This is Madison's 2nd time on the podcast. If you haven't seen the first episode, check the first conversation out as well!

Today’s podcast guest is Paul Beaudin. You may have seen him behind the scenes—adjusting the camera or handling other technical details. He’s the producer for our show and many others at Sound Shed Studios. Over the course of working together on this podcast operation, Paul has become a friend. What I really appreciate about him is that he’s not afraid to disagree; while we have plenty of areas of agreement that form the foundation of our relationship, our thoughtful disagreements make our conversations richer. I thought it was time to put a face to the name and give you a bit of background on who he is and where he comes from. I hope you’ll enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Stay tuned—I’ll have more episodes with Paul in the future, where we’ll continue these broad, engaging discussions (and yes, the occasional friendly debate).

My guest today is Sydney Hockett. Sydney is the Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at Evergreen Services Group, based in the Bay Area of San Francisco, California. Evergreen is a private‑equity firm with a strategy similar to Berkshire Hathaway’s but focused exclusively on managed IT service businesses.

​Alyca Garrison is a Partner at Jackson Walker LLP, bringing a unique blend of legal and financial expertise to her practice. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and former Tax Manager at a Big 4 accounting firm, she is well-equipped to counsel both public and private clients on complex tax matters. Alyca's combined experience in law and accounting enables her to provide comprehensive and strategic advice to her clients.

Joshua Bingaman is the founder and creative force behind HELM Boots, a brand born in Austin, Texas with a mission to craft timeless, American-made footwear. With a background in coffee, design, and entrepreneurship, Joshua brings a thoughtful, hands-on approach to every pair of boots HELM creates. His vision blends classic craftsmanship with modern sensibility, resulting in boots that are as enduring as they are stylish.

Fred G. Eppright is a Texas-based businessman renowned for his extensive experience in real estate, philanthropy, and winemaking. Born in Austin, Texas, he grew up in various South Texas communities. In 1973, he earned an accounting degree from Texas A&I University and began his career as a staff accountant at Union Texas Petroleum. ​Eppright leads FTM Investments and co-founded the Impact Cares Foundation, which is actively engaged in humanitarian efforts in Haiti and Ukraine. He also serves as Chairman of the Board for Bridge Capital, a company focused on business plan consulting, strategic planning, market research, and investment services in Haiti. ​In the realm of winemaking, Eppright is the Principal at Parable Wines, a Napa Valley winery he established with his sons, Trey and Matt. The family's journey into winemaking began in 2021 when they acquired the Dutch Henry property in Calistoga, California, which had been damaged by the 2020 Glass Fire. Under Eppright's leadership, Parable Wines focuses on crafting small-batch wines sourced from esteemed vineyards, reflecting his commitment to excellence and stewardship. ​Eppright's diverse ventures highlight his dedication to quality, integrity, and community engagement across various industries.​

We welcome back Mike Spadier for another interview. If you haven't seen our first one, check it out as well!

Ruth Marriott is the co-founder and CEO of A Pup Above, a company dedicated to providing fresh, human-grade meals for dogs. Inspired by her dog Lola, she and her husband Javier launched the brand in 2020 to offer nutritious and transparent pet food. With a background in marketing and strategy from Honeywell and Walmart, Ruth has led A Pup Above to rapid growth, now available in over 2,000 retail locations. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Texas McCombs. Her mission is to revolutionize pet nutrition with high-quality, minimally processed meals.

Joe Myers is a friend, and a member of the Old Man Breakfast

Philip returned for another podcast. Check out our first talk at the link below. https://youtu.be/illiY5EW8vM