In this episode, Garret Dillon shares his journey from the 101st Airborne Division to Director of Integrations at Agentis Longevity, and the military-forged mindset that drives his work. Through Shore Capital's Military to Operations program, Garret found a path to channel his leadership, grit, and relentless optimism into building a fast-growing healthcare company from the inside. He reflects on how the discipline of military life translates to the ambiguity of a startup, why veterans shouldn't discount their experience, and how a Colin Powell quote became his operating philosophy. The episode paints a picture of how one person's energy and mindset can shape a team's culture and a company's trajectory.

Key Takeaways:

1. Staying optimistic isn't just nice to have. It's what makes big goals possible with a small team.
2. The skills veterans build in the military carry over to business more than they might expect.
3. Not having a playbook is tough, but it's also the most rewarding part of building something new.
4. Great culture doesn't happen by accident. It comes from people who show up every day with energy and purpose.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 — Introduction
2. 03:00 — From the Military to Agentis
3. 07:12 — Optimism in Action
4. 10:36 — Building Culture
5. 14:08 — Advice and Motivation
6. 19:05 — What Makes Garret a Hero

Listen to our podcasts at:

https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts

There you will also find our other Everyday Heroes episodes, alongside our series Microcap Moments and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.

Other ways to connect:

Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog

Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/

Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/

Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog

This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, nor a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

In this episode, Ben Hayes, Nick Baxter, and Austin Bockwinkel share how Freestone Insurance Group is building a nationally recognized insurance platform rooted in relationships and entrepreneurial drive. Ben reflects on his journey from professional golf to founding a full-service brokerage, and how an unplanned conversation with Shore Capital opened his eyes to what Freestone could become. The team discusses why they chose partnership over exit, how investing in talent and technology transformed their business, and what they look for in agency owners ready to join the platform. They talk about preserving the brands and cultures entrepreneurs have built, why the most exciting time to join is at the beginning, and how insurance remains a people-first industry where Freestone's future will be defined by the partners who choose to be part of the story.

Key Takeaways:

1. Entrepreneurial drive and trusted relationships form the foundation of durable growth in a people-first insurance industry.
2. Investing early in specialized expertise and operational infrastructure frees leaders to move from working in the business to building the business.
3. Choosing partnership over exit unlocks talent, technology, and strategic resources that accelerate scale without sacrificing culture or control.
4. The most compelling platforms preserve brand, legacy, and entrepreneurial identity while aligning incentives to create long-term shared value.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 03:49 - A People-First Business
3. 06:10 - Investing in Talent and Infrastructure
4. 09:46 - Partnership Over Exit
5. 18:28 - Preserving Legacy and Driving Growth

Listen to our podcasts at:

https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts

You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.

Other ways to connect:

Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog

Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/

Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university

This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

In this episode, Carsten Bick shares his path from building healthcare services businesses to leading PhaseWell Research. He reflects on what drew him to clinical research, the opportunity to expand patient and physician access in a fragmented industry, and why people remain central to creating a successful platform. Carsten discusses scaling clinical trials through thoughtful partnerships, why culture and trust matter as much as process and technology, and how Shore Capital’s people-first approach aligned with his vision for long-term growth. He underscores the responsibility of building alongside experienced founders, staying close to patients, and letting purpose guide PhaseWell’s strategy and leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• People-first leadership comes first, shaping how teams are built, decisions are made, and care is delivered throughout the organization.
• Expanding access to clinical research requires engaging more physicians and patients in a highly fragmented industry.
• Trust, culture, and experienced partnerships enable growth while preserving quality, integrity, and alignment with mission.
• Long-term success is driven by staying close to purpose, investing in people, and building platforms alongside partners who share a long-term vision.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 05:57 - Expanding Access in a Fragmented Industry
3. 17:17 - People-First Leadership
4. 20:27 - Building Trust Through the Right Partnerships
5. 24:57 - Purpose, Scale, and Long-Term Growth

Listen to our podcasts at:

https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts

You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.

Other ways to connect:

Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog

Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/

Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university

This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.