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Kim Coleman: Using Laughter to Shift Your Mindset What if laughter wasn’t just a reaction to something funny, but an intentional tool for changing your mindset, strengthening culture, and navigating difficult moments? In this episode of Anything But Typical, Gary and Ben sit down with Kim Coleman, a laughter strategist, laughter yoga instructor, TEDx speaker, keynote speaker, and performer. Kim shares how her background in theater, education, writing, stand-up comedy, and improvisation ultimately led her to recognize the power of intentional laughter. Kim explains that she wants people to remember her as someone who listens, makes others feel comfortable, and helps them laugh. For her, laughter is something that can be intentionally introduced into everyday life to help shift your mindset and change the atmosphere around you. In This Episode Why laughter can be an intentional part of your daily routine How leaders influence the emotional atmosphere of their workplace Using humor to create connection and make people feel more comfortable How Kim’s theater and improvisation background shaped the way she reads people and communicates Kim’s journey through writing, stand-up comedy, and laughter yoga Giving yourself permission to experience difficult moments instead of forcing positivity Why failure and bombing on stage can become powerful opportunities to learn How business owners can become more comfortable experimenting, failing, and trying something new Using music, art, meaningful objects, and relationships to intentionally influence your mindset Why the people you surround yourself with can have such a major impact on your energy Learning to take yourself a little less seriously Kim also shares an important lesson from her own difficult seasons: sometimes the right response isn’t trying to make someone laugh. It’s listening, being present, and meeting them where they are. For entrepreneurs and leaders, Kim encourages creating intentional moments throughout the day that help reduce stress and bring more joy into both work and life. She also emphasizes being willing to experiment and recognizing that failure is often where some of the biggest lessons are found. The conversation ends with a simple challenge: find small things—music, people, art, memories, routines, or even laughter itself—that you can intentionally place into your day to help move your mindset in the direction you want it to go. Connect With Kim Coleman LinkedIn: @KimColeman Instagram: @kcolemanlaughs

Christian Klender’s career has taken him from software engineering and professional motorsports to building Watches of Charlotte. In this episode of Anything But Typical, Christian shares how he broke into racing, helped build McLaren’s presence in Charlotte, and eventually made the jump into entrepreneurship. We also talk about turning a passion for watches into a business, building trust with customers, raising capital, managing risk, and why sustainable growth matters more than simply getting bigger. In This Episode: • Breaking into professional motorsports • Working with IndyCar, NASCAR, and McLaren • Leaving the stability of a traditional career • Building Watches of Charlotte • Turning a passion into a profitable business • Building trust in high-value sales • Managing risk, investors, and growth • Staying grounded through career and life transitions Learn more about Christian: WatchesofCharlotte.com Instagram: @WatchesofCharlotte

William McKee didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur. His path moved through engineering, technology, philosophy, travel, teaching, and eventually into building Knowmad Digital Marketing. In this episode of Anything But Typical, William McKee joins Gary Frey and Ben to share how curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to keep evolving helped shape both his life and his business. The conversation explores William’s early exposure to technology, the unconventional journey that led him into entrepreneurship, and what it has taken to keep Knowmad relevant through decades of change. From the early days of the internet to SEO, digital marketing, and now AI, William explains why staying curious has become one of his greatest advantages. He also opens up about the realities of business growth, including costly pivots, finding the right support system, working alongside another visionary, building stronger processes, and learning when to step back and let the team operate in their strengths.   Resources Mentioned Knowmad Digital Marketing, EO Accelerator, HubSpot, Marketing AI Institute / SmarterX, Charlotte Business Exchange, and EOS. Connect With William McKee Learn more about Knowmad Digital Marketing at www.knowmad.com. You can also find William McKee on LinkedIn by searching for William McKee in Charlotte. About Anything But Typical Anything But Typical shares real stories from entrepreneurs—not just the wins. Subscribe and share for more conversations about entrepreneurship, leadership, growth, and everything that happens along the way.

**Episode Summary:** Erin Vogel, semi-retired sports car racing driver and founder of AE Victory Racing, shares her journey from growing up in a family of racing pioneers to becoming a team owner on a mission to create opportunities for women in motorsports. She discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating a male-dominated sport, the messy transition from driver to team owner, and the leadership lessons learned along the way — including the importance of delegation, building culture, and embracing failure as fuel for growth.   Where to Find Erin --- **Connect with Erin:** - Instagram: @ErinVogelRacing and @AEVictoryRacing - TikTok: @AEVictoryRacing - Website: www.aevictoryracing.com

David Wurtzbacher — Building a People-First Business What does it really look like to put people first while building and scaling a business? In this episode of Anything But Typical, Gary and Ben sit down with David Wurtzbacher, Founder and CEO of Ascend, to talk about leadership, entrepreneurship, culture, and building organizations where people have the opportunity to flourish. David shares lessons from his journey through JPMorgan, Lightwave Dental, and ultimately founding Ascend — including why character matters in M&A, how Ascend is working to preserve the independence of entrepreneurial CPA firms, and why long-term thinking often requires making decisions that can't immediately be measured on a spreadsheet. The conversation also explores the importance of stepping out of the day-to-day to work on the business, developing a coachable mindset, investing in future leaders, and intentionally designing a life that goes beyond professional success. In This Episode: What it means to lead people toward an inspiring vision Why Ascend takes a People First approach to growth Preserving independence and culture during acquisitions Choosing the right people — not simply the right deal Why leaders have to make time to work on the business The role of executive coaching and lifelong learning Creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders David's perspective on faith, purpose, and living an abundant life About David Wurtzbacher David Wurtzbacher is the Founder and CEO of Ascend, a platform built to help entrepreneurial CPA firms grow and transform while preserving their independence, culture, people, and approach to serving clients. Resources Ascend: ascendtogether.com Ascend on LinkedIn: Search “Ascend” on LinkedIn Connect with David: Find David Wurtzbacher on LinkedIn About Anything But Typical Anything But Typical shares the real stories behind entrepreneurship — not just the wins, but the challenges, decisions, lessons, and experiences that shape the journey. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation.

From Corporate Banking to Physical Copper: Allen Cates on Trust, Failure & Reinvention Allen Cates’ entrepreneurial journey has taken him across countries, industries, and some incredibly difficult business lessons. Growing up in Canada, Australia, England, and the United States taught him how to adapt quickly, appreciate different perspectives, and become comfortable entering unfamiliar environments. In this episode of Anything But Typical, Allen shares how his career in banking prepared him to purchase and operate a small business—and why he eventually knew it was time to move on. He also opens up about investing with a trusted business leader who was later discovered to be forging financial records. That experience forced Allen to confront failure, forgive himself, strengthen his approach to due diligence, and rebuild his confidence. Allen also explains the mission behind Kilo Reserve and how the company gives investors access to physical industrial metals. The conversation explores copper’s role in electrical infrastructure, electric vehicles, AI data centers, and the power grid, along with the differences between owning physical metal and investing through mining stocks, ETFs, or futures. In This Episode How an international childhood shaped Allen’s adaptability and leadership Why every piece of feedback deserves consideration The value of learning “on someone else’s dime” What Allen learned from buying and selling a small business Why entrepreneurs must become comfortable with failure Recovering emotionally after betrayal by a trusted business partner The importance of understanding the asset behind an investment How Kilo Reserve makes physical industrial metals more accessible Why following the process matters more than one final result Key Takeaway Failure does not have to become your identity. Allen’s story demonstrates the importance of acknowledging what happened, learning from it, forgiving yourself, and carrying those lessons into the next opportunity. Connect With Allen and Learn More Kilo Reserve: Official website Allen Cates on LinkedIn Kilo Reserve on LinkedIn BizBuySell: Explore businesses available for purchase Subscribe to Anything But Typical for more honest conversations with entrepreneurs about the successes, failures, pivots, and lessons that shaped their journeys.

Brief Summary Kari Warberg Block joins Gary Frey and Ben McDonald to share her anything-but-typical journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial family to founding EarthKind, a nationally recognized plant-based pest-prevention company. Kari discusses the near-death experience that changed the direction of her life, the challenges of creating a new product category, and why she temporarily removed her products from major retailers to protect customer trust. She also shares how she learned to release control, build a diverse leadership team, and transition out of the CEO role without selling her company. Resources Mentioned EarthKind Kari Warberg Block Plant-based pest prevention Regenerative and organic agriculture Environmental Protection Agency Calls to Action Learn more about EarthKind: earthkind.com Connect with Kari Warberg Block: kariwarbergblock.com Subscribe to Anything But Typical for more real stories from entrepreneurs. Like, share, and send this episode to a business owner or founder.

Alex Harris — explorer, mountaineer, speaker, entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and creator of The Munga, a 700-mile nonstop bike race across South Africa. Brief Summary In this episode of Anything But Typical, Gary Frey and Ben sit down with Alex Harris, a South African explorer whose life has been shaped by curiosity, risk, faith, and the pursuit of what most people would call impossible. Alex shares how a childhood dream of becoming a Jedi and astronaut eventually led him into mountaineering, Everest expeditions, entrepreneurship, ultra-endurance racing, and the creation of The Munga. From surviving the deadly 1996 Everest season to hearing God speak in a tent at 22,000 feet, Alex’s story is about more than adventure. It is about learning when to push forward, when to turn around, how failure forms us, and why the greatest exploration may be discovering how God uniquely made you.   Book Alex Harris as a speaker: Alex Harris – Texas Speakers Bureau Learn more about The Munga: The Munga MTB Follow The Munga on social media: Instagram – @mungamtb Facebook – The Munga YouTube – The Munga MTB Race

When venture capital takes over your family business, you can do everything right — and still lose. Randy Golenberg lived it. He spent 14 years in his family's caulk manufacturing business before private equity involvement triggered its collapse into bankruptcy. That bankruptcy became the catalyst for his next chapter: building Spark Your Brand from scratch, running it for 25 years, and ultimately selling it to AdCom Group. In this episode, Randy shares the unfiltered story — from sweeping floors in his dad's factory to negotiating a multi-million dollar exit. No hype. Real lessons on resilience, knowing when to sell, and why "you don't control outcomes, you only control actions."   Randy Golenberg Randy Golenberg is an entrepreneur, brand strategist, and business leader based in Cleveland, Ohio. After rebuilding from the collapse of his family business, Randy founded and grew Spark Your Brand over 25 years. Today, he is part of the AdCom Group, where he focuses on business development, integrated brand strategy, and helping clients create meaningful return on their investment. Connect with Randy LinkedIn: Randy Golenberg Instagram: @JewInThePew Company: AdCom Group

In this episode of Anything But Typical, Gary Frey and Ben McDonald sit down with Ben Kinney, publisher of Business North Carolina, SouthPark Magazine, and North Carolina Tribune. Ben shares how growing up as the son of a journalist, moving from city to city, and constantly being the new kid shaped his ability to communicate, adapt, and connect with people. What started as a life of transition eventually became a career built around storytelling, leadership, media, and relationships. The conversation explores Ben’s unexpected path from studying history and planning to become a teacher, to working in advertising sales, to stepping into leadership at Business North Carolina during a difficult season for the company. Ben also talks about the evolution of media, leading through uncertainty, surviving the Great Recession and COVID, and why authentic storytelling still matters in a world increasingly shaped by digital noise and AI. This episode is a thoughtful conversation about resilience, connection, leadership, and the power of having a real voice in business. In This Episode Gary, Ben McDonald, and Ben Kinney discuss: Ben’s childhood moving through Burlington, Winston-Salem, New York City, South Florida, and Charlotte How being the “new kid” helped Ben learn communication, adaptability, and connection Why Ben originally planned to become a high school history teacher How he fell into classified advertising and business media What it was like stepping into leadership at Business North Carolina after tragedy The challenges of working in a family business How media has changed across print, digital, newsletters, podcasts, video, and social platforms Why great content still matters, even as distribution continues to evolve How Business North Carolina adapted through the Great Recession and COVID Ben’s leadership philosophy and the importance of hiring the right people Why authenticity, voice, and storytelling still matter in the age of AI The value of strong editing, concise writing, and human connection Key Takeaways Connection is often built through life experience. Ben’s ability to connect with people came from years of adapting to new environments, new schools, and new communities. Leadership sometimes begins with simply stepping in to help. Ben did not enter publishing with a perfect master plan. He stepped in when the family business needed him and learned through pressure. Content is still king, but distribution has changed. Strong journalism and storytelling still matter, but today’s media companies have to think across print, email, social media, podcasts, video, and digital platforms. Survival requires thoughtful reaction. Ben explains that small businesses have to move quickly, but leaders still need to respond with care, perspective, and intention. Authenticity creates trust. Ben’s personal writing in The Daily Digest connected with readers because it felt genuine, human, and different from typical business commentary. AI cannot replace real storytelling. AI may help generate information, but it cannot replace voice, judgment, perspective, editing, and authentic human connection. Memorable Quotes “He knows a lot of folks. He’s got a great sense of humor. And he really can connect people.” “I always like to talk about myself growing up as my parents and I grew up together.” “I was always the new kid at every school.” “It was trial by fire. It was trial by volcanic fire.” “You gotta kinda react to things in a thoughtful way.” “But it can’t replace storytelling, and that’s what we’re all doing, is telling stories.” “The key is be entertaining, be engaging, and have a voice.” “Good editing is so hard to find.” Connect with Ben Kinney LinkedIn: Ben Kinney Business North Carolina: businessnc.com SouthPark Magazine: southparkmagazine.com North Carolina Tribune: nctribune.com Email: [email protected] X/Twitter: @BenKinneyBNC

Discover the story of Mark McLean’s impressive journey from early influences to leading a multi-billion-dollar company. Learn how culture, relationships, humility, and strategic growth propel organizations through transitions and challenges.   Main topics: Building a career in insurance and financial services, rooted in mentorship and family lessons Navigating growth: from founding to billion-dollar company, merger, and acquisitions The importance of company culture, relationships, and core values in long-term success Personal resilience through life's challenges including health, family, and entrepreneurial pivots   Timestamps: 00:00 - Defining what takes Mark McLean out in public   00:29 - Interests beyond work: sports, golf, and family   01:54 - The role of sports and family fun in shaping his values   02:40 - Favorite golf locations and social activities   03:10 - Humble introduction and the significance of titles   04:13 - Career overview: from Senior Managing Principal to Senior VP   06:46 - The importance of faith, family, and friendships in reputation   07:49 - The influence of Jeff Warner and mentorship connections   08:42 - Early motivations: lessons from family and mentors   09:30 - Growing up in Florence, South Carolina, and early career influences   11:12 - College journey, changing majors, and love for insurance   12:42 - Industry insights: relationship building, trust, and reputation   15:36 - Industry trends, industry change, and mentorship in risk management   17:45 - Industry challenges, trust, and business growth   20:04 - Licensing, early sales experiences, and building business foundations   22:02 - The role of creativity and relationship management in success   23:11 - Industry evolution and personal insights into trend anticipation   24:46 - Handling life’s challenges, family, and career pivots   25:36 - The importance of good culture and team alignment   27:24 - Transition from employment to entrepreneurship: the leap into owning and growing businesses   32:51 - Building Turnkey Benefits, sale, and subsequent ventures   36:16 - Growth from 25 to 170 employees, industry innovation   40:54 - Navigating partnership changes, relationships, and success   44:11 - Transition into digital organizations, culture, and values   50:46 - Building a unified message, controlling quality and trust   54:45 - Personal experiences: family, loss, and professional resilience   56:55 - Adapting to industry and market changes post-Obamacare   58:26 - Balancing growth, personal life, and company focus   62:22 - About joining One Digital, the corporate culture, and long-term vision   66:00 - The role of private equity, strategic capital, and maintaining independence   70:01 - The secret sauce: company culture as a competitive advantage   73:51 - Leadership values: integrity, humility, and people first   77:08 - The importance of intentional culture, talented leadership, and long-term vision   78:45 - Family, blended families, and parenting insights about nurturing strong values   79:03 - Final thoughts — being discerning, strategic, and building legacy   Resources: Connect with Mark McLean OneDigital

In this episode, Stacey Brown Randall shares her inspiring journey from business failures to becoming a trusted referral expert, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and intentional branding. Discover her tactics for building meaningful relationships, protecting your IP in the age of AI, and shifting the traditional mindset around referrals.   Key topics: Stacey’s entrepreneurial journey: from failed startups to strategic branding The significance of being intentional about brand consistency, especially with signature colors How understanding your “why” fuels resilience through business setbacks Reevaluating success: shifting from financial milestones to personal fulfillment Practical strategies for generating referrals without asking Distinction between word-of-mouth, introductions, and true referrals How building relationships with referral sources differs from prospecting and marketing Adapting business models over time based on market shifts and personal life changes Protecting intellectual property in a rapidly evolving AI landscape The impact of consistent content like books and podcasts on long-term trust-building   Timestamps:   00:00 – Welcome & Stacey’s background: from embarrassment to branding 02:07 – What others might say about Stacey at her kids’ baseball game 03:29 – The importance of being on brand and intentional with style choices 04:34 – Stacey’s book: Generating Business Referrals Without Asking & Referable Client Experience 05:49 – The pivotal moment: learning from her first business failure 06:46 – The evolution from corporate America back to entrepreneurship 07:16 – Why entrepreneurship is in her blood and the desire for control and freedom 08:32 – How Stacey’s lifestyle aligns with her brand values 09:23 – Defining success beyond revenue: family, fulfillment, and authenticity 10:13 – The yearly reset ritual to realign goals and priorities 11:12 – How setbacks and life surprises shape her resilience and business approach 12:26 – The importance of understanding your true “why” 13:51 – Navigating businessduring life changes and market shifts 14:19 – Developing her core strategies: referrals, client experience, and new client acquisition 15:50 – Lessons from her first HR consulting firm & the value of scaling 16:47 – Why she returned to corporate America before launching her second business 17:13 – Recognizing opportunity in necessity & the power of strategic niche selection 18:55 – Building a productivity coaching business through genuine relationships 20:19 – Transitioning into her current focus: referral systems and relationship building 22:08 – Overcoming the early hype and misconceptions around referrals 23:29 – The three-legged stool approach: referrals as a separate, relationship-based pillar 24:54 – Humanizing referral conversations and avoiding gimmicks 26:16 – Tracking referral sources accurately and avoiding self-referrals 27:57 – Finding your niche and leveraging your personal network for referrals 29:26 – Creating scalable programs that meet clients where they are 30:56 – Adjusting business models based on market preferences 32:41 – Protecting your IP in a digital age & AI considerations 36:46 – Authentic connection strategies: permission, intentionality, and specificity 38:19 – The evolution of her business offerings & online vs. in-person strategies 41:23 – Teaching clients how to get referrals without asking directly 44:47 – Moving away from traditional “ask for referrals” tactics 47:31 – Reframing referrals as part of the core relationship-building process 49:35 – The “Go-Giver” mindset & serving genuinely for the long term results 51:52 – Strategic introductions & the importance of context & permission 54:36 – How true referrals differ from word-of-mouth buzz or accidental introductions 56:08 – The importance of data in understanding referral dynamics 57:23 – Overcoming objections to referral strategies and unlearning misconceptions 58:52 – The influence of books and podcasts on long-term trust-building 62:19 – Planning future content and strategic themes for ongoing growth 63:21 – The process of writing her latest book & foundational referral strategies 66:01 – Combining book, podcast, and relationship-building for sustained growth 67:32 – Diversifying client acquisition channels to reduce risk 68:22 – The “why” behind her entrepreneurial drive: from freedom to meaningful impact 70:49 – Lessons from setbacks: blessings in disguise and resilience 73:00 – Protecting your business in the AI era: authentic human connection matters 76:21 – Ensuring confidentiality & IP protection in today’s digital world 77:55 – The future of AI: leveraging tools without compromising core values 78:48 – The irreplaceable role of human emotion & intuition 79:33 – Final thoughts & how to connect with Stacey   Resources & Links: Generating Business Referrals Without Asking by Stacey Brown Randall Referable Client Experience by Stacey Brown Randall Roadmap to Referrals Podcast Stacey Brown Randall on LinkedIn Stacey’s Website

In this episode, hosts sit down with Stephen Phelan, Chief Spiritual Integration Officer at Faith-Driven Entrepreneur, to unpack a powerful idea: what if business wasn’t just about profit—but about people? Stephen shares the story behind Movement Mortgage and how a bold vision during the 2008 financial crisis led to a company built on love, purpose, and impact. From redefining leadership to transforming communities through education and service, this conversation challenges the way we think about success in business. If you’ve ever wondered how faith, purpose, and entrepreneurship can actually work together—this one hits deep. Core Takeaways Love can be operationalized in business — it’s not just a feeling, it’s systems and structure Great companies meet human needs, not just market needs Purpose scales culture faster than profit ever will You don’t have to separate faith and business—but you also don’t force it Real leadership development happens outside comfort zones Generosity + boundaries (financial finish lines) unlock impact The 4 Needs of the Human Heart (Framework) Help in crisis – People want support when life hits hard Friends at work – Belonging and relationships matter Purpose – People want their life and work to mean something Faith / deeper meaning – An opportunity to explore something bigger Notable Quotes “We exist to love and value people.” “If your teammates thrive, your business will thrive.” “Don’t run from broken systems—redeem them.” “Set a financial finish line. Decide what ‘enough’ looks like.” “Put people on a plane. That’s the best leadership development.” Calls to Action Reflect: What’s your business really built on—profit or people? Identify one way you can serve your local community this month Share this episode with another entrepreneur or leader Leave a rating/review if this conversation impacted you

Brief summary of show: Jamie Ledford, President of Golf Pride, shares his journey from growing up in Walla Walla, Washington, to leading a global brand. Through stories of farm life, mentorship, international experiences, and career pivots, Jamie reflects on leadership, humility, and the importance of people in shaping both personal and professional success. This episode explores how life’s unexpected turns often lead to the most meaningful opportunities.   Key topics discussed & time stamps: • Early life in Walla Walla and farm influences (00:08) • Lessons from Jamie’s grandfather and work ethic (00:10) • Leadership mindset and desire to lead (00:22) • Career pivots and unexpected opportunities (00:25) • International experience in Italy and global perspective (00:32) • Consulting, Starbucks, and business growth strategies (00:38) • Transition into Callaway and Golf Pride (00:45)   List of resources mentioned in episode: • Golf Pride • AT Kearney Consulting • Johns Hopkins SAIS   Calls to action: • Follow the Anything But Typical Podcast • Share this episode with a friend or colleague

Brief summary of show: What can Navy SEAL training teach you about leadership, business, and life? In this episode of Anything But Typical, Gary and Ben sit down with retired Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Tim Cruickshank, founder of Bone Frog Coffee Company, to break down the mindset, discipline, and team-first philosophy that shaped his journey. Tim shares how elite military training—including BUD/S and combat deployments—built the mental toughness and adaptability he now uses as an entrepreneur. More importantly, he reveals how his business was born out of a deeper mission: honoring fallen teammates and supporting Gold Star families. This episode is a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and what it truly means to put others first—in business, family, and life. Key topics discussed: 00:01:00 – The “heartbeat question” and defining your legacy 00:05:00 – Military upbringing and lessons in integrity and trust 00:09:00 – How Tim decided to become a Navy SEAL 00:18:00 – What BUD/S training is really like (mental + physical) 00:29:00 – Building mental toughness: “30 seconds at a time” mindset 00:33:00 – Combat lessons: adaptability, leadership, and trust 00:38:00 – Transitioning from military to entrepreneurship 00:39:00 – The origin story of Bone Frog Coffee Company 00:41:00 – Starting a business with no experience + finding mentors 00:47:00 – Building during COVID and learning from customers 00:49:00 – Leadership lessons from Navy SEAL training applied to business 00:54:00 – Scaling impact and giving back to Gold Star families Key takeaways: Leadership starts with serving others first, not yourself Mental toughness is built through small, repeatable wins under pressure The best teams are built on trust, accountability, and shared hardship Entrepreneurship requires adaptability, humility, and constant learning Purpose-driven businesses create deeper loyalty and long-term impact Surrounding yourself with mentors accelerates growth significantly Common questions answered in this episode: What is BUD/S training like? BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training) is one of the most intense military training programs in the world, designed to push candidates mentally and physically. It focuses heavily on teamwork, resilience, and mental endurance, with extremely high attrition rates. How do Navy SEALs build mental toughness? Navy SEALs develop mental toughness by breaking overwhelming challenges into smaller time increments (like 30 seconds at a time), controlling their mindset, and learning to operate under extreme stress and discomfort. What leadership lessons come from Navy SEAL training? Key leadership lessons include: Put your team before yourself Adapt quickly under pressure Communicate clearly in chaos Earn trust through consistency and action How do you start a business with no experience? Tim’s approach: Surround yourself with experts and mentors Start small and iterate quickly Listen to customer feedback Stay consistent and adaptable What makes a purpose-driven business successful? A purpose-driven business builds deeper customer loyalty by aligning its mission with impact. In this case, giving back to Gold Star families and honoring fallen heroes creates emotional connection and long-term brand trust. Keywords: Navy SEAL mindset, leadership lessons, mental toughness, entrepreneurship journey, purpose-driven business, startup advice, team culture, business leadership, resilience training, Bone Frog Coffee, veteran-owned business Resources mentioned: Bone Frog Coffee Company – https://www.bonefrogcoffee.com GovX (military & first responder discounts) Calls to action: Visit: https://www.bonefrogcoffee.com Get 10% off your first order Military & first responders: 20% off via GovX Support a mission that gives back to Gold Star families Follow Anything But Typical for more real conversations on leadership & business Social handles: Instagram: @trustbgw Facebook: BGW CPA, PLLC TikTok: @bgw.advisors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustbgw/