Unlocking Potential: The Many Ways SBDCs Help Entrepreneurs Succeed

People, Process, and Vision: Unpacking EOS With Michelle Owens

Host Joshua McNary chat with Michelle Owens [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleowens-slingshot25/], certified EOS implementer, business coach, facilitator, and founding partner of Slingshot25 [https://slingshot25.com/]. Michelle brings decades of hands-on leadership experience, a passion for development, and a reputation for asking tough questions with care. She helps entrepreneurial teams get unstuck and achieve real traction using the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) framework. Joshua and Michelle dive into what it takes to lead with clarity and why structure can fuel creativity instead of stifling it. You'll hear practical strategies for aligning your team, building sustainable accountability, and tackling the people challenges that every growing business faces. Michelle shares her journey—from corporate leadership to unlocking growth for small businesses—along with actionable tips for embracing intentional frameworks, facing hard conversations head-on, and creating organizations that thrive. Whether you're hitting a ceiling as you scale, searching for more discipline in your execution, or ready for meaningful change, this conversation will inspire you to take the next step with intention. Listen for real-world stories, insightful advice, and a roadmap for leading your business toward lasting impact. * Michelle's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleowens-slingshot25/] * Slingshot25 [https://slingshot25.com/] * Michelle's email: michelle.owens@eosworldwide.com [michelle.owens@eosworldwide.com]

Beyond Assumptions: Asking Better Questions in Business

In this episode of Intentional Change, Shawn FitzGerald sits down with Vada Grantham, CEO of Revelations Research Solutions, to explore the power of asking better questions and listening to customers with intention. Vada shares how market research goes far beyond surveys—it’s about uncovering insights that reveal why people buy, what truly matters to them, and how businesses can avoid costly mistakes. From blind spots caused by emotion to websites that silently drive customers away, Vada explains how research helps business owners see clearly, adapt quickly, and make smarter decisions. You’ll discover: * Why assumptions can quietly sabotage great ideas * How better questions uncover human behavior * The surprising ROI of research for both startups and large firms * What your website might really be saying to customers * How to balance gut instincts with data-driven clarity If you’ve ever wondered how to uncover what customers are really thinking, this episode is for you.

Unlocking Potential: The Many Ways SBDCs Help Entrepreneurs Succeed

What if the greatest opportunity for your business is already within reach—but hidden in plain sight? In this episode of Intentional Change, Shawn FitzGerald digs deep with Mitchell Kearns, Technology & Commercialization Director at Iowa’s SBDC. Together, they discuss how the Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) supports entrepreneurs as they turn big ideas into market-ready businesses, secure funding through SBIR/STTR grants, and avoid the costly trap of skipping customer discovery. From early-stage planning to succession strategies and rural innovation, Mitchell shares the practical steps that separate successful business builders from those who stall out. Whether you’re starting up, scaling, or planning your exit, this conversation is your roadmap to intentional growth.

Vision Without Alignment: Why Great Businesses Still Spin Their Wheels

Too many businesses run like high-performance sports cars with no clear destination—powerful, fast, but ultimately going nowhere. In this episode of Intentional Change, Shawn FitzGerald sit down with Rob Taylor, EOS Implementer and founder of Taylor Management Solutions, to explore why vision matters, how to align leadership teams, and what it takes to get the right people in the right seats. Rob shares hard-earned lessons from decades of business transformation, revealing how clarity, accountability, and alignment can turn “spinning wheels” into real traction. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or team leader, this conversation will shift how you think about vision, execution, and growth.

Creating Meaningful Change: Lessons from Lindsay Leahy’s Take It All Apart

In this episode of Intentional Change, host Joshua McNary and co-host Shawn FitzGerald sit down with Lindsay Leahy, an executive coach, USA Today bestselling author, and founder of The Restoration Project [https://www.the-restorationproject.com/]. Often called a “business therapist” by her clients, Lindsay has a unique gift for guiding leaders through complexity and helping them rediscover clarity and alignment in their lives and organizations. Lindsay shares her journey from a successful sales career to launching her own coaching business inspired by a calling for “restoration.” She talks about the critical moments in business when things just don’t feel right—even with strong results—and how leaders can recognize these turning points. Lindsay unpacks her book, Take It All Apart, which offers a framework for transformation built on reconnecting with one’s true self, setting intentional goals, and aligning action for lasting change. [https://www.the-restorationproject.com/learning-hub/take-it-all-apart/] Whether you’re grappling with growth, feeling misaligned, or simply yearning for a more meaningful vision, Lindsay’s advice is candid, actionable, and rooted in empathy. Tune in to hear about growth through discomfort, the hard truths leaders must face, and the tools you can use to reset with intention—both for yourself and your business. * The Courage to Remove Your Armor Downloadable Tool [https://www.the-restorationproject.com/learning-hub/resources/remove-your-armor-tool/] * More Resources from The Restoration Project [https://www.the-restorationproject.com/learning-hub/resources/]