NextGen Strategies

What started as a season of individual conversations turned into a clear pattern, and in this finale, Grant and Tyler pull it all together to name the themes that decided which businesses thrived and which ones struggled. In the Season 2 wrap-up of the NextGen Strategies Podcast, hosts Grant and Tyler Davis recap a full season of guest interviews with family-owned, multi-generational, and scaling...

Headlines say the market is at an all time high, but does that actually mean anything for your small and mid-sized business? In this episode, we break down the current state of business in 2026 and translate the noise into what small and family-owned business owners should actually be watching. We cut through the headline economic data driven by the Magnificent Seven and AI hype to talk about what...

Andrew Lawrence took a swing on a cold call from a Detroit recruiter for a financial position and quickly ended up as CEO of that 150-year-old company before age 30. In this episode, Tyler and Grant talk with Andrew about his path from public accountant to CEO, working with PE partners, acquiring EJ Thomas earlier this year, and the leadership mindset that's guided him through it all: "I want to b...

What does it take for a fourth-generation family business to compete with national brands and keep growing? In this episode of NextGen Strategies, we sit down with brothers Greg and Brian Kimmel of Kimmel Corporation to talk about the evolution of their family business, the realities of working alongside family, and how service, culture, and adaptability continue to separate them in a competitive...

Most businesses think they have a marketing problem. In reality, it’s usually a brand problem. In this episode, we sit down with Melissa and Blake from AR Marketing to break down what drives results on social media today. From building a strong brand foundation to showing up consistently across channels, we get into what works, what doesn’t, and where most businesses get it wrong. We talk through:...

What does it actually take to survive the ups and downs of business over decades? In this episode of the NextGen Strategies Podcast, we sit down with Shawn Bowshier of Ride One Powersports to talk about what it looks like to grow, struggle, and keep going anyway. Shawn shares how he helped scale a business from $8M to $38M… and what happened when the market shifted and they lost over half of it al...

Part 2 of our conversation with Chris Haines continues his story around both personal and business growth. In this episode, Chris talks about his additional business ventures he's gotten into. This includes coffee, retail, and property management. We talk about the real truths that come with operating a small business in small towns. Finally, we wrap up talking about the importance of not for prof...

Chris Haines never set out to build the company Marias Technology eventually became. What started as a technology services operation tied to the insurance industry evolved into a business built on referrals, trust, and a willingness to solve problems customers didn’t even know they had yet. In Part One of this conversation, Chris, President and CEO of Marias Technology in Covington, Ohio, talks ab...

Episode Summary What does it take to break the “third generation curse” in family business? Jamie McGregor joins us on the shop floor at McGregor Metal to talk about legacy, leadership, and reinvention. As a third-generation leader, Jamie carries the weight of a 60-year manufacturing company while navigating modern pressures like automation, workforce changes, and selective growth. This conversati...

Business ownership changes more than your role. It changes how money moves, how taxes apply, and how decisions impact you personally. In this episode of the NextGen Strategies Podcast, we unpack the financial realities that often surprise business owners, especially during ownership transitions, buy-ins, successions, and acquisitions. We walk through how entity structure really works, why S Corps...

Episode summary A lot of companies treat tradeshows like a box to check. They show up because “it’s an industry thing,” spend real money, then wonder why nothing came of it. In this episode, Grant and Tyler break down a practical approach to events that actually produces results: define the goal and budget, do pre-event outreach, show up with an engaging booth plan, capture content while you’re th...

In this episode of the NextGen Strategies Podcast, we sit down with Nathan Stuckey, founder of Stuckey Law Firm, to talk about leadership that lasts. Nathan shares his path from law school to launching his own firm, the lessons he learned by growing through people instead of chasing scale, and why trust is the foundation of any sustainable business. This conversation digs into partnerships, delega...

LinkedIn has grown into one of the most practical channels for B2B growth, and it’s still one of the few places where consistent, human activity can outperform flashy ad budgets. In this episode, Grant and Tyler break down simple ways to tighten up your LinkedIn profile, create content that doesn’t feel cringey, and build warmer connections that lead to real conversations over time. They also dig...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Next Gen Strategies podcast, Grant and Tyler sit down with Mo Carpenter of Gallery Homes Real Estate to unpack what it really looks like to walk away from a safe corporate job and build a relationship driven real estate business. Mo shares his journey from twelve years in a corporate role at Assurant to working two jobs for two years, then finally making the...

Episode Summary In this episode, Grant Covault and Tyler Davis get real about AI and the way tools like ChatGPT actually fit into day to day business. They dig into the gap between the hype and the reality, the difference between free and paid versions, and why blindly trusting AI is a fast track to sloppy work and bad decisions. They break down how they use ChatGPT in their own worlds, what it co...

Grant and Tyler hit the road to HR Butler’s new Columbus office to talk payroll, taxes, and total compensation with Tyler and Trent from HR Butler. From overtime and tip credits to Ohio’s messy local tax system and rising benefit costs, this episode dives into what every employer needs to know heading into 2025. If you’ve ever wondered how to make payroll make sense—or how to actually retain peopl...

We’re back. In this episode, Grant Covault and Tyler Davis kick off Season 2 by reflecting on what we learned from last year, what’s changing this year, and what’s coming next for the NextGen Strategies Podcast. From lessons learned and standout conversations to exciting new projects on the horizon, this episode sets the tone for what’s ahead.

Want to learn more about Grant? | CLICK HERE https://thegcstrategies.com/ Want to learn more about Tyler? | CLICK HERE https://www.datcpa.net/ In this episode of the Next Gen Strategies Podcast, Grant Covault and Tyler Davis break down the newly signed “one big beautiful tax bill.” They discuss permanent changes like extended tax rates, higher standard deductions, and the qualified business income...

Want to learn more about Grant? | CLICK HERE https://thegcstrategies.com/ Want to learn more about Tyler? | CLICK HERE https://www.datcpa.net/ Want to Learn More About Woodhull LLC? | CLICK HERE https://woodhullusa.com/ In this episode of the Next Gen Strategies podcast, Robert Woodhull, president of Woodhull LLC, shares his journey from delivery truck driver to leading his family’s 75-year-old of...

Want to learn more about Grant? | CLICK HERE https://thegcstrategies.com/ Want to learn more about Tyler? | CLICK HERE https://www.datcpa.net/ In this episode of the NextGen Strategies Podcast, Grant and Tyler discuss the challenges and best practices of hiring, onboarding, and building effective teams. They share personal experiences and practical tips on recruitment, defining roles, creating res...

Want to learn more about Grant? | CLICK HERE https://thegcstrategies.com/ Want to learn more about Tyler? | CLICK HERE https://www.datcpa.net/ In this episode of the Next Gen Strategies podcast, Tyler Davis and Grant Covault share practical advice on scaling a business while keeping costs in check. They discuss the importance of managing cash flow, evaluating the necessity of office space and equi...

Want to learn more about Grant? | CLICK HERE https://thegcstrategies.com/ Want to learn more about Tyler? | CLICK HERE https://www.datcpa.net/ In this episode of the "Next Gen Strategies Podcast," hosts Tyler Davis and Grant Covault explore the crucial role of effective communication in business. They emphasize the importance of timely responses, clear messaging, and setting boundaries to build tr...

Want to learn more about Grant? | CLICK HERE https://thegcstrategies.com/ Want to learn more about Tyler? | CLICK HERE https://www.datcpa.net/ What To Learn More About Forrest? | CLICK HERE https://derrconsulting.com/ Show Notes: In this episode of the NextGen Strategies podcast, Grant and Tyler explore the pivotal role of a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in enhancing operational efficiency, partic...

Want to learn more about Grant? | CLICK HERE https://thegcstrategies.com/ Want to learn more about Tyler? | CLICK HERE https://www.datcpa.net/ In this episode of the Next Gen Strategies podcast, Tyler and Grant discuss the top five traits of successful business owners, drawing from their combined 15 years of experience. They highlight adaptability, financial acumen, sales skills, relatability, and...

Want to learn more about Grant? | CLICK HERE https://thegcstrategies.com/ Want to learn more about Tyler? | CLICK HERE https://www.datcpa.net/ Want to learn more about Cam & VisiScale? | CLICK HERE https://www.visiscale.com/ VisiScale podcast gear set up suggestions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13Cah6AWy9diUfse6fTXYjIPy2-PvQwHFvVWyPNSruvg/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.4t1pt3tk7cky In this epis...