Build Boldly with Pat Rodgers

In honor of Women’s Small Business Month, host Allison Barber, Marketing Director at RISE Commercial District, sits down with Liz James, owner of Standard Wax, to talk about what it’s really like to run a business while raising a family. After buying the candle company just six months after becoming a new mom, Liz faced uncertainty, long hours, and plenty of self-doubt. But by trusting her instinc...

In this special episode of Build Boldly, guest host Allison Barber takes the mic in celebration of National Women’s Small Business Month to share a heartfelt and practical guide for women entrepreneurs everywhere. Drawing from her own journey as an entrepreneur and as Marketing Director at Rise Commercial District, Allison introduces five powerful books that have shaped her perspective on business...

In this solo episode of Build Boldly , host Pat Rodgers opens up about the often-unspoken side of entrepreneurship and leadership, the toll it takes on mental health. From crippling anxiety and imposter syndrome to personal trauma and the relentless pressure of meeting payroll, Pat shares his own journey of pushing too hard, bottling up grief, and ultimately learning why high performers can’t succ...

It's true, there are a few essential leasing strategies every business owner should know before signing on the dotted line. In this solo episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers breaks down each step. From identifying your true space requirements—like delivery access, 24/7 availability, and customer-facing potential—to understanding the real all-in costs of a lease, Pat reveals the common pi...

Thinking about expanding your business? In this solo episode of Build Boldly , host Pat Rodgers breaks down the key factors every business owner should consider before growing into new markets or locations. From analyzing market demand and matching demographics to weighing the pros and cons of leasing versus buying commercial property, Pat shares actionable strategies to reduce risks and maximize...

Signing a commercial lease can make or break your small business, but too many owners rush in without understanding the true costs and risks. In this solo episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers breaks down the five biggest mistakes business owners make when leasing commercial property and how to avoid them. From hidden costs in triple net, modified gross, and gross leases to overlooked zoning r...

What happens when a disaster strikes and you need a recovery team that can move fast, but also understands the local landscape? In this episode of Build Boldly , Pat Rogers sits down with Mike Bowman of BMS CAT, a national leader in restoration and reconstruction services. Mike shares how BMS CAT has built a powerful operational model that blends centralized leadership with local branch autonomy,...

Commercial leases can make or break a growing business, and yet too many entrepreneurs walk into them blind. In this solo episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers pulls back the curtain on the most common misconceptions around commercial leasing and shares the real-world advice small business owners wish they knew before signing on the dotted line. From unexpected hidden costs to the myths about...

What does it take to bet on yourself and build a business from scratch? Especially one that powers the live shows of Post Malone, 21 Pilots, and hundreds of touring artists? In this episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers sits down with TJ Beechill, founder of NEAT Audio, to unpack his remarkable journey from Sweetwater sales engineer to co-owner of a nationally recognized tech company in the li...

From AI, cybersecurity, to MSP strategy, IT has the ability to make or break your business. In this episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers is joined by Marcus Livers, Director of RISE Connect and resident IT expert, for a crash course in building a secure, scalable, and tech-savvy business. They break down the role of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), cybersecurity and ransomware protection to...

After a costly misstep with the wrong web development partner, host Pat Rodgers from RISE sits down with the person who helped turn it all around, Bradley Givens, CEO of Expedition. In this episode of Build Boldly , they dive into what really makes a high-performing website, how to avoid vendor pitfalls, and why investing in the right partner is critical for long-term business growth. Bradley shar...

What happens when it all goes sideways? In this special solo episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers shares a raw, behind-the-scenes look at a major misstep: a website launch that went completely off the rails. What started as a promising project quickly unraveled into missed deadlines, poor communication, and a steep drop in leads that threatened the business’s momentum. Pat, CRO of RISE Commer...

Print is far from dead. In this episode, host Pat Rodgers sits down with Blaine Yoquelet, the dynamic owner of Fort Wayne Printing, to explore the evolution of this 120-year-old family business into a modern print powerhouse. Blaine discusses his journey of acquiring the company, the pivotal role of succession planning, and how he’s navigating the shift between digital and traditional print media....

For Justin Ressler, military precision translated into entrepreneurial success. In this episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers sits down with Justin, founder of Lite Comm, a veteran-owned business specializing in FAA lighting compliance within the telecom industry. Justin shares how the principles of discipline and relationship-building learned in service have been pivotal in navigating the com...

Jeff Wraley, CEO and founder of Groundwork, is here to bring a unique perspective to the table, merging his contracting background with innovative software solutions to revolutionize the sales process for home service providers. In this episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers explores how Groundwork aims to streamline operations, reduce waste, and significantly enhance customer satisfaction by u...

Before taking the leap with an Archadeck franchise, Ryan Pape felt his career had stagnated. In this episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers sits down with Ryan to explore his journey from starting a franchise to navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and required innovative marketing strategies to maintain demand for outdoor living spaces. Ryan discuss...

In this episode of Build Boldly, Pat Rodgers interviews Blake Schneider, President of Legacy Fire Protection, about the dynamic growth and strategic expansion of the company. Originally a small division, Blake and his father acquired and transformed Legacy into a leading full-service provider, reinventing customer service standards in the fire protection industry. Blake talks about the company’s e...

Paul Nichol transitioned from a 25-year career at 3M to franchising with Floor Coverings International, a move he describes as the ‘best decision’ of his career. In this episode, host Pat Rodgers talks with Paul about how his extensive background in service and quality at 3M is crucial to his new venture, driving customer satisfaction with a unique mobile showroom and upholding an impressive 4.8-s...

Following job losses due to COVID, Thomas Harding and Jacob Strong launched their venture from a humble storage unit and have since advanced to a professional setup at RISE Commercial District. Their mantra for aspiring entrepreneurs: bet on yourself, prioritize quality, and never hesitate to seek assistance. In this episode, they sit down with host Pat Rodgers to share their story. Thomas and Jac...

Host Pat Rodgers welcomes Dr. Zach Thomas, known as ‘Foot Doctor Zach’ on YouTube, a board-certified podiatrist who has become a viral online sensation. In this episode, Zach details his journey from working in a traditional podiatry role to embracing entrepreneurship by starting his own practice and creating a popular YouTube channel focused on sports medicine. Zach shares his path into product d...

Patty Costlow is a former mechanical engineer who turned her passion for floral arrangements into a thriving business, Florals by Patty. In this episode, Patty sits down with host Pat Rodgers to share her path from engineering to managing a successful floral design company that now caters to 35-40 weddings annually, booked up to 16 months in advance. How did she do it? Patty leveraged her engineer...

Welcome to Build Boldly with Pat Rodgers, Chief Revenue Officer at RISE Commercial District. Across a variety of industries, Pat has seen businesses grow from the ground up. And now, he's here to bring those experiences to you. Every two weeks, join us for stories from entrepreneurs and operators who have made a mark in their fields. Ready to get to work? Subscribe and learn actionable strate...