Shows
Killer Growth5th Generation Grit: Oil, Drilling & Leadership with Andy Brickley | Ep 29In Episode 29 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Andy Brickley, owner of AJ Services and Lighthouse Drilling, for a deep dive into the realities of the Kansas oil field.A fifth-generation oilfield operator, Andy shares how he started a pipe testing business straight out of high school, grew it through trial and error, and expanded into roustabout services, production ownership, and eventually drilling rigs. He breaks down how an oil well is drilled, completed, produced, and maintained—along with the hard lessons learned from equipment failures, volatile oil prices, and managing crews in one of th...
2026-02-1756 minKiller GrowthRethinking Education: Personalized Learning & Innovation with Kristin Bogner | Ep 28In Episode 28 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Kristin Bogner of Learning Lab Wichita to explore one of the most important and debated topics in America today: how we educate our kids.Kristin shares her journey from earning a journalism degree to teaching high school for 12 years, launching a healthy vending startup, and ultimately stepping into nonprofit leadership in the education innovation space. Now part of a first-of-its-kind learning hub in Wichita, Kristin helps support multiple education models—public school partnerships, private schools, homeschool groups, and microschools—all under one roof.The conversation dives into...
2026-02-1753 minKiller GrowthFrom MasterChef to Ukraine: Noah Sims on Purpose, War Zones & Serving Others | Ep 27In Episode 27 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Noah Sims for one of the most intense and unconventional conversations we’ve ever recorded.Noah shares his story from growing up in Georgia to working brutal factory jobs, managing a Cold Stone Creamery, going through culinary school, and eventually becoming a Top 4 finalist on MasterChef. But what happens after reality TV fame is not what anyone expects.Noah explains how disaster relief work in the Bahamas became the turning point that shaped his life, eventually leading him to Ukraine—where he has spent year...
2026-02-131h 09Killer GrowthFrom Cowboy to Commercial Roofer: Building Stanfield Roofing with Dustin Stanfield | Ep 26In Episode 26 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Dustin Stanfield, owner of Stanfield Roofing and El Dorado Building Systems, to talk about leadership, commercial construction, and what it really takes to grow a blue-collar company without losing your standards.Dustin shares his journey from training cutting horses across multiple states to working feedlots, riding pens, and eventually stepping into the family business in 2008. He explains how Stanfield Roofing began as a spray coating company, how the commercial roofing industry has evolved over the last two decades, and why customer service and quality workmanship are...
2026-02-0949 minKiller GrowthAthlete to AI Founder: Miguel Johns on Milton AI, Coaching & Entrepreneurship | Ep 25In Episode 25 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Miguel Johns, founder of Milton AI, for an inspiring deep dive into entrepreneurship, fitness, and building a real software product through years of trial, pivots, and persistence.Miguel shares how a career-ending college football injury forced him to rethink his future, leading him into health science, entrepreneurship, and eventually the mission of helping prevent chronic disease through scalable technology. He walks through the early days of launching KingFit, pitching at 1 Million Cups, raising capital, and learning painful lessons as a non-technical founder trying to build an...
2026-02-0658 minKiller GrowthBuilding Trust Through Video: Podcasting, Content & Branding with Troy Trussell | Ep 24In Episode 24 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Troy Trussell, founder of Trussell Media and host of the Strategic Motion podcast, for a practical conversation on content creation, video production, and why trust is the real currency in marketing.Troy shares his journey from graduating with a graphic design degree to unexpectedly stepping into video production when his agency bought cameras and put him in charge. From filming commercials to shooting weddings for over 20 years, Troy explains how his passion for storytelling evolved into a full-time business helping brands communicate clearly and professionally.The...
2026-02-0652 minKiller GrowthBuilding Trust at Scale: Property Management, Leadership & Growth with Syndee Scribner | Ep 23In Episode 23 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Syndee Scribner, co-owner of Scribner Property Management, to explore what it takes to build a scalable, trust-based service business in the real estate world.Syndee shares her path into property management, how Scribner Property Management grew from a small operation into a multi-market firm, and why systems, communication, and people matter more than any single deal. She breaks down the realities of managing owners, tenants, maintenance teams, and expectations—all at the same time.The conversation covers leadership development, hiring, creating consistency across properties, navigating difficult cl...
2026-02-0358 minKiller GrowthBuilding a Community Coffee Brand: BrewCo, Systems & Staying Local with Kaytlan Berry | Ep 22In Episode 22 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Kaytlan Berry, owner of BrewCo Coffeehouse, to unpack what it really takes to build and sustain a local, independent coffee business in a small-town market.Kaytlan shares her journey from studying entrepreneurship at Wichita State to launching Dilly Deli, expanding into BrewCo Coffeehouse, and eventually opening BrewCo To Go to meet changing customer expectations around convenience. She explains how the business evolved through multiple locations, ownership structures, and seasons of growth—while staying rooted in quality, community, and consistency.The conversation dives into the operational realities of...
2026-02-0358 minKiller GrowthFrom Early Web to AI Strategy: Tyler Norris on Building, Failing & Staying Curious | Ep 21In Episode 21 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Tyler Norris, COO and strategy lead at Killer Growth, for a deep, reflective conversation on building businesses, learning the hard way, and staying adaptable across decades of technological change.Tyler shares his journey from growing up around entrepreneurship to building websites in the late ’90s, launching early agencies, winning a Microsoft small business contest, and attempting to build an underground data center in rural Kansas long before “the cloud” was a household term. He opens up about what went wrong, what he learned, and why walking away f...
2026-01-301h 02Killer GrowthFrom Viral Videos to a Real Brand: Building Mr. Mixer with Purpose, Zach Dinicola | Ep 20In Episode 20 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Zach Dinicola, aka "Mr. Mixer," to explore what happens after internet fame—and how to turn attention into a sustainable, values-driven business.Zach shares the story behind his rise through viral content, what it’s like navigating sudden visibility, and the pressure that comes with building a brand in public. He opens up about consistency, creative discipline, audience trust, and the difference between chasing views and creating something meaningful that lasts.The conversation covers content strategy, brand identity, monetization pitfalls, and why many creators burn out before they ever...
2026-01-261h 04Killer GrowthBuilding a Brewery from Scratch: Community, Craft & Growth with BJ Hunt | Ep 19In Episode 19 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with BJ Hunt, co-founder of Walnut River Brewing Company, to unpack what it really takes to build a craft brewery from the ground up—and keep it thriving for more than a decade.BJ shares his personal journey from early missteps in college to running a family business, earning his MBA, and eventually betting on himself to start a brewery without knowing how to brew. He explains how Walnut River began with a two-barrel system in a flea market, why El Dorado’s water quality shaped the company’s future...
2026-01-261h 03Killer GrowthBuilding Better Food Systems: Backyard Chickens & Durable Design with Timothy Shenk | Ep 18In Episode 18 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Timothy Shenk, General Manager of Egg Cart’n, to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, regenerative agriculture, and designing products that actually last.Timothy shares his unconventional path—from teaching and earning a music degree to helping run a family manufacturing business focused on high-quality chicken tractors built for backyard families and small homesteads. He walks through how Egg Cart’n began, what went wrong early, and how the business has evolved through trial, burnout, and hard-earned clarity around roles, ownership, and leadership.The conversation dives...
2026-01-2050 minKiller GrowthFrom Refinery Employee to Refining a Business: Brian Boswell on Grit & Growth | Ep 17In Episode 17 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Brian Boswell, owner of Reliable Dirt Works and Sunflower Plumbing, to unpack one of the most honest and hard-earned entrepreneurial journeys on the show.Brian shares how he went from trade school and refinery shift work to restaurant ownership, product invention, service-based entrepreneurship, and eventually building a multi-entity operation spanning excavation, plumbing, and rural water district management. Along the way, he opens up about shutting down Jacob’s Well, inventing and scaling BBQ Hack, surviving major revenue drops, and working seven days a week when failure wa...
2026-01-191h 07Killer GrowthKindness For Everyone Always: Tyler Brickley on The Kindness Mob & Creative Purpose | Ep 16In Episode 16 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Tyler Brickley, Chief Brand Officer at Killer Growth and founder of The Kindness Mob, for a candid, funny, and deeply meaningful conversation about creativity, content, and building something that actually makes the internet better.Tyler shares his unconventional journey—from dropping out of college after six weeks, to car sales, restaurant ownership, video production, and eventually shaping brands through content. Along the way, one theme never changes: a compulsion to create and make things meaningful, even when there’s no clear business outcome.The conversation centers on the orig...
2026-01-1653 minKiller GrowthDesigning Communities, Not Just Buildings: Architecture & Legacy with Vince Haines | Ep 15In Episode 15 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Vince Haines, principal architect at Gravity Works Architecture, for an in-depth conversation on architecture, leadership, and long-term community impact.Vince shares his journey from growing up in El Dorado to discovering architecture almost by accident, studying at KU, and eventually returning home to help lead and grow one of the region’s most respected architecture firms. He walks through what architects actually do—from early concept and schematic design to construction documents, bidding, and contract administration—and why architecture is equal parts art, science, and stewardship.The conversation explor...
2026-01-0958 minKiller GrowthBuilding Venture Capital, Startups & the Midwest with Conor Adler | Ep 14In Episode 14 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Conor Adler, Capital & Investor Programs Lead at Nexus (Nextus.io), for an in-depth conversation on startups, venture capital, and why the Midwest is far more important to the innovation economy than most people realize. Conor shares his unconventional path—from growing up outside Chicago, studying finance, working in early-stage startups, and grinding through underpaid roles—to landing in Wichita and helping founders raise capital, scale responsibly, and decide whether venture funding is even the right path for their business.The conversation breaks down how Nexu...
2026-01-0957 minKiller GrowthFive Generations In: Inside the Business of Beverage Distribution with Brad Demo | Ep13In this episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Brad Demo, fifth-generation owner and president of Demo Distributors, Inc., to unpack one of the most misunderstood yet essential businesses in America: beverage distribution.Brad walks through his family’s journey from early-1900s produce and ice operations to becoming an Anheuser-Busch distributor after Prohibition—and how that legacy has evolved into a modern, multi-category distribution business spanning beer, wine, liquor, energy drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages across Butler County and Southeast Kansas.The conversation dives deep into how the three-tier alcohol system actually work...
2026-01-0951 minKiller GrowthFrom Shift Work to Sh*t Work: How Baylor Parker Built Prairie Pots | Ep12In this episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Baylor Parker, owner of Prairie Pots, to talk about what it really takes to buy, grow, and modernize a blue-collar service business—yes, even one built around portable toilets.Baylor shares his unconventional path from college baseball to duck-hunting guide, utility shift work, and ultimately taking a leap into business ownership by purchasing Prairie Pots, a 30-year-old company started out of necessity for a local festival. The transition wasn’t smooth: key partners passed away during the handoff, inventory was tracked on scraps of paper kept...
2026-01-0941 minKiller GrowthHow Local Service Businesses Should Actually Think About Digital Marketing with Phil Anderson | Ep11In this episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Phil Anderson, Co-Founder of KillerGrowth, to break down how local service businesses should really think about digital marketing—without hype, guarantees, or gimmicks.Phil shares his 10+ year journey in digital marketing, from teaching himself Facebook ads to helping scale a Boston agency from $50K/month to nearly $900K/month, and eventually co-founding Killer Growth. From there, the conversation turns practical and tactical.Together, Samuel and Phil unpack the core marketing framework Killer Growth uses with service businesses:Google Ads for capturing existing demandMeta (Facebook & Instagra...
2026-01-0558 minKiller GrowthRunning a City Like a Business: A City Manager’s Perspective with David Dillner | Ep10In this episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with David Dillner, City Manager of El Dorado, Kansas, for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how a city actually operates—and why running a city isn’t all that different from running a business.David breaks down the structure of city government, explaining the role of a city manager as the CEO of a municipal organization, the responsibilities of mayors and commissioners, and how decisions are really made. From budgeting and long-term planning to infrastructure, tax policy, and economic development, this conversation offers clarity on a sy...
2025-12-261h 05Killer GrowthThe Fast Food Ranch Experience (Without the Fast Food) with Logan Shrag | Ep9In this episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with Logan Shrag, founder of Diamond Spring Ranch and the Cowboy Experience, for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, risk, faith, and building something truly unique in the middle of Kansas.Logan shares how a lifelong entrepreneurial mindset, early business failures, and a deep love for horses led him to create what he jokingly calls a “fast-food ranch experience”—a place where people can slow down, disconnect, and experience a taste of the cowboy way of life without traveling across the country. From trail rides and horseback lessons to a t...
2025-12-2355 minKiller GrowthThe Franchise Playbook: Leadership, Discipline, and Building for the Long Term with Jeff Baker | Ep8In Episode 8 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with Jeff Baker, owner of The Grounds Guys of Wichita, for a deeply honest conversation about leadership, risk, people, and what it really takes to build a business that lasts.Jeff shares his unconventional path into entrepreneurship—walking away from a 13-year career in law enforcement to start a landscaping franchise with no prior business background. What began as mowing yards on days off turned into a long-term journey of discipline, hard decisions, and personal growth. Along the way, Jeff opens up about the realities of scaling too fa...
2025-12-1758 minKiller GrowthWhat Economic Development Really Looks Like with Sarah Hoefgen | Ep7In Episode 7 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with economic developer Sarah Hoefgen to discuss what it really takes to drive economic growth by attracting major businesses and investment into a region.Sarah shares practical insight from the front lines of economic development—covering how communities position themselves to win large employers, the strategy behind business attraction, and the long-term planning required to create sustainable economic momentum. This conversation goes beyond theory, offering a real look at how economic developers compete for jobs, capital, and growth in today’s market.This episode explores:- Ho...
2025-12-1653 minKiller GrowthThe Realities of Ranching, Legacy, and the Future of Kansas Cattle with Ryan Locke | Ep6In Episode 6 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with Ryan Locke, a multi-generation Kansas cattleman whose life revolves around faith, family, land, and the relentless realities of the ranching business. From calving seasons to droughts, from volatile markets to generational transition, Ryan gives a raw and deeply grounded look into what it takes to build—and sustain—a ranching legacy. Ryan shares the Locke family story going back decades, including how his father rebuilt the operation from leased grass and custom grazing, and how the family recently made a bold move to sell their long...
2025-12-101h 03Killer GrowthBuilding Legacy, Land, and Community with Jeremy Sundgren | Ep5In Episode 5 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with Jeremy Sundgren of Sundgren Realty & Auction, a second-generation business owner whose story is rooted in family legacy, hard work, and a deep love for the people and land of Kansas.Jeremy opens up about growing up in the auction world, becoming an auctioneer at just 15, and eventually buying into the family business. He shares honest insights into what’s changed in the real estate and auction landscape over the past two decades—from the rise of online auctions to navigating major economic shifts.This episode dives into:The...
2025-12-0955 minKiller GrowthEpisode 0: Introduction to the Killer Growth PodcastWelcome to Episode 0 of the Killer Growth Podcast. I’m your host, Sam McVay, and in this introductory episode I share the heart behind why this podcast exists and what you can expect moving forward.After 13 years of building and helping build businesses—wins, failures, long nights, bad advice, good advice (and everything in between) I’ve realized something simple: business is deeply human. Behind every company is someone taking a risk, betting on themselves, and pushing through fear.This podcast isn’t about marketing or pitching services. It’s about the real stories of entrepreneurs, founders, small business o...
2025-12-0214 minKiller GrowthThe Gnarbell Code: Discipline, Culture, & Powerlifting with Levi Parker | Ep4In this powerful episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Levi Parker, founder of The Gnarbell, one of the most unique and culture-rich gyms in the Midwest.Levi shares the full story — from playing college baseball, to conquering a fear of heights as an ironworker, to the morning he turned his truck around and walked away from a steady union job because something in his chest told him there was more.What began as a basement gym and a handful of clients has become a full-blown movement: a private, culture-first, no-sign-on-the-door, earn-your-way-in tr...
2025-12-011h 06Killer GrowthBurned Eyebrows, Business Breakthroughs, and 40 Years of HVAC Legacy with Tom Storrer | Ep3Samuel welcomes longtime HVAC pro and local legend Tom Storrer to the Killer Growth Podcast for one of the most entertaining conversations you’ll ever hear about running a service company.Tom talks about starting HVAC work at age 12, taking over the family business in dramatic fashion, learning the business side of business the hard way, and the importance of knowing what you don’t know.He also shares wild on-the-job stories—from animals stuck in equipment to getting literally blown up on a call—and how those experiences shaped the leader he is today.Along...
2025-12-0159 minKiller GrowthBuilding the Buc-ee’s of Wiffle Ball: Inside the Wild Mind of Nathan Ensminger | Ep2In this episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with builder, designer, and visionary Nathan Ensminger—the man behind one of the most ambitious small-town projects in Kansas: District Stadium, the soon-to-be nicest wiffle ball stadium in the world.Nathan walks Samuel through his journey from early construction experiences to restoring historic properties, navigating grants, and transforming a downtown space into a destination built to unite a community. From rehabilitating flooded homes to designing rooftop venues to installing a massive jumbotron that briefly smoked like a Fourth of July firework, Nathan’s stories are as insp...
2025-12-011h 10Killer GrowthAI, Startups & Surviving the Future: A Conversation With Developer Chad Cox | Ep1In this premiere episode, Samuel interviews Chad, a veteran developer and serial founder with decades of experience navigating the evolution of software—from pre-internet coding to the dawn of AI-driven development.They explore how global hiring and fast-moving AI tools are reshaping engineering careers, why tomorrow’s developers will look more like prompt architects, and why enterprise software teams are about to be disrupted again.Chad also shares stories from his Army Ranger days, his attempts at early marketplace tech, his stint in teaching, and his new ventures—VoiceGrid (AI phone agents) and Optical Launch (e-comm...
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