What You'll Learn in This Episode:

1. Rajeev's journey from student to global business leader.
2. How to overcome cultural barriers when managing international teams.
3. The importance of building trust during mergers and acquisitions.
4. Key strategies for scaling businesses from startup to multimillion-dollar revenue.
5. Why mutual respect and clear outcomes are essential in leadership.
6. How to balance passion and purpose in your career.
7. Practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders looking to expand globally.

Connect with Rajeev Mudumba:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rajeevmudumba
• Podcast: Plan B Success
• Website: Cooey Health

Quotes from the Episode:

• “Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.”
• “Passions evolve, but purpose becomes clearer as you execute every day.”
• “It’s not about warm and fuzzy all the time—business is about making tough decisions with respect and integrity.”

Action Items for Listeners:

1. Check out Rajeev’s podcast Plan B Success for more leadership insights.
2. Reflect on how you build trust and foster respect in your own teams.
3. Apply Rajeev’s strategies to scale your business or navigate global expansion.
4. Share this episode with a colleague or friend who could benefit from these insights.

Subscribe & Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to What It Takes and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more incredible stories like Rajeev’s to the show.

Episode Title:

"From Barista to CEO: Brewing Success with Trevor Corlett"

Key Takeaways:

1. The Value of Identity in Business: Trevor explains how discovering his personal and business identity was critical to finding success after two failed ventures.
2. Lessons from Failure: Insights into how setbacks can shape resilience and inform better decision-making.
3. Differentiation in a Crowded Market: How Madcap Coffee stands out in the competitive specialty coffee industry.
4. The Power of Values: Why maintaining core values over 16 years has been pivotal to Madcap’s growth, even during challenging times like the 2008 recession and the pandemic.
5. Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs: Trevor emphasizes the importance of community, feedback, and a passion for continuous improvement in understanding what it takes to succeed.

Memorable Quotes:

• "The more I learned about coffee and the people behind it, the more I realized I wanted to work in this industry for the rest of my life." – Trevor Corlett
• "Jumping on trends without intentionality blurs the lines of who people think you are as a brand." – Trevor Corlett
• "The potential for positive impact is directly correlated to how intentionally you grow your company." – Trevor Corlett
• "What it takes is finding a community to give you honest feedback and having a passion for improvement." – Trevor Corlett

Resources and Links:

• Madcap Coffee Website: madcapcoffee.com
• Follow Madcap Coffee on Social Media:
• Instagram: @madcapcoffee
• Facebook: Madcap Coffee
• LinkedIn: Madcap Coffee Company
• Connect with Trevor Corlett:
• Instagram: @asolublelife

About the Guest:

Trevor Corlett is the CEO and co-founder of Madcap Coffee, a specialty coffee company known for its exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and commitment to sustainability. With over 25 years of experience in the coffee industry, Trevor has served as Chair of the Barista Guild of America, instructed for the Specialty Coffee Association, and competed in national barista championships. Today, he continues to innovate and lead with purpose, making Madcap Coffee a standout brand in the specialty coffee market.

About the Host:

Jamie Seeker is the host of What It Takes, a podcast dedicated to uncovering the stories of inspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. With a focus on perseverance, lessons learned, and the mindset needed for success, Jamie brings out actionable insights and inspiring tales from each guest.

Call to Action:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review What It Takes on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with a friend who loves coffee or entrepreneurship, and stay tuned for more inspiring stories!

Guest

Phil Corbin, President and Founder of Phil Corbin Construction Inc.

Topics Covered

[0:05] - Introduction to Phil Corbin

Jamie introduces Phil’s journey from tradesman to entrepreneur, highlighting his resilience and determination.

[1:47] - Taking the Leap During a Recession

Phil explains how he was “forced” into entrepreneurship when his previous employer shut down, prompting him to take on any available job, from handyman tasks to small remodels, to support his family.

[4:10] - Humility and Opportunity in Hard Times

Phil shares how humbling himself to accept smaller jobs taught him that even tough times hold opportunities for those willing to work hard and adapt.

[8:00] - How Phil’s Background Prepared Him for Business

Growing up as a preacher’s kid and spending time in the military, Phil learned resilience and the value of perseverance, skills he drew on during tough times in his business.

[10:52] - Overcoming First-Year Challenges

Phil discusses key challenges from his first year in business, such as learning how to bid accurately and recognizing his value.

[12:30] - Learning on the Fly and Seeking Mentorship

With no formal business training, Phil shares how he actively sought out mentors and businesspeople, approaching them with humility and a willingness to learn from their experience.

[15:20] - The Transition from Tradesman to Business Owner

Phil talks about how he gradually shifted his focus from hands-on carpentry to business management, including a symbolic “ceremony” of letting go of his tradesman identity to fully embrace being a business owner.

[18:00] - Maintaining Motivation and Avoiding Burnout

Phil reflects on how he avoids burnout through breaks, creative outlets, and spending time with family, which help him reset and return to work with renewed focus.

[20:12] - What It Takes to Be a Business Owner

Phil answers the show’s signature question, emphasizing that entrepreneurship requires tenacity, the courage to face failure, and the resilience to keep getting back up.

Memorable Quotes

• “Starting in the Great Recession wasn’t easy, but sometimes necessity pushes you to find out what you’re really capable of.”
• “You can do more than you think you can, and you're never quite done.”
• “People are willing to help when you come in with the right attitude, admitting what you don’t know.”
• “I couldn’t be both a carpenter and a business owner. To make this succeed, I had to commit 100% to being a business owner.”
• “Tenacity, not being scared to fail, and getting back up when you do—that’s what it takes to be a business owner.”

Where to Find Phil Corbin

• Website: Phil Corbin Construction
• Instagram: @philcorbinconstruction
• Facebook: Phil Corbin Construction Inc.

Guest:

• Jill Hamblen
• Founder and President, triARC architecture & design
• Specializes in healthcare architecture, motivated by personal experiences
• Introverted leader who prioritizes empathy and values in business

Topics Covered:

1. Jill’s Path to Purpose

• How her daughter’s NICU experience led Jill to specialize in healthcare design
• The role of physical spaces in supporting healing and human connection

1. Founding triARC architecture & design

• The leap from architect to business owner
• The importance of grit and trusting the journey in entrepreneurship

1. Leadership as an Introvert

• Jill’s approach to leadership as an introvert in a relationship-driven industry
• Strategies for building meaningful connections and managing energy

1. Values-Driven Business Decisions

• How Jill’s people-centric values shape her team’s work culture and client relationships
• The importance of clarity and alignment in building a values-based business

1. Balancing Functionality and Warmth in Healthcare Design

• Jill’s “North Star” approach to align client vision with functional and welcoming designs
• Creating spaces that offer a sense of safety and comfort for patients and staff

1. Advice for Introverted Entrepreneurs

• Insights on delegating, staying authentic, and leading with a supportive team
• Building a business that reflects core values for sustainable success

Memorable Quotes:

• “When you have a traumatic experience, it leaves an imprint, and what you choose to do with that imprint is 100% up to you.” – Jill Hamblen
• “If given a choice between being in a room full of people or being with my family, I’ll choose family every time. That’s where I recharge.” – Jill Hamblen
• “There are clients who align with our values, and those are the relationships we pursue. We can’t be all things to all people.” – Jill Hamblen
• “Heart and grit—that’s what it takes to be a business owner.” – Jill Hamblen

Signature Question:

Jamie asks Jill what it takes to be a successful business owner, and Jill responds with “heart and grit”—qualities that have guided her through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Where to Find Jill:

• Website: triARC architecture & design
• Instagram: @triarc_design
• LinkedIn: Jill Hamblen (LinkedIn handle)

Guest: Rich Kozak, Founder of Rich Brands

Memorable Quotes:

• “A brand isn’t your perception; it’s the perception in others’ minds.”
• “To scale, you must evolve both the brand and the perception around it.”
• “When founders share their vision, things become clearer for everyone involved.”

Key Takeaways:

1. The Nature of Brand: Rich defines branding as the perception held by others and explains why that perspective is key.
2. Scaling Beyond Self: Founders can maintain their identity while allowing the brand to take on its own growth path.
3. Ego and Vision: Balancing ego with a shared vision makes scaling more achievable and removes hurdles.
4. Practical Advice: Rich shares strategies like “trusting your gut,” “speaking from the heart,” and his structured 7-step branding approach for impactful results.

Resource Links:

• Rich Brands — Explore Rich’s brand services and download his 7-Step Blueprint for purpose-driven branding.

1. The Entrepreneurial Start:

• Matt started CapForge after being laid off in 2000, leveraging his background in small business consulting. He had a goal to build something scalable and long-lasting.

1. Pivoting to Bookkeeping:

• In 2012, Matt realized consulting wasn't scalable for him and identified a gap in the market for affordable, high-quality bookkeeping. This pivot led to the growth of CapForge.

1. Scaling to 85+ Employees:

• Matt shares how intention and delegation allowed him to scale from a one-person firm to a team of 85 professionals while maintaining high standards of service.

1. Flat-Fee Pricing Model:

• Matt introduced a flat-fee pricing model to remove the unpredictability and frustration of hourly billing for clients. This innovative approach helped differentiate CapForge from competitors.

1. Entrepreneurial Resilience:

• Matt stresses the importance of not giving up when faced with challenges, learning how to delegate, and growing a business that can thrive without the owner’s constant involvement.

1. Signature Question – What It Takes:

• At the end of the day, what it really takes to succeed as an entrepreneur is resilience: not giving up, and building a business that can run without you.

• "I didn’t want to just fill my time with 40 hours of bookkeeping. I wanted to build something bigger." — Matt Remuzzi
• "If you're going to grow, you need to learn how to delegate and ensure your business can run without you." — Matt Remuzzi

• Website: capforge.com
• Instagram: @capforge_bookkeeping
• Facebook: CapForge Bookkeeping
• LinkedIn: CapForge on LinkedIn
• Twitter: @capforge

• Instagram: @jamieseeker
• LinkedIn: Jamie Seeker on LinkedIn

Tune in to future episodes for more stories from entrepreneurs who share the real, raw truths about what it takes to build and sustain a successful business!

Guest:

Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center

Key Topics Discussed:

• Richard's unique journey from the U.S. to Costa Rica and how he built a call center from scratch
• The challenges and successes of training over 10,000 bilingual telemarketers
• Advanced communication strategies, including phonetic micro-expression reading
• Gamification techniques to boost employee motivation and engagement
• Conflict management strategies and the importance of empathy in leadership
• Practical advice for business owners on growing steadily, with a focus on soft skills and emotional intelligence

Key Quotes:

• "It's about perseverance, dedication, and really loving what you do. When you're passionate, the results will follow."
• "The art of speech and mastering soft skills can turn a simple conversation into a business success story."
• "You can’t rush growth—it’s about slow, steady progress, making each step count."

Resources Mentioned:

• Costa Rica’s Call Center: www.costaricascallcenter.com
• Learn more about phonetic micro-expression reading and other advanced communication techniques.

Follow Richard Blank:

• Website: Costa Rica’s Call Center
• Social Media: Search “Costa Rica Pinball Machines” to find Richard’s vintage collection and more.

Next Steps:

• Subscribe to What It Takes for more interviews with successful business leaders.
• Connect with Jamie Seeker on social media for the latest updates on the show.

Guest:

Nick Jain, CEO of IdeaScale

Key Topics Discussed:

• IdeaScale’s Growth: How Nick’s leadership scaled IdeaScale into a global innovation platform.
• AI in Business: Early adoption of AI and how it transformed their operations.
• Challenges with AI: Problems like outdated code and "hallucination" errors in AI tools.
• Balancing Leadership & Personal Life: How Nick finds balance through hobbies like poker and running.
• Key Insights for Business Owners: What it takes to be a business owner today, including hard work and continuous self-improvement.

Key Moments:

• [00:01:00] – Nick discusses how IdeaScale began.
• [00:02:30] – The moment Nick realized AI’s transformative power.
• [00:05:50] – Nick shares the balance between AI and human input at IdeaScale.
• [00:11:30] – The challenges with outdated AI training data.
• [00:14:20] – Poker as a metaphor for leadership.

Quotes:

• “AI doesn’t replace humans; it makes us more effective at what we do.” – Nick Jain
• “You need something outside of work to refresh your brain—whether it's poker, running, or something else.” – Nick Jain

Call to Action:

• Visit IdeaScale.com to explore their platform, free for organizations under 100 people.
• Connect with Nick Jain on LinkedIn for further discussions on innovation and leadership.