Sandbox Sessions

What does it really take to build a business from almost nothing?

In this episode of Sandbox Sessions, Rachael, Evan, and Taylor sit down with entrepreneur Amir, co-founder of DealerOn, to unpack the long, unpredictable road from a basement startup to a company that grew into a major player in the automotive industry.

Amir shares the story of how he and his brother started by solving one simple problem for car dealerships following up with leads and how that small opportunity eventually evolved into something much bigger. There was no perfect business plan, no clear roadmap, and no guarantee it would work.

There was simply a willingness to keep the business alive long enough to discover what came next.

At its core, this is a conversation about resilience, adaptability, patience, and staying in the game long enough for the next opportunity to find you.

Because sometimes the biggest businesses don't start with a perfect vision. Sometimes they start with one problem, one customer, and the decision to keep going.

What happens when a successful gym decides to take the biggest leap yet opening a second location?

In this episode of Sandbox Sessions, Evan, Taylor, and Rachael take listeners behind the scenes of Recess’ next chapter: opening a brand-new location at the Centrum Building in Dallas. From the challenges of finding the right space and navigating construction to building the right team and figuring out how to replicate the Recess experience, they get candid about what it really takes to grow.

They talk about the lessons learned from the first location, why the team ultimately chose Dallas over Frisco, and how they’re designing the new space to be bigger, better, and more intentional—from dedicated training areas and a larger sauna to quiet rooms, a meditation space, and plenty of new surprises.

But expansion isn’t just about square footage. For Recess, it’s about community, hospitality, culture, and creating a place people are genuinely excited to walk into.

This is the story of taking something that works, figuring out how to grow it without losing its identity, and stepping into the unknown with a whole lot of excitement, nerves, and trust in the team.

In a city where restaurants live and die by trend, one restaurateur is betting everything on the unexpected.

Thirteen builds deep, Austin Rogers knows the rules: every restaurant runs over budget. Every timeline slips. Every plan meets a wall of contractors, cost overruns, and 4am worry. He's done it before with Goodwins Dallas's beloved neighborhood classic. But this time is different.

This time, it's Corsair.

Named after the pirate ships that once ruled the Mediterranean spice trade, Corsair isn't just another restaurant it's a transportive experience years in the making, built to make Dallas disappear the second you walk through the door. Two patios. A 100-seat dining room. A menu pulling flavor from Turkey, Morocco, Lebanon, Greece, and beyond. No trend-chasing. No copying. Nothing like it exists in Texas.

But building something this ambitious comes at a cost financially, emotionally, and personally. A newborn on the way. A second gym location on the line. Millions of dollars riding on a single opening night. And the same haunting question that's followed Austin through 13 builds: what if people don't show up?

Join hosts Evan, Taylor, and Rachel of Sandbox Sessions as they sit down with Austin Rogers for a raw, unfiltered conversation about ambition, risk, group dining, the death of alcohol culture, microplastics, fridge cigs, and what it really takes to open the most anticipated restaurant in Dallas.

The build is real. The stakes are higher than ever. Corsair is coming.

Listen now to go behind the curtain before the doors even open.

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What happens when a former college football player trades the field for ultra marathons… while quietly building a seven-figure pet brand behind the scenes?

In this episode of Sandbox Sessions, Spencer Conley opens up about the chaos, pressure, and obsession behind entrepreneurship, fitness, and building a life that actually means something.

From launching a business days before the world shut down… to losing $70,000 on a failed startup… to running 55-mile ultras through the Arizona desert… Spencer shares the moments nobody sees behind the highlight reel.

This is a conversation about discipline. About routine. About identity. About what happens when success looks amazing on the outside but still demands sacrifice every single day.

It’s funny. Honest. Relatable. And packed with the kind of conversations that stay with you long after the episode ends.

If you’ve ever felt torn between building your future and protecting your peace… this episode is for you.

Listen now to one of the most raw and motivating conversations yet on Sandbox Sessions.

What happens when a college kid who feels completely lost walks into an EDM festival for the first time… and two years later ends up performing on that very same stage?

In this episode of Sandbox Sessions, Kade Findley shares the raw, behind-the-scenes story of how he went from working the front desk at Recess to touring across the country as a rising EDM artist.

From teaching himself music production on YouTube, battling nerves before shows, traveling city to city, and learning the difference between chasing clout vs. chasing purpose, this conversation dives deep into the mindset, discipline, and obsession it takes to turn a dream into reality.

This isn’t just a story about music.

It’s about finding identity after losing sports.

Betting on yourself before anyone else does.

Building confidence through consistency.

And discovering a community that changes your life forever.

If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck, or unsure of your path… this episode will hit hard.

Listen now and witness the beginning of something big.

What if your style could completely change how you show up in life?

In this episode, stylist Alex Cohen shares how to build a wardrobe with purpose, not trends.

From moving to Nashville with no plan to styling high-level clients and major campaigns, she breaks down the formula behind confidence, fit, and personal style.

We dive into the power of tailoring, investing in staple pieces, and defining your look through a simple 3-part framework. Plus, real talk on fashion mistakes, creative growth, and how fitness and mindset play a role in confidence.

This isn’t just about clothes it’s about becoming the person you want to be.

What happens when everything falls apart… and you refuse to quit?

In this episode of Sandbox Sessions, we sit down with entrepreneur John Paul Valverde, a man who didn’t just survive two economic crashes… he built an empire through them.

From starting in real estate at 19…

To watching his business collapse during the 2008 crash…

To rebuilding from scratch with zero portfolio, zero certainty, and everything on the line…

This isn’t a highlight reel.

This is the reality of entrepreneurship.

You’ll hear how John:

• Turned desperation into opportunity

• Built multiple companies from one idea

• Learned to say no (the hard way)

• Navigated fear, failure, and financial pressure

• Created an entire business ecosystem from scratch

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or questioned whether it’s all worth it… this conversation is a must-listen.

🎧 Press play, and step inside the mind of a real builder.

From struggling at 90 pounds in high school to shaping elite athletes, Jace Rodin knows what it takes to transform a body and a mindset. On this episode of Sandbox Sessions, co-founders Taylor, Evan, and Rachael dive deep with Jace, exploring sports nutrition, sustainable performance, and why perfection is the enemy of progress.

Whether you’re chasing fat loss, muscle gains, or just a healthier lifestyle, this episode will challenge how you think about food, fitness, and yourself.

Hit play, your next breakthrough starts here.

What happens when a banker who can’t find a suit that fits… ends up building a global luxury clothing brand?

In this episode of Sandbox Sessions, the crew sits down with Donovan England custom clothier to entrepreneurs, executives, military officers, and high level operators for a story that sounds less like fashion… and more like a thriller.

In Episode 12 of Sandbox Sessions, we sit down with Michelin-star chef and Recess member Christophe De Lellis. From family tables in Paris to 14 relentless years at MGM Grand under the legendary Joël Robuchon, Christophe’s path is one built on pressure, precision, and earning every step forward.

He opens up about the mindset behind rising from line cook to one of the youngest executive chefs in Robuchon’s global portfolio, and what it really takes to hold yourself to elite standards when no one’s watching.

Then comes the moment that changed everything: a Michelin star just 48 days after opening Mamani.

The conversation weaves through performance, discipline, and the role Recess plays in fueling the energy, confidence, and stamina demanded by long kitchen days. He closes with advice for entrepreneurs on fear, long-term thinking, and taking the leap, but for that... you’ll have to listen yourself!