🎙️ From Bankruptcy to $100M: Mike Horvath's Logistics Software Transformation

Mike Horvath, President and CEO of Revenova, shares his extraordinary 30-year journey from nearly losing everything during the 2008 financial crisis to building a logistics software company serving 250+ customers and generating over $100 million in revenue. Through powerful stories about refusing bankruptcy when his partner suggested it, learning the critical skill of saying "no" to wrong-fit customers, and partnering with Viking Global private equity to fuel explosive growth, Mike reveals how focus, integrity, and strategic partnerships transformed his business and life.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Started career at 22 selling software, learned it's about solving problems not pushing products

• First company (Quintus) grew to $50M but cratered in 2008 from saying yes to everyone

• Lost home, cars, faced bankruptcy but chose to pay back every debt over years

• Rebuilt with Revenova focusing exclusively on sophisticated 3PL and logistics operations

• Learned saying "no" is one of the hardest but most critical entrepreneur skills

• Realized 30% of $100M beats 100% of something small

• Viking Global partnership brought capital plus expertise, network, and acquisition power

• Customer retention north of 95% through keeping promises and transparent pricing

• Not all revenue is good revenue—wrong customers cost money and opportunity

• Relocated Illinois to Florida during COVID, saved six figures annually on taxes alone

• Property taxes were 6-7X higher in Illinois for smaller house and location

• Tax savings paid for daughter's entire college tuition year

• Pat Lencioni's insight: People don't fear change, they fear the transition

• Implementation success depends on managing transition smoothly, not just technology

• Legacy logistics systems creating massive replacement opportunity for modern cloud solutions

• Transparency with employees builds trust—share financials, challenges, and company direction

• Work-life quality matters—Florida move improved leadership effectiveness significantly

• Reading military history provides powerful leadership lessons on decision-making under pressure

🌟 Mike's Key Mentors:

• Pat Lencioni (Five Dysfunctions of a Team): Provided frameworks on team dysfunction, lack of commitment, fear of conflict, and understanding that people fear transition more than change itself

• Dale Carnegie: "How to Win Friends and Influence People" shaped his relationship-building and customer-focused approach throughout his career

• Charles (Business Partner): Partnership through building first company, provided complementary skills and shared the journey through growth and crisis

• Viking Global Partners: Brought not just capital but operational excellence, board expertise, best practices from portfolio companies, and strategic acquisition capabilities

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about rebuilding from total business collapse, learning when to say no to revenue, partnering with private equity while maintaining control, and why doing what you say you're going to do is the foundation of everything in business and life.

🔗 Connect with Mike Horvath:

LinkedIn: Mike Horvath, President & CEO at Revenova 

Revenova Website: revenova.com

📄 Transcript Available: Scaling With Private Equity: Mike Horvath's Viking Global Partnership at Revenova

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack Benefits Agency

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#LogisticsSoftware #BusinessTransformation #EntrepreneurResilience #PrivateEquity #CustomerRetention #SaaSGrowth #SupplyChainTech #LeadershipLessons #StartupToScaleup #InspiredStoriesPodcast

🎙️ From 40 Years at Goodyear to Transforming Christian Business Leadership: David Beasley's Journey with C12 Business Forums

In this inspiring episode, David Beasley, Chair of C12 Business Forums in Northeast Ohio, shares his remarkable journey from spending nearly 40 years at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company—including roles as Vice President of North American Commercial Tires, Director of Airship Operations, and leading the challenging China market entry—to discovering his true calling: helping Christian business owners build great businesses for a greater purpose.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Career evolution from Goodyear retail tire sales to Vice President of North American Commercial Tires

• Director of Airship Operations: overseeing three Goodyear Blimps and $100M+ capital project transitioning from old blimps to new Zeppelin-designed airships

• China market entry challenge: late to market against state-owned enterprises, educating fleets on total cost of ownership versus acquisition cost

• Two-step distribution in China: distributors fund retailers versus North America's one-step manufacturer-to-dealer model

• Cultural differences: FedEx's operational discipline versus Amazon's high-velocity innovation approach

• Retreading economics: $400 new tire with multiple $200 retreads delivers better total cost than $300 lower-quality tire driven to destruction

• Transition from operator to leader: helping entrepreneurs stop being bottlenecks and empower leadership teams

• C12 peer advisory model: 12 Christian business owners meeting monthly for accountability, collaboration, and strategic growth

• Balanced scorecard strategic planning: revenue, development, operations, financial management, and ministry goals

• Ministry integration: chaplaincy programs, care teams, dream manager initiatives, and generosity programs

• Performance-based identity transformation: counseling revealed worth comes from being loved by Christ, not accomplishments

• Asking powerful "what" questions over "why" questions: enabling self-discovery rather than prescribing solutions

🌟 David's Key Mentors:

Goodyear Leadership Teams: Provided 40 years of career growth opportunities every 2 years, teaching operational excellence and strategic business management across retail, commercial, international, and brand ambassador roles

His Wife: Wisely encouraged him to seek counseling before transitioning to C12, recognizing unresolved issues around performance-based identity that needed healing

Professional Counselor/Therapist: Facilitated breakthrough understanding that identity and worth come from being loved by Christ for who he is, not what he accomplishes

C12 Members: Teach him daily through vulnerability, accountability, and their journeys of integrating faith into business leadership

Authors of "Ask Powerful Questions" and "Spiritual Leadership Coaching": Transformed his coaching approach from giving answers to asking questions that enable self-discovery

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about transitioning from corporate leadership to kingdom work, discovering identity beyond accomplishments, and helping business owners build organizations that honor God while blessing employees, customers, and communities.

🔗 Connect with David Beasley:

LinkedIn: David Beasley

Website: C12 Northeast Ohio

📄 Transcript Available: Building Great Businesses for Greater Purpose: David Beasley's Journey from Goodyear to C12 Leadership

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#ChristianBusinessLeadership #FaithBasedEntrepreneurship #PeerAdvisoryBoards #C12BusinessForums #GoodyearCareer #SpiritualLeadership #BusinessTransformation #InspiredStoriesPodcast

🎙️ From Peace Corps to Hospitality Expert: David Sangree's 20-Year Appraisal Journey

David Sangree, President of Hotel & Leisure Advisors in Lakewood, Ohio, shares his remarkable journey from Peace Corps service in Malawi to building and selling a specialized hospitality consulting firm. With expertise in hotel and waterpark appraisals, David navigated two major recessions while creating a niche practice that became valuable enough to attract acquisition after 20 years of strategic growth.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Building a specialized appraisal practice focused exclusively on hospitality and waterparks

• The power of niching down within the appraisal industry to command premium fees

• Surviving and thriving through 2008-2009 recession and COVID-19 pandemic challenges

• Selling a 20-year-old company while staying on as president for five years

• Why focusing on one property type makes you the expert clients seek

• Navigating year-long sale processes while maintaining business operations

• Balancing entrepreneurship with board service at University of Livingstonia in Malawi

• Creating value through specialized expertise rather than broad generalist approaches

• The importance of daily physical activity for mental clarity and business performance

• Celebrating partnerships with ADCI and expanding educational opportunities in Africa

🌟 David's Key Mentors:

• Peace Corps Experience in Malawi: Shaped his worldview and led to ongoing commitment serving on board of University of Livingstonia

• Hospitality Industry Colleagues: Attending International Society of Hospitality Consultants meetings provided peer learning and industry networking

• 2008-2009 Recession Lessons: Taught resilience and business adaptation during major economic downturns

• COVID-19 Business Challenges: Forced strategic thinking about company future and sustainability

• Clemson and Columbus Ohio Experiences: Different geographic markets provided diverse perspective on hospitality consulting

• Trade Publication Communities: Hotel Business and Hotel Management Magazine connections kept him informed on industry trends and top operators

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about building specialized expertise, surviving economic crises, selling your business strategically, and maintaining service commitment to educational institutions in Africa.

🔗 Connect with David Sangree:

Website: hladvisors.com (Contact form and direct email available) LinkedIn: David Sangree, President at Hotel & Leisure Advisors Board Service: University of Livingstonia, Malawi

📄 Transcript Available: The Power of Niche Expertise: David Sangree's Hotel and Waterpark Appraisal Success

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack Benefits Agency

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#HospitalityConsulting #BusinessSale #Entrepreneurship #HotelAppraisal #NicheExpertise #PeaceCorps #BusinessGrowth #RecessionSurvival #ExitStrategy #InspiredStoriesPodcast

🎙️ From Madison Square Garden Floor Seats to 10 Restaurants: Craig Bernstein's Journey Building Doc B's Fresh Kitchen

In this inspiring episode, Craig Bernstein, Founder and President of Doc B's Restaurant, shares his remarkable journey from 10-year-old sixth-grader writing "Restaurant Entrepreneur" career reports after meeting Morton's Steakhouse legend Alan Bernstein courtside at a Knicks game to founding a 10-location fresh casual dining concept honoring his late father's bedside manner and ethos. Through candid stories about name-dropping Howard Schultz in a cold email to Potbelly (founder called him 7am next morning), becoming Houston's "worst server" before working up to general manager (one of life's greatest accomplishments), discovering guests wanted full-service experience not order-at-counter model (bar component saved the concept), corporate chef ghosting two months before second restaurant opened (could have killed the business), and meeting Wendy Thomas of Wendy's fame who assured him the "Number Six" spicy chicken sandwich won't trigger lawsuits ("you're so far below our radar"), Craig reveals how genuine hospitality plus coaster storytelling ([email protected] printed on back connecting guests to late father Doc B's legacy) plus 16-week training programs promoting servers to GMs prove perseverance beats perfection—and sometimes God moves Houston's to transfer you to Long Island exactly one week before your father's devastating glioblastoma diagnosis changes everything.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Career spark: age 10, Madison Square Garden highest row, Alan Bernstein's floor seats inspiring "Restaurant Entrepreneur" sixth-grade report still on company website

• Howard Schultz pivot: college senior pitching Bernie's New York Deli bodega concept, Schultz saying "get experience first" redirecting to Potbelly via investment

• Concept evolution: guests at bar ordering from full menu while others used digital boards, 50-50 split forcing pivot from fast-casual to full-service model

• Corporate chef disappearance: two months before second restaurant opening, no-show ghost (still never heard from him), Houston's kitchen training saving business survival

• Coaster storytelling: "Thank you for choosing Doc B's since opening our first restaurant in 2013 and naming after my late father" with [email protected] printed

• Wendy Thomas friendship: random Chicago restaurant encounter, discussing Number Six spicy chicken sandwich (Wendy's value menu homage), "you're safe, below our radar"

• 16-week training program: promoting servers to GMs (10-year company veterans thriving), cultural foundation plus tangible skill sets preventing rushed external hires

🌟 Craig's Key Mentors & Influences:

• Alan Bernstein (Morton's Steakhouse Legend)

• Howard Schultz (Starbucks Founder)experience first," Maveron Capital's Potbelly investment opening doors

• Houston's General Managers

• Craig's Father (Dr. Bernstein "Doc B"): Bedside manner ethos foundation, glioblastoma diagnosis week after Houston's Long Island transfer, genuine hospitality inspiration, naming legacy

• Potbelly Founder Brian Kyle

  
  

🔗 Connect with Craig Bernstein:

Doc B's Restaurant Email: [email protected] 

Website: DocBsRestaurant.com 

Instagram: @DocBsRestaurant

📄 Transcript Available: From Madison Square Garden to 10 Restaurants: Craig Bernstein's Doc B's Journey

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#RestaurantEntrepreneur #DocBsRestaurant #GenuineHospitality #RestaurantGrowth #FreshCasualDining #PromoteFromWithin #RestaurantTraining #EntrepreneurJourney #InspiredStoriesPodcast

