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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In Episode 5 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with Jeremy Sundgren of Sundgren Realty & Auction, a second-generation business owner whose story is rooted in family legacy, hard work, and a deep love for the people and land of Kansas.Jeremy opens up about growing up in the auction world, becoming an auctioneer at just 15, and eventually buying into the family business. He shares honest insights into what’s changed in the real estate and auction landscape over the past two decades—from the rise of online auctions to navigating major economic shifts.This episode dives into:The origins of Sundgren Realty & Auction and how Jeremy stepped into ownershipWhy Kansas land is undervalued—and why Jeremy believes it’s one of the strongest assets you can ownHow auctions reveal the true market value of landThe importance of community, connection, and branding in a crowded real estate spaceJeremy’s philosophy on hiring, leadership, and finding the right peopleThe power of authenticity in marketing and why Sundgren’s in-house social strategy worksStories from decades of auctions, mentors, and unforgettable charactersFrom business transitions to life lessons, from rare Coca-Cola collections to the fast-changing world of land sales, this episode is full of wisdom, humor, and heart. Jeremy’s perspective on people, trust, and long-term thinking is a refreshing reminder of what really drives growth.If you’re an entrepreneur, a real estate mind, or someone who just loves a good Kansas story — you’ll find a ton of value here.killergrowth.com

Welcome to Episode 0 of the Killer Growth Podcast. I’m your host, Sam McVay, and in this introductory episode I share the heart behind why this podcast exists and what you can expect moving forward.
After 13 years of building and helping build businesses—wins, failures, long nights, bad advice, good advice (and everything in between) I’ve realized something simple: business is deeply human. Behind every company is someone taking a risk, betting on themselves, and pushing through fear.
This podcast isn’t about marketing or pitching services. It’s about the real stories of entrepreneurs, founders, small business owners, and builders of every kind. You’ll hear honest conversations about the hard days, the personal sacrifices, the breakthroughs, the messy middle, and the moments that remind us why we chose this path.
My hope is to build trust, create meaningful relationships, and give you at least one nugget of wisdom in every episode—something that strengthens your mindset, challenges your thinking, or helps you grow on your own journey.
If you’re building something of your own, or dreaming about starting, this is for you.
Welcome to Killer Growth.

In this powerful episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Levi Parker, founder of The Gnarbell, one of the most unique and culture-rich gyms in the Midwest.

Levi shares the full story — from playing college baseball, to conquering a fear of heights as an ironworker, to the morning he turned his truck around and walked away from a steady union job because something in his chest told him there was more.

What began as a basement gym and a handful of clients has become a full-blown movement: a private, culture-first, no-sign-on-the-door, earn-your-way-in training sanctuary built on discipline, consistency, and community.

Levi opens up about burnout, imposter syndrome, the moment he nearly quit, and how seeing other people win — youth athletes, dads, competitive lifters — kept him going.

From 4 A.M. crews to 10x bodyweight totals, from moving elephants at the zoo to spotting 1200-pound squats, to building a brand with a three-headed wolf at its core—this is the story of a man strengthening a small town and inspiring lifters around the world.

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In this episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with builder, designer, and visionary Nathan Ensminger—the man behind one of the most ambitious small-town projects in Kansas: District Stadium, the soon-to-be nicest wiffle ball stadium in the world.

Nathan walks Samuel through his journey from early construction experiences to restoring historic properties, navigating grants, and transforming a downtown space into a destination built to unite a community. From rehabilitating flooded homes to designing rooftop venues to installing a massive jumbotron that briefly smoked like a Fourth of July firework, Nathan’s stories are as inspiring as they are entertaining.

You’ll hear the emotional origin story sparked by a Mark Rober video and a family road trip, how Nathan secured a T-Mobile Hometown Grant, and why he’s pouring his life into building something that brings joy and connection to thousands.

This episode is about vision, grit, creativity, and the kind of project that turns a small town into a destination.

killergrowth.com