Transitions

In today's conversation, I sit down with Ben Landers, the former founder and CEO of Blue Corona, a leading digital marketing firm serving the home services market. Since selling the business in 2022, Ben has spent time exploring and enjoying a new chapter in his life.

Our talk covers topics such as kindness, having binary passions, using data to drive results, creative problem solving, and more. Ben shares personal stories and experiences that highlight the importance of these themes in his life.

We also talk about Ben's approach to business and decision-making and the lessons he learned from an influential mentor and business partner. Ben's story is one of achieving surprising success while overcoming personal struggles; it is a journey of perseverance and resilience.

Ben Landers:

Ben on LinkedIn

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:37) - Leaning on kindness

(00:06:13) - Binary passions

(00:12:44) - Using data to drive results

(00:20:06) - The role of intuition in decision making

(00:27:21) - Creative problem solving

(00:35:10) - The power of contrarian thinking

(00:42:12) - Transitional moments in Ben’s life

(01:01:30) - What lessons in your career have had the most impact on you?

(01:12:01) - Life after selling a business

(01:29:35) - What aspect of your life has been most surprising?

The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.

Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Heather Endresen, the owner of Viso Business Capital, a lending advisory firm assisting acquisition entrepreneurs with their debt capital needs. Heather has spent her entire career in retail banking, beginning right after high school. She's lived the ups and downs of the industry and continually managed to succeed and develop deep relationships and specialized offerings in a normally commoditized market. In this episode, Heather and I discuss her early independence, how she learned to take risks and pursue the things that mattered to her, what adversity and a strong support system taught her about resilience, and her recent jump into starting her own business.

Heather Endresen

Heather on X

Heather on LinkedIn

Viso Business Capital

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:14) - Heather’s upbringing

(00:04:46) - Building quick connections

(00:07:30) - Chasing being uncomfortable

(00:12:28) - Heather’s early career and meteoric rise

(00:19:44) - Navigating the Banking industry as a woman in the 90’s

(00:21:59) - Mentors

(00:24:28) - The challenges of parenthood

(00:38:00) - Breaking the box of commodities in banking

(00:42:40) - Making the jump to become a founder

(00:47:53) - What aspect of your life has been most surprising?

The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.

Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Steve Wiesner, the Managing Director and CEO of Watershed Associates, a leading global negotiations training firm. Steve immigrated from Canda to attend business school at Columbia and spent almost 20 years in investment banking and private equity before leaving to found a software business and begin his current chapter of entrepreneurial leadership. In today's conversation, Steve and I talk about his path to immigration and to Wall Street, the value of mentors and being open to the counsel of others at critical moments in life, and failure as a stepping stone to success among other stories. Please enjoy my conversation with Steve Wiesner.

Steve Wiesner:

Watershed Associates

Steve on X

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:43) - Steve’s upbringing

(00:05:55) - What were your impressions of the USA as a child?

(00:09:53) - Dealing with family deaths and divorce at an early age

(00:12:33) - Exerting control admist trauma

(00:20:29) - Steve’e mini-gold marathon & campus charter

(00:29:44) - Steve’s experience at Columbia and Wall St.

(00:39:06) - Interviewing with Javid Khan

(00:43:42) - Sticking around too long at jobs

(00:48:18) - Experiencing 9/11, kids, and layoffs

(00:51:19) - Changing careers & joining Peleton and Watershed

(01:01:58) - What have you learned about failure?

(01:06:03) - Mentors

(01:08:01) - What has been most surprising about your life?

The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.

Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Chris Powers, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Fort Capital, a leading industrial real estate investment firm, and host of the popular podcast, The Fort. Chris began his real estate investing career in college, nearly 20 years ago, and has since gone on to transact over $2 billion in real estate deals comprising over 24 million square feet. In addition, Chris's podcast, which he started almost six years ago, features over 350 episodes with successful entrepreneurs across multiple industries. In this episode, Chris and I talk about the lasting influence of his father, his journey through ego and success-driven struggles, and his decision to turn over daily leadership of his business to a trusted partner, among other topics. Chris has had a remarkably full life already and he's just 37 years old.

Chris Powers:

The Fort Podcast

Fort Companies

The Second Mountain by David Brooks

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:28) - The impact of Chris’ father

(00:14:55) - Chris’ first hustles

(00:19:04) - Losing your father

(00:33:32) - Intensity & Evolution

(00:40:24) - Rebuilding a marriage 

(00:48:23) - Becoming more vulnerable and authentic

(00:52:05) - Stepping away from the role of CEO and looking forward to life

(00:58:38) - What aspect of your life has surprised you the most?

The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.

Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is August Felker, the Founder and CEO of Oberle Risk Strategies, a forward-thinking insurance agency serving a national client base from its home in St. Louis, Missouri. August has over 20 years of insurance industry experience and has successfully bought two companies using the search fund model. His lineage in the insurance space extends back through his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, all of whom owned insurance agencies in St. Louis. In our conversation, August and I discuss the impact his high school has had on his life, the formative experience of being a camp counselor during college, and how failure has often been the pre-cursor to success in his life, among other topics.

August Felker:

Oberle Risk Strategies

August on LinkedIn

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:10) - August’s defining moments of childhood

(00:14:43) - Mentors

(00:19:30) - College experiences as a camp counselor

(00:23:41) - Leadership lessons

(00:28:18) - Creating an environment of tradition

(00;31:36) - August’s early career in San Francisco

(00:36:03) - Learning Sales, Marriage & Launching a Search Fund

(00:45:40) - Learnings from selling an acquired business

(00:55:21) - The power of resilience

(00:59:00) - What has been most surprising about your life?

The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.

Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Antonia Botero, the Founder of MADDPROJECT. Antonia has over 15 years of experience in architecture, construction, and development. Her notable projects include the rehabilitation and repositioning of the historic TWA terminal into the TWA hotel at JFK Airport in New York City. In today's episode, we discuss Antonia's key influences including being an immigrant, going to an all-girls school, and the high standards and unwavering belief in her abilities by her parents. We also discuss how a pivotal year led to a complete re-examination of her life and what's changed since then.

Antonia Botero:

MADPROJECT

Antonia on X

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Delirious New York by Rem Koolhaas

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:50) - Antonia’s upbringing and the impact of all-girls education

(00:08:53) - Antonioa’s family life & parental influences

(00:16:00) - Entering the real estate field

(00:21:52) - Immigrant experiences

(00:29:38) - The journey of becoming a US citizen

(00:37:37) - Antonia’s early career in architecture and development

(00:44:12) - The beauty of NYC

(00:54:44) - Moving to Park City, UT

(00:59:04) - Starting Mad Project

(01:03:13) - High consequence vs. high-risk

(01:09:32) - What has surprised you most about yourself?

The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.

Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Michael Curry, the Co-Executive Chairman of Apex Physics Partners. Mike and his partner raised a search fund in 2013 and acquired the predecessor of Apex in 2014. After running and growing the company successfully over 10 years, Mike moved up to a board role. Prior to his involvement in the medical physics market, Mike worked at Morgan Stanley and founded a men's clothier. Our conversation covers some of the most influential people in Mike's life, his constant desire to live outside of his comfort zone, and healing, and ultimately thriving, after adversity. Please enjoy my conversation with Michael Curry.

Michael Curry:

Michael on LinkedIn

Apex Physics Partners

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:52) - Michael’s influences

(00:16:56) - Childhood challenges and trauma

(00:28:57) - Michael’s career arc in banking

(00:41:03) - Becoming the man of the family

(00:51:39) - Learnings from the cycle of Searching, Operating, and selling

(01:01:02) - Crucible moments during acquisition, scale, and sale

(01:16:13) - What’s something you hope listeners take away from this?

The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.

Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Chris Munn, the Founder of The Fairfield Company. Chris comes from a finance background and currently operates a private investment firm with permanent capital as well as a CEO peer organization called Tensi. Our conversation covers Chris' childhood and the role of education in exposing him to different views and opportunities, the catalyst that led him to pursue entrepreneurship, and what legacy means to Chris.

Chris Munn:

The Fairfield Company

Chris on X

More from Chris

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:15) - Chris’ upbringing 

(00:04:14) - Golf

(00:13:16) - Experiences at an HBCU

(00:16:15) - Early career

(00:30:30) - Losing your father at 26

(00:37:41) - Taking life to 0 and starting over

(00:41:49) - The experience of buying a business

(00:49:50) - Buying a business vs. starting a business

(00:53:09) - What does legacy mean to you?

The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.

Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Eric Pacifici, a founding partner at SMB Law Group. Eric has a background in BigLaw, having worked in M&A at some of the most prestigious firms in the country. He's also the only person I know who used an anonymous Twitter account to jumpstart the founding of a social media-driven law firm focused on small business buyouts. Eric is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs and small businesses and our conversation covers his journey to a top law school, a life-altering health event involving his family, and why he chose to become an entrepreneur. Please enjoy my conversation with Eric.

Eric Pacifici:

Eric on X

SMB Law Group

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:31) - Eric’s Pizza Fridays

(00:03:30) - Eric’s upbringing & early career

(00:18:29) - Are you an intense person?

(00:23:00) - Getting to law school

(00:29:39) - Eric’s law career in big law

(00:40:33) - Health scares

(00:56:09) - Launching SMB Law Group

(01:15:54) - Is there anything on the horizon that has your attention?

(01:17:44) - How has your role in SMB Law Group changed?

The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.

Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Sam Hyde, the President of Circle Surrogacy and Egg Donation. Sam and his partner raised a search fund and, in 2017, acquired the United States' largest surrogacy agency, which has since grown significantly. Sam has also spent time as a consultant at McKinsey & Company and, during college, running a home painting franchise. Our conversation covers how he's overcome setbacks, the value of being in environments that have expanded his ability to imagine greater opportunities, and how he's evolved as a manager and leader.

Sam Hyde:

Circle Surrogacy

Sam on LinkedIn

Tim Ludwig:

Tim on X

Podcast website

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:31) - The importance of education

(00:09:51) Changing your relationship with sports

(00:16:15) - Sam’s early career

(00:28:56) - Pursuing a corporate career and whether getting an MBA is worth it

(00:36:55) - Life at Bain & Co., Deloitte, and McKinsey

(00:39:51) - Returning to entrepreneurship

(00:42:37) - Choosing to run a Search with a partner

(00:44:35) Improving partnerships

(00:47:38) - Buying Circle Surrogacy and crucible moments within running the company

(00:56:32) - Defining purpose

(00:58:29) - What do you hope to be doing in 20 years