary traits (A/B/C/D) + three sub-traits (logic/ingenuity/stamina)  41:06 - Gas vs. brake; turning productive tension into quality control  52:51 - Guardrail: never “weaponize the dots”; use data to support, not to excuse or exclude  01:12:21 - Water You Know with James McDonald    Quotes  “Fully exploited strengths are a far greater value than marginally improved weaknesses.”  “Statistically speaking, 98% of the population has less autonomy than you do.”  “The second this is weaponized; the program is dead within your organization.”  “This isn't something, it's not a magic wand, it's not a magic bullet… This is a marathon, not a sprint.”    Connect with Randi Fargen Phone: 1(303) 242 0346  Email: rfargen@cultureindex.com   Website: www.cultureindex.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-fargen/     Guest Resources Mentioned   Culture Index Program  Randi Fargen (Executive Advisor) Free Team Diagnostic   Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink   How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older by Michael Greger    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  446 Leveraging the Culture Index for Business Success with Danielle Scimeca and Conor Parrish    Water You Know with James McDonald   Question: What is the molar mass of water?    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

In this episode of The AZREIA Show, hosts Marcus Maloney and Mike Del Prete interview hotel developer Mark Pomerenke, who builds quality lodging in rural America. Mark shares his journey from managing family motels to scaling a nationwide hotel business, discusses public-private partnerships and Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and reveals how faith and perseverance fueled his success. A must-listen for anyone interested in real estate, entrepreneurship, or inspiring success stories. Key Takeaways:  00:21 Mark Pomerenke Background in Hotel Development 00:58 First Steps in Hotel Development 03:11 Challenges and Strategies in Early Projects 06:22 Scaling Up and Vertical Integration 07:07 First Successful Project and Expansion 14:37 Navigating Financial Challenges 19:15 Brainstorming Investment Strategies 19:34 Building Partnerships in Small Towns 20:06 Navigating the Financial Crisis 20:43 Expanding into New Markets 21:08 The Importance of Pivoting 22:22 Faith and Resilience in Business 22:41 Scaling the Hotel Business 25:51 Innovative Business Models 31:19 Giving Back and Mentorship 33:04 Final Thoughts and Reflections -

What do you do when everything feels like it's falling apart?In this solo episode, Bill talks openly about when things just don't go according to plan. When life hits harder than expected, and when the most reliable tools seem to stop working, there are still ways out of it. He reflects on his recent client experience and how he coaches his clients out of hardship and being stuck. Topics explored in this episode:(03:45) When the Tools Stop Working*Even experienced leaders can hit moments when none of their usual tools work.*Bill shares a client story about his brain and body shutting down, and how to navigate out of it.*What to do when your energy is gone and your head won't cooperate.(06:50) Get Curious About the Breakdown*The key question: “What do I need right now?”*Shifting from judgment to curiosity during emotional shutdowns.*Sometimes the fastest path forward is to stop fighting and get present.(09:15) Rebuilding from Ground Zero*Bill shares how he gets his clients unstuck. *When you can't make progress, focus on one small action.*This process isn't about fixing fires, it's about listening and realigning.Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

Points of Interest00:01 – 00:55 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Kristen Kelly and frames Q4 as prime season for annual and quarterly planning, noting the high cost of leadership offsites demands clear outcomes.01:18 – 03:10 – Why Planning Feels Hard: Kristen cites common hurdles—turning history into forward plans, aligning stakeholders, and building forecasts that can flex with scenarios.01:55 – 03:47 – Frameworks Without Dogma: Marcel references EOS and Scaling Up, extracting shared essentials: look back, look forward, set a few priorities, and install a cadence.03:48 – 05:16 – From Ideas to Execution: Teams stall when models are rigid or fragmented and when revenue targets are arbitrary rather than grounded in capacity, pricing, and cost.05:17 – 08:43 – Static Models Create Drag: Rigid spreadsheets bias decisions toward the status quo, force opinion-driven debates, and delay choices into the quarter, shrinking execution time.08:44 – 11:48 – Prep That Actually Works: Start with mission and quantifiable goals, anchor to a simple, accurate, flexible model, and compare forecast to actuals to keep scope tight.11:49 – 14:32 – Surface Misalignment Early: A pre-offsite FUD survey (fear, uncertainty, doubt) creates psychological safety, reveals blind spots, and primes productive discussion.14:33 – 17:16 – Make the Look-Back Lightweight: Ongoing scorecards make recaps brief; focus on AGI, delivery margin, overhead/AGI, operating profit, and levers like utilization, ABR, and average cost per hour.17:17 – 20:56 – Prioritize by the Numbers: Identify which metrics must move, set a small set of OKR-style priorities, and tie initiatives directly to measurable outcomes and weekly execution.20:56 – 23:47 – Objectives Stay Stable; Communicate Often: Big objectives change slowly; raise the bar via evolving key results and over-communicate the plan so decisions map back to it.25:23 – 27:58 – Commit, Then Figure It Out: Install scorecards and targets even if imperfect; the commitment becomes the forcing function to solve data structure, forecasting, and tracking.28:27 – 36:56 – Model-Backed Decisions & Facilitation: Use a living model to handle cyclical topics (price raises, comp), budgeting, and tradeoffs; third-party facilitation drives objectivity, buy-in, and offers ABR-improving options beyond price increases.36:56 – 39:29 – Unified Budgeting & Final Advice: A connected model aligns payroll, pricing, overhead, and delivery targets, preventing unrealistic constraints; the closing takeaway is numbers-first planning that builds alignment and speeds execution.Show NotesConnect with Kristen via LinkedInFree Agency ToolkitParakeeto Foundations CourseFree access to our Model PlatformLove this Episode?Leave us a review here.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you turn a personal frustration into a $75 million brand—with no experience in the industry? In this episode of Leaders of Transformation, host Nicole Jansen interviews Justin Baer, founder of Collars & Co., who transformed a simple idea—a dress-collar polo shirt—into one of the fastest-growing luxury menswear brands in America. With no background in fashion and a long history of entrepreneurial experiments (and failures), Justin shares how he built a multimillion-dollar brand through relentless action, rapid testing, and the courage to launch imperfect ideas. His story of Shark Tank success and partnership with Mark Cuban reveals how persistence, timing, and customer feedback can turn a simple product into a household name. You'll learn: How to identify business opportunities from everyday frustrations Why “done” is better than “perfect” when launching a new product The power of storytelling and viral marketing (including the TikTok video made by his daughter) How to scale fast while staying true to your brand vision What it takes to go from side hustle to a $75 million business in just three years If you're an entrepreneur, innovator, or aspiring business leader, this conversation will inspire you to take action—before you feel ready—and trust the process of learning, testing, and growing along the way.

While index funds have their benefits, customization has never been one of them, that is - until now. Donna and Nathan discuss how the technology behind direct indexing is allowing investors to design their own specialized portfolio to benchmark an index, while using sophisticated tax efficiency strategies unavailable with traditional index funds. Also on MoneyTalk, getting your ducks in a row before retirement, and Stock Trivia: Battle of the Sowas. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CPWA®; Air Date: 10/16/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Leave a message on the MoneyTalk Hotline at (401) 587-SOWA and have your voice heard live on the air!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get ready for a warm and inspiring episode, friend, as we welcome the visionary leaders behind a truly groundbreaking moment: the phenomenal merger of Girl Rising and She's The First. We sit down with Christina Lowery, Nidhi Shukla, Kate Kiama, and Tammy Tibbetts, the women fearlessly charting this new course

How do you make “right person, right seat” a repeatable system—not a hope?  Fact Water Co's Danielle Scimeca (President) and returning guest Conor Parrish (Chief Growth Officer) share how the Culture Index became a decisive tool for coaching, hiring, and a company-wide restructure. If you lead field service, customer service, or operations in industrial water, this conversation offers practical patterns you can apply the next time a role feels misaligned or a 1:1 stall on surface-level updates. From intuition to instrumentation  Trace opens with the origin story and quickly moves to why Danielle and Conor adopted the Culture Index. Conor outlines the survey's core traits (A, B, C, D), EU (energy units), logic, and ingenuity—and how those readings map to daily work. The team now enters 1:1s with data, not guesswork, and uses pattern shifts (e.g., crossing the bell-curve center line) as objective prompts to discuss burnout risk, disengagement, or role fit. Coaching that respects how people actually work Quarterly surveys provide a shared language for conflict and pace. Danielle and Conor show how “high-D vs. low-D” disagreements de-escalate when both sides name the pattern and adjust the level of detail or speed. The same framework helps leaders spot “quiet quitting” signals (e.g., EU changes) early, address them with empathy, and—when necessary—make seat changes with clarity. Hiring with a C-Job—and holding the line For open roles, they build a “C-job” (ideal pattern) and filter applicants by percentage match before reading résumés. That slows the front end but saves cycles by preventing mis-fit first interviews, reduces turnover, and improves team performance. The hardest lesson? When they ignored the pattern and hired outside the profile, they regretted it. Restructure at scale—faster, with fewer re-hires Armed with data, Fact Water accelerated a difficult restructure (significant field and customer-service turnover) and refilled seats against the right patterns. Outcomes included better alignment, happier team members, and fewer escalations. The same insights even improved communication at home—proof the temperament model applies beyond work. Tools don't lead—leaders do. The Culture Index gave Danielle and Conor the transparency and conviction to act sooner and coach smarter.  Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  02:24 - Trace Blackmore shares Industrial Water Week recap & #IWW25 highlights   13:37 - Water You Know with James McDonald  14:53 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals   21:22 – Interview starts: Danielle Scimeca & Conor Parrish of Fact Water Co  24:46 – Why Culture Index  26:16 - Culture Index Overview   36:11 – Coaching Use: Data-Drive 1:1s and pattern shifts  44:36 – Hiring Use: C-Job Profiles  47:49 – Slower Hiring vs. Lower Turnover: lessons learned  53:46 – Real Example: High- D vs. Low-D communication conflict   Quotes  Conor Parrish: "High level culture index is a tool that we use. It starts with the culture index survey." Danielle Scimeca: “The program forces you to make tough decisions… you deserve to be in a job that you find fulfilling.” Conor Parrish: “HR isn't doing first interviews with 30 people—they're doing first interviews with three to five.” Conor Parrish: “There's so much more to it the more you go… I'm learning something new every day”  Danielle Scimeca: “If you're not ready to make changes, it might not be the right time to do it.”    Connect with Conor Parrish Email: cparrish@factwaterco.com   Website: https://www.factwaterco.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-parrish-cwt-15208251/     Connect with Danielle Scimeca  Email: dscimeca@fctwater.com  Website: https://www.factwaterco.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-scimeca-esq-519604279/     Guest Resources Mentioned   Randi Fargen (Executive Advisor)  Culture Index Program    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  AWT 2025 Convention and Exposition   AWT 2025 Business Owners Meeting  AWT 2025 Golf Tournament  008 The One with Conor Parrish  186 The One where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 1  187 The One where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 2  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  The Hang (November 20, 2025 - 6 PM Eastern Time)    Water You Know with James McDonald  Question: What do we call the liquid formed after steam does its work and has cooled below its dew point?    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

John sits down with Christian Rattin, CEO of Five Star Home Services, to unpack how he helped transform a single-family HVAC shop into a $40M+ multi-market powerhouse across Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati.From growing through chaos to professionalizing with purpose, Christian shares Five Star's evolution — blending faith, strategy, and servant leadership to build a home service company that gives back millions. They go deep on: the “profit on purpose” philosophy, scaling across markets without losing culture, leadership development for second-chance employees, and using systems like Scaling Up to sustain growth.If you're serious about building a multi-location business, leading through values, or turning revenue into real impact, this episode is a masterclass in intentional scaling.

What if the real reason you're not closing deals has nothing to do with your leads and everything to do with your process?In this episode, Sean Samson breaks down the myths around what makes someone great at sales, and why most people fail. Sean shares how he went from average to top 1% by mastering the process, not his ‘sales' personality. He reveals why decent leads don't matter if your close rate is broken, how to adjust pricing based on buyer beliefs, and the difference between sales and business development (hint: most people don't know it). Whether you're hiring your first sales rep or trying to close more deals yourself, Sean offers insights into creating scalable sales systems.Topics explored in this episode:(07:10) Understand the Game of Sales*Sean knew if he wanted to be a 1% top performer in his industry, he had to know sales. *First things first, you need to understand why people aren't buying from you. *You need consistency, and to have consistency, you need a process.(9:40) Create a People-First Company*Sales fall through because the customer didn't have enough information. *...and they had the wrong price! You can adjust your price to the needs of the customer. *You run a sales call to find out what your customer believes and to meet them there. (19:15) Decent Leads, Horrible Close Ratio*How are leads coming to you? *Why are they coming to you? *You need to track the customer journey through a CRM. (31:35) Business Development vs. Sales*What's the difference between business development and sales? Most don't know!*How do you get your sales guys to stay longer? *Most people fail at sales because they don't understand there's a structure and scalability factor to it. Thanks to Sean Samson for being on the show!Learn more about Sean here: https://www.seansamsontraining.com/Connect with Sean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansamsontraining/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify:

Every gym owner hits a point where hard work isn't enough — that's when the right mentorship can change everything.Welcome to Gym Marketing Made Simple, the podcast built for boutique gym owners ready to attract more members, boost revenue, and simplify growth — without having to become full-time marketers in the process.Episode HighlightsThis episode breaks down how to determine if a mentorship company is the right move for a gym. The hosts discuss why mentorship matters at every stage of growth — from improving coaching and systems to building stronger leadership and scaling operations.Key TakeawaysMentorship gives gym owners access to expert insights that improve decision-making and drive growth.Early-stage gyms benefit from mentorship focused on coaching and member experience.As gyms expand, mentorship evolves toward systems, operations, and scalability.Common challenges like client acquisition and staff development can be overcome with proper guidance.Leadership and HR skills are crucial to developing teams that take ownership of results.Paid advertising becomes necessary when organic growth hits its ceiling.The right mentorship supports marketing, sales, and leadership development at every level.Episode Chapters00:00 Intro00:36 Importance of Mentorship in Business01:23 Mentorship in the Gym Space02:29 Scaling Up and Overcoming Business Challenges03:04 Developing Leadership and HR Skills04:22 Phases of Business Growth and Mentorship NeedsBook a free call to learn more about the Lasso framework for marketing and sales strategies that help gyms scale sustainably.Supporting Information

“I believe what we're doing is based on something that's good for healing people and healing the planet. So, we're always organic and we're always working with regenerative organic farmers. And we're sticking to that mission and values, which is really important to me, because those are things that are always going to be good for you and for the…planet.” —Neka Pasquale   Sometimes, wellness feels like a luxury instead of a way of life. Between the stress of business, family, and bills, it's easy to put health last until the cost of burnout catches up. What if the values that ground us—nourishment, balance, and purpose—were also the very things that drive sustainable success? An acupuncturist turned entrepreneur, Neka Pasquale has built Urban Remedy from her kitchen into a movement by pairing holistic values with smart business. Her journey shows that growth doesn't come from chasing trends but from honoring what genuinely heals and sustains people. This week, Justine and Neka provide clear, usable lessons about product-first growth, sourcing, hiring leadership, bootstrapped problem-solving, pivoting retail models, investor trade-offs, and how to scale without losing the values that made you special.   Meet Neka: Neka Pasquale is the founder of Urban Remedy, a nationally recognized organic food company rooted in the philosophy of food as medicine. With a background as a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine, Neka has dedicated her career to promoting health and wellness through functional, organic, and healing foods. Since founding Urban Remedy over 13 years ago, she has grown the company from a local business in Marin, California, to a national brand featured in Whole Foods and other major retailers. Neka is known for her innovative approach to nutrition, her commitment to sustainability, and her passion for making healthy, fresh food accessible to a wider audience. Website Instagram Facebook   Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube   Episode Highlights: 00:41 Urban Remedy: First Store to Wild Growth 04:43 Developing the Menu: Chinese Medicine and the Power of Food Temperatures 08:41 Finding Food Balance and Early Entrepreneurial Spirit  13:35 Scaling Up and Facing Growth Hurdles (Money, Team, and Staying Afloat)  16:35 Major Lessons on Grit, Glitch, Growth, and Greed  21:13 Evaluating Opportunities and Choosing the Right Growth Path 23:01 Hiring Your First CEO— What Matters Most 28:16 Navigating Unexpected Success and Bittersweet Decisions 31:40 Urban Remedy: The Next Steps 

What if real leadership isn't about being louder, but about being more present?In this solo episode, Bill Gallagher explores a different lens on leadership: mindful power. Instead of dominating a room with volume or charisma, Bill shares how the most effective CEOs lead through presence, clarity, and intention.Topics explored in this episode:(00:00) Power Isn't Loud*Real power doesn't come from dominating the room.*Before performance, you need presence.*Bill opens the episode with a mindful exercise.(04:45) The Mindfulness Formula*Get Present (notice your body, breath, thoughts, surroundings)*Practice Gratitude (recognize what brings joy, connection, and abundance)*Set Intention (what are you showing up for today?)(09:20) Lead with Intention, Not Reaction*Whether it's a client call, event, or family dinner, leadership starts with conscious intent.*Mindful power isn't about slowing everything down, it's about speeding up the right things with presence.*Bring presence first, before performance.Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

We're reaching back into the archive  for the second time this season to revisit a conversation from 2019 with Bruce Buchanan, the co founder and CEO of Rokt.I will be sitting down with Bruce again soon for a follow-up episode covering everything that's happened since 2019. Even if you have heard this episode before or if  are new to Scaling Up since then,  this is a must listen.  It serves not only as a great primer on Bruce and Rokt, but also shines with insights drawn from Bruce's intellectual curiosity about consumer behavior and psychology, as well as his clearleadership principles that guided Rokt through its early hyper-growth phase.At the time of recording, Rokt was around the US$100m in revenue mark, growing fast, with offices across both Sydney and New York. It was hyper focussed on the transaction moment and unlocking it's potential for merchants, advertisers and also consumers. It has been an incredible ride since 2019, with the business now in 2025 valued at US 3.5b billion dollars, has seen exponential revenue and transaction growth, tonow be a trusted partner by the world's biggest brands and ecommerce partners…but that part of the Rokt story is not for now. Enjoy this re-release of one of our most-loved early episodes—with Bruce Buchanan, co-founder and CEO of Rokt

Chase Farris is the Founder and CEO of NexGen Landscaping, a culture-driven, full-service landscape company reshaping the commercial and HOA world. Starting from the roots of the industry. Chase is now leading a movement to push past industry barriers, blending tech, teamwork, and vision to redefine what landscaping can be. With a focus on people and progress, he and his team are building more than landscapes and maintaining more than properties. They're Elevating the Industry.

This episode of Ignite is your inside look at the upcoming Scaling Up Healthcare Performance Marketing Summit, designed specifically for healthcare marketers like you who want to drive real patient acquisition and stay ahead of industry trends. Hosted by Cardinal CEO Alex Membrillo and Cardinal CGO Lauren Leone, you'll hear about the event's top-tier speakers, actionable case studies, and focused tracks on AI, measurement, and performance marketing, all aimed at giving you practical strategies you can implement right away. Plus, you'll discover new networking opportunities, awards for marketing excellence, and ways to connect with peers facing the same challenges, ensuring you leave with both inspiration and tangible value for your organization. RELATED RESOURCES Optimizing for AI Search: A New Era in Healthcare Marketing - https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/healthcare-resources/blog/optimizing-for-ai-search-a-new-era-in-healthcare-marketing/ Why Capacity-Driven Marketing Is Non-Negotiable - https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/capacity-driven-marketing-media-investment-strategy/ How to Build a Full-Funnel Healthcare Marketing Strategy - https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/healthcare-resources/blog/healthcare-full-funnel-marketing-strategy/ How to Set Smarter Healthcare Marketing Goals - https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/healthcare-resources/blog/marketing-goal-planning/   Get your free ticket to Scaling Up 2025: https://www.cardinaldigitalmarketing.com/scalingup-healthcare-performance-marketing-summit/

Jacob Bank, Relay.app founder and CEO, says the days of building up a huge marketing department might just be over. The Relay.app platform helps teams design and deploy custom AI agents, without losing impact. Bank explains why the old model of hiring is on the way out, why he offers step-by-step guides to users on how to effectively build agents, and how marketers can rethink scale, autonomy, and leverage in this new age. For Further Reading: After selling his last startup to Google, this founder now wants to automate mundane tasks with RelayBacked by a16z, Relay races to market with Zapier in its crosshairsThe Mom TestTractionJeff SuJacob's Favorite AI Agents! Listen on your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1715735755

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The best leaders are the ones that can hold space for both—care personally and challenge directly. Work never happens in a vacuum. Field calls, customer pressure, travel, and deadlines compound the very real mental load carried by water professionals. In this conversation, Dr. Andy Melton, a professional counselor and executive coach at  www.andymelton.com—shares clear, practical ways leaders and teams can recognize mental health warning signs, set the right boundaries, and respond with care without stepping outside their role.  Care Personally, Challenge Directly—Inside Clear Boundaries Managers aren't neutral parties, and that matters. Andy explains the built-in conflict of interest when a supervisor probes too deeply into an employee's personal struggles. You still need to check in—but do it in role: use open-ended, performance-anchored questions (“What's been challenging for you lately?”), document observations, and offer resources instead of diagnoses. He also highlights Kim Scott's “Radical Candor” frame—care personally and challenge directly—as a durable leadership posture for tough conversations.   Spotting Decline Early—Behavioral, Cognitive, Physical  Before missed KPIs and callbacks spike, there are tells: sudden drops in productivity, withdrawal, irritability, rising absence/tardiness, markedly negative self-talk, and physical complaints (fatigue, headaches, stomach issues). Andy shares a simple “dashboard” self-check—sleep and eating patterns—plus trackable 1–10 scales for stress, energy, engagement, and mood stability to catch trends early.  When It's Serious—Safe Paths and Resources  Anonymous surveys can surface urgent risks—including suicidality. Andy outlines responsible next steps: widen communication, invite follow-ups, and immediately involve a mental health professional or crisis resources. Know the number 988 and your local mobile crisis team information; publish those options prominently so help is never far away.  Grounding Under Load—3 Techniques You Can Use Anywhere  For anxiety (mind racing ahead) and depression (mind stuck in the past), uniting mind and body in the present increases bandwidth. Andy teaches three job-friendly tools: the four-second “box” breath, a five-senses “sensory scan,” and a head-to-toe “progressive muscle relaxation.” Each can be done discreetly at a desk, in a service truck, or before a customer meeting.  Strong operations require strong people. Build a culture that normalizes check-ins, provides resources, and keeps performance expectations clear. That's how teams protect each other and maintain reliability in the field.  Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps    02:20 - Trace welcome Industrial Water Week is next week and why it's our "Super Bowl" 11:38 — Water You Know with James McDonald 13: 11 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals    15:14 - Introduction for Dr. Andy Melton 15:35 - Andy's background 19:06 - Why mental health is hard to discuss at work; stigma and judgment 21:40 - Cognitive/physical signs: negative self-talk, fatigue, headaches, stomach issues 23:33 — Why self-awareness is hard; “mirror” idea of counseling/coaching 24:21 — Self “dashboard”: sleep and eating as early indicators 26:22 — Employer question: caring without crossing the line 31:44 — Impact on teammates and operations; why the talk still must happen 32:06 — Culture: build trust so care is believed 36:12 — Psychological safety: education via outside counselors/coaches; offer EAPs 42:07 — 988 explained; local mobile crisis teams and how they respond 45:06 — Awareness first: listen to body; define “stress” simply 48:27 — Grounding overview: techniques to reunite mind and body   Quotes  Struggles in mental health still have stigma… but I do think there are ways to handle this sensitive subject in the workplace. It is really challenging as an employer to be a neutral sort of resource in someone's life.      Connect with Dr. Andy Melton Phone: 615-669-4105  Email: andy@meltoncounseling.com   Website: www.andymelton.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymeltonphd     Guest Resources Mentioned   The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth by Amy C. Edmondson  Crucial Conversations (Third Edition): Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny (Author, Narrator), Kerry Patterson (Author), Ron McMillan (Author), Al Switzler (Author), Emily Gregory (Author, Narrator), McGraw Hill-Ascent Audio (Publisher)  Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler Downloadable materials for workplace mental health presentations  Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott   Radical Candor | Feedback Training, Coaching & Consulting  Mental Health America (MHA)  Melton Counseling  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind Water Cake Recipe  Industrial Water Week   Water You Know with James   Question: What do you call the waste stream coming out of a reverse osmosis unit?    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE. 

What would change in your business if you built it to support people; not just profits?In this episode, Dean Mathews joins Bill to share how solving one simple, overlooked problem turned into a business serving over 200,000 users a month. As the founder of OnTheClock, Dean opens up about the early scrappy days, how he learned to build a team-first company from the ground up, and why fast learning was his biggest edge. He also reflects on how his leadership style has evolved, the myth of work-life balance, and what it really means to stay committed when both your business and your family need youTopics explored in this episode:(04:30) Find a Solution Everybody Wants*Dean noticed that there was a common problem, and he knew he could figure out how to solve it. *His business has grown to 200,000 subscribers a month. *A strong team has been the foundation to his sustained success. (9:00) Create a People-First Company*Dean wanted a company that was built to last.*Building a strong team is Dean's primary job and focus now. *Dean really wanted to create a place where talent can prosper. (15:15) Learn Quick and Wear Multiple Hats*How did Dean find his first clients? *Word of mouth is the best form of marketing*Dean credits the company's success and growth to his ability to learn quickly, implement fast, and immediately shift focus to the next challenge.(31:35) How has Dean's Leadership Style Changed? *Dean doesn't understand what work-life-balance is. *When you're driven, it's a challenge to allocate ‘outside work time'. *Dean has become very intentional to not break his commitments and promises in both work and family life. Thanks to Dean Mathews for being on the show!Learn more about Dean here: https://www.ontheclock.com/Connect with Dean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-mathews-yes/Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple...

Ashly Paladino is the COO and Partner at Sun Valley Landscaping in Omaha, Nebraska. Over the past 14 years, she has helped lead the company from a $1M operation to nearly $10M in annual revenue. Today, Sun Valley employs 78 people, including 34 year-round team members. Ashly is passionate about building strong teams, growing leaders, and creating a company culture rooted in service, craftsmanship, and community. In addition to her role at Sun Valley, Ashly serves on the boards of the Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association and The WorkLab, and has previously contributed to national initiatives as a member of several councils within the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Outside of work, Ashly enjoys live music, cooking, outdoor adventures, and watching her four kids compete in sports with her husband, Tony, by her side.

Exactly How You Can Start Making $150 a Day On WhatNot in 24 Hours (With 0 Experience)In episode 127 of The Side Hustle Experiment Podcast  John (https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperiment/ ) and Drew  (https://www.instagram.com/realdrewd/) sit down with Max (https://www.instagram.com/commongroundfinds_/) Max was a former teacher turned full-time bookseller who now makes $1,200–$1,500 per day selling used books on Whatnot, eBay, and more.He breaks down exactly how beginners can start flipping books — many of which you can get completely free — and start earning $100/day within 24 hours using Whatnot's live-selling platform.You'll learn: ✅ Why books are still one of the most profitable and ignored reselling categories ✅ How to source hundreds of books for free (and what to look for) ✅ Max's $1 auction strategy that turns “duds” into cash ✅ The exact steps to launch your first Whatnot show and build momentum fast ✅ How consignment deals, box lots, and media mail unlock insane marginsWhether you're new to reselling or looking for a side hustle with low startup costs and fast cashflow, this episode gives you the full blueprint.Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell so you don't miss future episodes with top entrepreneurs and creators.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Book Selling Journey02:53 The Resurgence of Book Sales05:40 Max's Business Model and Sales Breakdown08:41 The Whatnot Platform: A Game Changer11:10 Getting Started in Book Selling14:03 The Value of Free Books and Bulk Selling17:15 Max's Profit Margins and Business Growth20:03 The Future of Book Selling and Whatnot22:46 Conclusion: The Potential of Book Selling29:46 Transitioning from Teaching to Book Reselling32:10 Building Knowledge and Community in Book Selling34:56 The Role of Technology in Book Valuation36:57 Success Stories in Book Reselling40:22 Finding Hidden Treasures in Book Sales43:29 Traits of Successful Book Sellers46:15 Navigating Book Deals and Collections48:42 Scaling Up with Whatnot52:00 The Importance of Teamwork in Book Reselling #makemoneyonline #sidehustleexperimentpodcast #sidehustles Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperimentpodcast/ Listen on your favorite podcast platformYoutube: https://bit.ly/3HHklFOSpotify: https://spoti.fi/48RRKcPApple: https://apple.co/4bmaFOk Check out Drew's StuffInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/realdrewdTwitter: https://twitter.com/DrewFBACheck out John's StuffInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidehustleexperiment/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SideHustleExp FREE ResourcesFREE Guide: How to Make Money Reviewing Products https://bit.ly/3HIGFSP

What happens when cities become “networked”—and water systems start telling us what they need in real time? In this episode, Trace Blackmore speaks with Christine McHugh (CEO, White Strand Development) about practical smart-city strategies for water: real-time monitoring, digital twins, and IoT/AI approaches that turn Legionella control from periodic testing into continuous risk management. Christine frames smart water not as gadgets, but as a disciplined, data-driven process that improves human health, operational efficiency, and insurability. Building the “Networked” City: A Practical Definition   Christine defines a smart city as a networked one—linking health, energy, waste, and water through technology that measures and correlates across systems. The aim isn't novelty; it's safer drinking water and safer water environments via better data and faster decisions. Digital twins, decentralized treatment, and AI-enabled pattern recognition help teams move from “single point-in-time readings” to persistent trends they can act on. Legionella Risk, Reframed as Strategy   Most water programs still sample periodically, waiting days for results. Christine argues the future is pattern-based, proactive control: track temperature, stagnation/flow, and disinfectant continuously; intervene when pattern thresholds indicate elevated risk. This lens aligns water quality, human wellness, and insurance risk reduction, encouraging property insurers and building owners to incentivize water science as part of smart-building operations.  From Sensors to Sense-Making: Hierarchy, Data Lakes, and Reporting  Adding devices isn't enough. Christine stresses a hierarchy of sensors and data governance so operations, engineering, and ESG teams aren't running conflicting reports from siloed sources (BMS vs. cloud dashboards). Her model: create a data lake with agreed-upon sources of truth and standardized outputs so every stakeholder “sees the same movie.”  Case Studies & What “Good” Looks Like  Christine highlights programs that combined water management plans, continuous disinfectant monitoring, and campus-scale digital twins—reducing manual tests, achieving compliance, and cutting consumption. European hospitals using IoT on hot-water systems report faster compliance and fewer manual interventions. The pattern: real-time insight + trained people + maintenance and reporting contracts = measurable risk reduction.  Cybersecurity: Close the Back Doors  Smart water raises legitimate cyber concerns. Christine's guidance: encrypt all sensor communications, hire experts to penetration-test your own systems, and watch for unexpected bridges (e.g., HVAC or even “non-critical” devices) into critical networks. OT/IT segmentation, alert transparency, and a culture of continuous testing matter as much as the sensors themselves.  Public–Private Partnerships (with Academia)  The fastest path to adoption pairs public oversight and access to infrastructure with private-sector technology and capital—and an academic partner for research and validation. Clear performance metrics and maintained as-builts keep pilots honest and scalable.  Resilience: Droughts, Floods, and Stormwater  Smart networks matter beyond Legionella. Real-time consumption, leak detection, and pressure management minimize waste during droughts; stormwater and wastewater sensors prevent overflows that contaminate receiving waters during floods. Long-running sensor programs abroad show how a single resort area eliminated contamination events by instrumenting the system and responding to alerts.  Emerging Tech to Watch  From self-healing pipes and biosensors to drone inspections and AI-orchestrated networks, Christine sees water systems becoming more like natural ecosystems—self-regulating, adaptive, and resilient—while humans supervise exceptions and validate performance.  For industrial water professionals, the takeaway is clear: treat smart water as an integrated risk-management system, not a pile of devices. Invest in sensor hierarchy, unified data, and team training, and align the work with safety and insurance outcomes. That's how you protect people, performance, and the balance sheet. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  02:37 - Trace Blackmore kicks off the episode by reminiscing about the TV show Leave It to Beaver and how families used to watch together in the 1950s.  08:40 - Water You Know with James McDonald  09:48 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals   12:20 - Interview with Christine McHugh, CEO of White Strand Development  13:03 -  What Is a Smart City?   15:13 - Risk Reduction as Strategy   16:23 – Real-Time Monitoring: Core Controls  17:06 - Smart Fixtures & “Only When Needed” Flushing  19:28 — Duplication, BMS vs Cloud, Data Governance  25:03 — Case Studies: VT & Copenhagen University Hospital  31:59— Cybersecurity: Water Systems at Risk  40:21— City Resilience: Drought & Flooding  41:59 — Emerging Tech to Watch    Quotes  “Technology will give us real-time patterns, and… by just having that pattern recognition, we have power to be more proactive.”   “We really should be trying to break into our own system or hiring people to break into our own system… the bad guys will find it as well.”   “Creating a water system that's more like a natural ecosystem… self-regulating, adaptive, and maximizes both efficiency and resiliency.”    Connect with Christine McHugh Phone: 9179409383  Email: christine.mchugh@whitestrand.com  Website: White Strand Development  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-a-mchugh/     Guest Resources Mentioned   Practitioners' Perspective on the Prevalent Water Quality Management Practices for Legionella Control in Large Buildings in the United States  Tenets of a holistic approach to drinking water-associated pathogen research, management, and communication   Smart Cities, Copenhagen and the Power of Data   Chlorine Disinfection of Legionella spp., L. pneumophila, and Acanthamoeba under Warm Water Premise Plumbing Conditions  NLM's Water heater temperature set point and water use patterns influence Legionella pneumophila and associated microorganisms at the tap    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  Industrial Water Week     Water You Know with James McDonald  Question: What type of resin is primarily used in a sodium zeolite water softener?    2025 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

What if your schedule isn't the problem, but the way you're living it is?In this solo episode, Bill Gallagher explores the energizing trifecta of Purpose, Power, and Play, and how aligning with all three can transform your leadership, reduce stress, and make even the busiest weeks feel fulfilling. Topics explored in this episode:(1:20) What is Your Purpose? *What's the most important thing you want people to say about you at the end of your life?*Your purpose is your emotional center behind work, family, and community life.(4:15) What is Your Intuitive Power? *What comes easy to you? Do more of that! *Notice what drains you? What do you hate to do? Do less of that! (6:45) Schedule Time for Some Play*Bill showcases how he incorporates play into his life and the work he does. *You need to have fun in order to be fresh and sharp. (9:45) Bringing it Together: Purpose, Power, Play. *When all three align, even a packed schedule feels energizing.*All 3 don't need to happen simultaneously, we just want to touch all of them throughout the week/month. Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth. Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGallBill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJSubscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00uBill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/ Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

