Built for This

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Shari Cedar, CEO and co-owner of AK Building Services, to explore what it really takes to build and scale a people-driven business over the long term. Shari shares her unconventional journey from a successful career in television production to co-building a commercial cleaning company alongside her husband. What began as a gradual transition evolved into a 25-year leadership journey, growing a company that now supports a team of hundreds in a demanding and highly regulated industry. The conversation unpacks the realities of scaling beyond the early stages of business. Shari explains how the discipline of production, preparation, execution, and continuous refinement, became the foundation for building strong operational systems and sustainable growth. Carly and Shari also explore the challenges of maintaining culture across a distributed, night-shift workforce, and why connection must be created intentionally through communication, leadership presence, and consistent human interaction. This episode offers a grounded perspective on leadership, showing that real growth is not just about expanding revenue or headcount. It is about building systems that support scale, developing people who can lead independently, and creating a business that can thrive beyond its founders.   Key Themes: Systems Before Scale: Why strong processes and infrastructure are essential for sustainable growth. Intentional Culture: How to build connection and belonging across dispersed teams. Leadership Through Trust: Why letting go and empowering others is critical to long-term success.   Memorable Quotes: “If you have your hands on everything, then you’re doing nothing.” “We are a partner, not a vendor.” “Growth is great, but it’s a double-edged sword.”   About Shari Cedar: Shari Cedar is the CEO and Co-Owner of AK Building Services, a leading family-owned commercial janitorial company based in Florida. With more than 25 years of experience, she has built her career around leadership, operational excellence, and creating opportunities for her team. Before entering the commercial cleaning industry, Shari worked in television production, an experience that shaped her approach to leadership and execution. Today, she is actively involved in industry and community organizations, including BOMA, CREW Network, and the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, while also serving on multiple nonprofit and advisory boards. A dedicated leader and working mother of two, Shari is passionate about building businesses that create meaningful impact for both people and the communities they serve.   Connect with Shari Cedar: http://www.akbuildingservices.com

In this insightful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Tim Berney, founder and CEO of VI Marketing and Branding, to explore how marketing can go beyond visibility and actually influence real human behavior. With more than three decades of experience, Tim shares how his work has shifted from traditional awareness campaigns to behavior-driven strategies that shape decisions, habits, and even societal norms. From early recycling initiatives to large-scale water conservation campaigns that saved billions of gallons, he explains how small, consistent actions, when scaled, can create extraordinary impact. Carly and Tim break down the science behind behavior change marketing, including the role of data, modeling behavior, and crafting messaging that resonates both individually and collectively. They also explore how creative execution plays a critical role in driving results, and why even the best strategy falls flat without ideas that connect emotionally. Beyond marketing, the conversation expands into leadership, culture, and the future of the industry. Tim shares how he built a company grounded in continuous learning, intentional communication, and long-term thinking, while also offering his perspective on how AI is reshaping the marketing landscape. This episode is a thoughtful look at how marketing, when done well, becomes a powerful force for meaningful change.   Key Themes: Marketing That Changes Behavior: Why true impact comes from influencing decisions and actions, not just awareness. Small Actions, Big Results: How incremental behavior shifts can scale into significant societal impact. Creative Drives Results: Why emotionally resonant messaging is essential for long-term engagement and action.   Memorable Quotes: “We’re not just trying to get people to buy something… we’re trying to change behaviors.” “If we’re not driving results for our clients, then we shouldn’t have a job.” “There’s no substitute for creative that actually resonates and motivates people to act.”   About Tim Berney: Tim Berney is the Founder and CEO of VI Marketing and Branding, a nationally recognized agency focused on marketing that drives real behavior change. Over more than 30 years, he has grown the company from a $1,300 startup into a multi-million-dollar firm serving clients across healthcare, public health, travel, and commercial sectors. His work centers on helping organizations move beyond awareness to influence real decisions, with a strong focus on trust, credibility, and human-centered strategy. Tim is also a frequent contributor to leading business and marketing publications and is widely recognized for his insights on leadership, brand credibility, and the evolving role of AI in marketing.   Connect with Tim Berney: https://www.vimarketingandbranding.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timberney/ https://www.instagram.com/thevibrand/

In this forward-thinking episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Laurent Cohen, a serial entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience building and scaling businesses across multiple industries, to explore what truly drives growth in the age of AI. Laurent shares a candid perspective on entrepreneurship as a mindset rooted in creativity, risk-taking, and constant reinvention. At the center of the conversation is his latest venture, a voice-first AI platform, and a key realization that shifted his entire approach: the real value of the business is not the technology itself, but the trust it creates between companies and their customers. Carly and Laurent dive into how AI is reshaping business, while also reinforcing a fundamental truth: AI is just a tool. The real advantage comes from understanding customer behavior, leveraging data effectively, and creating meaningful interactions at scale. The conversation expands into SEO, product development, and growth strategy, with a strong emphasis on validating ideas through real customer conversations rather than building in isolation. Laurent also introduces the concept of playing the “infinite game” in business, focusing on long-term value instead of short-term wins. This episode offers a grounded yet strategic perspective on navigating a rapidly evolving landscape, showing that even as technology advances, the fundamentals remain unchanged: understand your customer, build trust, and execute with clarity.   Key Themes: Trust Over Technology: Why the real product behind AI solutions is the trust they create with customers. Data as the Advantage: How capturing and learning from user behavior drives better performance than technology alone. Validate Before You Build: Why real conversations with customers outperform assumptions and over-engineering.   Memorable Quotes: “The more you work with AI, the less you focus on AI.” “At the end of the day, you need to have customers. AI is not buying your service.” “We thought we were building voice AI… but what we’re really building is trust.”   About Laurent Cohen: Laurent Cohen is a serial entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience building and scaling companies across industries including environment, cosmetics, e-commerce, SaaS, and AI. He has founded and led multiple multi-million-dollar businesses in both France and the United States, managing international operations, complex regulatory environments, and global distribution across more than ten countries. Today, Laurent is the founder of GetOblic, a voice-first AI platform for local businesses, which he is building as a bootstrapped venture. His approach centers on leverage over capital, validating ideas before investment, designing profitable systems early, and building companies grounded in clarity, execution, and long-term value.   Connect with Laurent Cohen: https://getoblic.com/?ref=ilkvvwxqtyghnvwpthre

In this candid episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Sarah Boyd, Co-CEO and CRO of The Digital Dept., to explore what it really takes to scale a business beyond your own capacity and build a high-performing team. Sarah shares her early journey founding Simply with a small team, handling every aspect of the business herself, until she reached a turning point. Realizing she could not grow further alone, she made a bold move, reaching out to potential acquirers, which ultimately led to the next stage of expansion. Carly and Sarah dive into the emotional and strategic shifts that come with scaling, including stepping out of day-to-day operations, overcoming imposter syndrome, and learning to trust others as the business grows. They also unpack the complexities of merging companies, aligning cultures, and building a unified team that feels true ownership in the business. From hiring for grit and accountability to prioritizing culture and retention, Sarah shares the leadership mindset required to grow from a small startup into a company of 75 and beyond. This episode is an honest look at leadership evolution, team building, and what it takes to create a business that thrives beyond the founder.   Key Themes: Letting Go to Grow: Why scaling requires stepping out of execution and into leadership. Culture Through Inclusion: How involving teams in decisions creates alignment and ownership. Hire for Mindset: Why grit, accountability, and problem-solving matter more than experience.   Memorable Quotes: “I didn’t want to feel like an island anymore.” “You just have to jump in and take the lead. That’s what your team is looking for.” “Once you have something good, you don’t want to lose people.”   About Sarah Boyd: Sarah Boyd is the Co-CEO and CRO of The Digital Dept., a full-service influencer marketing and talent management firm that provides brand strategy and creator representation. The company was formed in 2023 through the merger of Socialyte, where Sarah served as President, and Be Social. Prior to this, Sarah founded Simply, a creative collective built around connection and collaboration. Today, she leads a growing team representing top creators such as Lauren Lane, Jana Kramer, and Becca Tilley, while working with major brand clients including Crocs, H&M, Molson Coors, and Function Health.   Connect with Sarah Boyd: https://thedigitaldept.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahpboyd/ https://www.instagram.com/thedigitaldpt/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpboyd/

In this strategic episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Jackson Calame, entrepreneur and growth strategist, to unpack why so many businesses struggle to scale despite having strong vision and relentless effort. Drawing from years of experience across startups, SaaS, and operational leadership, Jackson introduces a powerful framework built on real-world lessons: the six critical “avatars” every business must serve effectively. From prospects and customers to team members, vendors, media, and investors, he explains that sustainable growth depends on building systems that support each of these relationships. Carly and Jackson explore the deeper realities of entrepreneurship, including the myth of the solopreneur, the importance of building strong teams early, and the need for clear processes and operational infrastructure. The conversation also highlights leadership blind spots, the role of feedback, and how personal growth directly influences business outcomes. This episode is a grounded look at what it really takes to build a scalable, resilient business, one that is driven by systems, people, and intentional leadership rather than hustle alone.   Key Themes: Structure Drives Scale: Why most businesses fail due to weak systems and unclear processes, not lack of effort. Teams Over Individuals: How sustainable growth depends on building and empowering the right people. Systems Create Freedom: Why clear frameworks enable consistency, creativity, and long-term scalability.   Memorable Quotes: “That’s why they’re called blind spots. If I’m not willing to ask about them, my business is going to fail.” “If everything’s on your shoulders right now, you’re going to burn out and your team will too.” “We don’t delegate to people. We delegate to systems.”   About Jackson Calame: Jackson Calame helps visionary entrepreneurs unlock sustainable revenue growth and build lasting legacies by becoming power brands in their markets. With deep experience launching and scaling B2B and SaaS startups serving thousands of small and mid-sized businesses, he has seen firsthand why many companies fail due to poorly managed growth and weak foundations. Jackson and his team partner with business owners and executives through critical growth phases, often stepping into strategic leadership roles across operations, marketing, and executive management. His approach focuses on leadership evolution, strong culture, operational clarity, and a customer-centric vision. He equips leaders to make high-stakes decisions with confidence, enabling them to scale intentionally and lead their markets.   Connect with Jackson Calame: https://www.visionproslive.com https://www.firstclassbusiness.io

