Muddy Waters, Clear Vision

On this episode of Muddy Waters Clear Vision, host Stuart Gilly sits down with Armand Michaud, principal partner at Attracct Accounting Advisors. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Armand shares his journey from humble beginnings—including early career influences and unlikely turns—to leading a fast-growing accounting advisory firm serving Louisiana businesses. Stuart and Armand dive deep into format...

1/ Ever heard of fierce rivals teaming up for the greater good? Meet Sarah Taylor & Bryan Hollingsworth. Two nurse-entrepreneurs who ran some of the top occupational health clinics along the Gulf Coast… and shocked their industry by joining forces. 2/ Their origin story? NOT your average LinkedIn DM. They met at a crawfish boil in Sulphur, LA—introduced by a client who saw their similarities....

On today’s episode of Muddy Waters Clear Vision, I sat down with Matt Valiollahi, founder and CEO of Southern Marsh. From flipping used cars as a teen in Baton Rouge to building a nationally recognized apparel brand, Matt shared how grit, mentorship, and a relentless focus on learning fueled his entrepreneurial journey. We discussed the messy startup days, navigating manufacturing disasters, and h...

1/ Meet Julie Laperouse – keynote speaker, corporate trainer, founder of Screaming Peacock, and living proof that betting on yourself CAN pay off. Her story? Packed with courage, imposter syndrome, hilarious detours, and Cajun spirit.👇2/ Julie grew up in Jennings, LA, raised by a hardware salesman dad & a teacher mom. Building furniture with her dad, inspired by her mom’s impact – you could s...

1/ Let’s talk about mentorship, not just as a buzzword, but as a powerful force that shapes leaders and communities. In their recent conversation, J.H. “Jay” Campbell, Jr., a retired business executive, consultant to family-owned and corporate enterprises, and board member for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and Stuart Gilly shared real gems about what true mentorship looks like (hint...

1/ Meet John Roberts, the CPA challenging everything you expect from accounting. From walk-on football player to co-founder of @AttracctAccountingAdvisors, his journey is anything but boring. This Muddy Waters Clear Vision episode is packed with lessons on teams, leadership, risk, and legacy2/ John’s #1 career advice? “Worry more about just getting on the right team and less about your role on tha...

1/ Meet Dr. Curtis Chastain: Baton Rouge native, internal medicine physician, disruptor. His mission? Helping guys live a LONGER, healthier life—by finding and fixing what might take them out early. 2/ What’s his #1 rule (courtesy of mentor John Barton): Answer the phone when people call. Be present. Availability = leadership in practice, not just medical care. 3/ Dr. Chastain’s approach is differ...

Note: This episode was recordedjust before the Louisiana legislative fiscal session in April. Since then, thelegislature has strengthened the state’s film incentive, introducing aflat and more flexible 40% tax credit. These changes, along with newaspects of the recently passed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" inCongress, could make investing in Louisiana’s film industry even moreattractive. Dive into...

This week we are sharing Mawe Life’s incredible journey, from humble beginnings to becoming a powerful leader and changemaker. You won’t want to miss this inspiring story of grit, growth, and purpose.1/15 Meet Mawe Takyi, a brilliant entrepreneur who is the founder and managing partner of Asempa Wealth Advisors in Baton Rouge. His story is one of resilience, inspiration, and leadership.2/15 Born i...

Dive into the inspiring journey of Myles Laroux, a partner at Highland Wealth in Baton Rouge, in the latest episode of "Muddy Waters Clear Vision" podcast! Prepare to be moved by his tale of grit, resilience, and impact.  1/ From humble beginnings in Shreveport to becoming a successful financial advisor, Myles's path wasn't always easy. He grew up with a single mom and had to navigate financial ch...

1/ Meet Josh Langlois, the powerhouse behind Langlois Construction, a commercial masonry contractor based in Baton Rouge. Josh's story is a tale of ambition, grit, and transformation. 2/ Josh started his journey with an ambition to be an entrepreneur and found his calling in the construction world. His journey wasn't a straight path but rather a tapestry of life lessons and twists. 3/ Born and rai...

Dive into the world of Total Diamond Performance with Matthew Mistretta, reshaping baseball coaching for young athletes! 1/ Meet Matthew Mistretta, founder of Total Diamond Performance, on a mission to transform the baseball world in Louisiana. Catch a glimpse of the holistic approach he is championing! 2/ From the big leagues to entrepreneurship! Matthew's journey from working with top MLB te...

Ever wondered what it takes to transition from a corporate good life to risk-it-all entrepreneurship, and then making an impactful community comeback? Meet Michael Scarbrough, a hustler turned visionary entrepreneur, who’s transforming lives and business landscapes! 1/ Beginnings aren’t always glamorous: From being underestimated and laid-off to a key corporate executive, Michael learned respect i...

From "Muddy Waters" to Clear Skies: Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey with Adam Beary! 1/ Picture this: You're an explorer in uncharted territories, facing skepticism and doubting your path. Sounds familiar? Welcome to the life of an entrepreneur as told by Adam Beary! 2/ Embrace the unexpected: Adam believes in the thrill of not everything going smoothly and the camaraderie it brings. It's i...

Diving deep into the journey of successful entrepreneurs! In today's episode of Muddy Waters Clear Vision, we explore the inspiring story of Toby Massengale, a true Louisiana entrepreneur. Let's uncover the muddiest moments of his career and the enduring impact he aims to make. Despite a rocky start with his father's business failing, Toby's journey is one of redemption and resilience. From workin...

Dive into the world of entrepreneurship with Zaheer Poptani on the latest episode of "Muddy Waters Clear Vision"! Born in the UK, Zaheer's journey spans continents and industries. Hear how his multicultural background is shaping the future of financial services. 1/ Leadership & Accountability Zaheer Poptani believes that leadership goes beyond titles. It’s about taking initiative and fostering...

This week's podcast features the incredible journey of Baton Rouge native, Calvin Fabre, and his rise as a successful entrepreneur. Let's dive into the highlights of his inspiring story and the invaluable insights he shared with host Stuart Gilly. Calvin Fabre's roots in Baton Rouge run deep, from attending Westdale Elementary to Catholic High, and then Southeastern Louisiana Universit...

Unveiling the Power of Art in Baton Rouge 1/ Jason Andreasen, CEO of Baton Rouge Gallery, shared how art classes have impacted kids, boosting their self-confidence during art shows & receptions. He shared how incredible it is to see the positive influence of art on children's emotional well-being! 2/ The emotional aspect of the artwork struck a chord with Stuart Gilly. It’s amazing to hear...

The latest episode of Muddy Waters Clear Vision podcast is a must-listen for all aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders! In this episode, I sat down with Mark Goodson, a landscape architect and one of the owners of CSRS, a multidisciplinary consulting firm. Let’s dive into the highlights of their insightful conversation. Mark Goodson shares how he was influenced by his parents' work ethics and the...

Discover the insightful journey of successful entrepreneur Steve Maher on the latest episode of Muddy Waters Clear Vision. Learn how partnership, creative problem-solving, and community impact play key roles in Steve's architectural career. 1. Discover how partnerships, creative problem-solving, and community impact have been pivotal in shaping Steve's remarkable architectural career. 2. S...

1. Starting as a young entrepreneur at 20, Amanda has dedicated a decade to elevating pet care in Baton Rouge, embodying integrity, impact, and love for what she does. 2. From dreams of marine exploration to her father's business influence, Amanda's journey is a testament to following passion and making a difference. 3. Despite challenges like rapid growth, personal loss, and navigating th...

1/ Chris opened up about his childhood, transitioning from affluence to hardship, and the invaluable lessons he learned about the value of hard work at a young age. His story is a testament to the strength found through adversity. 2/ One of the most powerful influences in Chris's life is his father, who instilled in him the importance of doing any job to the best of one's ability. He also...

1/ Cindy discovered her passion for interior design after considering a master's in architecture. Working for design firms, she accrued the necessary hours to become a licensed interior designer, ultimately forming TIEK BYDAY with her daughter and business partner. 2/ The journey wasn't without its challenges. Cindy learned to run a business from scratch, emphasizing the importance of educ...

1/ David Maples is a tech & marketing guru with an amazing journey from a humble upbringing to becoming the CTO of Catapult Creative Media. 2/ With a strong work ethic instilled by his grandfather, David learned pivotal leadership lessons from his mentors. Responsibility, accountability, and empowering employees were key values that shaped his approach. 3/ David and his wife founded Catapult u...

1/ Growing up on a farm in Indiana to founding a successful wealth management company, Pete Bush's story is one of perseverance and determination. His rural upbringing taught him the value of hard work and instilled in him a drive for a better life. 2/ From early influencers in his community to pivotal moments in college, Pete shares how he was inspired by those who earned respect, provided op...