Episode 97: Your Benefits Are Not a Black Box: What a 30-Year UHC Healthcare Insider Wants Every Small Business Owner to Know (Charles Carter, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Central and South Texas)

Episode 97: Your Benefits Are Not a Black Box: What a 30-Year UHC Healthcare Insider Wants Every Small Business Owner to Know (Charles Carter, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Central and South Texas)

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Charles Carter, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Central and South Texas, shares insights from more than three decades in the healthcare industry and explains why business leaders have far more influence over healthcare costs than they often realize. Drawing on his experience leading one of the nation’s largest and most diverse commercial health plan markets, Charles discusses how employers can move beyond treating benefits as an annual administrative task and instead view them as a strategic driver of talent retention, workforce health, and long-term business performance. He highlights the importance of engaging with healthcare data, understanding employee health trends, and making benefits a core part of financial and operational planning. Charles also addresses the challenges facing the healthcare industry today, including public trust, rising costs, and the growing complexity of navigating care. He offers a candid perspective on how healthcare organizations can improve transparency, simplify the member experience, and leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to reduce friction and help people access care more efficiently. From value-based care and price transparency to workforce strategy and leadership lessons learned over a 30-year career, this conversation provides practical guidance for business owners looking to build healthier, more productive organizations while gaining greater control over one of their largest operating expenses. Connect: Website: https://www.uhc.com/ [https://www.uhc.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-carter-03b6638 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-carter-03b6638]

Episode 96: Andrew Salazar, President and Managing Partner, Patriot Freight Group

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Andrew Salazar, President and Managing Partner of Patriot Freight Group, shares the remarkable story of building a logistics company from a single truck and trailer into a rapidly growing transportation and logistics organization. Drawing on his background in manufacturing and quality management, Andrew discusses how Patriot Freight Group overcame a major growth plateau by implementing structured systems, standardized processes, and an ISO 9001-inspired framework. He explains how operational discipline, accountability, and scalable procedures became the foundation for sustained growth, successful acquisitions, and long-term customer relationships across the transportation, oil and gas, construction, and industrial sectors. Andrew also offers his perspective on technology, automation, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in logistics. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for people, he sees it as a powerful tool for empowering employees, improving efficiency, and eliminating repetitive tasks so teams can focus on higher-value work. He shares how Patriot Freight Group is leveraging technology to support ambitious expansion goals, including scaling revenue toward $100 million annually, while maintaining alignment around mission, vision, core values, and operational excellence. This conversation provides valuable insights for business leaders looking to build scalable organizations, navigate growth challenges, and embrace innovation without losing sight of their people. Connect: Website: https://www.patriotfreightgroup.com/ [https://www.patriotfreightgroup.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-salazar-05086927 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-salazar-05086927]

Episode 95: 25 Years, No VC, and a Missing $5M: The Resilient Scientist Divyan Patel, CEO/Founder, Genome Explorations Inc

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Dr. Divyan Patel, founder of Genome Explorations, has spent more than two decades at the forefront of genomic science, building a globally recognized molecular diagnostics company without a single dollar of venture capital. After helping pioneer genomic profiling at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Dr. Patel launched Genome Explorations in 2001 with a borrowed $40,000 and a vision to unlock the power of the human genome. Today, his company has collaborated with more than 1,000 institutions worldwide, including Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, and the Pasteur Institute, while producing over 180 peer-reviewed publications that have advanced cancer research, disease detection, and personalized medicine. In this episode, Dr. Patel shares the entrepreneurial journey behind turning groundbreaking science into real-world impact—from developing highly accurate blood-based diagnostics for cancer, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD to navigating the challenges of commercialization, funding, and business setbacks. He opens up about building a company through relentless reinvestment, the lessons learned from a failed partnership, and why resilience remains the most important trait for any founder. This conversation offers a rare look at the intersection of scientific innovation, entrepreneurship, and the determination required to bring life-changing discoveries to market. Connect: Website: https://genome-explorations.com/ [https://genome-explorations.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divyen-patel-ph-d-85565b3 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/divyen-patel-ph-d-85565b3]

Episode 94: The Risk You Can't See: What Every Amazon Seller Needs to Know About IP ( Michael Poropat, Co-Founder, Stockman & Poropat, PLLC | Intellectual Property & Business Law Firm)

In this episode of The Think Small Podcast, Michael Poropat, Co-Founder and Intellectual Property Attorney at Stockman Poropat, shares how the New York-based boutique law firm has built a specialized practice serving e-commerce entrepreneurs, Amazon sellers, and small business owners navigating the complex world of intellectual property and online marketplace compliance. Michael explains the often-overlooked risks facing online sellers, including account suspensions, intellectual property disputes, trademark conflicts, and platform enforcement actions that can disrupt or even shut down a business overnight. He discusses the firm's client-centered approach, emphasizing education, accessibility, and long-term relationships while helping entrepreneurs proactively protect their brands, products, and revenue streams. Michael also reflects on his unconventional journey from studying theoretical mathematics and competitive gaming to building a law practice dedicated to supporting creators, innovators, and business builders. He shares insights on the importance of planning early, understanding legal risks before they become crises, and approaching business growth with both strategic foresight and practical protection. The conversation offers valuable perspectives on intellectual property strategy, Amazon seller challenges, entrepreneurship, client service, and the critical role that education and trusted advisors play in helping small businesses build sustainable, protected, and scalable companies. Connect: Website: https://stockmanporopat.com/ [https://stockmanporopat.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljporopat [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljporopat/?isSelfProfile=false]

Episode 93: AI Can Re-Build The Middle Class: If You Have a Little Patience and a Little Grit (Audrey Bell-Kearney, President, Gwinnett Women's Chamber of Commerce)

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Audrey Bell-Kearney has spent more than three decades turning bold ideas into thriving businesses. From selling perfume on the streets of New Jersey after losing her job to creating one of the first plus-size fashion doll companies in the country, Audrey’s entrepreneurial journey is defined by resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to building opportunities where none seem to exist. Today, she leads multiple ventures, including the Gwinnett Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Noise Media Network, and ClipVinci.ai [http://ClipVinci.ai], while empowering entrepreneurs, authors, and underserved communities through media, technology, and education. In this inspiring conversation, Audrey shares the lessons she learned from building businesses through setbacks, economic uncertainty, personal loss, and rapid technological change. She discusses the importance of mentorship, the realities of entrepreneurial loneliness, and why she believes artificial intelligence represents one of the greatest wealth-building opportunities for Gen X and Baby Boomers. From creating AI-powered tools and workforce development programs to helping communities prepare for the future of work, Audrey offers a powerful perspective on innovation, legacy, and the value of building a life and business on your own terms. Connect: Website: https://gwinnettwomenschamber.com/ [https://gwinnettwomenschamber.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwinnettwomenschamber [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwinnettwomenschamber]