After building and selling Message Broadcast in a deal worth nearly $300 million, Bill Potter thought he might retire.
Instead, he started over.

In this episode of Good Business, Clay Vaughan and Luke Frazier welcome back Bill Potter to discuss what happened after his nine-figure exit, why he chose to lead DataCapable, and what he's learned about leadership, talent, AI, purpose, and legacy.

Bill shares why successful entrepreneurs don't stop creating, how he rebuilt one of the fastest-growing software companies in the utility industry, and why the greatest reward in business isn't money—it's the people whose lives you impact along the way.

From artificial intelligence and utility infrastructure to nonprofit work and servant leadership, this conversation is filled with wisdom from someone who has spent decades building companies and helping others do the same.
If you're a founder, executive, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to build a life that matters, this episode is for you.

In this episode:
• Why Bill returned to building after a $300 million exit
• How DataCapable is transforming the utility industry
• Why AI won't replace wisdom and judgment
• The importance of making it easy to do business with you
• Building a world-class management team
• Why hiring mistakes cost time more than money
• Lessons learned from a mountain of mistakes
• How nonprofit work made Bill a better leader
• Why leadership is stewardship, not position
• The importance of beginning with the end in mind
• Creating wealth versus creating a legacy
• What defines good business

Quote from the Episode
"Leadership is not about position or title. It is about stewardship."

About Bill Potter
Bill Potter is the former CEO of Message Broadcast, which was acquired in a deal valued at nearly $300 million. Today, he serves as CEO of DataCapable, where he is leading the development of next-generation software solutions for utilities across North America. Bill is also deeply involved in philanthropic work supporting vulnerable children through Olive Crest.
Subscribe for more conversations with founders and leaders who are using business as a force for good.

#GoodBusiness #BillPotter #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #AI #DataCapable #BusinessPodcast #ServantLeadership #FounderStory #BusinessGrowth #UtilityIndustry #Legacy #CompanyCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #ArtificialIntelligence

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In this episode of Good Business, Clay Vaughan and Luke Frazier sit down with Power Ray founders Jarel Ray and Nefi LeBaron to discuss entrepreneurship, culture, leadership, and why they believe the future of energy will require entirely new ways of thinking.

From humble beginnings in Mexico to building one of the fastest-growing utility-scale solar companies in Texas, Jarel and Nefi share how hard work, faith, and a commitment to people have fueled their vision of creating a billion-dollar company built on purpose.

In this episode:
• Why Jarel believes major power outages could be coming to Texas
• The future of decentralized energy and community power systems
• Building a solar company in the heart of oil country
• Growing from 30 employees to hundreds in record time
• Scaling culture in a high-growth business
• Why integrity sometimes means walking away from money
• Lessons from growing up with very little in Mexico
• The role of faith, purpose, and service in leadership
• Why business should be about more than profit
• What defines a truly good business

Jarel and Nefi's story is a powerful reminder that great businesses are built by great people—and that success is ultimately about serving others.

If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, leader, or someone who believes business can be a force for good, this conversation is for you.

Key Moments:
00:00 Why Texas Could Face Major Power Outages
05:09 Meet Power Ray
08:08 Scaling From 30 to Hundreds of Employees
13:16 Building Solar in Oil Country
18:38 Where Drive and Ambition Come From
24:13 Empowering People Through Business
29:44 Growing Up in Mexico
41:20 Wrestling Crocodiles and Childhood Adventures
46:43 How Power Ray Was Founded
55:04 Is Texas Headed Toward Another Grid Crisis?
1:00:57 The Future of Energy
1:12:04 Why Core Values Matter
1:22:53 Building a Billion-Dollar Company
1:24:28 What Defines Good Business?

Subscribe to Good Business for more conversations with founders and leaders who are using business as a force for good.

#GoodBusiness #PowerRay #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #TexasEnergy #SolarEnergy #BusinessPodcast #CompanyCulture #SmallBusiness #FounderStory

Support the show

This show is sponsored by Rocketfuel, a CRM that has helped thousands of small business owners organize and automate their communications so that nothing slips through the cracks and their top-line capacity can grow. Try it risk-free today at https://www.rocketfuel.software!

What separates elite leaders and top-performing companies from everyone else?
According to Matt Harris, it is not just strategy.
It is psychology.

