Behind the Rise

Julia Howes has spent her career building something most entrepreneurs overlook — the community around them. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Julia, President and CEO of the Southern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, to get into her journey in leadership, what it actually takes to support and grow local businesses, and the lessons that shaped how she leads. We get into the inter...

Emily Eldh didn't just start a business — she built a brand with a real following behind it. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Emily, founder of The Muffin Drop, to get into the real story — what it took to get started, the challenges that tested her, and the strategies that helped her build something people genuinely connect with. We get into brand building, authentic audien...

Chase Davis is a College of Charleston student building an FBA business, training in grappling, and thinking deeper than most people his age. In this episode of Behind the Rise, we get into all of it — his entrepreneurial journey with FBA, how grappling shaped his mindset and fitness, the relationships that matter most, and the question that kept coming up throughout our conversation: what's a...

Two people. Careers that spanned continents. One shared lesson — say yes. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Professor Wyman and Ms. Calobello to trace the unexpected paths that took them from Hawaii to Germany to England — and somehow into the world of toy design along the way. We get into how mentorship shaped their decisions, why bold choices opened doors they never anticipated...

William Helfgott's first business was selling honey as a kid. What came next surprised even him. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with William to trace the full arc — from those early setbacks, to the mentors who changed his trajectory, to building a thriving venture and exploring new opportunities in Mexico. We get into the turning points that shaped him, the strategies that ref...

Jameson built something real before most people figure out what they even want to do. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Jameson to get into his path through the local events scene — including his work with rising Charleston band The Congress — and the behind-the-scenes lessons that came with it. We also get into the big decision he's facing post-graduation: double down on the...

Dave Hanley has done it three times. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Dave — three-time co-founder, B2B sales veteran, and author of The Delusional Founder — to break down exactly how he built three bootstrapped companies to 8-figure revenues and exits totaling over $200 million. Dave was the first salesperson at every single one of his startups. He built the sales foundation fr...

The shift is already happening. Most people just aren't ready for it. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Joe Fiore — CofC professor, serial entrepreneur, and someone who saw the AI wave coming long before it was a headline. We get into his bold predictions on AI and the future of work, how automation is reshaping entire industries, and the skills that will actually matter in t...

Brennan isn't just thinking about growth — he's in the middle of it. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Brennan to get into his entrepreneurial background, how he built his venture from the ground up, and the real strategies he's using to scale it right now. We get into the mindset behind the moves, the lessons that hit hardest, and what's coming next. If you'r...

Some of the best conversations don't follow a script. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Aaron for an open, unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, the lessons that actually stick, and how we think about opportunity and risk. We cover a lot of ground — the challenges, the curiosity, and the mindset it takes to keep building when things don't go as planned. No agend...

MJ didn't wait to start building. In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with MJ, president of the Founders Club, to get into the real story — how he went from early ideas to leading a community of entrepreneurs, and what that journey actually looked like. We get into the challenges that tested him, the mindset that keeps him moving, and the bold moves he's planning next. If you&#3...