Real Talk for Business Owners
Honest conversations with business owners, founders, and operators. How they got started, what's hard right now, what's working, what broke, and what they wish they'd known sooner.
What We Talk About
Operations & Growth
Scaling crews, managing pipelines, handling crisis moments, and building systems that work when you're not watching.
Leadership & People
Keeping good people, developing your team, succession planning, and the human side of running a company.
Technology & AI
How small businesses are actually using software and AI—what's worth the investment and what's hype.
Acquisitions
Buying, selling, and taking over businesses. What due diligence really looks like and how to transition smoothly.
Veterans in Business
How military experience translates to entrepreneurship—from Commander's Intent to building teams.
Partnerships
Finding the right partner, dividing responsibilities, and navigating the relationship that can make or break your business.
Business Guides
Practical, source-backed guides covering everything you need to start, run, and grow a business.
Business Formation
11 guides
Finance & Accounting
13 guides
Funding & Capital
11 guides
Growth & Scaling
11 guides
HR & People
12 guides
Insurance & Risk
9 guides
Leadership & Management
10 guides
Legal & Compliance
11 guides
Marketing
12 guides
Operations & Systems
12 guides
Pricing & Profitability
10 guides
Sales & Revenue
10 guides
Strategy & Planning
10 guides
Tax Strategy
12 guides
Technology & Tools
10 guides
Latest Episodes
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Chuck Hill & Tom Marcy
with Chuck Hill & Tom Marcy, Chill AI
Chuck and Tom from Chill AI join us to talk about what small business owners actually wrestle with day-to-day: missed calls, inconsistent follow-up, customer expectations, and the gap between working hard and having clear operational visibility.
Geoff Farinha
with Geoff Farinha
A conversation with Geoff Farinha about his journey as a business owner—what's working, what's hard, and the lessons learned along the way.
Ben Wespi
with Ben Wespi, President & CEO, Ellington Industries
Ben spent 20 years in the Marine Corps before buying a mechanical insulation company with zero industry experience. We talk about imposter syndrome, why leadership beats technical expertise, and how culture beats compensation when it comes to keeping great workers.
Meet the Hosts
Doug Ebenal
Producer & Co-Host
Doug produces the show, writes articles, and keeps the conversation flowing. Over 20 years in Marine Corps intelligence taught him to take chaos, find order, and deliver answers that matter—he brings that same approach to every episode.
Josh Caruso
Co-Host
Josh co-hosts and writes on leadership, technology, and strategy. After 18 years leading teams in Marine Corps intelligence, he opened two small businesses and learned firsthand what it's like to fly blind as an owner. He brings that real-world perspective to every conversation.
Got a Story to Tell?
If you're a business owner with real experiences to share—the wins, the struggles, the lessons learned—we'd love to have you on the show.
Apply to Be a Guest