In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Shannon Payne, Co-Founder and CEO of Allied Fire Protection, for a conversation about building a life safety company from the ground up and the discipline it takes to grow one steadily over nearly three decades. Shannon frames his work simply, describing a business dedicated to saving lives and protecting property through the engineering, construction, service, and maintenance of fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems.

Shannon shares how the company began in 1998 with three people in a Pearland garage, a lifelong friendship, and a mentor’s early advice about mastering operations as the true heart of any business. He walks through the growth that followed, from the first offices on Telephone Road to expansion across Texas and eventually into markets like Nashville and Tampa, all achieved organically. He also speaks candidly about weathering back to back black swan events, including 9/11 and the financial crisis, and how deep customer relationships allowed Allied to remain profitable even through steep downturns.

The conversation covers the themes that have defined Shannon’s approach to leadership, starting with a commitment to hiring for values first and the story of how a rebranding effort surfaced the company’s real mission by asking team members and customers who Allied truly was. He and Chris discuss the challenge of keeping culture consistent across regions, the importance of learning to let go and empower others, and the value of building in a pro business state like Texas. Shannon is also honest about hard lessons, including the million dollar cost of commodity swings in steel and pipe, and the transparency he brought to his team afterward along with the strategy he adopted to protect the company going forward.

Shannon also talks about innovation in an industry that struggles to find skilled people, describing how Allied built talent acquisition and training programs that reach into high schools, military bases, and colleges to introduce young people to a career path, along with a rotational development program aimed at growing the next generation of leaders. Throughout, he returns to a principle he once taught his son, to say what you can do and do what you say, as the foundation of trust and lasting customer loyalty.

For business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders interested in disciplined growth, building a values driven culture, navigating economic uncertainty, and solving the talent challenges facing the trades, this episode offers a grounded and practical look at how a garage startup became a company operating across Texas and beyond.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Julie Friedman, founder of Young + Wild and Friedman and known to many as the Play Dough Lady, for a conversation about turning a personal challenge into a thriving product company. Julie shares how her search for a way to help her young daughter, who struggled with a speech disorder and anxiety, led her to homemade sensory play and, almost by accident, to building a nationally recognized brand.

Julie walks through the early days of mixing Play Dough in her kitchen, packing hundreds of kits across every room of her house, and hauling pallets of bins and fifty pound bags of flour with three small kids in tow. She talks candidly about the moment she realized this was a real business, the viral growth that took off on Instagram, and the tenacity and passion that kept her from giving up even when it would have been easier to walk away.

The conversation covers the practical lessons of scaling a company that grew faster than anyone expected, including learning to let go of control one finger at a time, hiring the right people, and building a supply chain with backup plans after being burned by a single source. Julie also opens up about the family that runs her Play Dough factory today, the culture of love and loyalty she has built with her team and customers, and the leadership style that favors trusting her gut and moving quickly over overanalyzing every decision.

Along the way, Julie reflects on balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, the importance of asking for help and leaning on a supportive spouse and business partner, and the surreal milestone of launching her line into eighteen hundred Target stores. She shares why authenticity has been at the heart of her brand from the beginning and how she recharges each summer by unplugging in Montana.

For entrepreneurs, mompreneurs, and anyone who has ever turned a personal passion into something bigger than they imagined, this episode offers an honest and inspiring look at resilience, growth, and staying true to yourself while building a business from scratch.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik welcomes back Bethany Andell, President and CEO of Savage Brands, for a conversation marking five years of the podcast. Bethany was one of the first guests on the show, and her return offers a timely opportunity to reflect on how much the business landscape has shifted and what it now takes to lead, grow, and build a meaningful brand in an era defined by relentless change.

Bethany shares how the fundamental challenge for leaders has moved from planning for change to planning through it, and what that shift means for decision making, team communication, and company culture. She explains why the velocity of today’s business environment creates new pressures around trust, both within organizations and in the marketplace, and why the leaders who thrive are the ones who can project confidence and direction even when the answers are not fully clear.

The conversation covers the intersection of brand building and artificial intelligence in depth. Bethany makes a compelling case for why AI makes brand more important, not less, because trust and authenticity become the differentiating factors in a world where execution is increasingly commoditized. She also introduces the idea of thinking about AI not as a tool but as a teammate, and what it looks like when companies begin designing their organizations around how work gets done rather than around traditional roles and titles.

Bethany and Chris also get into the importance of investing in personal brands and individual thought leadership, the power of internal influencer research to drive organizational change, and the discipline required to let go of what no longer fits in order to double down on core strengths. Throughout the episode, Bethany brings a perspective shaped by years of helping companies find and amplify what makes them genuinely distinct in competitive markets.

For entrepreneurs, executives, marketers, and anyone thinking seriously about culture, brand, and leadership in a fast moving world, this episode offers a candid and grounded look at what it means to build something real when everything around you keeps shifting.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Bonnie Moss, President and CEO of MBCO, a civil engineering, surveying, and subsurface utility engineering firm she founded nearly 11 years ago. Drawing on close to three decades of industry experience across Texas, Bonnie shares what ultimately pushed her from regional manager to business owner, and how sometimes the best entrepreneurial decisions are the ones you make before you have time to overthink them.

Bonnie walks through the real lessons of transitioning from engineer to business owner, including learning the hard way about accounts receivable, reading profit and loss statements, and the critical difference between being able to do a project and actually making money on it. She also reflects on the growth pains that come with scaling too quickly, what happens when business development takes a back seat to delivering work, and why hiring slowly and controlling costs are two disciplines she wishes she had internalized sooner.

The conversation covers how MBCO built its culture around core values, autonomy, and a willingness to embrace failure without shame. Bonnie talks about adapting the organizational chart to fit the people on the team, surrounding herself with those who are stronger in areas she is not, and learning to lead by listening more than speaking. She also addresses the emerging pressures facing the engineering industry, from artificial intelligence automating design alternatives to autonomous grading equipment changing jobsite operations, as well as the importance of client diversification when government agency budgets slow down.

Bonnie also touches on leadership fatigue as a real and underappreciated risk for founders, the value of programs like Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses for early stage entrepreneurs, and why growing fast is not the same as growing well. Her advice to anyone thinking about starting their own company is grounded and direct: control your cash, seek counsel from people who have been through it, and trust your gut.

If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or aspiring founder in the engineering or professional services space, this episode offers a candid and practical look at what it actually takes to build a firm from the ground up, sustain it through setbacks, and position it for long term growth in the Texas market.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Joey Evans, head of business development, government relations, and transportation technology at TNW Corporation, for a conversation about an industry that quietly keeps Texas - and the rest of America - running. Joey introduces listeners to the world of short-line railroading and explains how TNW’s four Texas railroads, located in Gonzales, Dumas, Brownwood, and at the Port of Victoria, serve as the critical first and last mile of freight movement across the state.

Joey breaks down how short-line railroads fit into the national transportation network, why one rail car effectively removes four trucks from the highway, and what makes TNW’s operation distinctive - including its flagship Dumas facility, which has grown into the largest privately owned rail car storage facility in North America. He also shares how the company built its proprietary technology platform, MyTNW, to give customers real-time visibility into their entire fleet, and how TNW has continued to push innovation in an industry that has historically lagged behind when it comes to technology adoption.

The conversation covers TNW’s approach to customer relationships, strategic planning, and staying nimble in the face of shifting market conditions and geopolitical uncertainty. Joey also discusses his work as president of the Texas Shortline Railroad Association and the significance of newly passed state legislation that lays the groundwork for dedicated state funding to complement federal infrastructure grants - funding that could accelerate rail upgrades across Texas by years and help the state compete with neighboring states that already have these programs in place.

Joey also speaks candidly about his own leadership journey, from starting as a railroad conductor with no college degree to growing into a strategic role, and how mentorship, faith, and a shift away from purely transactional thinking have shaped the leader he is today. He talks about the importance of building a personal brand early in a career, the value of servant leadership, and why asking for help is a sign of courage rather than weakness.

For business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders interested in Texas infrastructure, economic growth, logistics, and what it takes to build a service-driven company with deep roots and long-term vision, this episode offers a compelling and eye-opening look at an industry that touches nearly everything - even if most people never think about it.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Ryan Walsh, CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, for a conversation about Houston’s growing role as one of the country’s premier destinations for major sporting events.

Ryan explains the mission of the Sports Authority, how the organization helps attract and support events like the Super Bowl, Final Four, World Baseball Classic, and FIFA World Cup, and why those events create meaningful economic impact across the region. He also shares how Houston’s venues, hospitality industry, public partners, and business community work together to deliver large-scale events that showcase the city on a national and global stage.

The conversation takes a deep look at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Houston, including what residents and visitors can expect from Houston Stadium, the Fan Fest in EaDo, international fan culture, and the once-in-a-generation opportunity for Houston to welcome the world. Ryan also discusses why 2026 may become the biggest sports year in Houston’s history and how the city is preparing for a summer that will put its food, culture, diversity, and collaborative spirit on full display.

Chris and Ryan also talk about leadership, building the right team, creating a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration, and preparing an organization for high-pressure moments where execution matters.

If you are interested in Houston business, sports tourism, leadership, and the impact major events can have on a city’s economy and identity, this episode offers a timely and insightful look at how Houston is getting ready for the world stage.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Brad Coleman, Owner and CEO of Safeway Driving, for a conversation that goes far beyond driver’s education. Brad shares his remarkable journey from racing professionally in NASCAR to leading one of Texas’s most established driving schools, and how that transition became the foundation for a purpose-driven business.

Brad talks about how his passion for cars and driver safety first took shape, what he learned competing at the highest levels of motorsports, and how those lessons carried into entrepreneurship, leadership, and business growth. He also explains how Safeway Driving has evolved from a traditional local driving school into a modern franchise operation with a strong reputation, innovative curriculum, and a measurable impact on driver safety across Texas.

Along the way, the conversation explores topics like overcoming adversity, building the right team, protecting company culture, balancing accountability with empathy, and growing a business without compromising quality. Brad also offers candid insight into the pressure of racing, the mindset required to get back behind the wheel after a serious crash, and how confidence and preparation can make all the difference, both in business and on the road.

It’s a compelling episode about resilience, reinvention, and what it looks like to build a business that is both scalable and deeply meaningful. For business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders looking for lessons in growth, culture, and long-term vision, this conversation delivers plenty to take away.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Chris Howard, founder and CEO of Softeq Development, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and building a technology company over nearly three decades.

Chris shares how he started his business after leaving IBM, the early risks he took, and the lessons he learned while growing Softeq into a full-stack engineering firm working across hardware, software, and emerging technologies. He explains how a mindset of constant learning has been critical to staying relevant in an industry that continues to evolve at a rapid pace.  

Chris and Chris discuss what innovation looks like in practice, how business owners can think about adopting new technologies, and why curiosity and adaptability are essential traits for long-term success. The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence is changing the way companies operate and what leaders should be doing today to prepare for what comes next.

The discussion also highlights lessons in hiring, culture, and leadership, including how to build teams that can grow with the business and deliver consistent results over time.

If you are interested in entrepreneurship, technology, and leading a business through constant change, this episode offers practical insight from a founder who has done it for nearly 30 years.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Erin Gajdalo, CEO of Pluralsight, for a conversation about leadership, company transformation, and the challenges of scaling technology businesses.

Erin shares the story of her first year leading Pluralsight and the dramatic changes the company has undergone. After stepping into the role, she faced a lender takeover, the need to rebuild the executive team, and the challenge of resetting the organization’s culture and go-to-market structure to return the business to growth.

Chris and Erin discuss the realities many startups and SaaS companies face after periods of rapid expansion, including how leaders must align teams around clear priorities, understand where to invest resources, and make difficult decisions during a turnaround. Erin also explains how her leadership style evolved as the company worked through its transformation.

The conversation also explores how organizations are responding to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Erin explains how Pluralsight helps companies develop technology skills, build AI literacy across their workforce, and ensure employees understand how to effectively use emerging tools.

This episode offers insight into leadership, culture, and the decisions required to guide organizations through periods of change and transformation.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Steve Montgomery, President and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, for a conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and the growth of one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.

Steve brings more than three decades of experience in both the private and public sectors. Before leading the Fort Worth Chamber, he helped build and grow a healthcare information technology company, joining as the fourth employee and helping scale the business before its eventual sale. That experience shaped his perspective on entrepreneurship, small business challenges, and the importance of building strong teams.

Chris and Steve discuss the mission of the Fort Worth Chamber and its role in advocating for businesses, connecting companies with opportunities, and helping create an environment where businesses can grow and thrive. Steve explains why Fort Worth is experiencing significant growth, pointing to the city’s expanding population, available land for development, and its strategic location within the Texas economy.

The conversation also explores leadership lessons from building startups, including hiring philosophy, the importance of culture, and the value of adaptability in growing organizations. Steve shares insights from his work with businesses across Fort Worth, along with trends he’s hearing from local leaders as they navigate economic uncertainty and global market pressures.

If you are interested in entrepreneurship, leadership development, and the factors driving business growth across Texas, this episode offers valuable perspective from someone working directly with companies every day.

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