What happens when a banking executive and a registered nurse decide to completely reinvent their lives at age 55? Dale and Stephanie's journey from comfortable careers to launching Cedar Direct, a specialty lumberyard in Western North Carolina, offers a masterclass in mid-life entrepreneurship and business development.

"Pine is fine but cedar is sweeter" might be their catchy slogan, but the story behind Cedar Direct reveals the grit, planning, and relationship-building required to establish a specialty business in a new market. Dale brings his financial expertise from years as a chief credit officer while Stephanie applies her organizational skills to manage the countless details of running a lumberyard. Together, they've created not just a business but a community resource for high-quality Western Red Cedar, a product previously difficult to source in the region.

Their candid insights about the entrepreneurial journey ring true for anyone considering a business launch. "For anybody starting a new business, you don't have a personal life," Dale admits, highlighting the all-consuming nature of entrepreneurship. Yet their approach to business - built on four core principles of trust, timeliness/integrity, treating others well, and maintaining a drama-free workplace - has enabled them to build a cohesive team that shares their vision. Their commitment to expertise, sending all employees to "Cedar School" and conducting regular product education, ensures everyone can speak knowledgeably about their specialty products.

What truly sets their story apart is how they've embraced community involvement alongside business development, joining local economic development boards and partnering with organizations like Rutherford Housing Partnership to assist Hurricane Helene victims. Their experience demonstrates that authentic community engagement isn't just good citizenship—it's good business.

Discover how this couple transformed from financial and healthcare professionals to cedar experts, and how they're building a business designed to expand while maintaining the personal touch that defines their brand. Their story might just inspire your own entrepreneurial leap! Visit cedardiret.com to learn more and see their full product line.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

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Bill

Justin Berger takes us behind the curtain of home inspection entrepreneurship, revealing how his business evolved from a simple scheduling concept to the comprehensive team-based approach that's driven 20% year-over-year growth for Home Inspection Collective since 2017.

What sets this conversation apart is Justin's refreshing honesty about the entrepreneurial journey. He candidly shares how self-awareness transformed his business approach when he realized he wasn't "the best home inspector in Asheville." This pivotal moment led him to build a team of specialists rather than trying to excel at everything himself.

The discussion explores unique hiring challenges in licensed industries, where Justin might interview just "one or two licensed individuals throughout the year." Surprisingly, he doesn't seek construction backgrounds when hiring inspectors, instead prioritizing communication skills and customer service experience. Both his current inspectors come from hospitality backgrounds, reflecting his belief that being educators is more important than being technical experts.

Justin's business approach is captured through his EPIC framework: Bringing Energy through positive client experiences, Education for clients and realtors, Planning with purpose, Inspiration for his team and children, and Commitment to employee well-being.

Whether you're considering entrepreneurship, facing hiring challenges, or looking to innovate within an established industry, Justin's journey offers valuable insights into building a thriving business while maintaining work-life balance and never losing sight of what matters most.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

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Bill

What happens when you take a leap of faith, leave behind a successful business, and start over in a new community? Lyn Mabry, founder of Designing Spaces by Lyn, did exactly that when she followed her dream of living in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

After 25 years in the design industry and a thriving business in Louisville, Lyn handed her company to her team and ventured to a place where she knew just one person. Her story of rebuilding from scratch offers powerful lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage. With remarkable candor, Lyn dismantles common misconceptions about business ownership – the mythical freedom, instant profits, and glamorous lifestyle many imagine. Instead, she paints a realistic picture of 24/7 dedication fueled by genuine passion for helping clients see possibilities they can't envision themselves.

What sets Lyn's approach apart is her commitment to "pure design" – no commissions, no product markups, just expertise and service. Her team works in pairs, combining complementary skills to give clients multiple perspectives. This collaboration highlights Lynn's philosophy of team-building: seek people who love the craft, operate with transparency, and bring talents different from your own.

Perhaps most inspiring is Lynn's fearless approach to growth. When new to the area, she literally walked the streets with her resume, knocked on doors, called every realtor she could reach, and joined numerous community organizations. Her advice to other business owners? "You have to believe in what you're offering, be fearless, and genuinely care about the person across from you." As she looks toward expanding her aging-in-place services, Lynn demonstrates how finding intersection points between market needs and personal passion creates sustainable business opportunities.

Ready to apply Lyn's entrepreneurial wisdom to your own journey? Listen now and discover how authentic connection, persistence, and passion can transform challenges into stepping stones for growth.

Lyn's email: lyn@designingspacesbylyn.com

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill