The Next Level Project: Recent Episodes
Drew Brandom
In all elements of life - it is important to try and get to the next level. In this podcast Drew Brandom interviews owners and founders of companies from 10 employees to multiple thousand employees to better understand how they achieve success. We talk about upbringing, starting years, failures and success along the way. Tune in to learn from trail blazers who have already paved the way.
In this episode we get to hear from Theresa Rulien who was born right here in Jacksonville, Florida. She is the current CEO of Child Guidance Center and has been leading the company for 14 years.
We get to hear about her love of the arts, and her desire to help others. She shares about Child Guidance Centers unique approach to helping families succeed as well as the reality of managing a work force in the non profit sector.
For more information about the Child Guidance Center, you can visit their website here. https://cgcjax.org/
In this episode we hear from the founder of Koehn Outdoor. David truly steps up to the plate in this interview and shares the ups and downs of running his business. If you like to hear the story of a human with a never give up attitude - this is the episode for you.
If you would like to learn more about his company you can visit their website below.
https://www.koehnoutdoor.com/
In this episode we get to hear from Wayne Bennett who is the President of JacksonFill. We get to hear about the rise of a Jacksonville local from working at UPS to starting his own supply chain operation.
For more information on JacksonFill you can visit their website at Jacksonfill.com
In this episode, we hear from Amy McGeorge who is the CEO of the Peoplr. They specialize in all things HR. They can not only be extension of your team, but they can fully function as the HR for your company.
Amy is a blast to speak with and shares a refreshing take that running her business isn't some strategic mastermind - the process is to love what you do, continue to grow and enjoy the ride.
Tune into this episode to hear about her childhood years, pay transparency, the effects of company culture and more.
If you want to learn more about their organization you can visit https://peoplr.co/
In this episode, we hear from Cindy Funkhouser who is the CEO of the Sulzbacher Center. If you aren't aware, they are responsible for helping our homeless population here in Jacksonville.
You will quickly realize that Cindy is the perfect person for the job at the Sulzbacher Center. She talks about the importance of persistence and dedication in all areas of life and how stepping into the role of CEO is daunting.
If you want to learn more about their organization you can visit https://sulzbacherjax.org/
In this episode we get to hear from Tess Relampagos who is the founder and CEO of iHireUSA. For those of who you have interest in companies making a big impact in the lives of humans. This is an episode for you.
Tess talks about growing up in the Philippines, her determination to get to the United States and her story of how she gives back to others who are in the Philippines. If you are unfamiliar with life outside the US.
If you are looking to learn more about Tess and her company you can visit the link below.
https://ihireusa.com/
In this episode we get to hear from Jim Stallings who is the founder and CEO of PS27 Ventures. For those of you who have interest in what early stage investors are looking for in companies - this is a great one for you.
Jim talks about his vibrant career serving our country, dealing with satellites, making money with patents, becoming an angel investor and more.
If you are a business who is looking to work with an investment firm to add fuel to your business you can reach out to Jim at the link below.
For more information you can visit https://ps27ventures.com/
This is a fun one because not only is Aida Seeraj a female founder of a non profit, but she is also Puerto Rican! Aida has such a huge heart to serve others and it is obvious throughout the entire podcast that SHE CARES!
We cover what it is like to be the daughter of an important politician, finding lost relatives, living with Multiple Sclerosis and of course starting her non-profit - Inspire to Rise.
Aida is a dynamic leader who has truly done it all. Tune in to hear the whole story!
For more information you can visit https://www.weinspiretorise.org/
In this episode we hear from the CEO of Business Builders - Jay Owen. This conversation is filled with many different elements of running a business. Not only has Jay grown a successful business, but he is also an author, developed a speaking career, and became a staff member at a local church to lead the team with his talents.
For more information on Jay and his company you can visit https://businessbldrs.com/
In this episode we get to hear from Patti Barkey who is the CEO of Bowden Eye and Associates. We get to hear her story of literally starting at the bottom of her field (not getting paid)…to moving up the ranks to become the CEO of a successful practice.
In this discussion she talks about being a woman in business, growing a practice that had some challenges, almost quitting, and carving a unique practice in a world that focuses on glasses and contact lenses.
If you want to find out more information about their practice you can visit https://www.bowdeneye.com/
In this episode we hear from the founder and CEO of Performance Painting Contractors.
Jason has a great story about the reward of hard work, dedication and the entrepreneurial spirit. We get to hear about a very interesting first job, an epiphany through multi level marketing and the planting of the entrepreneurial seed.
Jason is a phenomenal leader who is consistently preaching growth within the company and opportunity for the team members within. As an outsider looking in, this is an incredible company to look at for your commercial needs, or even as your employer.
From extremely talented wakeboarder to full on business owner this is a fantastic interview to tune into.
For more information on Jason and his business you can tune into https://www.performance-painting.com/
If you want to support our show, we have 2 ways to do so.
1. Fiverr Affiliate Link
2. Square Space Affiliate Link
At Beeline, we serve the Fortune 2000 and work closely with our clients in HR, IT, and Strategic Sourcing. We also work with the world's most accomplished Managed Services Providers and staffing agencies. Together, we match great talent with great companies.
We operate in a "learning organization," constantly seeking ways to improve and better serve our many partners. Connecting organizations to talent in the extended workforce (non-full time) is our passion and our specialty. We're proud to be part of a profession that's cause is so noble- putting people to work.
For more information you can visit https://www.beeline.com/
In this episode we hear from the founders of NexGen Restoration and Roofing - Tim Betros and Brandon Cornellier.
They are a booming business in Jacksonville Florida with a great story. In this episode we hear how they got their start, the decisions that have made them successful and their plans for the future. Another worthy episode of your time for sure!
*At NexGen Restoration & Roofing, we believe that the customer experience is paramount to all else so much so that we built a company around this concept. With every interaction, we’re a company that can deliver an experience that meets the only standards higher than ours; yours. Experience the NexGen Difference today!
For more information you can visit their website at https://nexgenfl.com/*
If you want to support our show, we have 2 ways to do so.
1. Fiverr Affiliate Link
2. Square Space Affiliate Link
In this episode we hear from Jorge L. Narvaez who is the CEO of Healthcare Compliance. This is a great story of an entrepreneurial mind taking a leap of faith into starting his own business right after the birth of his first child and then taking another leap of faith after the purchase of a home. This guy is awesome and a very worthwhile listen.
To find out more information on his business you can visit https://www.hcan.net/
If you want to support our show, we have 2 ways to do so.
1. Fiverr Affiliate Link
2. Square Space Affiliate Link
In this episode we hear the amazing story of Ben Lavarias who is the owner of Turnkey Roofing of Florida. He shares his incredible story of losing everything (literally) to a triumphant return of his business that only few would be able to pull off. You don't want to miss this episode.
To find out more information on his business you can visit https://www.chooseturnkey.com/
If you want to support our show, we have 2 ways to do so.
1. Fiverr Affiliate Link
2. Square Space Affiliate Link
In this episode we hear from co-founder and CEO of iVenture Solutions, Gray Mabry. Gray shares a wealth of knowledge on this episode including one of his best kept hiring secrets...The 5 Hour Car Rule.
iVenture Solutions is a managed services, cloud and cybersecurity for Florida businesses with 10-1,000 employees. They handle IT for Florida’s best businesses. With statewide coverage, their offices in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa make them a great local IT partner.
For more information on iVenture Solutions, you can visit their website at : https://www.iventuresolutions.com
If you want to support our show, we have 2 ways to do so.
1. Fiverr Affiliate Link
2. Square Space Affiliate Link
In this episode we hear from Annie Marks – the founder of May Management Services. They are a locally owned professional association management service with over 33 years of experience. We hear about her journey through growing a her business starting at the beginning around her life on a farm, to dominate business woman. It becomes abundantly clear that her employee first culture and do the right thing attitude in business helps her trump the competition.
To learn more about her company you can visit https://maymgt.com/
Corporate Traffic Logistics is a family owned and operated asset-based 3PL headquartered in Jacksonville, FL with a branch in Charlotte, NC and Toledo, OH.
In celebration of their 28th year in business we get to hear how Chris, Chad and Craig grew the business from a 600 square foot office space to the 135M operation they are today!
To find out more about their company you can visit http://www.corporatetraffic.com/
In this episode of The Next Level Project we get to hear how Don Fox literally started as a dishwasher in the back of an Italian restaurant to the CEO of Firehouse Subs! The episode gives a ton of color to the leadership style of Don and how his knowledge of World War II helped him navigate the current era of COVID.
You do not want to miss this episode. To learn more about Firehouse Subs you can visit their website at firehousesubs.com.
To learn more about the books that Don Fox has written you can visit. https://www.amazon.com/Don-M.-Fox/e/B001KHCW9O%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
In this episode of the Next Level Project with Joey Batchelor, we hear how he bought a company with 10 employees and 1 location to a BEAST of an operation with 18 locations and hundreds of employees.
Among the many achievements Joey has achieved along his career, the most recent was being named the 2020 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year. For those who are unfamiliar, Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes the most ambitious leaders who are building and sustaining successful, dynamic businesses around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners comprise a global network of like-minded visionaries, each on a transformational journey to create, innovate, grow, learn and build a better world.
They become lifetime members of an esteemed multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in nearly 60 countries.
Tune in to hear the ups and downs of Guardian Fueling Technology.
If you are looking to learn more you can visit their website at https://www.guardianfueltech.com
Bryan Croft shares tons of valuable insight on this episode to talk us through growing his family run business from a 1 million dollar operation to a 25 million dollar beast!
To hunt down the HC Brands website you can visit https://www.hcbrands.com/
In this episode we listen to the interesting story of Jon Davis who is the owner and CEO of Sight and Sound Productions and Mugwump Productions located in Jacksonville, Florida.
Jon is a dynamic owner with a true passion for every aspect of his business. To find more information on his operations you can visit:
https://www.ssav.net/
https://www.mugwumpproductions.com/
In this episode of The Next Level Project we hear from Brandon Stallings the CEO of SmartBox.
SmartBox Express delivers the highest quality healthy snacks, with only the finest ingredients, so you can eat smarter on-the-go. They offer themed boxes for every occasion and are a great way to send your clients something unique.
To find more in depth information about the company you can visit https://smartboxcompany.com/
In this episode of The Next Level Project we hear from President of CROP Creative Media - Jennifer Adams.
This interview details her childhood, career path, the beginnings of CROP Creative Media and several tips and tricks to manage a team.
For more information on CROP Creative Media visit their website at cropcreativemedia.com
If you have a business owner you respect please leave a comment for us to reach out to see if they would be a good fit for our podcast.