Scaling Smarter with Founder & CEO Jim Sapp: Leadership Teams, Mentors, Small Bets, and the Story Behind RISE Commercial District

In this episode of Build Boldly, Pat Rodgers sits down with entrepreneur and RISE Commercial District founder Jim Sapp to unpack the lessons behind scaling multiple high-growth businesses.Jim shares how he grew Indie Lube to 50 locations across the Midwest, why he learned early that no founder can scale alone, and how that experience helped shape the vision for RISE Commercial District. From hiring key leaders in operations, sales, finance, and accounting to building a bench of mentors across real estate, finance, and leadership, Jim offers practical insight for business owners navigating growth.Pat and Jim also talk about how to test new ideas without overextending, why small bets can protect your business from expensive mistakes, and how to know when it’s time to let go of control, failed experiments, or team members who are not aligned with the company’s future.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why founders need to build around key roles earlyHow mentors and advisors help de-risk big decisionsWhy passion and ownership matter when hiringHow to test ideas before investing too heavilyWhy leadership is about communication, not controlHow RISE Commercial District grew from real entrepreneurial lessonsIf you’re a founder, operator, or small business owner trying to scale beyond yourself, this conversation is packed with hard-earned advice on leadership, team building, mentorship, and smart growth.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Connect with Pat Rodgers on LinkedInLearn more about RISE Commercial District Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn Build Boldly is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.