You Can't Afford Me

Letting someone go from your company ranks among the toughest responsibilities of leadership - and contrary to what many believe, it doesn't get easier with experience. After a decade as an entrepreneur, I've learned the hard truth: no matter how fair, flexible, or generous you are as a leader, you'll still be viewed as the villain when terminating someone's employment. This ra...

From virtual assistance to corporate travel planning, and from a steady paycheck to real estate entrepreneurship, Justin and ShaCoria's journey exemplifies what it means to bet on yourself while building a rock-solid partnership. When Justin walked away from his management position at the Richmond Association of Realtors to pursue real estate full-time, he didn't just have a dream—he had...

Medical Home Plus stands as a beacon of hope for families navigating the often complex and overwhelming world of special needs education. This episode dives deep into how this vital nonprofit empowers parents of children with special healthcare needs across Virginia. Executive Director Emily J shares her 18-year journey with the organization, revealing how MHP has expanded to serve families in ove...

Have you ever hired someone who seemed perfect on paper but turned out to be completely wrong for the role? Meet Aaliyah, the 24-year-old founder and CEO of Otterwise who's tackling this universal problem with a refreshingly practical solution. Fresh out of college and frustrated by her own career mismatch, Aaliyah built a platform that lets employers and candidates "test drive" wor...

From parasailing at Smith Mountain Lake to revolutionizing restaurant staffing with a groundbreaking three-day work week model, brothers Luke and Will Phillips share their remarkable entrepreneurial journey spanning multiple industries and decades. The Phillips brothers reveal how their complementary skills—Luke's visionary entrepreneurial spirit paired with Will's methodical operational...

Imagine for a moment what it would feel like if the highlight of your week was a trip to the mall food court. For many individuals with disabilities, veterans in recovery, and at-risk youth in Richmond, meaningful outdoor experiences remain frustratingly out of reach—not because they can't participate, but because they lack the knowledge, opportunity, or support to try. George from Beyond Bou...

We conduct a live business consultation with Tavon Harvey of Illumination Consulting, a financial management company focused on helping underserved consumers with credit repair and financial literacy. • Building trust in the credit repair industry through giving away free services to strategic contacts • Combating misinformation by engaging in comment sections of influencer posts • Converting soci...

Two brothers with complementary skills and a shared passion for golf saw opportunity where others saw obstacles. During the pandemic, when golf courses were packed and driving ranges overflowing, Patrick and his brother launched Indoor Golf RVA with a vision to make the sport more accessible, affordable, and community-oriented. Their entrepreneurial journey exemplifies thoughtful risk management....

A simple request from her niece for a "makeup spa party" birthday sparked something extraordinary for Cherie Smalley. What began as a favor transformed into SpaTacular - a wildly successful kid-focused day spa and retail store in Midlothian, Virginia that parents and daughters can't stop raving about. Cherie's entrepreneurial journey reveals the refreshing truth behind business...

The entrepreneurial journey rarely follows a straight path, and few stories illustrate this better than Nick Baker's. In this captivating conversation, Nick reveals how he transformed his lifelong passion for grilling and smoking meats into Nicky Bakes Grill—a thriving barbecue business—all while maintaining his 31-year career serving dental clients. What makes Nick's approach remarkable...

What happens when business success collides with the demands of family life? Rob Long, the serial entrepreneur behind River City Roll, Bar West, and the Surf dating app, doesn't hold back in this refreshingly candid conversation about the real costs of building multiple successful ventures. Rob shares the moment his heart broke when his four-year-old daughter said, "Daddy, I don't w...

What does it really take to walk away from corporate security and build a multi-million dollar business from scratch? Rob Long's journey from self-described "world's worst investment banking analyst" to successful entrepreneur offers a masterclass in calculated risk-taking. When Rob quit his banking job in 2017, he had just $15,000 in savings and a vision for River City Roll, a...

What if someone told you that your background, no matter how unconventional, could be the key to your entrepreneurial success? Join us as we sit down with Louise Strickland, Chief Marketing Officer at Pixel Strike Creative, who transitioned from a classical opera singer to a marketing maven. Louise's story is a testament to the power of mentorship, passion, and perseverance. She shares how pi...

Have you ever wondered how a simple story can propel your career or business to new heights? Kyle Gray joins us to unravel the mystery, showcasing how a well-told narrative can be your most powerful asset whether you're closing a sale, crafting a book, or captivating an audience. As we traverse Kyle's personal evolution from academia to entrepreneurship, we uncover the secrets to communi...

Embark on a journey with the multifaceted Andrew Jenkins, where the intersecting paths of engineering and entrepreneurial flair converge to chart a course in digital marketing. Andrew's transition from a stable corporate job to the unpredictability of running his own business in SEO and web development is nothing short of remarkable. His story unfolds in this episode, revealing the critical m...

Unlock the mysteries of cryptocurrency and its profound impact on the world as we sit down with crypto guru Al from Bitwise Asset Management. Discover how Bitcoin has evolved from its infamous origins to become a staple in the modern investor's portfolio. This electrifying conversation dives into the practicalities of investing in digital assets, the significant shift in wealth management, an...

Every punch in the ring tells a story, and this episode is no exception as we're joined by prizefighter Immanuel and his gym comrade BJ. Together, we navigate the raw and profound narratives etched in the sweat and dedication of their boxing lives. From Immanuel's first gloves-up moment at 13 to BJ's respect for his friend's tenacity, brace yourself for a gritty look at how the...

Embark on a transformative exploration where the worlds of entrepreneurship and well-being collide, bringing forth an invigorating blend of business savvy and health consciousness.  David Ambrose from MetaFitRx joins the conversation, shedding light on the often-overlooked yet critical intersection of maintaining peak health and entrepreneurial success. Together, we unpack how understanding one&ap...

Unlock the full potential of your sales strategy with a treasure trove of insights from Christie Ann Randall, the serial entrepreneur who knows how to make businesses thrive. On a journey that zigzagged from a mobile spa to dog walking and training, Christie Ann has woven two decades of experience into every piece of advice. Tune in and transform your sales meetings into masterpieces of engagement...

Embarking on a professional transformation often means facing our fears head-on, a journey Matt Dira knows all too well. From the lush greens of the golf course to the boardrooms of business mastery, Matt joins us to unravel the narrative of his evolution into a peak performance coach. He shares candid tales of leveraging the social fabric of golf to forge connections that would later serve as cor...

Embark on an enlightening journey with Brent Stone, a true testament to the transformative power of resilience. From the quiet streets of Harrisonburg, Virginia, Brent takes us through his rollercoaster life story that sees him emerge from a troubled past marked by bullying and drug dealing to become a beacon of legitimate entrepreneurship and personal triumph. With hands-on advice from his ventur...

Navigating the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship, Sam Anderson joins us to reveal the gritty realities behind his socially-conscious vending machine venture. Embarking on a raw journey, Sam opens up about a recent strategic pivot that spiraled into a maelstrom of social media backlash and the tough lessons learned about communication and stakeholder management. His story isn't just about t...

Embark on an inspiring journey with Holly Byrd Miller, the paragon of pivoting professions. From healthcare management to CEO of Makeup by Holly Beauty Partners, Holly's narrative is a masterclass in embracing change and the power of personal branding. Her candid reflections on the emotional landscape of leaving a stable career for entrepreneurship illuminate the path to aligning one's c...

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and nobody embodies this more than BJ Evans, who pivoted from a minimum wage earner to the entrepreneurial force behind ProCores. This episode takes you behind the scenes of his tenacious journey, where resilience and grit meet the recycling industry. Through the trials of starting a business amidst an economic slump and personal milestones, like marr...

Ever wondered how a stint of reading by the ocean can redefine your business strategy? Mark Joyner, President and Principal Broker of Napier ERA, joins us to unravel how breaks and strategic planning can bolster your real estate ambitions. In a heartfelt discussion, Mark takes us from his college days, diving into the importance of a pause for rejuvenation and the ways in which his family's l...