Simply Business Podcast

In the 86th episode of Simply Business, I talk with Charles Renne about his unique journey through business, leadership, and mentorship. Charles brings both professional and personal wisdom, sharing stories of resilience, accountability, and the value of surrounding yourself with people who will push you forward. We explore how leadership is less about titles and more about the impact you make, wh...

In the 85th episode of Simply Business, I sit down with Peter Nudd, Founder of Star Solar, to hear how he took decades of solar experience in the UK and rebuilt his business in Southern Indiana. Peter shares candid lessons from navigating the ups and downs of renewable energy, what it means to restart in a new country, and why resilience is the key to building a sustainable business. His story is...

In the 84th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings speaks with Jessica Harris, Owner of Stafford Music Academy in Bloomington, Indiana. Jessica shares her inspiring journey from professional flutist and piccoloist to running a thriving music academy. Along the way, she has faced major personal and professional challenges yet built resilience, a dedicated staff, and a strong community of st...

In the 83rd episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with April Foster, Founder & CEO of Inked Brands, to explore her journey from hobbyist scrapbooker to scaling one of the earliest subscription commerce businesses. April shares how she built Studio Calico from her personal passion for scrapbooking, navigated the complexities of cash flow during explosive growth, and eventually cre...

Today’s guest is John Williamson, founder of Lockbox AI, tackling one of the toughest corners of healthcare: the revenue cycle. John explains how insurer rules and high-deductible plans set denial “tripwires,” why prior authorization keeps shifting under providers’ feet, and how to use on-the-fly machine learning to surface root causes so leaders can finally answer the question that matters why is...

In the 81 episode, I sit down with Brad Flowers , Founder & Author at Bullhorn Creative . We talk about how brands can stay authentic, communicate clearly, and connect with meaning. Brad shares lessons from years of helping businesses find their voice and simplify their story. We explore themes like simplicity, clarity, storytelling, branding, and authentic connection.

In this special solo edition of Simply Business , I step away from the usual entrepreneur interviews to share what I believe is the single most powerful skill in leadership, business, and life: listening . Listening well can transform how you lead, sell, parent, and build relationships. In this short but impactful episode, I explore why listening is so often overlooked, how it builds trust and inf...

Today’s guest is Ben Townsend, Founder & CEO of Tracker Products , a company that helps law enforcement agencies manage evidence more effectively. In this episode, Ben shares his entrepreneurial journey from launching a computer company in the 90s without knowing what he was doing, to building Tracker Products into a trusted partner for police departments across the country. He talks about the...

In the 78th episode of Simply Business , host John Jennings sits down with Dr. Christine Kirkendol Watson , Physician and Owner of Body Bar MD . Christine shares her journey from the ER to entrepreneurship, and the lessons she learned building a patient‑first wellness brand. We dig into how leaders create culture, what it means to move from “clinician” to “owner,” and the practical systems that ke...

Meet Tristan Watkins, founder of Triflix, a creative media studio that merges the worlds of engineering precision and artistic storytelling. In this conversation with John Jennings, Tristan opens up about his journey from a Purdue engineering graduate to founding a company that helps others communicate complex ideas through compelling visuals. He discusses how early internships revealed an unexpec...

In the 76th episode of Simply Business , host John Jennings welcomes Sheila Kalas , founder of Fitness Plus , a personal training studio that’s been thriving in Lexington, KY for 30 years a remarkable milestone in the fitness industry. Sheila shares her journey from Chicago to Miami to Kentucky, how a degree in exercise physiology became the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey, and why cons...

In the 75th episode of Simply Business , John Jennings speaks with Tytus Wilson , the COO and CTO of IQ Pack , a Louisville-based logistics company driving transformation in the supply chain space. With their flagship software platform, PackChain , IQ Pack is helping mid-market companies gain control over complex shipping operations — from order entry to invoice audits. Titus shares his unconventi...

