Default Profitable

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Jason Swathwood, a corporate attorney turned entrepreneur turned business broker at Indiana Equity Brokers. Jason traces his path from practicing law at a mortgage company to building and selling the Perfect Wedding Guide franchise in Indianapolis, then crossing to the other side of the table to help founders exit the busine...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Ed Gunnell, founder of Gunnell Financial, to dig into what it takes to launch a financial firm at the worst possible time—Ed went out on his own in early 2008, just before the market crashed. He shares how he built a holistic, one-stop practice that brings taxes, investments, and insurance under one roof, why his financial-p...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Hunter Beale, Executive Director of High School Hustle, the Indianapolis nonprofit that teaches teenagers to build real businesses—gutter cleaning, car detailing, power washing, thrift flipping—and turn a summer side hustle into something that lasts. Hunter traces his own path from a fifth-grade snow cone stand through the O...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Clayton Tomasino, CEO of Scorpion Protective Coatings, a family-owned manufacturer of spray-on truck bed liners and window film based in Cloverdale, Indiana. Clayton shares the company's gritty origin—from a family asbestos-removal business, to his father's low-cost batch-mix coating system built to undercut the steep buy-in...

Jesse Wechter figured out the whole business at eight years old. He was at a Greek festival, his dad wouldn't give him money for food, so he stormed off, grabbed a leaf off the ground by the gate, and sold it to a stranger for twenty bucks. He'd only asked for five. The lesson stuck: people will buy almost anything if you present it the right way. It took him a while to turn that into a company. J...

What happens when a creative person realizes she's actually in sales? In this episode of the Default Profitable podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Lindsay Bledsoe, owner and senior creative director at Burnbright Creative Company, an Indianapolis-based indie advertising agency she co-founded with Nate Riggs. Lindsay spent 15 years inside other people's ad shops, first in Milwaukee newsroo...

Chris Boots was building a custom pantry cabinet at his wife's uncle's shop in 1999 when he looked at the top sitting on the cart and thought it kind of looked like a casket. He'd always wanted his own business. He didn't know what business. That cabinet was the seed. He spent nights on the bed flipping through funeral trade magazines while his wife asked what on earth he was doing. He joined the...

David Reynolds and his sister Christina Reynolds-Grisby spent more than 25 years at the same electrical contracting company. The plan was always to buy it. They'd consulted with the bank, drawn up the legal work, and lined up the transfer of ownership. The morning the deal was supposed to close in 2023, they walked in and got introduced to the new owners. A private equity firm had bought it out fr...

Will Steck and his sister both started at Winthrop Supply on the same day in 2009, sweeping warehouse floors and loading trucks. Eleven years later, they bought the business from their dad. Winthrop is a fourth-generation Indianapolis plumbing supply company started in 1939, and also happens to be the longest-running Rheem distributor in the country. In this conversation, Will talks about the thre...

From Travel Turmoil to Aligned Success: Krystal Eicher's Real-Talk Business Journey Dive into this candid conversation on the Default Profitable Podcast as host Matt Nettleton sits down with Krystal Eicher, co-founder of Serendipitous Rebel , to unpack her resilient path from a pandemic-crushed travel business to building a thriving coaching and consulting firm that empowers online entrepreneurs—e...

Host Matt Nettleton sits down with Nate Littlewood of Future Ready CFO , a former Wall Street investment banker who built (and exited) his own e-commerce business before becoming the go-to fractional CFO for consumer product and online brands. Nate pulls back the curtain on why so many founders stay in denial or overwhelm when it comes to their finances, how he uses historical numbers to help entr...

Ryan Schwartz shares the unfiltered story of building Fenster Components —a niche manufacturer of wood window repair parts and replacement sashes—into a 25-year, nationwide, almost-entirely-online business that helps homeowners avoid costly full-window replacements. From spotting an opportunity in rotting clad-wood windows during his warranty job days, to surviving the 2008 housing crash, selling...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton interviews Thomas Cox, who shares his journey from coaching college football to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the food and finance industries. Thomas discusses the importance of having multiple revenue streams, the concept of infinite banking, and his passion for educating others about personal finance. He emphasizes th...

Join host Matt Nettleton in a candid conversation with Matt Allen, founder of Iconic Insurance , as they unpack essential health insurance strategies for self-employed entrepreneurs and small business owners. Discover why ditching marketplace plans for personalized coverage with a dedicated agent can slash costs, simplify claims, and provide reliable protection—plus, get motivated by Matt's insigh...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Bill Reynolds, founder and president of Element 502 , about his unexpected journey from consultant to agency owner through an asset purchase in 2015. Bill shares raw insights on overcoming financial hurdles, earning team buy-in with transparency during tough times, and mastering sales as a non-sales guy—plus why trust is the ult...

Join host Matt Nettleton as he chats with Kelly Sundsvold, founder of Gold Bear Media , about launching a full-service marketing agency amid the chaos of 2020. From navigating personal health crises like her husband's paralysis and her own breast cancer diagnosis to turning a necessity-driven side gig into a profitable venture, Kelly shares motivational insights on delegation, hiring experts early...

Discover how Ron Ladner accidentally launched Shaggy's restaurant chain amid Hurricane Katrina's devastation, transforming a small-town spark of hope into a powerhouse brand focused on employee growth and customer happiness. In this motivational episode, Ron shares entrepreneurial insights on building a resilient business culture, investing in your team for long-term loyalty, and prioritizing reve...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Grant Kirsh, managing partner of Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C . to explore the realities of succeeding in a second-generation family business focused on adoption law in Indiana. Grant shares candid insights on leadership transitions, managing family employees, and balancing delegation with hands-on involvement while keeping a prov...

In this inspiring episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Tom Hanley, founder and CEO of Nine13sports , about transforming a life-altering accident into a mission-driven organization that empowers Indianapolis kids through cycling and education. Discover how Tom pivoted from elite cycling to launching a nonprofit that now serves 45,000 students annually, survived the pandemic...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Jesse Porter, founder of Porter Roofing & Restoration , to unpack his pivot from an accounting degree to building a thriving exterior remodeling business in Indianapolis. Hear how Jesse turned five years of roofing sales experience into his own company amid the 2020 COVID storm, tackling hiring hurdles, cash...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Matt Hammond, a former corporate lawyer turned trivia entrepreneur. They dive into Hammond's journey from practicing law at a big firm and running political campaigns to launching Hambone's Trivia back in 2012. The conversation covers how a casual weather app game at a downtown Indy bar sparked it all, growing from free beer gig...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Rachel Firestone Mohammad, co-owner of 9th Street Bistro in Noblesville , to explore the real strategies behind launching and sustaining a profitable restaurant—from pivoting during the pandemic to building deep community connections. Discover how embracing flexibility, prioritizing staff well-being, and staying true to your...

In this episode we chat with Chanda Coston, a Navy vet turned business strategist who's all about helping women over 40 ditch the chaos and build businesses that actually fit their lives—think structure meets soul, with programs like Build to Blueprint and The Momentum Mastery Collective. Have you ever wondered if it's too late to pivot after the kids are (mostly) grown? What does it take to swap...

In this episode of Default Profitable, We sit down with Dave Gulas to unpack his shift from two decades in pharma sales to launching EZDC 3PL, a warehousing and fulfillment powerhouse for e-commerce brands. We dive into the raw realities of starting up – from spotting gaps in customer service to navigating pivots, building an online presence, and why resilience beats any perfect plan when you're b...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Jim Effner, a 36-year veteran of the financial services and life insurance industry. Jim shares his journey from building a massive Northwestern Mutual operation with 400 people and five buildings to founding P2P Group, a lean sales training firm laser-focused on boosting productivity in financial services. They dive into th...