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In this episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby sit down with Marina Byezhanova, a globally recognized personal branding expert, entrepreneur, and speaker, for a deeply candid and energizing conversation about identity, growth, and what it means to show up as a leader.
From navigating business failures in public, to building thought leadership that transcends a company name, Marina shares hard-earned insights that resonate with anyone who's wrestled with visibility, reinvention, or the pressure to be “the face” of a business. The conversation touches on the power of personal brand strategy, how to lead without burning out, the evolving role of AI in marketing, and why stacking joy is one of Marina’s guiding principles.
It’s a fast-paced, vulnerable, and insightful exchange. What starts as a professional conversation quickly becomes a powerful connection between peers building businesses with meaning.
Links and Resources Mentioned
Marina on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmarina/
Marina’s personal branding agency: https://www.brandofaleader.com/
Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO): https://eonetwork.org/
Ryan Holiday, Ego is the Enemy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju8WoRcR4Qo
Quotes Worth Sharing
“You didn’t build a personal brand. You were the spokesperson for your business—and that’s a big difference.”
“I only say yes to things that give me energy. If it drains me, I delegate or delete.”
“When you build your brand right, it will always be bigger than your business.”
“We are often building visibility, but if we fail, we fail in public.”
“Stacking is my life philosophy—bringing my whole life together, instead of splitting it apart.”
Segment Breakdown with Timestamps
00:00 – Meet Marina: Life, Travel & Leadership
Introduction to Marina’s story: Ukrainian roots, Canadian immigration, global work
How she started Brand of a Leader and built a remote-first team
Her passion for EO and thought leadership
06:30 – Leading Without Burnout
Marina’s hack: only doing what energizes her
Delegation as an act of self-awareness
Family, parenting, and the joy-centered life design model
14:45 – Finding Your People (and Yourself)
How EO helped Marina feel like she finally “fit” as an entrepreneur
The impact of peer groups on personal and professional growth
Redefining success and shedding outdated friendships
22:00 – The Real Personal Brand
Why most people confuse personal branding with just being visible
How to separate yourself from your business
The difference between being a thought leader vs. a company spokesperson
33:40 – AI, Identity & the Future of Visibility
How Brand of a Leader embraced AI as a co-creator
The rise of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
Why storytelling and emotion will always matter more than tech
44:30 – Leadership Through War & Hardship
Marina’s deeply personal account of the war in Ukraine
How her EO Ukraine forum became a source of strength and perspective
Hiring Ukrainian talent as a meaningful business decision
56:00 – Making Decisions Through Joy
Why fun is Marina’s true north
Lessons from speaking, stacking, and leading high-stakes EO events
How aligning to joy creates more energy, clarity, and success
1:06:00 – Thought Leadership and the Power of Perspective
What makes someone truly stand out in a crowded space
Why “just post” is the worst advice for founders
How real introspection creates authentic differentiation
In this episode, Levi and Colby are joined by David Barnett — business broker turned consultant, author, and content creator — for a masterclass in buying, selling, and valuing small businesses. David shares his journey from Yellow Pages rep to business owner, debt broker, and ultimately trusted advisor helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of business transactions. The conversation dives deep into lessons learned from brokerage, the realities of small business exits, how real-world transactions often differ from theory, and why systems, not just passion, build enduring organizations.
The episode also explores how content marketing, authorship, and thought leadership have fueled David’s consulting business, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs thinking about how to build reputation and revenue streams beyond direct operations. Packed with candid advice, practical frameworks, and a dose of tough love, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering buying, selling, or scaling a business.
Links and Resources Mentioned
David on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbarnettmoncton/
David Barnett’s Website: DavidCBarnett.com
Books by David Barnett https://www.investlocalbook.com/p/buy-book.html
Courses by David - https://www.businessbuyeradvantage.com/
YouTube Channel: David Barnett’s channel with over 700 videos - https://www.youtube.com/@DavidCBarnett
Quotes Worth Sharing
"The business is the cash flow — that's what someone is acquiring, not just the stuff inside."
"Businesses are always worth far more to their owners than they are to the buyers."
"Luck often explains success in business more than genius — sometimes the right person was simply hired at the right time."
"If you want to sell your business for more, make it more profitable — you get to enjoy the profits while you still own it."
"Don't buy yourself a job unless that's exactly what you want."
Segment Breakdown with Timestamps
00:00 – 07:00 | Introducing David Barnett: A Life in Business
David shares his early passion for business and journey through Yellow Pages sales, entrepreneurship, and business finance.
Lessons learned during the 2008–09 financial crisis.
The evolution from business broker to consultant.
07:00 – 14:30 | From Broker to Consultant: Building a Better Model
The flaws in the traditional brokerage commission model.
How David transitioned to a consulting business structure.
Early use of YouTube to automate sales conversations.
Going from local clients to an international consulting practice.
14:30 – 27:00 | Lessons in Systems, Franchises, and Business Building
How systemization helped David successfully build and sell his first business.
The myth vs. reality of franchise support systems.
Importance of documented processes to create transferable business value.
Why small operational details often separate great businesses from average ones.
27:00 – 42:00 | Buying and Selling Businesses: Tough Love Edition
Why most small businesses don’t sell (80% failure rate).
How owners often drastically overvalue their businesses.
The real market dynamics for Main Street businesses (under $500k cashflow).
Five main reasons people are forced to sell: burnout, poor health, divorce, relocation, retirement.
42:00 – 59:00 | The Reality of Small Business Acquisitions
Insights on "buying a business without money" claims.
Understanding buyer competition and market realities.
How to create your own deal flow outside of traditional brokers.
Why passion can sometimes blind buyers to real business risks.
59:00 – 1:15:00 | Deal Structuring, Due Diligence, and Red Flags
How to evaluate small businesses realistically (cash flow, working capital, client concentration).
Hidden pitfalls: improper broker valuations, missing working capital in deals.
Importance of empathy
In this episode of the Build to Last podcast, Levi and Colby sit down with entrepreneur and self-described “solutionist” Stephen Dixon, founder of GrimRoss Brewing. The conversation ranges widely—from the messy, nonlinear path of growing a business to the philosophical underpinnings of meaningful work. Stephen shares how brewing beer led him to create a side venture tackling industrial waste with black soldier fly larvae, all in the pursuit of sustainable, circular solutions.
But this isn’t just a story about business success. Stephen opens up about burnout, rediscovering health after years of neglect, and why legacy now means solving real, human-scale problems. Whether you’re scaling a company or just trying to reclaim your time and purpose, this episode offers wisdom wrapped in laughter, curiosity, and genuine connection.
Links and Resources
Stephen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixonstephen/
GrimRoss Brewing Co. – https://www.grimross.com/
The Solutionists by Solitaire Townsend – https://www.koganpage.com/responsible-business/the-solutionists-9781398609327
Peter Attia – Physician known for work on longevity and the “Centenarian Decathlon.” https://peterattiamd.com/
BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits – Framework that helped Stephen overhaul his health through small changes. - https://tinyhabits.com/
Naval Ravikant – Entrepreneur and thinker mentioned in the context of big questions and meaning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Ravikant
Chris Williamson Podcast – Referenced in the discussion around self-kindness. - https://chriswillx.com/podcast/
Black Soldier Fly Larvae – Central to Stephen’s waste management startup concept. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens
Quotes Worth Sharing
“I don’t want to be dependent—I want the freedom to choose how I spend my day.” – Stephen Dixon
“Entrepreneurship is just solving problems people care about. That’s it.” – Stephen Dixon
“You can’t outsource understanding. I needed to know how everything worked so I could build it and let it go.” – Stephen Dixon
“Fitness isn’t about perfection. It’s about tiny habits, compounding over time.” – Stephen Dixon
“We’re trying to build systems so we don’t have to do it—so we can, not so we must.” – Levi Lawrence
Episode Breakdown
5:00 – 12:30 | Starting GrimRoss & Leaving the Safety Net
Brewing beer as a side hobby and early-stage entrepreneurship.
The moment Stephen decided to build something he could fully understand and operate solo.
12:30 – 21:00 | Delegation, Growth, and Letting Go
How GrimRoss scaled through organic need—staffing, systems, and trust.
Why meaningful delegation is a constant cycle, not a one-time event.
21:00 – 30:00 | The Shift Toward Impact
Stephen’s personal health crisis and COVID wake-up call.
Redefining success: from ROI to long-term human impact and sustainability.
30:00 – 43:00 | The Black Soldier Fly Affair
The hilarious and humble beginnings of an insect-based waste solution—starting in a basement.
Exploring circular economy thinking and the protein revolution.
43:00 – 54:00 | Systems Thinking & Iron House Pro’s Role
Why most founders want independence—not retirement.
Discussing Iron House Pro’s work helping businesses reduce founder dependence and scale sustainably.
54:00 – 1:10:00 | Fitness, Identity & The Long Game
Strength, mobility, and the Centenarian Workout.
How physical health mirrors organizational health—and how to shift from guilt to purpose-driven habits.
1:10:00 – 1:25:00 | Big Questions, Small Changes
Meditation, moderation, and meaning: lessons from Buddhist thought and quantum theory.
In this deeply human and insightful episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby sit down with therapist and business owner Rankyn Campbell for a conversation that blurs the lines between entrepreneurship, mental health, and personal growth. Rankyn opens up about his journey from competitive hockey to running a thriving mental health clinic, and shares the real, often messy work of self-awareness, boundary-setting, and leadership.
Together, they explore the inner challenges faced by entrepreneurs—compassion fatigue, resentment, identity, burnout, and the myth of work-life balance. Rankyn offers a refreshingly grounded perspective on how values, self-care, and even frameworks like Buddhism and Stoicism can shape a more sustainable and meaningful business (and life). If you’ve ever felt like the renovation never ends—this one’s for you.
Links and Resources Mentioned
Rankyn on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rankyn-campbell-831b2814a/
Campbell Health (Rankyn’s clinic) - https://www.campbellhealth.net/
Self-Determination Theory by Ryan & Deci - https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/theory/
Secular Buddhism Podcast by Noah Rasheta - https://secularbuddhism.com/
Quotes Worth Sharing
“You can drown in 10 feet of water just as easily as you can in 100.”
“Acceptance is not resignation. You can have acceptance and ambition.”
“Resentment is often your first signal that a boundary has been crossed.”
“Self-care has been weaponized—it shouldn’t be another thing that makes you feel like you’re not enough.”
“We are meaning-making machines. Most things aren’t good or bad, we just love to assign meaning.”
Segment Breakdown with Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction and Rankyn’s Story
From hockey to therapy: how sport shaped his mindset
Lessons on confidence, regret, and internal belief systems
10:00 – The Business of Helping People
Starting a mental health clinic with little business training
Learning to lead, hire, and grow a team through therapy and coaching
Reconciling purpose-driven work with financial responsibility
17:00 – Compassion Fatigue & Boundaries
Recognizing early signs of burnout and cynicism
Why resentment is a boundary indicator
Holding two truths: caring deeply while maintaining limits
28:00 – Community, Culture, and Connection
Western therapy vs. traditional communal healing
Isolation, loneliness, and how culture shapes mental health
The role of belonging and interdependence in well-being
40:00 – Identity, Resentment, and the Entrepreneurial Trap
The slippery slope from passion to resentment
Making intentional choices and the illusion of freedom
Why some things are never “fully learned”
50:00 – Rethinking Self-Care and Rediscovering Values
How self-care became a checklist item—and how to reclaim it
Finding your true values through behavior, not just beliefs
Aligning calendar with what matters most
1:06:00 – Sprinting vs. Marathon Work Styles
Knowing how you thrive: short bursts vs. steady pace
Creating recovery rituals and protecting energy
Why being isn’t the opposite of doing—but just as essential
1:10:00 – Mental Health at Work: For Employers
The employer’s role in creating a psychologically safe environment
Trust, autonomy, and relatedness as foundations of workplace culture
Self-determination theory in building resilient teams
1:22:00 – Buddhism, Belonging, and Acceptance
Rankyn’s journey into Buddhism and misconceptions he let go
The danger of constant longing and how to break the cycle
How suffering often stems from resisting what
In this candid and thought-provoking episode of Build to Last, we sit down with serial entrepreneur Jean-François Rousseau (JF) for a wide-ranging conversation about building enduring businesses, navigating acquisitions, and the lessons only failure can teach.
JF shares his remarkable journey—from being “forced” into entrepreneurship at 16 to building a portfolio of companies with over 100 employees. With a sharp eye for opportunity and a people-first approach to leadership, JF reveals the real challenges of scaling, exiting operations, and balancing multiple ventures. The conversation flows through hard-earned wisdom about letting go, building trust, and staying relentlessly focused on learning. If you’ve ever thought about buying a business, leading through change, or building a team that runs without you—this episode is a goldmine.
🔗 Links and Resources Mentioned
Connect with Jean Francois on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanfrancoisrousseau/
Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) – A global peer network for entrepreneurs - https://eonetwork.org
Wallace McCain Institute – An Atlantic Canadian Entrepreneurship peer group - www.wallacemccaininstitute.com
Henry Mintzberg – Canadian academic and author known for work on business strategy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Mintzberg
Warren Rustand – Renowned leadership speaker and mentor - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_S._Rustand
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) – A business management framework - https://www.eosworldwide.com/what-is-eos
EMP Program (Entrepreneurial Masters Program) – A program for growth-minded business leaders - https://www.eoapac.com/upcoming-events/entrepreneurial-masters-program-emp
The Hummingbird Project – Feature film JF worked on as a technical advisor - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6866224/
Crucial Conversations – Book on effective communication in high-stakes situations - https://cruciallearning.com/books/
Jim Collins' Great by Choice – Business book on building enduring companies mentioning the concept of Return on Luck https://www.jimcollins.com/books/great-by-choice.html
Quotes Worth Sharing
“The worst thing I can do is believe I’m right. Always assume you’re wrong and try to prove otherwise.”
“If I do one thing in a day—and it’s the right thing—that’s enough.”
“You don’t need to be everywhere all the time. You just need to show up when it counts.”
“Integration is more important than the price in any acquisition. If you lose the team, you’ve lost everything.”
“Being vulnerable earns trust faster than being impressive ever will.”
Breakdown with Timestamps
Levi, Colby, and Tracy Bell have an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, failure, and personal identity. Tracy, former CEO and co-founder of Millennia Tea, shares her journey of building a business from passion, facing public closure, and navigating what comes next. They dive into business resilience, identity beyond work, and the power of peer networks in shaping both professional and personal growth.
Links and Resources:
Quotes Worth Sharing
“I don’t introduce myself by my title anymore—I’m working on introducing who I am as a human being.”
“Failure isn’t an identity—it’s an experience that reshapes you for the better.”
“Peer groups aren’t about fixing each other’s problems—they’re about sharing real experiences and holding each other accountable.”
Redefining Identity After Business (01:09 – 04:09)
The Emotional Impact of Business Failure (04:09 – 11:30)
The Power of Peer Groups (11:30 – 32:00)
Future Outlook, Succession, and Economic Development (43:30 – 57:00)
Levi, Colby, and Constantino explore the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, business culture in different countries, and making tough decisions—whether it’s changing markets, exiting a partnership, or stepping away from leadership
https://www.linkedin.com/in/constantino-papadopulos-a85620b/
https://enterprix.us/
Quotes Worth Sharing
"Most businesses should buy, not build. But for the 20% that need to build—get it right from the start."
"A business partnership is like a marriage—you need to talk about the hard stuff before it’s too late."
"The more I say no to, the clearer my priorities become."
"The business was suffering because we stopped having hard conversations."
"Most businesses in Mexico didn’t see IT as an investment—they saw it as an expense."
"My journey in business was a mix of chance and necessity."
"I was forced to step back—my body demanded it."
"We pick and choose what we admire from different people's lives—but nobody has it all."
"I don’t want to feel like I’m never doing enough—I want to chase excitement, not stress."
Breakdown
Starting in Business: From Industrial Machinery to Software (2:00 - 8:30)
Expanding to the U.S. Market (8:30 - 14:30)
The challenges of selling IT solutions in Mexico vs. the U.S.
The first international client from Australia.
Lessons learned about market demand and positioning.
Technology: Build vs. Buy (14:30 - 20:30)
The eternal debate: should businesses develop custom software or buy existing solutions?
The reality of long-term software maintenance and hidden costs.
When customization makes sense.
The Business Partnership Breakup (20:30 - 32:00)
Why Constantino and his partner (also a family member) decided to split.
How they managed the transition without damaging relationships.
Lessons learned from handling difficult business decisions.
Stepping Down as CEO (32:00 - 40:00)
Why Constantino decided to delegate leadership.
The challenge of letting go and trusting the team.
Cultural Business Differences (40:00 - 50:00)
How Mexican and North American business cultures differ.
Entrepreneurship, Health, and Work-Life Balance (50:00 - 1:00:00)
The struggle to maintain health while growing a business.
Long-Term Goals and Personal Definitions of Success (1:00:00 - 1:10:00)
The evolving definition of happiness for an entrepreneur.
What if rethinking your workforce could unlock massive growth and efficiency? Anthony Rice joins us to share real stories of companies transforming through offshoring, automation, and smarter systems. From breaking bottlenecks to freeing up leadership time, we explore what the future of work really looks like.
People Partners Website: https://peoplepartnersbpo.com/
Anthony Rice on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-rice-98769a201/
Episode Chapters:
8:40 min: What Is Workforce Engineering?
- The difference between offshoring and workforce re-engineering
- Why hiring a “VA” is often a flawed approach
- The key to identifying bottlenecks and restructuring teams
18 min: Addressing the Biggest Myths About Offshoring
- Common misconceptions about offshore teams
- How cost of living affects wages (and why offshore teams can thrive)
- Ethical concerns & why offshore professionals often have a better quality of life than expected
25:45: Remote Work vs. Offshore Work: What Really Matters
- Why remote work is the bigger mindset shift, not offshoring
- How businesses can successfully integrate offshore teams into their culture
- Real-life example: A traditional business resisting change—but transforming when they embraced remote hiring
36:30: The Real Challenges & Rewards of Scaling a Business Globally
- Anthony’s journey of running a global company with a fully remote workforce
- The personal impact of international work (family, time zones, and life balance)
- “I have to do this” vs. “I get to do this”—a mindset shift for business owners
46:00: When Should a Business Consider Offshoring?
- Key signs that your business is ready to offshore
- Why business owners often approach it too late (or in the wrong way)
- Tactical vs. strategic offshoring—where most companies fail
55:10: The Future of Work: Automation, AI, & The Next Decade
- Why offshoring isn’t about replacing jobs—it’s about better work distribution
- How AI fits into the workforce strategy
- The importance of “Who, not How” (Dan Sullivan’s principle)
1:05:10: Closing Thoughts
- How to reach People Partners
- Final words of advice for business owners
- Why the future of work is about adapting, not resisting
Key Takeaways
- Remote work and offshoring are different challenges—companies must be prepared for remote collaboration.
- Ethical offshoring works when wages align with local economies—many offshore professionals live better lifestyles than their onshore counterparts.
- The best companies invest in training and integration for offshore teams to truly succeed.
- The future of work isn’t about working less—it’s about working smarter with the right people in the right roles.
Episode Overview: In this kickoff episode of Built to Last, we chat with Jen Warrington, founder of The Warrington Group, about how recruitment, workplace culture, and employer branding have shifted post-pandemic. Jen shares her entrepreneurial journey, her insights on creating workplaces that attract and retain top talent, and her predictions for the future of hiring.
Key Topics and Timestamps
Jen’s Journey into Entrepreneurship (00:03:24)
Launching The Warrington Group during the pandemic and lessons learned in building a business.
Shifts in Recruitment Post-COVID (00:07:34)
Employers adapting to being "employers of choice" and the transactional-to-process approach in recruitment.
Employer Branding and Retention Strategies (00:11:39)
Case study: Transforming high turnover rates into a structured hiring and retention process.
The Role of Trades and Generational Change (00:29:39)
Addressing systemic gaps in trades and recruitment in blue-collar industries.
Adapting to Hybrid and Remote Work (00:48:57)
Challenges of creating flexible work environments and using LinkedIn as a recruitment tool.
AI in Recruitment (00:50:53)
Leveraging AI without losing the human touch in hiring processes.
Entrepreneur vs. Technician Mindset (01:40:59)
The journey from being a skilled recruiter to running a business and learning to ask for help.
Cultural Fit and Company Values (01:11:19)
Aligning personal and organizational values for better hiring outcomes.
Unlimited Vacation and Hybrid Compensation (01:18:42)
Discussing innovative benefits and their implications on company culture and morale.
Resumes, Cover Letters, and Candidate Evaluation (01:46:41)
Best practices and insights for modern job applications and evaluations.
LINKS
Jen Warrington Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenwarrington/
The Warrington Group - The Warrington Group is a boutique agency that provides founders + small to medium-sized business leaders with a clear roadmap to attract, hire, + retain top talent—saving time, money, + the stress of hiring. https://www.thewarringtongroup.ca/
Find all of our channels on our company website: https://ironhousepro.com/built-to-last-podcast/
In this inaugural episode of the podcast, the hosts introduce themselves and share their personal backgrounds, highlighting their experiences in business and the challenges they have faced. They discuss the importance of peer groups, collaboration, and the complexity of navigating the entrepreneurial journey. The podcast aims to create a safe space for meaningful conversations about business, personal growth, and actionable insights that can help entrepreneurs thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
Sound Bites
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast Journey
03:08 - Personal Backgrounds and Business Experience
08:36 - The Origin Story of Iron House
16:54 - The Role of Empathy in Business
25:45 - Target Audience and Future Directions
30:16 - Empowering Organizations: Building Value Beyond Key Individuals
44:58 - The Interconnection of Personal and Business Challenges
54:44 - Embracing Ambiguity: The Value of Discussion Over Instruction
From the publisher's feed
Candid conversations with entrepreneurs on life and business.
Join us as we uncover the habits, mindsets, and strategies that help organizations and people thrive for the long…