Artist-First Record Labels: Disrupting Music Industry Norms with Peter James

Artist-First Record Labels: Disrupting Music Industry Norms with Peter James

In this episode of Built Leadership, host James Onyks interviews Peter James, Founder and CEO of Manic Kat Records. Peter shares the journey of building an independent, artist-first record label that began as a passion project for his own band and evolved into an internationally recognized music company challenging traditional label models. The conversation explores how frustration with the conventional music industry inspired Peter to create a more transparent and relationship-driven approach to artist development, why credibility and reputation became the foundation of the company’s growth, and how he scaled from a one-person operation to a global team. Peter also discusses lessons learned from leaving the corporate world, overcoming imposter syndrome, developing a leadership style centered on people, and expanding the business into international markets, including the launch of a UK division. Manic Kat Records website: https://www.manickatrecords.com/ [https://www.manickatrecords.com/]

Leadership in Construction: Transitioning from Sales to Company Ownership Systems with Grant Crowden

In this episode of Built Leadership, host James Onyks interviews Grant Crowden, Owner of Deep South Construction Pros. They explore the journey of building a high-performance home services business rooted in reputation, leadership, and community trust. Grant shares how he walked away from a $10M operation he helped build to start over with a values-driven approach to construction, ultimately scaling Deep South Construction Pros into a growing regional company serving homeowners across Alabama. The conversation dives deep into the realities of scaling a service-based business, including the shift from sales-driven execution to leadership-focused operations, and what it takes to manage a growing team while maintaining culture and quality. Grant breaks down how hiring decisions, internal leadership development, and accountability directly impact customer experience and long-term brand reputation. He also discusses how home services companies can build predictable pipelines through a mix of digital marketing, referrals, and traditional media such as TV and radio—while still staying grounded in community relationships. Key insights include the importance of protecting company culture during rapid growth, why “revenue is vanity” without operational discipline, and how founders can avoid becoming bottlenecks as their teams expand. This episode is a practical blueprint for entrepreneurs navigating the tension between scaling aggressively and building a business that lasts. Deep South Construction Pros website: https://deepsouthconstructionpros.com/ [https://deepsouthconstructionpros.com/]

Veteran Community Building: Preventing Isolation Through Online Gaming with Stephen Machuga

In this episode of Built Leadership, host James Onyks interviews Stephen Machuga, founder of StackUp, a veteran-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military veterans through gaming and suicide prevention initiatives. Stephen shares the origin story behind StackUp, explaining how his military experience and lifelong relationship with video games shaped the idea of “recreational therapy” as a practical way to help veterans maintain connection, stability, and mental well-being after service. The conversation explores how gaming serves as a critical lifeline for many post-9/11 veterans, helping them stay connected to their “battle buddies” and avoid isolation during difficult transitions back into civilian life. Stephen also discusses the operational realities of running a mission-driven nonprofit for over a decade, including the ongoing challenges of fundraising, donor fatigue, and sustaining impact in an increasingly uncertain economic environment. StackUp website: https://stackup.org [https://stackup.org]

Therapy Practice Growth: Outsourcing, HR Systems, and Hiring for Scalable Operations with Andrea Battiola

In this episode of Built Leadership, host James Onyks interviews Andrea Battiola, Founder and CEO of Peak Couples & Sex Therapy, a multi-state virtual psychotherapy practice specializing in couples and sex therapy across Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington State. Andrea shares the real story behind building a highly sensitive, regulated healthcare business from the ground up—starting as a solo practitioner and evolving into a CEO managing a growing clinical team and structured organization. She unpacks the operational and emotional realities of scaling a therapy practice, including the shift from working independently to leading employees, and the responsibility that comes with managing both client care and team livelihood. Peak Couples & Sex Therapy website: https://thepeaktherapy.com [https://thepeaktherapy.com]

Bootstrap Business Growth: Scaling Ventures Without Outside Funding with James Burns

In this episode of Built Leadership, host James Onyks interviews James Burns, entrepreneur and operator in the veterinary endoscopy and medical device industry and founder of Endoscopy Support Services, Inc. They explore how Burns built a career spanning multiple ventures by applying systems thinking, operational efficiency, and long-term infrastructure building across industries including healthcare, restaurants, and print services. He shares how modernizing legacy processes—such as replacing pen-and-paper workflows with integrated software systems and cloud-based tools—helped scale his core business and improve profitability. A second major theme is his “incubator” approach to entrepreneurship, where he builds self-sustaining businesses alongside partners by trading knowledge for execution, empowering operators, and prioritizing lean, repeatable systems over hands-on management. Endoscopy Support Services, Inc. website: https://endoscopy.com [https://endoscopy.com]