Built Leadership

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Natasha Dadwani , founder of BURDLIFE . Natasha shares the story behind building her jewelry business from grassroots beginnings at farmers markets and pop-up events into a growing retail brand known for permanent jewelry, piercings, and curated styling experiences. She reflects on the role of resilience, family support, and calcula...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Jack Galante , owner and winemaker of Galante Vineyards . They explore how a relationship-driven approach, slow and intentional growth, and a strong focus on customer experience helped shape the winery’s long-term success. Jack shares how prioritizing community over rapid expansion allowed the business to create lasting customer loy...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Donald Booth , CEO and founder of the American Institute of Nondestructive Testing . They explore the evolving world of nondestructive testing (NDT) and the long-term career opportunities available in a field that continues to grow alongside advancements in technology. Donald shares how continuous education and certification can tra...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Tricia Salcido , former owner and longtime leader of Softstar Shoes . They discuss how what began in 2005 as a modest wholesale-focused baby shoe business transformed into a thriving e-commerce brand through experimentation, customer feedback, and strategic pivots. Tricia shares the early uncertainty surrounding the company’s direct...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Jacob Lawson, owner and managing member of Extraordinary Flooring LLC, a Southeast Louisiana‑based concrete flooring and coating specialist with over two decades of experience serving commercial, industrial, and residential clients. Jacob shares how trusting his intuition and strategic decisions helped him transform a struggling sta...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Alex Blum, founder and CEO of Applied Bioplastics. The conversation explores why the global bioplastics industry has struggled to achieve profitability despite massive investment and growing demand for sustainable materials. Alexander explains how Applied Bioplastics approaches the problem differently by combining inexpensive agricu...

In this episode of Built Leadership , James Onyks interviews Matthew Lockemy, the owner of M&M Garage Doors. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of running a garage door business in Michigan, the importance of digital marketing, and the dynamics of family involvement in business. Matt shares his journey from college to entrepreneurship, the impact of partnerships like Costco, and the...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Channing Baker, the CEO of Evolve Contractors, who shares his inspiring journey from a family legacy in construction to leading a $10 million business. Channing discusses his transition from general contracting to specializing in commercial roofing, emphasizing the power of strategic partnerships and systemized operations. He highli...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Brad Strawbridge, the CEO of Capital City Roofing, who shares his remarkable journey in the roofing industry. Brad discusses his transition from a decade-long career at Lowe’s to founding his own successful roofing company. He emphasizes the importance of building robust systems over relying solely on skills, which played a crucial...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks interviews Carlos Sanchez, the owner of Continental Roofing, who shares his journey in the roofing industry spanning over 31 years. Carlos discusses his transition from working for a large roofing company in Houston to starting his own business in Cincinnati. He emphasizes the importance of overcoming fear and gaining self-confidence, which pl...

In this episode of Built Leadership , host James Onyks sits down with James Turner, Charlotte's leading roofing contractor, to discuss the journey from Alabama to Charlotte and the growth of his roofing business. Turner shares insights on the importance of trust, transparency, and education in the roofing industry, and how these elements have contributed to his success. The conversation also touch...

In this episode of Built Leadership Podcast, host James Onyks interviews Alyssa Rogers from Rogers Heating and Cooling. They discuss the journey of growing a local business, the importance of community involvement, and the role of digital marketing in expanding their reach. Alyssa shares insights on leadership, building a strong company culture, and the challenges of managing a growing team. Roger...

Join host James Onyks as he sits down with Jeremy Atkinson from ContractingPro, a leader in the local service industry. Discover how Jeremy transformed his company from a $3 million to a $13 million powerhouse by leveraging innovative marketing strategies and building a strong team. In this episode, Jeremy shares insights on navigating the digital landscape, the importance of establishing solid bu...

Welcome to Built Leadership. This podcast has gone through a few name changes, but I finally landed on Built Leadership because it captures what I actually wanted this show to be about. It’s not just a podcast about business owners and what they’ve built. It’s about the journey that built them. I talk with entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders about how they got started, where they are now...