The Scaling Podcast With Aaron Harper

Most conversations about wealth stop at numbers. This one does not. In this episode of The Scaling Podcast, Aaron sits down with Christopher Mackin to explore how wealth, energy, identity, and decision-making intersect over a long career. They unpack what happens when financial success outpaces personal alignment, how over-optimization can quietly erode health and relationships, and why many high...

In this episode of  The Scaling Podcast , Aaron Harper sits down with Tony Hilbert — CEO of Horsepower Brands — to break down how they grew from a single roofing brand to 9 franchise brands and 400+ owners in under five years . Tony shares his journey from CPA → CFO → franchise multi-unit operator, the collapse of a 68-location chain, the resilience lessons that shaped him, and the blueprint Horse...

Brooke Budke opens up about the real challenges of leading a franchise brand. She explains the pressure, the criticism, the emotional weight, and the constant responsibility that comes with supporting owners and their families. This episode explores leadership at a deeper level. Brooke shares what she learned through rapid growth, identity shifts, becoming brand president during the most difficult...

In this episode, Aaron sits down with entrepreneur and operator Adam House to break down the real journey behind scaling multiple companies — from early exits to navigating Series A/B fundraising, rebuilding identity after stepping away as CEO, and the power of authentic content in franchising. Adam shares stories from his earliest ventures, including selling his first company right before the fin...

Aaron Harper sits down with Empower CEO Scott Zide to explore how the company scaled from its early roots to over $1.5 billion in systemwide franchise sales. Scott shares his journey from being a 23-year-old franchisee to leading one of the largest multi-brand platforms in the industry. They break down Empower's approach to incubating vs. acquiring, what makes great franchisees, and why staying tr...

When life completely falls apart, what do you do next? In this powerful episode, Aaron Harper sits down with Brad Smith to talk about the accident that ended his thriving fitness business — and how he rebuilt his life, mindset, and mission from scratch. They cover the lessons hidden in loss, the importance of multiple income streams, and what it really takes to find purpose again when everything c...

What does it take to walk away from a safe, successful career and bet everything on yourself? In this episode, Navin joins Aaron to talk about his leap from medicine into entrepreneurship—and the lessons learned along the way. They dive into what it really means to build a business that runs without you, how to scale responsibly, and why content is the most underrated driver of growth today. If yo...

In this conversation, Aaron Harper and Rand Larsen explore the realities of entrepreneurship, franchising, and community building. They discuss lessons from Scale Path, the challenges of retention, creative marketing approaches, and the importance of solving problems in business with clarity and honesty. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 04:19 – Franchising, entrepreneurship, and lessons learned...

What makes the best leaders stand out? Adam Mendler, host of 30 Minute Mentors and a speaker who has interviewed thousands of top CEOs, athletes, and public figures, shares the core lessons of leadership, authenticity, and personal growth. In this episode of the Scaling Podcast, Aaron and Adam dive into leadership traits, entrepreneurial advice, and the importance of being a lifelong learner. Time...

What does it take to get a business off the ground when everything is stacked against you? Ryan Hanley has lived it — from launching a company right before COVID to stepping in as a "wartime CEO" to help startups break through chaos and find focus. In this episode of The Scaling Podcast, Aaron Harper and Ryan unpack the lessons every founder, entrepreneur, and leader needs: why focus matters more...

Scarlett shares her journey from Deloitte and L'Oréal to launching multiple startups, including her latest venture Pretty Tasty . This conversation dives deep into the realities of fundraising, choosing the right investors, and why patient capital often beats private equity timelines . Entrepreneurs will hear tactical lessons on scaling, risk, and building businesses that last.   Intro & premise —...

Michael Zuber thought financial freedom would be the finish line. At 45, with 170+ rental units, he had it all—except purpose. In this episode, Aaron and Michael unpack the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the surprising challenges of "making it," and the disciplines that sustain both health and business success. Whether you're an entrepreneur scaling up, or someone chasing fina...

In this episode, Aaron Harper sits down with Andrew — a longtime friend and business leader — to talk about 20 years of friendship, the realities of raising capital, and what it really takes to build something meaningful. We cover stories from college dorm rooms to navigating sharks in the world of venture capital. Whether you're interested in franchising, entrepreneurship, or just a real conversa...

What does it really take to grow a franchise beyond the first few locations? In this episode, Shaina breaks down the playbook for scaling smarter, supporting franchisees, and building a brand that lasts. From personalized sales outreach to franchisor–franchisee partnerships and the hidden costs of growth, this conversation is packed with insights every entrepreneur needs before making the leap int...

Aaron Harper sits down with Kelcey Lehrich, co-founder of 365 Holdings, to unpack how he and his partner built a portfolio of consumer brands doing $60M+ in revenue—without raising outside capital. From buying a business with a $10K down payment to navigating a near financial meltdown in 2023, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom on e-commerce, partnerships, and founder resilience. ⏱️ Ti...

Thinking about buying a business? Not sure what's real and what's hype? In this episode of The Scaling Podcast, Aaron Harper sits down with Matthias Smith, founder of Pioneer Capital, to unpack exactly how SBA financing works, what makes a business lendable, and the harsh truths nobody on TikTok is telling you. From seller equity to working capital to divorce derailing deals (seriously), this epis...

Franchising can create freedom—or become a financial trap. It all comes down to who's buying and what they believe they're buying. In this episode of The Scaling Podcast, Aaron Harper sits down with former franchisee and franchise coach Tariq Johnson. Together, they unpack what people get wrong when investing in a franchise, how to identify a good opportunity, and what questions buyers don't ask (...

In this episode, Aaron Harper sits down with Eric Pacifici—attorney, entrepreneur, and co-founder of SMB Law Group—to discuss what every franchise buyer, founder, and seller needs to know about small business transactions, legal pitfalls, and structuring deals the right way. From leaving Big Law to closing over $1B in Main Street transactions, Eric shares hard-earned lessons on legal innovation, f...

In this episode of The Scaling Podcast, Aaron Harper sits down with Collin Rutherford—founder of two fully remote businesses: Greenbox Storage and Founder Brands. They dive deep into what it actually takes to scale a startup without an office, how to lead through chaos, and why your business only grows as much as you do. 00:00 – Intro Aaron introduces Collin and sets up the episode 01:15 – Launchi...

What does it really take to scale a franchise from scratch to 1,500+ locations? Scott Abbott has built, sold, and reinvested in some of the biggest names in home services—and in this episode, he shares the raw truth behind what works and what fails in franchising. From his first business at 15 to navigating a private equity roll-up, this conversation is packed with insight for any entrepreneur or...

Shannon Jean has built 10+ businesses over the past 25 years—including a $3M handbag company and a repair service that Apple tried to shut down. In this episode, he breaks down the simple, repeatable systems behind each venture. From flipping gear and launching a podcast with 600+ episodes, to mentoring others on how to make their first $1,000—this conversation is a masterclass in sustainable entr...

After scaling an HVAC company from ≈$3 M to ≈$6 M in two years—and deciding to hand day‑to‑day control to a CEO so he could get back on the road in his RV—Austin Linney sits down with host Aaron Harper to unpack: why doubling revenue isn't worth it if you're doubling misery the moment he realized the business now needed "boring consistency," not more fireworks building a Navy SEAL consulting team...

Paul Tran has built restaurants from scratch, scaled multi-unit franchises, and helped national brands go global. In this episode, he joins Aaron Harper to talk about what it really takes to grow a franchise system responsibly—without losing your soul. From launching The Halal Guys in Southern California to his newest venture with Pepper Lunch, Paul unpacks the wins, the losses, and the frameworks...

In this episode, Aaron Harper sits down with Cole Ruud-Johnson—an entrepreneur who's built call centers, real estate companies, and consulting arms—to break down what really drives business success. They dive into the myth of passive income, the power of ruthless focus, the dangers of burnout, and why most people never see compounding growth. If you're tired of the fluff around entrepreneurship an...

Forget flashy startups. Nik Hulesky is building power washing companies, tree stump businesses, and perfume dealerships—and they're printing serious cash. In this episode, we break down how "boring" businesses scale fast, the systems behind successful franchising, and why content is the unfair advantage most operators ignore. If you're building a business, growing a franchise, or just trying to fi...