Built Leadership

In this episode of Built Leadership host James Onyks interviews Ben Kander, founder and CEO of Welly Bottle . They explore how transparency in manufacturing and authentic storytelling can become powerful differentiators in a crowded consumer goods market. Benjamin shares how showcasing the full production process—from raw steel to finished bottle—helps build deeper trust with customers while highl...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Peter James , Founder and CEO of Manic Kat Records . Peter shares the journey of building an independent, artist-first record label that began as a passion project for his own band and evolved into an internationally recognized music company challenging traditional label models. The conversation explores how frustration with the con...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Grant Crowden , Owner of Deep South Construction Pros. They explore the journey of building a high-performance home services business rooted in reputation, leadership, and community trust. Grant shares how he walked away from a $10M operation he helped build to start over with a values-driven approach to construction, ultimately sca...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Stephen Machuga, founder of StackUp, a veteran-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military veterans through gaming and suicide prevention initiatives. Stephen shares the origin story behind StackUp, explaining how his military experience and lifelong relationship with video games shaped the idea of “recreational...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Andrea Battiola, Founder and CEO of Peak Couples & Sex Therapy, a multi-state virtual psychotherapy practice specializing in couples and sex therapy across Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington State. Andrea shares the real story behind building a highly sensitive, regulated healthcare business from the ground up—st...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Thad Cardine, Executive Director of Shield Bearer Counseling Centers . Thad shares his journey from teaching and nonprofit leadership into scaling one of Texas’ growing faith-based mental health organizations. He discusses how Shield Bearer Counseling Centers expanded from roughly 9,000 to more than 20,000 annual counseling services...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews James Burns, entrepreneur and operator in the veterinary endoscopy and medical device industry and founder of Endoscopy Support Services, Inc . They explore how Burns built a career spanning multiple ventures by applying systems thinking, operational efficiency, and long-term infrastructure building across industries including healt...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Aaron DeLoach, founder of Impact City Football Club (ICFC), a faith-based soccer organization operating across multiple locations in the United States and Haiti. They explore how Impact City FC was built from the ground up through a mission-driven approach that blends sports, faith, and community development, and how leadership deci...

In this episode of Built Leadership, host James Onyks interviews Tarun Aleti, co-founder of PartRunner, a B2B AI logistics marketplace operating primarily in Mexico that has scaled to approximately $10M in gross revenue with a lean, profit-focused approach. The conversation explores how the company was built without heavy venture capital reliance, instead prioritizing operational discipline, early...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Sally Mueller, co-founder and CEO of Womaness . Sally shares how her personal experience with menopause led her to identify a major gap in the women’s wellness industry and build a modern brand focused on midlife health. The conversation explores how Womaness transformed menopause from an overlooked and stigmatized category into a f...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews David Schroeder, CEO of RelianceCM. They explore how David has transformed a family-owned contract manufacturing business into a modern, system-driven operation focused on serving hardware startups and established brands. David shares how the company is leveraging AI to build real-time operational visibility, allowing teams to ident...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews H. Adam Holt, CEO of Asset-Map. They explore how Adam transformed a career in financial advising into a fintech SaaS platform nearing $10 million in annual recurring revenue by solving one core problem: turning financial complexity into clear, visual insights. Adam shares how simplifying communication—rather than adding more analysi...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Nick Jooma, Chief Executive Officer of Infinite Allergy Labs. They discuss how comprehensive allergy and sensitivity testing is transforming the way individuals and healthcare providers identify the root causes of chronic symptoms and improve long-term health outcomes. Nick shares insights into the company’s mission to move beyond s...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Will Bowden, Founder & CEO of Grasshopper Farms. They explore how building a multi-state cannabis cultivation business requires adapting to vastly different regulatory environments, climates, and market conditions while maintaining a consistent business strategy. Will breaks down the critical difference between business planning...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Natalie Tincher , founder and style strategist of BU Style . They explore how modern workplaces are navigating the growing tension between generational expectations, personal authenticity, and professional brand representation. Natalie shares insights from her work helping organizations rethink outdated dress policies and communicat...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Dustin Bowers, founder of PLAEX. They explore the realities of building a deep-tech construction startup focused on transforming waste into scalable building materials through an interlocking modular system designed for durability, reuse, and circular economy applications. Dustin shares the challenges of bringing physical innovation...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Bradley Flowers , founder and CEO of Portal Insurance . Bradley shares candid insights into what it really takes to build a sustainable insurance business in an industry defined by long-term relationships, operational discipline, and retention-driven growth. He explains why venture capital and fast-exit strategies rarely align with...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Daniel Plenge , digital marketing leader and former Director of Digital for Marc Jacobs. They explore how digital strategy evolved inside one of the world’s most recognizable fashion brands and what it takes to build scalable systems that keep teams moving forward. Daniel shares insights from his experience launching social platform...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Christina Uzzardi , founder and CEO of Cheeks + Co . They explore the realities of building and scaling a modern facial and skincare business, including the mindset required to navigate uncertainty and the operational systems needed to sustain long-term growth. Christina shares how overcoming imposter syndrome and learning to trust...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Zach Cantrell, co-owner of SmartLevel Concrete. They explore the early stages of launching a concrete leveling business and the real-world lessons that come from building a company from scratch. Zach shares how preparation, repetition, and persistence helped him and his partner secure their first sales and build early momentum, even...

In this episode of Built Leadership, host James Onyks interviews John McDonald , founder of McDonalds Products LLC , the company behind the innovative Twist Brite lighting technology. They discuss how a simple sketch on a napkin evolved into a patented LED lighting solution designed to simplify dimming and improve energy efficiency without requiring additional hardware. John shares insights into t...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Jay Mason, Founder and CEO of Paint EZ, a fast-scaling painting franchise built on systems, training, and operational consistency. Jay shares how the company evolved from a small, hands-on operation into a national franchise network with over 80 locations by focusing on delegation, leadership development, and building repeatable sys...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Robert Patton , Founder and CEO of SHEATH Underwear . Robert shares the remarkable origin story of how a simple need for comfort in the Iraqi desert evolved into a pioneering dual‑pouch apparel brand that has transformed the underwear category and built strong customer loyalty. Listeners will learn how Robert’s military experience s...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews John Richter, Senior Director of Affordable Housing & Senior Living Development at Richter Landscape Company. They explore how relationship-first thinking drives long-term business success, particularly in industries where trust determines whether partnerships last decades or disappear after a single project. John shares insight...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Randy Lorensen , CEO of Premium Cabinets . Randy shares how he built scalable systems inside his business to support dealers and eventually transformed those internal tools into solutions that could serve entirely new markets. The conversation explores how operational processes such as reputation management, automated marketing, and...