Episode 5: Aaron Cole - DoughNation Bakery & The Melted Grill

Episode 6: Paige Fuoco - Hoyden Branding

What does it take to buy a creative agency, modernize it, and grow it entirely on your own terms? In this episode, Brandon and Alex sit down with Paige, Owner and CEO of Hoyden Branding, for an honest and energetic conversation about what it really means to lead a creative business.  Paige opens up about the biggest shift she made after acquiring the agency -- moving away from a production-house model and leaning hard into brand strategy and relationship-driven work. She shares how being in the same life stage as her team has shaped her leadership style, why going fully remote has made her more productive (even if she misses the office vibes), and how she keeps company culture alive without a shared physical space.  From navigating maternity leaves and scaling challenges to weighing outside investment and staying true to her "frugal boss" roots, Paige gets real about the messy math of growing a small agency. She also talks about an unexpected niche she's found in financial services -- and why she's on a mission to make wealth management, insurance, and financial planing actually cool.  Plus: her unfiltered new podcast Hoyden and Hang, why difficult clients are sometimes her favorite ones, and what she'd tell herself about asking for help sooner.  Find Paige and the Hoyden Branding team on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn @hoydenbranding. Connect with Lean Rocket Lab:  * Website: leanrocketlab.org * LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab * Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab * Instagram: @Leanrocketlab * TikTok: @Leanrocketlab * YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 5: Aaron Cole - DoughNation Bakery & The Melted Grill

What started as a simple desire to give back through baking turned into a thriving culinary movement in Jackson, Michigan. In this episode of Startup Storytelling with Lean Rocket Lab, we sit down with Aaron Cole, the visionary behind DoughNation Bakery and The Melted Grill.  Aaron shares the unconventional "non-business" origin story of DoughNation--a bakery founded on the principle of feeding the community--and how that mission-driven approach paved the way for the comfort-food success of The Melted Grill. We drive into the realities of scaling a passion project, the importance of authentic branding, and how Aaron balances social impact with sustainable business growth. Whether you're a food entrepreneur or a mission-driven startup founder, Aaron's insights on community-centric business are not to be missed.  Connect with DoughNation Bakery & The Melted Grill Facebook: DoughNation Bakery Facebook: Melted Grill Instagram: @doughnationbaker Instagram: @themeltedgrill Website: https://www.doughnationbakery.com/ Connect with Lean Rocket Lab:  * Website: leanrocketlab.org * LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab * Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab * Instagram: @Leanrocketlab * TikTok: @Leanrocketlab * YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 4: Shane Grant - Machining Momentum

Welcome back to Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab!  In this episode, host Alex Masten is joined by a special co-host--Lean Rocket Lab co-founder Ken Seneff--to dive into the high-stakes, high-precision world of manufacturing. Our guest is Shane Grant, the founder and owner of Machining Momentum.  Shane's story is a masterclass in what happens when technical expertise meets entrepreneurial grit. From his roots as a skilled machinist to building a company that serves as a cornerstone of the regional manufacturing ecosystem, Shane shares the "real and raw" truth about what it takes to keep a business moving forward when the stakes are measured in microns.  Listen in to learn:  * The Spark of Ownership: What motivated Shane to transition from a technical role to founding his own precision machining shop.  * The Precision Paradox: How to maintain extreme quality standards while trying to scale a manufacturing operation.  * Momentum vs. Friction: Shane discusses the unique challenges of the machining industry, from equipment investment to finding the right talent.  * The Breakthrough after the Fall: A candid look at a significant business hardship Shane faced and the pivotal changes he made to pull through.  * The Future of Machining: Where Shane sees the industry heading and his advice for the next generation of "makers" and founders.  Whether you're in the manufacturing world or just looking for a story about resilience and technical passion, Shane's journey offers a fascinating look at the gears that turn behind a successful startup.  __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Guest Information:  * Shane Grant, Founder & Owner of Machining Momentum * Website: https://www.machiningmomentum.com/ [https://www.machiningmomentum.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-grant-879aab156/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-grant-879aab156/] __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Lean Rocket Lab:  * Website: leanrocketlab.org * LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab * Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab * Instagram: @Leanrocketlab * TikTok: @Leanrocketlab * YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 3: Dallen Reber - Realization Co.

Welcome back to Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab!  In this episode, hosts Brandon Marken and Alex Masten sit down with the founder of Realization Co., Dallen Reber. Dallen shares his journey of turning a passion for personal development into a successful business that helps people live more intentionally.  Listen in to learn:  * The "realization" that sparked the idea for his company's flagship product, the Self-Mastery Journal.  * How a simple, easy-to-use journal can help enhance happiness, productivity, and stress management.  * The surprising challenges of launching a personal development brand and how he overcame them.  * How Realization Co. built a loyal supportive community and a customer-first brand.  * Dallen's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and the core values that drive his business.  Whether you're looking to start your own business or simply seeking to improve your life, Dallen's story is an inspiring look at the power of turning a vision into a reality.  __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Guest Information:  * Dallen Reber, Founder of Realization Co. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Learn More About Realization Co. & The Self-Mastery Journal:  * Website: shoprealizations.com * Facebook: Realizations HQ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Lean Rocket Lab * Website: leanrocketlab.org * Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab * LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab * Instagram: @leanrocketlab * TikTok: @leanrocketlab * YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts.  Connect with Lean Rocket Lab:  * Website: leanrocketlab.org * LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab * Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab * Instagram: @Leanrocketlab * TikTok: @Leanrocketlab * YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 2: Kim Gamez - Sober(ish)

Welcome back to Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab!  In this episode, hosts Brandon Marken and Alex Masten sit down with the incredible Kim Gamez, a true serial entrepreneur who has built and sold multiple companies. Kim shares her remarkable journey, from her early days as a restaurant and real estate owner to the creations of her highly successful tech marketplace, Mi Padrino, and her latest multi-million dollar venture, Sober(ish).  Listen in to learn:  * How Kim went from running a popular restaurant, The Crazy Cowboy, to building a global tech platform.  * The story behind Mi Padrino, her successful event planning marketplace that reached millions of users.  * Why she broke a vow never to start another company to launch Sober(ish) after a viral TikTok video.  * Her unique strategy for building a community-first brand and reaching a million dollars in sales.  * The common thread that drives all of her ventures, from hospitality to the "sober curious" movement.  Whether you're an aspiring founder or a seasoned business owner, Kim's story is a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and turning passion into a successful business.  __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Guest Information:  * Kim Gamez, Founder of Sober(ish) __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Learn More About Sober(ish): * Website: Soberish.com * TikTok: @trysoberish * Instagram: @trysoberish * Facebook: Soberish __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Lean Rocket Lab:  * Website: leanrocketlab.org * TikTok: @leanrocketlab * Instagram: @leanrocketlab * Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab * LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab * YouTube: @leanrocketlab __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts.  Connect with Lean Rocket Lab:  * Website: leanrocketlab.org * LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab * Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab * Instagram: @Leanrocketlab * TikTok: @Leanrocketlab * YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts.