Business from Scratch

Welcome to Season 2 of the Business From Scratch Podcast!  Today we’re talking about something a lot of business owners either avoid completely or pretend they understand more than they actually do: your P&L and your balance sheet. And listen, I am not claiming to be an accounting expert. My CPA would absolutely laugh at that. But I do know this: if you can’t read your financial statements, yo...

In this episode, I'm going solo again to talk about some uncomfortable things. We just hit 26 episodes and over 25,000 downloads, and I'm not glossing over that. But I am pulling back the curtain on what's actually been happening behind the scenes, because the polished version of this story isn't the one worth telling. The idea that has anchored this show from day one hasn't changed: you don't nee...

In this episode, I sit down with Drewe Smith and Kate Supa to dig into what it really means to build a brand with intention from the very beginning. We explore why a brand is so much more than just a logo; it’s about your messaging, your client experience, and how you truly connect with your audience. Plus, Drewe and Kate share how they are moving away from traditional social media to find more me...

In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Connor, the founder of Wilmington Bread, to talk about his unexpected journey from being a CPA to running a successful wholesale bakery. Kevin shares the exact math he used to transition from his corporate job and how he built a sustainable business that actually fits his life as a dad. We dig into the "hidden work" of logistics and why clear communication is...

In this episode, I sit down with Brittanie Pate to talk about how she built her event planning and venue businesses through genuine relationships rather than traditional marketing. We dive into her journey from planning ten weddings a year to over one hundred, exploring how shifting your mindset from competition to connection can turn industry peers into your biggest referral sources. If you are r...

If you’ve ever thought that hiring someone would magically calm your business down, this episode is a must-listen because hiring doesn't fix chaos—it exposes it. I’m walking you through how to evaluate your business to know exactly when to hire production help, when you’re actually ready for management, and when it’s time for high-level executive support. You’ll learn why documenting your proc...

In this episode, I sit down with Danielle Mahon, the founder of Topsail Steamer and a true local business giant, to talk about what it really takes to build an "overnight success". We dive deep into her journey from corporate biotech sales to landing a deal on Shark Tank, focusing on the years of quiet work and preparation required to withstand national visibility. If you’ve ever wondered how to t...

I know divorce is a difficult, emotionally charged topic, but if you don't understand how marriage legally impacts your business, you’re operating with a massive blind spot. In this episode, I’m sharing why understanding your legal exposure isn't cynical—it’s a responsible way to protect the asset that funds your life. I’ll show you how to start this conversation with your partner collaboratively...

Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them can cost you everything you’ve built. In this episode, I sit down with family law attorney LeeAnne Quattrucci to unpack how marriage and business intersect legally and why having a plan is about protection, not pessimism. Whether you’re already married or just starting out, you’ll learn how to safeguard your business assets so you can lead wi...

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Barnhart, owner of Axis Fitness, to discuss his journey from serving 87 months in federal prison to building a multi-location gym empire. Mike shares how a rock-bottom experience became the catalyst for his obsession with self-development and how he now uses those lessons to help others transform their lives. We dive deep into why the "hard stuff" is...

In this episode, I sit down with Sydney Durrett Falkner to unpack her journey from painting on a college apartment floor to getting featured in Architectural Digest. We dig into the unglamorous side of building an art business, how to confidently price your work, and why learning to outsource was the key to protecting her creativity. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (02:53) - Rebuilding business identit...

I’m diving into a heavy but necessary conversation about the specific loneliness that comes with building a business. We’re talking about that invisible line where your business stops supporting your life and starts demanding it instead. If you’ve ever wondered if you should sell it all just to get your life back, this episode is for you. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro (01:20) - The specific lonelines...

In this episode, I sit down with my very first client, Lindsey Cheek of Gathered, to discuss why she radically scaled down her interior design firm. We explore how she went from a large staff and retail store back to a lean team of two, and why that decision actually increased her profitability. This conversation proves that you don't have to be "big" to be successful—you just have t...

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Lanier to talk about the reality of building a business while raising a family. We dig into why asking for help is actually a leadership skill and how to build deep, genuine connections without feeling fake. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to be perfect, this conversation will give you permission to let that go. Timestamps (00:00) - Intro...

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and industry leader Alyssa Ait to unpack the messy reality of running a floral business while raising three kids. We have an honest conversation about how she navigates working alongside her husband, Jordan, and the boundaries they set to keep their marriage and business afloat. Alyssa opens up about a terrifying trademark mistake that forced her...

In this episode, I talk honestly about one of the hardest leadership lessons I’ve had to learn as a founder: how to take time off without feeling guilty. I share why so many business owners—especially women—struggle with rest, how guilt gets tied to productivity, and why our teams often mirror the behavior we model. Through my own experiences of burnout and exhaustion, I explain how refusing to re...

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Meredith Cook, founder of Green Compass Global, to talk about what it really looks like to lead with heart while building a fast-growing business. We dive into the hardest decisions she’s had to make as a founder, especially when it comes to leading people you deeply care about and navigating seasons that feel overwhelming. Meredith shares how co...

In this episode, I’m sharing a very honest look at how my relationship with planning has changed and why this year feels different than any before it. I talk about letting go of chaotic growth, admitting where burnout has shown up for me and my team, and choosing to step into leadership with more intention instead of constant reaction. This episode isn’t about having a perfect system — it’s about...

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Capone to talk through the financial mistakes that quietly derail small businesses and how to avoid them early. We unpack why growing too fast can be just as dangerous as not growing at all, and how focusing on your core competency can protect both your cash and your sanity. Chris breaks down why knowing your numbers isn’t just about bookkeeping—it’s about cr...

In this episode, I sit down with Wilmington business owner Bennie Sheally to talk about what it really takes to grow a company from scratch. We dive into his leap out of corporate life, the risk and reward behind acquiring agencies, and how he learned to lead with transparency and culture first. Bennie opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship — from burning through savings to figuring out...

In this episode, I sit down with Kristen and Wes Bechtel — the husband-and-wife team behind Bombalatti’s Ice Cream in Wilmington, NC. We talk about the real side of entrepreneurship: active-shooter lockdowns, plumbing disasters, chaos at multiple locations, and somehow still loving what they do. Their story reminds me that the hardest days in business can still feel better than the best days at a...

Designer, entrepreneur, and my good friend Carmin Black, went from turning handmade jewelry in her grandparents' garage to creating handbags carried at Magnolia and a hair tie sold nationwide at CVS. She walks me through the messy reality of building product-based businesses, from finding manufacturers overseas to knowing when to close one brand and start another. You'll learn: How to take...

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Melissa Tyson, an incredible goldsmith and custom jewelry designer. Melissa's story is one of courage, creativity, and starting over when life falls apart. We talk about how she built her fine jewelry brand from scratch, literally melting down her old pieces, and what it means to stay true to your art while running a successful business. You&...

In this episode, I walk you through the five people you should talk to before you spend money on a website, branding, or a big “I’m launching!” announcement. These conversations will save you time, stress, and years of trial and error. You’ll learn: How mentors shorten the learning curve and help you avoid common mistakes. Why real customer feedback keeps you grounded in what people actually want....

In this episode, I take you inside the real first year of business — the good parts that light you up, the bad moments no one warns you about, and the absurd stories you only understand if you’ve lived them. I share the lessons, mistakes, and small lifesavers that helped me survive my earliest, messiest seasons. You’ll learn: How freedom quickly turns into chaos without simple structure. Why tiny...