On this episode of Owners Unfiltered, Eric Perry sits down with longtime friend and business owner Larry Schendelman, owner of AJ Graphics & Promotions.

Larry has built a business around something every company needs but not every company gets right: their brand. From print marketing and promotional products to branded apparel and the materials businesses use to stay in front of their customers, AJ Graphics & Promotions helps companies turn their logo into something people actually remember.

Eric and Larry talk about Larry’s journey into entrepreneurship, building and maintaining a business over the years, the importance of relationships, taking care of customers, and what it really takes to stay relevant in an industry that continues to change.

They also get into the side of business that doesn’t always make it onto social media: the challenges, lessons, mistakes, relationships, and decisions that come with being an owner.

For Eric, this one is personal too. Larry and AJ Graphics & Promotions have been a trusted partner behind Eco Roofing Solutions, handling everything from print marketing to branded apparel and helping bring the Eco brand to life.

No scripts. No polished business BS. Just two longtime friends and business owners talking about what it actually takes to build something that lasts.

This is Owners Unfiltered.

What does it really look like to be part of a growing company from the employee side?

In Episode 26 of Beyond the Business, we’re back with another Employee Perspective episode, sitting down with Chloe from Restore Heroes to hear her story, her experience, and what she’s learned from being part of the team.

Restore Heroes is a locally owned Arizona restoration company specializing in water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediation, biohazard cleanup, and emergency disaster restoration. Their team operates in an industry where customers are often calling on one of the worst days they’ve had, and that makes the people behind the business incredibly important.

Chloe gives us a look at the business from a perspective we don’t hear enough: the employee’s. We talk about her role, what brought her to Restore Heroes, the culture she experiences from inside the company, the challenges that come with the restoration industry, and what she has learned along the way.

Because Beyond the Business isn’t only about the owners.

It’s about the people helping build the company every single day.

The people. The struggles. The stories behind success.

🎙️ Beyond the Business — Episode 26
Employee Perspective featuring Chloe from Restore Heroes

Like, subscribe, and follow Beyond the Business so you don’t miss the next episode.

n Episode 25 of Beyond the Business, we’re back with another Power Partners episode! Eric Perry and Tearah Rice sit down with Josh Chasteen, owner and founder of Yellowstone Plumbing & Drains, to talk about what it really looks like to bet on yourself and build a business from the ground up.

Josh spent nearly two decades in the plumbing trade before deciding it was time to take everything he had learned and build something of his own. In December 2024, he launched Yellowstone Plumbing & Drains with one truck and a vision centered around doing business the right way, showing up, telling the truth, taking care of people, and making sure the job is done right.

The inspiration to finally make the leap came during a family RV trip to Yellowstone National Park, where Josh and his wife decided it was time to stop wondering “what if?” and go all in on themselves.

We talk about Josh’s journey from tradesman to entrepreneur, the realities of starting and growing a service business, building a reputation around trust and customer experience, leadership, relationships, taking risks, and the lessons that only come from actually being in the arena.

This conversation goes well beyond plumbing. It’s about entrepreneurship, believing in yourself, building something you’re proud of, and surrounding yourself with the right people along the way.

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, tradesperson, or someone who has been thinking about taking the leap and betting on yourself, this episode is for you.

This is Beyond the Business — the people, the struggles, and the stories behind success.

What happens when creativity, construction, and entrepreneurship all come together?

On this episode of Beyond the Business: Owners Unfiltered, Eric sits down with Amanda Billings, owner and lead designer of Artifacts Interiors, to talk about the journey behind building an award-winning interior design business.

Amanda's passion for design started early, she originally dreamed of becoming an architect and archaeologist before ultimately earning her degree in Interior Design from Northern Arizona University, along with a minor in Anthropology. That combination of design and an interest in people helped shape the philosophy behind Artifacts Interiors: creating spaces that aren't simply beautiful, but are a reflection of the people who live and work in them.

Amanda brings a unique perspective to the industry because she understands both design and construction. From material and finish selections to working alongside contractors and managing the details of a project, Artifacts Interiors can take on everything from residential spaces to commercial projects.

And the work has been recognized. Amanda and Artifacts Interiors have earned multiple honors over the years, including recognition from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for both commercial and residential projects.

In this conversation, we get into what originally pulled Amanda into interior design, how she built Artifacts Interiors, what it takes to work successfully alongside contractors, the differences between residential and commercial design, and what she's learned while turning her creativity into a successful business.

We also talk about something that applies far beyond interior design: the difference between being great at your craft and learning how to actually build a business around it.

This is another real conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, relationships, and everything that happens behind the scenes when you're building something of your own.

🎙️ Beyond the Business — The People, The Struggles, and The Stories Behind Success

If you enjoy the episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

What happens when you sell everything, leave the life you know behind, and go all in on yourself?

On Episode 23 of Beyond the Business, we’re back with another Owners Unfiltered conversation featuring Nate Martin, owner of Lug Wrench Heroes, a mobile tire, wheel, and vehicle maintenance company, and partner in Impeccable Detail, a vehicle aesthetics shop.

Nate’s story is about a lot more than building businesses.

We talk about where the idea for Lug Wrench Heroes came from, what it took to get started, and how Nate has grown and scaled his companies from an idea into what they are today. We also get into one of the biggest risks of his life: selling everything he had in Utah and betting on himself and his vision.

But going all in doesn’t mean the road gets easier.

Sometimes the saying “when it rains, it pours” couldn’t be more accurate. While Nate was already fighting through the struggles and uncertainty of building a business, life started hitting him from every direction. His marriage was falling apart, his wife wanted a divorce, and then he received the devastating news that his mom had cancer.

Business. Family. Relationships. Life.

All at once.

This episode is an unfiltered conversation about what it really looks like behind the scenes of entrepreneurship, taking risks when there are no guarantees, navigating setbacks you never saw coming, continuing to show up when life feels like it’s falling apart, and finding a way to keep moving forward.

Nate’s journey is one of risk, resilience, sacrifice, growth, and betting on yourself when there’s no safety net.

This is what Beyond the Business is all about: the people, the struggles, and the stories behind success.

🎙️ Episode 23 | Owners Unfiltered with Nate Martin

You’re definitely not going to want to miss this one.

Like, subscribe, and follow Beyond the Business so you never miss an episode.

What happens when you find a role that allows you to combine your education, your passion, and your ability to connect with people?

On Episode 22 of Beyond the Business, Tearah Rice sits down with Caila from Blue Lagoon Pools for another installment of our Employee Perspective series.

Caila's journey at Blue Lagoon started on the operations side of the business, working in the office before eventually transitioning into marketing, a role that allows her to put her marketing degree to work and do what she genuinely loves every day.

But marketing is only one of the many hats Caila wears.

She's a master relationship-builder and networker who understands that growing a blue-collar business today requires much more than simply doing great work. From creating and editing content to convincing technicians to step outside their comfort zones and get in front of the camera, Caila has helped make social media a real part of the company's culture and growth.

Tearah and Caila also get into what it's like being a woman in a male-dominated, blue-collar industry, navigating difficult customers, maintaining a positive attitude when things get tough, and the importance of relationships both inside and outside the organization.

It's a conversation about finding your place, embracing every hat you're asked to wear, and understanding just how much impact a great employee can have on the business around them.

🎙️ Episode 22 | Employee Perspective
Featuring Caila from Blue Lagoon Pools
Hosted by Tearah Rice

This is Beyond the Business — The People, The Struggles, and The Stories Behind Success.

What does it really mean to be bought in, not just to your job, but to the mission behind it?

On Episode 21 of Beyond the Business, Tearah Rice sits down with Madison Berry of InstaSold for another installment of our Employee Perspective series.

Madison shares what it looks like to be part of a growing organization, why collaboration matters, and how powerful it is when employees genuinely feel connected to the mission they're helping build.

They dive into the importance of recognition, making your people feel seen and valued, and why pouring into your team isn't just good for culture, it's essential for growth.

This conversation is a reminder that great companies aren't built by owners alone. They're built by teams of people who feel appreciated, trusted, challenged, and genuinely invested in where the organization is going.

If you're a business owner, leader, or employee who wants to understand what creates real buy-in and a culture people actually want to be part of, this episode is packed with value.

🎙️ Episode 21 | Employee Perspective
Featuring Madison Berry of InstaSold
Hosted by Tearah Rice

Tune in on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ryan Combs is proof that you don't have to own the company to take ownership of your work.

As a leader in the Builder world, Ryan has built a reputation for delivering some of Arizona's most incredible luxury homes while maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality, accountability, and excellence. From spotless job sites to holding crews to an exceptionally high standard, Ryan understands that the smallest details often make the biggest difference in the customer experience. That relentless pursuit of perfection is one of the reasons Bink Development continues to stand out.

Beyond the jobsite, Ryan is also an FAA-licensed drone pilot whose project content has caught our attention for a while. His ability to showcase craftsmanship through incredible aerial cinematography has helped elevate not only the homes they build but the brand behind them.

In this Employee Perspective episode, Ryan shares what it means to have true buy-in as an employee, how to take pride in your work, why accountability is a sign of respect, and how choosing excellence every day can create opportunities you never expected.

Outside of work, Ryan is a devoted husband and father of two who believes success means showing up just as well for your family as you do for your career.

If you're an employee looking to grow, a leader trying to build a stronger team, or a business owner searching for people who truly care, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons you won't want to miss.

What happens when two roofing company owners who compete in the same market sit down as friends and have an unfiltered conversation about business, leadership, family, and life?

In Episode 19 of Beyond the Business: The People, The Struggles, and The Stories Behind Success, Eric Perry is joined by Ryan LaRue, owner of Real Roofing. Ryan has built Real Roofing into a growing multi-state roofing company while earning a reputation for strong leadership, craftsmanship, and customer service. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association, helping shape and strengthen the roofing industry across Arizona.

This isn't your typical business podcast.

Ryan and Eric pull back the curtain on what it's really like to build and scale a company. They discuss the highs that everyone sees, the setbacks that nobody talks about, and the difficult decisions that come with leading people, serving customers, and carrying the responsibility of an entire organization.

They dive into:
• Building a culture people want to be part of
• Navigating difficult employee and customer relationships
• The reality of leadership when the pressure is on
• Growing a successful business without losing sight of your marriage and family
• The lessons learned through failures, losses, and victories
• What they hope their children and the people around them will remember long after business is over

This conversation is honest, vulnerable, and packed with real experiences from two business owners who understand that success isn't measured only by revenue, but by the impact you leave on your team, your family, and your community.

No scripts. No filters. No fluff.

Just two friends, two competitors, and one authentic conversation about what it truly takes to build something that lasts.

What does it really take to build multiple successful businesses without sacrificing your marriage or your family?

In Episode 18 of Beyond the Business, our Couples in Business series continues as Cierra and Eric Perry sit down with Mike and Ann Schude, founders of Instasold and the creators of the incredibly popular Go Gilbert community. For more than 30 years, Mike and Ann have built a life together centered around entrepreneurship, leadership, and serving others while creating businesses that have made a lasting impact throughout the East Valley. Today, they lead Instasold and have grown Go Gilbert into one of Arizona's most engaged community platforms, connecting thousands of local residents and small businesses.

This conversation is packed with real stories, plenty of laughs, and honest conversations about what it takes to build a thriving marriage while running multiple businesses together. We dive into raising a family as entrepreneurs, building high-performing teams, navigating disagreements as business partners, continually investing in personal growth, and creating a culture where the people around you can grow and succeed alongside you.

Whether you're married, own a business, lead a team, or simply want to strengthen your relationships while pursuing success, this episode is full of practical wisdom, encouragement, and relatable moments you won't want to miss.

🎙 In this episode we discuss:
• Building multiple successful businesses together
• Balancing entrepreneurship, marriage, and family life
• Growing leaders and developing great teams
• The importance of continuous personal growth
• Leading with purpose and serving your community
• Lessons learned from more than 30 years of marriage and business
• The highs, the challenges, and the moments that shaped their journey

If you enjoy the episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation.