The Think Small Podcast

In this episode of Think Small , Alex sits down with David Esposito, CEO of ONL Therapeutics, for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the long, high-stakes journey of bringing a new drug to market. From university-born science and early discovery work to the realities of fundraising, clinical trials, and navigating investor expectations, David breaks down how ONL is advancing a promising therapy to...

In this episode, RealKey founder Christopher Hussain joins the Think Small Podcast to reveal how his AI-powered “deal room” is transforming the mortgage industry. He breaks down how RealKey streamlines processing and underwriting by automating document collection, verification, and communication for every party involved—from borrowers and brokers to agents, employers, and insurers—all in one unifi...

In this episode, HR expert Karen Young of HR Resolutions joins the show to talk about what modern, human-centered HR really looks like. From dismantling the “department of no” stereotype to building culture through honest communication, personalized leadership, and understanding how people actually work, Karen offers a refreshingly real take on creating thriving workplaces. She shares practical in...

In this episode, Matt Greer of DMS Color—now evolving under the Gold Leaf Print & Packaging brand—shares how he helped transform a tiny basement print shop into a national operation serving major corporations with advanced digital printing, packaging, and their proprietary DigiFlow web-to-print platform. Matt walks us through key breakthrough moments, from disrupting traditional print houses t...

Patrick McDonald of CMG joins the Think Small Podcast to share how he went from a corporate job to building a 30-property mobile home park portfolio, starting with a dilapidated 13-unit park he found near home. He walks us through the early hustle—digging up sewer lines, learning septic systems on the fly, flipping parks, landing seller-financed deals, and eventually quitting his job in the middle...

Nationwide Health CPR started with one retired firefighter’s drive to keep saving lives through education. In this Think Small episode, Jason Smith shares how that mission grew from Broward County, Florida, into a multi-state network providing CPR training every day across the country. Jason also talks about their upcoming initiatives—from expanding AED access for homes and businesses to exploring...

After years of corporate marketing, Lior Krolewicz realized something was missing—the human side of business. In this episode, he shares how Yael Consulting brings big-brand strategy to entrepreneurs who just want results that matter. From saving a few hundred dollars to helping a business stay afloat, it’s work that feels real and rewarding. From his early days learning Google Ads in 2009 to lead...

When you stop chasing deals and start chasing growth, everything changes. Philip Whitman joins Alex Reyes to share how curiosity, mentorship, and generosity built the foundation of Whitman Transition Advisors. He explains why showing up in the right rooms—and paying people more than you “have to”—isn’t just good business, it’s good leadership. Their conversation moves from personal lessons to univ...

How to save a business on the brink? Meet Ken Yager, the “surgeon” for struggling companies. When a business is two weeks away from missing payroll, who do you call? For many, that lifeline is Ken Yager, Founder of Newpoint Advisors, known for stepping into crisis-mode and helping small to mid-sized companies avoid collapse. In this episode, host Alex Reyes sits down with Ken to unpack: What reall...

In this episode, host Alex Reyes sits down with Greg Parsons, Owner and Managing Director of Sharpham Dairy, to explore how a career spent inside some of the world’s biggest food companies inspired him to go small — and build something more sustainable, transparent, and human. How Greg helped form a local food supply chain for one of Europe’s largest construction projects The creative pivots that...

From side-hustle beginnings to leading one of the Carolinas’ most respected custom apparel shops, Jeremy Ray shares how Rockhill Printing scaled fast—then learned to scale smart. In this candid conversation, Jeremy breaks down the lessons behind sustainable growth, managing people, and building systems that actually free up time instead of creating chaos. Whether you run a print shop or any growin...

Ever thought about franchising your business — but don’t know where to start? 🤔 Tom DuFore, CEO of Big Sky Franchise Team, joins Alex to break down what it really takes to turn a small business into a scalable franchise. Learn how to tell if your business is “franchise-ready,” what buyers actually look for, and why today’s franchise world is full of opportunities for small owners. In this episode...

Truck driver health is in crisis—but change starts with one small step. In this episode of The Think Small Podcast, host Alex sits down with Bob Perry, known as The Trucker Trainer and founder of Health in Transportation and FitDrivers.com , to unpack the real cost of poor driver wellness—and what fleets can do to turn it around. From skyrocketing healthcare claims to the rise of GLP-1 drugs, Perr...

In this episode, Allen Borts joins The Think Small Podcast to explore the rapidly evolving world of AI and its practical impact on business and human creativity. He shares stories of leveraging AI beyond simple prompts—treating it as a conversational partner that can help solve complex, real-world challenges. The discussion covers the rise of hyper-prompting, AI as a true co-pilot in problem-solvi...

On this episode of Think Small, Karen Bertrand shares her journey of growing ClearCloud Bookkeeping from a one-woman operation to a team of five and reflects on the challenges of moving from employee to business owner. She emphasizes accountability, transparency, and the role of her firm as “the nurses of the business world”—educating, supporting, and cheering on clients while keeping their books...

What does it really take for businesses to stay compliant and sustainable in today’s fast-changing world? In this episode of The Think Small Podcast, host Alex Reyes sits down with John Beath, CEO of JBE LLC, to explore how companies can navigate environmental regulations and global sustainability standards with confidence. John shares how his team helps organizations of all sizes — from Fortune 2...

What if you could find everything you love about fitness, sports, and wellness—all under one roof? From world-class facilities and professional training to family-friendly programs and even an innovative performance academy for student-athletes, The St. James has redefined what it means to be a destination for health, play, and community. In this episode of Think Small, Douglas Homer, Director of...

From 25 years in IT to running a trucking company, Ben Smith’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of The Think Small Podcast, Ben shares how he acquired Cupboard Wagon, a 20-year-old logistics business, and turned it into a specialized leader in luxury cabinetry delivery. He opens up about the learning curve of DOT compliance, the cultural shift of managing a blue-collar team, and w...

Launching a business is exciting—but staying the course is where the real challenge begins! In today’s episode, we sit down with Jeremy Griffin from Startup Street to uncover what it really takes to build something that lasts. From honest planning and surviving the boredom trap to finding optimism when the grind gets tough, this is a conversation every entrepreneur needs to hear. If you’re a found...