🎙️ From $1 Lawn Cuts to Luxury Landscapes: Daniel Thomas's Journey from Teenage Mower to Blue Ribbon Acquisition

In this inspiring episode, Daniel Thomas, Manager of New Business Development at Blue Ribbon Outdoor, shares his remarkable journey from shy 13-year-old knocking doors with business cards his pastor father made him to founding Cutting Edge Outdoors (generating 90% conversion rates with "$1 first mow" offers) to being acquired by Blue Ribbon in a values-driven deal he never saw coming. Through candid stories about his wife's honest conversation ("you don't make enough to build a family"), discovering the Thrive Time Show podcast teaching him to set daily goals and upsell mulching during phone calls, surviving parents' volatile separation at 18 while equipment got stolen and truck broke down (forcing daily "my sins are forgiven, it's a good day" mindset reset), and meeting Blue Ribbon's CEO who said "you're a business owner with a dream—don't give it up, just bring it here and jump 10 years ahead," Daniel reveals how core values alignment (serve customer, be on time, develop people, work as unto the Lord) plus EOS implementation plus qualifying calls filtering $1,500-budget tire-kickers prove that missionaries beat mercenaries—and sometimes God puts neon signs saying "go here" when you're open to infinite possibilities.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Career spark: age 13, father saying "go mow lawns," shy teenager knocking doors hating every second until making $500/day

• Wife's catalyst: "you don't make enough to build family"—sparked transition from teenager-mowing-lawns to real business operator

• $1 first mow strategy: 90% conversion rate when Daniel delivered, dropped to 60% with crews (still phenomenal closing rate)

• EOS implementation: core values (serve customer, be on time, develop people, work unto Lord), GWC hiring framework, L10 meetings

• Blue Ribbon acquisition: hour commute daily, values perfectly aligned, CEO pitch "bring your dream here, jump 10 years ahead together"

• Electric future: Northwest Arkansas contracts requiring fully electric crews (truck, mowers, trimmers, blowers) driving technology investment race

🌟 Daniel's Key Mentors & Influences:

• Daniel's Father (Pastor): Made business cards at age 13, pushed lazy teenager into entrepreneurship, wonderful relationship today despite turmoil

• Daniel's Wife: Honest conversation "you don't make build-family money—do something else or do this better" sparked real business thinking

• Thrive Time Show Podcast: Taught wake-up-early to-do lists, set revenue goals, count lawns needed, upsell existing customers proactively

• Timothy Keller (Preacher): Podcasts during parent separation helped Daniel wrestle with faith, discover gospel beauty integrating into challenges

• Blue Ribbon CEO & Doug (Boss): Sold 10-year vision, values alignment, "we want entrepreneur not salesman," legendary 30-year industry figure

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about shy teenagers becoming social butterflies through door-knocking repetition, wives delivering honest feedback catalyzing transformation, viewing 18-year-old chaos as formative growth crucible, and why values-aligned acquisitions feel like neon signs from God when you're open to possibilities.

🔗 Connect with Daniel Thomas:

Blue Ribbon Outdoor Email: [email protected] 

Website: blueribbonoutdoor.com 

📄 Transcript Available: Daniel Thomas's Landscaping Journey: From $1 First Mows to Blue Ribbon Outdoor Acquisition

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#LandscapingBusiness #EntrepreneurJourney #EOSImplementation #CoreValues #BusinessAcquisition #FaithInBusiness #CustomerService #LuxuryLandscape #InspiredStoriesPodcast

🎙️ From Blue Collar Roots to CFO: Jessica Silwick's Mission Making Quality STEM Education Accessible

In this inspiring episode, Jessica Silwick, CFO and COO at ABET, shares her remarkable journey from being a first-generation college student in a blue collar community to leading finance and operations at the world's leading STEM accreditation organization. Through candid stories about researching college applications alone without guidance, transferring schools after realizing honors programs weren't the right fit, crying when her first boss threw papers across the desk for pages facing wrong direction, standing before 50+ white male board members constantly proving her worth as a young woman in male-dominated fields, and championing ABET's expansion from degree accreditation into recognizing short-term credentials and certificates, Jessica reveals how education serves as a catalyst for transforming individual lives and entire communities—proving that first-gen students who question their belonging can build careers championing access to quality education for learners worldwide.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• First-generation college journey: self-navigated applications, campus tours, financial aid without family guidance

• Strategic pivot: left honors program at university for community college semester, then transferred to first-gen friendly campus

• Career transformation: left Fortune 200 energy company after being recruited at building coffee cart for six months

• ABET's 3,000 volunteer peer reviewers: motivated by mission, create symbiotic learning while evaluating programs

• Accreditation versus quality assurance: degree programs require 18-month rigorous process, credentials offer flexible recognition

• Credential revolution: addressing changing learner demographics through bite-sized certificates as stepping stones or career pivots

• Proving herself: standing before all-male board constantly earning respect as young woman in STEM fields

• CEO Dr. Michael Milligan's championing: first female CFO/COO at ABET, advocates for women in leadership globally

  
  

🌟 Jessica's Key Mentors & Influences:

• Her Supportive Family: Second-generation Greek and third-generation Italian providing stories proving world's potential

• First Internship Boss (Rich): Threw papers across desk teaching attention to detail, later championed her to energy company

• Deloitte Auditor Connection: Remembered Rich's endorsement, opened door to Fortune 200 energy company opportunity

• Dr. Michael Milligan (ABET CEO): Champion for women, appointed first female CFO/COO, provides global perspective coaching

• ABET Coffee Cart Recruiter: Pursued Jessica six months saying "I know you belong here, you'll do great things"

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about education as catalyst for transforming lives, navigating imposter syndrome as first-gen professional, proving worth repeatedly as woman in male-dominated STEM fields, and why expanding quality assurance beyond traditional degrees creates pathways for diverse learners facing grand challenges.

🔗 Connect with Jessica Silwick:

LinkedIn: Jessica Silwick

Email: [email protected]

📄 Transcript Available: Championing Educational Access: Jessica Silwick on ABET's Purpose Serving Thousands of Volunteer Experts, Educators, and Learners

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#STEMEducation #FirstGenStudent #EducationalAccreditation #WomenInLeadership #QualityAssurance #CredentialRecognition #LifelongLearning #EducationCatalyst #InspiredStoriesPodcast

🎙️ From Harvard to Cannabis Distribution: Will Brophy's Journey Building the #1 Licensed Wholesaling Platform

In this inspiring episode, Will Brophy, Chief Operating Officer at Nabis, shares his remarkable journey from helping a college friend hire for an operations role to becoming COO of the nation's leading cannabis distribution platform operating across California, Nevada, and New York. Through candid stories about his wife recognizing his passion during a walk through Prospect Park, the "420 from hell" that exposed critical capacity planning flaws, building modern technology to let 400+ brands "choose their own adventure" with customizable pricing rules, and navigating banking restrictions where federally illegal status blocks access to Chase mortgages and most software vendors, Will reveals how Nabis is professionalizing cannabis distribution through best-in-class supply chain operations—proving that normalizing cannabis requires more than just removing stigma; it demands clean testing, accessible products, and railroad tracks built for an industry defining moment.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Wife's Prospect Park observation shifted career: "You sound way more excited about this than your real job"

• Joined at 40 people with demand exceeding technological capacity, now 450+ employees across three states

• Distribution role: warehousing, delivering to retailers, collecting capital, remitting to 400+ brands with 9,000+ SKUs

• Technology differentiation: 2,000 customizable pricing rules letting brands "choose their own adventure" on self-service platform

• "420 from hell" capacity crisis: 3-4X peak volume exposed warehouse overflow, drove four years of process improvements

• Federal illegality cascades: no major bank access, 90% of software vendors initially unavailable, capital extremely difficult

• California state vouching enabled East West Bank partnership that followed Nabis across state expansions

• Testing critical after "vape gate": legacy market health crisis proved need for third-party testing and clean products

🌟 Will's Key Mentors & Influences:

• June (Nabis Co-founder): College friend who convinced Will to leave finance for cannabis industry mission

• Will's Wife: Recognized passion mismatch during Prospect Park walk, encouraged cross-country move to Oakland

• Sean Arroyo (Nabis President): Brought liquor industry expertise from beer company and large distributor experience

• Nabis Executive Team: Responded to "420 from hell" by working warehouse shifts alongside staff

• Brand and Retail Partners: 400+ partners whose trust and feedback drive continuous platform improvement

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about professionalizing emerging industries, building technology that scales human relationships, leading through operational failures that become defining learning moments, and why the cannabis normalization fight extends beyond consumer perception to banking access and political advocacy.

🔗 Connect with Will Brophy:

LinkedIn: Will Brophy Email (Brand/Retail Partnerships): [email protected] Nabis: #1 Licensed Cannabis Wholesaling Platform Markets: California, Nevada, New York Fleet: 90+ vehicles delivering 400+ brands and 9,000+ products Website: nabis.com

📄 Transcript Available: Building Railroad Tracks for Cannabis: Will Brophy's Mission Normalizing the Industry Through Nabis

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#CannabisDistribution #SupplyChainTech #CannabisIndustry #LicensedWholesaling #EmergingMarkets #OperationalExcellence #CannabisBanking #ComplianceTech #InspiredStoriesPodcast

🎙️ From Adrenaline Rush to Pizza Passion: Carl Bachmann's Journey to Building Riko's National Brand

In this inspiring episode, Carl Bachmann, President and COO of Riko's Pizza, shares his remarkable 30-year journey in the food and beverage industry, from washing dishes to leading major restaurant chains through transformational growth. Carl reveals how a near-death COVID experience reshaped his leadership philosophy and led him to Riko's, where he's building something truly special - a unique tavern-style pizza concept that lets toddlers hold their own slices. Through personal stories of triumph over adversity, Carl demonstrates how servant leadership, passion for people, and the right foundational pillars can transform both businesses and lives.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• The five foundational pillars for scaling restaurant chains successfully

• Why tavern-style pizza creates magical family dining experiences

• How to hire for passion over experience and train the right attitude

• Building company culture through servant leadership principles

• Real estate selection strategies: growing like a bush, not a vine

• Learning management systems that actually engage restaurant employees

• Franchising approaches for sustainable geographic expansion

• Crisis leadership lessons from managing during early COVID pandemic

• The power of vulnerability and authentic leadership in business growth

• How personal adversity can redirect career priorities toward meaningful work

🌟 Carl's Key Mentors:

• Kent State Football Coaches: Taught technique, teamwork, and keeping your eyes up

• Early Restaurant Managers: Instilled passion for service and joy in hospitality

• BurgerFi and Smashburger Teams: Collaborated on turnaround strategies and restructuring

• Rico (Founder): Demonstrated authentic passion for people, product, and community impact

• Hospital Staff During COVID: Showed true servant leadership during life-threatening crisis

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about building restaurant empires, overcoming life-threatening illness, and how finding your true purpose can transform both personal fulfillment and business success.

🔗 Connect with Carl Bachmann:

Email: [email protected]

Website: rikospizza.com

📄 Transcript Available:Five Pillars of Restaurant Success: Carl Bachmann's Riko's Pizza Revolution

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack Benefits Agency

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

🎙️ Reclaiming Life While Growing Your Business: Madeleine Niebauer's Leadership Journey

Madeleine Niebauer, CEO of vChief in Middleton, Wisconsin, shares her powerful journey from overwhelmed business owner to balanced leader who champions the belief that you don't have to sacrifice everything to build a thriving company. Through delegation, automation, and intentional leadership, Maddie transformed her approach to running vChief, proving that sustainable success comes from working smarter, not harder.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Why leaders must stop working excessive hours and reclaim personal lives through delegation

• The transformative power of stepping back to let teams grow stronger

• Building a business that thrives without your constant presence

• How vulnerability creates deeper trust and stronger team relationships

• Balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship during critical family transitions

• Using automation and delegation to create sustainable business growth

• The importance of teaching yoga and maintaining personal passions alongside leadership

• Why exposing your belly like a dog builds authentic business connections

• Creating impact-driven companies that value people over constant hustle

• Celebrating team excellence while preparing for senior year college transitions

🌟 Maddie's Key Mentors:

• Her Team at vChief: Demonstrated next-level capability that allowed her to step back without fear, proving the business could thrive in good hands

• Personal Experience with Burnout: Taught her the critical lesson that sustainable success requires balance and intentional delegation

• Her Daughter's Senior Year Journey: Provided perspective on what truly matters and the importance of being present for family milestones

• Yoga Teaching Practice: Offered a grounding influence and reminder that personal passions fuel better leadership

• EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization) Chicago: Provided community and peer learning opportunities for navigating leadership challenges

• The Business Challenge Itself: Forced her to confront the unsustainability of constant overwork and develop new leadership approaches

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about sustainable leadership, intentional delegation, work-life integration, and building businesses that support rather than consume your life.

🔗 Connect with Madeleine Niebauer:

LinkedIn: Madeleine Niebauer, CEO at vChief

vChief Website: vchiefs.com

📄 Transcript Available: How Delegation Creates Freedom: Madeleine Niebauer's Approach to Sustainable Growth

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack Benefits Agency

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#SustainableLeadership #WorkLifeBalance #Delegation #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #TeamEmpowerment #CEOLife #InspiredStoriesPodcast

🎙️ Building Excellence From Mediocrity: Luke Barrett's Franchise Transformation Journey

Luke Barrett, owner of Citywide Facility Solutions in Rogers, Arkansas, shares his unconventional path from college baseball coach to franchise leader. After three years managing a 50-employee operation in Oklahoma City, Luke seized an opportunity to transform an underperforming franchise, partnering with investors from Wichita and Edge Hill Investments to create an impact-driven facility solutions company.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• How subcontracting cleaning crews allows sitting on the same side of the table as clients

• The ripple effect business model that impacts employees, contractors, and communities

• Building a culture of extreme ownership and vulnerability in leadership

• Transforming mediocrity into excellence when taking over underperforming teams

• Setting aggressive goals beyond comfort zones to drive diamond-level performance

• Why falling short of goals occasionally indicates proper goal-setting

• The power of vulnerability in creating stronger teams and relationships

• Transitioning from passion-driven careers to financially sustainable business leadership

• How pressure and 1% daily improvement compound into extraordinary results

• Pursuing Platinum Club status (top 10 franchises nationally) within one year

🌟 Luke's Key Mentors:

• Jocko Willink (via "Extreme Ownership"): Taught the transformative power of taking complete ownership of failures and outcomes, fundamentally changing Luke's approach to leadership and marriage

• Baseball coaching experience: Developed his people-first mentality and understanding of team dynamics before entering the business world

• Previous franchise leadership: Three years managing a 50-employee Oklahoma City operation provided the foundation for his current franchise ownership

• Partner at previous company: Forced Luke to read "Extreme Ownership" and present on vulnerability, initiating his personal transformation as a leader

• Edge Hill Investments partners: Provided the investment partnership and multi-market franchise expertise to support his Rogers, Arkansas takeover

• Wichita market partners: Co-owners who brought additional franchise experience and collaborative support to the venture

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about transforming underperforming teams, embracing extreme ownership, building impact-driven businesses, and pursuing aggressive growth goals.

🔗 Connect with Luke Barrett:

LinkedIn: Luke Barrett, Owner at Citywide Facility Solutions Citywide Facility Solutions Website: Citywide Facility Solutions

📄 Transcript Available: Turning Around Underperforming Franchises: Luke Barrett's Strategic Approach

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack Benefits Agency

🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

#FranchiseLeadership #ExtremeOwnership #BusinessTransformation #LeadershipDevelopment #FacilitySolutions #CultureChange #ImpactDriven #Entrepreneurship #GoalSetting #InspiredStoriesPodcast