Growth Mavericks

In this conversation, Joe and Drew, the founders of SmearCase aka FroCo, share their journey of creating a high-protein frozen dessert alternative to ice cream. They discuss the challenges of launching a product in the retail space, the importance of networking, and the balance between speed and perfection in entrepreneurship. The founders emphasize the significance of authenticity in marketing an...

In this conversation, Mary Spio shares her remarkable journey from Ghana to becoming a deep space engineer and the founder of Ceek, a platform that integrates VR, AI, and digital twins for various applications, including education and healthcare. She discusses her innovative work in digital cinema, the evolution of Ceek, and the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship. Mary emphasizes the nee...

In this conversation, Christian Bruhn shares his journey from a keg truck driver to a special operations soldier and then to an entrepreneur in the luxury watch industry. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from military life to civilian work, the motivation behind starting his own watch company, The Art of Time, and how his military experiences shaped his approach to entrepreneurship. Ch...

In this conversation, Joe Welstead, founder of DrinkOSHUN, shares his journey from professional swimmer to successful entrepreneur in the supplement and electrolyte industry. He reflects on the challenges he faced early in life, the lessons learned from building his previous venture, Motion Nutrition, and how he applied those insights to create a unique, health-focused approach to electrolytes wit...

In this conversation, Adam Callinan and Shaira Frias discuss their experiences on Shark Tank, the journey of building Luna Magic, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They delve into the importance of mindset, self-care, and managing SKU counts in the beauty industry, while sharing valuable insights on navigating growth and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Chapters 00:00 Shark Tank Expe...

In this conversation, Adam Callinan sits down with Jake Wood—Marine Corps scout sniper, founding chairman of Team Rubicon, and now Founder & CEO of Groundswell—to trace his path from the battlefield to building a global disaster‑response nonprofit and, most recently, a software venture. They unpack lessons in leadership, resilience, and the power of storytelling to drive impact, and explore ho...

In this conversation, Amita Massey, founder of Glowbody, shares her inspiring journey from battling a severe eating disorder to creating a wellness brand focused on empowering women. She discusses the importance of mental health, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and her innovative approach to product development. Amita emphasizes the significance of self-care routines and maintaining a balance...

In this conversation, Adam Callinan interviews Kevin Wohlman, the founder of Southern Scholar , a premium sock brand. They discuss Kevin's entrepreneurial journey, starting from his childhood experiences of selling candy and t-shirts to his transition from a Big Four accounting firm to launching his own business. The conversation delves into the challenges of growing an e-commerce brand, the impor...

In this conversation, Adam Callinan interviews Emmanuel Kelly, a singer, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur who first rose to fame on The X Factor Australia , where his powerful voice and inspiring life story captured global attention. Born in Iraq and adopted by humanitarian Moira Kelly at the age of 7, Emmanuel overcame extraordinary odds, including being born without limbs due to chemical e...

Summary In this conversation, Loren Bell shares his remarkable journey from 20 years in US Special Operations to the world of a startup. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned during his military career, including the rigorous training and mental resilience required in high-stress environments. Loren reflects on the transition to startup life, the risks involved, and the importance of per...

Summary In this conversation, Malcolm Fontier shares his journey from product design to entrepreneurship, detailing the challenges and successes of launching PAKT, a travel gear brand. He discusses the importance of community engagement through crowdfunding, the resilience required to navigate business challenges, and the lessons learned from managing risk in both aviation and entrepreneurship. Th...

In this conversation, Adam Callinan and Andrew Startups delve into the intricacies of marketing and growth strategies for startups. Andrew shares his journey from founding a startup in college to establishing GrowthExpertz.com , a company dedicated to helping businesses optimize their marketing efforts. They discuss the common pitfalls startups face, particularly the tendency to jump into advertis...

Summary In this episode of the Growth Mavericks podcast, Adam Callinan interviews Milan Martin, founder and CEO of Free Spirits, a company that offers non-alcoholic alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. Milan shares his journey of creating Free Spirits, the challenges of building a brand in a competitive market, and the importance of embracing discomfort in entrepreneurship. The convers...

In this episode of Growth Mavericks, Cal Arnold shares his journey from growing up in a remote area of Minnesota to building a successful business in log home restoration. He discusses the importance of overcoming adversity and the lessons learned from his experiences, including a life-changing plane crash that led to the amputation of his left leg. Cal emphasizes the importance and value of disco...

In this episode, we dive into the life and career of Kevin Conway, a professional GT4 race car driver who is also the entrepreneur behind Phoozy , a tech-driven consumer product designed to protect electronic devices from extreme temperatures that is now used in space missions and inside F35 fighter jets. The discussion spans topics from the inception and challenges of Phoozy, navigating the retai...

Welcome to Growth Mavericks -- I’m your host, Adam Callinan. I’m a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, avid outdoorsman, and a family man with crystal-clear priorities. Here’s the thing, entrepreneurship isn’t just about strategy - it’s about stamina. It takes bold moves to start and scale a business, and even more discipline to sustain it - professional and personal. This podcast is about both....