Anything But Typical

099: Founding & Growing Burn Boot Camp with Devan Kline

Devan overcame childhood struggles with the help of baseball being a driving and motivating force in his life. It helped him stay out of trouble, strive for freedom early in life, and get to college. When Devan made the pros, everything was on track. So when he got released, Kline needed to figure out what was next.

With no money and no ability to get a lease, Devan began holding boot camp workouts in parking lots and abandoned theaters. He and his wife, Morgan, saw the impact they were creating and the opportunity in front of them. Burn Boot Camp was born.

Devan shares with us how they've grown so successfully. He talks about why they didn't bring investors on or make other deals giving up control. He goes into how and why he is constantly working to get away from job titles. This is a must listen episode to learn, be inspired, and grow.

Follow Devan on Instagram @Devan.Kline

Subscribe to his YouTube Channel @Devan.Kline

098: Buying A Plane to Get Around Your Non Compete with Brian Anders

“Have the courage to suck.” – Brian K. Anders

That’s uncommon advice coming from an engineer, but not every engineer has a heart like Brian. Nor do they have his experience.

Brian gained his grit loading trucks at night to pay for school & his passion for client service watching his wife change lives as a private investigator. He rejected corporate life to relentlessly pursue his dream job in forensic engineering, despite having no previous experience in it.

I don’t use the word relentlessly lightly. Brian used a supply closet as an office & showed up to job sites without the promise of pay just for the chance to be helpful & prove himself.

His willingness to try & fail, combined with the question, “How do I add more value?”, propelled him both then and now.

Today, Brian’s forensic engineering companies serve clients in 49 states & 5 countries. He is a valuable, one-of-a-kind resource to all he serves. In this episode, Brian shares lessons learned along the way and plenty of entertaining stories!

097: Imposter Syndrome

In this episode, co-hosts Ben McDonald and Gary Frey discuss imposter syndrome in business and in life. Gary has written a book titled Silence The Imposter Syndrome, coming out October 2023. We talk about how imposter syndrome has been present in each of our lives. Ben shares what it was like being a 22 year old athletic director surrounded by 60 year old career academic leaders. Gary shares a freeing moment he experienced through a conversation with a boss at Bank of America. 

096: Launching His Childhood Dream Shoe Brand with Zach Frey

This is a special Anything But Typical episode! Entrepreneurship runs in the family, as we interview co-host Gary Frey's son, Zach Frey. As a child, Zach would constantly be drawing. He had a fascination with drawing and designing shoes.

This hobby turned into a career, with Frey working at brands such as Reebok, Puma, and Wolf & Shepherd. But the vision of creating a better shoe was too strong. In this episode, Zach shares his journey from the big corporations to the launching and growing of Flux Footwear. We go into what differentiates their shoes. We talk about hurdles faced. And we hear insights about branding and marketing a quickly growing company.

Check out the shoes at FluxFootwear.com and connect with Zach on LinkedIn.

095: Public Financing, Federal Prison, Presidential Pardon, and Restauranteur Jeff Conway

On the surface, Jeff Conway looks like a typical successful restauranteur: passionate about food, pursuing growth, dedicated to his family and community, but certainly living on “Easy Street”.

What lies beneath, though, in an unbelievable tale: wild success followed by a false accusation & 13 months federal prison time, reflection, redemption, & ultimately rebuilding with the unwavering support of family, friends, & faith.

You can’t afford to miss this one. Jeff shares his insights from his time in public companies. He discusses his experience in prison. Jeff goes into how he rebuilt afterwards. And we go full circle into the successful restaurant businesses Conway is running today.

After listening to this episode, go follow Jeff on LinkedIn.

094: The Impact of Free Enterprise with Emilio Guevara

“Just because you live in that environment doesn’t mean the environment has to live in you.” 

That perspective has served this week's guest, Emilio Guevara, well.

Born to immigrant parents & growing up in one of the toughest & most devastated neighborhoods of the Bronx, Emilio’s path to success wasn’t handed to him.

Seven children, the youngest four in a one-bedroom apartment, a blind and alcoholic father, little money, tough streets. The excuses for failure were there.

But the underlying spirit in the house was one of devotion, commitment, hard work, & a “find a way” attitude that lives in Emilio today.

Emilio now leads ENYADA INC. & Capitalist Conversations promoting free enterprise through conversations & partnerships with successful entrepreneurs. His humble beginnings are never far from his mind though, & he continues to seek new opportunities, true connection, and joy in all he does.

093: Growing Business Through Intentional Leadership with David Zerfoss

David Zerfoss' first lessons came from a farm in Western Pennsylvania. When Zerfoss was tasked with being the President of Husqvarna Professional Products North America, those lessons came in handy. He built a culture of leadership, focus, and purpose. "People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves that they can be a part of." His leadership helped pave the way to a 1700% growth in sales.

Zerfoss serves business leaders at a Master Chair at Vistage Worldwide. In the episode, he talks about the benefits of surrounding yourself with like minded individuals. He speaks to the importance of constantly growing and learning. He shares many more lessons that are invaluable to business leaders.

092: Designing Virtual Training with Vigilante CEO Chris Torchia

Alignment and Priorities. That is how Chris Torchia wants to be known. That may explain how Chris has changed from his microbiology background to tech CEO with experiences running companies in different countries. This wide ranging conversation goes into how Torchia had his cryptocurrency mining equipment seized in Russia due to U.S. sanctions. He shares stories and lessons from his business experience in the Czech Republic. And Chris discusses the type of technology they are creating that is helping the Department of Defense train the United States military. After enjoying this episode, be sure to go follow Chris on LinkedIn.

091: Turning Around a NYC Crack Hotel and Blazing Paths in Charlotte- Kara Taddeo

Kara Taddeo is not one to shy away from a challenge. In 2002, she became the General Manager of Hotel Belleclaire in New York City. To say this was a turnaround would be quite the understatement. What Kara could best describe as a "crack hotel", she turned into a 4 star hotel in uptown Manhattan. Her story of de-roaching the hotel and getting rid of squatters shows unbelievable tenacity and perseverance. 

Starting a tap room and beer hall in a city with almost no craft beer scene was another challenge Kara stepped up to. Charlotte, today known for its craft beer and outdoor seating, was not that way in 2011. Kara saw the vision of what could be. They have now been running VBGB Beer Hall & Garden for over 12 years; and have added event venue The Hamilton as well. Be sure to check out VBGB and The Hamilton, and follow Kara on LinkedIn.

 

090: How Roger Braswell Built His Business To A 9 Figure Exit to Home Depot

Most entrepreneurs dream about growing their businesses, having a successful exit, taking a company public, and much more. Today's guest, Roger Braswell, has done it all. Roger was the Founder & CEO of Compact Power Equipment. In this episode, we talk about how Roger created and grew the business. He discusses the obstacles faced along the way and how that ultimately led to even greater success. Roger IPO'd Compact Power, and eventually sold to Home Depot for 9 figures. 

You may think Roger sailed off in the sunset after that. Instead, we find Roger being the Owner & Chairman of The Southern Shade Tree Company, Chairman of The Integra Group, Chairman of Give Hope Global, and serving as a business advisor. Check out Give Hope Global after this episode.