In the 96th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Neil Young, President of Two Ladders, to explore what it really means to build a business that lasts.

Eleven years in, Two Ladders still feels like a startup and that’s no accident. Neil shares how the company evolved from a traditional marketing agency into a business focused on uncovering the operational truths that marketing spend often reveals.

This conversation dives into the dangers of chasing growth without fixing internal processes, the power of simplicity in leadership, and why understanding your starting point is critical to making smart decisions as you scale.

If you’re a business owner or leader trying to grow without losing focus, this episode delivers practical insight and grounded wisdom.

👉 Listen in, subscribe, and join the conversation.

In the 95th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Dan Ratterman, Co-Founder and CEO of Shady Rays, to unpack how a simple idea turned into a powerful brand.

Dan shares the founding story behind Shady Rays identifying a gap in the market where sunglasses were either overpriced or disposable, and choosing to build something better by focusing on real customer behavior.

This conversation explores what it means to build a business that listens first, keeps things simple, and grows through trust rather than noise. Dan’s insights are a reminder that strong businesses aren’t built by chasing trends they’re built by solving everyday problems well.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or business owner, this episode will challenge you to rethink how simplicity, empathy, and consistency can become your greatest competitive advantages.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and discover how doing less better can drive more impact.

In the 94th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Eric Lowe, Co-Founder and CEO of Aptiva Health, to explore how one company is redesigning healthcare around people not systems.

Eric shares the story of how Aptiva grew from a single practice in Lexington, Kentucky, into a multi-location, multi-specialty healthcare group. Their model brings orthopedic, MSK, concussion care, rehab, and mental wellness under one roof, so patients don’t have to wait months or bounce between four different specialists to get real help.

You’ll hear how Eric’s background in revenue cycle management and contracts shaped his view of what’s broken in healthcare and how that led to a radically more convenient, transparent experience for patients. From integrated mental health for concussion patients to up-front pricing and the upcoming Aptiva Health Learning Hub, Eric explains how they’re trying to remove friction at every step of the patient journey.

The conversation also dives into leadership and life outside the clinic. Eric talks about coaching youth football, using AI and automation as a force multiplier for his team, and why he sees work as part of a single, purpose-driven life not something separate from it. He also previews his upcoming book, Be the Broker, and unpacks the idea of “relational currency” as a key to long-term success.

If you’re a healthcare leader, entrepreneur, or anyone interested in building businesses that actually serve people better, this episode is for you.

Listen in to learn:

How Aptiva Health is rethinking the entire patient journey

Why integrating mental health into injury care changes outcomes

Where AI and automation can truly help (without replacing humans)

How to think about work, purpose, and life as one integrated whole

Why “relational currency” might be the most important asset you build

Tune in, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who cares about fixing healthcare or building a business that genuinely puts people first.