Episode #29: Derek Magee, Magee Financial Group

Episode 31: Chris Cox, Chimney Solutions Indiana

What does a chimney have in common with your home's foundation? More than you'd think, and ignoring it could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Bob Paden and Adam Hayes sit down with Chris Cox, Founder of Chimney Solutions Indiana, to pull back the curtain on one of the most overlooked systems in your home. Chris built his Indianapolis-based branch of the nationally recognized Chimney Solutions brand in 2016, bringing with him a background that started not in construction, but in rock climbing. That same comfort with heights and precision work has shaped how he leads his team and serves homeowners across central Indiana. In this conversation, Chris breaks down everything from EPA wood-burning regulations and the difference between a wood stove and an open fireplace, to why a single brick can hold a cup and a half of water, and what that means for your chimney after three days of Indiana rain. He explains why painted chimneys are a hidden disaster, how creosote buildup leads to chimney fires, and what homeowners should actually expect to spend on a quality fireplace installation. Chris also shares how annual inspections protect home sale transactions, why builder-grade fireplaces are a disservice to high-end homes, and the intrinsic value a well-maintained fireplace adds to a household, from cozy memories to real estate negotiating power. Whether you're a homeowner, a real estate professional, or just someone who's wondered what's really going on up on that roof, this episode is packed with practical insight from someone who truly knows the industry from the ground up, and from the rooftop down.

Episode 30: Scott Flood, Scott Flood Writing

What does it really take to make people act? According to Scott Flood, it starts with emotion, and most businesses are getting that completely wrong. In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Bob Paden and Adam Hayes sit down with Scott Flood, Founder of Scott Flood Writing, a copywriter with over 40 years of experience helping companies find and tell their most compelling stories. Scott's career began in Chicago advertising agencies before he eventually moved to Indianapolis and launched his own business in 1995, where he's been crafting copy for a wide range of clients ever since. Scott and the guys dig into the most common misconception business owners have about writing ("I went to college, I can write!"), Why copywriting is fundamentally different from every other kind of writing, and how the best marketing speaks directly to the heart before it ever reaches the brain. Scott argues that even the most analytical decision-makers, attorneys, accountants, and actuaries are driven first by emotion and only then by logic. And if your marketing isn't built around that reality, you're already behind. The conversation also explores Scott's love of case studies, why they're the most underused tool in B2B marketing, and the method he uses to uncover stories that clients didn't even know they had, by walking in completely ignorant and asking every "dumb" question he can think of. It's a candid, practical, and genuinely fascinating look at the craft of persuasion, and what it really means to connect with an audience.

Episode #29: Derek Magee, Magee Financial Group

What does it take to bet on yourself when you have a mortgage, three kids under four, and no guaranteed paycheck waiting on the other side? In Episode 29, hosts Bob Paden and Adam Hayes sit down with Derek Magee, CPA and Founder of Magee Financial Group, for an honest, grounded conversation about faith, family, and the leap from employee to entrepreneur. Derek's story starts where most do: heads down, learning the craft. After years at Donovan CPAs gaining wide-ranging experience in tax, audit, and the business side of running a firm, Derek found himself at a crossroads. A growing family, a desire for flexibility, and a fast-growing community in Whitestown, Indiana pointed him toward something bigger: starting his own CPA firm from scratch. But Derek is quick to give credit where he believes it's due. From the very beginning, he and his wife surrendered the firm to God, and that peace, he says, has carried them through the uncertainty of startup life. Whether it's leaving the office for a family lunch two minutes away or simply not having to answer to a clock, Derek has found that the "richness of life" he was chasing isn't always measured in dollars. He also opens up about the CPA profession's looming talent crisis, how he serves families not just as their tax guy but as a financial navigator, and the mindset shift that made him stop talking about starting a business, and actually start one. This episode is equal parts practical and personal. If you've ever thought about going out on your own, this one's for you.

Episode #28: Kevin Lingg, Loaded Dough

What do environmental health and safety management and scratch-baked cookies have in common? For Kevin Lingg, founder of Loaded Dough, they're both part of one of the most unexpected entrepreneurial journeys you'll hear. In this episode, hosts Bob Paden and Adam Hayes sit down with Kevin to trace a career path that wound through automotive manufacturing, a GE acquisition, a lean manufacturing pivot, and three job losses, before landing in a licensed commercial kitchen in Indianapolis, doing what he loves. Kevin spent 15+ years as an EHS manager before a spark of curiosity sent him down a new road. After watching a Bobby Flay Throwdown episode featuring Levain Bakery in New York City, he went home, tried to recreate those iconic thick cookies, and, despite the recipe not quite working out, stumbled onto something people couldn't stop raving about. What started as a side hustle baked out of a home kitchen became Loaded Dough, a growing wholesale and events cookie business that Kevin has intentionally kept a lifestyle business on his own terms. This conversation gets real about imposter syndrome, the ego hit of losing a corporate identity, what it feels like to cold-pitch your first stranger (and get ghosted), and why Kevin believes doing what energizes you is the only sustainable strategy. Kevin also shares his take on pricing, scaling (and choosing not to scale), and the happy accidents, like chopped chocolate and a chance encounter outside a charcuterie shop, that shaped the business into what it is today. If you've ever wondered whether the "slow build" side hustle can become something real, this episode is for you.

Episode #27: Jason Beutler, ROBOSOURCE

In this episode of the Behind the Brand Podcast, hosts Adam Hayes and Bob Paden sit down with Jason Beutler, founder of ROBOSOURCE, to explore how businesses can practically integrate AI into their everyday operations. Jason brings a refreshing perspective to the AI conversation, it's not about the technology, it's about change management. Jason explains his company's "Process Coach" approach, which treats AI like an external employee that communicates through email, chat, or text to help teams execute real work inside their existing systems. The key? A human is always in the loop. AI drafts the email but doesn't send it. It suggests the CRM update but asks permission first. This philosophy allows businesses to ease into AI adoption without fear of losing control. The conversation dives into practical use cases spanning HR, finance, insurance, and sales, and Jason shares his memorable analogy: AI is like a really good cover band, impressive and talented, but it's mimicking patterns, not creating something new. That distinction matters when setting realistic expectations for what AI can and can't do in your business. Jason also traces his own journey from aspiring Disney animator to computer science student studying early AI and neural networks at Taylor University, to serial entrepreneur and MBA graduate who launched ROBOSOURCE in 2010. Along the way, he emphasizes that the biggest barrier to AI adoption isn't the tool itself, it's getting your people and processes aligned and ready. If you're a business leader wondering where to start with AI, this episode is your roadmap.