From First Client to Fully Booked: How to Scale a Service Business

Why Great Leaders Build Great Teams with Former NLF Quarterback Brett Hundley Jr.

From NFL stadiums to building successful businesses, Brett Hundley proves that leadership doesn't end when the game is over. In this episode of Built to Grow, Ryan Naylor sits down with former NFL quarterback Brett Hundley to discuss the mindset that helped him succeed at the highest level of football—and how those same principles are driving his success as an entrepreneur today. After spending eight seasons in the NFL alongside legendary quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Carson Wentz, Brett has transitioned into business ownership, building a thriving commercial cleaning company, a real estate development business, and the Brett Hundley Foundation, which has raised more than $1 million to support children and families affected by epilepsy. Ryan and Brett dive into what separates great leaders from average ones, why building the right team matters more than having all the answers, and how entrepreneurs can create cultures where people thrive. Brett also shares the hiring philosophy that's helped him scale multiple companies, why communication is the foundation of every successful organization, and how embracing challenges has fueled his growth as a business owner. The conversation also explores Brett's personal mission behind his nonprofit foundation, inspired by his sister's battle with epilepsy, and why impact—not income—is ultimately how he measures success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, leader, athlete, or someone looking to build a winning team, this episode is packed with practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately. In this episode you'll learn: *  Why consistency is the foundation of great leadership  *  How sports prepare entrepreneurs for business ownership  *  Brett's approach to hiring A-players and building strong company culture  *  Why communication solves most business problems  *  Lessons learned from starting businesses from scratch  *  How to overcome setbacks and embrace entrepreneurial risk  *  Why purpose is the ultimate competitive advantage  *  The inspiring story behind the Brett Hundley Foundation  If you're looking to become a stronger leader, build a better team, and create a business that lasts, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Follow Brett on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bretthundley7/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

Reset your Sales Process and Grow your Business with Sam Wakefield

In this episode, Ryan sits down with sales expert and Close It Now founder Sam Wakefield to discuss one of the biggest missed opportunities in business growth: prospecting and referrals. Sam shares what he would do if he only had $5,000 left to grow a business, why most companies spend too much time focused on marketing and not enough time on proactive outreach, and the simple sales habits that can dramatically increase revenue without increasing ad spend. They dive into: • Why prospecting should be a founder's top priority • The referral strategies most businesses completely overlook • How to ask for reviews and referrals without feeling pushy • The psychology behind messaging that attracts customers • Why people buy based on emotion, not features • The importance of creating a service-first culture • How the first five minutes of a sales conversation can determine the outcome Whether you're a home service business, entrepreneur, or sales leader, this conversation is packed with practical tactics you can implement immediately to generate more referrals, build trust, and close more business. Listen now and learn how small changes in your sales process can create massive results. Follow Sam on IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealcloseitnow/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

From Law School to 7-Figure Mortgage Entrepreneur with Abdel Khawatmi

In this episode, Ryan Naylor sits down with entrepreneur and mortgage industry leader Abdel Khawatmi, founder of Got Mortgages, to talk about what it really takes to scale a business in today’s market. From almost going to law school to building a nationally recognized mortgage brand, Abdel shares the systems, routines, mindset, and leadership strategies that helped him grow a high-performing sales organization while staying grounded in family, fitness, and faith. Ryan and Abdel dive into: * Building scalable sales systems * The “SCALE” framework for business growth * Creating consistency and accountability within sales teams * Leveraging AI and automation without losing the human connection * How personal branding and social media drive modern business growth * The realities of entrepreneurship, loss, leadership, and legacy * Why authenticity is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage Abdel also shares practical insights on content creation, KPI tracking, team culture, and how entrepreneurs can use social media to compete against larger companies with massive marketing budgets. Whether you’re building a sales team, growing your personal brand, or navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for business owners and leaders alike. Connect with Abdel: Instagram: @got_mortgages Website: gotmortgages.com YouTube: Got Mortgages Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

From $1M to $10M Business: What Actually Changes in Branding, Hiring & Growth

What separates a $1M business from a $10M business? In this episode, Ryan Naylor sits down with Kayden Muzila, founder of Musilla Creative, to break down what actually changes as companies scale—especially when it comes to branding, creative strategy, and understanding your audience. Kayden shares his journey from creative director in the Hollywood film and advertising world to building a fast-growing agency from scratch after multiple layoffs forced a reset in his career. Together, they explore: Why most brands fail to scale their messaging past $1M The shift from “what we like” to “what the audience actually wants” How delegation becomes the real bottleneck in growth What hiring and trust look like inside a scaling creative business How content strategy should actually be structured for results, not just virality Why authenticity beats trends in social media marketing If you’re building a business, leading a team, or trying to break through your next revenue ceiling, this conversation is packed with real-world insight from both the agency and operator side. Follow Kayden Muzila on IG: https://www.instagram.com/kayhaos/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

From Overwhelmed to Optimized: How Small Businesses Are Using AI to Scale with Katie Shive

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Katie Shive to break down what AI actually means for small business owners—not in theory, but in execution. From building AI agents that act like personal assistants to creating scalable content systems, Katie shares how businesses can start leveraging AI today to save time, increase efficiency, and stay competitive. They dive into: *  What’s really coming in the next 18 months with AI  *  How to use AI agents to automate daily tasks and decision-making  *  Why most businesses are using AI wrong (and how to fix it)  *  How to build a brand voice that doesn’t sound like “AI wrote it”  *  The role of personal branding in a world with less trust and more automation  This episode isn’t about replacing people—it’s about amplifying what great operators can do with the right systems. If you’re a business owner trying to figure out where AI actually fits into your day-to-day… this is your playbook. Follow Katie Shive on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heykatieshive/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware