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.