What should small business owners ask before leasing warehouse, office, or flex space?

In this episode of Build Boldly, Pat Rodgers sits down with four RISE Commercial District managers for a practical, behind-the-scenes conversation about what prospective tenants really want to know before choosing a business space.

Together, Jay in Dublin, Akeem in Lewis Center, Neil in Toledo, and Avery in Greenwood share the questions business owners ask on tours, from shipping and receiving to 24/7 access, Google Business visibility, lease flexibility, climate control, garage door clearance, security, trash, signage, parking, and common area maintenance. They also share real tenant stories that show how RISE spaces support e-commerce brands, contractors, trades, salons, food trucks, wholesalers, satellite teams, and growing local businesses.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What prospective tenants should ask before signing a commercial lease
• Why flexible lease terms and scalable spaces matter for growing businesses
• How RISE supports shipping, receiving, deliveries, and forklift access
• Why 24/7 access, secure gated properties, and on-site managers create peace of mind
• What amenities tenants often forget to ask about, including trash, restrooms, conference rooms, and maintenance
• How RISE locations support e-commerce, trades, contractors, salons, and local service businesses
• Why tenant community can become a powerful resource for referrals, collaboration, and support

Whether you’re moving out of your garage, graduating from self-storage, expanding your service business, or looking for a more professional home base, this episode gives you a real-world look at what makes RISE a launchpad for growing small businesses.

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Connect with Pat Rodgers on LinkedIn
Learn more about RISE Commercial District Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

Build Boldly is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

In this special behind-the-scenes episode of Build Boldly, Pat Rodgers sits down with Anthony Palmer, CEO and founder of Palm Tree Pod Co., the production partner behind the Build Boldly podcast.

Pat and Anthony get into why RISE created Build Boldly, how the show has evolved, and how businesses can use podcasts and long-form content to build trust, share customer stories, and create a content engine that supports marketing, sales, SEO, and community building.

Anthony explains why podcasting is not just about audio anymore. A single conversation can become a full ecosystem of content. He also shares why the most effective content is often the most authentic. It’s the kind that helps people feel seen, educated, connected, and understood.

Pat and Anthony discuss:

• Why every business has a story worth telling
• How podcasts help companies build trust without hard-selling
• Why niche content can be more valuable than chasing massive audiences
• How one podcast episode can fuel social media, email, blogs, YouTube, and SEO
• Why customer stories are such powerful marketing assets
• How small teams can start creating content without overcomplicating it
• Why consistency, systems, and support matter
• What business owners should stop doing when creating content

Whether you’re a founder, operator, service provider, or small business owner wondering how to show up online with more purpose, this episode offers a practical look at how content can become a long-term growth engine.

Learn more: palmtreepodco.com

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Connect with Pat Rodgers on LinkedIn
Learn more about RISE Commercial District Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

Build Boldly is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Franchising is not just a way to buy a business. For the right entrepreneur, it can be a strategy to scale smarter, reduce risk, build recurring revenue opportunities, and create long-term enterprise value.

In this episode of Build Boldly, host Pat Rodgers sits down with Anna Dey, franchise consultant, multi-brand operator, and founder of Franspot, to unpack how franchising can help entrepreneurs move from startup chaos to a more structured, supported path for growth.

Pat and Anna explore how operators can think strategically about growth, whether that means going deeper within one brand and market, expanding across complementary brands, or leveraging an existing customer base to create multiple revenue streams.

They also discuss the financial realities of franchising, including startup costs, net worth requirements, funding options, risk tolerance, and why working with a franchise consultant can help entrepreneurs filter through the noise and find the right fit.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between a franchisor and a franchisee
• How franchising can create structure, support, and scalability
• Why some owners grow through depth while others grow through width
• What to consider before investing in a franchise opportunity
• How funding, net worth, and risk tolerance shape franchise decisions
• How a franchise consultant can help simplify the evaluation process

If you’re an entrepreneur, operator, or service business owner looking for a smarter way to scale, this conversation offers a practical framework for evaluating franchising as a path to growth, liquidity, and long-term business value.

Learn more: thefranspot.com

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Connect with Pat Rodgers on LinkedIn
Learn more about RISE Commercial District Website | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

Build Boldly is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.