"If I can be good about business, & I can do my business well—but then also care about my people & have that noticed in the marketplace—that’s way more important to me." – Greg Lafferty At 27, Greg seemingly had it all: the pedigree, the projects, the prestige of a big job at NASA. But what he really wanted was a life of impact. So, he retired (yes, at 27!) from the confines of government & began a decades-long journey of entrepreneurship rooted in faith, grit, & people-first leadership. Years later, that same spirit would draw Christina Wright to him. A few referrals & persistent follow-ups later, she landed a meeting with Greg—who was launching a company with no name, no business plan… & no investor relations lead. She jumped in anyway. Today, this mission-minded duo is building Branch Wealth Partners—an education-driven real estate firm helping people build real wealth with wisdom, heart, & long-term vision. They’re not chasing “get rich quick.” They’re building something that lasts. To learn more, learn more at branchwealthpartners.com. It’s like Tony Hsieh said: “Chase the vision, not the money. The money will end up following you.”

“So, it's not just about your business growth. It's also about … creating value & meaningful relationships.” – John Hall In third grade, John launched a lunch brokerage business. By college, he was building a student housing empire. And today? He’s a keynote speaker, investor, & co-founder of multiple companies — wildly different ventures but all rooted in one thing: adding value to others. He didn’t start out this way. Early in his career, he admits he was ego-driven & always worked an angle. Over time, he learned that the true measure of success isn’t power or profit. It’s the number of lives you elevate along the way. That belief shows up in everything he does, from how he hires, to who he partners with, to the companies he builds & invests in. For John, kindness is strategy. Relationships are capital. And success is leaving people better than you find them. From ego to impact, this story is about building a business that puts people first without sacrificing growth. To learn more, find him at Relevance.com & ArticleX.com. John was listening when Zig Ziglar said, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”

“I believe that the more my clients know I care about them, the more I can nudge them toward success.” – Natalia Worthington Natalia wasn’t supposed to be here—literally. As her parents rode a bus to make a life-altering decision, her father had a change of heart. That choice sparked a life defined by curiosity, compassion, & quiet rebellion. Born in Soviet Russia, she came of age in a system that crushed curiosity & rewarded obedience. But at home, things were different. Her father, an English professor, championed critical thinking & lifelong learning—lessons that would one day save her. Years later, as a young mom in a new country, Natalia battled isolation, depression, & weight gain. But instead of giving in, she channeled her hunger to learn & took control of her story. She healed—& then made it her mission to help others do the same. Today, Natalia helps clients thrive in six areas of deep health—from fitness to purpose. Her goal isn’t just a workout. It’s total transformation. To learn more, find her at customfitcoaching.com. Arthur Ashe once said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Natalia did just that.

“One sip of alcohol literally leads to prison...there’s nothing in between anymore.” – Robbie Shaw

For years, Robbie tried to outmaneuver the consequences of addiction—until the day the truth hit him like a bus. No more negotiating, no more "just one more time." His choices were death, jail, or life.

We’re so grateful he chose life.

That choice set him on an unexpected path. From addiction to recovery coach, mental health advocate, & entrepreneur, he didn’t just rebuild his life—he built a business to help others share their stories.

Now, as the founder of EVRYBDY Studios, he’s proving that the best way to transform pain is to turn it into purpose. Whether it’s podcasting, coaching, or even ice baths in his driveway, Robbie is all in on the power of storytelling, vulnerability, & doing hard things.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle you couldn’t break or just love stories of redemption, resilience, & redefining success on your own terms: follow him @evrybdystudios & check out his podcast Champagne Problems.

It’s been said that "Your greatest test is your greatest testimony."

We don’t know who said it, but Robbie proves it.

“If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not doing the job correct.” – Dan Flaherty

With a career that has ventured from the disciplined halls of corporate American to unconventional sales & management consulting, Dan’s story comes with a powerful lesson: Growth comes from embracing calculated risk, stepping out of our comfort zones, & learning not to do more but to do it differently.

But it’s not all work & no play. This passionate family man & Hellcat racer understands that success is not just about business milestones. It’s about work-life harmony —enjoying breakfast & dinner with his kids while fueling his passion for race car driving.

In a world where many cling to a scarcity mindset, Dan embraces abundance—championing collaboration, knowledge sharing, & servant leadership. Whether on the racetrack, in the boardroom, or in the living room, Dan welcomes trial & error as part of his journey.

Uncomfortable? Sometimes, but this approach turns every setback into a steppingstone for growth, & that has made all the difference.

Are you ready for the blueprint on building a life that’s balanced, impactful, & rewarding? Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Both Dan and Dolly Parton remind us: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."

“People don’t manage people. People lead people.” – Jamey Boiter Growing up, Jamey was blessed by a father that didn’t just raise him. He led him. In doing so, he gave Jamey a blueprint for servant leadership that would shape his entire career. From an early passion for architecture to pivoting into graphic design, Jamey learned that the true essence of creativity isn’t just making things, it’s solving problems. That mindset led him to Bolt Group, where he’s spent decades helping companies like Chick-fil-A, Lowe’s, & IZOD bridge the gap between brand, product, & purpose. But he’s not just a designer. He’s a builder of businesses, leaders, & legacies. His unique approach integrates brand strategy with product innovation, turning companies into category leaders. Now, he’s doing the same for his own team, ensuring the future of Bolt Group is as bold as its past. If bold leadership, design thinking, & culture building drive you, find him at Boltgroup.com Great design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about solving problems that matter. It’s like Steve Jobs said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."

"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.

"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.