Crushing It

This episode dives into the intricate world of commercial real estate, through the lens of Maury Bronstein, a seasoned advisor, broker, and investor with over 25 years of experience. Whether you're a business owner, investor, or simply curious about real estate trends, Maury's insights clarify how strategic decisions around property holdings can accelerate growth, manage risk, and shape long-term wealth.In this episode:The role of an advisory real estate broker versus traditional brokerageHow private equity and family offices approach real estate investingKey considerations: rent vs buy and the importance of flexibilityThe impact of remote work trends on office space demandThe strategic foresight in land purchases and developmentsLong-term investment strategies of family officesCommon mistakes young companies make in real estate decisionsRisks of insufficient due diligence in distressed assets and lender scenariosHow interest rates and macroeconomic factors influence property valuesThe domino effect of major corporate relocations on regional developmentTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Maury Bronstein and his background02:42 - The distinction between a commercial real estate advisor and a broker06:19 - How Maury supports private equity and family offices in real estate decisions10:44 - The evolving landscape of office space post-COVID15:14 - The long-term investment philosophy of family offices17:45 - Mistakes young companies often make in expanding or acquiring property21:22 - The importance of due diligence and risks of neglecting inspections25:17 - Lessons from distressed assets and lender scenarios during financial crises29:07 - The future of retail malls, office buildings, and adaptive reuse strategies34:21 - The influence of macroeconomic trends, interest rates, and geopolitical shifts37:01 - The movement of corporate headquarters within Texas and beyond40:57 - Implementing risk discipline and strategic decision-making in real estate investments46:19 - How to connect with Maury for advisory supportResources & Links:Maury Bronstein - LinkedIn1912 Ventures - WebsiteU-Haul Migration Study

In this episode of Crushing It, we sit down with entrepreneur and investor Jeremy Middleton, founder of Middleton Enterprises and co-founder of HomeServe — a company that began with just £10,000 on a credit card and ultimately grew into a FTSE 100 business employing 10,000 people. Jeremy shares the unvarnished reality of building a company from scratch, including early failures, financial pressure, and the tough decisions that shaped his approach to risk, persistence, and growth.Jeremy reflects on the difference between being a founder and being an investor. While entrepreneurs often start with ideas and optimism, Jeremy explains why he now looks for businesses that have already proven their model and reached profitability. He discusses why founders frequently misunderstand investors, why raising money too early can be dangerous, and why bootstrapping or turning to friends and family is often a smarter first step than chasing venture capital.The conversation also tackles some of today’s biggest startup narratives — including hype around AI, inflated valuations, and the belief that capital can solve fundamental business problems. Jeremy explains why investment money should accelerate a working model rather than fix a broken one, and why disciplined growth and strong fundamentals still outperform trend-driven business plans.Finally, Jeremy shares the story of how his struggling plumbing startup nearly collapsed before pivoting into a subscription-based warranty model that transformed the company’s economics. The episode offers candid lessons for founders on persistence, knowing when to pivot, protecting equity, and building companies that compound value over the long term.Key topicsLessons from early business failuresImportance of proven business models before investmentStrategies for raising capital in startupsInvesting in profitable SMEs and long-term growthImpact of AI on traditional businessesChapters00:00 The Need for Capital vs. Confidence05:57 Understanding Investor Perspectives12:04 Navigating the Investment Landscape17:57 Evaluating Business Models in the Age of AI23:13 The Evolution of Call Centers and AI28:15 Investment Insights: Identifying Real Value36:43 Learning from Early Business Mistakes43:00 Investing in Small Businesses: A Personal JourneyResourcesJeremy Middleton's Middleton EnterprisesHomestrv (sold to private equity in 2023)Procter & GambleGuest linksLinkedInEntrepreneurship, Investment, Business Growth, Capital Raising, SME, Jeremy Middleton, Startup Lessons, Business Strategy, AI in Business, Family Office

Join us as Ed McDermott shares his journey of building EMMAC Life Sciences into CureLeaf International, navigating regulatory ambiguity across Europe, and the future of cannabis legalization and industry growth. This episode covers risk management, compliance, investment challenges, and the potential of cannabis as a medical and recreational product.Key topicsBuilding EMAC Life Sciences into CureLeaf InternationalNavigating European cannabis regulations and cultural differencesRisks and challenges in early-stage cannabis venturesThe importance of compliance and cybersecurity in cannabis industryFuture outlook for cannabis legalization and industry growthGuest nameEd McDermottChapters00:00 Introduction and Ed's Background02:14 From a Blank Sheet to Europe's Cannabis Leader03:53 First 18 Months: Challenges and Lessons08:00 Team Formation and Cultural Dynamics09:56 Medical Cannabis and Patient Impact12:03 European Regulatory Framework and Cultural Nuances15:13 Making Decisions in Ambiguous Regulatory Environments19:52 Supply Chain Security and Cybersecurity Risks25:05 Funding and Raising Capital in Cannabis29:48 Compliance, Regulation, and Industry Challenges39:50 Future Outlook: Rescheduling and Industry Growth50:04 Legal and Criminal Market Dynamics01:00:13 Lessons Learned and Advice for Entrepreneurs01:05:12 The Purpose and Passion Behind Building a Business01:08:03 Closing Remarks and Future OpportunitiesResourcesCureLeaf InternationalImperial College UKRFK Jr. on Healthcare and FoodEuropean Cannabis RegulationsGuest linksLinkedInTwitter

The conversation delves into the challenges of leadership, cultural transformation, and the impact of company culture on leadership decisions. Kevin Browett shares insights on building winning teams, the role of AI in leadership, and the importance of loyalty and company culture. He reflects on leadership mistakes, the need for cultural change, and the impact of career decisions on personal growth and development.TakeawaysCommunication is key to building relationships and driving change.Winning teams are built on trust and respect.Leaders must slow down to analyze situations effectively.Cultural dynamics can hinder transformation efforts.Loyalty in organizations is a two-way street.Leadership requires humility and a willingness to learn.Tough decisions are necessary for team performance.Identifying and addressing bad apples is crucial for success.Transformational leadership involves understanding people and processes.Technology can enhance decision-making and efficiency.Chapters00:00 Navigating Risk and Opportunity01:05 Transformational Leadership Across Industries03:02 Building Relationships in Competitive Environments09:11 Communication as a Key to Success12:01 Non-Negotiables for Winning Teams14:00 Identifying Root Causes of Underperformance15:51 Leadership vs. Management: Making Tough Decisions20:04 The Importance of Team Dynamics23:13 The Illusion of Loyalty in Leadership27:32 Building Trust and Earning Loyalty29:38 The Misconception of Leadership Success32:36 Navigating Career Transitions and Titles35:11 Learning from Leadership Mistakes41:30 Sharing Insights and Continuous LearningKeywordsleadership, transformation, communication, team dynamics, performance, organizational culture, risk management, business strategy, technology, loyalty

Xiaochen Zheng, the chief responsible AI officer and executive director at AI 2030, discusses the concept of responsible AI, its core pillars, and the impact of AI on sustainability, accountability, and governance. He also addresses the talent gap in AI projects and the implications of AI on society and human-machine collaborative intelligence. The conversation delves into the responsible use of AI, emphasizing the need for stakeholder engagement, responsible AI principles, and data governance. It also explores the impact of AI on personal use and the global community, highlighting the importance of collaboration and the urgency of responsible AI deployment.TakeawaysResponsible AI encompasses transparency, bias identification, and sustainability, with a focus on accountability, safety, and security.The talent gap in AI projects requires the inclusion of social scientists, ethicists, and diverse perspectives to address bias, ethical considerations, and the impact on society. Responsible AI requires stakeholder engagement and a commitment to responsible AI principles.The impact of AI on personal use and the global community underscores the need for collaboration and urgency in responsible AI deployment.Chapters00:00 Addressing the Talent Gap in AI Projects19:57 Sustainability and the Role of AI26:00 Implications of AI on Society and Human-Machine Collaborative Intelligence33:05 Responsible AI and Stakeholder Engagement41:40 Trust and Responsible Use of AI48:52 Global Framework for Responsible AI

Samil Jain, an expert in insurance, analytics, and entrepreneurship, discusses the misconceptions about the insurance market, the growth of managing general agents (MGA), and the challenges of measuring risk in the insurance industry. He also explores the impact of AI on insurance and the complexities of liability in the age of autonomous vehicles. The conversation covers various aspects of AI, its impact on society, and the challenges associated with its use. It also delves into the insurance industry, discussing the evolution of insurance products and the challenges of distribution.TakeawaysInsurance market is not one large market, but rather 55 small markets regulated at the individual state level.Managing General Agents (MGA) provide a flexible and capital-efficient way to start an insurance program without the need for a large infusion of capital.The use of AI in insurance presents both opportunities and challenges, with the need for fine-tuning and understanding the limitations of AI models.The liability and risk implications of autonomous vehicles and AI technology are complex and evolving, requiring careful consideration and adaptation in the insurance industry. AI should be used as a tool, not as the final answerThe insurance industry is evolving with new products and distribution challengesChapters00:00 Misconceptions About the Insurance Market09:05 The Impact of AI on Insurance25:12 AI Security and Usage30:37 Impact of AI on Society37:27 Insurance Industry Evolution

J.J. Costigan, a former FBI professional, shares insights from his experience in leading security and operations for iconic golf events and venues. He discusses the challenges, strategies, and critical incidents that have shaped his approach to risk management and leadership. The conversation covers a range of security and crisis management topics, including security innovations, crisis response, mass notification systems, drone defense, crowd management, and executive support for security. JJ Costigan shares insights and experiences from managing security at major events like the Liv and Augusta tournaments, highlighting the importance of proactive planning and risk management.TakeawaysMass gathering risk managementLayered defense and risk mitigation Proactive planning is essential for effective crisis responseExecutive support and leadership involvement are crucial for building resilience and security cultureChapters00:00 Introduction to J.J. Costigan's Background and Expertise05:52 Risk Management and Layered Defense at Large Golf Events12:02 Perception of Law Enforcement and Security Measures18:02 Importance of Training, Communication, and Command Post in Event Security26:33 Crisis Response and Planning36:39 Innovations in Security and Mass Notification Systems42:31 Building Resilience and Continuity Planning47:43 Educating and Engaging Executive Leadership

A hidden clause. A looming deadline. And a SOC 2 scramble that could cost a startup real money.In this episode of Crushing It, Jonathan sits down with Kate Williams, Partner in the Risk Assurance & Advisory Practice at Maxwell Locke & Ritter and one of Austin’s leading SOC 2 and cybersecurity compliance experts. Kate breaks down why startups so often find themselves rushing into SOC 2, how a simple readiness process can prevent chaos, and why shadow AI is quickly becoming one of the biggest risks early-stage companies face.She shares real stories from the field — including the moment a company discovered a contractual SOC 2 deadline with financial penalties attached — and offers practical guidance on training, culture, and security basics that can save young companies from disaster.If you’re building a startup, selling into the enterprise, or navigating the rising pressure around compliance and AI, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.