In Episode 8 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with Jeff Baker, owner of The Grounds Guys of Wichita, for a deeply honest conversation about leadership, risk, people, and what it really takes to build a business that lasts.Jeff shares his unconventional path into entrepreneurship—walking away from a 13-year career in law enforcement to start a landscaping franchise with no prior business background. What began as mowing yards on days off turned into a long-term journey of discipline, hard decisions, and personal growth. Along the way, Jeff opens up about the realities of scaling too fast, learning to make difficult people decisions, and why indecision is often more dangerous than making the wrong call.This conversation goes far beyond landscaping. Jeff talks candidly about servant leadership, retaining great employees in a demanding, seasonal industry, and why he believes employees don’t work for business owners—business owners work for their employees. He also shares one of the most personal moments of his life: a health crisis that forced him to step away from work, confront his own limits, and redefine how he carries fear, control, and responsibility.Listeners will hear insights on:- Leaving a stable career to bet on yourself- Why the franchise model accelerated Jeff’s business maturity- Hiring for attitude and training for skill- Retaining employees through care, consistency, and trust- The danger of growing too fast without infrastructure- Leadership under pressure and learning to release control- Balancing ambition, family, faith, and personal healthThis episode is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t just about strategy or success—it’s about endurance, humility, and learning how to lead people well when the stakes are high.https://killergrowth.com

In Episode 7 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with economic developer Sarah Hoefgen to discuss what it really takes to drive economic growth by attracting major businesses and investment into a region.
Sarah shares practical insight from the front lines of economic development—covering how communities position themselves to win large employers, the strategy behind business attraction, and the long-term planning required to create sustainable economic momentum. This conversation goes beyond theory, offering a real look at how economic developers compete for jobs, capital, and growth in today’s market.
This episode explores:
- How regions attract large businesses and outside investment
- The infrastructure, workforce, and policy factors companies evaluate before choosing a location
- The role of economic developers in shaping long-term regional growth
- Balancing speed, incentives, and sustainability when landing major projects
- What communities must get right to stay competitive for future development
Learn more about El Dorado, Inc. at https://www.eldorado-inc.com/
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In Episode 6 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with Ryan Locke, a multi-generation Kansas cattleman whose life revolves around faith, family, land, and the relentless realities of the ranching business. From calving seasons to droughts, from volatile markets to generational transition, Ryan gives a raw and deeply grounded look into what it takes to build—and sustain—a ranching legacy.

Ryan shares the Locke family story going back decades, including how his father rebuilt the operation from leased grass and custom grazing, and how the family recently made a bold move to sell their long-time ranch and expand into a new era together. He breaks down the entire cattle lifecycle in a way anyone can understand—calving, weaning, grass season, wheat pasture, feed yards, markets, risk, and the day-to-day realities most people never see.

This episode dives into:

• How the Locke family rebuilt their ranching legacy from nearly nothing

• The economics of cattle: markets, margins, volatility, drought, and risk

• Why Kansas is one of the best places on earth for raising cattle

• The emotional and financial weight of generational transition

• The harsh realities of calving storms and drought years

• What "sustainable ranching" really means for land and water

• How Ryan balances cowboy tradition with modern efficiency

• The challenges of leadership, growth, and raising the next generation

• His investment group and how outsiders can (carefully) invest in cattle

Ryan also opens up about fatherhood, community, accountability, and the quiet, spiritual beauty he finds in gathering cattle at sunrise with his boys—a reminder that ranching is more than business; it’s a way of life worth preserving.

If you’ve ever wanted to understand the cattle industry, Kansas ranch culture, or the heart of a true cattleman, this is one of the most insightful episodes yet.

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