Business & Brews with Matt Pierce

Del Smith, PhD, Acclinate

SUMMARY In this episode of Business & Brews, Matt Pierce sits down with Del Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Acclinate, to discuss leading with purpose, building trust at scale, and why great businesses solve meaningful problems. Del shares how Acclinate is working to improve representation in clinical research by educating and empowering underserved communities to make informed healthcare decisions. The conversation also explores startup leadership, company culture, learning to delegate, and the mindset required to build an enduring business. Del also shares the deeply personal story that inspired his passion for healthcare and why reaching his 50th birthday represented a milestone far beyond business success. Whether you're a founder, leader, or simply passionate about building organizations that make a difference, this episode is packed with practical leadership lessons and meaningful perspective. ---------------------------------------- IN THIS EPISODE * Why Acclinate was founded to improve diversity and trust in clinical research * The importance of education before engagement * How to scale a mission without compromising your values * Balancing purpose with business growth * Leading teams through both wins and setbacks * Why founders must evolve from player to coach to owner * Building leadership teams that complement your strengths * Del's personal health journey and the family legacy that drives his mission KEY TAKEAWAYS PURPOSE DRIVES SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES. Companies that focus on solving real problems create stronger long-term value than those focused solely on revenue. LEADERSHIP REQUIRES EMOTIONAL CONSISTENCY. Celebrate victories, learn from losses, and remain steady through both. HIRE FOR YOUR WEAKNESSES. Great leaders surround themselves with people whose strengths complement their own. GROWTH MEANS LETTING GO. Founders must continually evolve from doing the work to empowering others to lead it. BUSINESS SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY IMPACT. The legacy you leave matters more than the number in your bank account.

Kids & Money

Summary This week on Business & Brews, Matt welcomes two special guests, his daughters Kathryn and Whitley Grace, for an honest conversation about money. From saving and spending to allowance, summer jobs, and impulse purchases, they share the lessons they're learning about financial responsibility and what they think adults could do better with money. At Immediate, we believe financial wellness starts with education, and those conversations can begin at home. IN THIS EPISODE: * Why financial literacy should start early * Teaching kids the difference between wants and needs * How allowance and summer jobs build healthy money habits * Practical ways parents can start money conversations at home * A fun rapid-fire round with two future financial pros Whether you're raising kids or simply passionate about financial wellness, this episode is full of practical takeaways and a few laughs along the way.

Brandon Horne, Greenlight

Summary In this episode of Business & Brews, Matt Pierce sits down with Brandon Horne, Head of Commercial Partnerships at Greenlight, to discuss his unconventional path from biochemistry student to Army officer to fintech executive. Brandon shares lessons learned from helping scale high-growth companies, including his experience at Cardlytics and Greenlight. The conversation explores leadership, entrepreneurship, sales, company culture, career growth, and why great middle managers are often the unsung heroes behind successful organizations. From building relationships that drive enterprise sales to creating opportunities for young professionals to grow, Brandon offers practical insights for anyone navigating a fast-paced career or helping build a company from the ground up. Key Takeaways * Growth happens when you step into opportunities before you feel ready. * Shared challenges build stronger teams than shared successes. * Relationships and persistence remain critical in enterprise sales. * Great middle managers are often the foundation of strong company culture. * Leadership is measured by the people you help develop. * Small gestures can create lasting professional impact.

The Connection Between Financial Health and Mental Health

EPISODE SUMMARY This week on Business & Brews, Matt Pierce takes a step back from the usual guest interviews to talk about something impacting millions of people every day: the connection between financial stress and mental health. From rising costs and paycheck-to-paycheck living to anxiety, burnout, and the emotional weight of uncertainty, Matt breaks down why financial pressure affects far more than just bank accounts. He also shares practical ways people can regain a sense of control, create breathing room, and start reducing the mental load that money stress creates. This episode covers: * Why financial stress impacts mental and physical wellbeing * How “survival mode” thinking affects long-term planning * The importance of financial literacy without shame or guilt * Practical steps to create visibility, stability, and breathing room * Why hope and consistency matter more than perfection Whether you’re personally navigating financial pressure or leading teams that are, this conversation is an important reminder that financial wellness and mental wellness are deeply connected. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Financial stress impacts far more than money — it affects sleep, relationships, confidence, and physical health. * Most people experiencing financial pressure are not irresponsible; they’re reacting to tight margins and rising costs. * Financial literacy is less about perfection and more about creating clarity, confidence, and control. * Small habits and small wins can create meaningful psychological relief over time. * Open conversations about money can help reduce shame and remind people they’re not alone.

Jordan Wright, Atomic

SUMMARY In this episode of Business & Brews, Matt Pierce sits down with Jordan Wright to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and building a transparent company culture. Jordan shares how his entrepreneurial mindset started as early as childhood, eventually leading him into fintech through companies like Unbill and now Atomic. The conversation explores how Atomic evolved from simplifying direct deposit switching into a broader infrastructure company helping consumers better manage their financial lives through connected systems and data intelligence. Jordan also shares lessons on product-market fit, customer obsession, startup resilience, and how Atomic competed against much larger players in the market. Matt and Jordan dive into leadership philosophies around transparency, empowering teams, and creating organizations where people can do the best work of their lives. They also discuss the growing role of AI inside modern businesses and how both leaders are using it to create efficiencies and improve execution. The episode closes with a thoughtful conversation about balancing ambition with family, recognizing what truly matters, and intentionally creating space for life outside of work. Key Takeaways * Customer conversations fuel innovation: Atomic’s leadership team stays deeply connected to customers to uncover real needs and shape product direction. * Startups can outperform larger competitors: Jordan shares how Atomic successfully competed against Plaid by staying agile and customer-focused. * Transparency strengthens culture: Open communication around company priorities, metrics, and leadership decisions helps build trust and alignment across teams. * AI is most valuable when applied practically: The conversation highlights real operational uses for AI, from RFP workflows to productivity tracking. * Success means more than business growth: Jordan reflects on prioritizing family and making time for what matters most outside of work.