Scaling the Gap

How can a simple college side hustle grow into a thriving, full-fledged business? In this episode of Scaling the Gap , host Madeleine MacRae welcomes Patrick Brown, founder and CEO of Surv. What began as Rent Sons, a playful idea to offer “quality service without the complaining of an actual son,” has grown into a purpose-driven franchise that builds stronger communities while empowering people to...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Bill McDevitt, founder of Top of the World Coaching. Bill shares his incredible journey from a 12-year-old paper boy learning business basics to a seasoned McDonald's executive, and finally to a small business coach dedicated to empowering leaders. His story is not a straight line but a series of peaks and valleys, including...

What really makes a franchise thrive, the systems or the people behind them? In this episode of Scaling the Gap, Madeleine MacRae chats with Matt Kunz, COO of Fastest Labs, about what it truly takes to grow a business without losing your humanity. From his early days running Sylvan Learning Centers with his wife to leading powerhouse brands like Five Star Painting and Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Matt’s j...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap , host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Ashley Peterson, co-founder of Blue Mist Paint & Supply, a family-run paint and supply store in Greenville, South Carolina. What started as a renovation side hustle evolved through countless pivots, lessons, and leaps of faith into a thriving small business and community favorite. Ashley opens up about leaving behind a c...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap , host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Oana Molodoi, founder of OM Drapes Design, a Southern California company creating custom window treatments for high-end homes and interior designers. Oana shares how she launched the business in 2020 during the pandemic with no industry experience, built a website with her husband, and on her very first appointment, walked a...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Jordan Godbey, founder of Growth Community, to dive deep into the power of transformational communities. Jordan shares his unique entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in digital marketing to becoming a leading expert in building online communities. We explore how focusing on a single, powerful area of expertise can le...

What if the key to escaping corporate burnout was sitting right next to you at the backyard firepit?  In this episode of Scaling the Gap , host Madeleine MacRae sits down with serial entrepreneur Adam Berryman, who shares his journey from corporate burnout to owning multiple Budget Blinds franchises. Adam recounts how a casual conversation with his neighbor over a fire pit evolved into a thri...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Adam Povlitz, President of Anago Cleaning Systems, to explore how a family founded business transformed into a disruptive $100M+ franchise brand and why the next target is $300 million. Adam shares how Anago’s three tier franchise model turns the traditional structure on its head, creating unique synergy between master franch...

In this episode of Scaling the Ga p, host Madeleine MacRae welcomes Kelley Hoven, Brand President of Gatsby Glass, an emerging powerhouse in the glass solutions industry. With more than 30 years in sales and marketing, including 24 years in franchising, Kelley brings a rare blend of corporate acumen, entrepreneurial grit, and deep insight into what it takes to build a brand from the ground up. Kel...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae welcomes Rick Locke, CEO and industry leader in the fenestration space, who scaled his business from a single location to nine across five states, generating more than $60 million in annual revenue. Rick opens up about the lessons he carried from the corporate world into small business ownership, from implementing KPIs that gave employees c...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with franchise leader and lifelong entrepreneur Thomas Scott, founder of Home Run Franchises. With over 20 years of experience scaling businesses and empowering franchisees, Thomas shares his remarkable journey from a newspaper journalist in New Orleans to running three rapidly growing national franchise brands, (Up Closets, Dryer...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap , Madeleine MacRae speaks with Bruce Kozak, co-founder of Bin There, Dump That, a residential dumpster rental franchise. After getting laid off from his job in the steel industry, Bruce and his wife, Loy, decided to start a business that helps people clear out clutter during major life changes like downsizing, divorce, or loss. Bruce explains how they built a ser...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Jeremy Owens, third-generation contractor and founder of US Construction Zone, for a powerful conversation on redefining success, reclaiming your time, and building a legacy that lasts beyond business. Jeremy shares how growing up in a multi-generational remodeling family shaped his perspective, and how a brief foray into cor...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Klay Hafeez, a former oil and gas engineer turned multi-franchise owner, for a powerful conversation about identity, risk, grit, and building a legacy from scratch. Klay’s journey is anything but ordinary. He grew up in a culture where entrepreneurship wasn’t the norm, but he persevered; writing “10 in 10” on a piece of paper...

Many leaders focus on skills, but Rob White built his career on purpose, passion, and a belief in serving others. In this heartfelt episode, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Rob, Brand President at Monster Tree Service, to unpack how values-driven leadership, a love for small business, and the courage to follow divine direction can lead to enduring impact. From launching a Rainbow Restoration...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Jeremy Morgan, Group President at Horsepower Brands, to explore how hands-on leadership, lived experience, and leading with influence can transform your business and your legacy. Jeremy shares his unconventional journey from broke college student running a painting franchise to overseeing two high-growth home service brands,...

If you’re great at your craft but feel like running your business is the hardest part, you’re not alone.  In this episode, Madeleine MacRae welcomes seasoned business coach John Nieuwenburg, who specializes in helping small business owners make the leap from “technician” to true CEO. John works with tradespeople and professionals who’ve mastered their skill set but now find themselves overwhe...

In this episode of Scaling the Gap , host Madeleine MacRae welcomes David Balkan, a veteran entrepreneur who spent the last 40+ years growing his family’s plumbing company into New York City’s largest house sewer and water service line contractor. But what makes David’s story compelling isn’t just the scale of the business—it’s the transformation behind the scenes. David opens up about what it rea...

What if the business that fired you ended up being your biggest blessing? In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Matt Cobb, co-owner of Southern Traditions Window Fashions, for a conversation that hits every note: grit, failure, rebuilding, and leading with purpose. Matt shares his unconventional journey: laid off with a newborn at home, he eventually became co-ow...

What does success really mean to you? In this episode, host Madeleine MacRae breaks format and flies solo to share a raw, deeply personal reflection on what it truly takes to scale, not just your business, but yourself. If you've ever felt like you should be further along by now or questioned whether the struggle is worth it, this episode is for you. Madeleine takes you behind the scenes of her ow...

We all know complacency when we see it in others—but what about when it’s hiding in our own routines, masked as success? It’s easy for leaders to mistake comfort for progress—until a harsh wake-up call reveals just how far they've drifted from their drive. So, how do you reignite your hunger for growth when success starts to feel… safe? In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sit...

So many entrepreneurs hit pause, waiting for all the pieces to fall into place before they take action—but that pause can come at the cost of real momentum. What if the secret to success is just getting started, even when things feel a little messy? In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Todd Green, president of Premier Blinds and Shades and host of The Premier Po...

Is cutting corners the only way to get ahead in business? Plenty of people think so—chasing quick wins and flashy success while leaving their values behind. But some entrepreneurs choose a different path. They stay grounded, play the long game, and still come out on top. In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae welcomes Craig Ceccarelli, founder of HomeSpec BasementFix , a long-st...

What if everything you’ve been told about success is wrong? You’re crushing your goals, hitting your targets—maybe even making more money than ever. So why does it still feel like something’s missing? In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Zac Palmer, renowned sales and persuasion strategist, who’s personally driven over $150 million in sales and worked alongside...

Are you feeling stuck in your career, yearning for something more but unsure how to make the leap? You're not alone. Many people dream of entrepreneurial success but struggle to break free from the golden handcuffs of corporate life. In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae chats with Steven Livingston, a self-proclaimed "corporate misfit," and entrepreneur whose journey is as rea...