Bold Enough

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Ashley Peterson, co-founder of Blue Mist Paint & Supply, a family-run paint and supply store in Greenville, South Carolina. What started as a renovation side hustle evolved through countless pivots, lessons, and leaps of faith into a thriving small business and community favorite.

Ashley opens up about leaving behind a comfortable job in healthcare to pursue entrepreneurship with her husband, Heath, the challenges of bringing a new paint brand to her region, and how “time freedom” became her truest measure of success. She also shares what it’s like to homeschool her son while running a brick-and-mortar store, and how each chapter of her journey is about more than paint, it’s about family, courage, and building a legacy.

If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to build a legacy business without sacrificing the moments that matter most, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways

• How Ashley turned a home renovation idea into a full-service paint and supply business
• Why embracing pivots can lead to unexpected growth
• The importance of time freedom in defining true success
• How bringing a 100-year-old paint brand to South Carolina became a bold business move
• The joy of being featured on a magazine cover and winning “Best of South Carolina”
• Why entrepreneurship is as much about family and values as it is about profits
• Ashley's personal "success algorithm" that balances achievement, relationships, and purpose.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to Ashley Peterson
• [01:19] How Blue Mist began and evolved through multiple pivots
• [03:18] Why paint became their perfect product
• [04:24] The dream that sparked their leap into business
• [05:06] Defining success beyond cars and houses
• [06:37] Facing the challenge of introducing a new paint brand
• [09:29] The pride of seeing Blue Mist help expand a national brand
• [09:52] From small-town store to magazine cover and statewide award
• [12:21] Finding unexpected freedom and flexibility through entrepreneurship
• [13:32] Redefining success and celebrating the wins
• [20:24] Where to connect with Ashley

Notable Quotes

• [03:18] “Paint is colorful, it's fun, it's easy to change. If somebody likes it, that's wonderful. If they don't, it's easy and inexpensive to change.” - Ashley Peterson
• [04:32] “I had grown up with my mom telling me, you wanna go into healthcare, it's where the money is.” - Ashley Peterson
• [07:02] “I am the first one in the state of South Carolina to bring Dunn-Edwards Paints. You may know that paint line, but around here, people don’t know it. And when you don’t know something, you don’t trust it.”-  Ashley Peterson
• [08:49] “I remember when nobody knew the name. And now here we’re a brand that people demand.” - Ashley Peterson
• [13:40] “Most people that I know in my personal circle have hobby businesses, and that’s wonderful, and I hope that they’re successful.” - Ashley Peterson

Our Guest

Ashley Peterson is the co-founder of Blue Mist Paint & Supply, a woman- and family-owned paint and supply store based in Greenville, South Carolina. Alongside her husband, Heath, she has transformed a small renovation idea into a thriving business, blending creativity, courage, and community. Ashley is passionate about teaching her son entrepreneurship through their family business and about empowering others to build a life defined by purpose and freedom.

Resources and Links

Ashley Peterson

• Blue Mist Paint and Supply - https://bluemistpaintandsupply.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

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Oana Molodoi, founder of OM Drapes Design, a Southern California company creating custom window treatments for high-end homes and interior designers. Oana shares how she launched the business in 2020 during the pandemic with no industry experience, built a website with her husband, and on her very first appointment, walked away with a $5,000 check that confirmed she was on to something big.

She opens up about the ups and downs of growing fast, the challenges of being a solopreneur while raising a family, and the joy of becoming a role model for her kids. Oana and Madeleine talk about what the American dream really looks like, why taking time off is essential, and how strong relationships can often matter more than business strategy.

If you have ever wondered whether you can grow a business you love without sacrificing the people and values that matter most, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action.

