Entrepreneurs: The Bold Decisions That Built Million-Dollar Businesses

Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show have this discussion with Ryan Stana from RWS Global, Joey Stiver from Amble Health and Ronald Platt from National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF). Every successful entrepreneur can point to one defining moment that changed everything. In this inspiring segment of Your New Business Journey on Passzge to Profit Show, Ryan Stana explains why bringing in private equity after 21 years of bootstrapping helped transform his company into a lasting legacy. Joey Stiver shares how risking everything—and refusing to let a criminal past define his future—launched his entrepreneurial journey, while Ron Platt reveals why mortgaging his home after investors said "no" became the turning point that made his vision a reality. Elizabeth Gearhart discusses the difficult decision to let go of a successful community to focus on AI Visibility, and Richard Gearhart explains how changing to fixed-fee legal services reshaped his law firm's growth. If you're facing a difficult business decision, this episode offers real-world lessons on risk, resilience, leadership, and building a business that lasts. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas. Chapters (00:00:00) - The Decision That Most Changed the Direction of Your Business(00:01:34) - Starting a Business as a Convicted Felon(00:02:16) - Ron Platt on Choosing the Right Decision(00:04:52) - A Minor Change in Our Law Practice