The Business of Whats Next

Leadership challenges rarely begin with one major event. More often, they start with small moments of friction that grow over time. In this episode, Matthew Shipp sits down with executive coach Yocheved Belsky to discuss how leaders can identify hidden bottlenecks, create greater clarity, and establish boundaries that strengthen accountability across their organizations. Their conversation explore...

Innovation is not just about generating new ideas. It is about building the systems, leadership alignment, and decision-making processes that turn strategy into sustainable business growth. In this episode, Matthew Shipp sits down with Noel Sobelman to explore how companies can better balance risk, execution, and long-term innovation. Noel shares why so many organizations struggle with overloaded...

In this episode, we explore why so many business owners feel stuck despite constant activity. Charlie Sells breaks down how a lack of clarity—not effort—is often the real bottleneck. From scattered marketing tactics to misaligned systems, he explains how unclear direction creates inefficiency, confusion, and stalled growth. Charlie, founder of Clarity Over Everything, shares how he helps business...

Technology should accelerate growth. Not quietly restrict it. In this episode, Matthew Shipp sits down with Kevin Weber, founder of Polyfortech, to unpack why so many mid-stage companies feel stuck when it comes to cloud migration. The systems may be “working,” but technical debt, manual processes, and fragile infrastructure often create hidden operational drag. Kevin explains how leaders can mode...

Hiring senior leaders is one of the most strategic decisions a CEO will make. Yet many founders approach it like a staffing task instead of a growth decision. In this episode, we explore why executive hiring often fails and how a lack of clarity, culture alignment, and delegation readiness can stall scaling efforts. Carey Parks, founder of Talent Kind Search, brings decades of experience in execut...

Growing companies don’t fail because leaders lack vision. They struggle when growth outpaces clarity, alignment, and execution. In this episode of The Business of What’s Next , Matthew Shipp sits down with Rebecca Kay, founder of PIC Operating Group, to explore why many organizations stall after early success—and how outcome-first leadership creates long-term enterprise value. Rebecca shares how h...

Writing a book isn’t just about sharing what you know—it’s about transforming how people see you. In this episode, we explore how business leaders can use authorship to clarify their message, build authority, and attract new opportunities. Ghostwriter Sean Mabry explains why books still matter, how to overcome writer’s block, and what makes a book truly resonate. In this episode, we dive into: ✅...

Guest: Leo York, Founder of Leo Copywriting Understanding your audience isn’t just about demographics or market trends. It’s about biology. In this episode, Matthew talks with Leo York about the behavioral side of brand communication—how people make decisions, what captures attention, and why messaging works best when it aligns with instinct rather than guesswork. Leaders often struggle with clari...

Many leaders jump into tools, technology, or AI before understanding the real problem. In this episode, Matthew talks with Jake Truemper, founder of Shift, about why strategic clarity is still the strongest advantage any leader can build. Jake explains how human-centered strategy helps teams cut through noise, uncover real needs, and make decisions that lead to meaningful progress. He shares how v...

Show Notes Every leader knows the feeling: too much to do, too little clarity. In this solo episode, Matthew Shipp tackles the real reason behind mental overload—and why it’s not your fault. He explores the biological limits of working memory, the hidden weight of cognitive load, and how most productivity advice misses the mark. The good news? There's a system that works with your brain, not again...

In this episode, host Matthew Shipp talks with Stefani Seek , founder of Seek Coaching (formerly Love the Sell ), about how today’s leaders can find clarity, balance, and renewed purpose in their work. After 25 years in corporate sales and leadership, Stefani hit burnout and decided to redefine success on her own terms. Through her 5 V’s Methodology , she helps executives and professionals align t...

What does it take to buy a niche manufacturing business in the middle of a pandemic—and make it thrive? In this episode, Matthew talks with Dan Saettele, the former banker who now runs Foeder Crafters, the only U.S. company manufacturing foeders full-time. These massive Missouri White Oak fermentation tanks are turning heads in taprooms and changing the way craft beverages are made. Dan opens up a...

Coffee’s global supply chain is long, layered, and stacked against the smallest players. Farmers need capital up front. Roasters want terms. And between them, a maze of middlemen adds cost and confusion. Matt Hayes, founder of Bridging Tables, is helping both ends meet. With a background in recruiting and deep ties in emerging markets, Matt built a model that finances trust, not just transactions....

Debbie Wildrick knows what it takes to get a beverage brand on the shelf—and keep it there. In this episode, we unpack the critical challenges growing beverage businesses face, especially as they hit that tricky $1M–$5M range. With decades of experience on both the retail and brand side, Debbie offers a deep dive into the strategy, structure, and systems that separate smart scaling from stalled mo...

Jim brings decades of experience in beverage distribution and now leads efforts at Western Computer to implement 365WineTrade, a tech platform built specifically for the alcohol space. He shares how integrated ERP systems not only streamline operations but also enable businesses to plan smarter, automate compliance, and ultimately grow without the usual chaos. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why...

As a solopreneur, even a simple holiday weekend can stir up stress. Why? Because your system gets disrupted, your rhythm pauses, and suddenly all those unfinished to-dos are bouncing around in your head. In this quick Workshop Minute, Matthew Shipp addresses the challenge of mental overload—and offers a proven method to ease it. Matthew explores the power of writing tasks down and how externalizin...

Water isn't just an ingredient—it's the backbone of every beverage. But most brewers, roasters, and growers don’t realize how much water quality can make or break their final product. In this episode, we explore the challenge of designing water systems that meet both health standards and flavor goals. Matthew welcomes Cydian Kauffman, co-owner of Pure Water Northwest, to unpack the real science be...

When your business depends on physical work, long days and wear-and-tear are inevitable. But what if there was a way to support recovery naturally — without relying on constant medication or invasive treatments? This episode looks at a new path forward for businesses and workers alike. Michael Babcock joins the show to share his experience with LifeWave’s X39 patch, a simple, light-activated techn...

When is the right time to scale your business—and what happens if you do it too soon? In this episode of Harvest to Pour , we dig into the critical transition that many business owners face after a period of rapid success. While hitting big revenue goals is exciting, it often reveals hidden gaps in systems, capital, and team structure. Without the right strategy, growth can quickly turn into overw...

When you think of canned cocktails, you might picture overly sweet drinks or watered-down hard seltzers. Ranch2O Spirits is redefining that. Founded by Amelia Lattieri, Ranch2O began as a simple idea: make a quality ranch water you could grab from the fridge. With a finance and operations background—and a nudge from her husband—Amelia took the leap into a market that barely existed at the time: li...

When you think of coffee at an event, you might picture a standard catering setup—functional, but forgettable. Bean Sprout Coffee Co. is changing that. Founded by Blake Ottomeyer , Bean Sprout Coffee isn’t just about serving espresso; it’s about crafting a hospitality-driven experience that leaves a lasting impression. What started as a pivot from a brick-and-mortar café idea has now become a grow...

  Introduction to Andreas Duess – Matthew introduces Andreas Duess, CEO of 6 Seed Consulting, and his background in tech and AI. Journey from Tech to Food & Beverage – Andreas shares how he transitioned from working with early AI firms, including Google, to launching a food-focused marketing agency. Founding 6 Seed Consulting – After selling his agency, Andreas founded 6 Seed Consulting to leverag...

What’s stopping your business from scaling? It might not be your product, your marketing, or even your sales—it could be your operations . Many businesses run on intuition, muscle memory, and outdated systems, making it impossible to grow beyond a certain point. The solution? Better processes, automation, and structured workflows. In this episode, Joshua Monge , a fractional COO and business opera...

Too many business owners find themselves at the center of every decision, with their teams passively waiting for instructions. It’s exhausting, unsustainable, and limits business growth. The good news? You can break free from this cycle by creating a culture of ownership, accountability, and proactive problem-solving. In this episode, we cover: Why employees hesitate to take initiative and how lea...

In this episode of Harvest to Pour , Matthew Shipp sits down with Will Blum, the founder of Bluebird Hardwater, to explore how a clean, non-carbonated, preservative-free alcoholic beverage is transforming the beverage industry. Will shares his journey of navigating complex regulations, sourcing pure ingredients, and creating a product that stands out in a crowded market. Will reveals how persisten...