Scaling the Gap

Building a Business That Serves People First with Patrick Brown | Ep 94

How can a simple college side hustle grow into a thriving, full-fledged business? In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae welcomes Patrick Brown, founder and CEO of Surv. What began as Rent Sons, a playful idea to offer “quality service without the complaining of an actual son,” has grown into a purpose-driven franchise that builds stronger communities while empowering people to grow. Pat opens up about his entrepreneurial journey from a college side hustle to a tech-enabled startup and eventually into a scalable franchise model. Along the way, he shares the lessons learned from embracing feedback, fostering innovation among franchisees, and leading with humility and faith. Together, Madeleine and Pat explore how servant leadership transforms business, why structure creates freedom, and how low-mindshare work gives people the mental space to reflect on who they are becoming. The result is a conversation that proves success is not just about profit. It is about purpose, people, and the quiet power of serving well. Whether you lead a growing team or are searching for meaning in your work, this episode will inspire you to see everyday service in a whole new light. Key Takeaways * How “Rent Sons” evolved from a college project into a community-centered franchise * Why feedback, even when hard to hear, is the foundation of authentic growth * How servant leadership and faith intersect in building a purpose-driven business * The hidden value of “low mindshare” work and how it fosters reflection and growth * Why franchising thrives on humility, collaboration, and shared innovation * How true success is defined not by wealth, but by meaning, impact, and legacy In This Episode * [00:00] Introduction to Patrick Brown * [02:54] Building community and business growth * [06:16] Challenges in transitioning to franchising * [11:16] Generosity, information sharing, and scarcity mindset * [12:42] Personal growth and embracing feedback * [18:03] Learning from others and role models * [19:49] Intentionality and self-discovery in work * [21:08] Pat’s definition of success * [27:17] Closing reflections and contact information Notable Quotes * [04:25] "I love being an entrepreneur. I love always innovating and finding new ways to do things and making the business better and better." – Pat Brown * [14:04] "Feedback will always help you grow, and you grow into your best self through feedback." – Pat Brown * [21:41] "I think the finish line is a false reality. Success really is about living the way you would want to be living today." – Pat Brown Our Guest Pat Brown is the Founder and CEO of Surv, a fast-growing service franchise that connects people through meaningful work. What began as a college venture called “Rent Sons” has evolved into a mission-driven business empowering individuals to serve their communities while developing practical and life skills. Pat believes in the power of feedback, curiosity, and servant leadership to create a ripple effect of positive impact across generations. Resources and Links Pat Brown * Website: https://www.wesurv.com/ [https://www.wesurv.com/] * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pat-brown-surv [http://linkedin.com/in/pat-brown-surv] Madeleine MacRae * Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ [https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/] * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine] * Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ [https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/] * Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough [https://www.amazon.com/Tenacious-Pursuit-Peace-Success-Enough/dp/B0CQVLWLBG]

Turning Life's Hard Knocks into a Coaching Legacy with Bill McDevitt | Ep 93

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Bill McDevitt, founder of Top of the World Coaching. Bill shares his incredible journey from a 12-year-old paper boy learning business basics to a seasoned McDonald's executive, and finally to a small business coach dedicated to empowering leaders. His story is not a straight line but a series of peaks and valleys, including a profound personal loss that reshaped his timeline but not his resolve. Bill opens up about the foundational principles that guide his work: Empathy, Flexibility, and Self-Awareness, and his "Three P" philosophy: People, Performance, Profit. He reveals why the key to growth is training others to make you obsolete and how a broken window from his childhood taught him a lesson in honesty that shaped his entire career. This conversation is a masterclass in building a meaningful legacy, both in business and in life. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a business that outlives you or how to lead with humility and heart, this conversation is for you. Key Takeaways * How a childhood paper route taught foundational business and integrity lessons. * Why teaching your team to replace you is the ultimate leadership strategy. * How to apply the "Three P" principle (People, Performance, Profit) for sustainable growth. * The importance of navigating life's inevitable "peaks and valleys" with resilience. * How to define success as a journey of legacy-building, not a destination. * Why empathy, flexibility, and self-awareness are non-negotiable for modern leaders. * Bill's personal "success algorithm" that focuses on lasting impressions and family. In This Episode * [00:00] Introduction to Bill McDevitt * [03:04] The power of leadership duplication * [07:29] People, performance, and profit principle * [09:17] Lessons in honesty and accountability * [13:04] Navigating peaks, valleys, and life’s unexpected turns * [14:40] Launching Top of the World Coaching * [15:31] Embracing flexibility and agility in business * [17:59] Identity, humility, and learning from others * [19:23] Foundations of Bill’s coaching practice * [20:16] Defining success and legacy * [26:53] Final takeaways and how to connect with Bill Notable Quotes * [03:53] "The only way you can move on to the next thing is if you teach somebody what I taught you."— Bill McDevitt * [07:41] "If you get the right people, train the right people, coach the right people, they're going to perform better. And when you get that high-performing team out there, then you're going to naturally turn profit."— Bill McDevitt * [13:26] "If you want to hear a laugh from above, make a plan."— Bill McDevitt * [12:38] “The right thing to do is very rarely the easy thing to do, but it always has such an extreme payoff."— Bill McDevitt * [20:28] "Success to me is not a destination. It is a journey, and it's a journey that you're creating your legacy."— Bill McDevitt * [24:32] "I want to leave a meaningful, lasting impression... The leader is setting up the culture. And this culture that you're setting up will be here long after you're gone."— Bill McDevitt Our Guest Bill McDevitt is the founder of Top of the World Coaching, a coaching practice dedicated to helping small business owners and leaders scale their impact without sacrificing their values. With a decades-long career that began at McDonald's and spanned corporate leadership, Bill brings a wealth of real-world experience centered on his core principles of People, Performance, and Profit. He is passionate about empowering leaders to build lasting cultures and legacies. Resources and Links Bill McDevitt * Top of the World Coaching - https://totwcoaching.com/ [https://totcoaching.com/] * Email - bmcdevitt@totwcoaching.com [bmcdevitt@totwcoaching.com] * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billmcdevitt-top-of-the-world-coaching [https://www.linkedin.com/in/billmcdevitt-top-of-the-world-coaching] Madeleine MacRae * Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ [https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/] * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine] * Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ [https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/] * Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough [https://www.amazon.com/Tenacious-Pursuit-Peace-Success-Enough/dp/B0CQVLWLBG]

The Leadership Strategy That Changes Everything with Matt Kunz | Ep 92

What really makes a franchise thrive, the systems or the people behind them? In this episode of Scaling the Gap, Madeleine MacRae chats with Matt Kunz, COO of Fastest Labs, about what it truly takes to grow a business without losing your humanity. From his early days running Sylvan Learning Centers with his wife to leading powerhouse brands like Five Star Painting and Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Matt’s journey is packed with lessons on resilience, leadership, and staying humble through success. They dig into how the right structure creates freedom, why technology should enhance, not replace, the human touch, and how the best leaders focus on their franchisees’ bottom line just as much as their own. Matt also shares some of the toughest moments in his career, including legal battles, communication missteps, and the surprising “collateral beauty” that came from it all. It’s an honest, inspiring look at growth, grit, and the heart of franchising. Whether you lead a team or dream of building one, this episode will leave you thinking differently about success. Key Takeaways * Why the best structures create freedom, not restriction. * How to balance unit growth, diversification, and same-store sales for sustainable franchise scaling. * The power of empathy and communication in franchise leadership. * Lessons from the “collateral beauty” of franchising where growth happens through people. * Why saying no to good ideas can be the ultimate path to greatness. * How bringing your team along on the journey transforms outcomes and loyalty. * Why defining success is less about milestones and more about legacy, humility, and continuous evolution. In This Episode * [00:00] Introduction to Matt Kunz * [05:09] Evolution of structure and technology in franchising * [06:50] Remote work and communication tools * [08:44] Diversity among franchisees * [10:14] Transformational growth in business ownership * [15:52] Unexpected joys and hurdles in franchising * [21:23] The importance of communication and mentorship * [23:49] Learning from mistakes: the logo redesign story * [27:28] The value of bringing people along the journey * [29:32] Reflecting on growth and adaptability * [30:36] Defining success and legacy * [37:08] How to connect with Matt and Fastest Labs * [38:27] Closing remarks and podcast outro Notable Quotes * [04:48] "Structure isn't a straitjacket. Structure gives you freedom. The best type of structure is going to unleash your capacity." — Matt * [06:18] "A few years back, you saw technology coming on, trying to replace the human. Now people are realizing the technology has to enhance the human, not replace the human." — Matt * [07:51] "In franchising, people are friendly and welcoming and supportive, and even if you might be offering a competitive service or even if you might be a competing brand, there is still just a sense of, I'm going to call it almost family." — Matt * [19:59] "This is a very humbling industry. Like if you come in cocky, you will leave humbled in this industry." — Matt * [35:12] "I don't think we're going to be defined by what we say yes to. I think we're going to be more defined by what we say no to." — Matt Our Guest Matt is the Chief Operating Officer of Fastest Labs, a rapidly growing drug testing franchise headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. With a background in mechanical engineering and over two decades in franchising, Matt has led operations and brand growth at multiple national franchises, including Sylvan Learning Center, Five Star Painting, and Mr. Rooter Plumbing. He is passionate about scalable systems, people-first leadership, and creating lasting impact through mentoring and strategic growth. Resources and Links Matt Kunz * Website: fastestlabs.com [http://fastestlabs.com] * Franchise Info: fastestlabsfranchise.com [http://fastestlabsfranchise.com] * Email: matt@fastestlabs.com [matt@fastestlabs.com] * LinkedIn: Matt on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattkunz/] Madeleine MacRae * Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ [https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/] * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine] * Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ [https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/] * Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough [https://www.amazon.com/Tenacious-Pursuit-Peace-Success-Enough/dp/B0CQVLWLBG]

The Power of Reinvention and Owning Your Journey with Ashley Peterson | Ep 91

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Ashley Peterson, co-founder of Blue Mist Paint & Supply, a family-run paint and supply store in Greenville, South Carolina. What started as a renovation side hustle evolved through countless pivots, lessons, and leaps of faith into a thriving small business and community favorite. Ashley opens up about leaving behind a comfortable job in healthcare to pursue entrepreneurship with her husband, Heath, the challenges of bringing a new paint brand to her region, and how “time freedom” became her truest measure of success. She also shares what it’s like to homeschool her son while running a brick-and-mortar store, and how each chapter of her journey is about more than paint, it’s about family, courage, and building a legacy. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to build a legacy business without sacrificing the moments that matter most, this conversation is for you. Key Takeaways * How Ashley turned a home renovation idea into a full-service paint and supply business * Why embracing pivots can lead to unexpected growth * The importance of time freedom in defining true success * How bringing a 100-year-old paint brand to South Carolina became a bold business move * The joy of being featured on a magazine cover and winning “Best of South Carolina” * Why entrepreneurship is as much about family and values as it is about profits * Ashley's personal "success algorithm" that balances achievement, relationships, and purpose. In This Episode * [00:00] Introduction to Ashley Peterson * [01:19] How Blue Mist began and evolved through multiple pivots * [03:18] Why paint became their perfect product * [04:24] The dream that sparked their leap into business * [05:06] Defining success beyond cars and houses * [06:37] Facing the challenge of introducing a new paint brand * [09:29] The pride of seeing Blue Mist help expand a national brand * [09:52] From small-town store to magazine cover and statewide award * [12:21] Finding unexpected freedom and flexibility through entrepreneurship * [13:32] Redefining success and celebrating the wins * [20:24] Where to connect with Ashley Notable Quotes * [03:18] “Paint is colorful, it's fun, it's easy to change. If somebody likes it, that's wonderful. If they don't, it's easy and inexpensive to change.” - Ashley Peterson * [04:32] “I had grown up with my mom telling me, you wanna go into healthcare, it's where the money is.” - Ashley Peterson * [07:02] “I am the first one in the state of South Carolina to bring Dunn-Edwards Paints. You may know that paint line, but around here, people don’t know it. And when you don’t know something, you don’t trust it.”-  Ashley Peterson * [08:49] “I remember when nobody knew the name. And now here we’re a brand that people demand.” - Ashley Peterson * [13:40] “Most people that I know in my personal circle have hobby businesses, and that’s wonderful, and I hope that they’re successful.” - Ashley Peterson Our Guest Ashley Peterson is the co-founder of Blue Mist Paint & Supply, a woman- and family-owned paint and supply store based in Greenville, South Carolina. Alongside her husband, Heath, she has transformed a small renovation idea into a thriving business, blending creativity, courage, and community. Ashley is passionate about teaching her son entrepreneurship through their family business and about empowering others to build a life defined by purpose and freedom. Resources and Links Ashley Peterson * Blue Mist Paint and Supply - https://bluemistpaintandsupply.com/ [https://bluemistpaintandsupply.com/] Madeleine MacRae * Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ [https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/] * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine] * Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ [https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/] Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough [https://www.amazon.com/Tenacious-Pursuit-Peace-Success-Enough/dp/B0CQVLWLBG]

The Life of a Luxury Drapery Boss: Leading with Love with Oana Molodoi | Ep 90

In this episode of Scaling the Gap, host Madeleine MacRae sits down with Oana Molodoi, founder of OM Drapes Design, a Southern California company creating custom window treatments for high-end homes and interior designers. Oana shares how she launched the business in 2020 during the pandemic with no industry experience, built a website with her husband, and on her very first appointment, walked away with a $5,000 check that confirmed she was on to something big. She opens up about the ups and downs of growing fast, the challenges of being a solopreneur while raising a family, and the joy of becoming a role model for her kids. Oana and Madeleine talk about what the American dream really looks like, why taking time off is essential, and how strong relationships can often matter more than business strategy. If you have ever wondered whether you can grow a business you love without sacrificing the people and values that matter most, this conversation will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action. Key Takeaways * How starting from scratch during the pandemic turned into a thriving design business * Why personal connection is the secret ingredient to long-term success * Oana’s formula for balancing motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship * The emotional labor of growing fast and why it’s worth it * Why blocking vacation time might be the most productive thing you do * How immigrant resilience and purpose-fueled work created Oana’s dream life * Why “success” should include joy, love, and alignment, not just profits In This Episode * [00:00] Introduction to Oana Molodoi  * [02:44] How the pandemic sparked a bold career leap * [04:43] Landing her first big client and building momentum * [05:26] Balancing business growth and family life * [07:02] A touching story about her daughter’s pride about the  business * [10:58] The power of scheduling rest and connection * [13:47] Unexpected gifts from client relationships * [16:22] Living the American dream as a successful immigrant * [18:17] Strategic risk, connection, and staying grounded * [19:38] Oana’s definition of success * [26:42] Where to connect with Oana Notable Quotes * [08:22] “Entrepreneurial life is like a stool. It's a three-legged stool. You've got your business, you've got your relationships, you've got your family, and there's three legs, but they're never even at the same time, it gets pretty wobbly.”— Madeline * [11:03] "Every December, I actually take a spa day and I go and set my goals and think of my next year's strategy." — Oana  * [15:15] "The universe cannot be outdone in generosity. When we pour it out and we give it and we give it, it's gonna come back to us" — Madeline McCrae * [16:30] "We put our dreams in eight pieces of luggage and flew over the ocean." — Oana  * [20:00] "I have an MBA and I look at it as a business. And when I first started this, I was thinking, oh, finally I get to put my MBA to work." — Oana  * [20:43] "Success is really how accomplished you feel, how loved you feel, how well received you feel." — Oana  Our Guest Oana Molodoi is the founder of OM Drapes Design, a fast-growing window treatments company based in Southern California. Originally from Romania, Oana brings her deep background in advertising and her MBA education into every part of her business. Known for her creative eye and heart-centered leadership, she has built a brand rooted in connection, purpose, and empowerment. Resources and Links Oana Molodoi * OM Drapes Design - https://omdrapesdesign.com/ [https://omdrapesdesign.com/] * Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/oanamolodoi/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/oanamolodoi/?hl=en] * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-molodoi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/oana-molodoi] Madeleine MacRae * Website - https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/ [https://mmmacrae.com/making-changes-training-motivating/] * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/macraemadeleine] * Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/ [https://www.instagram.com/madeleine.macrae/] * Book – The Tenacious Pursuit of Peace: Where to Go When Success Isn’t Enough [https://www.amazon.com/Tenacious-Pursuit-Peace-Success-Enough/dp/B0CQVLWLBG]