Building the Business Behind the Brand

Building the Business Behind the Brand

Adam Swerdlow is the former COO of The Chosen, where he helped scale the company from a four-person startup to an organization generating over $100 million in annual revenue. He built the operational infrastructure behind that growth, overseeing areas like finance, investor relations, business operations, events, and long-term strategy. Today, he runs Alpine Consulting, advising growth-stage companies on strategy, M&A, and business development. In this episode of More Than Legal, Adam shares what it really takes to build the business behind the brand. From operations and capital raises to leadership, emotional intelligence, and long-term growth, he offers a practical look at the systems that help companies scale without losing control. Adam shares insights on: * Building the operational foundation behind a fast-growing brand * What founders often miss when scaling a business * Why vision needs structure, systems, and follow-through * Lessons from helping grow The Chosen * The role of finance, operations, contracts, IP, payroll, and insurance in sustainable growth * Why emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skill * How leaders can make better decisions under pressure * Building companies for longevity instead of short-term wins * Why strong operators help protect the mission behind the business Whether you are a founder, operator, creative entrepreneur, or business leader, this conversation is a reminder that growth does not happen by vision alone. The strongest brands are supported by the right infrastructure, the right people, and the discipline to build for the long game. Connect with Adam: Alpine Consulting [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamswerdlow/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamswerdlow/]

Building With Integrity in the Startup World

Sarah Tamilarasan is the Founder and CEO of Sotaog, a software company helping industrial companies connect sustainability directly to financial performance. With a foundation in engineering and a focus on operational economics, Sarah is helping companies unlock greater value from existing assets through intelligent, ROI-driven sustainability strategies. In this episode of More Than Legal, Sarah shares how Sotaog is reframing sustainability as a driver of cash flow, resilience, and strategic advantage. The company’s momentum includes winning a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy and competing successfully against multi-billion-dollar companies. Sarah shares insights on: * Building Sotaog and helping industrial companies find hidden value in their operations * Why sustainability and profitability should work together, not against each other * Using data to improve cash flow, reduce OpEx, and increase throughput * What it takes to compete as a startup against much larger companies * Building trust with customers, investors, and team members * The importance of integrity, transparency, and resilience in entrepreneurship * Fundraising, bootstrapping, and staying grounded while building a company * Leading in a male-dominated industry without losing your standards or sense of purpose Whether you are a founder, investor, operator, or business leader, this conversation is a reminder that growth is not just about moving fast. It is about building with integrity, solving real problems, and creating value that lasts. Learn more: Sotaog: https://www.sotaog.com/ [https://www.sotaog.com/] Sarah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahchandrasekar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahchandrasekar]

Building With Ethics in Entertainment

Randy Davidson is the Founder and CEO of Georgia Entertainment, the leading source of news, analysis, and commentary for Georgia’s film, broadcast, digital production, arts, music, and gaming industries. In this episode of More Than Legal, Randy shares his perspective on Georgia’s creative economy, the importance of building real community, and why the entertainment industry should be viewed not only as a creative space but as a major driver of business, workforce development, and innovation. Randy shares insights on: * Building Georgia Entertainment as a platform for the state’s creative industries * Why Georgia’s entertainment economy deserves serious business and policy attention * The meaning behind “rally locally, recruit globally.” * How Georgia Insider is creating a more intentional community for industry leaders * Why young creatives should be able to build real careers in Georgia * Finding your lane and doing work that gives you energy * Making ethical decisions, even when the opportunity looks good on paper * Why money should not be the only scoreboard in business * Playing the long game while building something meaningful Whether you are a creative professional, entrepreneur, business owner, or leader in Georgia’s entertainment industry, this conversation is a reminder that meaningful work takes vision, community, and patience. Randy’s story shows what can happen when you find your lane, stay committed to the mission, and build for long-term impact. Learn more: Georgia Entertainment: https://www.georgiaentertainment.com/ [https://www.georgiaentertainment.com/] Georgia Insider: https://www.georgiainsider.com/ [https://www.georgiainsider.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgiaentertainment/posts/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgiaentertainment/posts/]

Using Business to Tell Stories That Matter

Coury Deeb is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated filmmaker with 20+ years of work spanning 30 countries and 30 states. He co-owns Nadus Studios, Kentucky’s first sound stage campus, and has built a career around stories that do more than move people emotionally. They move people to act. In this episode of More Than Legal, Coury shares how filmmaking, business, purpose, and service come together in his work. From commercial projects to nonprofit storytelling, he explains why profit can be a powerful tool when it supports a mission bigger than itself. Coury shares insights on: * Using business as a platform to tell stories that matter * Why commercial work can support purpose-driven work * How nonprofit storytelling can help organizations build awareness and inspire action * Why “profit is a tool” but should never become the mission * Protecting culture and values while building a creative business * Finding purpose in work that serves others Whether you are an entrepreneur, creative professional, nonprofit leader, or business owner, this conversation is a reminder that meaningful work is not just about what you build. It is about who you serve, what you stand for, and the impact your work creates.

The AI Revolution in Film Has Already Started

Alex Lugo is an award-winning actor, filmmaker, software engineer, and the Co-founder and CEO of FilmPro, an AI-powered operating system for film productions. Born in Puerto Rico and raised between Los Angeles and Miami, Alex’s work is shaped by his multicultural roots and artistic heritage as the son of Daniel Lugo, an iconic Latin American film and television actor. He is an alumnus of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, the founder of Vitruvian Films, and a technologist who built his engineering career at Goldman Sachs and Square, specializing in backend systems and AI integration. Today, through FilmPro, Alex is reimagining the future of filmmaking by building technology that empowers storytellers while protecting the human creativity at the heart of every great story. His journey brings together the worlds of performance, production, engineering, entrepreneurship, and AI in a way that makes this conversation both timely and deeply personal. Alex shares practical strategies and insights for: *  Building at the Intersection of Art and Technology: How Alex’s background in acting, filmmaking, software engineering, and AI shaped the creation of FilmPro. *  Understanding the Power of Pre-Production: Why the planning phase of filmmaking is one of the most critical parts of bringing a story to life. * Using AI to Empower Creatives: How FilmPro helps filmmakers with storyboards, shot lists, concept art, schedules, budgets, call sheets, and team collaboration without removing the human element. *  Protecting Human Creativity in an AI World: Why Alex believes the future of filmmaking still depends on artists, directors, actors, and creative teams working together. *  Getting a “PhD in Your Vision”: Why directors and founders must deeply understand their vision, then learn how to communicate it clearly to the people helping bring it to life. * Choosing a Non-Traditional Path: How Alex’s path from performance and film into software engineering gave him a unique perspective on creative problem-solving. * The Entrepreneurial Opportunity of AI: Why Alex believes there has never been a better time to build something of your own and use emerging tools to bring your ideas into the world. * Leading With Ethics and Intention: Why business leaders, creatives, and technologists must have serious conversations about how AI is used across industries. Whether you are a filmmaker trying to bring your next project to life, a founder building from zero to one, or a creative professional wondering where AI fits into your future, this conversation offers a hopeful and practical look at what is possible when technology supports human imagination. Alex reminds us that the future of AI does not have to be about replacement. It can be about empowerment, collaboration, and helping more people build the stories, businesses, and creative futures they once thought were out of reach.