Kickin' Assets

In this episode of Kickin' Assets, we sit down with entrepreneur Jordan Arcement to discuss the mindset, discipline, and vision it takes to build a successful business while creating opportunities for others along the way. Jordan shares his entrepreneurial journey from recognizing opportunities where others saw obstacles to developing a leadership style rooted in trust, accountability, and co...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets , we sit down with entrepreneur JP Ngo to explore a journey defined by perseverance, adaptability, and an unwavering belief in creating opportunities where none exist. JP shares his story of overcoming obstacles, embracing change, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship while staying true to his values. From learning to thrive in unfamiliar environments...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets, we sit down with Miller Hilliard, owner of Surety Bond Solutions, to discuss what it takes to grow a traditional business in a rapidly changing world and why relationships still matter more than ever. At just 29 years old, Miller has already built a reputation as an entrepreneur who blends old-school values with modern innovation. From coaching high school soccer...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets, we sit down with entrepreneur Jeff Lejeune, owner of Greenup Lawn & Shrub Care, to talk about what it really takes to build a business from the ground up and sustain it for more than two decades. Jeff shares the story of starting with little more than a car, a mower, and a willingness to outwork everyone around him. Twenty plus years later, Greenup has grown...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets, we sit down with entrepreneur Brinkley Maginnis a master connector, former casting director, and founder of BAM Consulting whose career is defined by reinvention, resilience, and relentless drive. Brinkley shares her journey from building a successful casting company in the Louisiana film industry to losing it all when tax incentives disappeared forcing her to pi...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets, we sit down with Phil Nicaud to talk about the mindset behind building businesses that last. Phil shares the lessons he’s learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey from taking risks and navigating uncertainty to developing the leadership skills required to grow teams and scale operations. Through candid stories and practical insight, Phil explains why patien...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets, we sit down with Patrick Gremillion to talk about what it really takes to lead, grow, and build something you’re proud of day in and day out. Patrick shares his journey through business and leadership, highlighting the lessons that only come from experience: taking responsibility, earning trust, and showing up consistently when it matters most. He breaks down the...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets, we sit down with Nick Miller, owner of Build Commercial Construction in Baton Rouge, to talk about betting on yourself, building the right team, and leading with long-term vision. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs and deeply influenced by his grandfather a master carpenter and serial business owner Nick always knew he wanted to build something of his own. But i...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets, we sit down with entrepreneur Josh Culbreth to unpack the mindset and discipline required to build something from nothing and keep building when things get hard. Josh shares his journey into entrepreneurship, the early lessons that shaped his work ethic, and the risks he took when stability would have been the safer option. He opens up about navigating uncertaint...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets , we sit down with Cory Couture , former Division I and NFL athletic trainer and co-owner of Trifecta Sports Therapy , to unpack his journey from small-town Louisiana to some of the most elite athletic environments in the world and how that path ultimately led him into entrepreneurship. Cory reflects on growing up in Patterson, Louisiana, where sports shaped his l...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets, we sit down with Baton Rouge photographer Jordan Hefler to explore her journey from creative kid with a camera to a sought after professional working across portraits, concerts, and editorial photography. Jordan shares how growing up immersed in art and music shaped her eye, why social skills matter just as much as technical skill in photography, and how shooting...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets, we sit down with Dr. W. Alan Coulter organizational psychologist, educator, and lifelong student of human behavior for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, work, and what it truly means to build organizations that last. Dr. Coulter shares his journey from a lower-middle-class upbringing in Texas to earning a PhD and spending decades coaching leaders, teams,...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets , we sit down with Toby Massengale entrepreneur, investor, and EOS Implementer to explore what it really takes to build a durable business and a healthy leadership team. Toby shares his journey from growing and exiting a successful landscaping company to guiding founders through the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Through honest stories and hard-earned les...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets , former MLB pitcher Josh Wall shares the remarkable story behind his transition from professional baseball to becoming a multi-business entrepreneur. From being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school, grinding through years in the minor leagues, tasting the big-league dream, and ultimately choosing a new path Josh’s journey is rooted in resilience,...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets , we sit down with Stuart Gilly a contractor, business leader, and straight-shooting family man whose story is rooted in grit, gratitude, and doing things the right way. Stuart shares how growing up in a small town shaped his values, why humility beats ego in business, and how staying true to your word builds more trust than any marketing strategy ever could. Stua...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets , we sit down with Coach Carey Ourso — former state championship baseball coach turned entrepreneur and author,  — to unpack the lessons that shaped his success on and off the field. Coach Carey shares how his journey through coaching, tragedy, and entrepreneurship taught him the power of faith, perseverance, and people-centered leadership. From growing a cleaning...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets , we sit down with Jonah Fry , Owner and Creative Director of Lettuce Media , the production company behind this very podcast. Jonah shares his journey from making skate videos as a teenager to leading one of the Gulf South’s most innovative video production teams. He opens up about how Lettuce Media began, the lessons learned through creative entrepreneurship, an...

In this episode, West down with Jenny Ruggerio, Executive Vice President of Finance at Enfra, to talk about leadership, technical accounting, and the power of empathy in management. From implementing ASC 606 to guiding her team through major ERP overhauls, Jenny shares how she built a thriving finance organization rooted in autonomy, trust, and servant leadership. They dive into Jenny’s journey fr...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets , we sit down with Christy Baker, Employee Benefits Advisor at NFP, to talk about the power of persistence, networking, and authentic relationship-building in business. Christy shares her journey from launching nutrition programs to leading in corporate sales, and how she’s mastered the art of staying top-of-mind with clients through trust, consistency, and massiv...

Born in the Dominican Republic and raised across the East Coast and Louisiana, Aldo Russo shares how adversity—from major sports injuries to 4:30 a.m. grind sessions—shaped his mindset as a firefighter, Apple alum, and now franchise owner in home inspections. He and host John trace the leap from steady paychecks to entrepreneurship, the soft skills that matter (empathy, psychology, communication),...

On this episode of Kickin Assets, Philip Ruiz traces his path from Baton Rouge kid and Cane’s shift lead to co-owner of Assured Flooring & Countertops—and why he “did the job before the title.” He digs into the early $450-a-week hustle, landing key accounts, and growing alongside partner Jesse by leading from the front and keeping ego out of the room. Philip breaks down Assured’s three-lane mo...

On this episode of Kickin’ Assets , David shares his path from college athlete to entrepreneur, and how he and his wife Marissa built Restoration One of East Baton Rouge into a thriving business. From the early days working out of their garage to becoming a trusted name in fire, water, and mold restoration, David talks about the grit, teamwork, and culture that keep their company growing. Along th...

In this episode of Kickin’ Assets , TJ Woodard shares his journey from small-town Louisiana to becoming the co-owner of Prescriptions to Geaux in Baton Rouge. He talks about breaking away from corporate pharmacy life, building a delivery-based business before it was common, and navigating the challenges of running an independent pharmacy. TJ also opens up about his work in Louisiana’s medical mari...

John sits down with Jonathan Starns—entrepreneur, developer, and connector—for a wide-ranging conversation on business, family, and the mindset behind building things that last. From his early days running real estate deals in college to launching ventures like Louisiana Turf Company and Magnolia Trace RV Resort, Jonathan shares how grit, humility, and relationships have shaped his journey. He ope...

Armand sits down with Ryan LaRussa, Producing Sales Manager at Synergy One Lending and a seasoned mortgage professional serving clients across multiple states. Ryan shares how two decades in the industry honed his client-focused mindset and what it takes to guide others through life-changing financial decisions. From navigating economic ups and downs—including the 2008 housing crisis and Louisiana...