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.

In this episode, Jordan Baltimore reflects on his unlikely path from volunteering to rake a baseball field to founding New York Empire Baseball and leading RISE. He shares how passion, curiosity, and a belief in what young athletes deserve shaped his vision for elevating youth sports. Jordan discusses why culture, coaching, and community sit at the heart of his model, how transforming coaching from a gig into a profession changes lives, and why Shore’s commitment to scaling culture, not just business, was the deciding factor in their partnership. He highlights the power of inspiration, the responsibility of shaping young athletes’ experiences, and how staying true to purpose continues to guide every decision he makes.

Key Takeaways:

• Passion for people, community, and the joy of the game creates the foundation for meaningful growth in youth sports.
• Elevating coaching from a gig to a profession strengthens culture and ensures every athlete receives consistent, inspiring development.
• Great experiences come from focusing on the core of youth sports, connection, learning, and life lessons, not just technology or metrics.
• The right partnerships are built on shared values, a commitment to culture, and a clear vision for scaling without losing what makes the work special.
• Inspiration thrives when leaders stay curious, invest in development, and create environments where young athletes and coaches can learn, grow, and belong.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 06:22 - Passion for Community
3. 12:40 - Building Sustainable Coaching
4. 21:25 - Finding the Right Partner
5. 34:59 - The Future of RISE

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, Devenee Schumacher shares her journey from her grandmother’s kitchen to founding and building SDC Nutrition into a leading manufacturer in the health and wellness industry. She reflects on how her love of food, curiosity for science, and commitment to quality turned a homegrown idea into a company built on integrity and innovation. Devenee discusses how honesty and persistence guided her through the challenges of scaling a new market, why investing in people and doing what’s right creates lasting impact, and how true growth comes from staying grounded in purpose and passion.

Key Takeaways:

• Purpose and passion often begin with humble roots where love for craft and family spark lifelong curiosity and drive.
• Integrity and quality build trust in products, partners, and people and form the foundation of lasting success.
• Resilience and innovation thrive when leaders stay true to their values, adapt to change, and keep improving what they create.
• True fulfillment comes from doing what’s right, investing in others, and leading with honesty, purpose, and heart.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 05:16 - Humble Roots and Lifelong Curiosity
3. 07:40 - Turning Passion into a Product
4. 14:07 - Integrity and Innovation in Manufacturing
5. 22:10 - Growth, Partnership, and Purpose

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, Ken Meyer shares his journey from growing up on a family farm to leading at Whole Foods and beyond. He reflects on how hard work, humility, and a people-first mindset shaped his 24-year career and guided him through major transitions from building teams to leading Whole Foods’ sale to Amazon. Ken discusses how trust, transparency, and empowerment drive lasting culture, why great leaders learn through failure, and how success comes from focusing on purpose, staying curious, and never losing sight of what matters most.

Key Takeaways:

• Lasting leadership begins with hard work, humility, and curiosity that keep growth grounded in purpose.
• Empowering people through trust, transparency, and context creates a culture where teams thrive and leaders emerge.
• Successful transformations happen when leaders build trust, communicate openly, and stay true to shared values.
• Fulfillment comes from focusing on what matters most, helping others grow, and creating impact that endures.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 03:45 - Lessons from the Farm
3. 09:30 - The Power of Trust and Empowerment
4. 15:11 - Leading Through Transformations
5. 22:44 - Purpose and Fulfillment

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, Tara Conger reflects on her journey from athletics to executive leadership and how the lessons of great coaches shaped her approach to business. She shares how building trust, investing in people, and leading through change helped her guide Tandem HR through growth and a successful exit. Tara also discusses what makes private equity leadership unique, the importance of balancing impact with effort, and why resilience and culture are at the heart of every great team.

Key Takeaways:

• Lessons from the field to the boardroom show that teamwork, preparation, and accountability turn potential into lasting success.
• Investing in people and culture creates the foundation for growth, where engagement and purpose drive performance.
• Great leadership grows from trust and resilience, guiding teams with clarity and empathy through transformation and uncertainty.
• True impact comes from focusing energy on outcomes that matter, not just the effort behind them.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 04:40 - Lessons from the Field to the Boardroom
3. 09:41 - Building Culture Through Clarity and Connection
4. 13:51 - Leading Through Change with Empathy and Resilience
5. 22:53 - Focusing on Impact, Not Effort

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, Amy Madden, Chief People and Culture Officer, and Suzanne Norman, Vice President of Patient Services at PRO-spectus, share how the company is evolving from a patient first culture to a people first growth strategy. They reflect on PRO’s rapid expansion, founder led roots, and the importance of staying scrappy while scaling. Amy and Suzanne discuss how investing in leadership development, performance management, and shared ownership is helping PRO grow by growing its people, and how an intentional, values driven culture remains the foundation of everything they do.

Key Takeaways:

• Culture becomes a catalyst for growth when a patient first mission expands into a people first mindset that empowers performance and purpose
• Intentional connection sustains culture in a remote world, where engagement, transparency, and care keep teams aligned through rapid growth
• Leadership development drives scale when managers grow with intention, build consistency, and create environments where others can succeed
• Shared ownership turns accountability into motivation, aligning personal success with the company’s mission and collective results

Chapters:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 06:22 - Culture as a Catalyst for Growth
3. 11:46 - Intentional Connection in a Remote World
4. 14:02 - Leadership Development That Drives Scale
5. 22:54 - Shared Ownership and Accountability
6. 30:09 - Preserving Culture Through 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.