Key Takeaways

• How starting from scratch during the pandemic turned into a thriving design business
• Why personal connection is the secret ingredient to long-term success
• Oana’s formula for balancing motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship
• The emotional labor of growing fast and why it’s worth it
• Why blocking vacation time might be the most productive thing you do
• How immigrant resilience and purpose-fueled work created Oana’s dream life
• Why “success” should include joy, love, and alignment, not just profits

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to Oana Molodoi 
• [02:44] How the pandemic sparked a bold career leap
• [04:43] Landing her first big client and building momentum
• [05:26] Balancing business growth and family life
• [07:02] A touching story about her daughter’s pride about the  business
• [10:58] The power of scheduling rest and connection
• [13:47] Unexpected gifts from client relationships
• [16:22] Living the American dream as a successful immigrant
• [18:17] Strategic risk, connection, and staying grounded
• [19:38] Oana’s definition of success
• [26:42] Where to connect with Oana

Notable Quotes

• [08:22] “Entrepreneurial life is like a stool. It's a three-legged stool. You've got your business, you've got your relationships, you've got your family, and there's three legs, but they're never even at the same time, it gets pretty wobbly.”— Madeline

• [11:03] "Every December, I actually take a spa day and I go and set my goals and think of my next year's strategy." — Oana 

• [15:15] "The universe cannot be outdone in generosity. When we pour it out and we give it and we give it, it's gonna come back to us" — Madeline McCrae

• [16:30] "We put our dreams in eight pieces of luggage and flew over the ocean." — Oana 

• [20:00] "I have an MBA and I look at it as a business. And when I first started this, I was thinking, oh, finally I get to put my MBA to work." — Oana 

• [20:43] "Success is really how accomplished you feel, how loved you feel, how well received you feel." — Oana 

Our Guest

Oana Molodoi is the founder of OM Drapes Design, a fast-growing window treatments company based in Southern California. Originally from Romania, Oana brings her deep background in advertising and her MBA education into every part of her business. Known for her creative eye and heart-centered leadership, she has built a brand rooted in connection, purpose, and empowerment.

Resources and Links

Oana Molodoi

• OM Drapes Design - https://omdrapesdesign.com/
• Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/oanamolodoi/?hl=en
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-molodoi

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

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Jordan Godbey, founder of Growth Community, to dive deep into the power of transformational communities. Jordan shares his unique entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in digital marketing to becoming a leading expert in building online communities. We explore how focusing on a single, powerful area of expertise can lead to monumental growth, both personally and professionally.

Jordan talks about the challenges and rewards of building a business that not only scales but supports a thriving community of like-minded individuals. He emphasizes the importance of personal development in entrepreneurship and how saying "no" to the good allows you to say "yes" to the great.

Key Takeaways

• Community plays a huge role in business growth and client transformation.
• Why focusing on a singular, niche business model can lead to mastery and recognition.
• How saying "no" to opportunities that don’t align with your vision leads to greater success.
• The importance of personal growth in entrepreneurship.
• Build a business that not only delivers profit but also fosters lasting relationships.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to Jordan Godbey
• [01:36] The power of community
• [03:06] The evolution of online communities
• [09:31] The importance of focus and specialization
• [15:36] Challenges and personal growth
• [21:36] Embracing your future self
• [22:05] The pain of rapid growth and the fast-moving river analogy
• [26:39] Entrepreneurship: an endurance game
• [32:59] Jordan’s definition of success
• [41:38] Final thoughts and farewell

Notable Quotes

• [13:58] " It felt very visceral to me that I was cutting off 99% of all opportunities out there because I was able to do so many things and I had done so many things and I was known for so many things, and so people did continue to come to me asking for these things, and I had to say, while I would like to take your money, while I could easily fulfill that, I am going to say no." — Jordan
• [17:28] " I am trying to achieve high growth and high identity change and figuring out, what is the ultimate form of what I can do and become? And there's a lot in that because it's not always about what I'm doing, but who I'm becoming and the identity around my future self as an entrepreneur, as a leader, as a person, as a man." — Jordan
• [30:28] “ Your business will never surpass your level of personal development, so wherever you have that bottleneck in your life, the thing that you're avoiding or you're ignoring or you won't seek help on, that is where you're going to stay stuck.”— Jordan
• [38:47] " In all of the dimensions of life, and one of the things that I've latched onto is just this simple quote, which is: progress equals happiness.” — Jordan

Our Guest

Jordan Godbey is the founder of GrowthCommunity, a platform that helps experts, coaches, and consultants scale their impact through transformational online communities. With a background in digital marketing and a passion for personal growth, Jordan specializes in creating community-driven businesses that foster real transformation, and his mission is to empower entrepreneurs to scale their businesses while growing personally and professionally.

Resources and Links

Jordan Godbey

• Website - https://jordangodbey.com/
• LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/jordangodbey
• GrowthCommunity - https://growthcommunity.co

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 if the key to escaping corporate burnout was sitting right next to you at the backyard firepit? 

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with serial entrepreneur Adam Berryman, who shares his journey from corporate burnout to owning multiple Budget Blinds franchises. Adam recounts how a casual conversation with his neighbor over a fire pit evolved into a thriving business partnership, allowing them to escape the constraints of their corporate careers. He discusses the strategic decision to enter franchising rather than starting from scratch, emphasizing the value of established systems and corporate support.

Adam opens up about the challenges of scaling, including the difficult lessons of holding onto the wrong team members for too long and the emotional complexity of leadership transitions. He also highlights the profound satisfaction of building a customer-centric culture, reflected in consistently glowing reviews. The conversation delves into the dynamics of a successful business partnership, where complementary strengths create balance and accountability.

Key Takeaways

• How a chance backyard conversation sparked Adam’s leap from corporate life into franchising
• Why Budget Blinds became the right fit after rejecting “uninteresting” ideas
• The painful lessons of holding on to the wrong hires, and how growth outpaces people
• Why letting go as a leader can feel like grief, and how to reframe it
• The joy of building a customer-first culture that fuels five-star reviews
• The power of partnerships: finding your yin to your yang in business
• Why defining success is both “yes and no” and how gratitude + growth drive the journey

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to Adam Berryman
• [02:43] Transition from corporate to franchising
• [05:32] Choosing franchising over starting from scratch
• [06:57] Unexpected hurdles: employee turnover
• [08:51] Team dynamics and business growth stages
• [10:05] Letting go as a leader
• [15:24] Growth, grief, and identity in entrepreneurship
• [20:21] The power of partnerships
• [24:32] Defining success: Adam’s perspective
• [29:18] Personal success algorithm
• [36:26] Closing thoughts and call to action

Notable Quotes

• [03:13] “We just decided that we were gonna try to go into business together... most of it we originally thought was just talk having a drink. Over time we just continued the conversations to the point where we actually executed on it.” — Adam
• [11:31] “We still continue to surprise ourselves with what we're able to accomplish... that customer experience is now so ingrained in our culture that it's so much fun.” — Adam 
• [12:48] “I could be having the worst day and everything's going sideways... and then I can reflect back on the Google reviews as they come through and it just changes everything.” — Adam 
• [18:23] “I just see the way things have been with really the economy from like really 08 on. The larger companies have just been grabbing everything... it's not good for us small businesses.” — Adam 
• [19:52] “I just hate seeing peers of mine struggle through things that I've been lucky enough to thrive through.” — Adam 
• [26:47] “I do really enjoy the business that I'm in and love to continue to grow and acquire more... I won't stop until something stops me.” — Adam 

Our Guest

Adam Berryman is a serial entrepreneur and multi-territory owner of Budget Blinds in San Diego, Palm Springs, and Nashville. After 13 years in corporate America, Adam leapt into franchising, scaling his business with a strong partner, a relentless growth mindset, and a passion for helping other entrepreneurs succeed.

Resources and Links

Adam Berryman

• https://franchise.budgetblinds.com/
• LinkedIn

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

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Adam Povlitz, President of Anago Cleaning Systems, to explore how a family founded business transformed into a disruptive $100M+ franchise brand and why the next target is $300 million.

Adam shares how Anago’s three tier franchise model turns the traditional structure on its head, creating unique synergy between master franchisees and unit franchisees. He opens up about starting at the bottom cleaning daycares, how the 2008 recession pushed him into the family business, and the lessons he has learned growing from reluctant successor to visionary CEO.

This conversation dives into servant leadership, innovative technology, hiring smarter people, and redefining success beyond revenue. Adam’s story is candid, inspiring, and tactical whether you are scaling a family business, leading through a crisis, or building a disruptive franchise.

Key Takeaways

• Why Anago’s three tier franchise model separates day and night businesses for efficiency and scalability
• How technology like CleanCom turns customer complaints into opportunities for loyalty
• Leadership lessons from starting in telemarketing and cleaning shifts to leading a $100M+ brand
• Why COVID 19 became a turning point for Adam’s leadership style
• The power of servant leadership and leadership duplication to inspire franchisees as fellow CEOs
• Hiring smarter people: moving from fear of hiring to building a powerhouse executive team
• Why success for Adam is measured by family, relationships, and personal growth, not just revenue

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to Adam Povlitz
• [01:29] Explaining the three-tier franchise model
• [02:51] Master vs. unit franchise roles
• [04:45] Benefits of the model & example success story
• [06:18] Adam’s personal journey to Anago
• [12:32] Leadership journey: from operator to CEO
• [13:10] Servant leadership & early career lessons
• [19:05] Building a high-performing team
• [21:39] The $100 million challenge
• [25:02] Unexpected delights of leadership
• [26:47] Introversion, extroversion, and leadership balance
• [28:20] Defining success
• [34:48] Closing & contact information

Notable Quotes

• [20:55] "I don't want to call it afraid, but uncomfortable in hiring, I went from someone uncomfortable in hiring to someone where, you know, you could dump me in any industry in any part of the country and tell me I need to hire any position and I can figure it out and be totally fine doing it." — Adam Povlitz

• [22:25] "I thought like I would feel different now that I have $100 million business. And I'm like, he goes, I know your problem. He goes, you're thinking about 200 million now." — Adam Povlitz

• [18:34] "As you ascend the proverbial ranks, you ascend those ranks because you're... The way you think is works. You know, your gut instincts are strong and they tell you what to do and they're usually accurate." — Adam Povlitz

• [29:54] "My dad said if you're not moving forward, you're falling behind. And so I always striving to do, you know, to be 1% better." — Adam Povlitz

• [25:38] "I was very shy in middle and high school. Probably even, you know, reasonably shy, but at least, you know, but. But in college, there was at least some beers that you could have, and you go, I'm not that shy." — Adam Povlitz

Our Guest

Adam Povlitz is the President of Anago Cleaning Systems, a national commercial cleaning franchisor with a unique three tier franchise model. Since joining the family business in 2009, he has helped scale it from $60 million to over $100 million in system wide revenue, with Vision 2028 aiming for $300 million. Adam is passionate about servant leadership, customer first innovation, and building teams that thrive.

Resources and Links

Adam Povlitz 

• https://anagocleaning.com/
• LinkedIn

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

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae welcomes Kelley Hoven, Brand President of Gatsby Glass, an emerging powerhouse in the glass solutions industry. With more than 30 years in sales and marketing, including 24 years in franchising, Kelley brings a rare blend of corporate acumen, entrepreneurial grit, and deep insight into what it takes to build a brand from the ground up.

Kelley shares her journey from corporate franchising to employee number one at Gatsby Glass, guiding the company from concept to national recognition. She and Madeleine explore the strategy behind building a luxury brand in a male-dominated field, the evolution from shower enclosures to large-scale commercial projects, and how "backbone" culture and intentional leadership fuel growth.

This conversation digs into the unexpected hurdles of franchising, the surprising joys of building a disruptive brand, and why true success is measured not just by money, but by joy, gratitude, empowerment, and lasting impact.

Key Takeaways

• Why franchising requires grit, will, and determination more than prior industry experience
• The hidden challenges of "semi-absentee" ownership and why involvement matters
• How Gatsby Glass turned disruption into strategy through elegant branding and innovation
• The role of "backbone" culture in creating empowered, collaborative teams
• Why a luxury brand must balance sophistication with strategy to serve its clients
• Lessons from franchising: You can teach skills, but you cannot teach drive

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to Kelley Hoven
• [04:15] Gatsby Glass origins and early strategy
• [05:37] Elevating beyond the status quo and brand sophistication
• [08:40] Entrepreneur Magazine recognition and team accolades
• [09:42] Hiring mistakes, growth mindset, and grit in franchising
• [15:19] Unexpected joys: disruption in local markets and team "backbone" culture
• [20:45] Scaling toward national dominance in glass solutions
• [22:48] Kelley’s definition of success
• [27:20] Gatsby Glass resources and how to connect

Notable Quotes

• [02:41] "I leverage my degree in industrial organizational psychology every day, and not many people can say that about their education." — Kelley Hoven
• [07:09] "Our motto is elegant, strong, innovative, and we live those values in every part of our business." — Kelley Hoven
• [09:48] "This is not a ten-hour-a-week job. If you do not hire the right people, you will quickly realize that franchising demands more." — Kelley Hoven
• [17:58] "I do not want to be the smartest person in the room. My team inspires me every day with their ideas and backbone." — Kelley Hoven
• [22:48] "For me, success means joy, gratitude, strong relationships, and empowering others, not just titles or salary." — Kelley Hoven

Our Guest

Kelley Hoven is the Brand President of Gatsby Glass, one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 150 Emerging Brands. With three decades of experience in sales, marketing, and franchising, Kelley has scaled businesses from both the corporate and ownership sides. Known for her intentional leadership and passion for elegant, strong, innovative solutions, Kelley is redefining what it means to build a disruptive luxury brand in a male-dominated industry.

Resources and Links

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

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae welcomes Rick Locke, CEO and industry leader in the fenestration space, who scaled his business from a single location to nine across five states, generating more than $60 million in annual revenue.

Rick opens up about the lessons he carried from the corporate world into small business ownership, from implementing KPIs that gave employees clarity and motivation, to learning how values and culture drive performance. He and Madeleine explore the highs and lows of acquisitions, hiring for alignment, and why building a drama-free culture is worth the tough calls.

They also geek out on cutting-edge window and door innovations, and Rick shares how staying at the forefront of product development keeps him energized both as an entrepreneur and as Chairman of the National Glass Association.

Key Takeaways

• Why corporate discipline and structure can transform small business success
• How KPIs and clear expectations create empowered employees
• The importance of hiring for values alignment, not just skills
• Why a “drama-free” culture is a growth accelerator
• Insights into dynamic window technologies reshaping the industry
• The underestimated role of personal values in employee motivation
• How building a legacy business opens doors for family succession

In This Episode

• [00:00]  Introduction to Rick Locke  
• [03:43]  Employee reactions to structure & KPIs  
• [05:13]  Hiring, fit, and drama-free culture  
• [08:35]  Smart glass & technology advancements  
• [12:48]  Unexpected delights & hurdles of business ownership  
• [13:21]  People, motivation, and values in hiring  
• [16:21]  Understanding employee motivations & personal stories  
• [20:16]  Defining success & building a lasting organization  
• [24:14]  Final reflections & podcast wrap-up  

Notable Quotes

• [06:22] “We had employees say, ‘I’ve never had KPIs before.’ In the corporate world it’s standard, but in small business, it was revolutionary.” — Rick Locke
• [12:19] “Hiring someone who doesn’t fit your culture creates drama every single day. It’s just not worth it.” — Madeleine MacRae
• [20:11] “Windows used to be static points in your wall. Now they’re dynamic, adjusting to light and heat; it’s like science fiction becoming real.” — Rick Locke
• [35:47] “What really matters is understanding people’s values. Skills get you in the door, but values determine success.” — Rick Locke
• [42:55] “Success for me means building something enduring, creating lasting value, and leaving a family legacy.” — Rick Locke

Our Guest

Rick Locke is the CEO of a multi-location fenestration business spanning five states and generating $60M+ in annual revenue. With a background in corporate leadership, Rick brought systems, structure, and clarity into small business — scaling with purpose while building a drama-free culture. He currently serves as Chairman of the National Glass Association and is passionate about innovation, product development, and creating a family legacy within his business.

Resources and Links

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

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with franchise leader and lifelong entrepreneur Thomas Scott, founder of Home Run Franchises. With over 20 years of experience scaling businesses and empowering franchisees, Thomas shares his remarkable journey from a newspaper journalist in New Orleans to running three rapidly growing national franchise brands, (Up Closets, Dryer Vent Superheroes, and The Lighting Squad).

Thomas opens up about what he got wrong in partnerships, how learning to adapt his communication style transformed his leadership, and why he believes success is less about external validation and more about helping others win. He and Madeleine explore everything from generational leadership gaps to the unseen impact of mental clutter and the underestimated emotional labor of entrepreneurship.

This episode is packed with real talk about failure, trust, and how clarity of purpose creates unstoppable momentum.

Key Takeaways

• Why betting on yourself is the best investment you'll ever make
• How silence and listening can transform strained relationships
• The mindset shift every young entrepreneur needs in a post-COVID world
• Why doing $500/hour work starts with delegating $15/hour tasks
• How to lead a team that feels trusted, not micromanaged
• Why failure isn’t fatal and might be your best teacher
• The underrated value of helping others design the life they want

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to Thomas Scott
• [03:55] The value and challenges of partnerships
• [04:45] Betting on yourself and early entrepreneurship
• [10:18] Mindset, capacity, and ripple effect of entrepreneurship
• [11:07] Developing talent and leadership in small business
• [12:09] The power and scale of small business
• [13:05] Profitability and redefining success in small business
• [19:35] Overcoming fear of failure and embracing setbacks
• [27:30] Defining and measuring success
• [32:19] Closing and where to find Thomas Scott

Notable Quotes

• [05:16] "The best investment you’re ever going to make, the best bet you’re ever going to make, is on yourself.”  — Madeleine MacRae
• [06:17] "If you’re really not afraid or you’re just not consumed with fear of failure, you’ll succeed because business isn’t that hard if you focus on the fundamentals." — Thomas Scott
• [09:57] “The worst people to ask for advice about starting a business? Your friends and family.” — Thomas Scott
• [11:43] "It’s very fulfilling to develop other people. If you focus on that as part of your business, it cascades way down to your customers."  Madeleine MacRae
• [20:46] "Failure is not final and it’s not fatal. In most cases, it’s just temporary." — Madeleine MacRae
• [28:43] "When you’re early, you feel like you have imposter syndrome. All these people know more than I do. They don’t. They’re just people like you." — Thomas Scott

Our Guest

Thomas Scott is the CEO and founder of Home Run Franchises, a franchise platform company behind fast-growing brands like Up Closets, Dryer Vent Superheroes, and The Lighting Squad. After launching his career as a newspaper journalist, Thomas transitioned into business ownership and has since helped hundreds of franchisees scale with purpose. He’s a coach, strategist, storyteller and a catalyst for prosperity in others.

Resources and Links

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

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, Madeleine MacRae speaks with Bruce Kozak, co-founder of Bin There, Dump That, a residential dumpster rental franchise. After getting laid off from his job in the steel industry, Bruce and his wife, Loy, decided to start a business that helps people clear out clutter during major life changes like downsizing, divorce, or loss.

Bruce explains how they built a service that’s focused on people, not just hauling junk. He talks about what they got wrong early on, especially around hiring, and how they’ve built a team based on trust, respect, and clear communication. He also shares how his view of success has changed. It’s not about chasing growth at all costs. It’s about enjoying the work, having time for family, and building something that lasts.

Bruce is honest about the challenges and open about the mindset shifts that helped him move forward. If you’re building a business or thinking about what kind of work you want to do, this conversation has a lot to offer. It’s a real look at what it means to grow with purpose and lead with values.

Key Takeaways

• Why clutter is more than mess, it’s mental weight, and how removing it can feel like freedom
• The power of customer empathy in "unseen" industries
• Why hiring is hard, and how to look for aligned attitudes over perfect resumes
• The three values that underpin Bruce’s leadership: Respect, Trust, and Honesty
• How to lead a team that mirrors your mission and elevates customer experience
• The hidden emotional labor behind life transitions and how a business can serve through it
• That success isn’t always material; sometimes it’s joy in the work and time with the people you love

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to Bruce Kozak
• [05:00] The story behind “Bin There, Dump That”
• [08:45] The psychological relief of decluttering
• [12:14] Unexpected joys of building a mission-driven business
• [17:37] Struggles with hiring, alignment, and cultural fit
• [20:28] Customer friction, emotional labor, and service recovery
• [24:30] The nobility of serving through “humble” work
• [27:56] Bruce’s definition of success
• [35:37] Where to find Bruce

Notable Quotes

• [12:54] "Train them well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to." — Bruce Kozak
• [16:08] "Your team always mirrors you. You're going to bring what you bring." — Madeleine MacRae
• [20:30] "Agility is one of those very under-discussed component parts of building a business." — Madeleine MacRae
• [26:03] "Being in deep service of something other people would discard, that’s powerful." — Madeleine MacRae
• [29:08] "Testing yourself, realizing your limitations, and working on that: to me, yes, that’s success." — Bruce Kozak

Our Guest

Bruce Kozak is the co-owner of Bin There, Dump That – Pittsburgh & Northeast Ohio, a franchise providing residential-friendly dumpster rental services. With a background in steel and a heart for service, Bruce and his wife Loy Kozak built their business on values that reflect their marriage: Trust, respect, and honesty. Their mission is about more than hauling junk; it’s about helping people through life transitions with dignity and care.

Resources and Links

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

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Jeremy Owens, third-generation contractor and founder of US Construction Zone, for a powerful conversation on redefining success, reclaiming your time, and building a legacy that lasts beyond business.

Jeremy shares how growing up in a multi-generational remodeling family shaped his perspective, and how a brief foray into corporate life confirmed that he was built for entrepreneurship. Through the pandemic, he discovered his true “why”: fostering connection, highlighting the nobility of construction, and creating community across an often overlooked industry.

This episode goes deeper than business strategy... Madeleine and Jeremy explore how mental health, education, and individual strengths all play a role in leading teams well and building businesses that are both profitable and purposeful. It’s a raw, real look at what it means to lead with heart, while still growing with intention.

Key Takeaways

• Why your “zone of brilliance” matters more than your résumé
• The untold nobility of working in trades and construction
• How legacy, not just revenue, can become your leadership north star
• Why your child’s education path shouldn’t start with a 4-year college
• Mental health red flags every entrepreneur should watch for
• The surprising power of asking: “Do I still know my why?”

In This Episode

• [00:00] Introduction to Jeremy Owens
• [04:01] The radical transformation of the construction industry
• [06:38] How COVID sparked Jeremy’s passion for connection
• [09:08] US Construction Zone and building industry community
• [10:57] Fighting stereotypes in the trades
• [12:46] Rethinking education, college, and career paths
• [15:38] Recognizing and developing early strengths
• [20:30] The real ROI of aligning work with your passion
• [28:07] Jeremy’s Success Algorithm
• [33:01] Burnout, boundaries, and mental health in leadership
• [35:21] Final thoughts + where to connect with Jeremy

Notable Quotes

• [05:56] “During COVID, we lost kind of our connection piece as an industry. The conferences weren't happening, people weren't connecting. So really, it started with a desire to network and connect with my peers.” — Jeremy Owens
• [07:12] “It's really about having a curious mind, right? It's that curiosity of wanting to know more, but the real reason behind it is legacy. Will my kids be proud of me when I'm all done?” — Jeremy Owens
• [25:01] “If you don't find out what makes people tick, then you're not going to be able to motivate people properly and make them happy.” — Jeremy Owens
• [26:56] “People buy your why. They don't buy the product or service.” — Jeremy Owens

Our Guest

Jeremy Owens is a third-generation contractor, podcast host, and founder of US Construction Zone, a growing digital community for construction professionals. With over two decades in the industry, Jeremy is a fierce advocate for mental health, trades-based careers, and redefining leadership through legacy, not just numbers. His mission is to change the conversation in construction, one connection at a time.

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

Mentioned 

• Book: Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham - https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Your-Strengths-Marcus-Buckingham/dp/0743201140
• Book: Start With Why by Simon Sinek - https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447
• Gallup StrengthFinder - https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx