Built Without a Net

What happens when success comes faster than you can handle it? In this episode of Built Without a Net, host Brad Foley shares how HR Value Partners grew from steady progress to an overwhelming surge—adding 12 new clients in just four months. What began as a marketing triumph quickly revealed cracks in onboarding, leadership planning, and team capacity. Brad reflects on the hard lessons learned from rapid expansion and offers practical insights on sustainable growth, smart hiring, and protecting both your people and your clients along the way.

In this episode, Brad discusses:

• The struggles of scaling HR Value Partners and the realities of rapid business growth
• How cold calling and email marketing evolved his client acquisition strategy
• The dangers of growing faster than your team or systems can handle
• Employee burnout, client strain, and the consequences of poor onboarding
• The leadership lessons learned from unsustainable expansion and recovery

Key Takeaways: 

• Sometimes, the smartest business decision is restraint. True sustainability comes from pacing expansion in alignment with your team’s capacity and your systems’ readiness.
• Great leaders recognize that excitement can mask exhaustion. Establish growth goals based on strategy and data, not just morale or momentum.
• When cracks appear in performance or service, it’s usually a signal to reassess leadership structure and workload distribution. Accountability starts at the top.
• Every rushed hire or shortcut in training eventually leads to bigger problems—lost clients, high turnover, and eroded trust. Investing upfront in preparation pays off tenfold.
• Rapid success can disguise instability. Sustainable success depends on maintaining the balance between growth and operational integrity.

“Sustainable growth requires way more than sales energy. It requires that you have the capacity for that client. It requires that you have the systems in place. It requires that you have leadership discipline. It requires that you have employees that are prepared for the challenges of serving those clients.” - Brad Foley

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Behind every thriving business is a strong HR foundation—but the hidden costs of getting it wrong can quietly drain your resources and derail your growth. In this episode of Built Without a Net, host Brad Foley takes a hard look at five overlooked areas in HR that often cost business owners far more than they realize. From the steep price of turnover and bad hires to the risks of non-compliance, poor onboarding, and unresolved employee issues, Brad breaks down where the money really goes and what leaders can do to protect their people, their culture, and their bottom line.

In this episode, Brad discusses:

• Why turnover costs can equal 50% to 200% of an employee’s salary
• How desperation hiring leads to bad hires and long-term costs
• The risks of non-compliance penalties, from I-9s to OSHA fines
• How poor onboarding disguises itself as bad hiring
• The hidden danger of unresolved employee issues and their impact on morale

Key Takeaways: 

• Turnover is never a neutral event; it drains productivity, disrupts team culture, and can cost a company anywhere from 50% to 200% of an employee’s salary. The financial and cultural impact is magnified in smaller organizations.
• Desperate hiring almost always backfires. A poor hiring decision often ends up costing more than the turnover it was meant to solve.
• Years without compliance issues don’t mean you’re safe. When violations are uncovered, the penalties can be severe and long-lasting.
• Poor onboarding disguises great hires as bad ones. Without clear processes and thoughtful orientation, new employees are set up to fail or leave early.
• Unresolved employee complaints don’t fade with time; they grow. Ignoring these concerns leads to lower morale, decreased productivity, and ultimately client dissatisfaction.

“HR as a function isn't just about avoiding problems, although that is a big piece of it, right? But it's really about protecting your investment in your people.” - Brad Foley

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Don Surber is Chairman and CEO of ATF, Inc., a global leader in specialty fasteners. A 50-year veteran of the manufacturing industry, Don began his career at Illinois Tool Works (ITW) before becoming President of ATF in 1978 and later acquiring the company in 1982. Under his leadership, ATF grew into a multi-divisional enterprise with ventures such as Rifast Systems and Asyst Technologies. In 1998, he co-founded the Global Fastener Alliance, linking family-owned companies worldwide. A past Chairman of the Industrial Fastener Institute, Don has long championed people development as the key to business success. Beyond industry, he and his family founded the Jason R. Surber Matthews Home charity, which builds housing and strengthens communities in North Chicago.

In this episode, Brad and Don discuss:

• Don’s 50-year journey in the manufacturing industry and the founding of ATF
• Why human resources and people development remain the cornerstone of business success
• How recessions and economic downturns can create hidden opportunities
• The importance of calculated risk-taking and entrepreneurial resilience
• Don’s passion for community service and founding the Jason R. Surber Matthews Home

Key Takeaways: 

• Developing people isn’t just part of business—it’s the core foundation that drives growth, culture, and long-term sustainability. Without investing in people, no strategy will truly last.
• Economic downturns, while often feared, can present the greatest opportunities for entrepreneurs who are willing to see beyond the challenges and take bold but calculated risks.
• The three Ps—passion, purpose, and people—are not optional values; they are the essential elements that fuel success both in business and in life.
• Resilience is about more than survival; it means adapting to change, learning from setbacks, and viewing failure as a powerful teacher for future progress.
• True success isn’t measured only by revenue or companies built—it’s equally about giving back, serving the community, and creating a lasting positive impact.

“Wake up every morning with a purpose, wake up every morning with a passion, and have people in your life every day.” - Don Surber

Resources: 

JRS Matthew Homes: https://jrsmatthewhomes.com/ 

Renew Communities: https://www.renewcommunities.org/ 

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Scott Sobkowiak is a former professional baseball player turned transformational leader, with a proven track record of driving multimillion-dollar growth through strategic sales, business development, and customer relationship management. He is the founder of Scale UP, a consultancy dedicated to helping early and mid-stage social impact organizations grow with purpose. Through his platform, SAS Speaks, Scott delivers keynote addresses, motivational sessions, and podcast appearances, sharing insights on leadership, resilience, and relational capital.

In this episode, Brad and Scott discuss:

• Scott’s transition from professional baseball to business leadership
• Facing identity loss after sports and battling addiction
• Why building a “tree of purpose” matters more than climbing one ladder
• How kindness, gratitude, and relational capital drive his work
• Practical ways business owners can pivot, overcome fear, and grow

Key Takeaways: 

• Success built only on a narrow ladder can collapse. Creating multiple “branches” of purpose ensures stability, flexibility, and more opportunities when one path fails.
• Relational capital often outweighs immediate transactions. Building authentic connections creates long-term trust and unlocks doors that money alone cannot.
• Fear and pain may trigger change, but they don’t have to be the drivers. With intentional purpose and daily gratitude, challenges can be transformed into growth.
• Staying stuck is always a choice. Even small adjustments, like a pitcher altering mechanics, can lead to significant breakthroughs over time.
• Leading with kindness and gratitude creates ripple effects. It strengthens personal resilience while simultaneously fueling sustainable business growth and opportunity.

“To get to where you want to go, you've got to understand that the fear of falling backwards is what's going to propel you forward.” - Scott Sobkowiak

Connect with Scott Sobkowiak:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568210662326# 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsobkowiak/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

John Washcovick spent 23 years in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, and operations with companies ranging in size from 30 employees to over 12,000. He was in sales and later served as Assistant Director of Operations, but in 2010, he left the corporate safety net behind to launch a payroll services business providing payroll and HR technology to small and mid-sized companies. With two business partners, John grew the company to over 900 clients between Milwaukee and Phoenix. In 2022, they sold the business to isolved, the same platform they had used for payroll and HR technology. All 25 employees were hired by isolved, which then named John their Human Capital Management Business Consultant for Wisconsin. Since June 2022, he has been selling isolved’s People Cloud Technology.

In this episode, Brad and John discuss:

• How John moved from 23 years in pharmaceutical sales to building a payroll company
• The financial risks and realities of leaving a stable, high-paying career
• Approaches to finding and keeping the right people when resources are tight
• Challenges faced, from vendor failures to ongoing cash flow pressures
• Lessons gained from navigating 12 years of business and a successful exit

Key Takeaways: 

• Having financial resources isn’t optional—it’s essential. Planning for more than you think you’ll need can be the difference between surviving the early years and shutting down too soon.
• Success rarely happens alone. Surrounding yourself with supportive partners, mentors, and family provides the strength to endure risk and uncertainty.
• The ability to hire and keep the right people early on can completely change a company’s trajectory. Retention is often more powerful than constant recruiting.
• Vendors and partners won’t always deliver as expected. That’s why having backup options in place is a safeguard every entrepreneur should prioritize.
• Gratitude, persistence, and a positive attitude go a long way. They not only help navigate tough times but also create the mindset needed for long-term success.

“It is a journey, try to enjoy it as much as you can and be grateful for all the people you meet along the way, the things you learn along the way, and just the fun things you get to do as well in the process.”  - John Washcovick

Connect with John Washcovick:

Website: https://www.isolvedhcm.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwashcovick/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Myles Powell is a food entrepreneur who traded his career in civil engineering for a passion that truly fed his soul. After graduating from the University of Delaware with a degree in civil engineering and a business minor, he briefly appeared on the Food Network before launching his first venture, 8 Myles. While completing his MBA, he built the brand around premium, clean, frozen comfort foods—most famously mac and cheese with moxie. In 2021, Myles left engineering behind to focus fully on growing his company. Today, his dedication and vision continue to drive expansion as he pursues his bold goal of building one of the only Black-owned CPG companies valued at over $200 million.

In this episode, Brad and Myles discuss:

• Transitioning from civil engineering to food entrepreneurship
• The Food Network experience and how it sparked his first food business
• Shifting from barbecue sauce to premium frozen mac & cheese
• Challenges of consumer psychology, co-packers, and retail distribution
• Lessons learned from Target shelves, Shark Tank, and building a $200M brand vision

Key Takeaways: 

• Myles realized early in his journey that true fulfillment comes from chasing passion rather than clinging to stability. His decision to leave engineering for food entrepreneurship highlights the power of aligning work with purpose.
• Not every retail shelf is the right fit for a product, and name recognition alone doesn’t guarantee success. Finding the right market placement can make or break a brand.
• In food CPG, consumer psychology is often the invisible battlefield. Entrepreneurs must anticipate behaviors and pain points better than customers can articulate.
• Growth doesn’t always mean getting bigger fast—sometimes the smartest move is to stay lean. Strategic spending and efficiency can protect a business when rapid scaling leads to high burn rates.
• Resilience, support systems, and the mindset of saying “Why not?” fuel long-term entrepreneurial success. Each setback becomes less of a failure and more of an opportunity to move forward stronger.

“Remember that people will try all products, but they'll consistently buy brands.”  - Myles Powell

Connect with Myles Powell:

Website: https://www.mylescomfortfoods.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myles-powell-5b529025/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MylesComfortFoods 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylescomfortfoods/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mylescomfortfoods 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Every business eventually faces problems—compliance hurdles, employee complaints, and leadership challenges that no one saw coming. In this episode, we dive into five common myths about HR in small businesses and uncover the truth behind them, offering practical solutions that protect your team, your growth, and your peace of mind.

In this episode, Brad discusses:

• Why even the smallest businesses still “have HR” whether they realize it or not
• How consistency in HR policies protects businesses from claims of discrimination
• Why past luck with employee issues isn’t a future-proof strategy
• The truth about outsourcing HR and how it impacts control and compliance
• Why good managers with common sense still need HR guardrails

Key Takeaways: 

• Having even one employee means HR already exists in your business, and neglecting compliance can lead to significant financial and legal consequences. It’s not optional—it’s a responsibility that begins the moment you hire.
• Rather than tying leaders’ hands, HR brings consistency and fairness to decision-making, creating a stronger foundation for trust and reducing unnecessary risks.
• Just because you haven’t experienced employee complaints or lawsuits doesn’t mean you’re safe. Future-proofing your business requires proactive HR policies and a commitment to risk management.
• Outsourcing HR doesn’t mean losing control—it means gaining access to expertise while keeping the final say in every decision. The right partnership enhances structure and confidence.
• Common sense alone isn’t enough when it comes to legal compliance. HR expertise helps managers avoid costly mistakes by providing the clarity, guardrails, and legal context they need to act wisely.

“If you have even one employee, you have HR, and so you need to figure out how to manage it.”  - Brad Foley

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Darren P. Mende, CPA, MBA, is the founder of DP Mende & Co., a boutique firm delivering accounting, tax, small‑business advisory, and fractional CFO/COO services. Energetic and forward‑thinking, he helps entrepreneurs and individuals drive positive change by bridging finance, operations, and technology. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, Darren is also a Certified Real Estate Appraiser and seasoned C‑suite leader. His firm specializes in tailored solutions—from startup modeling and business structuring to tech implementation, M&A support, and succession planning. Darren’s unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on expertise empowers clients to navigate today’s complex small‑business landscape.

In this episode, Brad and Darren discuss:

• Darren’s path from moving furniture and driving trucks to becoming a CPA and business leader
• Lessons learned from leading through toxic leadership transitions
• The impact of COVID-19 on a growing company and navigating sudden financial challenges
• The unexpected loss of a founder and its effect on the business and team
• Key strategies for succession planning, crisis management, and mental health in leadership

Key Takeaways: 

• A well-defined succession plan and adequate key person insurance can be the difference between a business surviving a crisis or collapsing under pressure. These safeguards ensure continuity when unexpected events occur.
• Toxic leadership does more than lower morale—it erodes trust, damages team cohesion, and can take years to repair. Addressing it early prevents long-term organizational harm.
• During turbulent times, consistent communication and transparency create stability. When employees know the truth, even in difficult situations, they’re more likely to stay engaged and aligned.
• Successful leaders understand that difficult choices around staffing and budgets are sometimes unavoidable. Decisive action in these moments can protect the company’s long-term viability.
• Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s also about human connection. Prioritizing mental health, checking in regularly with colleagues, and fostering openness can make a life-changing difference.

“Mental health is real, and we don't know fully what's going on in someone's broader life as much as we know them.” - Darren Mende

Connect with Darren Mende:

Website: https://dpmende.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenmende/ 

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Every business hits a point where things get messy—team dynamics, compliance, surprises, and leadership moments that test everything you've built. Welcome to Built Without a Net, where business gets real and people's problems meet practical solutions. Hosted by business owner and fractional HR expert Brad Foley, this show dives into the challenges no one prepares you for so that you can lead through the hard stuff and build something that actually works.

In this episode, Brad discusses:

• Why Built Without a Net is more than an HR podcast and is about real business leadership challenges
• How Brad’s career path—from corporate HR to launching his own business—shaped his approach to problem-solving
• The reality check of starting a business, including the risks, sacrifices, and steep learning curves
• Why finding the right support and community matters for business owners
• What listeners can expect from future episodes, including leadership stories, compliance updates, and actionable insights

Key Takeaways: 

• Built Without a Net shines a spotlight on the real, messy challenges leaders face—cutting through theory to share raw, practical solutions you can actually use. It’s about addressing what happens in the trenches, not just what’s written in the manuals.
• Brad’s professional detours, from corporate HR to entrepreneurship, provided him with unexpected skills and perspectives that became essential for running his own business. Sometimes the winding road equips you better than the straight path.
• Excelling at your craft is one thing, but running a successful business demands an entirely different skill set. The transition from specialist to business owner requires learning on the fly and wearing multiple hats.
• No leader can thrive entirely on their own. Having both personal allies and professional partners is crucial when navigating the uncertainty of building something without a safety net.
• Listeners can expect candid, encouraging, and highly actionable insights. This podcast offers not just knowledge, but the motivation and perspective needed to push forward through the toughest moments.

“When you're building something from scratch without a team behind you, no safety net, it's challenging, and frankly, it can be lonely, and it's hard sometimes to find the right support that you need at the moment that you need it. That's why I put this podcast together. Built Without a Net is meant to be a sounding board, a place that you can turn for insight and perspective and a sense that you're not the only one trying to figure this out.” 

- Brad Foley

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.