Anything But Typical

135: Empowering Employees and ESOPs with Don Baker

"I’m not a greedy guy. I don’t chase money—it follows me." – Donald Baker

What does success look like to the average entrepreneur? For most, it’s all about wealth. For Don, it’s about impact.

From the beginning, he’s sought to empower his employees & do the right thing, no matter the cost. Whether transforming air quality standards in pools to protect swimmers or creating ESOPs to give his employees a financial stake in their futures, Don shows us that perseverance, purpose, & innovation can exist in any business.

Shaped by his father’s lessons, he shares why he believes “most people don’t know what they’re capable of,” and that hands-on, creative leadership leads to breakthroughs that redefine industry.

Don builds pools. More importantly, builds opportunities, legacies, & futures where hard work & innovation are rewarded.

If you’re seeking inspiration & looking to make a difference in your industry, this episode will challenge you to rethink what it means to succeed.

Learn more about his work Paddock Pool Equipment Company, Pure Aqua Products, and Paddock Construction Company.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “You don’t chase success—you create it with the right mindset.”

Don’s a living example.

134: Master Class In Leadership with Jay Woelkers

"Everyone you meet is somebody's hero—even though you don't think they are." – Gerard "Jay" Woelkers

Born into a family of 15 children, Jay learned at a young age what it means to serve. At 18, he joined the Navy, starting as an E1—the lowest rank—and rose to O6 over 39 years, commanding thousands of sailors.

But his decades-long journey wasn't about climbing the ranks or pinning awards on his own lapel; it was about lifting others up along the way.

His secret?

A people-first philosophy. Whether building trust on the battlefield, mentoring young sailors, or transforming the culture at Walter Reed, Jay's focus is simple: value people, build trust, & pursue excellence. Amazing results will follow.

This episode isn't just about leadership—it's a playbook for how to show up for your team, your family, & your community.

To learn more about Jay's ongoing mission as a leadership speaker & how you can take a page from his playbook, connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about his leadership talks.

Zig Ziglar said, "You don't build a business. You build people, and people build the business."

Jay Woelkers is living proof. It’s also a great way to live.

133: No Clients, No Calls, No Problem with Billy Austin

“So, this is a story I like to tell. We're in the office. The phone's not ringing. It's just a regular workday. We're just sitting there, & I said, ‘Well, I'm going to go out and find some work.’” – Billy Austin

What happens when an engineer from Charlotte, NC buys an engineering firm in 2007, only to face the Great Recession a year later?

For Billy Austin, it wasn’t spreadsheets or strategy that saved him — it was his willingness to try anything, including a blind car ride into the unknown.

With no clients calling, Billy got in his car, drove to an industrial park, & started knocking on doors. That bold move sparked a partnership with Duke Energy, giving his fledgling engineering firm the lifeline it needed to thrive.

His self-made journey serves as encouragement to all entrepreneurs who need to remember that trust doesn’t come automatically, growth starts with humility, & when in doubt, just take the first step – even if you don’t know where it’s going.

To learn more, visit ShultzEngineering.com.

You can’t help of think of Helen Keller when you hear Billy’s story. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

132: Designing The Second Half of Your Life with Lloyd & Linda Reeb

"The essence of an entrepreneur is you can build whatever you want — come up with an idea for goodness' sake & get started!” – Lloyd Reeb

At 16, Lloyd did just that – he got started. When he overheard his dad say, "Our kids will never be able to afford a house at the beach," he didn’t accept it. Instead, he asked his dad to co-sign a loan so he could buy land near Atlantic City. That moment sparked a passion for business & freedom that fuels him today.

He’s not alone. His wife, Linda, is equally driven, empowering everyday moms to lead their families & communities with purpose.

Lloyd & Linda aren’t ordinary entrepreneurs. Yes, Lloyd built retirement communities for 37+ years & Linda transforms women into leaders. But it’s not businesses they build — it’s legacies.

As for measuring success? Freedom, impact, & legacy are the only metrics that matter for them. And in this episode, they’re sharing their blueprint for how YOU can do it too.

Find them at Halftime.org & MomsMentoring.com.

David Frost said, "Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally."

The Reebs were listening.

131: Two Cultures Creating Greater Success Together with Klar Ventures

"We just try to do good work & have that lead to the next introduction." – Justin Cunningham

What happens when a former investment banker & food allergy app creator joins forces with a corporate operations expert who left Berlin, Germany, for Disney (yes, Disney!) to bring big ideas & investment strategies to business owners? Magic…eventually!

Like all good entrepreneurial journeys, the story of Justin’s & Daniel’s success comes with unexpected twists – including COVID hitting just as they launched their business. For two young guys starting out, they faced a tough choice: slow down & potentially close shop, or double down & work even harder to help clients in an unprecedented time.

They chose the latter.

In doing so, they not only created a successful advisory business that clients deeply trust & endorse, but they set the stage for an unbreakable partnership built on trust, resilience, & complementary strengths.

To learn more, Find them at KlarVentures.com.

Transparency, teamwork, & unwavering commitment to clients & team.

It's like Henry David Thoreau said, "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."

130: From $13 to $400 Million in 4 Years with Charlie Workmon

"I want to build a platform, and my team wants to build a platform that blesses people—not a business empire, but a platform to bless people." – Charlie Workmon

When you picture logistics companies, what do you see? Gruff individuals scrambling around hectic warehouses, driven only by tight deadlines? That's definitely the norm.

But not in Charlie's logistics company, Riverstone Logistics. White glove service, purpose-driven culture, bold community service initiatives, & faith-driven leadership mark his.

"Neat," you might say, "but I'm sure he's lagging behind his competitors."

Hardly. In fact, he's blown them out of the water, scaling from $13M in annual revenue to over $400M in just four years!

From humble beginnings in Atlanta's moving industry to now leading an industry powerhouse, Charlie shows that faith & purpose can guide decisions and be the catalyst for success.

So much for conventional wisdom.

To learn more, find him at RLX.us or on LinkedIn.

The echoes of Henry Ford are so evident in Charlie's perspective on business.

"The purpose of business is to produce happiness, not to pile up millions."

129: Failing Forward with Fabi Preslar

“I’m not sure I ever really wanted to be an entrepreneur.” – Fabi Preslar

Ever turned your biggest fear into your proudest achievement? That’s Fabi’s story. Inspired by her father’s ambitious (but unsuccessful) business ventures—from running a French restaurant in rural South Carolina to raising chinchillas—Fabi saw firsthand the risks of entrepreneurship. As her father’s ventures failed, her family lost everything, leaving Fabi to grow up a guest in someone else’s home. Why would she ever dive into entrepreneurship herself? For Fabi, it started with a need—an extra $100 a month when she was home with her baby.

But soon she was all in, & good mentors helped her overcome her fears around entrepreneurship & embrace the idea of “failing forward.” Today, after more than two decades of learning, Fabi’s built one the southeast’s most regarded publishing companies, reminding us just where tenacity & authenticity can lead, even when the journey begins in the most unexpected way.

To learn more, find her at FabiPreslar.com.

Can’t help but think of what George Addair said: "Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear."

128: Just Get Started with Brian Ondrako

"My life is being a navigator and helping navigate people just get started." – Brian Ondrako

Listening to Brian now, it's hard to imagine him as a young child in small-town NY, struggling with feelings of inadequacy & lack of self-belief, but those are his roots. A persistent negative mindset & placing blame on others were his defense mechanisms of choice, & they left him stuck in a cycle of procrastination & self-doubt through adulthood.

That is until the shame & regret overcame his fear, & he told those mechanisms to take a hike!

Embracing a mindset of action & growth, Brian set out to "just get started" – making small, incremental changes one step at a time.

So transformative was it for him that he just couldn't keep it a secret. Today, through his coaching, podcast, & books, Brian encourages everyone to move past their doubts, take the first step, & navigate life with confidence.

We could all use some of that.

To learn more, find him at BrianOndrako.com.

Brian's journey & leadership is captured perfectly by Zig Ziglar: "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great."

127: Building Community with David & Monica Hickman

“We just really love living life with other people.” – Monica Hickman

Rural Tennessee might not seem like the obvious place to birth a business, but that’s just where David & Monica Hickman’s radical love for community – & their eventual business --was born. Neighbors helping neighbors & new faces at the dinner table were the norm & solidified the idea that connecting with other people was what made “home” great.

Today, David & Monica’s luxury events in countless communities across Charlotte, NC look very different than the humble meals served at mom’s kitchen table, but the idea the is the same: The people in your community bring life to where you live. Know & love them well.

Whether it’s at rooftop charcuterie night or ballpark bash, this story of hard work, servant leadership, & a shared vision to make Charlotte (and beyond!) a “sticky” place for young professionals to find a home and community & put "people-first" values into place will leave you inspired.

To learn more about community-building as an art form, find them on SocialHubCompany.com.

Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Cities are made of friendships.”

He’d sure love this.

126: Turning Android Messages Blue with Danny Mizrahi

"I really do want to be known for getting the most out of the people around me and helping them grow."— Danny Mizrahi

From New York's breakneck pace to building powerhouse companies, Danny Mizrahi is the ultimate growth champion.

Whether launching tech startups or scaling businesses to the Inc. 5000, his approach is all about helping others reach new heights—personally and professionally.

It's how he built his own companies, Contango and Sunbird Messaging App and helped 46 entrepreneurs hit that coveted million-dollar mark in revenue.

His secret? Building relationships, hustling hard, & always giving more than you get.

So simple but so impactful.

If you're looking for common sense entrepreneurial inspiration that values people over everything (delivered by one of the most unstoppable guests we've ever hosted):

Find him on LinkedIn or by Googling "Danny Sunbird."

Danny's style is reminiscent of a quote by John C Maxwell…

"Coaching is not just about giving advice; it's about building relationships that empower others to discover their own solutions and grow."