In the Thick of It Podcast

Hey, Scott Hollrah here, the host of In the Thick of It. I have a favorite podcast called How I Built This with Guy Raz, which tells the stories of founders through their trials and tribulations. Usually the story ends where they've gone public, they've sold the business, they've exited somehow, and the entire thing is kind of looking back. It's inspiring, and I've learned a ton. On In the Thick of It, we’re telling the stories of founders who are still living it day in and day out. If you are a #founder or, you know a founder, we would love to hear from you. Comment in the thread to get the ball rolling.

Get ready to dive into the entrepreneurial path of ENO8's founder, Jeff Francis. Join us as Jeff takes us from his roots in small-town Farmersville, Texas, to his emergence as a visionary tech entrepreneur. During our conversation, Jeff opens up about the transformative experiences that molded his technology career and the hurdles he's conquered. He delves into how he's built success by ensuring his personal values align with his business objectives, while also sharing candid insights about managing partnership relationships. Discover the origin story of ENO8, as Jeff shares valuable lessons on software development, building strong client relationships, and breaking through business growth barriers. Listen wherever you enjoy your podcasts: https://lnkd.in/g64vS9ev

In this episode, we welcome Matthew Wensing, founder and CEO of Summit, an innovative low-code/no-code automation platform. Matt shares his journey into the world of B2B tech services. Matt has always been curious about his future career path from a young age. Initially pursuing political science in college, he soon discovered his true passion was in computer science. His first post-college job provided valuable hands-on experience in software development, igniting his interest in the field. Matt's entrepreneurial spirit took flight in 2007 when he launched a weather data startup. This venture taught him the importance of collaboration and understanding client needs. Listen in as Matt discusses his current project, Summit, and how it aims to revolutionize business automation: https://lnkd.in/g87S5bBc

Starting a business is a collaborative effort, as Seth Frey, founder and president of Big Frey Branded Goods & Swag Kits, discovered while navigating partnerships and industry changes in promotional products. Seth's entrepreneurial journey began with family inspiration. Post-college, he and his brother established Granny's Goodies, offering exam survival kits to students. Building on this experience, Seth later founded Big Frey Branded Goods & Swag Kits. He encourages fellow entrepreneurs to savor small victories and prioritize long-term objectives over short-term challenges. This episode dives into Seth's lifelong entrepreneurial adventures, offering insights and lessons learned along the way: https://lnkd.in/gj67K8Tn #FounderStory #Entrepreneurship #BrandedGoods #SwagKits #PromotionalProducts

Want to learn from the best? Don't wait for opportunities—create them! Jonathan Lusk, co-founder of BirdDog, shares his strategy: reach out to those you admire, take initiative, and build valuable relationships. Networking isn't just about who you know, it's about who knows you. 🎧 Listen to "In The Thick of It" on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://hubs.ly/Q02N-jwR0 #Leadership #Mentorship #Networking

In this episode of In The Thick of It, Founder and CEO of INHouse Video, Peter Matejcek, shares the first entrepreneurial experience he had. From struggling employee to entrepreneurial spirit, "Pete the Computer Guy" discusses the importance of solving real customer problems, hiring smart people, learning from mistakes, and persevering through difficulties with unrelenting optimism. Tune in to the complete episode on Apple, Spotify, or any platform where you listen to podcasts: https://hubs.ly/Q02NG0cw0 #Founder #Entrepreneur #BusinessOwner #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #NonprofitTechnology

In this episode, we feature our first-ever husband and wife duo, Reagan Pugh and Elle Pugh, each with their own thriving entrepreneurial ventures. Together, they share the personal and professional experiences that not only brought them together but also fuel their mutual support in business. We explore key topics like the value of mentorship, navigating financial highs and lows, and the power of open communication with business partners. Reagan, a motivational speaker and author, and Elle, the founder of an Enneagram coaching business and luxury greenery company, Gracious Garlands, also reveal their future plans and insights on entrepreneurship. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on balancing marriage and business: https://lnkd.in/gig8tKDW #Founder #CEO #Entrepreneurship #Enneagram

Cameron Hay, co-founder & CEO of Dispatch Integration, joined us to share his journey from one milestone to the next! Landing that first contract was huge, but it was just the beginning. From hiring his first team members to proving it wasn't a fluke—every milestone brought new challenges and growth. 🎧 Tune in to the complete episode on Apple, Spotify, or any platform where you listen to podcasts: https://hubs.ly/Q02N_vQn0 #Founder #Entrepreneur #BusinessOwner #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #NonprofitTechnology

It was great chatting with Drew Murr, Founder & CEO of Banjaxed Solutions. There's tons of planning and strategizing to be done when building your own company. How do we position our services and products? Which method should we use to stand out among competitors? Drew shares how he approaches business with a more creative and unique outlook. Rather than following a straightforward method competitors tend to use, he finds himself spending time trying to think outside of the box. Is it always best to spend more efforts in creativity? Or, is best to stick with straightforward (non-unique) methods to reach new prospects? Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://hubs.ly/Q02NGlFN0 #Founder #Entrepreneur #BusinessOwner #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #NonprofitTechnology

Navigating employee benefits can be a major hurdle for business owners. Selecting insurance plans—from health to dental to vision—can be daunting, with decisions affecting team members and their families. In this episode, we welcome Chris Hamilton of Hotchkiss Insurance. He shares valuable insights on choosing practical, cost-effective benefit plans for your workforce. Scott here - As a founder myself, I've experienced firsthand the weight of choosing employee benefits. Our conversation revealed strategies I hadn't considered before, and I'm sure listeners will gain a fresh perspective on this topic as well. Listen to the episode wherever you enjoy podcasts: https://lnkd.in/g9jrw-h8 #Founder #CEO #Entrepreneurship #EmployeeBenefits #EmployeeHealthInsurance