PODCAST · business
Simply Business Podcast
by John K Jennings
A business interview Podcast made by business owners for business owners called ‘**Simply Business**'. We share real stories about real people in business making big things happen. Our goal is to inspire and educate current and future leaders through sharing success stories and key learnings from successful business leaders who have already navigated some of the challenges of business ownership. I believe that most business owners are working way too hard for much too little, and one of our issues is that we over-complexify things. I also believe the answers are almost always within us or within our reach. I like to say I’m a “simple man with simple ideas”. So that's why it's called “Simply Business”. And if you enjoy the show, maybe you'll enjoy my book. Check out "Your Baby is Ugly" on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Your-Baby-Ugly-tr
Episodes
-
Build a Business Around Your Life, Not the Other Way Around
Darren Tompkins on Smart Growth, AI, Hiring and Knowing When Enough Is Enough Are you building a business that supports the life you want, or creating another job that consumes it? In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Darren Tompkins, founder and CEO of Vader Ray...
-
It's Not What It Makes You. It's What It Costs You. w/Kris Dehnert
How Kris Dehnert Built a $60 Million Business Without Losing Sight of What Matters What good is building a multimillion-dollar business if it costs you your health, happiness and time with the people who matter most? In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Kris Dehnert…
more -
There Is No Finish Line - with Jeff Swartz
What happens when you finally reach the goal you've been chasing—and immediately start chasing the next one? In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Jeff Swartz, CEO and Founder of Qujam, a hyper-local advertising platform helping businesses access geofencing and...
-
You Don't Know What You're Capable of Until You're In It
What happens when you've already built a successful company, sold it for $20 million—and decide to start all over again? For Nellie Akalp, the second time was much harder than the first. In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Nellie, CEO of CorpNet, to talk about...
-
Bet on Yourself: Building a Business Without a Safety Net - Steven Wallace
What happens when you leave the security of a large firm and decide to bet on yourself? In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Steve Wallace, Managing Attorney and Founder of Wallace Law, a multi-state law firm serving clients across Florida, Texas, and New York. With…
more -
Should You Really Own a Business? With Patrice Miles
Is entrepreneurship the right next step—or is there a better path? In this episode of the Simply Business Podcast, John Jennings welcomes Patrice Miles, Career Ownership Coach with The Entrepreneur's Source and host of the Journey to Business Ownership – Freedom Friday Podcast. Patrice helps...
-
Building a Business When Only You Believes in You
What does it really take to build a business from scratch? In this episode of the Simply Business Podcast, John Jennings sits down with Ben Engel, owner of JBT Cleanout, to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, building momentum, and creating opportunities through action. Ben shares how he...
-
It’s Different When It’s Yours - Stepping Into Ownership, Legacy, and Responsibility with Jesse Bray
In this episode of Simply Business, we sit down with Jesse Bray, CEO of Quantum Enterprises, to talk about what it really looks like to step into ownership of an existing business. This isn’t a startup story — it’s something different. Jesse shares his experience of acquiring a company he was...
-
Bet on Yourself - How Doug Gardner Left Corporate Life, Built City Wide, and Learned the Long Game of Entrepreneurship
What does it really take to leave corporate life and build something of your own? In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Doug Gardner, owner of City Wide Facility Solutions of Louisville, to talk about entrepreneurship, calculated risk, and the realities of building a...
-
Midyear Momentum: Why Busy Isn't the Same as Progress
Have you ever looked up in June or July and thought, "We've been busy this year... but what have we actually accomplished?" In this solo episode of Simply Business, John Jennings explores a challenge that many business owners and leadership teams face at the halfway point of the year: mistaking...
-
From Corporate IT to Caring Excellence: Building a Family Legacy of Service - With Marcus O'Malley
What happens when an entrepreneur leaves the corporate technology world and joins a family business dedicated to caring for seniors? In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Marcus O'Malley, Owner and Director of Caring Excellence Northern Kentucky. Marcus shares his…
more -
Chris Morandi - Mental Fitness: Why Wellness Starts Before Crisis
What if therapy wasn’t about fixing people—but helping them become mentally stronger? In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Chris Morandi, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mainspring Wellness, to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, mental health, and...
-
E106 - How Lauren Brown Built a Business by Adapting, Reinventing, and Refusing to Quit
In this episode of Simply Business, we sit down with Lauren Brown, co-owner of Mishalis Events, to talk about what it really looks like to build and sustain a business over time. What started as a retail food and wine store evolved — through necessity, market shifts, and major disruptions like…
more -
e105 - How Vas Abramov Builds Businesses by Eliminating Complexity, Not Adding to It
In this episode of Simply Business, we sit down with Vas Abramov, President of Occam Design, to talk about a principle that’s often overlooked in business — simplicity. Vas shares how his approach to business and design is rooted in cutting through complexity and focusing on what actually works....
-
E104 - From a Credit Card to Global Impact: Building a Business That Closes the Digital Divide
What does it look like to build a business that creates both profit and purpose? In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Kurt Reynolds, Owner and President of ReGadget, to explore how a $7,000 bet on a personal credit card turned into a fast-growing company making a real...
-
Ep103-How Paul Miller turned circus life, creativity, and curiosity into multiple unconventional businesses.
In the 103rd episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Paul Howland Miller, the self-described Chief Goof Officer behind Circus Sweets and Bircus Brewing Company. Paul has spent his career living inside the world of the circus performing, creating, and building businesses around…
more -
Ep102-Ownership, integrity, and 30 years of steady growth with Mike Mason, President of Lawn Pro
In the 102nd episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Mike Mason, President of Lawn Pro in Louisville, Kentucky, to unpack what 30 years in business has taught him about leadership, growth, and integrity. Mike shares the story of joining the family business in the mid-90s, taking...
-
Ep101-How Steve Hall Is Developing Young Leaders Through Faith, Transparency, and Real Ownership
What does it look like to intentionally build young leaders inside your company? In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Steve Hall, President of M&P Logistics, to explore how faith, mentorship, and transparency shape a thriving culture. After decades in transportation...
-
Episode 100: Stop, Start, Continue A Simple Tool for Business Growth
Episode 100 of the Simply Business podcast marks a major milestone and a moment to pause, reflect, and simplify. In this solo episode, host and business coach John Jennings looks back on the journey of recording nearly 100 conversations with business owners. Along the way, he’s collected…
more -
Ep99-How Derek Shelton Built a Health and Wellness Center by Finally Taking the First Step
What happens when you finally act on the idea you’ve carried for years? In the 99th episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Derek Shelton, Owner and Provider at Optimize You in Evansville (now Newburgh), Indiana. With over 20 years of experience as a nurse practitioner and...
-
Ep98-Scott Noonan -Own Your Story. Lead with Power.
In the 98th episode of Simply Business, we sit down with Scott Noonan , President at Spear AI Analytics, for a powerful conversation about ownership, resilience, and the leadership advantage hidden inside your personal story. Too often, leaders carry silent narratives past setbacks, failures,...
-
Ep97-Clarity Over Complexity with Lori Huss, COO of Infinite Solutions
In the 97th episode of Simply Business, we explore what it really takes to lead effectively in complex environments without becoming overwhelmed or overcomplicating the journey. Our guest shares practical insights on how clarity, personal responsibility, and disciplined thinking drive sustainable...
-
Ep96-How Neil Young Built Two Ladders by Simplifying What Actually Drives Growth
In the 96th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Neil Young, President of Two Ladders, to explore what it really means to build a business that lasts. Eleven years in, Two Ladders still feels like a startup and that’s no accident. Neil shares how the company evolved from…
more -
Ep95-Solving Real problems: How Shady Rays built a brand customers love
In the 95th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Dan Ratterman, Co-Founder and CEO of Shady Rays, to unpack how a simple idea turned into a powerful brand. Dan shares the founding story behind Shady Rays identifying a gap in the market where sunglasses were either...
-
Ep94-Designing Healthcare Around People, Not Systems with Eric Lowe of Aptiva Health
In the 94th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Eric Lowe, Co-Founder and CEO of Aptiva Health, to explore how one company is redesigning healthcare around people not systems. Eric shares the story of how Aptiva grew from a single practice in Lexington, Kentucky, into a...
-
Ep93-Why Low-Voltage Is the Future of Smart Buildings (with Matt Laherty of Cinch IoT)
What if powering an intelligent building was as simple as running speaker wire? In the 93rd episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Matt Laherty of Cinch IoT, a company building a two-wire, low-voltage intelligent building platform that powers and connects lighting, sensors,...
-
Ep92-Leading with Clarity: How Sheri Darby Transformed Walker Mechanical
In the 92nd episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Sheri Darby, President of Walker Mechanical, to unpack what it really takes to step into the top seat, turn around a struggling business, and lead in a male-dominated industry. Sheri shares how she moved from CFO to…
more -
Ep91-How Nest Health’s CFO Builds a Focused, Virtual-First Healthcare Company
What happens when you stop treating patients as isolated individuals and start caring for entire families in their homes, especially those on Medicaid? In the 91st episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Mike Meador, Chief Financial Officer of Nest Health, a home-based primary…
more -
Ep90-30 Years of Growth: Mark Lewis on Building Kentucky’s Largest IT Firm
This week on the Simply Business podcast, host John Jennings is joined by Mark Lewis, Founder and CEO of Advanced Business Solutions (ABS) the largest IT services provider in the Louisville region. Mark shares the remarkable 30-year journey of ABS, from humble beginnings to a team of 120…
more -
Ep 89-Balancing craftsmanship, culture, and succession at Grimes Pools
In this Simply Business conversation, host John Jennings sits down with Jamie (James) Fender, Partner at Grimes Pools in Bloomington, Indiana. Jamie shares how a third-generation family business has sustained momentum for 50+ years moving from a franchise “kit pool” start to a full-service,...
-
Ep 88-From Lawyer to Business Owner: Kevin Eddins on Building a Team-First Firm
Business owners call lawyers most often after a problem explodes contracts go sideways, terminations go wrong, partners fall out. In this episode, Kevin Eddins, Co-founder and Partner at Eddins Dominion Law Group in Louisville/St. Matthews, explains why the smartest move is proactive counsel on…
more -
Ep87-What does it take to carry a family business across three generations -Jeremy Esposito
In the 87th episode of Simply Business, I sit down with Jeremy Esposito, Partner and Owner of Esposito Construction, a third-generation home building and remodeling company serving Louisville and Oldham County. Jeremy shares what it means to lead a family business with deep community roots...
-
Ep86-Why leadeship is defined by the influence you have,not the position you hold
In the 86th episode of Simply Business, I talk with Charles Renne about his unique journey through business, leadership, and mentorship. Charles brings both professional and personal wisdom, sharing stories of resilience, accountability, and the value of surrounding yourself with people who will...
-
Ep85- Why building a solar business in the UK was the ultimate training ground
In the 85th episode of Simply Business, I sit down with Peter Nudd, Founder of Star Solar, to hear how he took decades of solar experience in the UK and rebuilt his business in Southern Indiana. Peter shares candid lessons from navigating the ups and downs of renewable energy, what it means to...
-
Ep84-Finding Harmony: Jessica Harris’s Journey from Flutist to Founder
In the 84th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings speaks with Jessica Harris, Owner of Stafford Music Academy in Bloomington, Indiana. Jessica shares her inspiring journey from professional flutist and piccoloist to running a thriving music academy. Along the way, she has faced major...
-
Ep83-From Hobby to Industry Leader: April Foster on Building Inked Brands
In the 83rd episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with April Foster, Founder & CEO of Inked Brands, to explore her journey from hobbyist scrapbooker to scaling one of the earliest subscription commerce businesses. April shares how she built Studio Calico from her personal passion…
more -
Ep 82-John Williamson on Fixing Healthcare’s Revenue Cycle with AI
Today’s guest is John Williamson, founder of Lockbox AI, tackling one of the toughest corners of healthcare: the revenue cycle. John explains how insurer rules and high-deductible plans set denial “tripwires,” why prior authorization keeps shifting under providers’ feet, and how to use on-the-fly...
-
Ep81-Naming That Grows With You: Brad Flowers’ Guide to Brand Clarity
In the 81 episode, I sit down with Brad Flowers, Founder & Author at Bullhorn Creative. We talk about how brands can stay authentic, communicate clearly, and connect with meaning. Brad shares lessons from years of helping businesses find their voice and simplify their story. We explore themes…
more -
Ep80-The Power of Listening
In this special solo edition of Simply Business, I step away from the usual entrepreneur interviews to share what I believe is the single most powerful skill in leadership, business, and life: listening. Listening well can transform how you lead, sell, parent, and build relationships. In this…
more -
Ep79 Building Trust and Innovation Ben Townsend
Today’s guest is Ben Townsend, Founder & CEO of Tracker Products, a company that helps law enforcement agencies manage evidence more effectively. In this episode, Ben shares his entrepreneurial journey from launching a computer company in the 90s without knowing what he was doing, to building...
-
Ep78-From Emergency Rooms to Empowering Wellness: Dr. Christy Watson’s Journey with Body Bar MD
In the 78th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Dr. Christine Kirkendol Watson, Physician and Owner of Body Bar MD. Christine shares her journey from the ER to entrepreneurship, and the lessons she learned building a patient‑first wellness brand. We dig into how leaders...
-
Ep77-The Power Of Clarity Tristan Watkins
Meet Tristan Watkins, founder of Triflix, a creative media studio that merges the worlds of engineering precision and artistic storytelling. In this conversation with John Jennings, Tristan opens up about his journey from a Purdue engineering graduate to founding a company that helps others...
-
Ep 76- Built to Last- Sheila Kalas 30 years in Fitness
In the 76th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings welcomes Sheila Kalas, founder of Fitness Plus, a personal training studio that’s been thriving in Lexington, KY for 30 years a remarkable milestone in the fitness industry. Sheila shares her journey from Chicago to Miami to Kentucky, how…
more -
Ep75-Not the founder but the builder Tytus Wilson
In the 75th episode of Simply Business, John Jennings speaks with Tytus Wilson, the COO and CTO of IQ Pack, a Louisville-based logistics company driving transformation in the supply chain space. With their flagship software platform, PackChain, IQ Pack is helping mid-market companies gain control...
-
Ep74- From Wicked Sheets to Wicked Tech: Alli Truttmann’s Bold Transition
In this episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings reconnects with Alli Truttmann, the founder and CEO of Wicked Technologies — formerly Wicked Sheets. A well-known figure in the Louisville startup scene, Alli opens up about the evolution of her company from physical products to innovative...
-
Ep73-Tom Hootman: “Marketing Should Feel Like a Mixtape”
In this inspiring 73rd episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Tom Hootman, the founder of Mixtape Digital, a newly launched marketing agency with a name that sparks nostalgia and a mission rooted in authenticity. Tom opens up about his journey from managing restaurants and...
-
Ep 72 -Dr. Josh Honaker: From Pediatrician to Healthcare Leader
In this episode, John Jennings sits down with Dr. Josh Honaker — physician, serial entrepreneur, and founder of ParentMD — to explore his remarkable path from launching Oldham County Pediatrics to leading multiple healthcare ventures in Louisville and beyond.
-
Ep 72 JDr. Josh Honaker: From Pediatrician to Healthcare Leader
In this episode, John Jennings sits down with Dr. Josh Honaker — physician, serial entrepreneur, and founder of ParentMD — to explore his remarkable path from launching Oldham County Pediatrics to leading multiple healthcare ventures in Louisville and beyond.
-
Ep 71-Bill Johnson: Leading a 360-Year-Old Company into the Future
In this powerful and thoughtful 71st episode, John sits down with long-time friend Bill Johnson, the North American CEO of Welser Profile a company with over 360 years of family-owned history. Bill shares what it means to lead a business with deep European roots and a centuries-old legacy, and…
more -
Ep70-Rebuilding From Rock Bottom: Shawn King's Rise in the Fence Industry
In the 70th episode of Simply Business, meet Shawn King, known in the industry as Mr. Fence. He didn’t just inherit a family business; he was thrust into leadership before he was ready. At just 21, Shawn found himself at the helm of a company in serious trouble: struggling operations, no clear...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
A business interview Podcast made by business owners for business owners called ‘**Simply Business**'.
We share real stories about real people in business making big things happen. Our goal is to inspire and educate current and future leaders through sharing success stories and key learnings from successful business leaders who have already navigated some of the challenges of business ownership.
I believe that most business owners are working way too hard for much too little, and one of our issues is that we over-complexify things. I also believe the answers are almost always within us or within our reach. I like to say I’m a “simple man with simple ideas”. So that's why it's called “Simply Business”.
And if you enjoy the show, maybe you'll enjoy my book. Check out "Your Baby is Ugly" on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Your-Baby-Ugly-tr
HOSTED BY
John K Jennings
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Simply Business Podcast have?
Simply Business Podcast currently has 118 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Simply Business Podcast about?
A business interview Podcast made by business owners for business owners called ‘**Simply Business**'. We share real stories about real people in business making big things happen. Our goal is to inspire and educate current and future leaders through sharing success stories and key learnings from...
How often does Simply Business Podcast release new episodes?
Simply Business Podcast publishes regularly with 118 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Simply Business Podcast?
You can listen to Simply Business Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Simply Business Podcast?
Simply Business Podcast is created and hosted by John K Jennings.
URL copied to clipboard!