Scott Sobkowiak is a former professional baseball player turned transformational leader, with a proven track record of driving multimillion-dollar growth through strategic sales, business development, and customer relationship management. He is the founder of Scale UP, a consultancy dedicated to helping early and mid-stage social impact organizations grow with purpose. Through his platform, SAS Speaks, Scott delivers keynote addresses, motivational sessions, and podcast appearances, sharing insights on leadership, resilience, and relational capital.

In this episode, Brad and Scott discuss:

• Scott’s transition from professional baseball to business leadership
• Facing identity loss after sports and battling addiction
• Why building a “tree of purpose” matters more than climbing one ladder
• How kindness, gratitude, and relational capital drive his work
• Practical ways business owners can pivot, overcome fear, and grow

Key Takeaways:

• Success built only on a narrow ladder can collapse. Creating multiple “branches” of purpose ensures stability, flexibility, and more opportunities when one path fails.
• Relational capital often outweighs immediate transactions. Building authentic connections creates long-term trust and unlocks doors that money alone cannot.
• Fear and pain may trigger change, but they don’t have to be the drivers. With intentional purpose and daily gratitude, challenges can be transformed into growth.
• Staying stuck is always a choice. Even small adjustments, like a pitcher altering mechanics, can lead to significant breakthroughs over time.
• Leading with kindness and gratitude creates ripple effects. It strengthens personal resilience while simultaneously fueling sustainable business growth and opportunity.

“To get to where you want to go, you've got to understand that the fear of falling backwards is what's going to propel you forward.” - Scott Sobkowiak

Connect with Scott Sobkowiak:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568210662326#

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsobkowiak/

Email: sasspeaks34@gmail.com

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/

Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

John Washcovick spent 23 years in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, and operations with companies ranging in size from 30 employees to over 12,000. He was in sales and later served as Assistant Director of Operations, but in 2010, he left the corporate safety net behind to launch a payroll services business providing payroll and HR technology to small and mid-sized companies. With two business partners, John grew the company to over 900 clients between Milwaukee and Phoenix. In 2022, they sold the business to isolved, the same platform they had used for payroll and HR technology. All 25 employees were hired by isolved, which then named John their Human Capital Management Business Consultant for Wisconsin. Since June 2022, he has been selling isolved’s People Cloud Technology.

In this episode, Brad and John discuss:

• How John moved from 23 years in pharmaceutical sales to building a payroll company
• The financial risks and realities of leaving a stable, high-paying career
• Approaches to finding and keeping the right people when resources are tight
• Challenges faced, from vendor failures to ongoing cash flow pressures
• Lessons gained from navigating 12 years of business and a successful exit

Key Takeaways:

• Having financial resources isn’t optional—it’s essential. Planning for more than you think you’ll need can be the difference between surviving the early years and shutting down too soon.
• Success rarely happens alone. Surrounding yourself with supportive partners, mentors, and family provides the strength to endure risk and uncertainty.
• The ability to hire and keep the right people early on can completely change a company’s trajectory. Retention is often more powerful than constant recruiting.
• Vendors and partners won’t always deliver as expected. That’s why having backup options in place is a safeguard every entrepreneur should prioritize.
• Gratitude, persistence, and a positive attitude go a long way. They not only help navigate tough times but also create the mindset needed for long-term success.

“It is a journey, try to enjoy it as much as you can and be grateful for all the people you meet along the way, the things you learn along the way, and just the fun things you get to do as well in the process.” - John Washcovick

Connect with John Washcovick:

Website: https://www.isolvedhcm.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwashcovick/

Email: johnwashcovick@gmail.com

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/

Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Every business eventually faces problems—compliance hurdles, employee complaints, and leadership challenges that no one saw coming. In this episode, we dive into five common myths about HR in small businesses and uncover the truth behind them, offering practical solutions that protect your team, your growth, and your peace of mind.

In this episode, Brad discusses:

• Why even the smallest businesses still “have HR” whether they realize it or not
• How consistency in HR policies protects businesses from claims of discrimination
• Why past luck with employee issues isn’t a future-proof strategy
• The truth about outsourcing HR and how it impacts control and compliance
• Why good managers with common sense still need HR guardrails

Key Takeaways:

• Having even one employee means HR already exists in your business, and neglecting compliance can lead to significant financial and legal consequences. It’s not optional—it’s a responsibility that begins the moment you hire.
• Rather than tying leaders’ hands, HR brings consistency and fairness to decision-making, creating a stronger foundation for trust and reducing unnecessary risks.
• Just because you haven’t experienced employee complaints or lawsuits doesn’t mean you’re safe. Future-proofing your business requires proactive HR policies and a commitment to risk management.
• Outsourcing HR doesn’t mean losing control—it means gaining access to expertise while keeping the final say in every decision. The right partnership enhances structure and confidence.
• Common sense alone isn’t enough when it comes to legal compliance. HR expertise helps managers avoid costly mistakes by providing the clarity, guardrails, and legal context they need to act wisely.

“If you have even one employee, you have HR, and so you need to figure out how to manage it.” - Brad Foley

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/

Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Darren P. Mende, CPA, MBA, is the founder of DP Mende & Co., a boutique firm delivering accounting, tax, small‑business advisory, and fractional CFO/COO services. Energetic and forward‑thinking, he helps entrepreneurs and individuals drive positive change by bridging finance, operations, and technology. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, Darren is also a Certified Real Estate Appraiser and seasoned C‑suite leader. His firm specializes in tailored solutions—from startup modeling and business structuring to tech implementation, M&A support, and succession planning. Darren’s unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on expertise empowers clients to navigate today’s complex small‑business landscape.

In this episode, Brad and Darren discuss:

• Darren’s path from moving furniture and driving trucks to becoming a CPA and business leader
• Lessons learned from leading through toxic leadership transitions
• The impact of COVID-19 on a growing company and navigating sudden financial challenges
• The unexpected loss of a founder and its effect on the business and team
• Key strategies for succession planning, crisis management, and mental health in leadership

Key Takeaways:

• A well-defined succession plan and adequate key person insurance can be the difference between a business surviving a crisis or collapsing under pressure. These safeguards ensure continuity when unexpected events occur.
• Toxic leadership does more than lower morale—it erodes trust, damages team cohesion, and can take years to repair. Addressing it early prevents long-term organizational harm.
• During turbulent times, consistent communication and transparency create stability. When employees know the truth, even in difficult situations, they’re more likely to stay engaged and aligned.
• Successful leaders understand that difficult choices around staffing and budgets are sometimes unavoidable. Decisive action in these moments can protect the company’s long-term viability.
• Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s also about human connection. Prioritizing mental health, checking in regularly with colleagues, and fostering openness can make a life-changing difference.

“Mental health is real, and we don't know fully what's going on in someone's broader life as much as we know them.” - Darren Mende

Connect with Darren Mende:

Website: https://dpmende.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenmende/

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/

Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Every business hits a point where things get messy—team dynamics, compliance, surprises, and leadership moments that test everything you've built. Welcome to Built Without a Net, where business gets real and people's problems meet practical solutions. Hosted by business owner and fractional HR expert Brad Foley, this show dives into the challenges no one prepares you for so that you can lead through the hard stuff and build something that actually works.

In this episode, Brad discusses:

• Why Built Without a Net is more than an HR podcast and is about real business leadership challenges
• How Brad’s career path—from corporate HR to launching his own business—shaped his approach to problem-solving
• The reality check of starting a business, including the risks, sacrifices, and steep learning curves
• Why finding the right support and community matters for business owners
• What listeners can expect from future episodes, including leadership stories, compliance updates, and actionable insights

Key Takeaways:

• Built Without a Net shines a spotlight on the real, messy challenges leaders face—cutting through theory to share raw, practical solutions you can actually use. It’s about addressing what happens in the trenches, not just what’s written in the manuals.
• Brad’s professional detours, from corporate HR to entrepreneurship, provided him with unexpected skills and perspectives that became essential for running his own business. Sometimes the winding road equips you better than the straight path.
• Excelling at your craft is one thing, but running a successful business demands an entirely different skill set. The transition from specialist to business owner requires learning on the fly and wearing multiple hats.
• No leader can thrive entirely on their own. Having both personal allies and professional partners is crucial when navigating the uncertainty of building something without a safety net.
• Listeners can expect candid, encouraging, and highly actionable insights. This podcast offers not just knowledge, but the motivation and perspective needed to push forward through the toughest moments.

“When you're building something from scratch without a team behind you, no safety net, it's challenging, and frankly, it can be lonely, and it's hard sometimes to find the right support that you need at the moment that you need it. That's why I put this podcast together. Built Without a Net is meant to be a sounding board, a place that you can turn for insight and perspective and a sense that you're not the only one trying to figure this out.”

- Brad Foley

Connect with Brad Foley:

Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/

Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.