In this insightful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Filip Keuppens, CEO of The Pickle Juice Company, to explore what it takes to transform a company from the inside out while building a brand that defines an entirely new category. Filip shares how stepping into the business, and later navigating a private equity acquisition, became a pivotal moment that forced a complete rethink of leadership, culture, and direction. Rather than chasing growth metrics alone, he made a deliberate shift toward building a values-driven organization grounded in collaboration, accountability, integrity, and a champion mindset. Carly and Filip dive into the realities of culture transformation, from overcoming internal skepticism to creating psychological safety and reinforcing behaviors through systems, feedback, and accountability. He explains why culture is not something that happens by accident. It must be built intentionally and reinforced every day. Beyond leadership, the conversation explores how The Pickle Juice Company is creating a new “hyper-functional” food and beverage category. By combining science, curiosity, and real-world application, Filip and his team are developing products that solve tangible problems for consumers, moving beyond trends into true functionality. This episode is a powerful blend of leadership insight and innovation strategy, showing how strong culture and clear purpose drive both people and product forward.   Key Themes: Culture Is Built, Not Assumed: Why values, systems, and leadership accountability are essential to creating high-performing teams. Leadership Enables Growth: How great leaders create environments where people can succeed rather than trying to control outcomes. Innovation Starts with Curiosity: Why solving real problems through exploration leads to category-defining products.   Memorable Quotes: “We’re only as good as the systems that evaluate us.” “There’s no such thing as a bad employee, just a bad leader.” “Leadership is more about facilitating leadership in others.”   About Filip Keuppens: Filip Keuppens is the CEO of The Pickle Juice Company, a brand known for its scientifically backed beverage designed to help prevent muscle cramps by blocking the nerve signals that trigger them. The product is widely used by elite athletes and performance-driven consumers. Filip’s background spans sales and operations across e-commerce, grocery, club, and specialty channels, with a strong focus on innovative, solution-based products. He previously held roles with 20th Century Fox and Warner Home Video, where he developed a deep understanding of storytelling, messaging, and consumer engagement. Beyond business, Filip is deeply connected to the world of sport, serving in leadership roles within rugby organizations, including as a coach and director with the Dallas Rugby Football Club and as a competition commissioner with the Red River Rugby Conference.   Connect with Filip Keuppens: https://picklepower.com/ https://www.facebook.com/picklejuicesports https://www.instagram.com/picklejuice

In this powerful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Draven McConville, a technology entrepreneur who built and exited a global SaaS company after overcoming homelessness at just 18 years old. Draven shares the full arc of his journey, from survival and uncertainty to founding Clipboard, a field service management platform designed to digitize and streamline operations for trade and service businesses. By focusing on a sector many tech founders overlooked, he built a product rooted in real-world problems, creating strong demand and long-term value. Carly and Draven explore the realities of building and scaling a SaaS business, including navigating the “SaaS slump,” securing the right type of investment, and making intentional decisions around growth, pricing, and product direction. The conversation also goes beyond the build phase into what most founders are unprepared for: the exit itself. Draven shares candid insights into choosing the right buyer, understanding the long-term implications of a deal, and managing life after liquidity, from handling sudden wealth to navigating personal relationships and purpose. This episode is a grounded and honest look at entrepreneurship from start to exit and beyond, offering both strategic insight and real-world perspective.   Key Themes: Opportunity Lives in Overlooked Markets: Why solving real problems in ignored industries can create powerful businesses. Scaling Requires Discipline: How patience, capital management, and intentional decision-making drive long-term SaaS growth. Exit Is a Transition, Not an Endpoint: Why selling a business is both a strategic and personal shift that requires preparation.   Memorable Quotes: “The strategy probably changed every two minutes in the early days.” “You have to be intentional in every aspect of the business that you do.” “If you can’t understand what they’re doing with your money, that’s a sign for you not to do it.”   About Draven McConville: Draven McConville is a British technology entrepreneur from Northern Ireland and the founder of Klipboard, a field service management SaaS platform acquired by Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) in July 2024. His journey from overcoming homelessness at age 18 to building a globally successful software company serving enterprise clients reflects resilience, strategic thinking, and a commitment to solving real-world problems.   Connect with Draven McConville: https://www.dravenmcconville.com https://klipboard.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/draven-mcconville-79a93320/

In this impactful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Krissy Webb, co-founder and executive director of Student ACES, a nonprofit dedicated to developing young leaders through character, accountability, and real-world life skills. Krissy shares how a simple but powerful question about the future of leadership sparked the creation of Student ACES and grew into a multi-million-dollar organization transforming student athletes across schools. What began as a passion project quickly became a mission to fill a critical gap in traditional education, where character and leadership development are often overlooked. Carly and Krissy dive into the realities of building a nonprofit from the ground up, from early failures and working without pay to learning how to fundraise and measure impact through meaningful data. They also explore the challenges facing today’s youth, including the effects of constant digital distraction, reduced critical thinking, and the need for practical life skills like resilience, decision-making, and time management. This episode is a powerful reminder that real leadership is built through character, not titles, and that lasting impact starts with investing in people.   Key Themes: Character Over Titles: Why true leadership is built on accountability, respect, and consistent action, not position or status. Growth Through Failure: How persistence, learning, and resilience shape meaningful success over time. Preparing the Next Generation: Why critical thinking and real-world skills are essential in a distracted, fast-changing world.   Memorable Quotes: “A lot of trial and error, a lot of failure… to have anything successful, you did fail a lot.” “You literally get paid for data now.” “If you talk to them like they’re adults, they’ll talk to you like an adult.”   About Krissy Webb: Krissy Webb is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Student ACES, a nonprofit organization committed to inspiring and developing young men and women of character, honor, and integrity. The organization’s mission is to create champions through its core values: Command Respect, Honor Your Word, Aspire to Greatness, Maintain Courage, Possess a Work Ethic Second to None, Inspire Others, Own a Winning Attitude, Never Settle, and Sacrifice for Self and Team. Beyond her work with Student ACES, Krissy is deeply involved in youth development through sports, serving as the head coach of the ACES Elite softball team and mentoring the next generation both on and off the field. Her passion for empowering young people is unwavering, making her a true advocate and champion for youth leadership.   Connect with Krissy Webb: http://www.studentaces.org

In this powerful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Glenn Poulos, a seasoned entrepreneur who has built, scaled, and exited multiple companies across industries, only to lose it all and start again. Glenn shares the story of what looked like a life-changing exit, until the acquiring company went bankrupt and wiped out the value of his shares. Faced with starting over in his mid-40s, he chose action over hesitation, rebuilding from scratch and eventually growing his next company to more than $80 million in revenue. Carly and Glenn unpack the realities behind business exits, including the risks of stock-based deals, the complexity of private equity, and how deal structure can make or break the outcome. Glenn also outlines the three essential ingredients for starting a business and explains why momentum after failure is often more important than the setback itself. This episode is a candid and practical look at resilience, smart decision-making, and playing the long game in business.   Key Themes: Not All Exits Are Wins: Why liquidity matters and how stock-based deals can carry hidden risks. Momentum Beats Setbacks: How taking action quickly after failure can change the trajectory of your next chapter. The Real Requirements to Start: Why runway, a viable product, and a willing customer are the true foundations of any business.   Memorable Quotes: “Don’t sell your company for all shares. Make sure you get cash.” “One of the three things you need to start a company is a customer you don’t deserve.” “It doesn’t matter what change you make, you will piss off somebody.”   About Glenn Poulos: Glenn Poulos is an entrepreneur and strategist currently building his third company, ProgUSA, which supplies tools and equipment that help test and strengthen the modern power grid. His work supports utilities, contractors, and the growing demand driven by data centers and AI infrastructure. Glenn founded his first company at twenty-nine and grew it over fifteen years before a successful exit. He later co-founded Gap Wireless, helping scale it to more than $80 million in revenue before another eight-figure exit. After these successes, he moved from Toronto to Orlando to lead ProgUSA, stepping into a new industry, new customers, and a new country. He is also an award-winning author of Never Sit in the Lobby, runs AI training initiatives, and performs as a voice-over artist and charity DJ under the name Phossl, supporting non-profits through events and fundraising.   Connect with Glenn Poulos: https://a.co/d/2D6b0iV https://progusa.net/

In this practical and insight-packed episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Sean Griffith, founder of Truffle, an AI-powered hiring platform built to solve one of the biggest bottlenecks in modern business: screening candidates at scale. Sean shares his journey from joining SimpleTexting as the seventh employee to helping scale the company to $40M ARR, and later leading hundreds of employees as COO at Sinch. Through hiring more than 1,000 people, he developed a deep understanding of what breaks first as companies grow and why hiring is often the earliest and most painful constraint. Carly and Sean explore the realities of scaling, from the moment leadership becomes complex to the need for structure, systems, and communication cadence as teams expand. Sean also shares how Truffle was born from personal frustration, sorting through overwhelming volumes of applications and struggling to identify the right candidates efficiently. The conversation dives into how AI can enhance hiring decisions without replacing human judgment, and why protecting time for deep work is essential for leaders. This episode is a clear and grounded look at building systems early to create scalable, resilient companies.   Key Themes: Hiring Breaks First: Why talent acquisition becomes the earliest bottleneck and how better systems outperform manual effort. Structure Enables Scale: Why companies need clear frameworks, leadership cadence, and communication systems as they approach 70–100 employees. AI as an Amplifier, Not a Replacement: How technology improves efficiency and signal detection while human judgment remains essential.   Memorable Quotes: “There’s got to be a better way to do this.” “If you’ve set the business up well, it sort of handles itself.” “It’s incredible what you can accomplish when you protect a few hours for deep work.”   About Sean Griffith: Sean Griffith is the founder of Truffle, an AI-powered hiring platform designed to streamline candidate screening through asynchronous interviews and intelligent filtering. With more than 15 years of experience in hiring, Sean scaled SimpleTexting from $1M to $40M ARR and later served as COO at Sinch, leading a team of over 750 people. Having personally hired around 1,000 employees, he built Truffle to address the inefficiencies and overwhelm in modern hiring, helping companies focus on the candidates who truly matter.   Connect with Sean Griffith: http://www.hiretruffle.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiretruffle/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffithsean

In this raw and practical episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Chris McManus, founder of GC Landscaping Inc., who scaled his business from mowing lawns to a multi-million-dollar full-service landscaping and pool construction company in just six years. Chris shares his unconventional journey from semi-professional motocross into entrepreneurship, where he redirected his competitive drive into building a business from the ground up. What followed was rapid growth driven by action, risk-taking, and learning in real time rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Carly and Chris dive deep into the realities of scaling fast, from acquiring another company and doubling operations overnight to navigating the chaos that comes without strong systems. Chris opens up about the lessons learned around onboarding, infrastructure, and leadership, and how he evolved from being deeply involved in every detail to building a management team that can operate independently. This episode is a powerful reminder that growth does not come from perfection. It comes from progress, adaptation, and the willingness to move forward before you feel ready.   Key Themes: Action Beats Perfection: Why taking bold action, even when unprepared, accelerates growth and learning. Systems Enable Scale: How processes, onboarding, and infrastructure become essential as a business grows. Leadership Means Letting Go: Why developing people and trusting your team is the key to sustainable expansion.   Memorable Quotes: “I’m a firm believer in biting off more than you can chew and then figure it out.” “When you’re growing and scaling a company, you’re not going to be perfect — not if you want to do it fast.” “If my people are taken care of, they’ll take care of my customers.”   About Chris McManus: Chris McManus is the founder of GC Landscaping Inc., a company he built from the ground up into a multi-million-dollar landscaping business in just six years. In 2025, he expanded into pool construction, continuing to scale with a long-term vision of reaching a $25 million valuation by 2035. Known for his action-oriented mindset and relentless drive, Chris focuses on building systems, developing people, and creating a business that can grow beyond its founder.   Connect with Chris McManus: https://gclandscapinginc.com https://www.instagram.com/gclandscapinginc/

In this honest and practical episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Dave Gulas, co-founder of EZDC 3PL and host of the Beyond Fulfillment podcast, to explore what it really takes to build and scale a business in a demanding, fast-moving industry. Dave shares how he transitioned from a 20-year career in pharmaceutical sales into launching a third-party logistics company, stepping into an industry he initially underestimated. What followed was not a smooth trajectory, but a rapid education in execution, problem-solving, and learning through mistakes. Carly and Dave dive into the realities of entrepreneurship that rarely make the highlight reel. From saying yes to the wrong clients and scaling too quickly without systems, to underestimating the importance of visibility and marketing, Dave unpacks the lessons that shaped his growth. He explains how content creation and launching a podcast became unexpected catalysts for building relationships and generating inbound opportunities. Alongside this, he shares the simple but powerful systems, like daily team huddles and a customer-first culture, that helped his company expand, open a second warehouse, and continue scaling sustainably. This episode is a grounded look at entrepreneurship in action, where progress comes from doing, learning, and refining over time.   Key Themes: Action Creates Clarity: Why starting before you feel ready accelerates learning and sharpens decision-making. Not Every Opportunity Is Worth Taking: How saying yes to the wrong clients can create unnecessary strain and slow growth. Visibility Drives Growth: Why founders must actively build their presence to generate trust, relationships, and inbound opportunities.   Memorable Quotes: “I believe you really learn best by doing.” “If I wasn’t visible and out there as a founder, the company would never grow the way we needed it to.” “Providing value first just worked out in ways that benefited us indirectly.”   About Dave Gulas: Dave Gulas attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn before building a more than 20-year career in sales and executive roles within the medical and pharmaceutical industries. He is now the co-founder of EZDC 3PL, a third-party logistics company headquartered in Kentucky, providing warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation services to manufacturers and ecommerce businesses. Since launching in 2022, EZDC 3PL has become known for its personal service, fast response times, and flexibility, helping clients grow by acting as a true extension of their operations. Dave also hosts the Beyond Fulfillment podcast, where he interviews entrepreneurs and shares insights into the realities of building a business.   Connect with Dave Gulas: https://ezdc3pl.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegulas/ https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondFulfillmentPodcast

In this forward-looking episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with John Petrocelli, livestream pioneer and CEO of Bulldog Digital Media, to explore how live content has evolved into one of the most powerful forces in modern business. John shares his journey from the early days of digital media, working with artists like Prince and helping shape direct-to-consumer distribution, to producing some of the most watched livestreams in the world. With more than a billion audience engagements and clients including Apple, Netflix, Coca-Cola, and Samsung, he offers a front-row view into how content, commerce, and technology are converging in real time. Carly and John dive into the explosive growth of livestreaming during the pandemic, the rise of live commerce through platforms like TikTok Shop, and why brands are shifting from passive content to interactive experiences. John explains that the future is not about broadcasting to an audience, but engaging them as participants. From building lean, adaptive teams to managing the complexity of real-time production, this episode reveals what it takes to succeed in one of the fastest-moving industries today.   Key Themes: From Viewers to Participants: Why engagement, interaction, and real-time connection are redefining how audiences consume content. Live Commerce Is Transforming Sales: How livestreaming is becoming a direct revenue channel with higher conversion and stronger customer connection. Execution Under Pressure: Why preparation, adaptability, and communication are critical when there are no second takes.   Memorable Quotes: “The goal is to transform the viewer into a participant.” “It’s live. It has to happen at a certain time. There are no second takes.” “If you’re just broadcasting, people might come. But if you engage them, they stay.”   About John Petrocelli: John Petrocelli is a pioneer of the livestream industry, lifelong entrepreneur, and Founder and CEO of Bulldog Digital Media, a leading livestream production studio. Over his career, he has enabled some of the most-watched livestreams in history, generating more than one billion audience engagements across Fortune 500 clients. Before founding Bulldog DM in 2012, John’s leadership roles in startups led to acquisitions by AEG, Google, and Akamai. Today, Bulldog DM partners with some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Apple, AT&T, YouTube, American Express, Coca-Cola, Netflix, Samsung, and Qualcomm. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Clio, Shorty, Webby, Cannes Lion, Epica, One Show, and BizBash, and he has spoken at major global events such as CES, NAB, SXSW, and Harvard Business School.   Connect with John Petrocelli: https://bulldogdm.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpetrocelli https://twitter.com/johnpetrocelli | https://twitter.com/bulldogdm https://www.instagram.com/bulldog_dm/

In this thought-provoking episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Sam Berman, founder and CEO of LARC (Logistics Advanced Research Center), to explore how challenging deeply embedded industry assumptions can unlock real innovation. Sam shares how LARC began as a simple idea sketched on a napkin and evolved into a global solution for transporting high-value, mission-critical equipment. At the heart of his approach is first-principles thinking, breaking problems down to their core and rebuilding solutions from the ground up rather than accepting inefficiencies as inevitable. Carly and Sam dive into the hidden flaws within traditional logistics systems, from wasteful packaging to outdated processes that persist simply because they have never been questioned. By redesigning these systems with reusable, modular solutions, Sam demonstrates how businesses can simultaneously improve performance, reduce cost, and increase sustainability. This episode is a powerful reminder that many of the biggest constraints in business are not real limitations, but accepted norms waiting to be reimagined.   Key Themes: Challenge Assumptions: Why many industries operate on outdated systems that exist because no one has questioned them. Think from First Principles: How breaking problems down to their fundamentals leads to breakthrough innovation rather than incremental improvement. Align Efficiency with Sustainability: Why better systems can reduce waste, lower costs, and improve outcomes at the same time.   Memorable Quotes: “Most of the systems we rely on today weren’t designed to be optimal, they were designed to be acceptable.” “If you don’t question the assumptions, you end up optimizing a broken system.” “The goal isn’t to make something slightly better. It’s to build what should have existed in the first place.”   About Sam Berman: Sam Berman is the Founder and CEO of Logistics Advanced Research Center (LARC), a technology-driven packaging and logistics company redefining how the world’s most valuable equipment is transported. LARC designs reusable, modular crate systems built for high-value and mission-critical assets, including data center infrastructure, advanced electronics, aerospace components, and emerging AI hardware. A lifelong entrepreneur and systems thinker, Sam has spent decades challenging legacy assumptions across logistics, manufacturing, and supply chains. Under his leadership, LARC has become a trusted partner to hyperscalers, global manufacturers, and Tier-1 logistics providers by delivering solutions that improve protection, security, sustainability, and total cost of ownership.   Connect with Sam Berman: https://www.larc.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelberman/

In this inspiring episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Richard Blank, entrepreneur and CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center, to explore the unconventional path that led him from Philadelphia to building a thriving business abroad. Richard shares how stepping away from family expectations and societal pressure allowed him to pursue a life aligned with his own values. At twenty-seven, he moved to Costa Rica and started a company from scratch in a completely unfamiliar environment. What many would have considered a risky leap became the foundation for a successful business built on authenticity, culture, and human connection. Throughout the conversation, Richard dives into the human side of leadership, explaining why communication, empathy, and culture are the real drivers of performance. From training voice agents to build genuine rapport with customers to fostering a workplace where people feel respected and supported, he demonstrates how emotional intelligence transforms both teams and outcomes. This episode is a powerful reminder that growth often begins when we step beyond comfort zones and choose a path that reflects who we truly are.   Key Themes: Authenticity Opens Doors: Why choosing your own path, rather than following expectations, can lead to unexpected opportunities. Culture Drives Performance: How respect, communication, and empathy create stronger teams and better business results. Growth Lives Outside the Comfort Zone: Why moving abroad and starting from scratch became the catalyst for Richard’s resilience and success.   Memorable Quotes: “Sometimes you have to leave the life that’s expected of you in order to build the life that’s truly yours.” “People remember how you make them feel. That’s just as important in business as it is in life.” “If you build the right culture, people don’t just work for you. They grow with you.”   About Richard Blank: Richard Blank describes his life as a spiritual vision-quest journey that required stepping beyond family expectations and societal pressure in order to live authentically. At twenty-seven, he left Philadelphia and moved to Costa Rica, where he built a company from the ground up that would eventually become Costa Rica’s Call Center, which he has led as CEO since 2008. Giving back is a core part of Richard’s philosophy. Each year he endows a scholarship at Abington Senior High School for students pursuing world languages at the university level. A lifelong enthusiast of vintage arcade culture, he also built the largest collection of restored American pinball machines and antique jukeboxes in Costa Rica.   Connect with Richard Blank: https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/costa-ricas-call-center-2/ Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Costa Rica’s Call Center commercial with Rapper GblackDaBest and Freestyle break-dancer Yeik Lawson Rodríguez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQvGZYcX71s Feliciano School of Business visit with Richard Blank https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prcJZJnTm28

In this insightful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Alfredo Dominguez, CEO of Velocity Artificial Lift Solutions, an engineering company dedicated to helping oil and energy producers operate more efficiently through practical, field-driven technologies. Alfredo shares how his background in engineering shaped his leadership philosophy, one rooted in problem-solving, precision, and building solutions that actually work under real-world conditions. But the conversation quickly moves beyond technical innovation into the realities of leadership under pressure. One of the most defining challenges Alfredo faced came when his company was targeted by a conspiracy involving a former employee and supplier attempting to steal proprietary designs and undermine the business. Navigating that experience forced him to confront uncertainty, protect his team, and make difficult decisions under immense pressure. Through it all, Alfredo leaned into a values-based leadership approach grounded in honesty, dependability, and respect. Carly and Alfredo explore how engineering thinking can transform business leadership, how resilience is built during the hardest moments, and why values become the stabilizing force when stakes are highest. This episode reveals how adversity often becomes the proving ground where stronger leaders are forged.   Key Themes: Leadership Is Forged in Crisis: Why the true test of leadership comes during uncertainty, pressure, and unexpected threats. Engineering Thinking for Business: How breaking down complex systems into solvable problems creates practical innovation. Values Anchor High-Stakes Leadership: Why honesty, dependability, and respect create stability in technical and high-risk industries.   Memorable Quotes: “Even in the darkest moments, clarity and support can emerge if you stay open enough to see it.” “Engineering is really about translating complex problems into practical solutions.” “Your values are what keep you grounded when the pressure is highest.”   About Alfredo Dominguez: Alfredo Dominguez is the CEO of Velocity Artificial Lift Solutions, Inc., where he leads the development of engineering services and technologies designed to help oil and energy companies produce more efficiently and cost-effectively. With a career rooted in applied engineering and field-driven problem solving, Alfredo specializes in translating complex technical challenges into scalable, practical solutions. His work has been recognized through multiple published and presented technical papers, reflecting his commitment to advancing performance and reliability within the energy sector. Alfredo leads with a values-driven philosophy centered on honesty, dependability, and respect, principles that guide both his technical decisions and company culture.   Connect with Alfredo Dominguez: https://www.velocityals.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/velocity-als/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Velocity-ALS/61557251253835/ https://www.instagram.com/velocityals/

In this insightful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Joy Lynskey, founder and CEO of Jewel Toned Interiors, an award-winning interior design studio known for creating people-centered environments that combine creativity, psychology, and purpose. Joy shares how her early fascination with psychology shaped the way she approaches design today. Rather than focusing only on aesthetics, she examines how environments influence how people think, feel, and interact. From corporate offices to commercial spaces, Joy explains how intentional design can reinforce company values, improve employee wellbeing, and transform customer experiences. The conversation also explores Joy’s entrepreneurial journey, from growing up as the daughter of a business owner to leading a design firm in the traditionally male-dominated construction industry. As the first female president of the Construction Executives Association, she reflects on the importance of mentorship, leadership, and building teams that empower people to grow. This episode reveals the powerful intersection between psychology, leadership, and design and how the spaces we create ultimately shape the cultures we live and work within.   Key Themes: Design Begins with Emotion: Why every project starts with a single question: how do you want people to feel in this space? Spaces Communicate Culture: How the built environment can reinforce company values like collaboration, innovation, and wellness. Leadership Through Empowerment: Why mentorship, empathy, and continuous growth are essential for building strong teams and thriving businesses.   Memorable Quotes: “Interior design is really a blend of art, math, science, and the study of people.” “We always start by asking clients one question: how do you want people to feel in this space?” “You can’t just put your core values on the wall. Design lets you actually bring them to life.”   About Joy Lynskey: Joy Lynskey is the Founder and CEO of Jewel Toned Interiors (JTI), an award-winning, women-owned interior design studio based in Fort Lauderdale. With more than two decades of experience across design, construction, and planning, Joy leads JTI in creating inspiring, people-centered environments with a focus on serving underserved communities. Her work extends beyond design through partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Be Strong International, Junior Achievement, and Make-A-Wish. A passionate mentor and advocate for leadership development, Joy became the first female president of the Construction Executives Association in 2023. Her impact has been recognized through numerous honors, including Entrepreneur Organization’s Entrepreneur of Excellence and IIDA South Florida’s Star of the Year.   Connect with Joy Lynskey: http://www.jeweltoned.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-lynskey/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/jewel-toned-interiors/ https://www.instagram.com/jeweltonedinteriors/

In this candid episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Connor Treacy, a Los Angeles–based entrepreneur working at the crossroads of nightlife, music, culture, and business. Connor offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to stay relevant in the entertainment industry, where momentum is fleeting and yesterday’s success quickly fades. Connor shares how he co-founded OffSunset during the uncertainty of COVID and grew it into a multimillion-dollar hospitality brand built largely through word of mouth, mystique, and carefully curated experiences. He explains the strategy behind controlled launches, protecting brand momentum, and building communities rather than simply throwing parties. The conversation explores the volatility of early entrepreneurship, the pressure of maintaining relevance, and why entertainment ultimately revolves around value exchange. Now working in talent management while building systems around artists and partnerships, Connor breaks down why producing your own product matters, how positioning yourself for opportunity beats constantly chasing it, and why calculated luck consistently outperforms blind ambition. This episode is a thoughtful exploration of timing, resilience, and designing a career that does not depend on a single hit.   Key Themes: Value Creates Relevance: Why success in entertainment comes from bringing something meaningful to the table rather than relying on popularity. Plan Beyond the Hit: How understanding industry cycles allows entrepreneurs to celebrate momentum while preparing for what comes next. Position Yourself for Opportunity: Why strengthening your network, credibility, and knowledge increases the chances that major opportunities find you.   Memorable Quotes: “Anything I’ve ever wanted, I got it — it just sometimes comes later.” “You’re only as hot as the last party you did.” “It’s honestly more nerve-wracking once you get the hit — because then you have to make another one.”   About Connor Treacy: Connor Treacy is a Los Angeles–based entrepreneur and music executive operating at the intersection of culture, business, and civic life. He co-founded OffSunset, a high-profile West Hollywood hospitality concept that grew into a multimillion-dollar annual business through disciplined brand-building and community design. Connor currently works across talent and venture partnerships while completing his MBA at USC Marshall and earning a Master of Studies in Law from USC Gould School of Law. Known for combining creative instinct with operational discipline, he focuses on building durable systems, partnerships, and platforms that outlast trends.   Connect with Connor Treacy: https://instagram.com/theconnortreacy https://x.com/theconnortreacy https://linkedin.com/in/connortreacy https://youtube.com/@theconnortreacy

In this powerhouse episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with media pioneer Larry Namer, co-founder of E! Entertainment Television and chairman of multiple global media ventures, to unpack how a scrappy startup became a worldwide entertainment brand. Larry shares how E! launched with just $2.5 million, 11 employees, and 31 interns, eventually expanding into 142 countries. But this conversation goes far beyond celebrity culture. Larry dives into his work building media platforms in Russia and China, navigating post-communist business environments, and redefining what “Hollywood” means in a digital world where creativity is no longer tied to geography. He explains how vertical dramas, immersive experiences, and AI-powered workflows are reshaping entertainment, and why AI will never replace human imagination but will dramatically amplify it. Larry also unpacks his leadership philosophy, from hiring for work ethic and developing interns into executives, to giving teams room to fail without sinking the ship. Now focused on purpose-driven programming, Larry is creating socially impactful content and launching global masterclasses through the World Film Institute to democratize access to world-class creative education. This episode is a masterclass in trusting your instincts, mastering your ego, and building platforms that outlast you.   Key Themes: Creativity Requires Instinct and Self-Editing: Why innovation depends not just on generating ideas, but on having the discipline to kill the wrong ones without ego. AI Amplifies Humans, It Does Not Replace Them: How AI saves time and accelerates output, while true originality still comes from human minds. Every Business Is Now a Media Business: Why content creation is no longer optional and how those who adapt will thrive in the next era of influence.   Memorable Quotes: “AI samples what’s already been done. New ideas only come from one set of brains. Human beings.” “The worst thing you can do is waste your time.” “Don’t let the good things go by because you didn’t have the nerve to say, I’m going to make this happen.”   About Larry Namer: Larry Namer is the Co-Founder of E! Entertainment Television, Chairman of LJN Media, Chairman of the World Film Institute, and President of Metan Global. Over the course of his career, he has built and invested in media companies around the world, shaping global entertainment and pioneering new formats across continents.   Connect with Larry Namer: 🌐 http://ljnmedia.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/larrynamertv 📘 Book: https://amzn.to/3YjfOSg

What if explosive growth is not about taking bigger risks, but about refusing to make predictable mistakes? In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Matthew Neill Davis, attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Davis Business Law, a firm that achieved more than 1000% growth in eight years and became one of the rare law firms to earn a place on the Inc. 5000 list. Matthew reveals that the secret behind that growth was not flashy marketing or reckless expansion. It was discipline, systems, leadership presence, and a relentless commitment to eliminating what he calls “unforced errors.” From reducing client concentration risk to implementing succession planning that protects against catastrophe, Matthew explains how to build a company that can survive leadership loss, market shifts, and internal dysfunction. Drawing from his book The Art of Preventing Stupid, he outlines how strategic defense creates sustainable offense and why responsible leadership requires both service and strength. This conversation is a masterclass in strategic paranoia, operational clarity, and building an enterprise designed to outlive its founder.   Key Themes: Eliminate Unforced Errors to Unlock Growth: Why scaling comes from removing preventable breakdowns across key business systems before they cost you. A Players Thrive Under Accountability: How raising standards, not lowering them, increased production and strengthened culture. Protect Your People First: Why prioritizing employee growth, autonomy, and mastery builds resilience and long-term performance.   Memorable Quotes: “Revenue is vanity. Profit is sanity.” “If you’ll deal with your vulnerabilities, you’re the one who gets to capitalize on the opportunities.” “Leading A players is easy. Give them autonomy, give them standards, and tell them to carry the message to Garcia.”   About Matthew Neill Davis: Matthew Neill Davis is an attorney, heavy metal guitarist, and entrepreneur who led his solely owned firm, Davis Business Law, through more than 1000% growth over eight years, making it one of the very few law firms to achieve Inc. 5000 recognition. The firm now operates nine offices from San Antonio to Kansas City. With more than twenty-five years of experience advising business leaders, Matthew now teaches entrepreneurs how to address vulnerabilities so they can capitalize on opportunities through his proprietary Strong Protected Business System. Matthew lives in Enid, Oklahoma, where his family has resided for six generations. He holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma, Cornell University, and Cornell College.   Connect with Matthew Davis: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/davisbusinesslaw 📘 https://www.facebook.com/davisbusinesslaw

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with multi-passionate entrepreneur and architect Lance Cayko to unpack what it truly means to build something that endures. Lance shares how being laid off early in his career became the spark that led him to found multiple seven-figure companies grounded in culture, customer service, and steady growth. Instead of chasing scale for status, he focused on intentional expansion, creating an integrated ecosystem of architecture, construction, and development designed to withstand economic shifts. Carly and Lance move beyond tactics into mindset. They explore faith, philosophy, and the law of polarity, and how adversity has consistently paved the way for opportunity in Lance’s journey. From implementing a daily Two-Second Lean process to embedding language from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People into company culture, Lance demonstrates how clarity, humility, and communication create long-term resilience. This episode is a reminder that leadership is not about control. It is about stewardship, presence, and choosing your response when challenges arise.   Key Themes: Customer Service as the Differentiator: Why design is assumed, but responsiveness, empathy, and communication win long-term trust. Setbacks as Catalysts: How layoffs, downturns, and difficult seasons strengthened both Lance’s companies and his leadership philosophy. Culture by Design: Why intentional systems, shared language, and daily improvement habits create accountability and alignment.   Memorable Quotes: “When I have a really bad day, that’s actually when I get excited — because something good is coming.” “Design is the baseline. People assume architects can design. What they’re really looking for is service.” “You can’t have electricity without positive and negative. The same is true in business and in life.”   About Lance Cayko: Lance Cayko is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, award-winning architect, builder, and co-founder of F9 Productions, a nationally recognized design and build firm based in Colorado. Over the past fifteen years, he has also launched F14 Productions and F12 Development, building three seven-figure companies from the ground up and scaling revenue by more than 5,800 percent. Lance is the co-host of Inside the Firm, one of the world’s top-ranked architecture and business podcasts with over 700,000 downloads. Through his companies and platform, he equips entrepreneurs, business leaders, and creatives with practical strategies to build resilient businesses and meaningful lives.   Connect with Lance Cayko: 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-cayko-1227031a/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/F9ProductionsInc/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/FishingwithLance/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/FishingwithLance/

In this forward-thinking episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Jason Wong, award-winning packaging innovator and CEO of PackinDuck, to explore how technology, media, and manufacturing can combine to transform a traditional industry. After building and scaling multiple consumer brands, Jason experienced the friction of unreliable overseas manufacturing firsthand. Rather than accepting the status quo, he invested directly into a factory in China and rebuilt operations from the inside. What emerged was not just a packaging company, but a three-pronged infrastructure built on manufacturing, media, and technology. Jason explains how generating 40 million annual views in short-form content replaces the need for expensive trade shows, how AI-powered internal tools remove bottlenecks and increase accuracy, and why the manufacturers of the future must operate like technology companies. Carly and Jason also dive into hiring for integrity over résumé, managing capital-intensive growth without outside investors, consolidating supply chains for clients, and setting a clear long-term vision without overwhelming teams with unnecessary complexity. This episode is a masterclass in building systems first and creating leverage without burning capital.   Key Themes: Demand Beats Booths: How strategic content creation generates inbound demand more effectively than traditional industry marketing. AI Removes Friction, Not Humans: Why automation should eliminate repetitive tasks so teams can focus on strategy and creativity. People Are the True Infrastructure: How disciplined hiring and cultural alignment protect momentum and long-term scale.   Memorable Quotes: “People really is everything in your business.” “Can I build this without spending a dime on marketing?” “Your job as a CEO is simple. Set a clear target and help your team get there.”   About Jason Wong: Jason Wong is an award-winning packaging manufacturing innovator and CEO of Paking Duck, specializing in custom packaging solutions across paper, plastic, glass, and metal for high-growth consumer brands. A serial entrepreneur, Jason previously built Doe Lashes to a $15 million valuation and served as CEO of Pughaus. By combining firsthand experience as a brand owner with deep East-West supply chain expertise, Jason is redefining how modern manufacturing companies operate and scale.   Connect with Jason Wong: 📸 https://www.instagram.com/pug 🐦 https://www.twitter.com/eggroli 🌐 https://pakingduck.com

In this soulful and expansive episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Sal Salcedo, renowned hair artist, educator, and founder of Nova Arts Salon. What begins as a conversation about hair quickly unfolds into something far deeper: identity, magnetism, creativity, sustainability, and business as a vehicle for cultural impact. Sal shares how growing up in Mexico, immigrating to the United States, and navigating the ego-driven culture of the Los Angeles beauty industry led him to build something radically different. Nova Arts was never meant to be just a salon. It was designed as a sanctuary where artists and clients alike feel seen, empowered, and free to express their authentic selves. Carly and Sal explore how business can be both artistic and philanthropic. From launching a “personal brand project” for his team each spring, to developing a green salon model in Mexico City, to reimagining the salon as a community art space, Sal demonstrates how entrepreneurship becomes powerful when it is built from inner alignment rather than imitation. This episode is a profound exploration of what happens when you stop copying industry archetypes and start creating from your own inner flame.   Key Themes: Business as Self-Expression: Why sustainable success begins when your heart, mind, and mission are aligned. Creativity as a Responsibility: How every person is an artist and why declaring yourself “not creative” limits your potential. Culture Through Presence: Why leadership begins with the energy you bring into a space and how intentional culture creates magnetism.   Memorable Quotes: “What we call magic is just magnetism when we are fully ourselves.” “I can’t teach you to be great — you have to want that already.” “Everyone has a flashlight. We just have to remember we can turn it on.”   About Sal Salcedo: Salvador Salcedo, originally from Mexico, moved to the United States at thirteen and discovered his passion for barbering while cutting hair in his garage. He later refined his craft through Toni & Guy and built his reputation in top salons including Sally Hershberger, Ramirez Tran, and Salon Benjamin. With more than two decades of experience, Sal views hair as a medium for understanding people and helping them express their identity. Driven by a vision of inclusivity and artistic freedom, he founded Nova Arts Salon as a space where creativity and self-expression thrive. Through his global #HAIRTOUR and his expansion into coaching and mentoring through Beyond Hair, Sal continues to elevate artistry, consciousness, and leadership within the beauty industry and beyond.   Connect with Sal Salcedo: 🌐 https://www.salsalcedo.com/about 📸 https://www.instagram.com/salsalhair 🌐 https://www.novaartssalon.com/

In this powerful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Scott Neil, co-founder of Horse Soldier Bourbon and American Freedom Distillery, to explore what it truly takes to build a legacy brand designed to outlast its founders. Scott shares his journey from serving in U.S. Army Special Forces, including being among the first teams inserted into Afghanistan after 9/11, to co-founding a bourbon company rooted in authenticity, discipline, and long-term vision. What makes this conversation unique is the strategic lens Scott brings to entrepreneurship. From day one, Horse Soldier was built on a 100-year plan. Every decision, from production to partnerships, is filtered through a generational mindset rather than short-term gains. Carly and Scott dive into the realities of scaling a premium spirits brand, where aging inventory ties up capital for years and patience is non-negotiable. They discuss investor communication, cash flow discipline, hiring for culture, succession planning, and the importance of building systems before chaos sets in. This episode is a masterclass in leadership that prioritizes endurance over ego and legacy over liquidity.   Key Themes: Strategy Wins the War: Why long-term vision, not short-term wins, determines whether a company survives across generations. You Cannot Rush Time: How bourbon production mirrors legacy building, requiring patience, capital discipline, and trust. Culture Must Be Designed: Why structure, mentorship, communication rhythms, and shared purpose are essential as teams scale.   Memorable Quotes: “Strategy wins the war, not the battle.” “There are only two ingredients in bourbon: Mother Nature and Father Time. And a third one… money.” “You can’t microwave bourbon. And you can’t microwave legacy.”   About Scott Neil: Scott Neil grew up on a cattle ranch in central Florida, developing a strong work ethic and deep respect for American tradition. After serving in the United States Army Special Forces, including deployments to some of the most demanding environments in the world and being among the first teams inserted into Afghanistan after 9/11, Scott set out to build a business that reflected his values. In 2015, alongside close friends John and Elizabeth, he co-founded American Freedom Distillery and launched Horse Soldier Bourbon. Inspired by the story of the Green Berets who rode horseback into combat in Afghanistan, the brand honors courage, craftsmanship, and the American spirit. Drawing from both centuries-old distilling techniques and modern innovation, Scott and his team created a premium bourbon rooted in authenticity and legacy.   Connect with Scott Neil: 🌐 https://horsesoldierbourbon.com/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/horsesoldierbourbon/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/horsesoldierbourbon

In this inspiring episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Michael Black, founder and CEO of Success Tutoring, one of the fastest-growing education franchises in Australia with a rapidly expanding global footprint. Michael shares how he started a small tutoring business in his parents’ spare bedroom at just seventeen years old and grew it into a purpose-driven franchise operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and beyond. What began as a way to earn money while studying quickly became a lifelong mission rooted in belief, impact, and helping people escape unfulfilling career paths. Carly and Michael explore the powerful connection between mindset and scale, why vision must come before systems, and how failure shaped Michael’s resilience as a leader. They also unpack how franchising became a vehicle for creating meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs while transforming how students experience learning. This episode is a reminder that businesses do not grow faster than their leaders, and that belief, humility, and purpose are often the true drivers of sustainable success.   Key Themes: Businesses Grow Only as Fast as Their Leaders: Why personal development, self-awareness, and humility set the ceiling for scale. Vision Comes Before Evidence: How operating from belief long before results appear shapes decisions and long-term outcomes. Purpose Fuels Sustainable Growth: Why focusing on genuinely helping students and franchise partners created trust, loyalty, and momentum.   Memorable Quotes: “A business will never grow more than the founder or CEO. The more you grow, the more the business grows.” “You have to believe in what you are building before there is any evidence that it works.” “When you are genuinely trying to help people, they feel it. And when that happens, the money follows.”   About Michael Black: Michael Black is the founder and CEO of Success Tutoring, Australia’s fastest-growing education franchise, and the author of the bestselling book Millionaire Tutor: Escape Your Soul-Crushing 9-to-5 by Building an Outrageously Profitable Tutoring Business. A self-made entrepreneur who opened his first tutoring centre at seventeen, Michael has grown Success Tutoring into a global franchise spanning Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, with additional countries launching in late 2025 and beyond. Known for his student-first philosophy and people-first leadership, Michael is widely respected for blending purpose, innovation, and education to create meaningful impact at scale.   Connect with Michael Black: 🌐 https://www.successtutoring.com 📘 https://millionairetutorbook.com/free/short

In this candid and eye-opening episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Chantelle-Shakila Tiagi, founder of TIAGI, a global creative production agency with offices in London, Los Angeles, and Mumbai. Chantelle pulls back the curtain on what production in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle really looks like. Beyond the glamour, she explains the reality of coordinating dozens of moving parts on every shoot, managing crises before they escalate, and taking responsibility for problems that are often outside a producer’s control. From missed flights and shifting talent to weather chaos and last-minute client changes, production is equal parts foresight, leadership, and emotional intelligence. The conversation goes far beyond logistics. Carly and Chantelle explore leadership without ego, hiring for attitude over résumés, and building culture through trust and kindness. Chantelle also shares why she has intentionally kept TIAGI lean and bootstrapped, how motherhood reshaped her leadership style, and why modern consumers are shifting from excess toward experiences. This episode is a grounded look at creative entrepreneurship, sustainable growth, and building a business that supports life rather than consuming it.   Key Themes: Producers Hold the Entire System Together: Why production is about human coordination, accountability, and crisis management, not just schedules and checklists. Hire for Attitude, Train for Skill: How curiosity, enthusiasm, and emotional intelligence outperform impressive CVs every time. Lean Businesses Create Freedom: Why staying bootstrapped allows flexibility, financial stability, and healthier relationships with both teams and clients.   Memorable Quotes: “Producers are in charge of all the mistakes that are not their fault.” “I can’t teach your attitude, but I can teach you everything else.” “If you’re unhappy at work, you’re unhappy eighty percent of your life.”   About Chantelle-Shakila Tiagi: Chantelle-Shakila Tiagi is a London-born, South Asian entrepreneur and the founder of TIAGI, an international creative production agency and artist consultancy operating across London, Los Angeles, and Mumbai. With more than seventeen years of experience, she has produced global campaigns and editorials for leading fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands and publications. She began her career at MTV while still at university, later working with Liberty, REP, Net-a-Porter, and other major industry players before launching TIAGI in 2018 as a fully self-funded venture. Alongside building a global business, Chantelle-Shakila is deeply committed to mentorship, representation, and supporting women and South Asian talent in creative leadership, while openly navigating the realities of entrepreneurship and motherhood.   Connect with Chantelle-Shakila: https://www.instagram.com/notoriouscst https://www.instagram.com/tiagi

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Matt Dorman, co-founder and president of Endeavor, a digital solutions agency that helps manufacturers and enterprise organizations modernize outdated websites, CMS platforms, and digital infrastructure. With more than 30 years of experience building enterprise platforms for companies like Time Inc. and Fox News, Matt brings a grounded perspective that blends deep technical expertise with practical leadership. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, Endeavor made a deliberate decision to focus exclusively on technology, integrations, and implementation. That choice allowed the company to become best-in-class instead of broadly average. Matt shares how a developer-first culture became a strategic advantage, improving retention, quality, and long-term client trust. He explains why protecting teams from unrealistic timelines leads to better outcomes, how remote work reshaped Endeavor well before it became the norm, and why strong boundaries with clients actually strengthen relationships. The conversation also explores enterprise cash flow realities, navigating AI disruption without panic, and how Matt’s vision evolved from eventually shutting the company down to building something worth passing on. This episode offers an honest, steady look at how to build a resilient tech business without burning people out.   Key Themes: Focus Creates Leverage: How narrowing Endeavor’s scope to pure technology reduced complexity, built trust, and improved results for clients and team members alike. Culture Is Built by Protecting People: Why realistic timelines, clear communication, and added support under pressure drive retention and long-term success. Cash Flow Discipline Creates Stability: How reserves, owner involvement in billable work, and controlled costs allowed Endeavor to stay calm while serving enterprise clients.   Memorable Quotes: “If you say yes to everything, you end up letting everyone down.” “Structure doesn’t limit creativity. It protects it.” “The moment we focused on what we’re best at, everything got easier.”   About Matt Dorman: Matt Dorman is the co-founder and president of Ndevr, a digital solutions agency helping manufacturers modernize websites and CMS platforms to drive growth and efficiency. With three decades of experience, including building enterprise platforms for Time Inc. and Fox News, Matt specializes in bridging technology and business strategy. At Ndevr, he helps leaders streamline workflows, align teams, and future-proof digital infrastructure with clarity and discipline.   Connect with Matt Dorman: 🌐 https://www.ndevr.io/ 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdorman

In this thoughtful and deeply grounded episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Armen Alajian, co-owner of ARTO Brick & Tile, a California-based, family-founded company known for its handcrafted architectural surfaces and timeless design. Armen shares how growing up surrounded by raw materials, craftsmanship, and hands-on creation shaped not only the products ARTO makes, but the philosophy behind the business itself. What began as a necessity born from limited capital evolved into the company’s greatest strength, allowing ARTO to remain tactile, human, and distinct in an industry dominated by mass production and synthetic materials. Carly and Armen explore what it truly takes to scale an artisan business without losing its soul. From navigating intense cash flow pressure and learning the importance of financial leadership, to hiring a strong CFO and building a people-first culture rooted in respect, Armen offers a rare, honest look at long-term leadership. The conversation also touches on family business dynamics, succession, and using commerce as a vehicle for connection, legacy, and meaning. This episode is both a masterclass in values-driven growth and a reflection on identity, craftsmanship, and what truly endures over time.   Key Themes: Scarcity as a Source of Differentiation: How necessity, not strategy, led ARTO to handcrafted production and created an advantage that cannot be replicated at scale. Cash Flow Protects Creativity: Why strong financial leadership is essential to sustain growth, support people, and preserve quality. Culture Is Lived, Not Engineered: How humility, respect, and consistency created loyalty without relying on perks or performative culture.   Memorable Quotes: “We didn’t stay handcrafted because we were smart. We stayed handcrafted because we were poor.” “Commerce is culture. You can’t pay people enough for their time, and they can’t give you enough of themselves for the money.” “If you can be the same person at work, at home, and with your friends, that’s real work-life balance.”   About Armen Alajian: Armen Alajian is the co-owner of ARTO Brick & Tile, a family-founded company producing handcrafted tiles and architectural surfaces in California. A son, brother, husband, and father, Armen leads with a deep respect for design, craftsmanship, and people, bridging artistry and utility to create materials that bring enduring beauty to built spaces.   Connect with Armen Alajian: 🌐 https://www.arto.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/artobrick/

In this meaningful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Brian and Sally Krichbaum, the owners and stewards of Gilbert Chocolates, a historic chocolate company founded in 1893 and deeply rooted in the community of Jackson, Michigan. Brian and Sally share the honest story of acquiring a once-thriving business that had dwindled to just five employees, and the intentional, disciplined path they chose to rebuild it. Without taking on debt or compromising quality, they focused on honoring the company’s legacy while modernizing the systems needed for sustainable growth. Drawing on Brian’s background in engineering and consulting and Sally’s leadership across retail, finance, and community engagement, they reveal how patience and clarity shaped every decision. Carly, Brian, and Sally explore what it means to preserve history without becoming trapped by it. From protecting original recipes and century-old equipment to documenting processes, improving inventory systems, and empowering employees with trust and autonomy, this conversation highlights how craftsmanship, reserves, and long-term thinking create businesses that last. It is a powerful reminder that real success is built through intention, discipline, and respect for people — not shortcuts or hype.   Key Themes: Disciplined Growth Creates Stability: Why financial restraint, reinvestment, and doing the work yourself allowed the business to triple without overextending. Legacy Is a Strategic Advantage: How honoring history, recipes, and reputation became a source of trust and differentiation. Systems Enable Freedom: Why clear documentation and standardized processes reduced stress, improved quality, and supported creativity.   Memorable Quotes: “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” “We weren’t just buying a business — we were buying a legacy.” “If you want to be an overnight success, work 80 hours a week for 40 years.”   About Brian and Sally Krichbaum: Brian Krichbaum is a seasoned leader with engineering and management degrees and a background as an executive with an automotive supplier. He now applies his expertise to managing and modernizing Gilbert Chocolates. Sally Krichbaum is a published writer who has chaired numerous clubs and charities, organized community fundraisers, and brought her passion for people and storytelling into the heart of the business. And above all, she loves chocolate. Under the Krichbaums’ leadership, Gilbert Chocolates has tripled in size, introducing new chocolate creations while preserving the classics that have defined the brand for generations.   Connect with Brian and Sally Krichbaum: 🌐 https://www.gilbertchocolates.com

In this thoughtful and grounding episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Angelo D’Amico, President and CEO of a global manufacturing company based in Ontario, Canada, generating more than $25 million in annual sales. Angelo brings a rare blend of economics, management consulting, and philosophy into the conversation, offering a deeply human perspective on what leadership actually looks like in practice. He shares how stepping into an established organization required restraint rather than force, choosing observation, listening, and humility before making change. Together, Carly and Angelo explore why values alignment matters more than technical skill, how trust is earned through service rather than authority, and why burnout is often a symptom of misalignment, not workload. They unpack generational differences in motivation, the hidden costs of ego-driven leadership, and the responsibility leaders carry in shaping cultures where people feel seen as humans, not treated as resources. This conversation reframes leadership as stewardship and challenges listeners to consider a powerful question: can the culture inside your company be better than the world outside it?   Key Themes: Leadership Is Granted, Not Assigned: Why real influence comes from trust, consistency, and acting in the collective’s best interest. Values Alignment Prevents Burnout: How meaning, not effort, determines whether work feels energizing or exhausting. Culture Mirrors the Leader: Why the behaviors leaders model and tolerate define the entire organization.   Memorable Quotes: “A leader is someone people trust to make decisions with everyone’s best interests at heart.” “Burnout isn’t about effort. It’s about misalignment.” “My challenge is to build a place where the society inside the walls is better than the society outside.”   About Angelo D’Amico: Angelo D’Amico is the President and CEO of a global manufacturing company based in Ontario, Canada with more than $25 million in annual sales. With a background in economics, management consulting, and philosophy, he is known for applying rigorous strategy and timeless ideas to modern leadership, culture, and community challenges. Angelo serves on multiple non-profit boards, supports initiatives across the arts and healthcare sectors, and is passionate about bridging business success with philosophical insight. Connect with Angelo D’Amico: Website: https://www.angelodamicocanada.com  Instagram: https://instagram.com/angelodamicocanada

In this powerful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Don “The Dragon” Wilson, one of the most accomplished kickboxers in history and a prolific action film star whose career spans more than four decades. Don shares how the same principles that made him an eleven-time world champion also allowed him to build a successful second career in Hollywood. From setting clear goals and ignoring naysayers, to mastering fundamentals and refusing to let ego sabotage preparation, Don breaks down the repeatable formula behind sustained excellence. The conversation moves seamlessly between elite athletics, filmmaking, leadership, and personal growth. Don explains why ego can be useful in controlled doses but destructive when left unchecked. He reveals why humility, preparation, and respect for every role on the team were non-negotiable in both the ring and on set, and why longevity depends on never believing your own hype. This episode is a masterclass in discipline, mastery, and staying grounded while performing at the highest levels.   Key Themes: Success Follows a Formula, Not Luck: Why preparation, research, and learning from experts determine whether opportunity becomes achievement. Ego as a Tool, Not an Identity: How confidence fuels performance, but unchecked ego leads to complacency and decline. Longevity Through Mastery and Humility: Why fundamentals, continuous improvement, and respect for the team create careers that last decades.   Memorable Quotes: “Don’t believe your own press.” “Ego becomes a problem when it makes you work less hard.” “The same principles that made me a champion worked in every other part of my life.”   About Don “The Dragon” Wilson: Don “The Dragon” Wilson is an eleven-time world kickboxing champion with a four-decade career that includes seventy-two wins and forty-seven knockouts. He was named “the greatest kickboxer in American history” by STAR System Ratings and inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. After dominating the ring, Don built a second career in film, starring in Bloodfist, Ring of Fire, and dozens of action movies worldwide. He also served as a commentator during the early UFC era, helping introduce martial arts to mainstream audiences. Today, Don is known not only for his titles, but for the discipline, mastery, and humility that defined both of his legendary careers.   Image Credit: Leo Medvedev (CC BY-SA 4.0)

In this thoughtful and nostalgic episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Claudio Ulrich, a veteran film licensing and distribution expert with more than 30 years in the industry and the founder of Focus Media. Claudio pulls back the curtain on the world of film distribution, revealing the immense amount of unseen work required to bring a movie from original film reels to a finished home release. From licensing rights and restoring 35mm film to creating artwork, subtitles, packaging, and bonus content, he explains why a finished disc represents craftsmanship, history, and care far beyond what most people ever see. After experiencing burnout during the peak of the VHS and DVD boom, Claudio made a defining decision. Instead of chasing scale and volume, he chose collectors, quality, and meaning. That shift led to the creation of premium “media books” that transform restored films into collectible experiences. At its heart, this conversation is about choosing passion over pressure, redefining success, and building a life where work becomes a mission rather than a grind. Key Themes: Passion Outlasts Markets: Why industries do not truly disappear, and how following what you love can create sustainable niches even as markets change. The Invisible Work Matters: A behind-the-scenes look at the complexity, cost, and care involved in preserving and distributing films properly. Freedom Is Real Success: How Claudio designed a life centered on joy, creativity, and choice instead of constant scale and stress. Memorable Quotes: “I don’t see myself as a distributor. I see myself as a film lover who wants to share movies with other people.” “When you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. It becomes a mission.” “People don’t see what’s behind a movie. They only see the end product.” Connect with Claudio Ulrich: Website: https://www.mm-u.ch  Website: https://fokus-media.ch/

In this inspiring episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Carlos Lauchu, a nationally recognized STEM education leader with more than 25 years of experience reshaping how students learn science and technology. Carlos shares how a moment of deep frustration early in his teaching career became the catalyst for creating Science Academy STEM Magnet, now one of the top-ranked schools in the United States. Rather than accepting an education system that underestimated students, he challenged it by raising expectations, increasing rigor, and teaching students how to learn instead of what to memorize. Carly and Carlos explore how high standards paired with genuine support unlock extraordinary outcomes. From middle school students passing Advanced Placement exams to teens earning college degrees before high school graduation, this conversation reveals what becomes possible when education is built around human potential. The lessons extend far beyond classrooms, offering powerful insights for parents, educators, and business leaders alike. Key Themes: Students Rise to the Expectations Set for Them: Why removing artificial limits and raising the bar leads to performance, not burnout. Learning How to Learn Changes Everything: How teaching study skills, critical thinking, and ownership creates long-term success. Failure as Feedback: Why reframing mistakes as progress builds resilience, confidence, and curiosity. Memorable Quotes: “Maybe it’s not the kids. Maybe it’s the system that’s holding them back.” “Teaching more has never been the problem — teaching less is.” “If you give students the opportunity and believe in them, they will show you what’s possible.” Connect with Carlos Lauchu: Website: https://stem4education.com

In this refreshing and thought-provoking episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Erik Braund, founder and CEO of Katmai, a virtual office platform built around one bold idea: work should feel human again. Drawing on a background in music, film production, and creative leadership, Erik explains why real collaboration does not come from back-to-back calendar invites. After watching remote work explode during COVID, he saw a widening gap between how people connect in real life and how they were being forced to connect online. Katmai was created to restore spontaneity, presence, and natural interaction to remote teams. Carly and Erik dive deep into why culture cannot survive inside endless Zoom meetings, how over-systemizing can quietly suffocate creativity, and why authenticity in leadership matters more than polish. Erik openly shares where he got it wrong as a founder, how he course-corrected, and what it took to build a company that actually works the way humans do. This conversation is a powerful reminder that technology should support people, not control them. Key Themes: Culture Is Built Through Presence, Not Meetings: Why trust, creativity, and connection grow from unstructured interaction, not scheduled calls. Too Much Process Breaks What Works: How stripping back meetings, rigid frameworks, and bureaucracy unlocked clarity and momentum. Authenticity Creates Alignment: Why being fully yourself as a leader attracts the right people and builds stronger culture. Memorable Quotes: “You can’t build culture in a grid of faces on a calendar.” “We didn’t need more meetings. We needed more spontaneity.” “The moment I stopped trying to look like a CEO was the moment the company started working better.” Connect with Erik Braund: Website: http://katmaitech.com Demo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WsMU3q3LgADFgJZCJY_cM8bb0_cTDMd0/view  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katmaitech/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katmaitech/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/katmai

In this powerful episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Jarrod Adreon, a behind-the-scenes operator who has helped build and scale companies generating over $100 million annually, all without chasing visibility, titles, or personal branding. Jarrod shares a raw and deeply personal journey that includes homelessness, failed businesses, broken partnerships, crushing debt, and surviving industry-shaking events like the 2008 financial crisis and COVID. Rather than running from pressure, he explains how learning to operate in a controlled state of fight-or-flight became one of his greatest strengths. Speed, he explains, only works when it is grounded in clarity, discipline, and direction. Together, Carly and Jarrod unpack what it really means to think like an owner, even when you are not legally one. They explore integrity-driven leadership, accountability over blind trust, and why most businesses fail not because of bad ideas, but because foundations are rushed. This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, patience, and building companies designed to endure when everything else breaks. Key Themes: Speed Without Direction Is Dangerous: Why moving fast only works when decisions are intentional and grounded in long-term thinking. The Power of the Long Game: How sustainable growth, wealth, and leadership are built through patience, not shortcuts. Accountability Over Assumptions: Why trust alone is never enough and how clear expectations create stronger teams and businesses. Memorable Quotes: “Speed is only great if you’re going in the right direction.” “If you’ve survived this far, you already know you can survive what’s next.” “Trust in business isn’t about hope. It’s about accountability.” Connect with Jarrod Adreon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-adreon-0b28b48/

In this episode of Built for This, Carly sits down with Charles Read, founder of GetPayroll, decorated Marine veteran, CPA, and author of The Payroll Book: A Guide for Small Businesses and Startups. With over 50 years of financial leadership experience, Charles shares the hard-earned wisdom that every entrepreneur needs to hear — from understanding cashflow and building loyal teams to keeping your ego in check as a leader. Whether you’re just starting your business or scaling toward seven figures, this episode will remind you that success isn’t just about profit — it’s about people, process, and principles.   Key Takeaways Cashflow is King — Not Profit Charles shares with Carly why showing profit on paper doesn’t mean you can actually pay your bills. He breaks down the difference between accounting profit and real cash in the bank—and explains why cashflow, not profit, determines whether a business survives or collapses. Drop the Ego and Lead with Mission Charles talks with Carly about how his Marine Corps motto, “Mission. Men. Self.”, became the foundation of his leadership philosophy. He and Carly explore how focusing on the mission and taking care of your people—before yourself—creates sustainable success, while ego-driven leadership can quietly destroy even the strongest companies. Build a Business That Can Run Without You Charles reveals to Carly how he designed GetPayroll to keep running smoothly even if he’s not there—complete with systems, procedures, and empowered people. As he tells her, “If I drop dead today, the payrolls will still run tomorrow.” It’s a powerful example of true operational freedom and legacy-focused leadership.   Quotes “You can be profitable and still go bankrupt — because profit isn’t cash.”   “Your job as a CEO isn’t to be the smartest in the room. It’s to hire the smartest person in the room.”   “Without my people, I’d be nowhere.”    Connect with Charles Read https://getpayroll.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/getpayroll/ https://www.facebook.com/GetPayroll/ https://www.instagram.com/getpayroll/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxs-_RwC9NgfUcqbwvEaMIQ

In this inspiring episode of Built for This, Carly sits down with Joseph Merhi, the Syrian-born filmmaker and entrepreneur who co-founded PM Entertainment alongside her father, Rick Pepin. Starting with $400, a high school diploma, and a dream that began at age twelve, Joseph went on to help build one of the most prolific independent studios in Hollywood — producing more than 100 films and TV projects for major networks and international distributors. Joseph shares how he went from dishwasher to restaurant owner, then sold everything to make his first film — a comedy that flopped — and how that early failure became the foundation for everything that came after. He talks about meeting Rick, learning the craft side by side, and how their complete lack of ego created a company culture where hundreds of people found their footing, launched their careers, and felt like family. From writing scripts in a weekend to selling films at Cannes, from dreaming up wild stunts to running a 60,000 square foot studio, Joseph opens up about the chaotic, hilarious, and deeply human journey behind PM Entertainment’s rise. This episode is a tribute to legacy, leadership, and the magic that happens when two people say yes to each other and decide, “Let’s make a movie.” Key Themes: Build Culture First — Skills Follow: Why Joseph always hired people for who they were, not what they had on paper — and how that created one of Hollywood’s most loyal and high-performing teams. Humility Scales What Ego Breaks: How Joseph and Rick ran a 100-film studio by listening, laughing, and treating every idea as valuable, no matter who it came from. Opportunity Is Something You Give: The reason PM became a launchpad for hundreds of careers — because Joseph and Rick constantly gave people chances to grow. Memorable Quotes: “We just treated everyone like family. And we knew our success was because of all the people.” “I would rather hire a great human being at skill level four than a difficult person at eight — we can train the skill, we can’t train the human.” “We never took ourselves seriously. That’s why we could create so much — we listened, we laughed, and we worked together.”   Links for Joseph: Website: https://www.josephmerhi.com  A special thank you to  http://www.mm-u.ch and https://fokus-media.ch for the clips 

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Roggen Frick, founder of Bear Ironworks, a Colorado-based manufacturing company redefining what it means to be “by contractors, for contractors.” Roggen opens up about how his journey from seven-day workweeks to sustainable success began with one hard truth — burnout doesn’t build legacies. By transforming Bear Ironworks from a custom fabrication shop into a lean, systemized manufacturing company, he and his father turned a hands-on trade into a high-efficiency business built on clarity, culture, and core values. He shares how they implemented a four-day workweek, built repeatable processes, and developed measurable systems that allow the company to grow without sacrificing people, safety, or quality. This episode is a must-listen for founders who are ready to stop surviving their business and start scaling it with intention. Key Themes: Systems Create Freedom — Not Control: How tracking time, inventory, and quality metrics turned chaos into clarity, freeing Roggen and his team to focus on innovation instead of putting out fires. Culture Is a System Too: How embedding safety, honesty, and customer satisfaction into daily operations built a workplace people love — and clients trust. Delegation Is a Skill, Not a Surrender: Why true growth begins when you let go — even of the tasks you enjoy — and empower experts to elevate the company. Memorable Quotes: “If you don’t define your company’s values, they’ll define themselves — and you might not like what they become.” “You can’t be free as an entrepreneur if you’re doing the work you hate.” “We stopped trying to do everything and started building the systems that could do it for us.” Connect with Roggen Frick: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bearironworks/ https://beariron.com/

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, a Melbourne-based digital agency helping construction and trade businesses grow online. Three years ago, Wes received a confronting business valuation — one that made it clear AI could soon make his agency obsolete. Instead of giving up, he used that wake-up call to completely reinvent his company. By blending automation with authenticity and systems with soul, Wes rebuilt Uplift 360 into a thriving, purpose-driven business that’s stronger — and more human — than ever. Carly and Wes unpack what it really takes to lead through disruption: how to use technology as a catalyst for growth, why trust is the real currency in a digital world, and how values-based leadership can future-proof any business. This is a powerful conversation for anyone navigating the intersection of innovation and integrity. Key Themes: AI Doesn’t Replace You — It Reveals You: How technology exposed the gaps in Wes’s business and inspired him to double down on authenticity and originality. Authenticity Is the New Currency: Why trust and transparency are more valuable than ever in an age of automation. Lead with Values, Not Fear: How Wes rebuilt his culture, empowered his team, and aligned his business with purpose — even mentoring his son to carry that legacy forward. Memorable Quotes: “AI made me realize what couldn’t be automated — authenticity, trust, and human connection.” “All good business is built on trust. It’s the real currency.” “The more the world automates, the more valuable being human becomes.” Connect with Wes Towers: Website: https://uplift360.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@westowers  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uplift_360/  Twitter (X): https://x.com/uplift_360  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Uplift360Aus

In this deeply grounded episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Niv Davidovich, seasoned litigator and founder of Davidovich Law Firm in Los Angeles. What began as a simple need — to support a growing family in one of America’s most expensive cities — became a calling that transformed Niv’s life. With no clients, no roadmap, and nothing but a folding table for a desk, he built a thriving law firm from scratch through grit, humility, and unshakable faith. Carly and Niv dive into the realities of entrepreneurship: building before you’re ready, creating systems that free you to grow, and trusting that every setback is really a divine redirection. It’s a raw, inspiring conversation about conviction, chaos, and the courage it takes to build a business — and a life — that’s truly aligned with purpose. Key Themes: Faith Is the Ultimate System: How seeing obstacles as redirections helped Niv navigate uncertainty and find peace in the process. Systemize as You Grow: Why hiring early and documenting everything turned fear into freedom and chaos into clarity. Nothing Is Wasted: How every past skill — from creativity to problem-solving — became an unexpected asset in building his firm. Memorable Quotes: “Faith is the biggest system there is — it’s the only one that doesn’t fail.” “You can’t see the whole map, but that’s the point. The challenge is just the guardrail keeping you out of the gutter.” “Every failure was just training for the business I was actually meant to build.” Connect with Niv Davidovich: Website: http://www.davidovichlaw.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nivdavidovich/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFjWau0jLOas3AhkqUGcMsw

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with her cousin — and world-renowned aerial coordinator and stunt pilot — Kevin “K2” LaRosa, whose credits include Top Gun: Maverick, Iron Man, Transformers, Devotion, and more than 100 major motion pictures.   Kevin shares what it means to live a life where passion and profession are one and the same. From flying planes before he could drive to co-founding X Brand, the revolutionary aerial cinematography company transforming Hollywood, his journey is a masterclass in innovation, discipline, and humility.   Carly and Kevin explore the mindset behind chasing mastery — the risks, the lessons, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines true leadership. For anyone striving to build a life driven by purpose and precision, this episode is a powerful reminder that being “built for this” isn’t about perfection — it’s about the pursuit.     Key Themes:   A Life You Don’t Want to Retire From: When work is your passion, fulfillment replaces the need for balance — every day becomes the reward. Innovation through Empathy: How Kevin built X Brand by asking what clients truly needed, turning a complex industry into a seamless, turnkey service. Leadership through Humility: Why accountability, safety, and self-awareness are the real markers of excellence — on the ground and in the air.   Memorable Quotes:   “I’ve never felt like I’ve worked a day in my life — but I work harder than anyone I know.” “If you’re not innovating, you’re dying. You can’t wait for permission to evolve.” “We might never achieve greatness — but the pursuit of it is what makes the journey worth it.”     Connect with Kevin "K2" LaRosa   Website: https://www.k2larosa.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.larosa.96 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/K2LaRosa XBrand Website: https://www.xbrand.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamxbrand/

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Nichole Daher, founder and CEO of Success on the Spectrum, the first autism therapy franchise in the United States — now with over 70 clinics across 18 states.   Nichole’s journey began as a mother on a mission, searching for the right care for her stepdaughter with autism. When the support she needed didn’t exist, she created it — and in doing so, changed an entire industry.    What started as one small clinic has become a nationwide movement, providing transformative care for thousands of families.   Carly and Nichole explore what it really takes to scale a purpose-driven organization — from building strong systems to maintaining heart-led leadership. Together, they unpack how Nichole balances purpose and profit, empowers franchisees to succeed, and keeps mission at the center of every business decision.   Key Themes: Purpose Fuels Profit: How Nichole’s mission-first mindset turned passion into a scalable, sustainable business. Franchising with Heart: Why successful systems start with empowering people — especially those driven by personal purpose. Structure Creates Freedom: The power of process, automation, and organization in enabling deeper human impact. Memorable Quotes:   “I didn’t plan any of this — I call it a happy accident. Destiny just pointed and said, ‘You.’” “We make profit with purpose because of our passion — the three P’s that keep everything together.” “Every child gets better. Every parent gets hope. And every franchise owner gets to wake up knowing their work truly matters.”   Connect with Nichole Daher   Website: https://www.SOSfranchising.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOSAutismFranchise Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sosfranchising LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sos-franchising/ Nichole’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ8CVZQR/

In this episode, Carly Pepin sits down with Mike Konrad, founder and CEO of Aqueous Technologies, to explore the unexpected lessons that come with entrepreneurship.   Once a self-described “reluctant entrepreneur,” Mike took a massive leap to create a product his former employer didn’t believe in. What began as an ego-fueled mission soon evolved into a profound journey of humility, leadership, and conscious marketing.   Through candid stories and powerful reflections, Mike shares how he transformed from a headstrong engineer into a purpose-driven leader who built his company on trust, education, and authenticity. His story is raw, relatable, and a must-listen for anyone who’s discovered that true growth requires more than grit — it requires transformation.   Key Themes: From Ego to Empathy: How letting go of pride and embracing humility reshaped Mike’s company and leadership. Conscious Marketing: Why teaching and transparency build deeper trust than traditional sales tactics. Evolving as a Leader: The inner transformation required to build a business that lasts. Memorable Quotes:   “Selling doesn’t build trust. Teaching does.” “The turning point was when I stopped trying to prove I was right and started proving I cared.”   Connect with Mike Konrad:    Websites: http://www.mikekonrad.com  http://www.aqueoustech.com   LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mtkonrad

Built For This is the podcast for founders, CEOs, and vision-driven leaders who know their business is more than just a bottom line—it’s part of who they are. Hosted by transformational strategist Carly Pepin, each episode dives deep into candid conversations with entrepreneurs and business owners who are building companies with heart, grit, and a mission that matters. We unpack the real stories—the burnout, the breakthroughs, the pivots, and the purpose behind it all. Carly brings her sharp eye for strategy and her gift for emotional insight to each guest interview. You'll hear what’s really going on behind the scenes in high-growth companies and learn how these leaders are navigating scale, legacy, and team alignment—all while staying true to themselves. Expect a mix of raw honesty, practical business insight, and soul-stirring moments that remind you why you started in the first place. Whether you’re building your next big thing or trying to reconnect with the one you've already built—this podcast is for you.