Default Profitable

Have you ever wondered what it's like to bootstrap a supplement line as a kid, then pivot to lingerie exports and construction gigs? What does it take to bounce back from near-bankruptcies and turn those lessons into an 8-phase blueprint that guarantees launches in 120 days? How can you snag SBA loans, nail competitive edges, and start cash-positive with pre-booked clients? And hey, Azgari's got that squirrel brain from her dad, st...

In this episode of Default Profitable, Matt sits down with George Turkette, the guy behind Turchetti's, Indy's own USDA-certified wholesale salumeria cranking out top-notch charcuterie. We get into his wild ride from being a broke line cook in downtown restaurants to accidentally launching a business after a chance meeting – maybe with a little wine involved. George opens up about ditching the restaurant grind, navigating heavy r...

What does it take to turn your passion into a thriving business? In this episode of the Default Profitable podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Jason Barnaby, the dynamic founder of Firestarters Inc., to explore the rollercoaster journey of entrepreneurship. From his days as a ski bum in Colorado to running a coffee shop in Poland and founding a business fueled by his love for sales and people development, Jason shares the g...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, I sit down with Matt Hunckler, a serial entrepreneur who's turned bruises and breakthroughs into a thriving tech community powerhouse. We dive into his journey from digitizing vinyl records in high school to founding Powderkeg, chatting about the gritty realities of starting service businesses, navigating pivots, and scaling tech ecosystems right here in Indiana. It's all about tho...

Matt Nettleton, Host of Default Profitable: Bootstrapped Businesses Don't Need a Plan—Just Guts and Adjustments

In this milestone episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton takes a solo dive into the podcast's journey after 150 episodes, reflecting on the raw realities of bootstrapped businesses. Drawing from interviews with 143 Indianapolis entrepreneurs—from a lasagna chef turned commercial kitchen owner to a freight gian...

In this episode of Default Profitable, I sit down with Ashley Beck Cuellar, a sales powerhouse who's traded 17 years of slinging automotive direct mail for building her own coaching empire. We dive into the wild ride of leaving a cushy gig at Perk Marketing, the eye-opening realities of entrepreneurship, and why having an outside sales coach isn't just nice—it's a game-changer for ditching robotic pitches and selling like a real hu...

In this episode of Default Profitable, I sit down with Mike Hurley, a lifelong Indianapolis resident who's turned his sales and marketing savvy into a thriving digital agency called WarmUp. We dive into his journey from side hustle to full-time venture, including the tough pivot after losing a co-founder during COVID, and how he's navigated the wild ride of entrepreneurship—balancing failures, funding, and finding profitability in ...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Josh Brammer, a seasoned marketing veteran turned business coach, about the gritty realities of starting, running, and scaling creative businesses. Drawing from his experience managing four agencies, selling one, and now guiding solopreneurs through Lantern, Josh shares candid insights on entrepreneurial pitfalls, the importance of clarity over vague ideas, and w...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton chats with longtime acquaintance Chris Theisen about the rollercoaster of building a marketing business in Indianapolis. They dive into Chris's 15-year evolution from social and digital marketing roles to founding Bullpen Consulting in early 2024, sparked by a corporate layoff. Key topics include navigating the shift from employee to owner, blending sales strate...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Patrick O'Donnell, a serial entrepreneur who traded a stable corporate career in sales leadership for the unpredictable world of small business ownership. Patrick opens up about his transition from large public companies to launching a fractional sales leadership practice with Sales Xceleration in 2018 and co-owning Barringer's Tavern, a historic spot in South In...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Chris Wilkey about the evolution of professional selling, drawing from Chris's eclectic career path that spans software sales, running a digital marketing agency and wedding DJ business, to leading Ball State's Center for Professional Selling. They dive into the misconceptions of sales as mere persuasion, the value of sales education in higher ed, lessons from en...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Daniel Herndon about the raw realities of launching, pivoting, and scaling a business. From his roots in a touring rock band to becoming a sought-after brand strategist, Daniel shares his journey of turning side hustles into sustainable ventures, emphasizing how charging upfront, embracing uncertainty, and focusing on problem-solving over titles can lead to long-...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Shane Nichols, a seasoned media sales veteran turned author, about his journey from traditional sales roles in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, and college sports sponsorships to launching a side hustle based on innovative B2B prospecting strategies. Shane shares how post-COVID challenges at Ball State University inspired him to dive deep into modern marketing t...

Join host Matt Nettleton as he sits down with Eric Dunaway, an assistant professor of economics at Wabash College. They delve into the unique approach Wabash takes towards business education, emphasizing real-world experience over traditional classroom learning. Eric shares insights on the importance of critical thinking, the role of randomness in decision-making, and how poker can teach valuable business lessons.

Key Topics:

The u...

Join host Matt Nettleton as he sits down with Andrew Johnson, co-founder of Northbrook Brewing in Arcadia, Indiana. Discover the inspiring journey of how Andrew transitioned from a special education teacher to a successful brewery owner. Learn about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way.

Key Highlights:

Andrew's background and the founding of Northbrook Brewing. The evolution of their business plan and adaptin...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Andrea Liebross to explore the intricacies of starting and growing a small business. Andrea shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of mindset, planning, and support systems.

Key Takeaways:

The significance of integrating business into life and the challenges of the "messy middle." The role of mindset...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Andrea Simpson, co-founder of Orngeli, a wellness bottle shop and community space. Andrea shares her journey of starting a specialty business with her sister, the challenges and successes they've faced, and the importance of building relationships in entrepreneurship.

The inspiration behind Orangily and its rebranding journey. The impact of going ...

In this episode host Matt Nettleton talks with Derek Hammer, CEO of the Hammer Companies, to discuss the journey of starting and growing multiple businesses. From the inception of Hammer Lighting and Grip to the challenges faced during the pandemic, Derek shares insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of having a business plan, and the value of a supportive team.

Key Points:

Derek's transition from video production to business...

In this episode host Matt Nettleton interviews Jenn Lisak Golding. Jenn is Founder and CEO of Sapphire Strategy, a digital marketing agency that blends rich data with experienced-back intuition to optimize marketing performance for service-based businesses and nonprofits. An award-winning strategist, Jenn’s developed the Marketing Lifecycle Model: an evidence-based audit tool and blueprint for high-performing marketing investments....