Sam Clikeman - From Fireline to Founder: Building a Global Mead Empire

What happens when a wildland firefighter walks away from the fireline… and decides to build something that lasts?In this episode of From The Ground Up, we sit down with an entrepreneur who made the leap from public service to private enterprise — transforming small-town roots into an internationally recognized mead brand.This is more than a business story.It’s a conversation about identity, risk, and the courage to pivot when the life you planned no longer fits the life you're called to build.We dive into:The mindset shift from employee to ownerWhat it really takes to build a brand from scratchTurning craftsmanship into a scalable businessLeading through uncertainty and reinventionHow rural entrepreneurs can compete on a global stageFrom firefighting to fermentation…From stability to startup…From local beginnings to global impact…This episode is for anyone who knows they’re capable of more — but hasn’t yet made the jump.If you're building something from the ground up — this conversation will meet you where you are.🎙️ Listen now and discover what it takes to turn grit into legacy.#FromTheGroundUpShow #BuilderMindset #EntrepreneurJourney #RuralEntrepreneur #LegacyDriven #StartupStory #BuiltNotBornTHE WEEK'S CONVERSATIONS, IN ONE EMAILChoose the depth that fits your time: the full conversation, a roughly 20-minute CONDENSED edition, or a focused Topics episode.Join the From The Ground Up Show newsletter: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/newsletter/WATCH & LISTENWatch this full episode: https://youtu.be/1EW1_egaa5ESubscribe to From The Ground Up Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9pListen in your podcast app: https://pod.link/1846907140SHORTER EDITIONSFrom The Ground Up Show CONDENSED — a roughly 20-minute focused version of the full conversation.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9BVKGD64tAPodcast apps: https://pod.link/6806079674From The Ground Up Show: Topics — complete 3–10-minute episodes built around one useful question or lesson.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVzToS_5Hj6oPodcast apps: https://pod.link/6808750058GUEST & RESOURCEShttps://www.biglostmeadery.com/307-660-3199ABOUT FROM THE GROUND UP SHOWReal stories. Hard lessons. Stronger foundations. From The Ground Up Show delivers honest business and leadership conversations and practical lessons for owners, operators, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and leaders building something that lasts—with hearts, hands, and hustle.Hosted by Erick Loden, a former commercial roofing company owner and business advisor. From 2014 to 2025, he owned and ran his roofing company, growing annual revenue more than eightfold and operating profit nearly fifteenfold before completing a successful internal sale.Website: https://www.fromthegroundupshow.comHave a question for Erick or an upcoming guest?https://fromthegroundupshow.com/ask-a-question/Have a story built through hearts, hands, and hustle? Apply to be a guest and tell your story:https://fromthegroundupshow.com/be-a-guest/