In this episode, we sit down with Tyler DellaRatta, owner of Morning Mugs Coffee in Baltimore, to break down what it really means to build a business people care about.

Tyler shares how opening a coffee shop during the height of COVID forced him to start small, stay scrappy, and focus on experience over perfection. From the now-famous color guessing game to building a "cult-like" community, this conversation dives into why vibe often matters more than product, and why being a little naive can actually be a competitive advantage.

We talk about customer experience, social media that actually works, the parallels between Morning Mugs and the Savannah Bananas, and the hard shift from doing everything yourself to building systems and trusting a team. There’s also plenty of real talk about money, burnout, scaling, and knowing when to step back into the weeds.

In this episode of The More Smarter Show, we sit down with Thomas Romanelli, founder of Local Social Marketing, to break down what modern local marketing actually looks like in practice. Thomas shares how he built a marketing agency from scratch in a new state, why he believes local presence still matters in a digital world, and how social media really drives business growth even when ROI feels hard to track.We dive into influencer marketing, brand awareness vs direct leads, scaling a service business, staying loyal to clients, and why not every business needs to chase trends to win online. Thomas also opens up about hiring, growing a team, staying hands-on as a founder, and using marketing skills to earn equity in other businesses.

Nick Benevento went from working in the field for 20 years to building an electrical company (and pizzeria investor!) that runs without him being on every job. In this episode, Nick breaks down what it actually takes to hire, train, and retain good employees in the trades, why reliability is the real competitive advantage, and how to remove yourself from day-to-day work without losing control of quality.We also get into incentives, monthly accountability, virtual assistants, pricing for future growth, and why running a business is very different from being great at the work itself. Plus, Nick shares how he balances owning an electrical company while also helping grow a successful pizzeria, and what it means to build businesses that can scale, operate, and eventually sell.

In this solo episode, Dylan and Jake reflect on the first full year of The More Smarter Show, from the early spring training days and technical mishaps to finding their rhythm, systems, and purpose. They break down what worked in 2025, what did not, and why chasing views, money, and sponsorships was not the answer.

The conversation covers setting better standards, working more smarter instead of harder, building real relationships through the podcast, and defining clear goals for 2026. These include inbound guest requests, referrals between guests, and creating a community that genuinely helps people do business together.

If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or someone rethinking what growth really means, this episode is about reflection, alignment, and building something that lasts.

In this episode of the More Smarter Show, Jake and Dylan sit down with Ben Trageser of Nashional Tax Planning to talk about partnerships, mergers, and what actually drives scale in a professional services business. Ben breaks down how going from solo operator to the right partnership helped the firm grow 12x, why systems matter more than hustle, and how aligning roles and incentives makes growth sustainable. The conversation covers leaving Big Four accounting, structuring partner responsibilities, scaling without burning out, and why merging can beat starting from scratch. A practical look at what works, what doesn’t, and how to think about partnerships the smart way.

Ben's company: www.nashionaltaxplanning.com

In this episode of the More Smarter Show, hosts Jake and Dylan welcome Kyle Kramer, owner of A Brilliant Solution, a power washing and Christmas light installation company. The conversation delves into the challenges of running a seasonal business, including hiring reliable staff, managing finances, and maintaining a positive mindset. Kyle shares insights on his sales strategies, the importance of work-life balance, and his goals for future growth, including a stronger social media presence. The discussion emphasizes the significance of building a strong team and navigating the competitive landscape of the industry.

In this episode of The More Smarter Show, Jake and Dylan sit down with Mark Woodward, owner of RCR Designer Flooring. Mark shares how he built a flooring business over 20 years, why he left a Wall Street career, and what it really takes to move from doing the work to running the business.

We get into mindset, delegation, scaling, and why trades can be one of the most scalable paths for a new entrepreneur. Mark talks about building commercial relationships, managing crews, growing the residential side, and how networking shaped his entire business.

He also dives into his next chapter with investment properties, how he thinks about complementary businesses, and what he looks for in a partner or operator who can help run the day to day.

In this episode we talk about the moment every entrepreneur hits once their business finally runs smoothly. The work gets easier, things are stable, and suddenly the “shiny object” ideas start showing up.

Is it boredom or a real desire for change? Is it time to double down on what already works or chase the next big thing? We get into why the pull toward new opportunities feels so strong, how to tell the difference between restlessness and a real pivot, and what it means when you are good at a lot of things and want more fulfillment than your current path gives you.

If you have ever built something that works yet still feel the urge to do something different, this conversation hits that exact moment.

In this episode we sit down with Josh Stankard, the founder of NotaryLive. We get into what it takes to build a real company from scratch, what the early chaos looked like, and how he turned a simple idea into a national platform.

We discuss something most founders avoid, the mindset part. The pressure, the identity shift, and the moment you realize your company cannot be the only thing that defines you. Josh opens up about learning to step back, protect his sanity, and find a healthier balance while still pushing the business forward.

If you want an honest look at what building a startup actually feels like, this conversation is going to hit. Josh keeps it real, and the lessons apply to anyone trying to grow something without losing who they are.

Enjoy the episode and share it with someone who needs to hear a founder talk like a real human instead of a pitch deck.

Why do people love watching the top fall off?
Whether it’s binging a Netflix series about rich-people scandals or rooting against the Chiefs because they’re “too good,” there’s something about success that makes everyone want to see a crack in the armor. In this episode, we dig into why that happens, what it says about us, and most importantly how you actually get to the top and stay there.