In the 84th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings speaks with Jessica Harris, Owner of Stafford Music Academy in Bloomington, Indiana.

Jessica shares her inspiring journey from professional flutist and piccoloist to running a thriving music academy. Along the way, she has faced major personal and professional challenges yet built resilience, a dedicated staff, and a strong community of students and teachers.

This conversation touches on the balance between artistry and business ownership, the grit required to keep moving forward when obstacles arise, and the joy of building something that impacts others’ lives.

If you’ve ever faced setbacks but wanted to keep your dream alive, Jessica’s story will resonate deeply.

If this episode inspires you, don’t forget to follow, rate, and share with others!

In the 83rd episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with April Foster, Founder & CEO of Inked Brands, to explore her journey from hobbyist scrapbooker to scaling one of the earliest subscription commerce businesses.

April shares how she built Studio Calico from her personal passion for scrapbooking, navigated the complexities of cash flow during explosive growth, and eventually created Inked Brands, a platform that now empowers over a dozen creative entrepreneurs.

She speaks candidly about what it takes to transition from hobby to business, the lessons she learned during the 2008 recession, and why humility and curiosity have been her biggest assets as a leader.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn passion into profit — and scale it into something bigger than yourself — this conversation will inspire you.

👉 Listen, subscribe, and keep learning with us.

In the 81 episode, I sit down with Brad Flowers, Founder & Author at Bullhorn Creative.

We talk about how brands can stay authentic, communicate clearly, and connect with meaning. Brad shares lessons from years of helping businesses find their voice and simplify their story.

We explore themes like simplicity, clarity, storytelling, branding, and authentic connection.

In this special solo edition of Simply Business, I step away from the usual entrepreneur interviews to share what I believe is the single most powerful skill in leadership, business, and life: listening.

Listening well can transform how you lead, sell, parent, and build relationships. In this short but impactful episode, I explore why listening is so often overlooked, how it builds trust and influence, and why mastering this one skill pays dividends across every part of your life.

If you’re looking for a simple yet profound way to elevate your leadership and relationships, this episode is for you.

Today’s guest is Ben Townsend, Founder & CEO of Tracker Products, a company that helps law enforcement agencies manage evidence more effectively.

In this episode, Ben shares his entrepreneurial journey from launching a computer company in the 90s without knowing what he was doing, to building Tracker Products into a trusted partner for police departments across the country. He talks about the grit it takes to stay in business for 30 years, the challenges of leading with vision, and the importance of keeping things simple in both business and life.

Key themes explored:

• Building a company without a blueprint learning by doing
• Serving law enforcement and innovating in evidence management
• Balancing entrepreneurship with family life
• The importance of persistence and adaptability in leadership

🎧 Whether you’re a business owner, leader, or just looking for inspiration, this conversation shows what it takes to grow something meaningful from the ground up.

👉 Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this message today.

In the 78th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Dr. Christine Kirkendol Watson, Physician and Owner of Body Bar MD. Christine shares her journey from the ER to entrepreneurship, and the lessons she learned building a patient‑first wellness brand.

We dig into how leaders create culture, what it means to move from “clinician” to “owner,” and the practical systems that keep growth sustainable without sacrificing care. Christine unpacks delegation, team development, and the power of keeping processes simple so your people can consistently deliver. You’ll hear candid insights on scaling, protecting the brand, and staying true to your mission as the business evolves.

If you’re a founder or leader navigating growth while trying to keep your team focused and your customers delighted, this conversation will give you clear, actionable ideas you can use right away. Listen, follow, and review to support the show and share this episode with someone who needs a boost of clarity and courage today.

Meet Tristan Watkins, founder of Triflix, a creative media studio that merges the worlds of engineering precision and artistic storytelling. In this conversation with John Jennings,

Tristan opens up about his journey from a Purdue engineering graduate to founding a company that helps others communicate complex ideas through compelling visuals.

He discusses how early internships revealed an unexpected demand for his side hustle video and media work and how this led to the founding of Triflix .

Tristan shares the power of asking clients for honest feedback, embracing both strengths and weaknesses, and optimizing processes without sacrificing creativity.

Key themes in this episode include:

The intersection of technical skill and creative expression

The evolution from insecurity to confidence through client dialogue Why “just ask” might be the most valuable advice for creators

How process mapping and Lean Six Sigma principles can apply to storytelling

What it means to make complex ideas simpleand beautiful

🎧 Whether you're a creative professional, a founder, or someone caught between two worlds, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom.

👉 Don’t forget to listen, subscribe, and share!

In the 76th episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings welcomes Sheila Kalas, founder of Fitness Plus, a personal training studio that’s been thriving in Lexington, KY for 30 years a remarkable milestone in the fitness industry.

Sheila shares her journey from Chicago to Miami to Kentucky, how a degree in exercise physiology became the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey, and why consistency and community matter more than trends. This conversation is a masterclass in longevity, adaptability, and knowing your customer — especially in an industry known for quick turnovers.

💬 What you’ll learn:

• How Sheila turned a niche idea into a 30-year legacy
• The strategic reasons she chose Lexington over Miami
• What’s changed (and what hasn’t) in fitness and small business
• Why success often means sticking to the basics and showing up

🎧 This is for the long-haul builders and values-driven leaders.

👉 Subscribe, review, and share the wisdom.