After starting the farm over 20 years ago, Chris Jagger and his family scaled Blue Fox Farm from very small up to about 45 acres, including a lot of wholesaling. When the wholesale market changed, they scaled back down. Learn why Chris says his current farm size puts him in a farm “economic dead zone,” so you can consider farming on either side of it.Chris farms in the Applegate Valley, a sparsely-populated, very dry part of southern Oregon that also has a lot of cannabis cultivation. Hear how the rise and fall of the cannabis industry has affected market farms in the area, what cannabis growers can learn from vegetable farmers, and more in this interview with host Katie Kulla.Connect With Guest:Instagram: @bluefoxfarm Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:Discover innovative packaging solutions at A-ROO Company, your one-stop shop for customizable and eco-friendly packaging across various industries, including floral, produce, and specialty packaging. Explore stylish and eco-friendly Kraft Paper Sleeves and sheets at shop.a-roo.com today and enjoy an exclusive 15% discount with code "GFM15" for Growing for Market listeners. When it comes to quality and innovation, A-ROO Company is the name you can trust.Farmhand is the virtual assistant built for farmers—helping CSAs scale sales, run error-free fulfillment, and deliver 5-star service. Whether you're at 100 members or 1,000, Farmhand helps you grow without burning out. You've heard us—and our farmers—right here on the Growing for Market Podcast. Explore more stories and learn more at farmhand.partners/gfm.Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.Since 1993, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. Each fall, Vermont Compost Company offers a Prebuy Sale to incentivize ordering your spring soil before winter settles in. Early Bird customers save 20% on orders placed, paid for and shipped by October 31st. For more information, visit vermontcompost.com/prebuy, or call at (802) 223-6049. Vermont Compost Company - living soils for organic growing since 1993.Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Shannon chats with Austin Boyd, the founder of Alive Print Shop. Austin shares his incredible journey from starting a custom t-shirt business in his parents' garage to growing it into a multi-million dollar enterprise over the past 17 years. They discuss the importance of humility, continuous learning, and seeking knowledge from those more experienced.   Austin's story highlights the value of focusing on sales, sensible investment, and building a strong, empowered team. Tune in to gain insights on navigating business challenges, making strategic investments, and scaling your business while maintaining a personal touch.   What you'll hear in this episode: [0:45] Meet Austin Boyd: Founder of Alive Print Shop [5:35] Early Challenges and Growth [12:20] Lessons from the 2008 Financial Crisis [16:55] Scaling the Business and Building a Team [22:15] Learning from Mistakes: The Path to Improvement [28:10] Investing Wisely in Business Growth [32:35] Financial Management and Scaling Up [38:20] The Value of Seeking Knowledge and Expertise   If you like this episode, check out: How to Create Enterprise Value for Your Business Fine-Tuning Your Core Offer for Growth When NOT to Sell Your Business   Order from Alive Print Shop: https://aliveprintshop.com/contact-custom-apparel   Learn more about our CFO firm and services: https://www.keepwhatyouearn.com/   Connect with Shannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonweinstein Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMlIuZsrllp1Uc_MlhriLvQ Follow along on IG: https://www.instagram.com/shannonkweinstein/   The information contained in this podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not individual tax advice. We love enthusiastic action, but please consult a qualified professional before implementing anything you learn.

Key TakeawaysFinding conviction when the market says no. SOCi was built for multi-location brands that initially rejected the idea of managing thousands of local pages. Afif explains how he stayed the course, found early adopters, and survived until the market caught up.Scaling through pressure cookers. Hyper-growth exposed broken systems, forced painful pivots, and required letting go of two-thirds of sales opportunities to improve retention.Customer success over sales growth. Afif shares why focusing on customer success—hiring seasoned leaders and building award-winning CS systems—was the key to sustainable expansion.Applied AI in marketing. Beyond generative content, SOCi is developing “applied AI” to manage end-to-end marketing workflows across thousands of locations, giving teams back thousands of hours.Culture as scalable DNA. SOCi's values—Selflessness, Overachievement, Customer Centricity, and Innovation—guide hiring, recognition, and leadership at every stage of growth.Leadership principles. Hire people better than you, empower them, and balance founder involvement with trust. Culture will evolve as you scale, but clarity of values keeps the organization aligned.Why ListenWhether you're an early-stage founder or leading a growth-stage team, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and culture-driven leadership. Afif's journey shows how to navigate rejection, make data-driven pivots, and build software—and teams—that scale.

You ever seen an old house and think, “Man, I'd love to fix that up.”? Or, an old truck, and imagine the day where you and your children would drive around in that thing? Or, maybe an old project you've been meaning to finish but never got around to it? My guest today, Tye Nichols, feels the same way. In fact, he's invested thousands of his own money to put into an abandoned golf course he's had visions of reviving. Today, we talk about his dream of reviving his golf course, Fairway Fields. We talk about finally believing in yourself, casting vision so other people will believe in you, overcoming doubters on your path, what to do when times get tough, and whether or not to “sell out” when it comes to chasing a dream. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Catching Up After Years 01:00 – Family Life and Moving Back to Maine 02:50 – Why Buy an Abandoned Golf Course? 05:55 – Building Trust and Taking Advice from the Right People 07:15 – Ordinary vs. Extraordinary 09:20 – Lessons from Jocko and Realizing People Are Just People 13:10 – Humility, Work Ethic, and Earning Opportunities 16:50 – Big Dreams for Fairway Fields 19:30 – Reimagining a Rural Golf Course 24:30 – Taming Nature and Learning the Hard Way 26:45 – Local Support and Community Excitement 28:30 – Making Ends Meet While Building a Dream 32:40 – Long-Term Vision and Scaling Up 34:40 – Overcoming Doubts and Finding True Commitment 37:10 – Support from His Wife and Family 39:25 – Turning Away from a Rough Past 41:00 – Rock Bottom and Deciding to Change 42:30 – Why Strangers Believe in His Vision 45:55 – People Want to Support, Not Tear You Down 47:30 – Advice for Men with Big Dreams 49:30 – Where to Connect with Tye Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready