In this episode, host Taylor speaks with Carl Sporie, owner of SkyFox Flyovers, about building a niche drone services business and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship in a highly regulated industry. The conversation centers on how Carl turned a simple idea into a growing business through networking, education, and persistence.

What You’ll Learn

• How identifying a simple entry point—like offering free value—can open doors to new business opportunities
• Why networking remains one of the most effective and reliable growth strategies for early-stage businesses
• The importance of leveraging past experience to create a unique value proposition in a new industry
• How starting as a solo entrepreneur builds deep operational understanding across all aspects of a business
• Why continuous learning is essential when transitioning from employee to business owner
• The role of education in differentiating your service, especially in industries with widespread misinformation
• Key regulatory challenges in the drone industry and how compliance can become a competitive advantage
• How obstacles and unexpected challenges shape resilience and long-term business thinking

Carl’s journey highlights the power of taking initiative, embracing uncertainty, and learning through action. By combining his technical background with a proactive approach to networking and client relationships, he has built a business that not only delivers value but also educates the market. His experience underscores that sustainable growth often comes from consistency, credibility, and a willingness to adapt.

To learn more about Carl Sporie and their work, visit SkyFoxFlyovers.com.

In this episode, host Steven Bunker sits down with Mallory Palisch, president of Craft Education and a serial entrepreneur in the social impact space, to discuss the power of earn-and-learn pathways and the need to better connect education with real-world work experience. Their conversation centers on rethinking higher education, workforce development, and how apprenticeship-based models can unlock opportunity at scale.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why traditional education systems often undervalue real-world experience and how that impacts workforce mobility
• How Mallory’s personal background shaped her mission to bridge education and employment
• The concept of earn-and-learn pathways and why they are critical for modern workforce development
• Where the biggest growth opportunities lie in aligning employers with education providers
• Why the ROI of higher education is being reassessed, especially due to rising costs
• How AI is accelerating processes like credit for prior learning and reducing barriers to degree attainment
• The persistent challenge of changing institutional mindsets within higher education
• Why talent decisions are the most complex and consequential challenges for growing organizations

Mallory Palisch’s journey highlights a fundamental shift underway in how society thinks about education, credentials, and opportunity. By challenging long-held assumptions about where and how learning happens, she is helping to create scalable systems that recognize experience, reduce barriers to entry, and align talent with workforce needs. Her work underscores the idea that meaningful change requires both structural innovation and a long-term mindset, especially when navigating deeply entrenched systems.

To learn more about Mallory Palisch and her work, visit crafteducation.com.

In this episode, host Steven Bunker speaks with Shar, CEO of Zero Hiring and general partner at Infinity Constellation, about transforming recruitment through AI-enabled services and redefining how businesses approach hiring, talent, and growth.

What You’ll Learn

• Why traditional recruitment models are inefficient and how AI-enabled services can deliver faster, better, and cheaper outcomes
• The shift from selling time-based services to delivering outcome-based hiring solutions
• How embedding recruitment solutions within organizations leads to stronger alignment and results
• Why selection—not sourcing or automation, is the most critical factor in improving retention
• The importance of assessing emotional intelligence, cultural fit, and leadership alignment in hiring decisions
• How AI can enhance, but should not replace, human judgment in candidate selection
• The connection between hiring practices and long-term retention, performance, and business success
• Why mission alignment and a clear “North Star” are increasingly important in attracting top talent

Shar emphasizes that the future of recruitment lies in rethinking outdated models and focusing on outcomes rather than effort. By combining AI with human insight, businesses can not only hire more efficiently but also improve retention and overall performance. Ultimately, success comes down to assembling the right team; aligning skills, values, and purpose, to drive sustainable growth and unlock human potential in an increasingly fast-changing world.

To learn more about Shar and their work, visit zerohiring.com.

In this episode, host Taylor Baker sits down with Rich Szecsy, CEO of Big Town Concrete and a PhD-trained civil engineer, to explore his unconventional journey into the ready-mix concrete industry and the critical role concrete plays in modern infrastructure. The conversation centers on leadership, industry expertise, and the often-overlooked complexity and importance of concrete in building durable communities.

What You’ll Learn:

• How unexpected career paths can lead to long-term success and industry leadership

• Why the ready-mix concrete industry is more complex and specialized than most people realize

• The value of combining academic expertise with real-world business experience

• Key factors that determine the quality, durability, and longevity of concrete projects

• How strong leadership and culture drive performance in a construction-based business

• Why infrastructure decisions made today have long-term economic and societal impacts

• The importance of educating clients and stakeholders on technical details that affect outcomes

• How proactive planning and quality materials help prevent costly repairs and “orange barrel disease”

This conversation highlights the essential but often underappreciated role that concrete plays in shaping infrastructure and daily life. Rich Szecsy emphasizes that behind every road, building, and public works project is a series of critical decisions that impact durability, safety, and cost over time. His perspective reinforces the importance of expertise, thoughtful leadership, and a commitment to quality in building systems that communities rely on for decades.

To learn more about Rich Szecsy and his work, visit bigtownconcrete.com.

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Matt Remuzzi, owner of CapForge, about building a scalable bookkeeping business and redefining the role of accounting through strong customer service and business-owner empathy. The conversation centers on how understanding client needs and delivering practical financial clarity can drive growth and long-term success.

What You’ll Learn

• Why poor or outdated financials are one of the biggest barriers to business growth and valuation
• How identifying a recurring problem in the market can lead to a strong business opportunity
• The advantage of approaching a traditional industry with a fresh, outsider perspective
• Why customer service can be a key differentiator in industries that typically overlook it
• How shared experience as a business owner builds trust and accelerates client relationships
• The importance of clear, timely financial data for better decision-making
• How hiring for attitude and empathy, not just technical skill, strengthens a company culture
• The role of scalability and systems in growing from a solo operation to a nationwide business

Matt Remuzzi’s journey highlights how combining practical business insight with a strong service mindset can transform a traditionally transactional industry into a relationship-driven one. By focusing on the real challenges business owners face and delivering consistent, high-quality support, he built a company that not only scales effectively but also creates meaningful impact for its clients.

To learn more about Matt Remuzzi and their work, visit capforge.com

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Dr. Monique Mendoza, founder and CEO of Psychology and Solutions, about bridging the gap between mental health care and workplace support systems. The conversation explores how organizations can better equip themselves to support individuals navigating mental health challenges.

What You’ll Learn

• Why there is a critical gap between clinical mental health care and workplace reintegration
• How fear and uncertainty impact how teams respond to colleagues with mental health needs
• The importance of equipping leaders and organizations with practical psychological tools
• How proactive support systems can reduce risk and improve outcomes for individuals and teams
• Why mental health literacy is essential for modern workplaces
• The role of empathy and structured guidance in creating psychologically safe environments
• How businesses can shift from reactive to preventative approaches in employee well-being
• The value of translating clinical expertise into scalable, real-world solutions for organizations

This episode highlights the growing need for organizations to move beyond awareness and into action when it comes to mental health. Dr. Mendoza emphasizes that meaningful impact happens when businesses are equipped with the right tools, language, and confidence to support individuals effectively. By bridging clinical insight with workplace application, companies can foster safer, more supportive environments that benefit both people and performance.

To learn more about Dr. Monique Mendoza and their work, visit mmspsychsolutions.com.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WorkplaceSafetyDrMonique
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsdrmonique/
Website: https://www.mmpsychsolutions.com/
Strategic Advantage newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/mmpsychsolutions/strategicadvantagenewsletter

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Sam Strasser, founder and CEO of Treasure Financial, about building a fintech company focused on optimizing corporate cash and redefining treasury management for small and mid-sized businesses. The conversation centers on financial stewardship, leveraging technology, and building a sustainable business in a rapidly evolving landscape.

What You’ll Learn

• How effective treasury management can significantly impact a company’s bottom line
• Why most businesses underutilize their idle cash and how to optimize it
• The importance of being a strong financial steward and allocating capital efficiently
• How AI and emerging technologies are reshaping financial operations and internal workflows
• Why customer experience and trust are key differentiators in fintech
• The shift from building for fundraising milestones to building for long-term sustainability
• How to navigate rapid technological change and regulatory complexity as a leader
• The role of outbound relationship-building in driving growth and establishing credibility

Sam Strasser’s journey highlights the untapped potential within corporate finance and the importance of intentional capital management. By combining technology, strategic insight, and a customer-first mindset, he demonstrates how businesses can unlock new efficiencies and growth opportunities. His perspective on sustainability over short-term gains offers a grounded approach to building resilient, future-ready organizations.

To learn more about Sam Strasser and their work, visit TreasureFi.com.

In this episode, host Taylor Baker speaks with Alicia Powers, President of Price Builders and a former Air Force veteran, about building a construction business, modernizing legacy operations, and leading with curiosity in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

What You’ll Learn

• How Alicia transitioned from a military career into residential construction and entrepreneurship
• Why macroeconomic factors like interest rates and housing costs directly shape demand in the remodeling industry
• The importance of modernizing digital presence, including websites and SEO, for legacy businesses
• How personal branding and authenticity can differentiate a business, especially in underrepresented industries
• The challenges of building marketing systems, CRM infrastructure, and data tracking from scratch
• Practical ways AI can enhance operations, from communication tracking to client visualization tools
• Why estimating in construction remains complex and difficult to fully automate despite AI advancements
• How curiosity and genuine interest in people drive stronger leadership, relationships, and business outcomes

Alicia’s story highlights the intersection of grit, adaptability, and innovation required to grow a business in a complex and evolving industry. From leveraging AI tools to navigating economic uncertainty and redefining leadership in construction, her approach underscores the value of clear communication, continuous learning, and building meaningful connections. Ultimately, her journey reflects how combining technical expertise with human-centered leadership can create both business success and lasting impact.

To learn more about Alicia Powers and their work, visit PriceBuilders.com.

In this episode of the Achieve Podcast, host Jessie Warner speaks with Dexter Hadley, physician-scientist and founder of the Canonic Foundation, about building compliant AI systems and rethinking how healthcare data, governance, and trust operate in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why compliance—not speed—is the most critical foundation for building AI in regulated industries like healthcare

• How Dexter’s background in medicine, academia, and AI shaped his long-term vision for data governance

• The limitations of current AI systems and why prompts alone are insufficient for institutional use

• What it means to treat AI as “institutional memory” rather than a temporary tool

• How overregulation in developed countries can inhibit innovation and collaboration

• Why emerging and developing regions may lead the next wave of healthcare and AI infrastructure

• The importance of transparency and trust in how AI systems use and learn from data

• Why entrepreneurs should build systems they wish existed and commit to long-term persistence

This conversation highlights a fundamentally different approach to innovation—one rooted in precision, compliance, and long-term systems thinking rather than rapid iteration. Dexter Hadley presents a vision where AI becomes a trusted, governed layer within institutions, enabling more equitable and scalable healthcare solutions globally. His perspective challenges conventional startup thinking and emphasizes that meaningful, lasting impact requires patience, rigor, and a commitment to trust.

To learn more about Dexter Hadley and his work, visit canonic.org or hadleylab.org.

In this episode, host Jessie Warner speaks with Nathan Sweat, President of Royal Engineering, about building and sustaining a relationship-driven engineering firm and the operational discipline required to grow it. Their conversation centers on leadership, sales strategy, and creating structure within a growing business.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why relationship-based sales remain the primary driver of growth in service-based industries

• How implementing structure and internal processes can stabilize a rapidly growing company

• The importance of consistent communication and follow-up in nurturing client relationships

• How transitioning from reactive to proactive sales outreach can unlock new opportunities

• Why word-of-mouth and referrals still outperform many modern marketing tactics in certain industries

• The role of leadership in creating alignment through meeting cadences and strategic planning

• How to approach adopting AI tools thoughtfully without rushing implementation

• Why sales systems—not just hiring—are critical to sustaining long-term growth

This conversation highlights that long-term success in professional services comes from mastering fundamentals: strong relationships, clear processes, and consistent execution. Nathan emphasizes that growth challenges often stem from gaps in sales systems rather than capability, and that building intentional structure—both in outreach and operations—creates a more resilient and scalable business.

To learn more about Nathan Sweat and his work, visit royaleng.com.