『Neil on Business Podcast』のカバーアート

Neil on Business Podcast

Neil on Business Podcast

著者: Neil Darling
無料で聴く

このコンテンツについて

Real talk. Real lessons. Real leadership. Hosted by entrepreneur and community builder Neil Darling, Neil on Business is a no-fluff podcast for people who are ready to do business on their own terms. Born from the collaborative energy of RingSpaces—a coworking and event hub in Fredericksburg—this show dives deep into what it really takes to lead, grow, and build in today’s business world. Each episode features raw, insightful conversations with entrepreneurs, leaders, and especially veterans who’ve turned high-pressure life experience into powerful business success. Whether you’re scaling a company, starting from scratch, or simply hungry to lead better, this podcast delivers straight-shooting stories, real strategy, and bold takeaways. What you can expect: Candid conversations with entrepreneurs and former Marines turned business leaders Actionable advice on leadership, mindset, and business growth No jargon, no fluff—just hard-earned wisdom and powerful storytelling Big questions that challenge you to think, build, and lead differently If you’re ready to cut through the noise and grow on your own terms, you’re in the right place.2025 出世 就職活動 経済学
エピソード
  • From Immigrant to Entrepreneur: Oscar's Blueprint for Business Success
    2025/06/13
    In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Oscar Espinosa, who shares his journey from immigrating from El Salvador to building a successful painting business in the U.S. Oscar discusses the challenges of starting over, lessons learned in the trades, and the importance of quality, integrity, and customer service. He highlights strategies for hiring and retaining good workers, building trust with clients, and the value of community networking. Oscar’s story offers practical insights and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs in any industry. Oscar’s Background and Immigration Story (00:02:43) Oscar shares his origins in El Salvador, immigration to the US, and early years in New York. Experiences in New York and the Trades (00:03:02) Oscar discusses learning drywall and painting, meeting his wife, and his early work experiences. Life and Culture in New York vs. Virginia (00:04:09) Conversation about New York’s food, culture, fast pace, and differences from Virginia. Decision to Leave New York (00:07:28) Oscar explains why he and his wife left New York for a better quality of life. Cost of Living and Moving to Virginia (00:08:16) Discussion about high living costs in New York and the benefits of moving to Virginia. Oscar’s Career Progression in the Trades (00:08:51) Oscar describes his work for various companies, learning high-end painting, and lessons from demanding bosses. Relocating to Virginia and Settling Down (00:11:40) Oscar details moving to Manassas, renting, buying a house, and adjusting to a new area. Starting the Painting Business (00:13:06) Oscar talks about working for a local company, then launching his own painting business in 2019. Transition from Worker to Business Owner (00:13:30) Oscar explains the challenges of moving from painting to running all aspects of a business. Building a Customer-Focused Company (00:14:29) Oscar emphasizes quality, communication, and integrity as differentiators for his business. Maintaining High Quality Standards (00:16:15) Discussion on how Oscar’s values shape his company and the importance of quality control. Managing and Training Workers (00:17:55) Oscar discusses balancing high standards with fair management and ongoing worker training. Hiring and Retaining Quality Workers (00:19:15) Oscar shares strategies for attracting and keeping good employees, including benefits and company culture. Leadership by Example (00:20:54) Oscar describes the value of being a hands-on boss who understands the work firsthand. Winning Over Skeptical Customers (00:22:12) Oscar explains how he educates and reassures new clients, especially those with bad past experiences. Paint Brands and Product Recommendations (00:25:02) Oscar compares paint brands, discusses quality differences, and offers advice on choosing paint. Benefits of Coworking at Ring Spaces (00:27:19) Oscar shares how coworking at Ring Spaces helps his business grow and provides networking opportunities. Referrals and Networking at Ring Spaces (00:28:34) Oscar and Neil discuss the value of referrals and business connections made through coworking. How to Contact Oscar and Alpha Painting (00:30:37) Oscar provides his business website and phone number for potential clients. Scaling the Business and Tech Adoption (00:31:12) Neil praises Oscar’s use of technology and organization, predicting future business growth. Gratitude and Repeat Customers (00:32:05) Oscar reflects on the importance of gratitude, repeat business, and treating every job as important. Quotes "We were tired of the rat race—my wife, too. It's tiring always to try to make it, and it got so expensive in the city. My wife always thought this is a great, beautiful country and it's so big that you don't have to be in one place. There are so many options here. Once we visited a friend of my wife, and they lived like kings. We lived in a small apartment, like everyone else in New York, unless you were a millionaire. So we thought, 'We have to move.” "With the experience I have from the companies I've worked for, I see how we can do better and be a company for the client. Anybody can paint your house, but what can you offer that's different? I offer you quality. I offer you communication. If you need help with colors, we can help you. We can send our interior designer to help you for an hour so you can choose a color." "Quality starts with you. At the end of the day, if you have a business, it's going to reflect your values. Alpha Painting is a reflection of my values, and every company you work with is going to reflect the owner. When you see my company, you're seeing a part of my soul. You're seeing how I think, how I operate. When I come to your house, if you tell me, 'Oscar, I just want to paint the ceiling,' let's just paint the ceiling. I'm there to help you. If you do a business with love—first for your team, for your employees, and then love for your client because you want to ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    35 分
  • Mastering the Art of Leadership: Insights from a Former Marine on Team Dynamics and Success
    2025/06/13
    In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Lou Kelly, a former Marine and leadership coach. They discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of effective communication, and lessons from Lou’s military background. Lou shares how understanding communication styles using the DISC model can transform team dynamics and recounts coaching success stories. The conversation also explores how trauma can fuel personal growth and leadership. Lou offers practical advice for business leaders on fostering collaboration, motivation, and clarity, making this episode a valuable listen for entrepreneurs and teams seeking to improve performance. (00:04:04) Lou talks about his high school years, involvement in Naval Junior ROTC, and influential mentors. Choosing the Marines and Language Aspirations (00:04:45) Lou explains his decision to join the Marines, his interest in languages, and the impact of recruiters. Family Moves and Early Career Decisions (00:06:09) Lou recounts his family’s moves, early ambitions, and initial interest in Russian language. Joining the Marines and Language School (00:07:37) Lou describes joining the Marine Corps, attending Defense Language Institute, and initial struggles with Russian. Switching to Spanish and Early Assignments (00:10:06) Lou switches to Spanish, becomes a translator, and describes early assignments including Guantanamo Bay and Camp Lejeune. Radar Reconnaissance and High-Performing Teams (00:14:02) Lou discusses joining radar reconnaissance, parachuting, and working with elite Army units. Learning Serbo-Croatian and Balkan Deployments (00:15:34) Lou details learning Serbo-Croatian, working with Army units, and involvement in the Balkans conflict. Lessons from High-Performing Teams (00:17:12) Lou reflects on the culture of excellence and teamwork in elite military units. Training and Skills Development in the Marines (00:19:13) Lou describes training Marines in communication, technical, and leadership skills. Transition to Senior NCO and Training Roles (00:19:48) Lou discusses his role as a senior NCO, developing training programs, and supporting Marines’ growth. Retirement and 9/11 Experience (00:21:30) Lou shares his retirement timeline and his experience during the 9/11 attacks. Post-9/11 Reflections and Impact (00:23:10) Neil and Lou reflect on the aftermath of 9/11, its impact on the country, and personal stories. Supplying Equipment and Supporting Deployments (00:27:42) Lou describes his role at Quantico, supplying equipment to Marines, and supporting special operations. Final Duty Station and Transition to Civilian Life (00:29:53) Lou retires from the Marines, becomes a contractor, and transitions to government civilian roles. Frustration with Civilian Work and Pursuing Leadership Studies (00:30:54) Lou discusses differences in civilian work culture and his decision to study organizational leadership. Coaching Philosophy and Motivation (00:31:27) Lou explains his coaching approach, referencing Daniel Pink’s motivation framework. Leadership, Vision, and the Bricklayer Analogy (00:34:56) Lou shares a story about vision in leadership and the importance of communicating purpose. Founding Honing Stone and Community Involvement (00:36:44) Lou talks about starting his coaching business, networking, and volunteering in the community. Coaching Approaches and Communication Styles (00:38:54) Lou discusses common issues in organizations, communication styles, and using DISC assessments. Client Success Stories and Coaching Process (00:41:33) Lou shares examples of client transformations and outlines his coaching process. Goal Setting and Accountability in Coaching (00:43:28) Lou explains the use of SMART goals, accountability, and the importance of small wins. Dealing with Trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth (00:47:54) Lou addresses trauma’s impact on entrepreneurs and the potential for post-traumatic growth. Turning Pain into Purpose: Community Examples (00:49:49) - Lou and Neil discuss local examples of transforming trauma into positive community impact. Quotes from the episode When we landed, it was just pure silence. And then we walked out into the reception area and then onto the baggage carousel area, and the tears that were flowing down so many faces—because, you know, on that flight were people who’d lost family members—and just, there was a level of solemnity to it that I haven’t experienced since. “Trauma affects people in different ways. And then the type of trauma, the level of it, and an individual’s exposure to trauma before that happened all play a factor in it. But you can imagine some people—you know, we all see veterans that have lost limbs and yet they thrive, and other people who appear to be 100% healthy, they’ve got all their limbs intact and everything else, struggle. And so, yes, trauma affects people differently. And some people experience post-traumatic growth if they have the ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    53 分
  • The Greatest Journey from Tragedy to Triumph in Business with Justin Lapier
    2025/06/06
    In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Justin Lapier, founder and CEO of Synctivate. Justin shares his journey from military service and overcoming personal tragedy to building a tech company that empowers small businesses. The conversation covers his challenges with a past legal issue, his vision for accessible software solutions, and the importance of resilience, company culture, and giving people second chances. Justin’s story highlights perseverance, leadership, and the drive to create meaningful impact for both his team and the broader small business community. About Justin Lapier Justin isn't just a leader; he's a pioneer in the software industry. His vision for innovation and knack for creating user-friendly, scalable solutions have helped hundreds of businesses streamline their operations. He's been in the game long enough to know what works and what doesn't, making him an invaluable asset to any project. Justin’s Background and Early Life (00:01:14) Justin shares his upbringing in Fredericksburg, family background, and high school years. Military Service and Early Adulthood (00:03:48) Justin discusses graduating high school, joining the Navy, and his role as an aviation electrician. Transition from Navy to Civilian Life (00:04:39) Justin talks about leaving the Navy, going back to school in Germany, and working various jobs. First Steps into Tech and Applebee’s Years (00:05:07) Justin describes working at Applebee’s, other odd jobs, and pursuing a computer networking degree. Breaking into Tech: Intuit Opportunity (00:05:59) Justin explains applying for tech jobs, getting offers from Intuit and his brother’s company. Landing the Intuit Job and Setback (00:07:12) Justin details the Intuit interview, job offer, and last-minute background check issue. Legal Trouble and Its Impact (00:09:09) Justin reveals his past manslaughter charge from a car accident during his Navy years. Present Day: Sync Devait and Buildable (00:10:21) Justin introduces his current companies, Synctivate and Buildable, and their missions. Building a Billion-Dollar Business (00:11:28) Justin shares his vision for Buildable, aiming to help small businesses and scale massively. What is Buildable? (00:12:47) Justin explains Buildable as a customizable, no-code business system platform for small businesses. Product Launch and Local Focus (00:13:48) Justin discusses Buildable’s launch, AI integration, and plans to support local businesses. Real Estate Ventures (00:15:05) Justin talks about starting a real estate company with his brother and buying commercial property. Revisiting the Legal Past (00:15:19) The conversation returns to Justin’s car accident in 2004 and its aftermath. The Accident and Its Aftermath (00:16:06) Justin recounts the details of the accident, loss of friends, and emotional/psychological impact. Legal Proceedings and Recovery (00:21:48) Justin describes the legal process, jail time, and the struggle to recover emotionally. Transition to Applebee’s and Job Search Struggles (00:23:13) Justin talks about post-jail life, depression, and difficulty finding tech jobs due to his record. Turning Point: Taking a Chance at Intuit (00:28:25) Justin’s father encourages him to show up at Intuit despite setbacks, leading to a career breakthrough. Corporate Career and Growth at Intuit (00:31:16) Justin shares his work ethic, promotions, and training roles at Intuit. Moving into No-Code Development (00:32:29) Justin explains his transition to Quick Base, learning development, and the no-code software movement. The Vision for Buildable and AI Integration (00:33:51) Justin details how Buildable leverages AI to make no-code solutions truly accessible for small businesses. Entrepreneurial Journey: From Employee to Founder (00:35:25) Justin describes leaving Quick Base, joining a partner company, and eventually founding Synctivate \. Client Success Story: National Drying Technologies (00:37:04) Justin shares how his systems helped a client grow and get acquired for $100 million. Business Philosophy: Consultative Sales and Relationships (00:38:04) Justin discusses his approach to sales, focusing on trust and long-term client relationships. Giving Back: Speaking to Young Drivers (00:40:00) Justin talks about sharing his story with young drivers to prevent similar tragedies. Personal Growth and Openness (00:41:56) Justin reflects on opening up about his past, the support from his wife, and helping others. Impact and Redemption Through Business (00:42:51) Justin finds meaning in giving opportunities to others and making a positive impact. Reflections on Responsibility and Hypocrisy (00:43:22) Neil discusses societal judgment, personal responsibility, and empathy for Justin’s journey. Ambitions for the Future and Community Impact (00:45:36) Justin shares his dream of owning a professional soccer team and helping small businesses. Spirituality and Healing (00:...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    59 分

Neil on Business Podcastに寄せられたリスナーの声

カスタマーレビュー:以下のタブを選択することで、他のサイトのレビューをご覧になれます。