On the Hunt for Success podcast, Sam interviews Matt Fourie, a senior enterprise leader at Siemens Digital Industries Software who leads the General Motors business. Matt describes growing up in South Africa with early exposure to hunting through his father, later moving away from hunting due to lifestyle and restrictive gun culture, and rediscovering hunting after moving to the U.S. around age 30. He connects South Africa’s “hustle” environment to resilience, work ethic, and restarting at the bottom in America without a degree or network. Matt discusses traits of high performers—grit, faith in Christ, mentorship, humility, authenticity, and “over deliver”—and shares a major career setback running an electroplating company that taught him not to chase money unprepared. The conversation ties hunting lessons—pursuit, patience, preparation, and saying no—to leadership, integrity, and sales ethics, alongside talk of rifles, cartridges, SCI convention impressions, and defining success as faith, family legacy, excellence, and time wealth.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

01:21 Growing Up South African

01:57 Early Hunting Roots

03:54 Hustle Mindset and Work Ethic

06:12 Starting Over in America

07:56 High Performers and Mentors

10:14 When Business Goes Sideways

12:02 Hard Lessons and Faith

15:32 Gear Talk and Gunworks Rifles

18:30 South Africa Hunt Stories

20:35 Hunting Mindset for Business

23:49 Outlasting the Game

24:10 Hunting Decisions and Saying No

24:48 Dangerous Game Preparation

26:11 Sales Integrity and Risk

27:59 Four-Part Decision Filter

29:20 Defining Success and Legacy

31:45 Time Wealth and Exits

34:14 SCI Show Guns and Money

38:51 Africa Rifles and Long Shots

41:29 Final Thanks and Wrap

Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.

Dr. Sam McGough

"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."

Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.

Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.

Join FREE at: https://thehuntforsuccess.com/

Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube

About the Guest:

Matt Fourie is a Senior Enterprise Leader at Siemens Digital Industries Software, where he leads the strategic partnership and business operations for General Motors—Siemens' largest automotive customer.

Originally from South Africa, he grew up in the "bushveld" environment where his father was a professional hunter and game farm manager. This background instilled in him a unique "hustle" mentality and a focus on radical responsibility, which he later applied to his corporate career in the United States.

Connect with Matt:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-fourie/

In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Tucker Green, business owner, public servant, lobbyist, and advocate for the skilled trades industry.

The conversation explores leadership, public policy, persistence, and advocacy, shaped by Tucker’s experience serving as the youngest school board member in Georgia, building a successful governmental affairs firm, and representing contractors across the state through association management and legislative engagement.

Throughout the discussion, Tucker breaks down the realities of lobbying, the importance of staying connected to the people you represent, and how persistence often determines success in both politics and business. He also shares hunting lessons that mirror professional growth, including patience, preparation, resilience, and earning results through consistent effort over time.

Key Takeaways

[Persistence Creates Results]: Meaningful wins often come after repeated setbacks, challenges, and long-term commitment.

[Advocacy Protects Businesses]: Effective representation can save contractors significant time, money, and regulatory burdens.

[Stay Connected to Your People]: Leaders make better decisions when they remain closely connected to those they serve.

[Your Reputation Matters]: Integrity, accountability, and honoring your word create opportunities that last a lifetime.

00:00 – Pay It Forward Mindset

00:59 – Podcast Intro and Guest Introduction

02:22 – Early Life and Interest in Politics

03:37 – From School Board to Lobbying Career

05:50 – Building a Government Affairs Firm

07:30 – Rising Star Recognition in Georgia Politics

08:34 – The Reality of Legislative Advocacy

11:20 – Winning Permit Fee Reform for Contractors

15:57 – Staying Connected to Members Across Georgia

20:14 – Hunting Roots and Outdoor Traditions

22:32 – Bird Hunting and Camp Experiences

24:15 – Iowa Hunting Trips and Family Traditions

25:22 – Bucket List Hunts and Future Adventures

27:33 – Preferred Hunting Equipment and Setup

31:41 – Hunting Lessons Applied to Business

36:38 – Handling Failure and Professional Setbacks

39:32 – Advice for Young Professionals

42:43 – Where to Connect with Tucker

Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.

Dr. Sam McGough

"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."

Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.

Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.

Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com

Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube

About the Guest

Tucker Green is a government affairs professional, business owner, lobbyist, and advocate for skilled trades businesses throughout Georgia.

They are recognized for their legislative leadership, association management expertise, and successful advocacy efforts on behalf of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors.

Their background includes public service, political strategy, governmental affairs, and representing industry organizations at the state level.

Guest Resources

Tucker Green

Website: https://tuckergreenandassociates.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tucker-green-6a7b00224/?trk=profile-badge

In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Hugh Hornsby, trades industry leader, business builder, speaker, and author of the upcoming book Blue Collar Smart.

The conversation explores resilience, leadership, business growth, and personal responsibility, shaped by Hugh’s journey through childhood epilepsy, major business setbacks, a stage four cancer diagnosis, and decades of helping companies and individuals unlock their potential.

Throughout the discussion, Hugh breaks down how focusing on people, sales systems, mentorship, and personal accountability helped him build and transform businesses. He also shares lessons learned from hunting, family traditions, networking, and surrounding yourself with the right people, while emphasizing the importance of becoming valuable to others and creating opportunities through service and relationships.

Key Takeaways

[Adversity Builds Strength]: Personal challenges can become the foundation for resilience, perspective, and long-term success.

[People Drive Performance]: Great businesses are built by identifying potential, developing talent, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.

[Focus Creates Growth]: Applying the 80/20 principle and narrowing your attention to high-impact activities accelerates results.

[Relationships Open Doors]: Becoming important to the right people through value, service, and trust creates opportunities that money cannot buy.

00:00 – Podcast Intro and Guest Introduction

01:50 – Childhood Epilepsy and Early Challenges

04:34 – Entering the Trades Industry

05:31 – Learning from Failure and Taking Ownership

10:46 – Building a Fraternity Through Inclusion

16:51 – People-First Leadership Principles

18:22 – Mentorship from the Napoleon Hill Foundation

20:06 – Hunting, Fishing, and Family Traditions

30:22 – Turning Around Struggling Companies

32:02 – The Power of Niche Focus and Be, Do, Have

38:36 – Hunting Bonds and Parenting Lessons

40:19 – Comedy, Cancer, and Healing Through Vulnerability

47:02 – AI, Private Equity, and Industry Changes

52:27 – Why Everything Is Sales

56:38 – Networking and Finding the Right Rooms

01:12:00 – Exit Planning for Trades Businesses

01:17:20 – Sales Systems and Scaling Lessons

01:31:17 – Wealth, Freedom, and Gratitude

Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.

Dr. Sam McGough

"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."

Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.

Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.

Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com

Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube

About the Guest

Hugh Hornsby is a trades industry leader, business strategist, speaker, and entrepreneur focused on helping companies grow through leadership, sales systems, and people development.

They are the author of the upcoming book Blue Collar Smart, which focuses on practical business wisdom, personal responsibility, and creating success through discipline, relationships, and execution.

Guest Resources

Hugh Hornsby

Website: www.thebluecollarsmart.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-hornsby-51986b10/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hugh.hornsby

In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Gregory DePriest, entrepreneur, Amazon logistics operator, former pastor, and leadership strategist.

The conversation explores personal reinvention, leadership, business growth, and the mindset required to continually evolve, shaped by Gregory’s journey from banking and finance to ministry leadership and eventually building a successful Amazon logistics company employing more than 200 people.

Throughout the discussion, Gregory breaks down the importance of knowing when to pivot, creating structure and accountability within organizations, and building success through relationships, strategy, and personal growth. He also shares how hunting, fishing, and outdoor pursuits mirror business by rewarding preparation, patience, discipline, and the pursuit itself rather than just the outcome.

Key Takeaways

[Reinvention Creates Opportunity]: Recognizing when it is time for a new chapter allows leaders to continue growing and expanding their impact.

[Strategy Gives Faith Direction]: Vision alone is not enough, successful outcomes require systems, planning, and execution.

[Culture Drives Performance]: Strong teams thrive when expectations, accountability, and rewards are clearly aligned.

[Choose Your Circle Carefully]: Growth accelerates when surrounded by people who provide trust, encouragement, and honest feedback.

00:00 – The Impossible to Fail Mindset

01:20 – Gregory’s Early Life and Career Journey

02:19 – From Banking to Pastoral Leadership

03:39 – Fundraising Success and Amazon Logistics Launch

05:54 – Why Reinvention Matters

10:26 – Moving to Austin and Starting Over

14:59 – Dreaming Bigger Than Fear

18:09 – Ignoring Opinions and Building Confidence

21:29 – Performance-Based Leadership

27:01 – Business Lessons Learned Through Hunting

30:28 – Creating Exceptional Experiences

33:44 – Customer Service Lessons from Luxury Brands

37:32 – Building the Right Tribe

40:39 – Trust, Relationships, and Safe Circles

45:50 – Favorite Hunts and Fishing Adventures

49:53 – Bucket List Experiences and Future Plans

Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.

Dr. Sam McGough

"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."

Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.

Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.

Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com

Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube

About the Guest

Gregory DePriest is an entrepreneur, Amazon logistics operator, leadership mentor, and former pastor with decades of experience leading organizations and teams.

They are recognized for successfully transitioning across multiple industries, including banking, ministry, fundraising, and logistics, while building high-performing teams and scalable operations.

Their background includes financial services, church leadership, nonprofit fundraising, and last-mile logistics management.

They are passionate about helping people embrace growth, develop strong leadership skills, and pursue opportunities without being limited by fear or the opinions of others.

Guest Resources

Gregory DePriest

Website: https://www.sglva.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-depriest-b391aa58

In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Jeramie Worley, a real estate investor, hospitality entrepreneur, and co-owner of Lake Longbow.

The conversation explores executive recovery, outdoor hospitality, and legacy property development, shaped by Jeramie's experience in short-term rentals, real estate investing, and creating experiences that help leaders disconnect from stress and reconnect with what matters most.

Throughout the discussion, Jeramie breaks down the vision behind Lake Longbow, an 80-acre Missouri retreat built around hunting, fishing, land stewardship, and meaningful relationships. He shares lessons from building and operating the property, overcoming development setbacks, creating premium guest experiences, and helping burned-out executives find clarity through time outdoors.

Key Takeaways

[Nature Creates Clarity]: Stepping away from daily pressures allows leaders to reconnect with purpose, relationships, and long-term vision.

[Launch Before Perfect]: Progress comes from taking action quickly, learning from real-world feedback, and improving as you go.

[Experiences Build Relationships]: Shared outdoor adventures create trust, vulnerability, and deeper personal connections.

[Legacy Requires Stewardship]: Building a meaningful property involves long-term commitment, patience, and care for the land.

00:00 – Podcast Intro and Guest Introduction

01:32 – Jeramie’s Airbnb Investing Journey

03:05 – Why Executives Need Time Outdoors

04:52 – Purchasing and Developing Lake Longbow

11:46 – Touring the Property and Amenities

14:51 – The Luxury Hunting Retreat Experience

18:00 – Campfire Conversations and Vulnerability

24:28 – Ethical Hunting and Respect for Wildlife

28:00 – Business Lessons from Hospitality

33:08 – Outdoor Retreat Concepts and Future Plans

37:18 – Shared Ownership and Expansion Vision

43:47 – The Mission Behind Lake Longbow

51:30 – Why Taking Action Matters

55:07 – The Three Essentials for Success

Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.

Dr. Sam McGough

"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."

Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.

Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.

Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com

Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube

About the Guest

Jeramie Worley is a real estate investor, hospitality operator, and co-owner of Lake Longbow, a private outdoor retreat focused on executive renewal and outdoor experiences.

They are recognized for their early adoption of short-term rental investing and for helping guests create meaningful experiences through hospitality and land stewardship.

Their background includes real estate investing, vacation rental operations, outdoor recreation, and retreat development.

They are the author of an early Airbnb investing book and continue to focus on helping entrepreneurs and leaders create freedom through strategic real estate and hospitality ventures.

Guest Resources

Jeramie Worley

Website: https://lakelongbow.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeramie-worley/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakelongbow/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeLongbowResort

In this episode of the Hunt for Success, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Chris Rood, a real estate investor, operator, and former blue-collar business owner.

The conversation explores a long-form wealth building philosophy shaped by Chris Rood’s journey from mobile oil change operations to scaling multiple automotive shops, then transitioning into real estate investing, development, and portfolio expansion across mobile home parks, short-term rentals, and land development.

Throughout the discussion, Chris breaks down his framework of fast, medium, and slow money, including how disciplined reinvestment, operational experience, and long-term thinking create durable wealth while avoiding over-leverage and short-term traps in real estate education.

Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.

Dr. Sam McGough

"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."

Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.

Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.

Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com

Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube

About the Guest

Chris Rood is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and former multi-location automotive business owner. He is recognized for building and scaling multiple operational businesses before transitioning into real estate investing and development.

His background includes hands-on experience in service-based trades, business acquisition, and large-scale property investment strategies including mobile home parks and land development.

Guest Resources

Chris Rood

Website: https://chrisrood.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-rood-72a76276/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realestaterood/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisroodentrepreneur/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisRoodentrepreneur

In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough sits down with Chris Udall, a venture capitalist and ecosystem builder working at the intersection of startups, capital formation, and regional innovation.

The conversation explores venture capital, founder development, and innovation ecosystem building, shaped by Chris’ experience creating educational pathways for refugees in Jordan, managing early-stage investment funds in Alabama, and supporting technology transfer initiatives tied to Huntsville’s engineering base.

Throughout the discussion, Chris breaks down how venture capital evaluates early-stage, high-risk, scalable startups, including how founder traits like grit, coachability, and adaptability often determine long-term outcomes more than initial ideas. He also connects these principles to hunting, drawing parallels between decision-making under pressure, preparation, resource allocation, and learning through failure.

Key Takeaways

[Grit Over Ideas]: Startup success is driven more by founder resilience and adaptability than the originality of the initial concept.

[Capital as Ecosystem Fuel]: Strategic funds can keep talent and intellectual property local while attracting outside investment.

[Pressure Decision-Making]: Both hunting and entrepreneurship require clear thinking under uncertainty and fatigue.

[Failure as Feedback]: Burnout, setbacks, and missed opportunities become critical inputs for better future decisions.

00:00 – Podcast Intro and Guest Introduction

00:52 – Understanding Venture Capital in Practice

02:18 – Chris’ Unconventional Career Path

04:52 – Launching Alabama’s Capital Access Fund

08:27 – First Experiences in Hunting

14:05 – Parallels Between Hunting and Entrepreneurship

18:42 – Why Startups Fail Early

23:43 – Lessons from an Elk Hunt

32:03 – What VCs Look for in Founders

36:28 – Risk, Burnout, and Decision Pressure

42:57 – Community, Networking, and Ecosystem Growth

50:16 – International Hunting and Expansion Goals

Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with someone who's building more than a business, someone who's building a life worth living. It helps us grow the show and bring these honest conversations, practical insights, and life design strategies to more founders, operators, and builders pursuing both success and freedom. Have a great day.

Dr. Sam McGough

"Success should fund a life you actually want, not a self-created prison."

Discover conversations with founders, operators, and builders who have earned success and intentionally designed the freedom to enjoy it. Access real stories, practical lessons, and authentic perspectives on leadership, discipline, business growth, systems, and life by design.

Join a community of entrepreneurs and leaders committed to building businesses that create opportunity without sacrificing the life they're working for.

Join FREE at: HuntforSuccess.com

Follow Hunt for Success: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube

About the Guest

Chris is a venture capitalist and innovation ecosystem leader focused on early-stage startup growth and regional capital development.

They are recognized for building and managing investment initiatives that support high-potential founders and strengthen local innovation pipelines in Alabama.

Their background includes experience in education initiatives for refugees, venture funding, and technology transfer programs connected to Huntsville’s engineering ecosystem.

They are focused on expanding access to capital and strengthening founder success through structured investment and support systems.

Guest Resources

Chris Udall

Website: https://innovatealabama.org/programs/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-udall

In this episode of the Hunt for Success podcast, Dr. Sam McGough welcomes his friend Eric Killen, owner of Killen Outdoor Adventures in Killen, Alabama, to discuss how Eric built an 11-year hunting and fishing travel business while continuing a 26-year corporate sales career.

Eric explains his client-first model, where outfitters pay his fee, clients receive vetted options across roughly 48 global locations, and every trip is personally verified by him or his team before anyone is sent. He also breaks down the end-to-end support system that covers airport pickup, outfitter coordination, paperwork, taxidermy, trophy importation, and global delivery through his logistics company, while outsourcing air travel.

Throughout the conversation, Eric shares how early bad booking experiences shaped his standards, how he scaled operations by hiring help, and how he designs trips that include post-hunt travel experiences to make them spouse-friendly and more accessible.

This episode highlights how disciplined systems, trust-based service, and lifestyle design come together to build both a business and a life built around freedom, and why traits like patience, persistence, and a driven mindset show up in both successful entrepreneurs and hunters.

Key Takeaways

[Vetting creates trust at scale]: Every location is personally verified before clients are sent, ensuring consistent and reliable experiences.

[Service design beats marketing]: Word of mouth and client experience drive growth more than promotion or advertising.

[Discipline shows up in both business and hunting]: Patience, persistence, and emotional control directly influence success in the field and in entrepreneurship.

[Lifestyle is built, not stumbled into]: Freedom comes from intentional choices around work, time, and long-term priorities.

00:00 – Designing Freedom Life

00:22 – Podcast Welcome Setup

01:17 – Meet Eric Killen

02:35 – From Sales to Outfitting

04:10 – Business Model Client First

08:35 – Luxury Trips Africa Australia

11:16 – Trust Stories Proof

12:52 – Traits of High Performers

16:41 – Scaling Logistics Systems

17:51 – Guns Paperwork Trophies

19:35 – Partners Delivery Service

20:21 – Trophy Wall Negotiations

21:35 – Getting Mary Into Hunting

23:33 – Designing a Travel Life

25:35 – Europe and Spain Hunting

27:02 – Scouting and Client Fit

29:21 – Success Keys No Debt

32:32 – Hunting and Business Traits

34:38 – Field Essentials and Gear

37:09 – Closing and Sign Off

About the Guest

Eric Killen is a hunting outfitter and entrepreneur who built Killen Outdoor Adventures into a global service business focused on hunting, travel, and logistics.

He is recognized for creating a highly vetted, service-first model that prioritizes client experience, safety, and reliability across international destinations.

His background includes long-term experience in corporate sales and business development, alongside building a multi-location outdoor adventure company serving clients worldwide.

He is the founder of Killen Outdoor Adventures, focused on delivering fully managed hunting and travel experiences from booking through trophy delivery.

Guest Resources

Eric Killen

Website: https://www.killenoutdoor.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killen_outdoor_adventures/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KillenOutdoorAdventures/

In this episode of The Hunt for Success, host Sam McGough sits down with Theron Leany, an owner and operator at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric. Operating across four states, Theron shares his journey from hands-on appliance repair to executing multi-state corporate acquisitions and high-level consulting.

The conversation focuses on the "intrapreneur" mindset, transforming company culture by hiring for character over industry experience, and how structural clarity in business emerges naturally when you anchor yourself to your original "Why." Theron also discusses how bow hunting serves as a high-stress decompression tool and a powerful training ground for teaching youth resilience, problem-solving, and patience.

• The Intrapreneurial Leap: Moving from an employee to an equity partner requires treating the business as your own from day one. Taking "extreme ownership" and intentionally making yourself invaluable creates opportunities where owners are eager to share equity.
• Anchoring Structure to the "Why": Business chaos and lack of structure usually happen because owners lose sight of their original mission. When you re-focus purely on why you started (e.g., to help employees hit six figures or provide elite service), the tactical steps and organizational blueprint become instantly clear.
• Hiring Heart Over History: In the trades, poaching experienced workers can often mean inheriting toxic, short-term habits. Pivoting to hire high-character individuals from outside the industry and training them from scratch builds an elite, loyal culture centered on genuine customer care.
• Actionable Steps vs. "Rah-Rah" Fluff: Real business growth doesn't happen through motivational hype or emotional cheerleading. Long-term scalability requires hyper-specific, repeatable, and tactical steps.

• 00:00 – Editorial: Staying Tethered to Your Original Business "Why"
• 01:15 – Introducing Theron Laney of Action Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric
• 02:00 – From Appliance Repair to Inside Sales: Overcoming a Pivot-Point Injury
• 03:10 – The Pay Cut Shortcut: Making Yourself Invaluable to Earn Business Equity
• 05:00 – The Power of the Ask: Why Entrepreneurs Can't Wait Around for Opportunities
• 06:15 – Childhood Foundations: How Raising Chickens and Small Side Hustles Taught Pride of Ownership
• 08:15 – The Myth of Formal Schooling for High-Performance Founders
• 09:20 – Sweat Equity & Iteration: Adapting Operational Identity Every $5 Million
• 11:15 – Reindeer for Christmas: Theron’s Early Introduction to Hunting Traditions
• 12:50 – Bow Hunting as Active Meditation and Unplugging from 4-State Operational Stress
• 14:40 – Hunting New Mexico and Utah: The Differences in Elk and Mule Deer Behavior
• 16:20 – Surviving a 8-Man Team Walkout: Transitioning from Toxic Culture to Care-Driven Scale
• 18:50 – Why the Technicians Who Care the Most Out-Sell the Competition
• 21:00 – Elevating the Industry: The Choice to Consult and Coach Competitors
• 22:15 – Skin in the Game: Why People Only Pay Attention to What They Pay For
• 24:30 – Fleet Presentation: How Clean, Organized Trucks Decompress Techs and Drive Sales
• 26:15 – Changing Family Trees: Moving a Temp-Agency Worker to Multiple Six Figures
• 29:00 – Managing Skyrocketing Inflation and Changing Public Price Expectations
• 31:15 – Building a Whitetail Legacy in Kansas: Passing Problem-Solving and Wilderness Parables to Youth
• 35:00 – Actionable Consulting: Where to Find Theron and Ben Jordan Online

Theron Leany is a seasoned intrapreneur, partner, and executive leader at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electric, a dominant home services provider operating across four states. Alongside his business partner Ben Jordan, Theron runs The Action Group, a tactical consulting firm designed to help home service owners build tight operational structures and adapt their leadership systems for major revenue milestones.

• Website: https://actionplumbing.net/

In this episode of The Hunt for Success, host Sam McGough connects with Mark Baker, President and Owner of ACRE Development Corporation. Recording from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, Mark shares his transition from a second-generation operator in the high-volume retail gasoline and convenience sector to a successful commercial real estate land developer.

The conversation focuses on the strategic shift from daily business operations to the long-term, high-stakes process of ground-up commercial development, drawing parallels between the deep preparation required for real estate and the patience of the outdoor lifestyle.

• Quantifying and Mitigating Risk: True entrepreneurs aren't recklessly risk-tolerant; instead, they immerse themselves in their niche, utilizing knowledge and experience to reduce vague risks to a highly finite, quantified number.
• The Power of Execution over Capital: Success in real estate development relies on three factors: capital, knowledge, and the ability to execute. If a developer possesses the knowledge and execution strategy, the necessary capital can always be sourced from outside investors.
• The "Hunt" of Development: There is a distinct psychological difference between business operation and business development. While daily operations can invite complacency, the complex 18-to-24-month horizon of land development—securing tenants, analyzing traffic patterns, and legal forecasting—mirrors the thrill and patience of a long-term hunt.
• The Future of the Trades: Despite the rise of AI data collection in market analysis, human intuition, local physical site assessment, and hands-on skilled trades (like plumbing and HVAC) remain fully insulated from automation.

• 00:00 – Defining and Quantifying Risk in Commercial Real Estate
• 01:10 – Meet Mark Baker: President of ACRE Development Corporation
• 02:00 – Legacy in the Gas Station Business: Rebuilding from the Ground Up
• 03:15 – The Pivot to Land Development and Second-Gen Commercial Real Estate
• 04:10 – Identifying Market Criteria and International Brand Partnerships
• 05:40 – Tax Incentives: Comparing the US IRS Code to Canadian Structures
• 06:50 – Mitigating Risk by Staying in Your Lane and Avoiding "Flipping"
• 08:15 – The Three Pillars of Real Estate: Capital, Knowledge, and Execution
• 09:40 – An Overview of Prince Edward Island’s World-Class Bluefin Tuna & Shellfish Fisheries
• 11:20 – The Parallel Between the Prep-Work of Development and the Outdoor Hunt
• 13:40 – Navigating the Complexities of 100-Page Commercial Leases
• 15:00 – Scalability Decisions: When to Expand Operations vs. When to Exit and Pivot
• 16:45 – Time Management Benefits: Shifting from High-Volume Staffing to Lean Operations
• 18:15 – The Longevity and Bright Future of Hands-On Blue-Collar Trades
• 19:30 – AI in Real Estate: Accelerating Data Analytics vs. Irreplaceable Physical Site Intuition
• 21:30 – Local Angling: The Emergence of Striped Bass and Atlantic Salmon on PEI

Mark Baker is a Canadian entrepreneur and the President and Owner of ACRE Development Corporation based in Prince Edward Island. After a successful decade running and leasing a high-volume regional retail gasoline operation and coffee franchise, Mark transitioned his focus entirely to commercial land development, securing premium locations for national and international corporate brands.