In this episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, host Jordan Hill sits down with Tom Hoffert, CEO of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tom shares his incredible journey growing up in Salem, the lessons he learned from entrepreneurial grandparents, and how he stepped into leadership during one of the chamber’s toughest financial moments.

From “burn the boats” leadership mentality to building a culture of trust, mentorship, and resilience, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to lead an organization and support small businesses in a community.

If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with powerful insights on leadership, mindset, and building strong networks.

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In this episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, Jordan Hill sits down with Rob Beckley, High School and Young Adult Pastor at Morning Star Community Church in Salem.Rob shares his journey into leadership at a young age, how he leads large teams of volunteers, builds healthy culture, handles conflict, and protects his family life while carrying the emotional weight of serving others. This conversation is packed with leadership lessons that apply far beyond ministry and directly into business, management, and entrepreneurship.Whether you’re a business owner, executive, manager, or emerging leader, this episode explores what it really means to lead with confidence, compassion, and purpose.Sponsored by Collier LawInterested in sponsoring the podcast? Reach out to Jordan Hill.⏱️ Timestamps0:16 – Introduction & sponsorship0:38 – Meet Rob Beckley and his role at Morning Star1:09 – Becoming a leader at a young age2:36 – Leading 100+ students and 18 volunteers3:18 – Growing up without faith and discovering purpose5:13 – Choosing ministry over engineering7:25 – Starting as an intern and leading older volunteers8:58 – Confidence vs insecurity as a young leader11:06 – How confidence is built through action12:06 – Leading people toward mission, not personality13:01 – Building strong team culture14:21 – “We” language and leading alongside your team15:18 – Hiring slowly and protecting culture16:05 – Conflict resolution and healthy confrontation18:46 – Micromanaging vs giving a long leash20:11 – Learning leadership styles from mentors22:45 – Work-life balance challenges24:40 – Setting boundaries and protecting family time27:00 – Parenting, priorities, and intentional presence29:02 – Compassion overload and emotional burnout31:01 – Creating healthy emotional distance32:12 – The importance of quiet and reflection33:05 – How upbringing shaped leadership values35:00 – Focusing on who you want to become36:00 – Keeping volunteers motivated38:23 – Seasons of doubt and wanting to quit39:03 – Defining success as faithfulness40:42 – Providing for family while following calling43:01 – Handling praise and keeping ego in checkDevelop a greater vision with Jordan Hill on the Dirt to Sky Podcast. Bringing on a powerful aray of guest that exclusively features their talents and respective position in their work and community.FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS!IG AND TIKTOK: DIRTTOSKYPODCAST#Business #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth

From single mom to “million-dollar business builder,” Melody Campbell breaks down what actually grows a business in today’s SEO + AI landscape. In this episode of Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, Melody shares hard-earned lessons from 20+ years in digital marketing, how SEO is evolving alongside AI, why results matter more than credentials, and how resilience, pivots, and people-first thinking create long-term success.If you’re a business owner wondering why the phone isn’t ringing, how AI is changing search, or how to scale without burning out, this episode is a must-listen.Episode Highlights & Timestamps:00:00 – Intro & sponsor shoutout00:40 – Meet Melody Campbell, “The Small Business Guru”01:30 – Building a business as a single mom02:10 – From print marketing to predicting the internet boom03:20 – Why Melody chose SEO as her core focus04:00 – Turning small local businesses into six- and seven-figure companies05:30 – Why she only works with one business per category per area06:40 – Early tech obsession, AOL days, and learning before it was cool08:20 – Results over credentials: why execution is the real currency09:20 – Case studies that speak louder than marketing claims10:10 – Learning to price your value and stop undercharging12:00 – Why Melody doesn’t sell discounts, only results13:20 – What every business should do before hiring SEO help14:00 – Google Business Profiles and free visibility strategies16:50 – How AI is changing how people search and buy18:00 – SEO isn’t dead: why search still matters in an AI world20:20 – Why networking and social media alone aren’t enough22:30 – How AI rewards expertise, authority, and real stories24:00 – Building trust online with FAQs, case studies, and proof27:00 – Pivots, setbacks, and rebuilding after major life events30:00 – “Life is 50/50” and learning to solve problems instead of fearing them33:00 – Lessons from parenting, resilience, and choosing your hard34:45 – Bodybuilding, confidence, and rebuilding strength later in life36:50 – Showing up before you feel ready38:00 – Final thoughts on growth, discipline, and self-belief59:30 – Closing episode👉 Subscribe for more real conversations with business owners who’ve built success from the ground up.

Recorded live at Energize & Elevate 2026, Jordan Hill sits down with Kyle and Lindsay Rouse—a married “power couple” balancing careers, three daughters, and a bodybuilding lifestyle that reshaped their routines, time management, and relationship.
They talk about how bodybuilding started for them (almost by accident), why prepping for shows together brought them closer (even when everyone warned them not to), and how they handle the real-life stuff people don’t always see: planning meals, staying consistent with kids and work, bringing food to events, and keeping their mindset grounded through faith—even in a sport built on comparison.
If you’re overwhelmed and want a realistic starting point, their advice is simple and repeatable: start small, move daily, and stack habits one at a time.
What you’ll hear in this episode

• How Kyle and Lindsay got into bodybuilding while raising three kids
  
• Routine + time management that actually works in real life
  
• Staying disciplined without turning it into unhealthy perfectionism
  
• Faith as a reset button when pressure and comparison hit
  
• Beginner-friendly advice for busy parents and professionals

Join Jordan Hill on the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast as he sits down with the legendary Brad Lea, founder and CEO of Lightspeed VT, for an electrifying conversation packed with untold business secrets and hard-hitting truths! (0:21)Brad Lea reveals his personal journey from a "shitbox shack" to building multi-million dollar businesses (4:40), sharing the pivotal moment he learned the value of authenticity and why it's your greatest filter for success (3:36). Discover why Brad believes relationships are key to building lasting wealth (11:39) and why valuing money over human connection can lead to losing both. (12:49)Learn about Lightspeed VT (6:45), Brad Lea's revolutionary interactive training technology that serves as an affordable, on-demand training department for businesses of all sizes – from small companies to giants like General Motors and Ashley Furniture (9:28).In this powerful episode, you'll learn:

• Brad Lea's personal journey to authenticity and its impact on his success (4:31).
• The critical lesson: why relationships are more important than money in business and life (11:39).
• How to leverage your network for financial success without "using" people (15:24).
• Brad Lea's surprising advice on buying businesses vs. building from scratch for faster wealth accumulation (19:54).
• The mindset, skill set, and habits essential for sustained success and wealth building (38:46).
• Why taking personal responsibility and seeking new information is crucial for changing your results (39:11).

Don't miss these controversial business insights that challenge conventional thinking and provide a clear path to elevating your business and personal life!Thank you to today's sponsors: Embraced, Age Prepared, and Beautiful Blinds and Beyond (0:26).Develop a greater vision with Jordan Hill on the Dirt to Sky Podcast.FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS!IG AND TIKTOK: @DIRTTOSKYPODCAST#Business #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #BradLea #Entrepreneurship #WealthBuilding #Relationships #Mindset #SalesTraining #BusinessStrategy #LightspeedVT #SuccessSecrets #JordanHill #DirtToSkyPodcast

Cameron Hanes sits down on the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast to talk about hard work, discipline, and the mindset behind his “nobody cares, work harder” philosophy. He opens up about growing up outside Springfield, chasing his father’s approval, and how that drive shaped the way he approaches life, hunting, and business.Hanes explains his daily “lift, run, shoot” routine, why preparation matters more than motivation, and how what you do when no one is watching shows up in your results. He shares lessons learned from parenting, leadership, surrounding yourself with the right people, and shifting from a scarcity mindset to believing there’s room for everyone to win.The conversation covers bow hunting, endurance training, accountability, legacy, and using personal struggles as fuel rather than excuses. This episode is for entrepreneurs, athletes, and anyone who believes effort, consistency, and ownership still matter.FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS!IG AND TIKTOK: DIRTTOSKYPODCAST

In today’s episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, host Jordan Hill sits down with her husband and business partner, Mike Hill, to share an honest and powerful conversation about career pivots, leverage, and personal growth.

Mike walks us through his journey from the Army National Guard to IT, and ultimately into real estate—where he’s spent the last six years building a successful, people-centered business. He opens up about stepping away from the security of a W2 job into the uncertainty of a 1099 role, learning the hard truth that your results directly reflect your effort.

This episode dives deep into the importance of self-awareness, understanding your DISC personality, and why trying to “fix” your weaknesses may actually slow you down. Mike shares how leveraging the right people—from transaction coordinators to assistants and partners—allowed him to focus on what he does best: building relationships and leading.

You’ll also hear a powerful story about ego, confidence, and a perceived failure that became a defining growth moment—one that helped him close hundreds of deals and build long-term trust with clients.

A huge thank you to Collier Law for sponsoring today’s episode. We’re also currently looking for one more long-term sponsor to partner with the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast.

Call to Action (CTA):

🎧 Tune in now and discover why surrounding yourself with people better than you might be the smartest business move you’ll ever make.
👉 Interested in sponsoring the podcast or connecting with Mike? Reach out today and be part of the journey.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Osborn, the new CEO leading Willamette Valley Vineyards into its next era of growth and innovation. From building Wine.com in its early days to stepping into one of Oregon’s most iconic wineries, Mike brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial vision and deep industry insight.He shares what makes Willamette Valley Vineyards so unique, why Oregon wine has captured global attention, and how he’s navigating the complexity of running a destination-focused brand with multiple tasting rooms, restaurants, and national distribution.We dive into leadership, culture, sustainability, the future of wine experiences, and the mindset required to lead a company that blends craftsmanship, hospitality, and large-scale operations.If you’re passionate about wine, business strategy, or the journey of modern CEOs, this episode is packed with value.Want more episodes like this?👉 https://salembusinessjournal.org/podcast/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS!IG AND TIKTOK: DIRTTOSKYPODCAST#Business #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, Jordan Hill sits down with Christine Lewy, founder and CEO of Divine Complexions — a powerhouse entrepreneur, artist, and leader who built one of Oregon’s most loved beauty brands through vision, grit, and heart.

Christine’s journey is all about growth, courage, and stepping into the version of yourself you always knew you could become. If you're chasing a dream, building something from nothing, or learning to believe in yourself again, this episode is for you.

✨ Connect with Christine:

Instagram: @christinelewy

Divine Complexions: divinecomplexions.com

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In this episode of the Dirt to Sky Business Podcast, John Safi takes us through an incredible journey that began in a small Afghan village and led him through years on the front lines as a U.S. military combat interpreter. Shot in combat and shaped by unimaginable challenges, John later immigrated to the United States, rebuilding his life in Texas, Massachusetts, and now Oregon — the place he proudly calls home.Today, John is a senior in college, an author with two published books, and the founder of Rakistan Security LLC, providing federal wildfire security services across the Northwest. He also serves as an employment coordinator with Salem For Refugees, helping newcomers build a future in America.John shares powerful stories from combat, cultural misunderstandings, and lessons in resilience, gratitude, and courage — reminding us that “life is a chance” and we’re capable of far more than we think.His third book, A Thousand Miles to Freedom, is coming soon.📌 Connect with John: Instagram, Facebook & X under Nerola John Safi📘 combatinterpreter.com🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://salembusinessjournal.org/podcast/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS!IG AND TIKTOK: DIRTTOSKYPODCAST#Business #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth