Leadership Lounge

From Founder to Scaler: Building a Business That Runs Without You

In this episode, Samii and Mitch sit down with serial entrepreneur Juan Grobler, Founder and CEO of Global Footprints, to break down what it really takes to scale a business and exit successfully. Juan shares the key lesson that changed everything: you can’t be the “magic” in your business – you have to duplicate yourself through people, systems, and culture. He also dives into his experience with multiple exits, explaining why structure, alignment, and control matter far more than valuation. Juan also touches on leadership, scaling culture, and how AI is shaping better decision-making for today’s leaders. A sharp, practical conversation for any entrepreneur building with the end in mind.

Built on Tenacity: How Grace Barnard and Daen Wombwell Turned Vision Into a Lasting Business

In this episode, Samii and Mitch sit down with Grace Barnard and Daen Wombwell, Co-Founders of NIW Companies based in Plano, TX, to share how they built a business from scratch, pushed through years of adversity, and ultimately achieved a successful exit. They dive into leadership, hiring the right people, letting go as founders, and the discipline required to scale with integrity. The conversation also highlights Daen's passion for philanthropy through Save the Redwoods League and how they have partnered with the UBS Optimus Foundation to expand awareness and impact. Listeners can also learn how to get involved, support the mission, and contribute to preserving one of the world's most important resources by contacting Saman Samii at saman.samii@ubs.com or calling 214-981-0514.

The Operator's Playbook: Leadership Lessons from 16 Businesses

In this episode, Samii and Mitch are joined by Ben Strake, Co-Founder and President of Premier M&A Advisors based in St Louis, MO. Ben shares how he successfully manages multiple companies at scale, the leadership principles that keep his teams aligned, and what separates great operators from average ones. We dive into decision-making, delegation, and the habits required to grow businesses that don’t rely on the founder for everything.

From Vision To Venture: The New Wave of Entrepreneurs

In this episode, Samii and Mitch are joined by Kyle Waldrep, Founder and CEO of Dottid based in Dallas, TX, and also the co-host of the podcast Intersections. Kyle opens up about his passion for entrepreneurship, faith, and leadership sharing best practices for the next generation of innovators. He reveals how resilience, purpose, and strong values can shape both business success and personal growth. This is a conversation about building with conviction, leading with integrity, and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.

Wealth That Lasts – The Difference Between Value and Values

In this episode, Samii and Mitch are joined by Jim Shields, entrepreneur, investor, attorney, and author of Wealth That Lasts. With decades of experience guiding business owners through exits, and transitions, Jim shares hard-won lessons, introduces his new venture Lighhouse Value Partners, and explains why true wealth is measures not just in capital, but in values and legacy.