In this episode of Good Business, Clay and Luke sit down with Matt Harris, former Tony Robbins coach, former StoryBrand sales leader, and current talent development leader at CAZ Investments, for a deep conversation about leadership, hiring, emotional intelligence, culture, sales, and the psychology behind high performance.

Matt shares lessons from coaching entrepreneurs, executives, and high achievers for more than two decades, including what he learned working alongside Tony Robbins, Donald Miller, and the leadership team at CAZ Investments.

This episode explores how founders accidentally become bottlenecks, why culture must be intentionally built, how emotional patterns shape business outcomes, and why the best leaders focus on people just as much as profits.
If you are a founder, entrepreneur, sales leader, executive, or someone trying to build a healthier team and business, this conversation is packed with wisdom and practical insight.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why 80% of success in business is psychology
The hidden emotional patterns shaping leadership decisions
How Tony Robbins influenced Matt’s coaching philosophy
Why culture must be actively reinforced, not just written on a wall
How to identify “motor” and hunger in potential hires
The biggest hiring mistakes founders make
Why unhealthy significance destroys teams
The connection between sales, coaching, and empathy
How limiting beliefs quietly sabotage businesses and careers
Why founders struggle to let go of control
How CAZ Investments scales culture while growing rapidly
Why state management is critical for leadership and performance

Key moments:
00:00 “You don’t want garlic in your chocolate cake”
01:00 Introducing Matt Harris
02:00 How CAZ Investments hires and scales culture intentionally
04:00 The psychology behind hiring and leadership
08:00 Why emotions matter in high-performing organizations
11:00 Matt’s upbringing and learning hustle from his family
14:00 Discovering Tony Robbins through cassette tapes
16:00 The intense Tony Robbins coaching interview process
19:00 “80% of the game is psychology”
22:00 Story, state, and strategy explained
27:00 Driving from Iowa to Dallas to chase an opportunity
33:00 How coaching and sales are actually connected
38:00 Why empathy is the secret to great sales
42:00 Coaching leaders through limiting beliefs
45:00 Practical culture advice for founders and CEOs
50:00 The “24 promises” at CAZ Investments
57:00 Matt’s changing definition of success and control
1:00:00 Lessons from Tony Robbins, Donald Miller, and Christopher Zook
1:03:00 What makes CAZ Investments unique
1:06:00 The question every founder should ask themselves

About Matt Harris:
Matt Harris is a leadership coach, talent strategist, and sales leader who previously coached with Tony Robbins and helped build sales systems at StoryBrand. Today, he serves at CAZ Investments, helping shape company culture, leadership development, and talent acquisition for one of the fastest-growing investment firms in the country.

About CAZ Investments:
CAZ Investments is a thematic investment firm focused on long-term alignment, strategic investing, and identifying high-conviction opportunities across industries. The firm emphasizes disciplined investing, culture, and partnership alignment.

Connect with Matt Harris:
CAZ Investments: https://cazinvestments.com
If this episode encouraged or challenged you, share it with a founder, leader, entrepreneur, or team member who needs to hear it.

#GoodBusiness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #TonyRobbins #StoryBrand #BusinessGrowth #CompanyCulture #Hiring #SalesLeadership #BusinessStrategy #FounderLife #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalDevelopment #CAZInvestments #DonaldMiller #LeadershipDevelopment #StartupGrowth #BusinessPodcast #HighPerformance #EntrepreneurMindset

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This show is sponsored by Rocketfuel, a CRM that has helped thousands of small business owners organize and automate their communications so that nothing slips through the cracks and their top-line capacity can grow. Try it risk-free today at https://www.rocketfuel.software!

What makes someone walk away from a six-figure consulting career to start an apparel company with their best friends?

In this episode of Good Business, Clay and Luke sit down with Daniel Propp, co-founder of Custom Supply Group, to talk about entrepreneurship, business partnerships, founder fears, scaling culture, faith, leadership, and building a premium brand in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

Daniel shares his journey from studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama and working at Alvarez & Marsal to taking the leap into entrepreneurship alongside two childhood friends. Together, they unpack the emotional realities of building a business, navigating partnerships, hiring, scaling, culture, fear of failure, and why relationships matter more than revenue.

This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply encouraging for founders, entrepreneurs, operators, and anyone considering taking the leap into building something of their own.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why Daniel walked away from consulting to build an apparel company
The hidden emotional challenges founders face
Why fear of failure stops most people from starting
How childhood, faith, and immigrant parents shaped Daniel’s work ethic
What makes business partnerships succeed or fail
Why communication is everything between co-founders
How bitterness and comparison quietly damage teams
Why founders must define roles clearly to scale
The danger of trying to “look smart” instead of asking questions
Why culture matters more than products
How premium brands avoid the race to the bottom
The future of education, AI, and entrepreneurship

Key moments:
00:00 From six-figure consultant to apparel founder
02:00 Why Daniel left engineering and consulting
04:00 Growing up in a Russian-speaking immigrant household
06:00 Faith, sacrifice, and learning work ethic from his parents
08:00 Advice from Alvarez & Marsal leadership before leaving
11:00 Fear of failure and people-pleasing as a founder
15:00 Starting a company with childhood friends
18:00 The realities of business partnerships
20:00 Bitterness, comparison, and communication between founders
23:00 Do partnerships slow businesses down?
27:00 Defining company culture and shared vision
30:00 Why founders need structure and SOPs to scale
33:00 Learning sales from scratch in a brutal industry
37:00 Why the apparel industry is a race to the bottom
40:00 Building premium apparel instead of commodity products
43:00 “Fans first” and creating partners instead of customers
45:00 Scaling beyond founder dependency
54:00 The biggest mistake founders make: refusing to ask questions
57:00 Identity beyond business success
1:00:00 Daniel’s thoughts on AI and the future of education
1:03:00 The question Daniel leaves for the next founder guest
Standout Quotes:
“The biggest pain point was trying not to look dumb.”
“If at any point this business gets in the way of our relationship, we’re shutting it down.”
“You have to work extra hard when you’re building with people remotely because the lies start to creep in.”
“I am not a businessman first. I’m first and foremost a child of God.”
About Daniel Propp:

Daniel Propp is the co-founder of Custom Supply Group, a premium B2B apparel company creating brand-forward custom apparel for businesses, events, and organizations. Before launching the company, Daniel worked at Alvarez & Marsal after studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama.

Learn more about Custom Supply Group:
https://customsupplygroup.com

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with another founder, entrepreneur, or business owner trying to build something meaningful.

#GoodBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #FounderJourney #Leadership #SmallBusiness #StartupLife #BusinessPodcast #CompanyCulture #BusinessPartnerships #Sales #Marketing #FaithAndBusiness #BusinessOwner #StartupGrowth #CustomSupplyGroup #FounderLife #AI #BusinessStrategy #EntrepreneurMindset

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This show is sponsored by Rocketfuel, a CRM that has helped thousands of small business owners organize and automate their communications so that nothing slips through the cracks and their top-line capacity can grow. Try it risk-free today at https://www.rocketfuel.software!

What actually breaks a growing business?

According to growth operator Chris Piper, it usually is not marketing.
It is not sales.
And it is not the economy.

It is the founder.

In this episode of Good Business, Clay and Luke sit down with Chris Piper to unpack the hidden operational and leadership issues that quietly stall businesses before they ever reach their potential.

Chris shares lessons from scaling startups, working with major entrepreneurs like Cody Sanchez, helping grow companies into eight figures, and stepping into struggling organizations to identify the real problems founders often cannot see.

This conversation dives deep into leadership, operational bottlenecks, AI, revenue operations, founder psychology, scaling teams, and why real operators subtract instead of endlessly adding complexity.

If you are a founder, entrepreneur, marketer, operator, or leader trying to grow a company without burning yourself and your team out, this episode is packed with practical insight.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why founders are often the biggest bottleneck in their business
• The difference between growth marketing and true business operations
• Why sales and marketing teams struggle to work together
• How operational constraints quietly kill growth
• What “growth operator” actually means
• Why sequencing problems matters more than solving random issues
• How AI is reshaping consulting, agencies, and operations
• Why community is essential for entrepreneurs
• The emotional side of leadership and scaling a business
• Why real operators subtract instead of constantly adding

Key moments:
00:00 “Real operators subtract”
01:00 Introducing Chris Piper
04:00 Chris shares how he first became fascinated with business
08:00 Lying his way into his first marketing agency role
12:00 Why becoming a better human made him a better marketer
17:00 Finding purpose beyond money and titles
22:00 Lessons from Scribe Media and working with authors
29:00 Building Cody Sanchez’s media company and Contrarian Thinking
36:00 Why business ownership is harder than people think
42:00 Why AI is creating massive opportunities right now
49:00 What a “growth operator” actually does
58:00 Why founders create silos in their businesses
1:05:00 The hidden leadership problems hurting companies
1:13:00 Why most businesses do not actually have a marketing problem
1:20:00 The emotional realities of entrepreneurship
1:28:00 Chris shares his personal story about family court, IVF, and resilience
1:35:00 The question every founder should ask themselves

About Chris Piper:
Chris Piper is a growth operator, entrepreneur, and advisor who helps founders identify operational bottlenecks, align revenue and operations, and scale companies more effectively. He has worked with major startups and growth-stage businesses including Scribe Media and Contrarian Thinking with Cody Sanchez.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with another founder, operator, or entrepreneur trying to grow a healthier business.

#GoodBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Operations #StartupGrowth #FounderJourney #SmallBusiness #BusinessStrategy #Marketing #Sales #AIForBusiness #CodySanchez #RevenueOperations #BusinessOwner #FounderLife #GrowthOperator #EntrepreneurMindset #ScalingBusiness #BusinessPodcast

Support the show

This show is sponsored by Rocketfuel, a CRM that has helped thousands of small business owners organize and automate their communications so that nothing slips through the cracks and their top-line capacity can grow. Try it risk-free today at https://www.rocketfuel.software!

Why do most business owners feel more alone today than the day they started?

In this episode of Good Business, Clay and Luke sit down with Sean Sidders of Mallard Agency to unpack why brand isn't about logos or marketing; it's about clarity, leadership, and creating a safe place for your people. Sean has guided 100+ mid-market business owners through the hardest part of owning a company: the people's side. And in this conversation, he reveals why confusion and pain are silently destroying small businesses, and how clarity and excellence are the real path forward.

From the "control more" trap that crushes culture, to why peace in your heart directly impacts your profit margins, to how to lead with vision while staying flexible enough to pivot when the market shifts—this conversation is raw, honest, and deeply practical. If you've ever wondered why you feel alone in business, or why your team doesn't reflect the culture you claim to have, this episode is for you.

This is not a theory. This is what is happening right now to business owners in your network.

What you will learn in this episode:
Why business owners feel confused, alone, and misunderstood—and what actually fixes it
How to define brand (and why most founders get it completely wrong)
The emotional cost of scaling and the people you lose along the way
Why "control more, succeed more" is destroying your culture
How peace in your heart directly translates to profit in your business
The working genius framework: why hiring the opposite of you is the winning move
How to build systems that survive market chaos (AI, tariffs, politics, uncertainty)
Why honesty is the one hiring trait that predicts long-term loyalty

Key moments:
0:00 The harsh reality: Business owners feel completely alone
5:15 What brand actually is (and why founders keep missing it)
12:00 The emotional burden of scaling a team
18:30 Why peace in your heart impacts your bottom line
25:00 The control trap: Why letting go actually grows your business
32:15 Building flexible systems for uncertain markets
40:00 The working genius: Hiring people different than you
48:00 Leadership lessons on clarity and vision
55:30 Why honesty matters more than skills in hiring
1:02:00 The apology that changed everything

Sean Sidders is the founder and CEO of Mallard Agency, a branding and strategy firm based in South Lake, Texas. Working with 10–50 million dollar mid-market businesses, Sean specializes in translating founder clarity into brand strategy and helping leaders move from confusion to conviction.

If you care about business, leadership, people, and building something that actually matters, hit subscribe.

#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #BrandStrategy #BusinessCulture #Leadership #BlueCollar #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurLife #GoodBusiness #MallardAgency #SeanSidders #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipLessons #Purpose #BusinessStrategy

Support the show

This show is sponsored by Rocketfuel, a CRM that has helped thousands of small business owners organize and automate their communications so that nothing slips through the cracks and their top-line capacity can grow. Try it risk-free today at https://www.rocketfuel.software!

Is the American dream of small business ownership slipping away?

In this episode of Good Business, Clay and Luke sit down with Joseph Cabrera of American Operator to unpack a crisis most people aren’t talking about. Locally owned businesses across America are disappearing.

From retiring owners with no succession plan to private equity rollups stripping the soul out of companies to a generation that does not want to take over “boring” businesses, this conversation goes deep.

Joseph shares what he learned from growing up around small business owners, his time in the military, and how he is now working to preserve the backbone of American communities.

This is not theory. This is what is happening right now and what we can do about it.

What you will learn in this episode:
Why small businesses are quietly disappearing across America
The real emotional toll of selling a business you built from scratch
How private equity is changing local communities for better or worse
Why most people are completely unprepared to own a business
The leadership traits required to succeed in blue collar industries
How American Operator is rebuilding ownership the right way
Why “boring businesses” might be the most meaningful work you can do

Key moments:
00:00 The harsh reality of business ownership
01:00 The hidden crisis facing small businesses
02:30 Why the next generation does not want to take over
05:00 Leadership lessons from the military
10:00 The emotional side of selling a business
15:00 Private equity vs local ownership
22:00 The danger of chasing wealth instead of purpose
30:00 Why most people fail at owning a business
40:00 The American Operator model explained
50:00 Advice for struggling business owners
1:00:00 The question that changes everything

Joseph Cabrera is the founder of American Operator, an organization dedicated to helping transition small businesses into the hands of capable, values driven leaders while preserving legacy, jobs, and community impact.
If you care about business, leadership, and building something that actually matters, hit subscribe.

#SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #PrivateEquity #AmericanEconomy #BuyABusiness #Leadership #BlueCollar #LocalBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #GoodBusiness #AmericanOperator #BusinessLegacy #SuccessionPlanning #Capitalism #BusinessStrategy

Support the show

This show is sponsored by Rocketfuel, a CRM that has helped thousands of small business owners organize and automate their communications so that nothing slips through the cracks and their top-line capacity can grow. Try it risk-free today at https://www.rocketfuel.software!

What if compliance were not just a cost but a competitive advantage?
In this episode of Good Business, we sit down with environmental consultant Elena Hofmann to unpack the real role of environmental compliance in the oil and gas industry and why it is one of the most misunderstood value drivers in business today

With over 30 years of experience and a boutique firm specializing in air quality compliance, Elena shares how she built a career translating complex regulations into practical solutions that protect businesses, people, and the environment

From walking into her first refinery as one of the only women in the field to building trusted long-term client relationships, this conversation is packed with insight on leadership, risk management, and what it really means to create value

If you are a business owner, operator, or leader navigating compliance, regulation, or growth, this episode will challenge how you think about risk, trust, and opportunity

What You Will Learn:
Why environmental compliance is more than just checking a box
How regulatory risk can cost companies millions and how to avoid it
The hidden value in understanding emissions, operations, and reporting
Why trust not transactions is the foundation of long term client relationships
How to lead teams and develop confident capable leaders
The biggest mistake CEOs make when it comes to compliance
How to deliver hard truths to clients while maintaining strong relationships
Why the oil and gas industry is often misunderstood and why that matters

Key Takeaways:
Compliance done right reduces risk protects reputation and preserves resources
Ignorance of regulations does not protect you it exposes you
The best consultants act as guides and partners not enforcers
Strong businesses are built on trust transparency and long term relationships
Leadership starts with caring about people and helping them grow

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro Why this episode matters
01:00 Meet Elena Hofmann
03:00 What environmental consultants actually do
06:00 Why compliance matters in oil and gas
10:00 Avoiding penalties risk and operational failures
14:00 Early career challenges and lessons
20:00 Finding your niche and building expertise
27:00 Turning compliance into value
35:00 Building trust with clients
42:00 Choosing the right clients
50:00 Handling high-risk and criminal compliance cases
58:00 Leadership culture and developing teams
1:08:00 Why the industry is so complex
1:18:00 The biggest compliance mistake CEOs make
1:25:00 Reputation risk and doing it right
1:32:00 Final thoughts and lessons

About the Guest:
Elena Hofmann is an environmental consultant specializing in air quality compliance for the oil and gas industry. With over three decades of experience, she helps companies navigate complex regulations, reduce risk, and operate responsibly while maintaining efficiency and profitability

Subscribe for More:
If you are building something meaningful and want real conversations about business leadership and impact, subscribe to Good Business
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who is building, leading, or navigating risk in their business. It might be exactly what they need to hear

Support the show

This show is sponsored by Rocketfuel, a CRM that has helped thousands of small business owners organize and automate their communications so that nothing slips through the cracks and their top-line capacity can grow. Try it risk-free today at https://www.rocketfuel.software!