In today’s Better Together Podcast, Kelly and Shawn Sundsvold are joined by David Lusk, Managing Partner of Evergreen Sales Group, to unpack what really happens when you step out of corporate structure and into entrepreneurship.

After a post-COVID corporate shakeup, David made the decision to build something of his own launching Evergreen in 2021 with a clear mission: to give small and mid-sized businesses access to experienced sales leadership without the overhead of a full-time hire.

But this conversation goes deeper than just business growth.

David shares the reality behind entrepreneurship that often doesn’t get talked about the identity shift, the pressure of being fully responsible, and the quiet loneliness that can come with building something from the ground up.

We also get into one of the biggest gaps he sees across businesses:

Most companies aren’t struggling because of effort… they’re struggling because they don’t fully understand what they’re selling or how to align sales and marketing to communicate it effectively.

From common sales mistakes to the importance of delegation, trust, and building the right team around you, this episode is packed with perspective for anyone trying to grow a business in a sustainable way.

If you’re a founder, operator, or business owner navigating growth, this conversation will give you a clearer lens on what’s actually holding most businesses back and how to fix it.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlusk/

If you want your brand, messaging, and growth strategy to align the way your business actually operates, connect with GoldBear Media today.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Shawn and Kelly Sundsvold sit down with Jay Breeden, systems architect and business growth strategist, to explore how founders can move from operational chaos to sustainable, scalable growth.

Drawing from his experience as both a CEO and COO, Jay shares why many growing businesses fall into the trap of “management by heroics” where everything depends on the founder and how building intentional systems is the key to long-term success.

The conversation dives into the practical frameworks that help businesses scale, including creating strong meeting cadences, establishing organizational scorecards, improving communication, and building accountability across teams.

Jay also breaks down one of the most important shifts for founders: moving from working in the business to working on it.

A major focus of the episode is preparing a business for eventual exit. Jay explains why reducing owner dependency, documenting processes, and building operational infrastructure are essential for increasing business value and creating a company that can thrive independently.

The episode concludes with actionable advice on quarterly strategic planning and how founders can create clarity, alignment, and momentum as they grow.

If you’re building a business and want to scale with more structure, freedom, and long-term value, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaybreeden/

If you want your brand and digital strategy to scale with that same level of intention, connect with us today.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Shawn and Kelly Sundsvold sit down with Jim Schleckser, founder of the CEO Project, to unpack what separates busy leaders from truly effective CEOs.

Drawing from years of coaching high-performing executives, Jim shares practical insights into the mindset shifts required to scale a business successfully.

The conversation explores why effective leadership is less about doing more and more about solving the right problems, building strong teams, and knowing when to delegate.

A major theme throughout the episode is delegation as a form of talent development not simply handing off tasks, but intentionally empowering others to grow into greater responsibility.

Jim also breaks down some of the most common mistakes CEOs make as their organizations grow, including holding onto too many direct reports, failing to identify business constraints, and resisting the leadership evolution required at each stage of growth.

The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration, talent development, and creating organizational structures that allow businesses to scale sustainably.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimschleckser/

If you’re leading a team, growing a company, or navigating the challenges of scaling, this episode offers clear and actionable leadership insights.

If you want your brand and growth strategy to scale with that same level of intention, connect with us today.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Kelly and Shawn Sundsvold sit down with Max Lowy, co founder of Attention Trading, to explore what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up.

Max shares his journey from organizing college events to building a full service marketing agency, offering a practical look at how early experimentation and taking action helped shape his path.

Rather than following the traditional advice of niching down immediately, he explains how focusing on execution, learning quickly, and adapting along the way allowed the business to evolve naturally.

A key focus of the conversation is building systems. Max breaks down how creating structure, processes, and internal alignment can turn inconsistent effort into sustainable growth.

The episode also highlights the importance of internal marketing, consistency, and understanding consumer behavior when scaling a business.

Throughout the discussion, Max emphasizes a simple but powerful approach. Try, learn, adjust, and keep moving forward. It is not about getting everything right the first time, but about building momentum and refining as you go.

If you are building a business, navigating growth, or looking to create more consistency in your marketing and operations, this episode offers a grounded and practical perspective.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxlowy/?isSelfProfile=false

If you want your brand, messaging, and growth strategy to align, connect with us today.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Kelly and Shawn Sundsvold sit down with Andrea Hawkins, a leadership expert focused on helping organizations build stronger, healthier cultures.

The conversation explores what it really takes to create an environment where people feel valued, engaged, and motivated to contribute. Andrea shares practical insights on building trust within teams, fostering collaboration, and leading effectively through periods of change.

A key theme throughout the episode is the role of people in driving organizational success. From understanding individual perspectives to encouraging shared ownership and accountability, Andrea highlights why culture is not something that happens by chance, but something leaders intentionally shape.

The discussion also addresses common leadership challenges, including misalignment, lack of communication, and the difficulty of balancing authority with collaboration. Andrea offers a grounded perspective on how leaders can avoid these pitfalls while building teams that perform consistently.

If you are leading a team, growing a business, or navigating change within your organization, this episode provides a practical and thoughtful approach to building a culture that supports long term success.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrearhawkins/

If you want your brand and leadership approach to reflect that level of clarity and impact, connect with us today.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Shawn and Kelly Sundsvold sit down with Kiley Romero, co-founder of Smooth Mortgage Company, to explore what it really takes to transition from a corporate career into entrepreneurship.

Kiley shares her journey of stepping away from the structure of corporate life and building a business rooted in transparency, strong leadership, and a client-first approach. The conversation dives into the mindset shifts required to succeed as a founder from making confident decisions under pressure to learning how to navigate rejection and uncertainty.

A key theme throughout the episode is control focusing on what you can influence, moving quickly, and staying disciplined in the face of challenges. Kiley also highlights the importance of time management, delegation, and building systems that allow you to grow without burning out.

Beyond strategy, this episode offers insight into the qualities that define high-performing leaders and why mentorship and knowledge-sharing play a critical role in long-term success.

If you’re building a business or stepping into leadership, this conversation provides a clear and practical perspective on what it takes to grow with intention.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiley-romero-15870075/

If you want your brand and strategy to align with that level of growth, connect with us today.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Kelly and Shawn Sundsvold sit down with Tiffany Castagno, an HR and people culture consultant, to explore what it truly means to build a healthy, people-first workplace.

Drawing from her experience in corporate HR and consulting, Tiffany shares practical insights on how organizations especially small to mid-sized businesses can strengthen their culture through intentional leadership, clear communication, and better people practices.

A key focus of the conversation is psychological safety why it matters, how it impacts performance, and what leaders can do to create environments where teams feel heard, supported, and empowered to contribute.

The episode also highlights the importance of leaning into difficult conversations, listening with intention, and building workplaces where both performance and well-being can coexist.

If you’re leading a team or building a business, this conversation offers a grounded and actionable perspective on creating a stronger, more aligned culture.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanycastagno-people-culture-consultant/

If you want your brand and leadership approach to reflect that level of clarity and impact, connect with us today.

In today’s Better Together Podcast, Kelly and Shawn Sundsvold sit down with Tiffany Deans, founder of Grounding Work LLC, to explore what it really looks like to step into entrepreneurship especially when the path isn’t planned.

After a 20-year career in federal HR, Tiffany shares how she transitioned into building her own people-centered business during one of the most uncertain times the COVID-19 pandemic.

What began as a shift quickly turned into a deeper journey of growth, identity, and leadership.

This conversation goes beyond career change.

It highlights the realities of entrepreneurship learning as you go, navigating uncertainty, and building resilience in real time.

Tiffany also shares the importance of aligning with the right clients, setting clear boundaries, and redefining success through work-life integration rather than balance.

A key theme throughout the episode is stepping into leadership authentically even before you feel fully ready and recognizing that growth often comes from situations you didn’t initially plan for.

If you’re navigating a transition, building something of your own, or learning how to lead with more clarity and intention, this episode offers a grounded and honest perspective.

(15) Tiffany Deans, SPHR, SHRM-SCP | LinkedIn

If you want your brand and strategy to reflect that same level of clarity and alignment, connect with us today.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Shawn and Kelly Sundsvold sit down with Jeff Leach, co-founder of Adaptivity Group, to explore the realities of transitioning from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship.

Drawing from his experience at Accenture and building his own business, Jeff shares insights on navigating self-doubt, making faster decisions, and surrounding yourself with the right people. The conversation highlights the importance of working on the business, not just in it and how intentionality plays a key role in long-term growth.

Jeff also dives into critical topics for business owners, including hiring with clarity, handling setbacks like losing major clients, and the importance of diversifying revenue streams. A key theme throughout the episode is understanding what you’re actually building whether it’s a lifestyle business or one designed for an eventual exit.

Beyond strategy, this episode emphasizes mentorship, community, and the value of learning from others who have navigated similar paths.

If you’re building a business and thinking about growth, structure, and long-term direction, this conversation offers a practical and grounded perspective.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefferyleach/

If you want your brand, strategy, and growth to align, connect with us today.


#Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #FounderLife #StartupJourney #BusinessStrategy #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #EntrepreneurMindset #Podcast

In today’s Better Together Podcast, Shawn and Kelly Sundsvold sit down with Tina Larsson, co-founder of The Folson Group and author of Living the High Life, to explore what it really takes to challenge systems and build something meaningful.

Tina’s journey from Wall Street analyst to co-op reformer in New York City is anything but conventional. What started as a personal challenge within her own building turned into a business that now helps reshape how co-ops and condos are managed bringing financial clarity, accountability, and structure to a space that often lacks it.

This conversation goes beyond business strategy.

It’s about persistence continuing forward when things don’t move easily. It’s about leadership especially in environments where change is resisted. And it’s about navigating the “messy middle” of entrepreneurship, where progress isn’t always visible but the work continues.

We also dive into the dynamics of building a business with a partner, the mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur, and the responsibility that comes with leading systems that impact others.

If you’re building something, facing resistance, or working through the in-between stages of growth, this episode offers a grounded and practical perspective.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinalarssonli/

If you want your brand, messaging, and strategy to support real growth and impact, connect with us today.