Failing to Success

How He Built a $60M Playground Business He didn’t just sell playground equipment—he took over the industry. ?? Bought the best domains—PlaygroundEquipment, Playgrounds. ?? Built a massive wholesale operation that sells for him. ?? Started D2C, then pivoted—and it changed everything. In 2019, he made the switch to distribution partners. That move alone added $20M in revenue. Now, his business dominates through wholesale, distribution, and digital real estate. I go deep into this with Nic on Episode 419 of Failing to Success. Nicolas Breedlove PlaygroundEquipment.com Failing to Success

How This Guy Built a $180M Construction Services Company In 2006, Matt read The E-Myth—and one lesson changed everything. Most businesses fail because the owner works in the business, not on the business. So he stepped back. He replaced himself in daily operations. By 2017, GPRS hit $40M in revenue—and a private equity partnership helped him scale even further. Through 10 strategic acquisitions, GPRS expanded to 54 U.S. cities, turning a one-person operation into an 800-employee powerhouse. Now, it’s a $180M industry leader. The full story with Matt on Episode 410 of Failing to Success. Matt Aston GPRS Failing to Success

How He Turned Party Punch Into a $100M Business In 2011, Justin put together a prototype—Franzia bags filled with vodka, Crystal Light, and food coloring. They took it to tailgates. People started throwing money at them. By 2014, BeatBox had $200K in revenue—but they wanted more. That same year, they pitched on Shark Tank and landed one of the biggest deals in the show’s history—$1M from Mark Cuban. Now, they’ve turned their party punch into a $100M brand. I dive deep into this story with Justin on Episode 413 of Failing to Success. Justin Fenchel BeatBox Failing to Success

How a Lawsuit Helped Build a $13M Cookie Business In 2021, he got sued by a billion-dollar corporation. Instead of backing down, he turned the fight into fuel. ?? Pre-sold 450 franchises before even opening. ?? Launched 80 stores by 2022. ?? Turned a lawsuit into a viral PR campaign. Crumbl Cookies sued him, claiming ownership of sprinkled toppings and whimsical cookie designs. His response? "Crumbl thinks they own sprinkle toppings? Watch out, Grandma." The billboards exploded. The lawsuit backfired. Dirty Dough went viral. The business raked in $5M in franchise fees. Want the full story? Catch Episode 418 of Failing to Success. Bennett Maxwell Dirty Dough Failing to Success

In my opinion, creating a cohesive Culture isn't about hiring people that look like you, or even come from the same background ... Our Culture has been refined by our Core Values and a shared mission & vision for the future. Thanks for the platform to share how I've personally failed to success, Chad Kaleky ????

Partnerships can fuel growth—or derail it. The key to sustainable success lies in finding value-aligned partners who share your company’s vision and core values. It’s not just about securing funding; it’s about building relationships with investors who believe in your mission and support your long-term goals. When values align, trust strengthens, decisions become easier, and growth accelerates in the right direction. On the other hand, misalignment can lead to conflict, compromised integrity, and a dilution of purpose. A partner should bring more than capital—they should bring strategic insight, shared ambition, and a commitment to growing the business the right way. Because true success isn’t just measured in numbers, but in the people who help bring the vision to life. Episode 422 of Failing to Success is now live on all your favorite podcast platforms! Tyler Dunagin, CEO of Turnserv and Chad Kaleky, CEO of FTS Growth Studio — Want to appear on the FTS Podcast? Send me a DM and we can chat! Ashley Mueller Evan Hayslip Lance Hansen Dawson Kindall Nathan Tarter Marnetta Singleton Nathan Tarter

Growth doesn’t happen by chance—it’s a result of deliberate focus and consistent effort. A strong company thrives on more than just revenue; it flourishes through culture, strategic growth planning, and goal setting that align with a bigger vision. And here’s the key—embedding a culture of growth fuels momentum and sets the stage for breakthrough achievements. But growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people. Employee ownership has been a game-changer, fostering deeper commitment and loyalty. With 30% of the company now owned by employees, they don’t just work for the business—they help shape its future, actively contributing to its expansion and success. Because when employees have a stake in the outcome, they invest more than just their time—they invest their passion. How does your organization empower employees to take ownership of growth? Episode 421 of Failing to Success is now live on all your favorite podcast platforms! Trevor Muir, President of Surepoint Group and Chad Kaleky, CEO of FTS Growth Studio — Want to appear on the FTS Podcast? Send me a DM and we can chat! Cameron Cragg Ward Mungall Ieva Kimonte, BA, MS, DBM Tom Redl Joe Johnson Shaun Johnstone Jeff C Bailey Martin Socha Clint Wynn Justin Barker Kevin Shillito Ron Brown Jason Nolan Chris Labrecque Kristy Whetham Andrew Gudmundseth Gary Wilson Michael Bailey Kevin Cummins Aaron Lepp Jennifer Knoedler Kitty Freeborn Kevin Love

When faced with the Crumbl Cookies lawsuit, we saw more than just a legal challenge—we saw an opportunity. Instead of shying away, we leaned in with humor and bold marketing strategies, reframing the narrative to capture public attention. Our approach didn’t just defuse tension—it transformed the lawsuit into a moment that rallied public support and ignited a media frenzy. The unexpected strategy not only boosted brand visibility but also showcased our ability to turn obstacles into opportunities. It’s proof that, with the right perspective, even the most challenging situations can become defining moments. Episode 418 of Failing to Success is now live on all your favorite podcast platforms! Bennett Maxwell, Chairman of Dirty Dough and Chad Kaleky, CEO of FTS Growth Studio — Want to appear on the FTS Podcast? Send me a DM and we can chat! Wade Rasmussen Tyler Wetsch Ryan Bacher DJ Rose John Bestenlehner Colby Campbell John Wilson Rhonda Stark Elaine Kilburn Nate Dirkmaat Shawn Finch Mindy Brokaw Elias Lartey Kori Merritt Austin Whitney Seth Anderson Jill Summerhays David Essuman Patricia Tallington Isaac Aldridge Clayton Plummer Rachel Seffker Monique Castle Jake Skousen Garrett Powell Vick Mehta, CCIM Anthony Mirrione Quinton Shoulders Laya Krishnakumar

Raising over $200 million in funding demands relentless focus and a deliberate strategy that leaves no room for distractions. Fundraising transforms into a full-time commitment, requiring founders to immerse themselves entirely in the process, leaving day-to-day operations in capable hands. Every meeting becomes an opportunity to captivate investors, crafting pitches that radiate confidence and articulate the vision with clarity and conviction. Founders cultivate trust and ignite excitement, weaving a narrative that showcases not just the potential of the business but its inevitability as a game-changer. Stepping away from the operational grind allows leaders to channel their energy into building relationships, navigating negotiations, and securing partnerships with the right investors. Each conversation elevates the journey, moving the business closer to securing the capital needed to fuel growth and expand its impact. Through dedication and laser focus, fundraising transcends a transactional process, evolving into a mission that fortifies the foundation for enduring success. Episode 415 of Failing to Success is now live on all your favorite podcast platforms! Alex X Frommeyer, Founder of Beam Benefits and Chad Kaleky, CEO of FTS Growth Studio — Want to appear on the FTS Podcast? Send me a DM and we can chat! Dillon M. Hubbell Nick Planeta Dalith Beck Aimé Lemaire Greg Malcolm Rachel Woodroof Sue Tyler Morgan Probst ,VBS Hannah Thompson Amy Gall, MPNA, CCEP Don Brown Blair Schott, VBS Rebecca Lubben Chris Chandler Ahmed Ayoub Erin Grisham Hannah Cooley Chelsea Kempton Melanie Meister Scott Kalniz Aimé Lemaire Tolithia Kornweibel Rick Schock Alex Curry Anne Walker Steve Winick Tim Meissner Laurie McGonigle Emily Linch Shawna Crum Brittney Wargo, PACE

Value-based healthcare represents a shift in how we approach medical care—one that prioritizes quality over quantity. Unlike traditional volume-based care, which emphasizes the number of treatments and services provided, value-based care aligns financial incentives with patient outcomes. This approach encourages preventative measures, focusing on keeping patients healthy rather than just treating illnesses. The goal? Better outcomes at a lower cost. Volume-based care often leads to high costs without truly improving patients' health—rewarding quantity over quality. Value-based care aims to change this dynamic by putting patient wellness at the center, driving down costs, and creating a healthcare system that rewards doctors and providers for successful, lasting outcomes. In a world of rising healthcare costs, how can value-based care reshape our approach to health? Episode 411 of Failing to Success is now live on all your favorite podcast platforms! Amish Purohit, MD, MBA, MHA, FAAFP, FACHE, CEO of The Arkos Health and Chad Kaleky, CEO of FTS Growth Studio — Want to appear on the FTS Podcast? Send me a DM and we can chat! Glenn W Sobotka Eric Tanner Rebecca Johnson Sara Jensen MSN, MBA, FACHE Creighton Donovan Aaron Duerksen Steve Menke Brenton Burns Chad Beadling Mike Loomis David Light Shannon Kennedy Ian James Dow Chuck Dow Shannon Sullivan MSL, RD Jesse Jackson Christina Keesecker John Rittenour Macrae Aronowitz Drew Krempin RN CCM Tanya Sibrava, DO, MBA, FACHE Steven Kotter Edwin Metcalf Anne Groves, MD, MPH, MBA Nicole Christensen Michael Van Scoy Lisa O'Hayre, MHA, CPHQ, FACHE Tarra Cortez Brooke Lopez, MBA Sheri Bodager