This isn’t your typical entrepreneur story. Patti Melcher co-founded a private equity firm during the 2009 economic crisis, but another incredible accomplishment has been launching The Joy School to support, first her daughter, and then hundreds of students with learning differences.

In this episode, she shares how her values and long-term strategy have shaped her career — from navigating the highs and lows of the energy market to building a culture of trust and collaboration not often found in private equity. Let’s dive into purpose, leadership, and embracing change to make a lasting impact!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Patti’s early experience in private equity

• Founding The Joy School in Houston

• The growth and impact of The Joy School

• Early investments and challenges of starting EIV Capital

• EIV’s long-term approach to investing and growth

• Diversity, teamwork and leadership at EIV

• Creating a culture of diversity, collaboration, and support

• How they promote philanthropy within the company

• Why they invest in the volatile energy market

• How stepping back leads to more growth

• Employee development and empowerment

Connect with Patti Melcher:

https://eivcapital.com/

https://www.thejoyschool.org/

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com/home

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Not every success story starts with confidence and a business plan. Today, you’ll hear how tenacity and grit helped Jentry Kelley turn a small side hustle into a multimillion-dollar business.

She shares how she carved out her own unique space in the beauty industry and grew Jentry Kelley Cosmetics through self-funding in a saturated market. We talk about how she keeps the lost art of customer service alive, how the industry has evolved, and why it's so hard to find people who work as hard as you do. Tune in to learn more about this bold, customer-first brand!

Topics discussed in this episode:

● Moving up in the beauty industry/career

● The first steps to starting Jentry Kelley Cosmetics

● Building a loyal customer base

● Growth challenges and personal sacrifices

● How the beauty industry has changed

● Managing inventory and operations

● Hiring a COO and building a strong team

● The lost art of customer service

● The future of social media marketing

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com/home

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Shared leadership isn’t a risk—it’s a strategy for lasting impact. That’s the mindset behind one of Houston’s fastest-growing philanthropic movements: Impact100. In this episode, Co-founder Jessica Graham shares how they built a fully volunteer-led nonprofit that's raised more than $1 million in just five years.

From finding new members to transitioning leadership, we talk about what it takes to scale a nonprofit and balance structure with flexibility to support ongoing growth. Tune in for a conversation on social impact, intentional growth, and the business side of nonprofits!

Topics discussed in this episode:

● Founding Impact100 Houston

● The power of collective giving

● Recruiting and retaining members

● Building a diverse and inclusive board

● Challenges of starting a nonprofit

● Grant application and review process

● Impact100’s collaborative leadership model

● Learning to step back as a founder

● Planning for long-term sustainability

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com/home

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What began as a serious health challenge turned into a thriving business focused on real ingredients and real impact. Autumn Smith's healing journey exposed what was missing in the food industry: clean ingredients, clear labeling, and access.

In this episode, we discuss our broken food system and how Paleovalley is working to change it. You'll hear what most companies get wrong about “healthy” food, the real cost of cheap ingredients on our health, and why regenerative farming is on the rise. Find out how a purpose-driven business can scale without compromising its values!

Topics discussed in this episode:

● The impact of diet on health

● Founding Paleovalley and building a purpose-led brand

● Why sourcing matters and what most companies do wrong

● Regenerative vs. organic vs. grass-fed

● Problems in the American food industry

● Meat labeling and greenwashing

● Key growth phases and future plans

● Making clean food more affordable and accessible

● Business challenges and lesson learned

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com/home

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

There’s a fine line between mischief and mastery, and Ric Forman of Forman Vineyard walks it well. Driven by passion and a willingness to take risks, he built a legacy one bold decision at a time.

In this episode, Ric talks about the early days of California’s wine revival and the ups and downs of building Forman Vineyard. He shares the values and vision behind his decades-long career, and the lessons that come from doing things your own way. Hear how curiosity, dedication, and resilience all come together in the making of something that endures!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• History of the wine industry and ‘60s revival
• Rick’s unexpected career beginnings
• Founding Forman Vineyard
• Blending innovation and traditional wine techniques
• The mistake that almost ruined him
• Lessons from a lifetime of hands-on winemaking
• What it takes to build a family legacy

Find out more at https://formanvineyard.com/

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com/home

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Systems and strategies are important, but people are the backbone of every business. For Trey Snider, Co-founder and CEO of O'Donnell/Snider Construction, success comes down to relationships, strong leadership, and company culture. In this episode, we talk about the key factors that led to the impressive growth of O'Donnell/Snider Construction. Trey draws from his 30+ years of leadership to highlight the importance of client engagement, nurturing the next generation of leaders, and scaling with intention.

Tune in to learn more about the vital role relationships play in fueling business growth and unlocking new opportunities!

Topics discussed in this episode:

● Choosing a career in construction over law

● Relationship building and business development

● Key factors for growth: leadership, hiring, and culture

● Scaling and diversifying in a cyclical market

● Trey’s vision for the future

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Tough times in business don’t last, but tough leaders do. Sue Burnett started her career in the 1970s, a time when few women held leadership roles and even fewer were business owners. In this episode, she shares how she went from making minimum wage and needing her husband’s signature to get a business loan to building an award-winning staffing company, Burnett Specialists.

Sue reflects on the bold decisions that shaped her career, how they survived numerous economic downturns, and lessons from 50 years in business. We also discuss current market challenges, the shift to remote work, and why company culture is more important than ever. Don’t miss these insights on longevity and resilience from a trailblazing woman in business!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Early career challenges and breaking gender barrier
• How she built Texas’ most awarded staffing firm
• Burnett Specialists’ unique company culture
• Risks and rewards of growing the business
• Navigating economic recessions
• The impact of remote work on culture
• Launching the Best Places to Work Award

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com/home

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Entrepreneurs start their journey with a plan, but great leaders balance their vision with collaboration. Today’s conversation with Adarsh Karia, CEO of Indigo Beam, offers a look at the entrepreneurial mindset in action: from solving market and organizational problems to impactful leadership.

In this episode, we dive into the world of digital transformation, the value of partnerships, and how to keep employees happy. Adarsh shares his approach to bridging engineering and business, fostering innovation, and driving growth. Join us to explore the intersection of technology, business strategy, and leadership!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Indigo Beam’s work in digital transformation
• Merging business and engineering: Adarsh's career trajectory
• Lessons from his early businesses
• What it takes to build a strong company culture
• How Indigo Beam overcame growth challenges
• The power of the entrepreneurial mindset

Learn more about Indigo Beam:

https://www.indigobeam.com/

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com/home

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

How can private equity-backed portfolio companies achieve sustainable growth? The Craig Group has a solution: digital sales, focused marketing and data-driven customer success. In this episode, Summer Craig shares how her revenue growth advisory firm helps businesses align key functions, overcome growth challenges, and build scalable systems.

Learn how they approach staffing decisions, successfully work with clients in multiple industries, and integrate AI tools to streamline business processes!

Topics discussed in this episode:

● Summer’s career and decision to start a business

● How COVID-19 impacted The Craig Group

● Building a remote, flexible work culture

● Client management and work processes

● The benefits of integrating AI into your business

● Targeting broad versus niche markets

● The role of marketing for PE-backed business growth

● Lessons learned and advice for entrepreneurs

Learn more about The Craig Group:

https://www.craiggroup.io/

Connect with Summer Craig on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigsummer/

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com/home

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Every entrepreneur's journey is different, but hard work is the common thread in each story. In this episode, Chris Heard, founder of Olive Technologies, reflects on his unique path from a stand-up comedian to selling insurance and now scaling a software company that’s redefining the RFP process.

We discuss how he overcame the early challenges of a tech startup, why he adapted his hiring strategy, and the importance of branding. Discover why delegation can actually hurt your business, how to leverage your skills as a founder, and more!

Topics discussed in this episode:

● Chris’s transition into entrepreneurship

● Lessons from founding Olive and breaking into a niche market

● Hiring mistakes and defining your role as founder

● The intersection of branding and relationships

● Ahead of the Heard podcast

● How Chris’s global experiences have impacted his success

● The value of hard work and creativity

Connect with Chris Heard and Olive Technologies:

https://olive.app/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahead-of-the-heard/id1755644998

Candus Hinderer and Carrie Ferroukhi are the co-founders of Arcus Advisors, a business consulting firm dedicated to helping Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies improve results by optimizing the accounting and finance functions through strategic guidance and practical solutions. For more information and resources, visit Arcus Advisors: https://arcusadvisors.com/home

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com