Built for This

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Jordan Levine, President and Chief Operating Officer of Stretch Zone, to explore what it really takes to build a franchise brand that scales without losing the personal touch that makes it successful.

Drawing on more than 25 years of franchise leadership across brands including Cold Stone Creamery, Massage Envy, Amazing Lash Studio, Sola Salons, and now Stretch Zone, Jordan shares the lessons he's learned about sustainable growth, leadership, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs. From helping expand franchise systems to supporting thousands of business owners, he explains why the strength of a franchise is ultimately determined by the people behind it.

Throughout the conversation, Jordan reflects on his journey from working behind the counter at Cold Stone Creamery as a teenager to leading some of the country's fastest-growing franchise organizations. He discusses how successful franchise systems balance consistency with local ownership, why selecting the right franchisees matters more than finding the perfect location, and how strong leadership and operational support create lasting success.

Carly and Jordan also explore customer experience, recurring revenue models, scaling company culture, leadership development, and the importance of making decisions that serve both franchise owners and the customers they support. They also discuss Stretch Zone's mission to bring assisted stretching into the mainstream through education, research, and measurable health outcomes.

Whether you're building a franchise, growing a business, or leading a team through expansion, this episode offers practical insights into scaling with intention while keeping people at the center of every decision.

Great Franchise Systems Are Built Around Great People

Customer Experience Must Grow Alongside the Business

Culture Is a Competitive Advantage

"The franchisee matters more than the location."

"When sales is done right, it feels really good because you're matching a real problem with a real solution."

"You can make decisions that are good for the business but bad for the customer. In the long run, those are actually bad decisions for the business."

Jordan Levine is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Stretch Zone and a franchise executive with more than 25 years of experience building and scaling some of the most successful franchise brands in the United States. Throughout his career, he has helped grow organizations including Cold Stone Creamery, Massage Envy, Amazing Lash Studio, and Sola Salons, where he played a key role in expanding the brand to more than 720 locations while empowering thousands of independent business owners.

Known for his people-first leadership style, Jordan focuses on creating systems that support franchisees, strengthen customer experiences, and drive sustainable long-term growth. His passion for developing entrepreneurs and building high-performing franchise organizations continues to shape the next chapter of Stretch Zone's expansion.

https://www.stretchzone.com/the-stretch-zone-effect

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaustinlevine/

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Chad Bauer, President and Owner of SR&B Advertising, to explore why the greatest barrier to business growth is often the leader behind it.

After acquiring the family business from his father, Chad faced the challenge of preserving a 60-year legacy while transforming SR&B into a modern, performance-driven marketing agency. What he discovered was that sustainable growth wasn't simply about implementing better systems or refining strategy. It required a fundamental shift in his own leadership.

Throughout the conversation, Chad shares how developing greater self-awareness, learning to delegate, and trusting his team became the catalyst for transforming both the business and its culture. He explains how SR&B built an environment rooted in ownership, transparency, continuous learning, and genuine human connection, resulting in an extraordinary 94% client retention rate and a business that has grown entirely through referrals.

Carly and Chad also explore succession planning, healthy workplace conflict, leadership development, documenting scalable systems, and creating meeting rhythms that encourage accountability without unnecessary bureaucracy. At the heart of the discussion is the belief that great cultures aren't created through mission statements alone. They're built through leaders who are willing to grow themselves first.

Whether you're leading a family business, preparing for succession, or simply looking to become a more effective leader, this episode offers practical insights into creating an organization where both people and performance can thrive.

Leadership Growth Begins with Self-Awareness

Culture Is Built Through Trust and Ownership

Systems Create Clarity, Not Bureaucracy

"The business was stuck because I was stuck."

"This business shouldn't just be about what we do. It should be about who we are."

"Growth is messy. But that's where the learning happens."

Chad Bauer is the President and Owner of SR&B Advertising, a performance-driven growth marketing agency based in Baltimore with more than 60 years of history. After acquiring the business from his father, Chad led its transformation from a traditional advertising agency into a modern, data-driven organization focused on measurable results and long-term client partnerships.

His leadership journey has been shaped by a commitment to personal growth, operational excellence, and building a culture where trust, accountability, and continuous learning thrive. Today, SR&B boasts a remarkable 94% client retention rate, with every client coming through referrals, a testament to the strength of its relationships and reputation. Chad believes that lasting business success begins with self-aware leadership and that strategy is only effective when it's grounded in genuine insight.

https://www.srbadv.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadgbauer/

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Thomas Gaffney, Chief Operating Officer of OFA Group, to explore why great businesses aren't built on ideas alone, but on the systems, discipline, and execution that turn vision into reality.

With a background as an attorney, startup advisor, and technology strategist, Thomas has helped lead OFA Group's evolution from a traditional architecture firm into an integrated technology company operating across artificial intelligence, digital assets, finance, and emerging technologies. He shares how strong operational leadership has enabled the company to scale multiple business divisions while continuing to innovate in rapidly changing markets.

Throughout the conversation, Thomas explains how clear operating systems, structured communication, and empowered teams allow complex organizations to move quickly without losing focus. He discusses the importance of building scalable workflows, mentoring future leaders, and creating an environment where innovation can flourish because the fundamentals of execution are already in place.

Carly and Thomas also dive into the future of AI in construction, blockchain technology, digital asset strategies, and the challenges of leading multiple high-growth initiatives simultaneously. At the heart of the discussion is a simple but powerful principle: even the most brilliant idea has little value unless it's backed by consistent execution.

Whether you're launching your first venture, leading a growing company, or looking to improve the way your business operates, this episode offers practical lessons in leadership, operational excellence, and building organizations that can sustain long-term growth.

Execution Is What Creates Real Value

Strong Operating Systems Enable Sustainable Growth

Leadership Is About Growing People

"You can have the coolest, best tech in the world, but if no one uses it, no one cares."

"My objective when I hire someone is not only to make them good at their job, but a good person in life."

"One of my main skill sets is getting things done."

Thomas Gaffney is the Chief Operating Officer of OFA Group, an integrated architecture and technology company operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital assets, finance, and emerging technologies. With a background in law and more than a decade of experience advising startups and venture capital firms, Thomas brings a unique combination of legal expertise, operational leadership, and technology strategy to every venture he helps build.

At OFA Group, he oversees operations across multiple business divisions while helping drive the development of AI-powered platforms, including QikBIM, alongside innovative solutions in blockchain and real-world asset technology. Thomas is passionate about creating scalable systems, building exceptional teams, and turning ambitious ideas into businesses that deliver lasting impact.

http://www.ofacorp.com

Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-gaffney-gafftm14/

OFA Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/office-for-fine-architecture/posts/?feedView=all

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Kaitlyn Albertoli, co-founder and CEO of Buzz Solutions, to explore how artificial intelligence is helping modernize one of the world's most essential but often overlooked industries: electric utility infrastructure.

Inspired by growing up in Southern California, where wildfires and power outages were a constant reality, Kaitlyn set out to solve a problem that affects millions of people. What began as a Stanford University class project has grown into Buzz Solutions, an award-winning AI company that helps utility providers inspect, monitor, and maintain critical infrastructure more efficiently, improving the safety, reliability, and resilience of the power grid.

Kaitlyn explains how Buzz Solutions uses artificial intelligence to analyze millions of infrastructure images, dramatically reducing the time required to detect potential defects while allowing engineers and field teams to focus on the highest-priority decisions. She also shares the realities of building technology for a highly regulated industry, the importance of earning customer trust, and why years of developing proprietary datasets laid the foundation for the company's success.

Throughout the conversation, Carly and Kaitlyn discuss scaling a remote-first business, building products in close partnership with customers, leading through rapid growth, and why successful AI adoption depends just as much on people, processes, and change management as it does on technology itself.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, technology leader, or simply fascinated by the practical applications of AI, this episode offers valuable insights into building customer-driven innovation that delivers meaningful real-world impact.

The Best Innovations Begin With Customer Problems

AI Should Empower Experts, Not Replace Them

Successful Innovation Fits Into Existing Workflows

"We want to meet you where you're at."

"All of our innovation today is customer-driven."

"We know today that we're just scratching the surface of what's possible."

Kaitlyn Albertoli is the co-founder and CEO of Buzz Solutions, an AI company helping electric utilities modernize infrastructure inspections to improve grid safety, reliability, and resilience. Since launching the company in 2017, she has led its growth and product strategy, overseeing the deployment of AI-powered visual inspection technology across transmission, distribution, and substation assets.

Recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and the San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40, Kaitlyn is a respected leader at the intersection of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and critical infrastructure. She is a frequent speaker and author on the future of AI and its role in building smarter, safer, and more resilient energy systems.

https://www.buzzsolutions.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzzsolutionsinc./

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Mike Kron, a seasoned real estate executive whose career spans more than three decades of disciplined growth, strategic investing, and people-first leadership. From helping grow a family-owned portfolio from 2,500 multifamily units to more than 14,000 apartments, Mike has built a reputation for making thoughtful decisions that stand the test of time.

Now leading the launch of Guardian Net Lease Fund, Mike shares how his experience managing a successful family office has shaped his approach to private equity investing. Rather than chasing rapid expansion or reacting to market headlines, he explains why long-term thinking, operational excellence, and understanding economic cycles have been the true drivers of sustainable growth.

Throughout the conversation, Mike reflects on the leadership lessons learned while scaling the business over 33 years, including transitioning company culture from fear-based management to one built on trust, accountability, and employee ownership. He also discusses succession planning, embracing technology in property management, and why successful investors focus on where the market is heading rather than where it stands today.

Carly and Mike explore the evolving real estate landscape, the opportunities created during periods of uncertainty, and how patient, disciplined leadership can produce exceptional results over decades.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, business owner, or aspiring leader, this episode offers valuable insights into building lasting success through thoughtful decision-making, strong leadership, and a commitment to continuous growth.

Sustainable Growth Is Built One Decision at a Time

Trust Creates Stronger Organizations

The Best Investors Focus on What's Next

"You can't look at how things look today and make your decision based on how they look today. You always have to be looking out into the future."

"We just went from point A to B, then B to C, then C to D. You put one foot in front of the other and just keep going."

"It's okay to make mistakes. I want you to own your process and think like an owner."

Mike Kron has spent more than 33 years leading and growing a successful family-owned real estate business, helping expand its multifamily portfolio from 2,500 apartments to more than 14,000 units, including the development of over 4,000 new apartments. His career has been built on disciplined investing, operational excellence, and a long-term approach to creating sustainable value.

Today, Mike is applying that experience to the institutional investment space as the founder of Guardian Net Lease Fund, a $100 million real estate investment fund focused on single-tenant net lease retail properties. His practical leadership style, deep market knowledge, and commitment to building strong teams have made him a respected voice in real estate investing and business leadership.

http://www.guardiannetlease.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekron

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with John Sampogna, co-founder and CEO of Wondersauce, to explore what it takes to build a high-growth creative agency without sacrificing the culture that made it successful in the first place.

Over the past 15 years, John has helped grow Wondersauce from a two-person startup into an award-winning business acceleration agency with more than 100 employees, partnering with global brands including Nike, L'Oréal, Grubhub, Golf.com, and many others before its acquisition by Project Worldwide.

John shares the realities of scaling a service business without outside investment, navigating rapid growth, and continually evolving leadership as the company expanded. He explains why operational bottlenecks should be viewed as valuable signals rather than frustrations, how transparency builds stronger teams, and why employee retention is one of the clearest indicators of a healthy organization.

Throughout the conversation, Carly and John also explore the future of AI in marketing, the changing role of agencies as strategic business partners, and why curiosity remains one of the most important qualities a leader can cultivate. From studying customer experiences in completely different industries to rethinking established processes with emerging technology, John shares how continuous learning has helped Wondersauce stay ahead in a constantly changing market.

This episode is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, agency leaders, and anyone looking to build a business that can grow without losing the values, culture, and people that made it successful in the first place.

Bottlenecks Are Opportunities for Growth

Strong Culture Is Built Through Trust and Development

Curiosity Is a Leadership Superpower

"Bottlenecks are one of the best feedback loops your business can have."

"Employment is always a two-way street."

"We're not putting AI into the process. We're rethinking the process entirely."

John Sampogna is the co-founder and CEO of Wondersauce, an award-winning business acceleration agency that helps brands grow through strategy, technology, creative, and digital innovation. Since launching the company more than 15 years ago, John has led Wondersauce's growth into a team of more than 100 strategists, creatives, and technologists, working with global brands including Nike, L'Oréal, Grubhub, Golf.com, and many others.

Recognized as one of Business Insider's "30 Most Creative People in Advertising Under 30," John has built a reputation for combining creativity with operational excellence. Under his leadership, Wondersauce earned a place on the Inc. 5000 list before being acquired by Project Worldwide, while continuing to focus on helping businesses accelerate growth through innovation and strategic thinking.

http://wondersauce.com

Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsampogna/

Wondersauce: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wondersauce

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Chia-Lin Simmons, CEO of LogicMark, to explore what it really takes to lead a company through crisis and transform it into a business built for long-term growth.

When Chia-Lin stepped into the CEO role, LogicMark was facing significant challenges, including the risk of Nasdaq delisting, financial instability, aging products, supply chain disruption, and legal hurdles. Rather than simply stabilizing the business, she used the opportunity to completely rethink its future, rebuilding both the company's strategy and its culture from the ground up.

Drawing on executive leadership experience at Google, Audible, Samsung, Amazon, Time Warner, and multiple technology startups, Chia-Lin shares how she approached one of the most demanding turnaround situations in business. She discusses the realities of leading a public company, raising capital under regulatory constraints, modernizing legacy technology, and creating an ownership mindset that empowered employees to drive meaningful change.

Throughout the conversation, Carly and Chia-Lin explore product innovation, AI-powered healthcare, leadership during uncertainty, company culture, and why some of the greatest business opportunities come from solving problems that have been overlooked for years.

Whether you're leading a startup, managing an established organization, or navigating significant change, this episode offers practical lessons in resilience, strategic leadership, and building confidence through action.

Successful Turnarounds Begin with Clear Priorities

Constraints Can Become a Competitive Advantage

Never Be Your First No

"Never be your first no."

"Constraints don't stop innovation. They force you to become more intentional."

"Everyone in the company should own a piece of the success they're helping create."

Chia-Lin Simmons is the CEO of LogicMark, where she has led the company's transformation into a modern technology business combining hardware, software, and recurring revenue solutions focused on personal safety and healthcare innovation.

Prior to joining LogicMark, Chia-Lin served as CEO and co-founder of LookyLoo, an AI-powered social commerce platform, and held senior leadership positions at some of the world's leading technology companies, including Google, Audible, Samsung, Amazon, Time Warner, and AOL. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for leading complex transformations, driving innovation, and helping organizations navigate periods of significant change while creating sustainable long-term growth.

https://www.logicmark.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/csimmons/

https://x.com/chialinsimmons

https://www.instagram.com/chialinsimmons/

 LogicMark: https://www.linkedin.com/company/logicmark/

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Channing Ferrer, CEO of the Americas and Head of Revenue at Brevo, to explore what it really takes to sustain growth once a business moves beyond its startup phase.

Drawing on leadership experience at HubSpot during its rise from hundreds of millions to more than a billion dollars in annual revenue, along with executive roles at several high-growth technology companies, Channing shares the leadership principles, operational systems, and growth strategies that help businesses scale without losing momentum.

Throughout the conversation, Channing explains how Brevo successfully expanded from Europe into the highly competitive North American market by identifying underserved customer segments, building locally relevant strategies, and maintaining a relentless focus on customer needs. He discusses the balance between operational discipline and experimentation, revealing why the world's fastest-growing companies never stop testing, learning, and adapting.

Carly and Channing also explore international expansion, AI-driven productivity, product innovation, acquisitions, customer engagement, and how leaders can build repeatable systems while preserving the curiosity that fuels innovation.

Whether you're building your first startup, leading an established company through its next stage of growth, or expanding into new markets, this episode offers practical insights into creating sustainable, long-term success.

Sustainable Growth Requires Both Structure and Curiosity

The Best Growth Opportunities Often Hide in Plain Sight

Leadership Means Learning Faster Than the Market Changes

"We're always testing. We always have to be testing."

"You have to feel local before you can grow local."

"Growth becomes sustainable when you build repeatable systems without losing the willingness to experiment."

Channing Ferrer is the CEO of the Americas and Head of Revenue at Brevo, where he leads the company's growth strategy and expansion across North and South America. A seasoned SaaS executive, Channing has built his career helping technology companies scale through customer-centric leadership, operational excellence, and data-driven decision making.

Prior to Brevo, Channing played a key leadership role at HubSpot during one of its most significant growth periods, helping the company scale from hundreds of millions to more than a billion dollars in annual revenue. His expertise spans international expansion, customer engagement, revenue strategy, and building high-performing teams that deliver sustainable, long-term growth.

http://www.brevo.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/channing-ferrer-981437/

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Shlomi Beer, co-founder and CEO of ImpersonAlly, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping cybersecurity and why protecting your brand has never been more important.

With decades of experience in AI, data science, and startup leadership, Shlomi explains how generative AI has transformed the world of online fraud. From fake websites and impersonation scams to malicious advertising and sophisticated phishing attacks, businesses now face threats that are faster, more convincing, and increasingly difficult to detect.

Shlomi shares the entrepreneurial journey behind building ImpersonAlly, a platform designed to identify and stop digital impersonation before it reaches customers. Drawing on lessons from previous startups and successful exits, he discusses the importance of solving real problems, staying close to customers, and assembling experienced teams that can move quickly in an ever-changing threat landscape.

Throughout the conversation, Carly and Shlomi explore leadership, startup culture, the role of AI in both creating and preventing cyber threats, and why human relationships remain at the heart of successful businesses, even in an increasingly automated world.

Whether you're a business owner, marketer, technology leader, or simply someone navigating today's digital landscape, this episode offers practical insights into protecting trust, strengthening your brand, and staying one step ahead in the AI era.

AI Has Changed the Rules of Cybersecurity

The Best Businesses Solve Problems They Know Personally

Technology Advances Through Human Collaboration

"People still buy from people, even in the AI era."

"We're not just protecting companies. We're helping make the internet a little safer for everyone."

"Building a startup is a roller coaster. It's much easier when you have people you trust riding it with you."

Shlomi Beer is the co-founder and CEO of ImpersonAlly, an AI-powered cybersecurity company helping businesses detect and prevent brand impersonation, online fraud, and malicious digital campaigns.

He holds a PhD in Computer Science specializing in artificial intelligence and is a two-time founder with successful exits, including Search Machines and Qlika. Throughout his career, Shlomi has held senior leadership roles in data science and AI at companies including Agoda and Start.io, while also conducting research at Microsoft and Motorola. He is the inventor of more than ten patents and has authored numerous publications in AI and computer science.

Today, Shlomi combines deep technical expertise with entrepreneurial experience to help businesses stay ahead of one of the fastest-evolving challenges in the digital economy.

https://impersonally.io

In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Terry Stanley, a grocery industry veteran and former CEO of Fresh Value, to explore the timeless leadership principles that have shaped more than five decades of business success.

Over the course of his career, Terry helped grow Fresh Value from nine stores to fifteen, expanding into new markets while preserving the close-knit culture that made the company successful. Rather than relying solely on systems or strategy, he built the business by developing people, empowering leaders, and creating an environment where trust and accountability could flourish.

Throughout the conversation, Terry shares practical lessons on leadership development, succession planning, financial discipline, and scaling businesses without sacrificing culture. He explains why the grocery industry has become one of the greatest training grounds for leadership, teaching resilience, decision-making, and operational excellence in an environment where margins are thin and every decision matters.

Carly and Terry also discuss the importance of preparing organizations to thrive beyond their founders, building teams that take ownership, and creating workplaces where employees genuinely feel valued. His decades of experience offer a refreshing reminder that while industries evolve, the fundamentals of leadership remain remarkably consistent.

This episode is filled with practical wisdom for business owners, executives, and aspiring leaders who want to build organizations that continue growing long after they step away.

Great Leaders Build Great People

Succession Begins Long Before Retirement

Financial Discipline Creates Opportunity

"Not making the decision is way worse than making a bad decision."

"I wanted to run this company as a family. I wanted it to feel like family."

"The grocery store is the greatest management training ground in America."

Terry Stanley is a respected grocery industry leader with more than 50 years of experience building businesses, developing leaders, and driving operational excellence. As former CEO of Fresh Value, he helped guide the company through significant expansion while maintaining a culture centered on trust, accountability, and strong leadership.

Throughout his career, Terry has become known for his practical, people-first approach to leadership, believing that long-term business success comes from investing in employees, empowering future leaders, and maintaining unwavering integrity in every decision. Today, he shares those lessons with organizations and audiences across the country through speaking, mentoring, and leadership development.

http://terrystanleyspeaks.com

https://a.co/d/0jeff0Gg

https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryleestanley/