Bold Enough

How do you build a business that gives you freedom instead of taking it away?

On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeline McRae speaks with Judy Cisler, entrepreneur and owner of a custom window coverings business, about her journey from industrial engineer to business owner and the lessons she learned while building a company that can thrive without her being involved every day.

Judy’s path into entrepreneurship was anything but traditional. After working as an industrial engineer, she decided to create something of her own and discovered an opportunity in custom window treatments, a field that combined her natural eye for design with her passion for helping customers create beautiful spaces.

Over the years, she built a showroom, purchased the building her business operates from, developed a team, and created systems that allowed her to step away from daily operations and focus on the strategic side of the company.

In this conversation, Judy shares the challenges that came with scaling, including learning that hiring does not automatically solve problems, navigating difficult employee decisions, and evolving her own mindset as the business grew.

She also explains why some of the greatest rewards of entrepreneurship come from watching other people grow, seeing employees develop confidence, and creating an environment where customers and team members feel valued.

At the heart of this episode is Judy’s definition of success:

A happy team, strong customer relationships, predictable processes, and the ability to continue building a life she loves.

A powerful conversation for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to create companies that can grow, thrive, and provide freedom for the people behind them.

Judy Cisler

• Website:https://www.gotchacovered.com/grand-rapids/

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/judy-cisler-71600944

Madeleine MacRae

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

What happens when the person who built the business becomes the biggest thing holding it back?

On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae speaks with John Nieuwenburg, business coach and founder of W5 Coaching, about the transition every growing entrepreneur must make: moving from being the expert who does the work to the leader who builds the organization.

John specializes in helping small business owners, particularly those in trades and professional services, who have mastered their craft but need support learning how to run and scale a business. He shares why many entrepreneurs struggle not because they lack talent, but because they haven’t developed the leadership, delegation, communication, and mindset skills required for growth.

In this conversation, John explains why business coaching is often personal coaching in disguise, helping owners improve not only their systems and strategies but also their ability to lead, communicate, and think differently about their role.

They explore the biggest challenges business owners face: time, team, and money. John shares why many owners spend their most valuable hours on tasks they shouldn’t be doing, how to create systems that allow others to succeed, and why culture must be intentionally built rather than accidentally created.

John also shares powerful leadership lessons around accountability, difficult conversations, and defining success beyond traditional measures. His perspective on success comes from his own journey, including overcoming one of the darkest moments of his life and discovering a renewed purpose in helping others move forward.

At the heart of this episode is a simple but powerful idea:

You cannot grow your business beyond the mindset and leadership capacity of the person running it.

A must-listen conversation for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who want to scale with intention, build stronger teams, and create a business that works beyond themselves.

John Nieuwenburg

• Website – https://w5coaching.com/

• Blog – https://w5coaching.com/resources/

• TEDx Talk – Search “John Nieuwenburg TEDx” on YouTube

Madeleine MacRae

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

How do you become a leader people trust, respect, and want to follow?

On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae speaks with Jeremy Morgan, Group President at HorsePower Brands, about entrepreneurship, franchising, leadership, and the power of serving others.

Jeremy’s journey began as a college student looking for a way to pay for school without taking on debt. He purchased a College Pro Painters franchise, where he learned firsthand what it takes to build and operate a business. That experience eventually led him into franchising leadership roles, where he has helped launch and support hundreds of franchise owners throughout his career.

Now leading brands within HorsePower Brands, Jeremy brings a unique perspective because he has experienced entrepreneurship from both sides: as an operator building his own business and as a leader helping others build theirs.

In this conversation, Jeremy shares his philosophy of “live it to lead it” — the belief that leaders must understand the realities of the people they serve by stepping into their world, experiencing their challenges, and earning trust through action.

They explore why influence is more powerful than control, why leaders must focus on serving rather than commanding, and why the best businesses are built through relationships, empathy, and shared success.

Jeremy also shares a powerful story from his early entrepreneurial journey when a major crisis tested him as a young business owner — and how that moment shaped the way he coaches and leads others today.

At the heart of this episode is a simple leadership lesson:

The best leaders don’t just tell people what to do. They understand, support, and serve the people they lead.

A powerful conversation for entrepreneurs, franchise owners, executives, and anyone looking to become a more impactful leader.

Jeremy Morgan

• Website - https://horsepowerbrands.com/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremynmorgan

• Email - [email protected]

• Groovy News - https://horsepowerbrands.com/groovy-hues-is-painting-the-future-with-new-leadership/

• Bumblebee Blinds - https://www.bumblebeeblinds.com/

Madeleine MacRae

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

What does it take to build successful businesses across decades, industries, and different roles?

On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae sits down with Rob White, Brand President of Monster Tree Service at Authority Brands, for a conversation about leadership, franchising, entrepreneurship, and the power of bringing out the best in others.

Rob’s career has taken him through almost every side of the franchise world. He began as a corporate leader, then took the leap into business ownership by purchasing a Rainbow Restoration franchise. After growing that business successfully, he was invited to become a brand president, eventually leading franchise systems and later becoming a multi-unit FastSigns owner.

In this conversation, Rob shares what he has learned from seeing business ownership from multiple perspectives — as an operator, franchisor, advisor, and executive leader.

He explains that while he may not be the person building signs or repairing homes himself, his true gift is recognizing the talents of others and creating environments where people can use those gifts to succeed.

Rob and Madeleine explore why people don’t want to fail, why leaders should look at systems and processes before blaming individuals, and how providing the right time, tools, and training can transform performance.

At the heart of this episode is Rob’s leadership philosophy:

“People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”

A powerful conversation for entrepreneurs, franchise owners, executives, and leaders who want to build stronger businesses by investing in their people.

Rob White

• Website – https://www.monstertreeservice.com/

• Website – https://www.authoritybrands.com/

• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-white-trexlo

• Email – [email protected] or [email protected]

Madeleine MacRae

• Website – https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

What does it take to stop building someone else’s legacy and start building your own?

On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae sits down with Klay Hafeez, entrepreneur and franchise owner, to talk about his journey from corporate leadership to building a portfolio of successful home service businesses.

Klay spent years leading high-pressure, multimillion-dollar divisions in the oil and gas industry before realizing he wanted ownership, control over his time, and the ability to create his own future.

That realization led him into entrepreneurship, beginning with real estate development before expanding into franchising. Today, Klay owns multiple franchise businesses across the home services industry, including Mr. Handyman, Bath Tune-Up, AirServe Heating and Cooling, and Kitchen Tune-Up.

In this conversation, Klay shares the story behind his ambitious goal of “10 in 10”, his commitment to building 10 businesses in 10 years, and the mindset required to keep growing while staying grounded in purpose.

He also opens up about the responsibility that comes with entrepreneurship, including supporting employees and their families, building a strong culture, and creating a company where people feel like they truly belong.

At the heart of Klay’s success is a belief that leadership starts with understanding the why. He believes people don’t just need direction, they need connection, purpose, and a reason to care.

This episode is about taking the leap, creating a legacy, empowering others, and building a future you can be proud of.

Klay Hafeez

• Website - https://www.mrhandyman.ca/west-calgary/

• LinkedIn - https://ca.linkedin.com/in/klayhafeez

Madeleine MacRae

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

What does success really mean when you've stopped measuring it purely by money?

On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae sits down with Jeremy Owens, a third-generation remodeling professional, entrepreneur, and host of Construction Executive Live, for a deeply personal conversation about purpose, time freedom, legacy, and finding your why.

Jeremy grew up in the remodeling business, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father. After briefly stepping into the corporate world, he quickly realized that building something of his own was where he belonged.

Today, his work extends beyond running a remodeling business. He's passionate about connecting people across the construction industry, challenging outdated perceptions of the trades, and helping people recognize that there are many different paths to a fulfilling career.

Jeremy and Madeleine explore why people need to understand their individual strengths, why the traditional definition of success can leave people feeling empty, and why time freedom and legacy have become such important parts of his own vision for the future.

They also talk openly about the pressure of entrepreneurship, mental health, finding your personal "why," and the responsibility leaders have to create environments where people can do meaningful work.

At the heart of this conversation is Jeremy's personal success equation: time freedom, being confidently on the right path, continuous growth, meaningful connections, and creating a lasting legacy.

A thoughtful conversation for entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, parents, and anyone questioning whether the life they're building is actually the life they want.

Jeremy Owens

• Website -https://usconstructionzone.com/

• LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-owens-2786a32a

• Email: [email protected]

• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-zone/id1591470553

Madeleine MacRae

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

• Book: The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough - https://www.amazon.com/Tenacious-Pursuit-Peace-Success-Enough/dp/B0CQVLWLBG

How do you turn an ordinary service into a business that creates extraordinary impact?

On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae speaks with Bruce Kozak, entrepreneur and owner of Bin There Dump That, about his journey from the corporate steel industry to building a business designed around serving people during some of life’s biggest transitions.

After being laid off from his corporate career, Bruce began searching for a business opportunity that matched his experience and passion. He discovered a gap in the dumpster rental market: customers needed a more personal, residential-friendly experience instead of a transactional service. That realization led him and his wife to build a company focused on making cleanouts, renovations, and major life changes easier for customers.

Bruce shares the lessons he learned while growing the business, including the importance of understanding your customers, building a strong team culture, and creating an environment where people can thrive.

Together, Madeleine and Bruce explore how trust, honesty, and respect became the foundation of his company, why hiring the right people is an ongoing learning process, and how entrepreneurs can use challenges as opportunities to grow.

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful reminder: the value of a business is not just in what it provides, but in how it makes people feel.

This episode is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders looking to build companies that create real value — for customers, employees, and communities.

Bruce Kozak

• Website - https://www.bintheredumpthat.com/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-a-kozak-6948499/

Madeleine MacRae

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

What does it really take to push past the fear of failure, bet on yourself, and build an organization that can run without you?

On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae sits down with entrepreneur Thomas Scott, who grew from working as a newspaper journalist in his twenties into a top-performing franchisee who eventually bought and expanded a home staging business to 100 locations.

Thomas shares how he brings a strong focus on professional development into small business, using behavioral profiles like DISC to improve communication, and the importance of hiring people to handle your weaknesses. He also opens up about the challenges of managing clashing leadership styles in a partnership, moving past the mental garbage that clouds your capacity, and building an organization where you can successfully fire yourself from the day-to-day jobs.

They explore why fear keeps so many people stuck in the mud, how giving employees stewardship and trust can transform your leadership, and why true success requires more than simply accumulating wealth.

This conversation is about building something meaningful: a business that allows you to design your own lifestyle, stay true to your vision, and serve as a catalyst for prosperity for the people and communities around you.

Thomas Scott

• Home Run Franchises- https://homerunfranchises.com/

• Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/officialthomasscott_/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomscott

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@officialthomasscott

Madeleine MacRae

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough

What does it really take to turn a small business into something built to last?

On this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae sits down with entrepreneur Rick Locke, who grew from owning a single-location business with 12 employees into a nine-location operation across five states generating roughly $60 million in annual revenue.

Rick shares how he brought corporate-level discipline into small business, using clear KPIs, stronger hiring practices, and a deeper understanding of what actually motivates employees. He also opens up about the challenges of managing different markets and cultures, staying ahead of innovation, and building a company strong enough to create opportunities for the next generation of his family.

They explore why skills alone aren’t enough when hiring, how understanding an employee’s values can transform leadership, and why sustainable growth requires more than simply chasing revenue.

This conversation is about building something enduring: a business that creates value for customers, employees, partners, and the people who may one day carry it forward.

Rick Locke 

• https://www.windowshowroom.com/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rlocke001

Madeleine MacRae

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough https://www.amazon.com/Tenacious-Pursuit-Peace-Success-Enough/dp/B0CQVLWLBG

Building something meaningful requires more than a great idea. It takes grit, adaptability, strong people, and the willingness to challenge what worked yesterday.

In this episode of Bold Enough, Madeleine MacRae talks with Kelley Hoven, Brand President of Gatsby Glass, about what it really takes to build and scale an emerging franchise brand.

Drawing from more than 30 years in sales and marketing and over two decades in franchising, Kelley shares the lessons she’s learned from supporting franchise owners, operating a business herself, and helping build Gatsby Glass from the ground up.

They discuss why having the right mindset matters more than having previous industry experience, the importance of hiring and empowering great people, and why Kelley actively welcomes dissenting opinions from her team. She also opens up about Gatsby Glass’s evolution, the hurdles that forced the company to rethink its franchise model, and the strategy behind its continued expansion.

The conversation ultimately comes back to a bigger question: What actually defines success?

For Kelley, it’s no longer about a title or salary. It’s about waking up with gratitude, doing work she loves, becoming someone others trust, empowering people around her to succeed, and continuing to look for the opportunities ahead.

A conversation about leadership, growth, grit, and being bold enough to never become too comfortable with the status quo.

Kelley Hoven

• Website - https://www.gatsbyglass.com/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelleyhoven

Madeleine MacRae

• Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/

• Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough