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 mother build a preschool and connect business ownership with freedom, learning sales in “real-world” jobs instead of a traditional college path, and hiring true experts to run operations while he focuses on leadership and growth. Richie explains why smart risk is not reckless, how he thinks about worst-case scenarios, and why capacity becomes the make-or-break issue for founders who want to scale beyond the first phase of success.

From there, we go deeper on franchise strategy and consistency. Richie shares how vetting the right owners matters more than any playbook, how they build talent with skill paths and career paths, and why culture needs simple language people can actually repeat. We also explore his newer focus areas: real estate investing to support franchise expansion, intentional family governance to build generational wealth, and the Huffman Family Foundation’s mission to make children’s lives better through support of Ronald McDonald House and children’s hospitals.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts, share it with a builder in your life, and leave a review so more founders can find it. What’s the one bet you’d make if you had nothing to lose?

https://youtu.be/qB4DsaLgHNY

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 completeness. VCA has not independently verified third-party sourced information and data. Any projections, outlooks or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. These projections, market outlooks or estimates are subject to change without notice. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product or anynon-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in these materials will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. You should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this report serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from VCA. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the co...

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 vehicles nationwide. The business model was revolutionary. They would maintain dedicated vehicles exclusively for organ transport, ensuring immediate availability, unlike competitors who might divert resources (IE Ambulances) to other emergency calls.

Jones also built a specialized workforce, hiring former EMS personnel with at least five years of experience. These mission-driven professionals, often retired first responders looking for meaningful second careers, became stewards of the "gift of life."

In this episode, you'll hear Don's story:
➡️ From lifeguard to aviation dispatcher to air ambulance entrepreneur
➡️ Built a global fixed-wing ambulance business handling complex international medical evacuations
➡️ Created NORA (Nationwide Organ Recovery Transport Alliance) with nothing but a 90-day plan
➡️ Grew NORA from 12 employees to 1,100 and from 6 vehicles to 325 nationwide
➡️ Recruited former first responders who brought mission-driven commitment to organ transport
➡️ Managed 70,000 transports annually, starting each day with an empty calendar
➡️ Navigated multiple business exits, including a thorough process with 40 written offers
➡️ Established the Amber Leigh Jones Family Foundation to support adults with special needs
➡️ Attributes success to sports, growing up in tough circumstances, and determined work ethic
➡️ Demonstrates that entrepreneurship requires being "all in" and working when others are not

His career is proof that entrepreneurship starts with identifying market opportunities. Then to build, it must include execution, resilience, and building mission-driven teams that can perform under extraordinary pressure. In businesses where failure wasn't an option, Don Jones built systems that saved

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 completeness. VCA has not independently verified third-party sourced information and data. Any projections, outlooks or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. These projections, market outlooks or estimates are subject to change without notice. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product or anynon-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in these materials will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. You should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this report serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from VCA. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the co...

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 now found in human brains, hearts, and reproductive organs, this innovation addresses both environmental waste and emerging health concerns. But what makes PlantSwitch truly remarkable is how they've overcome the primary hurdle that has held back sustainable alternatives: cost. By using agricultural waste like rice husks, they've created a commercially viable solution that major players like Walmart and Taylor Farms have already embraced.

Our conversation explores how Dillon transitioned from college golfer to investment banker to groundbreaking entrepreneur, navigating the challenges of scaling a business and maintaining focus amid explosive growth opportunities. We discuss the vision for PlantSwitch to become the leader in green plastics across multiple industries, potentially replacing conventional plastics in countless applications beyond their current food packaging focus.

Follow PlantSwitch's remarkable journey and discover how they're creating a world where we can enjoy the benefits of plastic without the lasting environmental consequences.

https://youtu.be/JoshV4muYeU

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 completeness. VCA has not independently verified third-party sourced information and data. Any projections, outlooks or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. These projections, market outlooks or estimates are subject to change without notice. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product or anynon-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in these materials will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. You should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this report serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from VCA. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the co...