Talent gets you started. Discipline is what keeps you going. Greg Wong learned that the hard way.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Greg — a retired senior executive in technology and finance — to get the perspective most young founders never have access to. The mistakes he made early, what he'd do differently starting out today, and why discipline outlasts talent, intelligence, and luck every single time.

This is the long-term view. The kind that only comes after decades of doing the real work.

If you're early in your journey and want to avoid the mistakes that cost years — this one's worth your full attention.

Forty years. One principle that never wavered — people are the culture.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Steve Leonard to get into what it actually takes to keep a business thriving for nearly four decades. Not the equipment, not the buildings — the people behind it all.

We get into how Steve built a company on relationships and trust, why investing in your team is the highest-return move you can make, and what long-term success actually looks like when you're patient enough to build it right.

Simple message. Powerful lesson. Every founder needs to hear early.

Rob Herold calls it the "chicken selling business." Don't let that fool you.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Rob, owner-operator of Chick-fil-A in Bowie, Maryland, to get into what it actually takes to run one of the area's most successful locations — the leadership principles behind his team, the lessons that decades in the restaurant industry taught him, and what separates operators who thrive from those who just survive.

We get into building a culture people want to be part of, leading with purpose, and what running a franchise at a high level actually looks like from the inside.

If you think running a franchise is just following a playbook — Rob will change your mind.

Most people never get a look inside how the Department of Defense actually operates. Grady Banister gave us one.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Grady — Director of DISA's PEO Transport and DISN Resiliency programs — to get into what it takes to lead at that level, how he builds and maintains critical communication infrastructure, and the leadership lessons that only come from working in high-stakes environments.

We get into problem-solving under pressure, building resilient teams, and what innovation actually looks like inside one of the most complex organizations in the world.

If you think entrepreneurship is the only place to learn about building something that can't fail — this episode will change your mind.

Jay Wilen could have just been a financial advisor. He chose to be a lot more than that.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Jay to get into how his upbringing shaped his leadership style, what drove him to found Troop 1214 and 804, and what mentorship actually looks like when you commit to it for the long haul.

We get into the intersection of entrepreneurship, community building, and legacy — and what it really takes to create something that outlasts you.

If you've ever thought about the impact you want to leave behind — this conversation will push you to think bigger.

Julia Howes has spent her career building something most entrepreneurs overlook — the community around them.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Julia, President and CEO of the Southern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, to get into her journey in leadership, what it actually takes to support and grow local businesses, and the lessons that shaped how she leads.

We get into the intersection of community, entrepreneurship, and what real impact looks like when you're building from the ground up.

If you've ever wondered how the ecosystem around your business can make or break it — this one opens your eyes.

Emily Eldh didn't just start a business — she built a brand with a real following behind it.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Emily, founder of The Muffin Drop, to get into the real story — what it took to get started, the challenges that tested her, and the strategies that helped her build something people genuinely connect with.

We get into brand building, authentic audience growth, and what it actually looks like to turn a passion into a business that thrives.

If you're building something and trying to make people care about it — Emily's story shows you how.

Chase Davis is a College of Charleston student building an FBA business, training in grappling, and thinking deeper than most people his age.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, we get into all of it — his entrepreneurial journey with FBA, how grappling shaped his mindset and fitness, the relationships that matter most, and the question that kept coming up throughout our conversation: what's actually worth more — your time or your possessions?

No agenda. Just a real, wide-ranging conversation with someone genuinely figuring it out.

Two people. Careers that spanned continents. One shared lesson — say yes.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with Professor Wyman and Ms. Calobello to trace the unexpected paths that took them from Hawaii to Germany to England — and somehow into the world of toy design along the way.

We get into how mentorship shaped their decisions, why bold choices opened doors they never anticipated, and what saying yes to the right opportunities actually looks like in practice.

If you've ever talked yourself out of an opportunity — this one's worth your time.

William Helfgott's first business was selling honey as a kid. What came next surprised even him.

In this episode of Behind the Rise, I sit down with William to trace the full arc — from those early setbacks, to the mentors who changed his trajectory, to building a thriving venture and exploring new opportunities in Mexico.

We get into the turning points that shaped him, the strategies that refined his vision, and the honest lessons that came from figuring it out along the way.

Every rise starts somewhere unexpected. William started with a honey jar.