From the Ground Up: The Podcast for Entrepreneurs

A 3am bakery route, a first real estate deal at 18, a tanning salon built on a gut call, and then the bold move: sell it all to go all-in on early childhood education. Richie Huffman, founder of Celebree, joins us to unpack the real story behind building a preschool business that scales, then turning it into a fast-growing franchise with schools across the country. If you care about entrepreneurship, franchising, and building a business that lasts, this conversation is packed with practical lessons and hard-earned perspective. 

We dig into the moments that changed Richie’s trajectory: watching his...

What if you fell off a cliff in Congo? What if you needed an organ to save your life? These are the real-world problems solved by businesses built on precision logistics and flawless execution.

Don Jones built multiple life-saving businesses in emergency medical transport and organ transportation, creating companies where perfect execution was non-negotiable and logistics were hyper-complex. His story demonstrates how determination, operational excellence, and mission-driven culture can create remarkable businesses that save lives daily.

His company, NORA (Nationwide Organ Recovery Transport Alliance), grew from just 12 employees and six vehicles to over 1,100 employees and 325...

What if plastic could disappear in just 8 weeks instead of 1,000 years? That's the revolutionary promise behind Plant Switch, a company transforming how we think about sustainable materials.

Dillon Baxter, founder of PlantSwitch, walks us through his experience  creating a truly biodegradable alternative to plastic that doesn't compromise on performance or break the bank. Unlike those dreaded paper straws that dissolve in your drink or flimsy wooden utensils that splinter, PlantSwitch products maintain the durability and functionality we expect from plastic while completely biodegrading in as little as two months.

The implications are staggering. With microplastics n...

Imagine transforming bare dirt into one of America's most prestigious golf destinations. Dennis Satyshur helped do exactly that at Caves Valley Golf Club, and his journey exemplifies entrepreneurial vision in an unexpected setting.

When Satyshur first interviewed at Caves Valley in 1990, the "club" consisted of a trailer on empty land. Taking a career-defining risk at age 40, he left his established position at Baltimore Country Club to help build something extraordinary from scratch. "I felt like this was time to take a chance," Satyshur reflects, recognizing the perfect alignment between his skills and the vision for a national...

What if the most valuable AI companies of the next decade haven't even been founded yet? While everyone's talking about ChatGPT and large language models, the real revolution lies ahead in the applications built on this infrastructure, just as Uber transformed transportation by building on mobile technology.

Paul Palmieri, founder of Grit Capital Partners and former founder of unicorn company Millennial Media, brings a unique perspective to this pivotal moment in technological history. Having witnessed firsthand the mobile revolution while at Verizon in the early 2000s, Palmieri sees striking parallels to today's AI explosion. The infrastructure builders...

What happens behind the scenes when you pick up your prescription? Cory Easton pulls back the curtain on pharmacy benefits managemen, healthcare's complex middleman industry that determines what you and your employer pay for medications.

In this conversation, Cory shares his remarkable journey from being employee #500 at Express Scripts to watching it grow to 35,000 employees managing $110 billion in pharmacy benefits. The turning point in his career came when his boss tore up Cory's compensation request after a major sale and doubled the amount, teaching him a leadership lesson that would guide his future: "I can take better...

Guest: Dee Anna Sobczak, Founder of ThinkBig Networks
Host: Leo Kelly, CEO of Verdence Capital Advisors

In this episode of From the Ground Up, we sit down with Dee Anna Sobczak, the visionary behind ThinkBig Networks, a company transforming broadband infrastructure by bringing high-speed fiber internet to underserved communities. Unlike traditional internet providers, ThinkBig Networks focuses on bridging the digital divide—connecting homes, businesses, and communities with cutting-edge technology in areas often overlooked by major carriers.

This episode covers:
• Dee Anna's early beginnings in community college and the entrepreneurial spirit 
• First b...

What does it take to turn an idea at your kitchen table into a multi-billion-dollar success?

In this episode of From the Ground Up, Leo Kelly sits down with Mary Ann Scully—founder and former CEO of Howard Bank and Dean of Loyola’s Sellinger School of Business—to reflect on her incredible journey.

Throughout her 40-year career, Mary Ann navigated complex challenges like the financial crisis with resilience and innovation, offering a rare glimpse into the strategic decision-making that fueled her success. Her story is a beacon for those who value adaptability and the contin...

Chris Brandenburg has been at the forefront of tech innovation, leading startups through the evolution of building, growing, and then transitioning from a private to a public company.

You’ll hear stories about how he and his business partner, Paul, tackled mobile technology before smartphones dominated the scene and how they approached app development and monetization when it was still uncharted territory.

Chris's take on leadership, including knowing when to step aside, offers some practical advice for anyone starting out or running a business. And, as a bonus, he shares some personal moments—like hosting big...

Ever wondered how someone could shift from crunching numbers as an accountant to becoming a leading figure in financial advisor recruiting? Mindy Diamond, CEO of Diamond Consultants, shares her extraordinary journey in this episode. From starting her business on her bedroom floor to managing more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets, Mindy's story is a testament to resilience and innovation. She sheds light on the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry during the 1990s and how her focus on relationships over transactions has redefined success in the recruiting landscape.

You'll also hear about...

What if you could create a thriving business and then seamlessly transition into a life of philanthropy? Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Rick Bastinelli, the founder and former president and CEO of Centric Business Systems. Growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Rick learned the ropes of management from his father and navigated the challenges of a declining garment industry. A chance meeting with Xerox employees marked the beginning of his successful career in the copier business. Learn how these early experiences shaped his entrepreneurial vision and led him to build a thriving business in Baltimore.
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What does it take to leave a stable corporate job and dive headfirst into the uncertain world of entrepreneurship? Join us as Kevin Powderly shares his incredible journey from working under the legendary Jack Welch at GE to co-founding his own company, CyberCore.

Growing up in a big Irish family on Long Island, Kevin's competitive spirit was shaped by his early experiences and honed during his time at technology giants like Businessland and GE. Hear firsthand how these fueled his career dreams and led him to take the bold step of starting his own venture.

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In this episode of "From the Ground Up," we feature the fascinating story of Guy Filippelli, Managing Partner of Squadra Ventures. Guy describes his experiences from a military intelligence officer to a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He provides a unique perspective on guiding startups, drawing from his time at West Point and Oxford and his commitment to being a leader who inspires growth.

Guy emphasizes the significance of defining your brand and creating a name that sticks.  He believes having a military background has shaped his business and leadership approach. He shares insights into every startup's c...

Join us for a chat with Joe Jankowski from Armatus Dealer Uplift. He shares a compelling story about owning a thriving auto dealership and then reshaping warranty reimbursement for dealers nationwide. 

Joe emphasizes the power of innovative thinking and unwavering perseverance. Hear how he went from running a successful, profitable dealership to the gut-wrenching moment of closing its doors overnight: A story of resilience.

https://youtu.be/lxOMSCbIcnk

Disclaimer: material was prepared by Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC (“VCA”). VCA believes the information and data in this document were obtained from sources considered reliable and c...

Stepping off a predictable path requires resilience, vision, and good old-fashioned grit. Steve Shaw, owner and founder of Shaw Real Estate, shares his story from a comfortable career at Merritt Properties to entrepreneurship. He explains the method behind his 'old man's portfolio,' his investment in industrial properties that thrive amid fluctuating interest rates.

https://youtu.be/xEpnb5oa5mA

Disclaimer: material was prepared by Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC (“VCA”). VCA believes the information and data in this document were obtained from sources considered reliable and correct and cannot guarantee either their accuracy or c...

In the first conversation, host Leo Kelly, CEO of Verdence Capital Advisors, talks with Michele Welsh, Chief Marketing Officer at Verdence, about the inspiration behind starting this entrepreneurial podcast.

Leo and Michele briefly discuss Leo's journey from working at Merrill Lynch to breaking off on his own to start an independent wealth management firm, overcoming challenges and risks. They discuss the importance of company culture, hiring the right people, and always keeping the client's best interests in mind.

Leo emphasizes that while people often attribute success to luck, true success comes from recognizing opportunities, understanding...