Ep. 27 - From Side Hustle to $68 Million A Conversation with Corenic Construction CEO Brunson Cooper

Ep. 27 - From Side Hustle to $68 Million A Conversation with Corenic Construction CEO Brunson Cooper

In 2009, Brunson Cooper started his business as a side hustle with one small lobby project. After being passed over for another promotion and a conversation with his wife, in 2012 he decided to bet on himself — and never looked back. In this episode, Marlon sits down with Brunson — CEO of Corenic Construction and Black Enterprise-featured business leader — to talk about what it really takes to build a minority-owned construction company from the ground up. From that first small lobby renovation to leading a powerhouse firm in the Washington DC area, Brunson opens up about family, reputation, relationships, and the mindset that drives him to keep growing. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Brunson Cooper and Kornik Construction (04:12) The Journey of Building Kornik Construction (07:03) The Importance of Family Support in Business (09:37) Involving Family in Business (12:11) Building Relationships and Reputation in Construction (15:08) Navigating Challenges as a Minority-Owned Business (17:37) Growth Strategies from $33 Million to $60 Million (20:23) Lessons Learned in Business Development (23:13) Delivering on Promises and Maintaining Reputation (29:31) Navigating Company Growth and Personal Development (32:23) The Importance of Executive Leadership (36:38) Balancing Risk and Leadership Styles (38:49) Building Professional Relationships and Opportunities (43:18) Creating Impact in the Community (45:47) Lessons Learned: Advice for the Future WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE • How Brunson went from side hustle to $68M • Why reputation is your most valuable business asset • How to know which clients to walk away from • Building an executive team so you can scale • The mindset that drives his growth • Creating a legacy — not just a business Resources: North Carolina A&T University - https://www.ncat.edu/ Black Enterprise Magazine - https://www.blackenterprise.com/ U squared Book by Robert Anthony - https://www.amazon.com/U-Squared-Robert-Anthony/dp/0972459274 Learn more about Brunson Cooper: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunsoncooper/ Corenic Construction Official Website - https://corenicconstruction.com/ #kickingassandtakingnames #BrunsonCooper #KickingAssPodcast #BlackBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #MarlonGriffith #CorenicConstruction #MindsetMatters #BlackEntrepreneur #Podcast

Ep. 26 - Power of Purpose: Real Talk on Becoming a Leader: with Marlon Griffith, Esq.

What does it take to become the kind of leader people actually want to follow? In this episode Marlon gets personal — sharing the leadership insights and growth strategies he has lived, taught and continues to practice. Originally delivered as a presentation to young Black men ages 16-18 at The 13th Man Leadership Academy, the lessons inside hit just as hard for adult leaders and business owners of all backgrounds. Because before you can lead someone else — you must first know how to lead yourself. In this episode you will discover: The leadership qualities that actually matter — caring, humility and valuing the people around you Why self-awareness and purpose are the foundation of everything you build How to develop your personal brand and show up with genuine confidence The role of vision and imagination in becoming the leader you are meant to be Why your environment and relationships either accelerate your growth or quietly kill it How to make a meaningful impact in your community — starting right where you are Whether you are 17 trying to figure out who you are or 47 leading a team or a business — this conversation will challenge you to look in the mirror first. --- Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of Kicking Ass and Taking Names. Drop a comment: What is the one relationship or environment that shaped who you are as a leader? --- 🏛 Ready to protect and grow your business? The Griffith Law Group provides outside general counsel, litigation and business dispute services for businesses with $1M–$20M+ in revenue. Whether you need On-Demand legal support, The Slingshot Program — our fractional general counsel service — or representation when disputes arise, we are in your corner. Schedule your strategy consultation: Learn more: www.glgdc.com --- Learn more about The 13th Man Leadership Academy: www.the13thmanla.org | www.the13thman.org (00:00) Introduction (01:02) Leadership: Are Leaders Born or Made? (05:55) Leading Yourself First (10:52) Finding Your Purpose & North Star (22:30) Growth Mindset, Career Path & Becoming a Lawyer (24:43) Staying Focused & Overcoming Challenges (26:33) Support Systems & Relationships (30:15) Building Belief, Consistency & Personal Brand (43:23) Outro #Leadership #SelfLeadership #PersonalBrand #FindYourWhy #Humility #Vision #SelfAwareness #YoungBlackMen #YoungLeaders #CommunityImpact #PersonalGrowth #KickingAssAndTakingNames #MarlonGriffith #PurposeDrivenLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessOwners #PowerOfPurpose #BecomingALeader #the13thman #glgdc

Ep. 25 - From Kid Trouble to CEO of a Billion Dollar Company: A conversation with Kevin Wideman.

Kevin Wideman didn't start out as a CEO — he started as an engineer. But through relentless personal growth, a commitment to his values, and a leadership philosophy built on people, he climbed to the top and transformed Koniag Government Services into a billion-dollar powerhouse. In this episode, Kevin takes us through the pivotal moments of his career journey — from his early days as an engineer to stepping into the CEO role and leading one of the most impressive growth stories in government services. He pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to scale a business from $125M to over $800M in revenue in less than eight years, and why the secret isn't just strategy — it's culture, integrity and relationships. Kevin shares why integrity is non-negotiable, how building an employee-centric organization became his greatest competitive advantage, and why continuous personal development isn't optional for leaders who want to sustain long-term success. Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned executive, or an entrepreneur looking to scale — this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom and actionable insight. Connect with Kevin Wideman: website: https://www.koniag-gs.com/member/kevin-m-wideman/ linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wideman-3582112a/ Chapters (00:00) Introduction and Background of Kevin Wideman (01:43) Introduction to Kevin (03:44) Journey to Electrical Engineering (07:26) Lessons Learned from Temple (09:22) From Management to CEO (11:58) Seizing Opportunities and Career Growth (14:44) Scaling Koniag Government Services (16:29) Leadership Philosophy and Role of Ethics in Business (20:40) Scaling to over $800 million (23:20) Vision and Growth Strategy (23:48) Leadership and Employee Engagement (25:58) Attracting and Retaining Talent (29:52) Employee-Centric Culture (34:48) Personal Leadership Development (36:06) Commitment to Community Service (39:18) Next Generation Leadership Program (43:03) Integrity in Business Practices (47:02) Podcast Outro updated (1).mp4

Ep. 24 - Sell Your Business on Your Terms: A Conversation with Stuart H. Sorkin, JD, LL.M, CPA

In this conversation, Marlon and Stuart Howard Sorkin delve into the intricacies of buying and selling businesses, emphasizing the importance of succession planning, business structure, and the factors that influence business valuation. Stuart shares insights on preparing a business for sale, retaining key employees, and understanding financial metrics like EBITDA. The discussion also highlights the significance of accurate projections and maintaining a healthy balance sheet to ensure business success and facilitate smoother transactions.  Marlon and Stuart Sorkin delve into the essential factors that influence business valuation and the strategies entrepreneurs should adopt for successful business management and eventual sale. They discuss financial preparedness, the significance of understanding contingent liabilities, the importance of customer focus, and the evaluation of contract backlogs. The conversation also highlights the need for a strong business pipeline, effective management and staffing strategies, and the critical role of service and product offerings. Stuart emphasizes the importance of having an exit strategy from the outset and the necessity of planning for life after selling a business. Connect with Stuart H. Sorkin: Website link: Businessandlegaladvisors.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ stuart-sorkin-84a528 Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Business Exits (03:46) Understanding Succession Planning (05:58) The Importance of Business Structure (08:37) Factors Influencing Business Value (11:28) Retaining Key Employees (15:12) Financial Factors in Business Valuation (17:56) Understanding EBITDA and Multipliers (20:32) The Role of Projections in Business Success (23:28) The Balance Sheet and Cash Flow (30:37) Financial Preparedness for Entrepreneurs (33:18) Understanding Contingent Liabilities (35:30) The Importance of Customer Focus (38:34) Evaluating Contract Backlog (40:37) Building a Strong Business Pipeline (43:52) Service and Product Offering Focus (47:40) Management and Staffing Strategies (51:32) Advice for Business Owners (55:20) Podcast Outro updated (1).mp4 Connect with Stuart H. Sorkin: Website link: Businessandlegaladvisors.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ stuart-sorkin-84a528 Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Business Exits (03:46) Understanding Succession Planning (05:58) The Importance of Business Structure (08:37) Factors Influencing Business Value (11:28) Retaining Key Employees (15:12) Financial Factors in Business Valuation (17:56) Understanding EBITDA and Multipliers (20:32) The Role of Projections in Business Success (23:28) The Balance Sheet and Cash Flow (30:37) Financial Preparedness for Entrepreneurs (33:18) Understanding Contingent Liabilities (35:30) The Importance of Customer Focus (38:34) Evaluating Contract Backlog (40:37) Building a Strong Business Pipeline (43:52) Service and Product Offering Focus (47:40) Management and Staffing Strategies (51:32) Advice for Business Owners (55:20) Outro

Ep. 23 - Building a Championship Culture: A Conversation with Duane Simpkins, Head Coach American University Men’s Basketball

In this engaging conversation, Duane Simpkins, championship head coach of the American University men's basketball team, shares his journey from a McDonald's All-American player to a successful Division One coach. He discusses the importance of mindset, character, and work ethic in building is championship culture in sports and life. Duane reflects on the lessons learned from legendary coaches like Morgan Wooten and Gary Williams, emphasizing the significance of resilience and humility. The conversation also highlights the business aspects of coaching, the impact of mentorship, and the responsibility coaches have in shaping young men's lives beyond basketball. Connect with Duane Simpkins: website: https://aueagles.com/staff-directory/duane-simpkins/289 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duaneandkirstensimpkins Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_simpkins/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@duane.simpkins (00:00) Introduction to Duane Simpkins (04:02) The Journey from Player to Coach (07:40) Transition from player to coach (10:22) Lessons  from Coach Morgan Wooten (14:36) Lessons learned from Coach Gary Williams (17:36) Resilience in Sports and Business (22:21) Coaching Philosophy and Impact on Young Men (27:39) The Differences in Coaching High School vs. College Athletes (30:10) The Importance of Knowing Your Role (32:56) Building Character and Work Ethic (42:48) Core Values Beyond Basketball (48:47) The Broader Responsibilities of a Coach (53:54) Life Lessons from Coaching