In this episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings reconnects with Alli Truttmann, the founder and CEO of Wicked Technologies — formerly Wicked Sheets. A well-known figure in the Louisville startup scene, Alli opens up about the evolution of her company from physical products to innovative health tech solutions. Alli shares the real story behind the pivot, how her personal journey informed her...

In this inspiring 73rd episode of Simply Business , host John Jennings sits down with Tom Hootman , the founder of Mixtape Digital , a newly launched marketing agency with a name that sparks nostalgia and a mission rooted in authenticity. Tom opens up about his journey from managing restaurants and retail to becoming a leader in digital marketing, growing a company through acquisition, and eventua...

In this episode, John Jennings sits down with Dr. Josh Honaker — physician, serial entrepreneur, and founder of ParentMD — to explore his remarkable path from launching Oldham County Pediatrics to leading multiple healthcare ventures in Louisville and beyond.

In this episode, John Jennings sits down with Dr. Josh Honaker — physician, serial entrepreneur, and founder of ParentMD — to explore his remarkable path from launching Oldham County Pediatrics to leading multiple healthcare ventures in Louisville and beyond.

In this powerful and thoughtful 71st episode, John sits down with long-time friend Bill Johnson , the North American CEO of Welser Profile a company with over 360 years of family-owned history . Bill shares what it means to lead a business with deep European roots and a centuries-old legacy, and how that unique perspective shapes leadership, culture, and long-term decision-making. This episode tou...

In the 70th episode of Simply Business , meet Shawn King, known in the industry as Mr. Fence . He didn’t just inherit a family business; he was thrust into leadership before he was ready. At just 21, Shawn found himself at the helm of a company in serious trouble: struggling operations, no clear systems, and a legacy in danger of collapse. But Shawn didn’t quit. Instead, he committed to learning,...

In the 69th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings talks with Ali Yoder, co-founder of 2A Talent Resources, about what it’s like to walk away from the corporate world to build your own business from the ground up. Ali shares what sparked the leap, the emotional rollercoaster of launching, and how her experience in HR has shaped her approach to entrepreneurship. 💬 Themes Include: Leaving t...

In the 68th episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Taylor Sears, Chief Operating Officer of Silent Guard Security and Davis HVAC Experts. Taylor shares a compelling journey that winds through college athletics, working for the Cincinnati Bengals, a stint in Kentucky state politics, and ultimately returning to help lead his family’s dual-division business. This conversation touche...

In this special solo episode of the Simply Business podcast, I’m stepping away from interviews to share some reflections on a topic that’s often overlooked but absolutely vital: rest. After a recent unplugged vacation, I realized just how powerful intentional rest can be not as a luxury, but as a true leadership necessity. I’ll introduce you to the concept I call the “ROI of Rest” (the ROR) and sh...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Landon Wade opens up about his entrepreneurial path from working in a family business to launching his own brand rooted in deeper meaning. Founder of Goodson Clothing & Supply, Landon discusses how his business brings “order to chaos” in the highly competitive world of branded merchandise. What sets Goodson apart isn’t just its aesthetic vintage, leath...

In the 65th episode, Kevin Baer shares his incredible journey from electrical engineer at a uranium facility to founder of a thriving energy services business. With roots in Paducah, Kentucky, Kevin took a leap of faith in 1997quitting his job, taking out SBA loans, and starting a company in the booming energy efficient lighting space. Over nearly three decades, Kevin has evolved Utilities Dynamic...

In the 64th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Ray Robertson, Principal of The Limestone Agency, to explore the unique journey of taking over a business that’s been in his family for nearly two centuries. Ray shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of leading a legacy business in modern times, as well as the mindset and values that drive him forward. Key them...

Join host John Jennings as he sits down with Mark Helms, Founder and CEO of MH Solutions, to explore the journey of building a business in the broadband infrastructure sector. From humble beginnings in Akron, Ohio, Mark shares how he went from survey work to leading a team that lays the foundation for high-speed internet connectivity across the country. In this episode, Mark reveals how fiber opti...