In this episode of Ground Up Growth, Paul Hopper and Hannah Pittman sit down with Webb Emerson, owner of Form Design Build, to talk about building a modern construction company from the ground up. Webb shares his journey from growing up around job sites in Memphis to earning a construction degree from Mississippi State University, gaining experience in large-scale commercial construction, and eventually launching his own business in Jackson, Mississippi.

The conversation dives into how Form Design Build is reshaping the traditional construction model through a design-build approach that combines architecture, engineering, and construction under one roof. Webb explains why this streamlined process creates a better experience for clients, reduces friction, and often delivers stronger long-term value than the standard bid process.

They also discuss branding, marketing, and why many construction companies overlook the power of a strong message and consistent presence online. Webb shares how intentional branding, company culture, and long-term thinking have helped Form grow quickly in just three years. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, construction, leadership, or building a business with vision, this episode delivers practical insight and real-world perspective.

In Part 2 of this episode of Ground Up Growth, Cameron Hartley dives deeper into what it really takes to scale a business—and the risks that come with it.

After building a successful equipment company, Cameron shares the high-stakes decision to invest everything into a new location in Gluckstadt, Mississippi—a move he knew would either make him or break him. From navigating drought seasons that cut revenue in half to managing cash flow in a seasonal business, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities most entrepreneurs don’t talk about.

We also explore:

If you’re in the middle of building, growing, or betting on your next big move, this episode will challenge the way you think about risk, resilience, and what it takes to win long-term.

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down with Cameron Hartley, owner of Hartley Equipment Company in Gluckstadt, Mississippi, to unpack his journey from cutting grass as a teenager to building a thriving, multi-division equipment business.

Cameron shares how he started working at just 14 years old, built a landscaping company with over 100 accounts and 16 employees, and ultimately made the bold decision to leave college and bet on himself. We dive into the realities of entrepreneurship—from managing teams and burnout to spotting opportunity and pivoting into the outdoor power equipment industry.

You’ll hear how Cameron transitioned from landscaping to launching Hartley Equipment, built strategic relationships, and scaled his business into a one-stop shop for contractors across Central Mississippi. He also shares lessons on work ethic, risk-taking, leadership, and what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up.

If you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or someone looking for real-world insight into building something from nothing, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and inspiration.

What does it actually look like to build a business without losing who you are?

In Part 2 with Grace Sturdivant (OtoPro Technologies), we go beyond the origin story and into the real decisions that shape a business—scaling vs. staying lean, product vs. service, and growth vs. identity.

Grace shares how she turned a single relationship into a major opportunity with MeatEater, why she refuses to sign exclusivity deals, and how she’s built a profitable company with zero debt—all while prioritizing people over products.

We also talk about:

The hidden challenges of growth and scaling

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down with Grace from OtoPro Technologies, a Mississippi-based hearing protection company redefining how people think about hearing health.

Grace shares her journey from growing up in Grenada, Mississippi, to becoming a Doctor of Audiology and building an unexpected business from the ground up. What started as a simple desire to help friends and family protect their hearing turned into a nationwide service model—connecting clients with a network of hundreds of clinics across the U.S. and beyond.

We dive into the powerful connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline, the gaps in traditional healthcare systems, and how Grace identified a real-world problem and built a business around solving it. She also opens up about balancing motherhood and career, taking risks without a clear roadmap, and building a lean, service-first company that thrives on relationships and word-of-mouth.

This episode is a conversation about following conviction, creating opportunity where others see obstacles, and building something meaningful—one relationship at a time.

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down for part 2 with Lonnie Stevenson—owner of Circle S Incorporated, industrial cleaning company leader, and former PBR Finals bull rider—to talk about what it truly takes to build a successful business from the ground up.

Lonnie shares how his rodeo background shaped his work ethic, discipline, and values—and how those same principles helped him grow a company rooted in quality, opportunity, and team culture.

We dive into:

Lonnie also shares stories from his time traveling the world as a professional bull rider, insights on leadership, and his perspective on what’s missing in today’s workforce.

If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or someone looking to grow in your career, this episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t complicated—it’s built on discipline, integrity, and showing up every day ready to work.

From bull riding arenas to industrial job sites, Lonnie Steverson’s story is built on grit, risk, and resilience.

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, Lonnie—owner of Circle S Incorporated—shares how a family business that started with painting and “figuring it out” evolved into a multi-state industrial cleaning operation. After losing his father at just 20 years old, Lonnie and his mom worked to keep the business alive, eventually growing it into a company with 80+ employees serving plants across the Southeast.

Along the way, Lonnie was also chasing a different kind of dream—competing as a professional bull rider in the PBR. He opens up about that chapter, the injuries that changed his path, and the moment he chose to go all-in on the business.

This conversation is about more than hydroblasting and hard jobs—it’s about leadership, earning respect, taking care of your people, and learning the work from the ground up.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build something that lasts, this one’s for you.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Nick Newcomb, CEO of StorageMax, we dive into the realities behind the self-storage industry—an asset class many people assume is easy “mailbox money.”

Nick shares the real challenges of building and operating self-storage facilities, including development hurdles like wetland mitigation, construction complications, and the everyday operational issues that come with managing dozens of locations and customers.

We also discuss:

• The biggest pain points in the self-storage business

If you're interested in real estate investing, entrepreneurship, self-storage development, or building a long-term family business, this episode gives an honest look inside one of Mississippi’s largest storage companies.

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down with Nick Newcomb, CEO of StorageMax, the largest self-storage operator in Mississippi. Nick shares his path from growing up on a Delta farm to leading a multi-state self-storage portfolio with nearly 40 locations across Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.

We dig into his early career in commercial real estate, the hands-on years spent learning every level of the StorageMax operation, and how a focus on systems, people, and customer experience helped scale the business through multiple market cycles.

This conversation covers:

-What self-storage really looks like behind the scenes (hint: it’s not just “metal buildings and mailbox money”)

This episode focuses on Nick’s career journey and leadership philosophy.

In Part Two, we’ll go deeper into the operational realities of the self-storage industry—pain points, acquisitions, and what it actually takes to scale. If you’re interested in real estate, operations, or building a durable business from the ground up, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we continue our conversation with Tuk Tuk Boom owner Will Puckett. Will gets real about what it actually takes to build a business from the ground up—especially in the restaurant industry. We dive into the realities of labor shortages, managing emotions and personalities, learning to delegate, and surviving burnout when the pressure is nonstop. From opening a restaurant with zero experience to navigating leadership, trust, and long hours, Will shares the unfiltered lessons most people never talk about.

This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck in a job they hate, has an idea they keep putting off, or needs the reminder that the hardest part is simply starting. If you’ve ever asked yourself “What if I just did it?” — this episode is for you.

Topics covered:

Labor challenges and skilled staffing

Delegation, leadership, and trust

Burnout and recalibrating as a business owner

Taking risks without a safety net

Why passion matters more than experience