The Summit

Are you so focused on winning that you're missing your life? What happens when a man who's spent his entire life moving fast, chasing success, and pushing toward the next finish line realizes that the real breakthrough might come from slowing down?

On this episode of The Summit Podcast, I sit down with my longtime friend and former high school soccer rival, John Burke, for a powerful conversation about business, leadership, family, and finding your Edge. John's journey is anything but ordinary. From a self-described troubled kid to a Marine Corps officer, top-performing corporate sales leader, and successful entrepreneur, he's spent decades learning what it takes to win.

Today, John is building High Pine Custom Apparel in Maine alongside his business partner, Nick. But as the company grows, he's discovering that success isn't simply about revenue, growth, or reaching the next milestone. It's about building something that matters.

In this episode, we get into: Why moving faster isn't always the answer to growing a successful business. The expensive mistakes John and his partner made while building High Pine. Why knowing your numbers can change everything. John's powerful approach to sales, handling objections, and earning trust. The leadership lessons he learned in the Marine Corps and corporate America. What working alongside his daughter has taught him about family and legacy. The danger of chasing the next finish line while missing what's happening right in front of you. How John discovered his personal Edge through three simple words: Purpose. Peace. Presence.

One of my favorite moments comes when John admits that for years, he only allowed himself to feel successful when he reached the next goal. Sound familiar? Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, leader, parent, or someone who's spent years chasing what's next, there's something in this conversation for you. Success means very little if you're too busy chasing it to experience it.

Chapters 00:00 From high school rivals to friends

03:22 Why John is learning to slow down

05:07 The story behind High Pine Custom Apparel

08:41 Growing a business without knowing the numbers

11:29 Building a company with purpose

15:24 Legacy, family, and the future of High Pine

19:27 Leadership lessons from the Marine Corps

28:33 A masterclass in sales and listening

33:15 Three powerful words for handling objections

35:57 Why the numbers matter in sales

38:55 Coaching people to achieve their goals

43:19 Fatherhood, mistakes, and second chances

49:54 Finding John's Edge

51:24 Purpose, peace, and presence

53:27 Believing in yourself and what's possible

Connect with John Burke

High Pine Custom Apparel Website: https://www.hipinemaine.com

Instagram @highpinemaine

Serving businesses throughout Maine and across the country. 

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, I sit down with Phil Kornachuk for a real conversation on leadership, personal mastery, and what it actually takes to lead when things get uncertain.

We break down a simple truth that most people miss:

Leadership isn’t assigned… it’s earned.

Phil shares insights from his work with Stonewater Training, along with lessons from real-life experiences that challenge the way we think about influence, discipline, and control.

We talk about:

This isn’t theory — it’s real, practical leadership you can apply immediately in your business and your life.

If you’re serious about growth, this episode will push you to take a hard look at how you’re showing up every day.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and take a minute to reflect:

Where in your life are you waiting for permission… instead of leading?

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with Parker Gammon, owner of Miracle Electric, to discuss the journey of building a successful electrical contracting business.

Parker shares how his upbringing on a farm shaped his work ethic and prepared him for entrepreneurship. He also opens up about the difficult seasons of business, including a moment where the company nearly went bankrupt.

Through leadership growth, strategic learning, and a complete rebrand from PG Electric to Miracle Electric, Parker was able to turn the company around and build a stronger organization.

This conversation dives into the realities of running a trades business — from leadership and sales challenges to building a strong company culture that keeps a team aligned.

If you're a contractor or small business owner navigating growth, this episode will resonate.

Topics Covered

• Entrepreneurship in the trades

#SummitPodcast

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with Matthew Padron for a deep conversation on faith, resilience, and the courage to fully commit.

Matthew shares what it means to “burn the boats” — eliminating the backup plan and stepping forward with conviction. They discuss overcoming self-sabotage, navigating uncertainty, and living aligned with your purpose.

Key themes include:

• Faith as a leadership foundation

This episode is for anyone who knows they’re capable of more — and needs the push to fully commit.

Connect with Matthew:

Subscribe to The Summit Podcast for weekly conversations on leadership, mindset, and growth.

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with contractor and business owner Dean Swanson to talk about what it really takes to grow a successful construction business.

Dean shares his journey from working in the field to running two companies, and the challenges that came with that growth—including the need to restructure, improve systems, and take control of the chaos that often comes with scaling.

This conversation covers:

The mistakes contractors make when growing too fast

Why systems and planning are critical before scaling

The importance of documentation and clear communication

How restructuring can actually strengthen your business

The mindset required to keep going when things get tough

Dean’s message is simple but powerful:

If you're a contractor, entrepreneur, or business owner trying to grow without losing control, this episode will hit home.

contractor business, construction business, small business growth, entrepreneurship, leadership, systems, business structure, scaling a business, contractor life, resilience, mindset, customer communication

What happens when growth becomes the very thing that breaks your business?

In this episode of the Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with entrepreneur Justin Cady for an honest conversation about business ownership, financial missteps, management challenges, and the resilience required to rebuild after adversity.

Justin shares what it’s really like to scale a company, carry overhead and debt, make tough leadership decisions, and ultimately transition from business owner to employee in the coatings industry. This isn’t theory — it’s lived experience.

Inside this conversation:

• The difference between revenue and true profitability

If you’re a contractor, small business owner, or entrepreneur navigating growth, this episode will challenge the way you think about success, sustainability, and leadership.

Because sometimes the hardest lessons are the ones that build the strongest foundations.

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with Jess Novak, founder of Give Freedom Homes, to talk about what it really takes to build a business rooted in both excellence and purpose.

Jess shares her journey from working as a carpenter to leading her own remodeling company, and the leadership lessons she learned along the way. We dive into:

• The transition from tradesperson to CEO

Jess doesn’t just build homes — she builds culture, clarity, and conviction into her company. This conversation is especially valuable for contractors, remodelers, and entrepreneurs who want to grow without compromising their values.

If you're navigating leadership growth, team development, or building something meaningful in the construction space, this episode will challenge you in the right way.

Subscribe to The Summit Podcast for weekly conversations on leadership, business development, and building your edge.

Jess Novak

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, host Bob Turner sits down with Robin Mullins of Octagon Cleaning and Restoration, a family-owned restoration company serving Maine and New Hampshire for more than 23 years.

Robin shares what it takes to build a trusted restoration business in an industry where clients are often dealing with some of the most stressful moments of their lives. From working with insurance adjusters to minimizing emotional and physical disruption during restoration projects, this conversation highlights the importance of relationships, consistency, and community involvement.

The discussion also dives into Octagon’s Ice Fishing Derby, a long-running community fundraiser that supports local charities and reinforces the company’s belief in giving back to the communities they serve.

If you’re a contractor, restoration professional, or local business owner looking to grow through trust, reputation, and service, this episode delivers real-world insight from a business that has stood the test of time.

Restoration Business

Growth is rarely quiet—and it’s almost never comfortable.

In this episode of The Summit Podcast, Bob Turner sits down with Brandy Kemp for an honest conversation about what really happens when a business owner starts stepping fully into leadership.

Brandy shares what it looks like to make necessary changes inside a company—even when those changes create resistance, discomfort, and pushback from the team. This episode dives into the emotional weight of leadership, the reality of outgrowing old systems and people, and the courage it takes to protect the vision of the business when not everyone is on board.

You’ll hear candid insights on:

Why leadership often feels lonely before it feels successful

The difference between being liked and being respected as an owner

How to identify resistance that’s holding your company back

When “holding the line” is the most important leadership move you can make

What it really means to operate as a CEO—not just a technician or manager

This is a powerful episode for business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who know change is required—but are feeling the tension that comes with growth.

If you’re building something meaningful and finding resistance along the way, this conversation will hit home.

🎧 Listen in and decide what kind of leader your business needs you to be next.

What does it really take to walk away from a long-held identity and build something entirely new?

In this episode of the Summit Podcast, host Bob Turner sits down with Bubba Hogan, a former deputy sheriff turned entrepreneur and coach, to unpack a powerful journey of reinvention, resilience, and purpose-driven growth.

Bubba shares what it was like to leave law enforcement after years of service, navigate adversity, and redefine success on his own terms. From overcoming setbacks and identity shifts to building a business rooted in freedom, impact, and community, this conversation is honest, relatable, and deeply inspiring.

You’ll hear insights on:

Transitioning from law enforcement to entrepreneurship

Navigating major identity shifts and personal adversity

Why community and connection are essential for long-term success

Creating work-life balance without losing your edge

Using humor, perspective, and service to positively impact others

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or someone standing at the edge of your next chapter, this episode will challenge you to think bigger about what’s possible — in business and in life.

🎧 Listen in and find YOUR Edge.