When childhood dreams and unexpected detours meet hustle and heart, you get Chris Slaughter’s story. 

In this episode of In The Treehouse, Michael sat down with Chris, founder of CSS Transportation, to talk about how a love for cars turned into a career in IT, then pivoted into a thriving towing and transportation business.

Chris didn’t have a business degree or a playbook when he started out with just a Toyota Camry and a dream. 

Today, he operates a full fleet, manages government contracts, and even launched The Auto Hanger, a space where the car community can come together safely and legally.

 What stands out most about Chris isn't just his journey but how he brings his team along with him.

1. Start With What You Have, Not What You Lack

Chris began his business with a 2005 Toyota Camry doing roadside assistance and Uber. What mattered wasn’t the vehicle, it was the vision. 

His early story is a masterclass in scrappy persistence.

2. Learn the Language of Business

Financial reports used to intimidate Chris. 

But once he committed to understanding his numbers, he found errors, saved money, and gained control overgrowth.

3. Everyone is a Salesperson

At CSS, every employee knows they’re part of the brand whether they’re behind a desk or on the road. 

Great service becomes word-of-mouth marketing, and that’s by design.

4. Culture Beats Chaos

By setting daily goals, encouraging feedback, and teaching concepts like “Eat That Frog,” Chris keeps his team proactive, not reactive. 

He fights burnout with structure and purpose.

5. Give Your Dream Room to Expand

From launching a towing company to opening an automotive venue to planning entrepreneurship courses, Chris is proof that success breeds new dreams.

Chris Slaughter’s story reminds us that the road to success is rarely a straight line, but it can still be the ride of a lifetime. He took something simple cars and built something meaningful. 

A business. A team. A movement. And most importantly, a culture where everyone has a stake in the dream.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about your next step, remember: it doesn’t take the perfect start. It takes the right mindset, the right people in your corner, and a willingness to learn on the go.

In this episode of In The Treehouse, Coach Mike Conner sits down with Nick Ford, founder of Transparent Staffing, to explore the winding path from college baseball dreams to launching a business built on integrity. 

Nick shares how a cold call turned into his first big break, the business lessons passed down from his grandfather, and why being upfront with both clients and candidates has become the cornerstone of his success.

With a mix of humility, hustle, and a refreshing take on modern entrepreneurship, Nick opens up about the challenges of scaling, the power of delegation, and his vision for building a business that actually means something.

• Baseball Built the Foundation:
   

Playing college baseball taught Nick time management, discipline, and teamwork skills that later shaped his approach to leadership and business.

• The Internship That Changed Everything:
   

A bold cold call to Jackson Healthcare landed him an internship and launched his career in recruiting proving that opportunity often rewards those who ask.

• Grandfatherly Wisdom:
   

Nick's grandfather, a former CEO, advised him to understand all parts of a business not just his own role. That advice shaped Nick’s ability to lead effectively today.

• What Transparency Really Means:
   

At Transparent Staffing, Nick refuses to oversell jobs or candidates. This honesty has led to long-term placements and trust from both sides of the hiring table.

• Scaling Through Delegation:
   

Learning to delegate and accept that others might do things differently has helped Nick grow from a solo operator into a business builder with a team and vision for the future.

 Nick Ford’s journey is a reminder that the most meaningful businesses often grow from personal values clarity, trust, and hard-earned wisdom. From baseball fields to boardrooms, his story shows us that doing the right thing, even when it’s harder, pays off in deeper relationships and lasting impact. 

If you're building something from the ground up, don’t just aim for success aim for honesty. That’s where the real magic happens. 

 This episode of In The Treehouse with Coach Conner brings you the inspiring journey of Teressa Ruspi, a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader turned mental health advocate and founder of LRJ Foundation and TR Healthy Bites. 

Teressa shares her deeply personal motivation behind launching a nonprofit after losing her brother to suicide and discusses the power of early mental health education, workplace wellness, and how gut health shapes our mindset. 

Whether you're a parent, business owner, or just someone navigating tough seasons, this episode will ground and uplift you. 

• Building Resilience Through Personal Loss

Teressa founded the LRJ Foundation after the tragic loss of her brother to suicide. 

What began as unimaginable grief transformed into a mission to teach mental wellness in schools, impacting over 78,000 students in 14 years.

• Mental Health Belongs in Schools

Her approach focuses on early prevention and mental wellness education, working with teachers, students, and even municipalities. 

She explains how community-wide engagement from educators to local government can foster a climate of emotional strength and empathy.

• You Don't Have to “Fix” It to Help

Supporting someone struggling with mental health doesn't require being an expert. 

Teressa offers simple but powerful advice: “Sometimes, just a text saying, ‘I’m here if you need me,’ means everything.”

• Gut Health = Mind Health

Through TR Healthy Bites, Teressa connects nutrition to mental clarity. 

She emphasizes how food choices impact emotional well-being, explaining that “healing the gut can help heal the mind.”

• Real Self-Care Is in the Daily Choices

Whether it’s offering healthier snacks at the office or encouraging short outdoor breaks, Teressa insists self-care starts with how we treat our bodies and ourselves each day.

 This Treehouse conversation with Teressa Ruspi reminds us that healing often starts with honesty, and strength is often found in the smallest consistent choices. 

From transforming grief into purpose to teaching children and adults how to tend to their minds like they would their bodies, Teressa is helping to shift the conversation around mental health and self-care. 

Whether it’s through a protein-packed muffin or a moment of kindness, we all have something we can offer. If this episode resonates with you, take one small step today reach out to someone, read that article, or just pause. You’re not alone. 

In this week’s episode of In The Treehouse, host Michael Conner sits down with Tom Viera, a former corporate professional turned franchisee, as they explore his journey of transitioning from a career in the corporate world to owning a business. 

Tom shares his experiences, challenges, and the lessons he's learned along the way. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to make the leap into entrepreneurship.

• Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit in Corporate Life

Tom reveals how, despite working for large corporations, he always maintained a small business mindset. 

His ability to stay entrepreneurial in a corporate world was key in eventually stepping into business ownership.

• The Turning Point: From Corporate to Dog Wash Entrepreneur

After being downsized from his job, Tom took a leap of faith and opened a self-serve dog wash business. 

Although it didn’t turn into the franchise he initially envisioned, the experience was valuable in teaching him the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

• The Importance of Letting Go

Tom emphasizes how, like becoming a parent, transitioning into business ownership requires letting go of parts of your past life whether it's hobbies or old dreams. 

This lesson helped him focus on what mattered most, paving the way for his next venture.

• The Challenges of Opening a Franchise

His latest venture, a DogStop franchise, took nearly three years to open due to unforeseen delays, including permit issues. 

Tom highlights the emotional and financial struggles entrepreneurs face but stresses the importance of patience, persistence, and a strong support system.

• The Role of Faith and Community in Business Decisions

Tom shares a pivotal moment when he prayed for guidance and received a clear sign to start a business with his close friend. 

The support of his community and faith played an integral role in his decision-making process.

 Tom’s story is one of resilience, faith, and the power of community. From navigating corporate life with an entrepreneurial spirit to overcoming the inevitable challenges of business ownership, he offers valuable insights for anyone looking to take that first step into the world of small business. 

Remember, the road to entrepreneurship isn’t always smooth, but as Tom says, “It’s about enjoying the journey.”

After 12 incredible guest conversations, In The Treehouse took a moment to pause no guests this time, just host Michael Conner reflecting on what’s been learned so far. 

In this solo episode, Mike shares the key themes that have echoed across all the stories told in the treehouse. If you’ve missed an episode or are new to the show, this is a perfect entry point.

Here are the 4 standout lessons drawn from 12 raw, inspiring journeys of real-world entrepreneurs:

• Resilience & Adaptability Are Non-Negotiable

Guests like Steve Beecham and Joe Wargo showed us that success often comes wrapped in failure. 

Their willingness to pivot, push forward, and learn through discomfort is what ultimately led them to thrive. 

Whether it was weathering economic downturns or starting over in new industries, they modeled grit in action.

• Purpose Over Profit, Always

From Enrique and Jocelyn Dent’s motto “chase purpose, not money” to Enrique Dent’s commitment to building generational values into his family business, our guests reminded us that money follows meaning. 

When you’re driven by your why, success has a much deeper foundation.

• Build Relationships, Not Just Revenue

The power of trust and connection came up again and again. 

Whether it was Steve Beecham’s networking insights, Brandon Lee’s story of authenticity, or the role of community service through organizations like Vision Warriors, this group of entrepreneurs showed that real growth is rooted in relationships, not transactions.

• Big Dreams Happen Through Small Steps

No one had a silver bullet. 

Every story was about consistent, often uncomfortable action whether that was Alex Hodge buying a single truck or Jay and Sean saying “yes” to an impromptu invite from Little Richard. 

Progress doesn’t require perfection, just movement.

• The Path to Success = Dream → Goals → Learning → Planning → Action

Mike closed the episode with a simple but powerful framework to turn vision into reality.

 Too often we skip the learning and planning stages, and it costs us. Success, he reminded us, isn’t magic it’s mapped.

This episode was a pause to reflect and celebrate but also a charge to keep going. If you’re a business owner trying to figure out your next step, look at the paths others have walked. 

There’s no one right way but there is a right mindset: resilient, purpose-driven, relationship-first, and committed to the long game.

Catch the full episode and the rest of the series on YouTube at MichaelConnorBIZ — and come back next week for the story behind DogStock with Tom and his wife, kicking off the next season of authentic entrepreneurial journeys.

In this episode of In The Treehouse, host Michael Conner welcomes Jason Bair, owner of Blue Sky Systems, for a deep dive into his entrepreneurial journey. 

Jason shares how his early days building treehouses and riding BMX bikes evolved into a career in electrical work, IT, and ultimately, launching his own low-voltage contracting company. 

They discuss the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of staying ahead in technology, and the mindset required to succeed as an entrepreneur.

• Entrepreneurial Beginnings & The Value of Adaptability

Jason’s early exposure to electrical work through his father gave him a foundational skill set that he later expanded into IT and low-voltage systems. 

His ability to adapt and learn new trades allowed him to evolve his career, proving that flexibility is key to long-term business success.

• Transitioning from Job Security to Business Ownership

Despite initially enjoying a steady paycheck, Jason realized that if he was going to answer for a business, he wanted it to be his own. 

This moment of clarity led him to launch Blue Sky Systems, reinforcing the importance of recognizing when it’s time to take control of your own future.

• Growth Brings Both Challenges and Opportunities

Scaling a business is not just about increasing revenue but also about managing cash flow, hiring the right team, and maintaining quality service. 

Jason explains how strategic hiring and staying ahead of industry trends helped his company remain competitive while expanding.

• Staying Ahead with Technology & Innovation

Jason is passionate about being on the cutting edge of security technology. 

By working closely with manufacturers and staying informed about new developments, Blue Sky Systems offers clients solutions that evolve with their needs rather than becoming outdated.

• The Power of Vision & Passion in Business

A recurring theme in Jason’s journey is the importance of passion. He emphasizes that if you view your work as just a job, it’s time to reconsider your path. 

Having a clear vision and genuine interest in what you do makes all the difference in achieving sustainable success.

Jason’s journey from a hands-on electrician to a thriving business owner is a testament to the power of adaptability, vision, and perseverance. His story reminds us that success isn’t just about making money—it’s about staying passionate, solving real problems, and continuously evolving.

In this episode of In The Treehouse, host Michael Conner sits down with Alex Hodge, founder of J-Hodge Enterprises. From starting out as a UPS driver to building a thriving excavation and site development company.

Alex shares his inspiring journey of entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and scaling a business with a competitive mindset.

1. From Side Hustle to Full-Fledged Business

Alex started his career at UPS, earning a solid income as a young driver. However, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to invest in a dump truck without any prior experience in the field. 

Through sheer determination and a willingness to learn, he turned that single truck into a fleet, eventually launching his own excavation and site development company.

2. The Power of Ownership and Control

One of Alex’s biggest business shifts was moving from working as a dump truck operator to becoming a dirt broker and eventually a site development contractor. 

His goal was to control his own work, ensuring his trucks were always running rather than relying on external brokers. 

This mindset helped him expand his business into full-service excavation and land development.

3. Scaling a Business Comes with Growing Pains

As Alex grew his company to millions in annual revenue, he realized that scaling brings new challenges, particularly cash flow management. 

While many small business owners think higher revenue solves financial problems, he shared that cash flow struggles only increase with growth. 

Managing employees, securing contracts, and investing in equipment all demand careful financial planning.

4. Building a Strong Network for Success

Alex credits much of his success to relationships built through organizations like Rotary. Surrounding himself with experienced business leaders and mentors helped him navigate challenges, seize new opportunities, and continue expanding. 

He emphasized that in business, "It's not what you know, it's who you know."

5. Embracing Hard Work and a Competitive Mindset

From sleeping in his truck to working 24/7, Alex believes in outworking the competition. His philosophy is simple: "If you work harder than anybody else, you'll get there." 

However, he also acknowledges the importance of leveraging technology, hiring the right people, and continuously improving operations to stay ahead in a competitive industry.

Alex Hodge’s story is a testament to the power of taking risks, believing in yourself, and putting in the work to build something great. His journey from UPS driver to business owner generating millions in revenue shows that success isn’t handed out—it’s earned.

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to scale your business, Alex’s story is a reminder that persistence, networking, and strategic decision-making can take you far.

In this powerful episode of In The Treehouse, host Michael Conner sits down with Brandon Lee, an entrepreneur, community leader, and advocate for personal growth. 

They dive deep into Brandon’s journey—his struggles, triumphs, and the lessons that have shaped him. 

From overcoming addiction to building businesses and serving his community, Brandon shares an authentic and raw perspective on life’s opportunities and challenges.

1. The Power of Authenticity

Brandon emphasizes the importance of being real in both business and life. 

He believes that true success comes from embracing your story—flaws and all—and using it to connect with others. 

His transparency about his past struggles, including addiction, has allowed him to build meaningful relationships and inspire change in those around him.

2. Fear Holds People Back

A key theme in the conversation is how fear prevents people from taking risks and reaching their full potential. 

Brandon discusses how fear of failure can be paralyzing but reminds us that growth happens in discomfort. 

He urges entrepreneurs to "embrace the suck" and understand that failure is just part of the journey to success.

3. From Addiction to Purpose-Driven Leadership

Brandon opens up about his personal battle with addiction and how he has been sober for nearly 30 years. 

His journey led him to create Vision Warriors, a faith-based community that provides accountability and support for men recovering from addiction. 

He highlights that overcoming struggles isn’t just about avoiding bad habits—it’s about building a new, purpose-filled life.

4. Business, Relationships, and Community Impact

Brandon doesn’t see business as just making money; for him, it’s about nurturing relationships and giving back to the community. 

He shares how his entrepreneurial spirit was influenced by his family’s history of starting businesses and how he now focuses on mentoring and supporting other business owners. 

His approach to business is built on trust, service, and meaningful connections.

5. Serving the Community: Running for Alpharetta City Council

Brandon recently announced his candidacy for Alpharetta City Council, viewing it as an opportunity to give back to a city that has supported him. 

While hesitant to label himself a politician, he sees this role as an extension of his mission—to serve, support, and help others thrive. 

He encourages people to step up and lead in their communities, even if it means stepping outside their comfort zones.

Brandon’s story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of embracing life’s challenges. Whether it’s addiction, business, or leadership, his message remains the same: every problem is just an opportunity viewed the wrong way.

 By shifting our mindset and surrounding ourselves with the right people, we can turn obstacles into stepping stones for growth.

In this episode of In The Treehouse, host Michael Conner welcomes Kirk Driskell, an entrepreneur, community leader, and founder of Vision Warriors, a faith-based recovery community. 

Kirk shares his entrepreneurial journey, personal struggles, and passion for helping others find purpose beyond addiction. 

His story is one of resilience, accountability, and unwavering faith, inspiring listeners to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

1. Childhood Adventures & the Spirit of Building

Kirk reminisces about building forts and hunting with his grandfather in Alpharetta, Georgia. 

These experiences fostered his love for creating, problem-solving, and the outdoors—traits that later shaped his entrepreneurial and leadership mindset.

2. Lessons from an Entrepreneurial Family

Raised by parents who embraced business ownership, Kirk learned early on that success comes from taking risks and thinking differently. 

From his father starting a bank to selling utility trailers out of a Thunderbird, his upbringing was filled with examples of resourcefulness and resilience.

3. The Pain of Failure & The Power of Growth

Kirk emphasizes that failure is part of the journey. He shares how his father encouraged him to take risks by saying, "If you're not losing money, you're not making as much as you can be.

" His own experiences, both business and personal, reinforced the idea that growth happens outside of the comfort zone.

4. Overcoming Addiction & Leading Others to Freedom

Kirk marks 30 years of sobriety, crediting God, accountability, and strong relationships for his transformation. 

He founded Vision Warriors, a Christ-centered community that provides support, accountability, and a second chance to men battling addiction. 

He reminds listeners that there is always hope for the hopeless.

5. Serving Alpharetta & The Call to Leadership

Driven by gratitude for his community, Kirk recently announced his candidacy for Alpharetta City Council. 

While he hesitates to call himself a "politician," he sees public service as an extension of his calling—to uplift and strengthen those around him.

Kirk leaves us with two powerful lessons:

1. "You have two choices in life: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret."
2. "You don’t have problems—you have opportunities you're looking at the wrong way."

His journey is a testament to faith, resilience, and serving others with authenticity. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available—just reach out.

In this episode of In The Treehouse, host Michael Conner sits down with Greg Santini to discuss his unconventional career shift from corporate accounting to running a business that helps families find quality senior care. 

Greg shares the challenges of making a mid-life career change, the importance of following your passion, and how his ministry work led him to a business that truly fulfills him.

• The Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

Greg spent over 25 years in corporate accounting before realizing that something was missing. He had the skills and stability, but not the fulfillment. 

His experience is a powerful example of how even well-established professionals can pivot towards something more meaningful.

• Listening to the Signs: How Ministry Led to Business

While working as an accountant, Greg started a ministry visiting seniors in assisted living facilities. Over time, he developed a deep passion for helping elderly individuals and their families navigate difficult transitions. 

This eventually led him to discover Assisted Living Locators, a franchise that aligned with his heart’s mission.

• Navigating the Challenges of Senior Care

Finding the right senior care facility is not as simple as picking a place with good reviews. Greg emphasizes that families often don’t know what to look for, and without guidance, they can make costly mistakes. 

He acts as an advocate, helping families make informed decisions based on care needs, financial situations, and facility reputations.

• Overcoming the Struggles of Business Ownership

Starting a business is never easy—especially in a field you’ve never worked in before. Greg shares how he had to develop new skills, like networking and marketing, to grow his business. 

His financial background helped keep the company stable, but the key to success was perseverance and adapting to new challenges.

• Finding Fulfillment in Helping Others

For Greg, success isn’t just about revenue—it’s about impact. He takes pride in knowing he’s helping families through one of the most difficult decisions they’ll ever make. 

By providing a free service that connects people to the right senior care facilities, he’s able to make a meaningful difference while running a thriving business.

Greg’s story is a testament to the power of trusting your instincts, embracing change, and pursuing work that aligns with your values. 

If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career, his journey proves that it’s never too late to take a leap into something new—especially if it’s something that truly matters.