From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, we sit down with Mike Goldenstein to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, and what it really takes to build a long-term career in the trades and construction industries.

With more than three decades of experience across multiple sides of business, Mike shares lessons learned from building companies, navigating industry changes, developing sales teams, embracing techno...

What does it really take to turn an idea into a successful business — and what happens when that success puts a target on your back?

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, Amanda Sima shares her journey from entrepreneur and innovator to navigating the complex world of patents, intellectual property, licensing, and legal battles. This conversation dives deep into the realities of entrepreneurship that most people never s...

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, we sit down with Chris Zimmerman for a deep conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, roofing, artificial intelligence, faith, family, and what it takes to continue building after achieving success.

Chris shares lessons learned from growing businesses in the blue collar world while also embracing emerging technology and AI. We discuss the realities of scaling a company, the mindset...

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, host Erick Loden sits down with Deputy Adrian Keeler, a 20-year law enforcement veteran, community leader, family man, and candidate for Sheriff, for an in-depth conversation about leadership, service, faith, character, and the challenges facing communities across Wyoming.

Adrian shares lessons learned from two decades behind the badge, what it means to lead under pressure, the importance...

What does it take to turn boys into capable, disciplined, purpose-driven men in today’s world?

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, host Erick Loden sits down with Jesse Boulden for a powerful conversation about masculinity, leadership, discipline, service, and the growing crisis facing young men in America.

Jesse shares the mission behind ALERT Academy and explains how structure, responsibility, hard work, faith, and ...

What’s actually holding you back from the next level of success?

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, Katherine Flechaus dives deep into the hidden belief systems that quietly shape the way high performers think, act, and grow. If you’ve ever felt stuck despite doing all the “right” things, this conversation uncovers why—and what to do about it.

You’ll learn how subconscious patterns influ...

Faith Hamlin didn’t stumble into a new life… she chose it.

What started as a “planned midlife crisis” — a temporary move to Wyoming — turned into something much bigger. In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, Faith shares how stepping outside the expected path led her to a life built on grit, independence, and an entrepreneurial mindset shaped from a young age.

We dive into what it really me...

What does it take to go from working on the shop floor… to helping shape the future of energy and heavy industry?

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, we sit down with Mike Wandler to talk about building a career in the real world—starting in hands-on, blue-collar work and evolving into cutting-edge conversations around AI, industrial innovation, and next-generation energy solutions like microreactors.

This is a...

Steve Van Buskirk has spent decades developing land, shaping neighborhoods, and helping turn Sioux Falls into one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. With over 6,600 lots and 100+ developments to his name, his work isn’t just measured in projects—it’s measured in impact.

In this conversation, we break down what it really takes to build at scale—from raw dirt to fully developed communities.

No hype....

What does it really take to start over… when you have nothing?

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, Attila Zold shares a story that most people will never fully understand—growing up in Romania under government control, coming to the United States, and rebuilding his life from scratch… more than once.

No shortcuts. No safety net. Just grit.

From working in oil & gas to grinding it out in the roofing i...

Most business owners in the trades know how to build—but far fewer know how to protect what they’ve built or cash out the right way.

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, we dive into the legal and strategic side of business ownership that too many entrepreneurs ignore until it’s too late. From airtight contracts and smart structuring to avoiding costly mistakes during a sale, this conversation breaks down w...

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, we sit down with Ricardo Torres to break down what it really takes to transition from military discipline into building multiple income streams and scalable businesses.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level entrepreneurship talk. We dive into the mindset required to pivot, adapt, and execute at a high level—whether you’re in the military, corporate America, or already bu...

What if the very thing driving your success… is quietly burning you out?

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, Dr. Alicia Newsome breaks down the hidden cost of high performance—and why so many driven, successful people are running on empty behind the scenes.

We’ve been sold the idea that more hustle, more hours, and more pressure lead to better results. But what happens when that mindset starts costing you...

Most entrepreneurs spend their time thinking about growth. Very few spend enough time thinking about risk.

But the truth is—one unexpected event can threaten everything you’ve built.

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, I sit down with Van Carlsen, a nationally recognized expert in risk management and alternative insurance strategies. Raised on a farm and now working with thousands of business owners across the c...

What does it really take to build a cattle company from the ground up?

In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, we sit down with Dave Perry, the man behind Perry Cattle Company, to talk about the realities of ranching, building a business in agriculture, and the grit it takes to chase a life on the land.

Dave shares his story of growing up around ranching, the lessons learned along the way, and how faith, persistence, and hard w...

This might be the most raw and honest conversation we’ve ever had on From The Ground Up Show.

In this episode, Erick sits down with Adam Fink—entrepreneur, former Marine, search and rescue volunteer, husband, father, and the co-owner of Clear Creek Septic Service and Laird Sanitation.

What starts as a conversation about building a small service business quickly turns into something deeper. Adam opens up about the realit...

What happens when two entrepreneurs with construction grit, electrical expertise, and a shared obsession with doing things the right way decide to bet on solar?

In this episode of From The Ground Up, Erick sits down with Alex and Brian, co-founders of Green Ridge Solar, to unpack how a chance connection (thanks to their wives), a background in real estate and electrical work, and a commitment to serving their neighbors turned into ...

In this episode of From the Ground Up Show, Erick sits down with serial entrepreneur Bob Zimmercheid for a powerful, down-to-earth conversation about grit, faith, integrity, and building a life that lasts.

From growing up on a ranch—breaking horses, running farm equipment as a kid, and learning responsibility early—to owning restaurants, hardware stores, and real estate holdings, Bob shares the lessons that shaped him i...

What happens when a wildland firefighter walks away from the fireline… and decides to build something that lasts?

In this episode of From The Ground Up, we sit down with an entrepreneur who made the leap from public service to private enterprise — transforming small-town roots into an internationally recognized mead brand.

This is more than a business story.

It’s a conversation about identity, risk, and the coura...