Growing Up B2B

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, your host Ed Delia speaks with Harry Dale, Co-Founder of Cover & Supply Co.

Harry and his brother Nick, raised in an entrepreneurial family, identified a gap in the spa cover market after a local manufacturer closed, causing price spikes. They left their corporate jobs to build a Northeast-based manufacturing business specializing in custom spa covers. Harry shares lessons on customer relations, domestic sourcing, leveraging AI, and navigating a family business partnership. He emphasizes resilience, confidence, and the value of growing up around entrepreneurship as key drivers of their early success.

Check out Harry's work HERE.

Connect with Harry on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, your host Ed Delia speaks with Degelis Tufts Pilla and Greg Pilla, co-founders of TribeTokes Inc., a wellness brand specializing in cannabis and plant-based products.

The couple shares their entrepreneurial journey since 2017, discussing how they built the company without outside investment, navigated strict industry regulations, and maintained product quality through transparency. They also explore the dynamics of working together as a married couple, their strategic shift toward scaling operations, and how they are leveraging AI to drive growth while staying true to their core values.

Check out Degelis and Greg's work HERE.

Connect with Degelis on LinkedIn HERE.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, host Ed Delia speaks with Stephen and Randi Goldberg of Sun Business Valuations about the critical role business valuation plays for family-owned B2B companies.

Stephen, with 30+ years of experience valuing over 4,000 companies, and Randi, a former Goldman Sachs executive, share insights on common valuation misconceptions, key value drivers, and value killers like client concentration and owner dependency. They also discuss the dynamics of working as a married couple, the importance of early valuation planning, and how emotional and financial complexities intersect during major business transitions.

Check out Stephen and Randi's work HERE.

Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn HERE.

Connect with Randi on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, your host Ed Delia speaks with executive coach and author Michèle Hecken about the challenges leaders face when stepping back from their businesses.

Drawing from her own entrepreneurial journey, Michèle discusses her book The Art of Offboarding, exploring how founders can transition out of day-to-day roles through delegation, clear role definition, and overcoming ego and fear. The conversation also touches on succession planning in family businesses, generational shifts in leadership values, and the importance of building a fulfilling life outside of work.

Check out Michèle's work HERE.

Check out Michèle's book, The Art of Offboarding, HERE.

Connect with Michèle on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, your host Ed Delia speaks with Sarah Switlik, fourth-generational President of Switlik Survival Products, a century-old manufacturer of life-saving equipment including aviation life vests, life rafts, and military gear.

Sarah shares her journey from Babson College graduate to company president, discussing the intentional, multi-year leadership transition with her father, the importance of open communication in family business succession, and key operational milestones like ERP implementation. She also addresses workforce development challenges, manufacturing's evolving perception, innovation strategy, and building a values-driven culture that supports a diverse, multigenerational workforce.

Check out Sarah's work HERE.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, your host Ed Delia speaks with Katie Rucker, second-generation owner of MacKenzie Corp and founder of NextGen Collaborative.

Katie shares insights on balancing legacy with innovation in family businesses, drawing from personal experience and a 2026 perception study revealing that family businesses are trusted but underestimated for innovation. She emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling, curiosity, humility, and "participatory foresight" for next-generation leaders. The conversation also explores AI adoption, long-term thinking, and empowering rising leaders to craft their own narrative while honoring their inherited legacy.

Check out Katie's work HERE and HERE.

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, your host Ed Delia speaks with Jared Kassoff, COO of Resolution Capitol Management and third-generation leader of a New Jersey commercial real estate family. Jared shares how he inherited not a functioning company, but a property portfolio and family reputation, then rebuilt the business from scratch during COVID. He discusses honoring his late grandfather's legacy while modernizing operations, serving the underserved middle-market real estate segment, navigating family dynamics, and leveraging AI to boost efficiency. The conversation highlights the balance between stewardship, entrepreneurship, and building a sustainable multi-generational business.

Check out Jared's work HERE.

Connect with Jared on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, your host Ed Delia speaks with Josh Gould, CEO of thebigword, a global language services company operating in over 80 countries.

As a second-generation leader, Josh shares insights on navigating leadership transitions, building professional management teams, and embracing AI early. He discusses proving himself beyond his family name, conducting annual self-assessments, and balancing private equity involvement while preserving family values. Josh also highlights AI's role in enhancing, not replacing, human translators, and emphasizes that outdated leadership models, not technology, pose the greatest threat to family businesses.

Check out Josh's work HERE.

Connect with Josh on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, your host Ed Delia speaks with Steven Portrude, second-generation President of Harwill Express Press, a family printing business founded in 1973.

Steven shares how he transformed the company from a neighborhood print shop into a print management and event support firm. Key insights include prioritizing cash flow improvements, observing before making changes, and proactively reinventing the business model, including during COVID-19. Steven emphasizes balancing sustainable growth with family values, treating employees with respect, and viewing technology as a tool rather than a solution, while maintaining integrity throughout decades of leadership.

Check out Steven's work HERE.

Connect with Steven on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, your host Ed Delia interviews Richard Haig, second-generation CEO of Haig Service Corporation.

Richard shares how his father's side business installing TV antennas evolved into a nationally recognized life safety and security company. He discusses stepping away twice to pursue endurance athletics and fitness ventures, and returning to lead the company's growth through strategic acquisitions. Richard also explores how AI and automation are positively impacting his industry, and reflects on building a legacy that may eventually involve private equity, ensuring long-term value for both employees and future generations of his family.

Check out Richard's work HERE.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.