In this episode of Clear Conversations: Entrepreneurial Legacies, host John Sleeting is joined by Joe Kuchta, a seasoned leader in the advertising and marketing space, to share his path from corporate life to entrepreneurial success. Joe reflects on the pivotal moment he left a stable role at a large corporation to join a smaller agency—an early leap that would ultimately lead to long-term growth and leadership.   Together, John and Joe explore the evolution of the business, from organic expansion to strategic acquisitions. Joe offers candid insights into the complexities of mergers and acquisitions, including the lessons learned through both challenges and wins. The conversation also touches on internal succession planning and the emotional nuances of leadership transitions, especially when stepping away from a business you've helped shape.   For those navigating growth while aiming to preserve culture and purpose, this episode offers thoughtful perspective on balancing strategy, people, and identity through each phase of entrepreneurship.   Disclosure  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions and is not intended to provide legal or tax advice. John Sleeting is an employee of Clearwater Capital Partners. Joseph Kuchta is a member of the Board of Directors for Clearwater Capital Partners. He is compensated for his role as a Board Member. Joseph was not compensated for his statements or participation in this podcast. All opinions expressed by participants are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Clearwater Capital Partners.