The Entrepreneurial Journey

Mark Bradley started as a steamfitter in a nuclear plant, then he built one of North America’s top landscape companies from scratch. From there, he built LMN, the industry’s leading business management software, helping thousands of contractors grow, train crews, and scale smarter. Now? He’s reinventing again with LeanScaper, a movement that’s part community, part mastermind, and part AI-driven wo...

From coding in a college basement to leading a digital studio trusted by Adobe, Gap, Stanford, and DocuSign — Ben Callahan has walked the long, messy, and exhilarating road of entrepreneurship . He didn’t start out wanting to be a business owner. In fact, he once swore he never would. But after years of building other people’s dreams and sleeping in his office for someone else’s paycheck, Ben had...

This week’s podcast guest is a certified beast — and not just on your TV screen. You might know him as the strategic mastermind from MTV’s The Challenge — But behind the scenes? He’s been building an entrepreneurial empire that now generates over $250 MILLION in annual revenue. Recently featured in Inc. Magazine Multi-company founder and investor Reality TV icon turned business tactician I’m beyon...

Ed Harris, Founder and CEO of Harris Northwest Advisors, shares his path from Wall Street investment banking to helping entrepreneurs sell their companies in the lower middle market. Ed reflects on lessons from advising billion-dollar deals, working with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and leading startups to successful exits. He breaks down what makes a business attractive to buyers, work-life b...

This week, Dave welcomes Jessica Cvetic, Founder of Citrus Aesthetics Med Spa and Citrus Franchising, who shares how she transformed a solo practice into a thriving brand now preparing for national expansion. From her start in emergency medicine to her move to aesthetics, and lessons learned from being fired, Jessica discusses why ethics, natural results, and strong client relationships set Citrus...

This week, Dave chats with Don Zerby, Founder and President of EcoLawn, who shares how he turned a teenage lawn-mowing hustle into a thriving, environmentally conscious lawn care company. Don talks about building a top workplace culture, the power of Profit First budgeting, and why continuous learning keeps his business strong after nearly five decades. "The Entrepreneurial Journey with Dave Wesco...

This week, Ben George, President of Grower and Controlled Environment Agriculture at BFG Supply, shares his path from building a family greenhouse business to leading strategy at one of the nation’s largest horticultural suppliers. Ben reflects on lessons learned from scaling International Greenhouse Company, the risks and rewards of growth, and why failure is often a better teacher than success....

In this episode of The Entrepreneurial Journey with Dave Wescott, Adam Linnemann, landscape consultant with The Green Executive and owner of Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping, shares insights from more than 30 years in the green industry, and talks about building a business that lasts, the tough choices he’s made to stay profitable, and how the “Profit First” model helps contractors create sus...

Clay Martin, founder of Isla Talent, shares his path from Peace Corps service in Latin America to building a boutique recruiting firm connecting U.S. companies with top talent from Puerto Rico, sharing lessons learned in cross-cultural communication, the decision to merge and relaunch his business, and why Puerto Rico is a powerful, untapped source of skilled workers. Learn more about Isla Talent...

Erick Slabaugh, CEO of Absco Solutions and FCP Insight, shares how he took over his family’s struggling business at just 19 and rebuilt it on the foundation of core values. Erick reflects on the lessons learned from steering a company out of debt, the importance of integrity and leadership, and how those principles have shaped his decades-long career. "The Entrepreneurial Journey with Dave Wescott...

In this episode, Blair Bryant Nichols, Founder of BBN Creative Management, shares how he helps thought leaders and mission-driven talent turn their message into a movement. Blair dives into the business of speaking, the importance of building a diverse portfolio, and how authenticity and strategy can go hand in hand. From overcoming stage fright to scaling a brand, Blair’s insights are a must-hear...

Michael Bossman has stopped asking students the question, "Does God exist?" In his years of running Y2Believe, an organization that prepares students to articulate a rational basis for the Christian faith, he has now started asking them, "Who is God?" Join Dave and Michael as they chat about the organization and its mission. You can support Y2Believe by donating at http://www.mbridge.global/donate...

This week, Brad Englert, author, advisor, and former CIO of a $40M IT operation, joins Dave to tackle one of entrepreneurship’s toughest truths: when team dynamics break down, founders can burn out. Brad shares how to transform toxic cultures into thriving environments built on values of trust, transparency, and service. Discover why empowering your people, rewarding collaboration over heroics, an...

Kelly Dowell got her start in the landscaping and snow removal industry as a child, licking stamps with her mom in the office, and riding along with her dad in a plow truck during snowstorms. That front row seat to her parents' entrepreneurial spirit is the spark she still carries with her to Onlawn, her digital marketing agency for the green industry. Kelly and Dave discuss the challenges and rew...

In this episode of The Entrepreneurial Journey with Dave Wescott, Ash Kumar, founder of Ashford Communities, shares how he built a thriving real estate business from the ground up. He opens up about scaling with creativity, staying disciplined, and the power of gratitude and persistence. It’s a practical, thoughtful conversation filled with hard-earned lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage. "The...

There are many inspiring aspects of Joe Sabel's story that cannot be fully captured in this description. However, there are a few things that are abundantly clear: faith, sobriety, and a loving and supportive family have transformed the way he views his life, his health, and his business. And this is one conversation you're going to want to tune in for. "The Entrepreneurial Journey with Dave Wesco...

There are a lot of comparisons that one could make to being an entrepreneur and running your own business. For Jake Gerstenberger, Founder & Owner of Huckleberry Landscape and Property Services, the ultramarathon is something he has firsthand experience with, and is an apt comparison. Join us as Dave and Jake discuss the endurance, mental stamina, and grit it takes to be an entrepreneur AND a...

What can the game of golf teach you about entrepreneurship, real estate investing, and life in general? Quite a bit, actually. Join Dave this week as he talks to former PGA golfer turned real estate investor and co-owner of Putnam Real Estate, Michael Putnam. Dave and Michael talk about pivoting to entrepreneurship, share real estate tips, and the importance of work-life balance. "The Entrepreneur...

In the fast-paced world of 2025, where information seems to come from a fire hose, it's challenging for you as a business owner to get your message out. Believe it or not, press releases are still just as powerful as ever! This week, Dave talks to Mickie Kennedy, Founder of eReleases, who gives small and big businesses access to the media and to a national newswire, all with a personal touch. "The...

On this week's episode, Dave welcomes Tom Schwab, Founder of Interview Valet and widely recognized as the Godfather of Podcast Interview Marketing, to explore the real power behind building authentic connections in a digital world. Tom shares how businesses aren't "one funnel away" from success, but one meaningful conversation away from real growth. Learn more here: https://interviewvalet.com/jour...

This week, Dave sits down with Jason Kono, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Pilot Capital, for a deep dive into the long game of real estate investing. Jason’s story begins with a modest 9-unit apartment deal in Seattle in his 20s, funded by friends and family. It unfolds into a portfolio of over 1,300 units, $1 billion in transactions, and a reputation for conservative, investor-first real esta...

This week, Dave sits down with Jeff Hill, the driving force behind 1-800-Got-Junk? of Western Washington and the RePurpose Center. Jeff shares about going from picking up junk in a single truck to becoming a pioneer in circular economy solutions. Jeff’s mission to turn waste into opportunity is reshaping how we think about recycling, business partnerships, and environmental impact. "The Entreprene...

Creative artists, whether painters, authors, photographers, sculptors, or any other field where their blood, sweat, and tears generate something special and unique, eventually have to figure out a way to generate income from their hard work. But how do you switch hats from artist to entrepreneur? Today, we're thrilled to welcome Nova McBee, author of the award-winning "Calculated" series, to discu...

How does saving someone's life forever change you? For Nick Darland, that moment created a ripple effect that led him on a journey to where he is today: an author, coach, and public speaker. Join us as Nick shares his powerful story with Dave and talks about his journey. "The Entrepreneurial Journey with Dave Wescott" is a weekly podcast airing LIVE at 9:15 a.m. PST on Dave's YouTube, Facebook, an...

Taxes can be one of the most complicated and convoluted systems any business owner or entrepreneur must navigate. This week's guest, Divakar "Diva" Vijayasarathy, Founder and CEO of DVS, helps demystify taxes. He also helps CPA firm owners escape the daily grind of client work and scale profitably—WITHOUT working longer hours or taking unnecessary financial risks. "The Entrepreneurial Journey with...