Simply Business Podcast

Simply Business Podcast

by John K Jennings
EntrepreneurshipManagement

Ep 65-"Lighting the Way: Kevin Baer on Risk, Resilience, and Energy Innovation"

In the 65th episode, Kevin Baer shares his incredible journey from electrical engineer at a uranium facility to founder of a thriving energy services business. With roots in Paducah, Kentucky, Kevin took a leap of faith in 1997quitting his job, taking out SBA loans, and starting a company in the booming energy efficient lighting space. Over nearly three decades, Kevin has evolved Utilities Dynamics into a national service provider, delivering turnkey energy retrofits to schools, hospitals, government buildings, and retailers. He talks candidly about the challenges of partnerships, transitioning to a woman owned business, and staying relevant as technology changes. Key themes include: Taking bold entrepreneurial risks Growing a business through technological change Leadership in service delivery and staff management Serving public and private sectors with energy solutions 🔊 Listen now to hear how Kevin Baer lit his own path and continues to illuminate opportunity for others.
E65
Jun 24, 2025
34:05

Ep 64- Leading a Legacy: Ray Robertson and The Limestone Agency's Journey

In the 64th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Ray Robertson, Principal of The Limestone Agency, to explore the unique journey of taking over a business that’s been in his family for nearly two centuries. Ray shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of leading a legacy business in modern times, as well as the mindset and values that drive him forward. Key themes: The significance of family and legacy in business Transitioning leadership in a historic company Balancing tradition and modern innovation The personal impact of leading a long-standing family enterprise Join us for a thoughtful conversation about stewardship, vision, and honoring history while embracing change. Tune in, subscribe, and stay connected for more stories of leadership and growth from Simply Business!
E64
Jun 17, 2025
31:16

Ep63-"Building Connections: Mark Helms on Leadership in Broadband Infrastructure"

Join host John Jennings as he sits down with Mark Helms, Founder and CEO of MH Solutions, to explore the journey of building a business in the broadband infrastructure sector. From humble beginnings in Akron, Ohio, Mark shares how he went from survey work to leading a team that lays the foundation for high-speed internet connectivity across the country. In this episode, Mark reveals how fiber optics have transformed the industry, the lessons he’s learned from working with friends and family, and why so many people overlook the crucial work behind our connected lives. It’s a story of growth, collaboration, and opening people’s eyes to the essential backbone of our modern world. 🎧 Tune in to discover: How to lead and grow a team from scratch The fascinating world of broadband infrastructure Why fiber optics matter more than ever The power of bringing people together to build something great 💡 Listen now, subscribe, and join the conversation.
E63
Jun 10, 2025
43:52

Ep 62 – CEO to Visionary: Stephanie Gilezan on Bold Business Building

On the 62nd episode of Simply Business, John Jennings welcomes Stephanie Gilezan, CEO of Gilezan Global, for a powerful conversation on leadership, innovation, and staying true to your vision. In this episode, she shares how she balances multiple enterprises, challenges traditional norms, and leads with a powerful combination of grit and grace. Expect real talk, real strategies, and the kind of wisdom that comes from walking the walk. 🎧 You’ll learn about: Creating and scaling multi-stream business models Thriving in spaces where you don’t “fit the mold” Leading with strength, not ego Empowering others while building your brand 👉 Follow, share, and subscribe because this one’s packed with leadership fire.
E62
Jun 3, 2025
34:29

Ep 61-"Building from Scratch: The Grit Behind Family Realty" Scott Boehnlein

Meet Scott Boehnlein, Entrepreneur & Owner of Family Realty In the 61 episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Scott Boehnlein, a self-made entrepreneur who built a thriving real estate company Family Realty from the ground up. Scott opens up about his journey, starting with early challenges in school, to becoming a resilient business owner committed to community and service. You’ll hear about: How early adversity shaped Scott’s mindset The story behind launching and growing Family Realty Leadership values and lessons learned along the way The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people This episode is full of real, practical wisdom for entrepreneurs navigating their own unique paths. 👉 Listen, follow, and leave us a review and be sure to share with someone who needs to hear this.
E61
May 27, 2025
33:36

Ep59-From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader: Chris Gilbert's Relentless Journey with Security Pros

In the 59th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Chris Gilbert, founder and president of Security Pros USA . After climbing the corporate ladder and running a $90 million P&L, Chris walked away from a lucrative career to be present with his family and to build something of his own. He shares how Security Pros started with one $25 a month client during the recession, grew through grit and insight, and ultimately became a dominant player in commercial security systems across the country. Discover how he turned down a six-figure job to save his vision, how AI and cloudbased systems are transforming the security industry. This is a must listen for any business leader navigating growth, change, or the grind of early-stage entrepreneurship. Subscribe and listen now for a dose of courage, clarity, and business wisdom.
E59
May 13, 2025
35:47

Ep 58-How Cathe Dykstra Scaled a Nonprofit from 4 to 106,000 Households

In this inspiring 58th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Cathe Dykstra, the powerhouse CEO of Family Scholar House and its organization, Family, Inc. What started as a struggling nonprofit serving just four individuals has grown into a nationwide support system impacting over 106,000 households across 48 states. Cathe shares how she used her economic background, not social work, to guide a mission-driven transformation, combining outcomes with stories to win hearts and dollars. From dodging basement floods to leading a multimillion-dollar organization, her journey is filled with wisdom on scaling with integrity, leading through change, and why empowering people is the most sustainable growth strategy of all. Tune in for leadership lessons, practical inspiration, and a reminder that real change starts with believing it’s possible. 👂 Listen now and subscribe to never miss an episode.
E58
May 5, 2025
31:56

Ep 57-A Founder's Mission to End Chaos in School Crises Michael Sandefur

The 57th episode of Simply Business features a powerful founder story that’s as timely as it is moving. Michael Sandefur, co-founder of SafeEvac, shares how his journey from environmental consulting to inventing a school safety technology was driven by purpose and prayer. Following national tragedies and a conversation with his co-founder, Michael realized that chaos, not just violence is the killer in school shootings. That insight led to the development of SafeEvac: a cutting-edge emergency system embedded in exit signs. These signs now use AI, microphones, cameras, and sensors to detect threats and guide people in real time during emergencies giving voice and direction where there's typically only panic. The system helps first responders navigate to threats in seconds, using light signals and audio cues. And while the school market is a focus, the solution is scalable to government, commercial, and industrial buildings worldwide. Michael’s passion and humility shine as he walks us through invention, funding, and validation and the emotional moments that fuel his mission. 🎧 Tune in to hear How a simple exit sign became a lifesaving smart device The power of faith, purpose, and invention at any age What it takes to take an idea to a 10-patent product and a 10-person startup team Why bipartisan support and grassroots momentum could make SafeEvac a national standard Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to support more stories like this one.
E57
Apr 29, 2025
38:41

Ep 56-Faith and Grit: Building a Roofing Company from the Ground Up Brad Blankenship

How Brad Blankenship scaled a startup from the back of a truck into a regional commercial powerhouse by staying people-focused, faith-led, and future-minded. ⭐ Inspirational Snippet: “You have to be motivated by something greater than the dollar… You have to want to help people. You have to want to be a problem solver.” How do you grow a construction company from the back of a car to 80+ employees and hundreds of subcontractors? For Brad Blankenship, CEO of Skyguard Commercial Services, it started with faith, grit, and a desire to serve. In the 56th episode of Simply Business, Brad Blankenship shares the inside story of how Skyguard pivoted from residential roofing to large-scale commercial projects, working with hospitals, multifamily podium builds, and some of the nation’s top general contractors. Brad opens up about the values that drive his leadership from creating opportunities for immigrant professionals to ensuring his employees can be home on weekends. This is more than a business success story it's a blueprint for scaling with heart, leading through challenge, and building something that lasts. 🔹 Creating a culture of opportunity, respect, and growth 🔹 Transitioning from small residential jobs to complex commercial work 🔹 The role of faith in business leadership 🔹 Overcoming unexpected shocks like COVID and global supply disruptions 🔹 Staying humble, mission-driven, and team-focused 👉 Tune in for practical inspiration on how to scale a company while staying grounded. 🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show!
E56
Apr 22, 2025
26:52

Ep 55-From Kitchen Table to $10M: Paula Blankenship Journey of Grit, Growth & Giving Back

In the 55th episode of Simply Business, John sits down with Paula Blankenship, founder of a thriving DTC paint brand, to unpack her extraordinary entrepreneurial journey. From humble beginnings at her kitchen table to scaling into an 8-figure powerhouse, Paula shares how she transformed a simple DIY project into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Discover how early Facebook traction validated her business idea, why she ditched big-box retail for direct-to-consumer success, and how she navigated pandemic-induced chaos to take control of her supply chain by acquiring her contract manufacturer. Paula opens up about the tough decisions, like scrapping lucrative deals for long-term freedom, and her inspiring choice to share ownership with her employees through an ESOP. Key themes include: Turning passion into profit Pivoting from wholesale to DTC Leadership resilience in crisis The power of employee ownership Building a business for legacy, not just exit 🎯 Listen in for Paula's "lead from the trees" philosophy and a refreshing take on running a business by intuition, not instruction manuals. If you’re building, growing, or exiting your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-talk wisdom. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review!
E55
Apr 15, 2025
33:17
6 of 12