Simply Business Podcast

In the 103rd episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Paul Howland Miller, the self-described Chief Goof Officer behind Circus Sweets and Bircus Brewing Company. Paul has spent his career living inside the world of the circus performing, creating, and building businesses around one simple idea: doing what others think is impossible.From balloon animals and global circus tours to launching unique entertainment-driven businesses, Paul shares how creativity, curiosity, and persistence can turn an unconventional passion into a thriving enterprise.Along the way, Paul explains why the circus mindset is surprisingly relevant for entrepreneurs today. The willingness to try something bold, build relationships, and lean into what makes you different can open doors you never expected.This conversation is a reminder that business doesn’t always have to follow a traditional path. Sometimes the most powerful strategy is simply having the courage to step into the ring.Listen in to discover:How Paul built businesses from a career in circus entertainmentWhy the circus mindset is a powerful entrepreneurial modelThe importance of partnerships and unexpected opportunitiesSimple advice for anyone trying to turn passion into a businessIf you’ve ever wondered whether your unconventional idea could actually work, this episode might just convince you to give it a shot.

In the 102nd episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Mike Mason, President of Lawn Pro in Louisville, Kentucky, to unpack what 30 years in business has taught him about leadership, growth, and integrity.Mike shares the story of joining the family business in the mid-90s, taking over operations, and ultimately purchasing the company in March 2020 right as the world shut down. What could have been a disaster turned into a defining growth season, as the company adapted, strengthened its systems, and capitalized on new demand.But this conversation isn’t about landscaping.It’s about leadership.Mike breaks down his simple but powerful philosophy:Do what you say you’re going to do.Own your mistakes.Fix the problem.No blame. No excuses. Just responsibility.If you’re a business owner, leader, or entrepreneur who wants practical wisdom without complexity, this episode delivers grounded insight you can apply immediately.Listen in, reflect, and simplify the way you lead.

What does it look like to intentionally build young leaders inside your company?In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Steve Hall, President of M&P Logistics, to explore how faith, mentorship, and transparency shape a thriving culture.After decades in transportation including starting, scaling, and selling a trucking company Steve returned to business with a deeper purpose: to integrate faith with leadership and intentionally develop the next generation of business leaders.Today, many of his senior leaders are in their 20s. How? By teaching them how the business truly works from P&Ls and budgeting to strategic growth and empowering them to “build a business inside the business.”Steve shares:How transparency builds trust and ownershipWhy mentoring young leaders requires patience and intentionalityThe challenges of leading across generational gapsHow purpose beyond profit strengthens cultureIf you’re a business owner struggling to attract or retain young talent or wondering how to build a values-driven organization this episode offers practical, real-world insight.Listen now and discover how developing people may be the greatest growth strategy of all.

Episode 100 of the Simply Business podcast marks a major milestone and a moment to pause, reflect, and simplify.In this solo episode, host and business coach John Jennings looks back on the journey of recording nearly 100 conversations with business owners. Along the way, he’s collected countless lessons about leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build a business.To celebrate the milestone, John shares one of his favorite coaching tools: Stop, Start, Continue, a simple framework he uses with clients to evaluate progress and identify what needs to change moving forward.In this episode, John applies the framework to the podcast itself and invites listeners to use it in their own businesses. The result is a powerful reminder that business success doesn’t come from perfection it comes from clarity, consistency, and learning from experience.If you’re a business owner, leader, or entrepreneur looking for a simple way to reflect, refocus, and grow, this episode will give you a practical tool you can use immediately.Listen in and consider:What should you stop, start, and continue in your business?

What happens when you finally act on the idea you’ve carried for years?In the 99th episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Derek Shelton, Owner and Provider at Optimize You in Evansville (now Newburgh), Indiana. With over 20 years of experience as a nurse practitioner and leadership experience as a Chief Operating Officer in orthopedics, Derek shares how COVID accelerated innovation — and pushed him to pursue his long-standing vision of opening a health and wellness center serving both men and women.They discuss:Why men’s health is often overlooked in traditional medicineThe realities of launching in healthcare from pharmacy contracts to complianceThe difference between building from scratch vs. leveraging a franchise modelWhy belief in your product is non-negotiableThe power of finally acting on the idea you’ve carried for yearsDerek’s message is simple: Don’t hesitate.If you’ve been sitting on an idea, this conversation may be the push you need.Subscribe, share, and join us for more real conversations about business, leadership, and making meaningful impact.

In the 98th episode of Simply Business, we sit down with Scott Noonan , President at Spear AI Analytics, for a powerful conversation about ownership, resilience, and the leadership advantage hidden inside your personal story.Too often, leaders carry silent narratives past setbacks, failures, missed opportunities that quietly shape their decisions. But what if those same experiences are the foundation of your authority?In this episode, we explore:Why owning your story changes how you leadHow adversity can become your competitive advantageThe discipline of self-awareness in businessMoving from blame to responsibilityLeading authentically in uncertain timesThis conversation is raw, practical, and deeply relevant for anyone building a business or leading a team.If you’re ready to stop being shaped by your past and start using it as fuel this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and share with a leader who needs to hear this.

In the 97th episode of Simply Business, we explore what it really takes to lead effectively in complex environments without becoming overwhelmed or overcomplicating the journey.Our guest shares practical insights on how clarity, personal responsibility, and disciplined thinking drive sustainable growth in business and leadership. Instead of chasing complexity, we dive into the power of simplifying decisions, focusing on what truly matters, and building consistent habits that compound over time.Key themes include:Why simplicity is a competitive advantageHow leaders create clarity that drives performanceThe role of ownership in personal and business growthWhy consistency outperforms intensityHow identity shapes leadership impactIf you're building a business, leading a team, or striving to become a more grounded and effective leader, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.🎧 Listen now and discover how simplifying your leadership can amplify your results.Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with someone who values clarity over chaos.

In the 96th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Neil Young, President of Two Ladders, to explore what it really means to build a business that lasts.Eleven years in, Two Ladders still feels like a startup and that’s no accident. Neil shares how the company evolved from a traditional marketing agency into a business focused on uncovering the operational truths that marketing spend often reveals.This conversation dives into the dangers of chasing growth without fixing internal processes, the power of simplicity in leadership, and why understanding your starting point is critical to making smart decisions as you scale.If you’re a business owner or leader trying to grow without losing focus, this episode delivers practical insight and grounded wisdom.👉 Listen in, subscribe, and join the conversation.

In the 95th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Dan Ratterman, Co-Founder and CEO of Shady Rays, to unpack how a simple idea turned into a powerful brand.Dan shares the founding story behind Shady Rays identifying a gap in the market where sunglasses were either overpriced or disposable, and choosing to build something better by focusing on real customer behavior.This conversation explores what it means to build a business that listens first, keeps things simple, and grows through trust rather than noise. Dan’s insights are a reminder that strong businesses aren’t built by chasing trends they’re built by solving everyday problems well.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or business owner, this episode will challenge you to rethink how simplicity, empathy, and consistency can become your greatest competitive advantages.🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and discover how doing less better can drive more impact.

In the 94th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Eric Lowe, Co-Founder and CEO of Aptiva Health, to explore how one company is redesigning healthcare around people not systems.Eric shares the story of how Aptiva grew from a single practice in Lexington, Kentucky, into a multi-location, multi-specialty healthcare group. Their model brings orthopedic, MSK, concussion care, rehab, and mental wellness under one roof, so patients don’t have to wait months or bounce between four different specialists to get real help.You’ll hear how Eric’s background in revenue cycle management and contracts shaped his view of what’s broken in healthcare and how that led to a radically more convenient, transparent experience for patients. From integrated mental health for concussion patients to up-front pricing and the upcoming Aptiva Health Learning Hub, Eric explains how they’re trying to remove friction at every step of the patient journey.The conversation also dives into leadership and life outside the clinic. Eric talks about coaching youth football, using AI and automation as a force multiplier for his team, and why he sees work as part of a single, purpose-driven life not something separate from it. He also previews his upcoming book, Be the Broker, and unpacks the idea of “relational currency” as a key to long-term success.If you’re a healthcare leader, entrepreneur, or anyone interested in building businesses that actually serve people better, this episode is for you.Listen in to learn:How Aptiva Health is rethinking the entire patient journeyWhy integrating mental health into injury care changes outcomesWhere AI and automation can truly help (without replacing humans)How to think about work, purpose, and life as one integrated wholeWhy “relational currency” might be the most important asset you buildTune in, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who cares about fixing healthcare or building a business that genuinely puts people first.

What if powering an intelligent building was as simple as running speaker wire?In the 93rd episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Matt Laherty of Cinch IoT, a company building a two-wire, low-voltage intelligent building platform that powers and connects lighting, sensors, air quality monitoring, people counting, and more — all over a simple, safe cable.Matt shares his unconventional path from a history degree and tech recruiting, to Cisco, where he worked on service provider routing and became one of the early leaders behind Power over Ethernet and Cisco’s digital ceiling initiatives. That journey ultimately led him to ask a big question: If all these networks end up in buildings, why are we still using complicated, high-voltage infrastructure to power them?Together, John and Matt dig into:How Cinch IoT uses a low-voltage, two-wire platform to dramatically simplify smart building design and installation.Why simplicity, safety, and lower total cost beat “cool but complicated” when it comes to real-world adoption.The realities of building and scaling hardware: designing boards, managing supply chains, and preparing for big orders.Go-to-market lessons for selling disruptive tech into a traditional electrical and construction ecosystem.New applications like continuous thermal monitoring in data centers, and why overheating and power cycling are such big risks.

In the 92nd episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Sheri Darby, President of Walker Mechanical, to unpack what it really takes to step into the top seat, turn around a struggling business, and lead in a male-dominated industry.Sheri shares how she moved from CFO to President inside an employee-owned (ESOP) mechanical contracting firm and why she walked into the boardroom during a rough patch and said, “I think I can fix this.” From there, she takes us through the reality of rebuilding: stabilizing the company, reshaping bidding practices, and resetting a culture that sometimes cared more about “beating the competition” than making money.You’ll hear:How ESOPs work as an exit strategy and as a way to create long-term ownership for employeesWhy Sheri believes great leaders don’t have to live in the technical details but must trust the experts on their teamThe tough mindset shift from “we’ll win the job at any cost” to “we only win the jobs that build a healthy business”What it’s like to be one of the only women in the room in construction and mechanical contracting and how Sheri earned a seat on her industry’s boardHow transparency, financial clarity, and honest conversations helped Walker Mechanical get “right-sided” and profitable againWhat’s next for Walker: acquisitions, geographic expansion, and building a pipeline of young talentIf you’re a business owner, leader, or aspiring executive especially in construction, trades, or any project-based business this conversation is a practical masterclass in leadership, courage, and simplicity.

What happens when you stop treating patients as isolated individuals and start caring for entire families in their homes, especially those on Medicaid?In the 91st episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Mike Meador, Chief Financial Officer of Nest Health, a home-based primary care company serving lower-income families in Louisiana and Arizona. Mike shares how Nest Health is building a whole-family, preventive-care model designed to reduce ER visits, improve outcomes, and create real value for Medicaid plans and the people they serve.Mike unpacks the realities behind the buzzwords of “value-based care” and explains why Medicaid is both incredibly complex and full of opportunity. He walks through how Nest Health chooses where to launch next balancing payer partnerships, geography, population density, and operational constraints while resisting the temptation to “serve everybody” and instead staying laser-focused on the families they can help most.You’ll also hear how Nest Health runs as an early-stage, venture-backed company with a leadership team spread across the country, and how Mike’s own journey from teaching math, to Medicare Advantage analytics, to in-home care ultimately led him to Nest Health’s simple but powerful idea: care for whole families, not just individuals.If you’re interested in healthcare, leadership, or what it really takes to build a mission-driven business in a broken system, this conversation is for you.👉 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to follow Simply Business for more real-world conversations with leaders building meaningful companies.

This week on the Simply Business podcast, host John Jennings is joined by Mark Lewis, Founder and CEO of Advanced Business Solutions (ABS) the largest IT services provider in the Louisville region.Mark shares the remarkable 30-year journey of ABS, from humble beginnings to a team of 120 employees and over $20 million in revenue. Hear how his leadership style evolved from doing it all himself to empowering a team to lead with purpose.We explore the power of timing in business, how to build lasting client relationships, and what it takes to grow and sustain a successful service-based company.🎧 Tune in for valuable lessons on scaling, staying relevant, and leading with vision.👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy the episode!

In this Simply Business conversation, host John Jennings sits down with Jamie (James) Fender, Partner at Grimes Pools in Bloomington, Indiana. Jamie shares how a third-generation family business has sustained momentum for 50+ years moving from a franchise “kit pool” start to a full-service, white-glove operation.You’ll hear how Jamie earned trust by listening first, learning the craft (even hand-drawing designs at ¼-inch scale), and then translating that craft into standards the whole team can live by. We get practical about leading on jobsites in the era of Ring cameras, holding people to a higher bar, and doing the hard succession work—mapping roles and expectations before emotions take over.What you’ll learnThe mindset shift from “helping out” to owning standardsWhy process matters (and how to build it without losing craft)Tactics for jobsite professionalism when customers are always watchingHow to approach family-business transitions with clarity and careIf you’re growing a trades or service company or navigating a family transition this episode will give you simple, actionable ideas you can use this week.

Business owners call lawyers most often after a problem explodes contracts go sideways, terminations go wrong, partners fall out. In this episode, Kevin Eddins, Co-founder and Partner at Eddins Dominion Law Group in Louisville/St. Matthews, explains why the smartest move is proactive counsel on the front end when it’s cheaper, calmer, and far more controllable.Kevin shares how he grew from associate to entrepreneur, the identity shift from “lawyer doing the work” to “owner building the firm,” and the culture he insists on: humility over hierarchy, collaboration over ego, and getting the right people on the bus. He walks through hiring beyond the conference room, building a network that actually sends business, and the uncomfortable but necessary choice to pull the ripcord and bet on yourself.You’ll learn: practical moments when to engage counsel, how to think about team fit, what real networking looks like, and a simple mantra for anyone debating a big move: overcome inertia and go.If you’re a founder, operator, or professional considering your next leap, this conversation will give you both the mindset and the moves to do it wisely.

In the 87th episode of Simply Business, I sit down with Jeremy Esposito, Partner and Owner of Esposito Construction, a third-generation home building and remodeling company serving Louisville and Oldham County.Jeremy shares what it means to lead a family business with deep community roots balancing tradition with growth, weathering the challenges of construction, and finding ways to give back beyond the job site. From leadership lessons to nonprofit involvement, his story is about building more than structures: it’s about building a legacy.Whether you’re running a family business, working in construction, or simply interested in what it takes to create something that lasts, you’ll take away valuable insights from this conversation.