In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Jason Reed of Reed’s Fuel and Trucking joins us to share the remarkable story behind one of Oregon’s longest-running family businesses. Now in its 86th year, the fourth-generation company has evolved from a 1940 moving and home heating operation into a high-volume wood residual hauling powerhouse serving sawmills across the region.

Jason reflects on growing up in the business—starting at just six years old—and how pride, community reinvestment, and a strong team culture have helped the company beat the odds, with fewer than 5% of family businesses making it to the fourth generation. With both of his children now involved, Reed’s is positioned to become a rare fifth-generation operation.

He also breaks down what truly sets Reed’s Fuel and Trucking apart: a 24/7/365 operation, a fleet of 40 double-shifted trucks, high-barrier equipment investments, and a commitment to promoting from within. From servicing sawmills that produce a truckload of material every 30 minutes to building long-term employee loyalty, Jason shares insights into leadership, succession planning, capital intensity, and sustaining a family legacy in a demanding industry.

A must-listen for entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and anyone curious about building resilience, scale, and culture over generations.

Connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-reed-0472a9b4/

Website: https://www.reedsfuel.com/

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, we sit down with Josh Stauffer, CEO and fourth owner of Blue Flame Thinking, as he reflects on leading a 60-year-old B2B marketing agency through digital transformation, ownership, and growth.

Josh shares his unconventional path from art school to software engineering to agency leadership, unpacks what it really means to run a people-first business, and explains how ethical, value-driven marketing builds decades-long client relationships in highly technical industries. It’s an honest conversation about ownership pressure, culture by design, and why doing the right thing is still the best business strategy.

Connect:

Website: https://blueflamethinking.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-flame-thinking/

On this episode of the Think Small Podcast, we’re joined by Tycho Rosenfeld and Chuck Pollard of Optimize Compliance Solutions and MortgageEducation.com to break down how borrowers and mortgage professionals can navigate today’s volatile housing market. From choosing the right loan strategy and vetting trusted originators to understanding why compliance, education, and ethics matter more than ever, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the mortgage industry post-2008—and where it’s headed next. With insights on audits, growth strategies, and how technology and AI may reshape lending, this episode is a must-listen for anyone buying a home or building a business in a heavily regulated space.

Connect:

Website: https://www.mortgage-education.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mortgageeducation-com/

On this episode of the Think Small Podcast, we’re joined by Cynthia Kay of Cynthia Kay Biz, a longtime media executive, entrepreneur, author, and small business advocate who shares hard-earned insights from nearly four decades of building, growing, and successfully exiting a business. Cynthia dives into why communication is one of the biggest challenges facing organizations today, the importance of planning your exit from day one, and how purpose, adaptability, and clear leadership fuel long-term success. From navigating the emotional crossroads of business ownership to redefining what “retirement” really means, this conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.

Connect:

Website: https://cynthiakaybiz.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiakaybiz/

On this episode of the Think Small Podcast, we sit down with William Roche, CEO of S. Clyde Weaver, a 100-year-old, fourth-generation smoked meat and cheese business rooted in Pennsylvania farmers markets. William shares how stepping in as the first non-family CEO just months before COVID forced rapid change, lean operations, and a renewed focus on local supply chains—ultimately turning crisis into opportunity. From navigating generational transition and pandemic disruption to finding growth during today’s economic uncertainty, this conversation is a candid look at resilience, reinvention, and why small, local food businesses can thrive when it matters most.

Connect:

Website: https://sclydeweaver.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sclydeweaver/

On this episode of the Think Small podcast, Wes, founder of Pic the Gift. shares how he grew a one-man operation tucked in the corner of a friend’s shop into one of the largest custom-gift manufacturers you’ve never heard of. He reveals how problem-solving, automation, and an obsession with efficient production helped the company thrive through industry shifts and even the chaos of COVID, all while staying invisible behind the brands they power.

From embracing one-off, on-demand personalization long before it was trendy to preparing for new acquisitions and strategic growth, Wes offers a candid, insightful look at modern American manufacturing and what it really takes to scale.

Connect:

Website: https://www.picthegift.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-pickering-058a1913/

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

In this episode of the Think Small podcast, Kayla from SweetBio takes us inside the decade-long journey of turning a bold idea combining collagen and Manuka honey into an FDA-cleared medical device that’s transforming wound care. She shares the real story behind bringing a biotech product from lab to launch, navigating setbacks, scaling a family-run company, and making advanced care accessible for everyone from Mohs surgery patients to those with chronic wounds. Kayla also reveals how SweetBio is preparing to reach millions more through over-the-counter innovation, offering a rare and inspiring look at the grit, science, and heart behind building a life-changing health technology.

Connect:

Website:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylarodriguez/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetbio.inc

In this episode of Think Small, Alex sits down with David Esposito, CEO of ONL Therapeutics, for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the long, high-stakes journey of bringing a new drug to market. From university-born science and early discovery work to the realities of fundraising, clinical trials, and navigating investor expectations,

David breaks down how ONL is advancing a promising therapy to protect retinal cells and slow vision loss in age-related macular degeneration. It’s a candid, fast-moving conversation about innovation, risk, and the grit required to push life-changing treatments toward FDA approval.

Connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidesposito2/

Website: https://onltherapeutics.com/

In this episode, RealKey founder Christopher Hussain joins the Think Small Podcast to reveal how his AI-powered “deal room” is transforming the mortgage industry. He breaks down how RealKey streamlines processing and underwriting by automating document collection, verification, and communication for every party involved—from borrowers and brokers to agents, employers, and insurers—all in one unified space.

Christopher shares the origin story behind the platform, its pivots, his unique background as the nation’s top mortgage originator, and how RealKey’s world-class team is building a more efficient, secure, and scalable future for lending. We also look ahead at RealKey’s broader ambitions in auto loans, financial services, and global expansion. A must-listen for anyone curious about the future of fintech and frictionless lending.

Connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherhussain/

Website:

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

In this episode, HR expert Karen Young of HR Resolutions joins the show to talk about what modern, human-centered HR really looks like. From dismantling the “department of no” stereotype to building culture through honest communication, personalized leadership, and understanding how people actually work, Karen offers a refreshingly real take on creating thriving workplaces.

She shares practical insights on performance, communication styles, remote culture, and why humor, empathy, and curiosity matter just as much as policy. We also look ahead at HR Resolutions’ exciting growth and Karen’s mission to elevate the HR profession. A must-listen for leaders who want HR to be a strategic advantage—not a buzzkill.

Connect:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenayoungauthor/

Website: https://www.hrresolutions.com/