Own the Journey
Own the Journey brings together stories of the successes, failures, and resiliencies that make up the journey that business owners navigate daily. By speaking to business leaders who have been through the process and learned from it, we hope to inspire and educate the next generation of small and medium business leaders, no matter what stage of development they’re at. With topics ranging from marketing to leadership to culture to product development to technology, and loads of others, Own the Journey will dive into the nitty gritty details that make up the day-to-day entrepreneurial struggle and how to tackle these areas with the enthusiasm and tenacity of a successful business leader.
Episodes
Tom Douglas sits down with world-renowned performance coach Phil Towle for a conversation that bridges psychology, purpose, and the pursuit of greatness. Known for guiding icons like Metallica and NFL coach Dick Vermeil, Phil shares how one life-changing realization shifted his mission from helping people survive their nightmares to helping them pursue their dreams.
Together, Tom and Phil dive into the art of self-discovery, the co...
From a small-town mechanic’s son to an NFL Hall of Fame coach, Dick Vermeil’s journey is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and purpose. In this powerful conversation with JMARK CEO Tom Douglas, Coach Vermeil opens up about the lessons that shaped his career, transforming locker rooms, building culture through hard work, and leading people first, players second.
He reminds us that true success isn’t found in the spotlight but...
In this episode of Own the Journey, Tom Douglas sits down with Dave Simpson, CEO of Holloway America, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, culture, and faith in business. Dave shares his remarkable story from his start in manufacturing to building a thriving company rooted in relationships and integrity. He opens up about lessons learned from decades of experience, the power of servant leadership, navigating personal los...
From sports to tourism, faith to leadership, Kirk Elmquist’s story is one of purpose, perseverance, and passion for people. In this episode of Own The Journey, JMARK CEO Thomas Douglas sits down with the Executive Director of Branson Tourism to unpack lessons learned from decades of leadership in sports marketing, hospitality, and community growth.
Kirk shares his journey from a walk-on quarterback to a servant leader who has sha...
What happens when marriage, military service, and entrepreneurship collide? In this episode of Own the Journey, Tom sits down with Jonathan and Audrey Garard, co-owners of Grooms Office Environments in Springfield.
From Jonathan’s 15 years of military service to Audrey’s leap from advertising into business ownership, the Garards share how resilience, risk-taking, and relentless teamwork have shaped their lives. Together, they open ...
In this inspiring episode of Own the Journey, host Thomas H. Douglas sits down with John Oke-Thomas—CEO, President, and Founder of Oke-Thomas + Associates. John shares his remarkable story of leaving Nigeria as a young man, traveling through Europe, and ultimately finding his way to Springfield, Missouri, where his accidental stop turned into a lifelong mission.
John reflects on his deep-rooted passion for architecture, from being ...
What does it take to lead a trucking company through change, challenges, and growth in today’s fast-moving world? In this episode of Own the Journey, we sit down with Mark Walker, CEO of TransLand, to uncover the leadership lessons, industry insights, and personal philosophies that guide his journey.
🚛 Inside this episode:
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How Mark Walker shaped TransLand’s culture and reputation in the trucking industry
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Lessons learned fr...
Most bank CEOs follow a traditional path: commercial lending, then the C-suite. Joselyn Baldner? She did it differently. She started as a teller, worked her way up, and took on challenges no one else wanted. When the opportunity to lead Central Bank came up, she wasn’t even sure she wanted the job. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever thought, Am I really cut out for this?
In this heartfelt conversation, Jason Hynson shares the personal stories and pivotal moments that shaped his leadership at Victory Mission. He opens up about the challenges of shifting organizational culture, the myths surrounding nonprofit work, and how personal experiences influence leadership decisions.
Jason also reflects on the importance of staying positive during difficult times, making ethical decisions in business, and th...
What does it take to lead a charity that has distributed over $2.5 billion in aid? In this conversation, Hal Donaldson talks about the role his faith has played in Convoy of Hope’s mission to fight poverty and hunger. In this episode, Tom sits down with Hal Donaldson, founder of Convoy of Hope, to explore how he built one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the world. Hal shares the key moments that shaped his leadership, how...
Batter up! Join Thomas H. Douglas as he jumps into a conversation with broadcasting legend and culture expert, Joel Goldberg. Currently with the Kansas City Royals, Joel has worked with several teams in the MLB and has witnessed the failures and successes that make up building a championship culture. From communication to motivation to trust, you'll find everything you need to facilitate your company culture the right way in this e...
In this episode of Own the Journey, Tom Douglas visits with CEO, sales guru, and JMARK board member Amanda Holmes from Chet Holmes International. In this engaging conversation, Amanda shares the wisdom and lessons she's learned by running one of the largest sales consulting firms in the world. From tackling discrimination, modernizing sales strategies, and identifying target clients, the insights in this episode are diverse and end...
In this episode of Own the Journey, Thomas Douglas sits down with business and strategy legend, Jack Stack, the founder of SRC Holdings, Inc. and author of The Great Game of Business. Throughout their conversation, they discuss market trends, establishing trust with employees, building safety in the business, and so many other topics, all through the lens of The Great Game of Business model. Learn the secrets of business from the "...
Attention all non-profit business leaders! This one is for you. Tom Douglas sits down with Micheal Lawrence, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, one of the fastest growing BBBS agencies in the country. In running his non-profit like a business, Micheal has learned how to facilitate an award-winning culture, unify a brand across multiple locations, build sources of revenue into a non-profit, and reach the lives of children ...
In this episode of Own the Journey, we sit down at the beautiful restaurant, Progress, with owner and head chef Daniel Ernce. Chef Daniel’s experiences apply to every industry as he has overcome challenges that include personnel, brand reputation, failure, and executing innovative changes. With his diverse career background and passion for fine dining, the Chef’s unique insights on legacy and mentorship are sure to give you a new p...
Today we're joined by nautical expert and videographer, David Ulloa. With his past in the Navy, expert diving skills, and work with the Discovery Channel recovering sunken ships, David's career is full of engaging stories. The lessons he's learned through these unique experiences can teach business leaders about the power of video storytelling and communication. Dive into this conversation and learn how to showcase your passion, na...
Brad Erwin, CEO of Paragon Architecture, joins Tom for a conversation that delves deep into building up a strong community—both outside and inside your business. They talk about the ROI of creating a strong culture where every employee has a voice in strategy and service. They also dig into the balance between strategic planning and being agile enough to adapt to unexpected changes in your market.
Sometimes the most complex business problems have incredibly simple solutions. Finding these solutions is John Spence's specialty and he brings this expertise to this episode of Own the Journey. John and Tom tackle topics from psychological safety and mental health to strategic meetings and company cadence. With his concept of the Adaptability Quotient (AQ), John identifies what great leaders can be defined by and how great leaders...
The non-profit business world can be daunting. Philanthropy veteran Sherry Houston shares how she navigates the ins and outs of fundraising, team building, and making the tough decisions she faces every day in her work at the Ronald McDonald House. Learn how to live your mission and get your community involved with your organization in this energy-giving conversation.
Freddie Wehbe says it best: "Business is all about Anticipation, Preparation, and Execution." Whether he is operating the best Dominos franchise in the world, creating a world-class celebrity restaurant concept, or consulting with companies on various marketing efforts, Freddie Wehbe puts his heart and soul into every endeavor. Listen to this episode to learn about his experience in franchising, employee fraud, podcasting, and more...
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