The 57th episode of Simply Business features a powerful founder story that’s as timely as it is moving. Michael Sandefur, co-founder of SafeEvac, shares how his journey from environmental consulting to inventing a school safety technology was driven by purpose and prayer.

Following national tragedies and a conversation with his co-founder, Michael realized that chaos, not just violence is the killer in school shootings.

That insight led to the development of SafeEvac: a cutting-edge emergency system embedded in exit signs.

These signs now use AI, microphones, cameras, and sensors to detect threats and guide people in real time during emergencies giving voice and direction where there's typically only panic.

The system helps first responders navigate to threats in seconds, using light signals and audio cues.

And while the school market is a focus, the solution is scalable to government, commercial, and industrial buildings worldwide.

Michael’s passion and humility shine as he walks us through invention, funding, and validation and the emotional moments that fuel his mission.

🎧 Tune in to hear

• How a simple exit sign became a lifesaving smart device

• The power of faith, purpose, and invention at any age

• What it takes to take an idea to a 10-patent product and a 10-person startup team

• Why bipartisan support and grassroots momentum could make SafeEvac a national standard

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to support more stories like this one.

How Brad Blankenship scaled a startup from the back of a truck into a regional commercial powerhouse by staying people-focused, faith-led, and future-minded.

⭐ Inspirational Snippet: “You have to be motivated by something greater than the dollar… You have to want to help people. You have to want to be a problem solver.”

How do you grow a construction company from the back of a car to 80+ employees and hundreds of subcontractors? For Brad Blankenship, CEO of Skyguard Commercial Services, it started with faith, grit, and a desire to serve.

In the 56th episode of Simply Business, Brad Blankenship shares the inside story of how Skyguard pivoted from residential roofing to large-scale commercial projects, working with hospitals, multifamily podium builds, and some of the nation’s top general contractors.

Brad opens up about the values that drive his leadership from creating opportunities for immigrant professionals to ensuring his employees can be home on weekends.

This is more than a business success story it's a blueprint for scaling with heart, leading through challenge, and building something that lasts.

🔹 Creating a culture of opportunity, respect, and growth

🔹 Transitioning from small residential jobs to complex commercial work

🔹 The role of faith in business leadership

🔹 Overcoming unexpected shocks like COVID and global supply disruptions

🔹 Staying humble, mission-driven, and team-focused

👉 Tune in for practical inspiration on how to scale a company while staying grounded.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show!

In the 55th episode of Simply Business, John sits down with Paula Blankenship, founder of a thriving DTC paint brand, to unpack her extraordinary entrepreneurial journey.

From humble beginnings at her kitchen table to scaling into an 8-figure powerhouse,

Paula shares how she transformed a simple DIY project into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Discover how early Facebook traction validated her business idea, why she ditched big-box retail for direct-to-consumer success, and how she navigated pandemic-induced chaos to take control of her supply chain by acquiring her contract manufacturer.

Paula opens up about the tough decisions, like scrapping lucrative deals for long-term freedom, and her inspiring choice to share ownership with her employees through an ESOP.

Key themes include:

Turning passion into profit Pivoting from wholesale to DTC

Leadership resilience in crisis

The power of employee ownership

Building a business for legacy, not just exit

🎯 Listen in for Paula's "lead from the trees" philosophy and a refreshing take on running a business by intuition, not instruction manuals.

If you’re building, growing, or exiting your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-talk wisdom.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review!

In the 54th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with David Galownia, CEO and Owner of Slingshot, a Louisville-based tech services firm that's celebrating 20 years in business.

David shares his journey from youthful entrepreneur — running a paper route at age 10 — to leading a company that helps bring tech ideas to life for startups, small businesses, and large enterprises alike.

Together, they unpack the realities of entrepreneurship, including the often misunderstood challenge of market development versus product creation. David offers candid insights on building a sustainable business, fostering independence, and leading with pride in your work.

If you're an entrepreneur, tech innovator, or simply someone hungry for grounded business wisdom, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.

Tune in now and get inspired to build beyond the idea. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow business builders!

In the 53 episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Shawn Herbig, founder of IQS Research and Bluegrass Bitters, to explore two very different entrepreneurial journeys—one rooted in analytics, and the other in artisanal flavor.

Shawn shares how he left a successful role at Ford Motor Company to chase a lifelong dream of business ownership. Over the past 25+ years, he’s built IQS Research into a respected data analytics firm—and more recently, decided to turn his hobby of crafting cocktail bitters into a second venture: Bluegrass Bitters.

This conversation dives into the reality of switching roles (sales, ops, management) within your own business, how AI is challenging the integrity of information, and why critical thinking has never been more important. Plus, hear how a research-minded entrepreneur builds a beverage brand from scratch—with obsessively detailed business planning, market insights, and just a splash of creative storytelling.

In this episode:

• Wearing all the hats (and which ones actually pay)
• The danger of scaling bad AI answers
• Why starting a second business is like starting over—with more wisdom
• Passion vs. execution: why you need both
• What every aspiring entrepreneur should do before launching

Whether you’re in data, drinks, or just dreaming of your next business move, Shawn’s insight is packed with practical wisdom.

In the 52nd episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Bill Reynolds, President of Element 502, to explore the raw and real journey of turning around a struggling marketing agency.

Bill opens up about how he went from a consultant to business owner overnight—after a leap of faith (and prayer) with his wife. He shares what happened when he lost his biggest client five days into ownership, how he led his team through some very challenging times, and why integrity, honesty, and relationship-first values have helped Element 502 thrive.

With a refreshingly transparent look at entrepreneurship, Bill explains what “Passengers, Not Hostages” really means, why marketing shouldn’t be the first budget cut, and how to navigate today's AI-influenced business world.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, servant leadership, and staying true to your values in business.

👉 Tune in to learn:

• What makes a marketing agency really stand out
• How to lead a team through uncertainty
• The power of saying “no” to bad business
• Why entrepreneurs need accountability—even if they don’t like it

🎧 Listen now and be inspired by a story that proves heart, hustle, and humility still win.

In the 51 episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Brady Jolly,

President and Owner of Jolly Plumbing Drains, Heating and Air.

Brady shares the remarkable story of taking over his family business, founded in 1979, and transforming it into a thriving, multi-service home solutions company in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati.

Brady discusses the challenges of leading a second-generation business, the bold transition from commercial to residential services, and navigating major industry shifts, including launching an HVAC division during the height of COVID-19.

He also provides key insights on leadership, company culture, and work-life alignment, including Jolly Plumbing’s groundbreaking decision to eliminate on-call work, prioritizing employee well-being.

This episode is packed with valuable lessons on scaling a business, leading through adversity, and building a company that prioritizes both employees and customers.

🎧 Listen now to hear:

✔️ The key to successfully transitioning a family business

✔️ Why company culture and employee happiness drive business success

✔️ How to embrace failure and pivot during uncertain times

✔️ The power of strategic growth and smart delegation

📢 Don’t miss this conversation filled with insights, inspiration, and practical takeaways for business owners and leaders alike!

In the 50th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Larry Baker, a real estate broker, investor, and entrepreneur who has built a thriving business across Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida. Larry shares his journey from sales—starting in the car industry—to becoming a top real estate agent, broker, and investor. He now leads a brokerage with over 40 agents and has built long-term wealth through smart real estate investing. In this episode, Larry breaks down:

The truth about being a real estate agent (vs. common myths) How he scaled his brokerage and built a multi-state real estate business The best strategies for investing in real estate—without making rookie mistakes The challenges of getting financing as a self-employed investor & how he worked around it His top advice for real estate agents looking to grow their business

Whether you’re considering a career in real estate or looking for smart ways to invest, Larry’s insights are packed with practical advice you can use today.