In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with entrepreneur and self-described “chaotic builder” Mihai (Michael) Petrovici. Whose journey from a Walmart manager to a multi-business owner in Bathurst, NB is equal parts inspiring and cautionary. With 7 businesses, 50+ employees, and a distillery now under his belt, Michael opens up about what it really takes to build something from scratch in a small town.

From tight payroll weeks to the pride of seeing a packed café you helped create, Michael doesn’t sugarcoat the highs or the lows. Whether you’re considering launching a product, scaling operations, or just surviving the chaos of entrepreneurship, this episode will leave you feeling less alone and more equipped for the journey!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpetrovici/

https://www.nbdistillery.ca/

https://www.aubootlegger.com/

Segment Breakdown:
00:00 | From Romania to New Brunswick
• Michael shares how his early life and family journey brought him to small-town Canada.

02:00 | Landing in Bathurst (By Accident)
• A temporary relocation becomes permanent—and unexpectedly sparks entrepreneurship.

05:00 |Au Bootlegger: The First Business
• Opening a craft beer bar without restaurant experience, and learning everything on the fly.

08:30 | Applying Walmart Systems to Small Biz
• How Michael brought structure, operations, and process to his bar using corporate tools.

11:00 | Starting Caffeine Café
• Launching a low-risk coffee concept that filled a local gap—and quickly gained traction.

14:30 | Buying a Bookkeeping Business
• His entry into service-based business and how automation changed the model.

17:00 | Growth vs. Sustainability
• Why Michael resists the pressure to scale for the sake of it—and what he focuses on instead.

20:00 | When Payroll Gets Tight
• A close call with cash flow and the lessons learned about forecasting and responsibility.

23:30 | Building the Distillery
• The personal passion and strategic thinking behind launching NB Distillery.

26:30 | Forecasting Gone Wrong
• The reality check that came from overestimating product demand—and underestimating risk.

29:30 | Juggling 7 Businesses
• How Michael manages chaos, team dynamics, and leadership across multiple ventures.

32:00 | A Brutal Winter in Business
• One of the toughest seasons yet—and what it revealed about resilience.

35:00 | Marketing vs. Product Quality
• The challenge of competing in a crowded liquor market where flash often beats substance.

38:00 | Why He Still Believes in Local
• Despite the setbacks, Michael shares why community-driven business still matters.

41:00 | The 5-Story Project
• A new residential build, how it came together, and why it’s more than just real estate.

45:00 | Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• Why he recommends building cautiously—and keeping your day job early on.

50:00 | Would He Do It Again?
• Final reflections on pride, risk, and what drives him to keep building.

Colby and Levi sit down with Gina Mollicone-Long Author, speaker, coach, and founder of the Greatness Group, for an energizing conversation about personal transformation, belief systems, and the real meaning of success.

Gina shares her path from a high-achieving corporate career to launching multiple businesses rooted in systems thinking, personal development, and high-performance leadership. From stories about charging her first client triple her salary to reflections on parenting, family dynamics, and failure, Gina brings humor, honesty, and clarity to every topic8

Whether you’re building a business, navigating change, or simply looking to understand yourself better. This episode is packed with wisdom and practical takeaways.

Ginas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginamollicone/

00:00 – Welcome
Colby shares how he met Gina and why this conversation needed to happen.

03:00 – Mind Meets Matter
Gina introduces her work and obsession with systems, performance, and transformation.

06:00 – ESP & Engineering
From asking for psychic school at 10 to earning an engineering degree—Gina shares her start.

11:00 – The Leap Out of Corporate
Leaving Molson wasn’t a plan—it was survival. Gina shares what it really felt like to quit.

15:00 – The $300/hr Moment
Why doubling her rate changed everything—and what it taught her about self-worth.

20:00 – People Reflect What You Expect
How your self-perception shapes how others respond to you.

23:00 – Systems > Symptoms
Gina unpacks how systems thinking applies to both business and personal growth.

27:00 – Adversity Unlocks Potential
From immigrant roots to inner resilience—how Gina’s family history shaped her mindset.

32:00 – Building The Greatness Group
A look behind the business: training, team building, coaching, and scalable delivery.

36:00 – Pandemic Pivots
How 2020 forced Gina and her husband to adapt every aspect of their business—and home.

41:00 – Discovering NLP by Accident
The unexpected way she stumbled into NLP—and how it transformed her approach.

45:00 – Updating the Program
Why holding onto outdated beliefs is like running Word 95 on a modern system.

51:00 – Clearing the Mental Clutter
How Gina helps people release limiting beliefs and make room for change.

56:00 – Growing Past Your Circle
What to do when your growth outpaces your environment—especially with family.

1:02:00 – Oxford & Neurotheology
Why she’s going all-in on a PhD—and how it connects science and spirit.

1:07:00 – Breaking Family Patterns
Why families function like systems—and how to shift deep-rooted dynamics.

1:14:00 – When Growth Feels Like Rejection
Levi reflects on how personal growth can be misunderstood by loved ones.

1:19:00 – Letting Go to Grow Up
Why rejection is often needed for independence—whether you’re a kid or a founder.

1:25:00 – The Gift of Failure
Reframing failure as fuel for transformation—not something to avoid.

1:30:00 – You vs. The Wall
A marathon story that unlocked a belief: you can do more than you think.

1:38:00 – The Filter Is the Problem
Why we only see a sliver of reality—and how to take control of your lens.

1:43:00 – Debugging Beliefs
How bad logic and flawed data create limiting beliefs—and how to shift them.

1:49:00 – If You Could Install One Belief…
The belief Gina would help people unlock—and why it’s always personal.

1:57:00 – Toboggan Tracks & Possibility
A metaphor about repetition, ruts, and what it takes to change direction.

2:00:00 – Wrap-Up
A record-breaking conversation closes with reflections

Challenging common leadership mantras with wisdom, wit, and real-world stories.

In this episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby are joined by leadership expert, award-winning author, and jazz bassist Pierre Battah. What begins as a nostalgic reconnection turns into a candid, insightful exploration of leadership, organizational culture, and the future of work. Pierre shares personal stories from his transition from HR executive to independent consultant and speaker, lessons learned through tough client calls, and his approach to reshaping culture from fear-based to learning-oriented environments.

The conversation dives into the nuances of facilitation, performance psychology, and the evolving employer-employee relationship. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or emerging leader, this episode offers practical wisdom and plenty of inspiration.

Links and Resources Mentioned
Pierre Battah –https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrebattah/
Pierre Battah’s website and book https://www.pierrebattah.com/
Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) https://www.canadianspeakers.org/
David Allen – Getting Things Done https://gettingthingsdone.com/


Quotes Worth Sharing
“It’s not about being happy—it’s about being engaged.”
“I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. I set out to be independent—and then got hooked.”
“Culture isn’t ‘people first.’ It’s results through people.”
“Safety isn’t soft. It’s the foundation for productivity.”
“Not all things that are curious are part of the work.”

Segment Breakdown
07:00 – Changing the Employer-Employee Relationship
Reframing leadership in the age of talent scarcity.
From “you’re lucky to have a job” to “we’re lucky to have you”
Why culture change is harder than culture theory

14:00 – People First? Not Quite.
Why “people first” can be misleading
The importance of balancing empathy with high standards
Creating cultures that are challenging, not coddling

20:00 – Breaking the Culture of Fear
A real-world example of cultural fear at a successful company
Transitioning to a learning culture: the power of debriefs, safe space, and senior-level self-awareness
Why some leaders need to step back for progress to happen

27:00 – When to Walk Away from a Client
Recognizing misalignment, even when you're hired
Ethics and candor in advisory roles
When great work isn’t the right fit

33:00 – Craft of Facilitation & Speaking
Pierre’s journey from comfortable speaker to certified pro
Learning the science behind storytelling, delivery, and adult education
The blend of edutainment and real impact

41:00 – Writing a Book & Building Credibility
The surprising reason Pierre decided to write Humans, Resourced
Behind the scenes of hybrid publishing and distribution
Why a book may not be a business—but it can still build one

61:00 – Advice for Young Professionals
Stop chasing passion—start with what you’re good at
The unexpected journey from engineering to agriculture
Why trying and failing early matters

68:00 – The Future of Work & Leadership
The two biggest trends to watch: AI and patterns in your own business
Importance of white space and strategy time
Why being surrounded by big thinkers matters


75:00 – The Limits of Psychology in Change Work
Behavior change vs. emotional diagnosis
Organizational coaching and habit adoption
The role of incentives in leadership development


83:00 – Levi & Colby Reflect on Resistance
Why meaningful change often starts with organizing your data
The resistance to long-term investment when ROI isn’t immediate
Why “working with” instead of “working at” is a mantra at Iron House

In this wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, we sit down with Justinus Adriaanse—a South African-born entrepreneur whose life journey spans tech startups, social impact, and the pursuit of a more just world. From launching and scaling one of South Africa’s leading real estate platforms to founding a tuition-free coding academy for underserved youth, Justinus shares a remarkable story of transformation shaped by adversity, leadership, and an evolving worldview.

We explore the cultural forces that shaped his early assumptions, the inflection points that shifted his path, and the lessons learned from business success, personal hardship, and moving his family across continents. With honesty and clarity, Justinus reflects on growing as a leader, learning to code at 30, building inclusive organizations—and why happiness might just come down to expectations (and a good meal at Nando’s).

Links and Resources

• Justinus on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinusadriaanse/
• WeThinkCode – A South African non-profit coding academy co-founded by Justinus https://www.wethinkcode.co.za/
• Private Property – Real estate portal he helped grow and transform https://www.privateproperty.co.za/
• Tommy Gun’s Barbershop – The Canadian business Justinus now helps operate and grow https://www.tommyguns.com/
• Solve for Happy by Mo Gawdat – Book on happiness and expectations https://www.mogawdat.com/solve-for-happy
• Crucial Conversations & Crucial Influence – Frameworks that shaped his leadership style https://cruciallearning.com/
• Time to Think by Nancy Kline – On creating space for better decision-making https://www.timetothink.com/
• The Art of Possibility by Rosamund & Benjamin Zander – A book about mindset shifts and reframing assumptions https://www.benjaminzander.org/the-art-of-possibility/

Quotes Worth Sharing

• “You can’t always change the world you live in, but you can change your expectations of it—and that’s where happiness begins.”
• “Coding taught me a process for problem solving—without risk. That’s the magic.”
• “If we create the right process and work on ourselves, we can make a great partnership with 80% of the population.”
• “We’re either building a country that works for everyone—or eventually it works for no one.”
• “It’s not about picking the best decision. It’s about picking the best decision people can buy into.”

Chapter Breakdown
02:50 – Growing Up in Apartheid-Era South Africa.
07:00 – Building & Scaling Private Property
20:00 – Turning It Around
28:00 – A New Life in Canada
35:00 – Tommy Gun’s & Canadian Business
40:00 – Tech for Opportunity: WeThinkCode
52:00 – Reframing Identity Through an MBA
69:00 – Partnership Conflict & Crucial Conversations
77:00 – Coding, AI & Problem-Solving
83:00 – Buying vs. Building a Business
88:00 – Entrepreneurial Cultures: SA vs. Canada
94:00 – Long-Term Focus & Leadership Growth
103:00 – On Happiness, Health & Perspective
Finding joy in the simple—Nando’s included.

In this episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby sit down with Marina Byezhanova, a globally recognized personal branding expert, entrepreneur, and speaker, for a deeply candid and energizing conversation about identity, growth, and what it means to show up as a leader.

From navigating business failures in public, to building thought leadership that transcends a company name, Marina shares hard-earned insights that resonate with anyone who's wrestled with visibility, reinvention, or the pressure to be “the face” of a business. The conversation touches on the power of personal brand strategy, how to lead without burning out, the evolving role of AI in marketing, and why stacking joy is one of Marina’s guiding principles.

It’s a fast-paced, vulnerable, and insightful exchange. What starts as a professional conversation quickly becomes a powerful connection between peers building businesses with meaning.

Links and Resources Mentioned
Marina on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmarina/

Marina’s personal branding agency: https://www.brandofaleader.com/

Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO): https://eonetwork.org/

Ryan Holiday, Ego is the Enemy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju8WoRcR4Qo

Quotes Worth Sharing
“You didn’t build a personal brand. You were the spokesperson for your business—and that’s a big difference.”
“I only say yes to things that give me energy. If it drains me, I delegate or delete.”
“When you build your brand right, it will always be bigger than your business.”
“We are often building visibility, but if we fail, we fail in public.”
“Stacking is my life philosophy—bringing my whole life together, instead of splitting it apart.”

Segment Breakdown with Timestamps

00:00 – Meet Marina: Life, Travel & Leadership
Introduction to Marina’s story: Ukrainian roots, Canadian immigration, global work
How she started Brand of a Leader and built a remote-first team
Her passion for EO and thought leadership

06:30 – Leading Without Burnout
Marina’s hack: only doing what energizes her
Delegation as an act of self-awareness
Family, parenting, and the joy-centered life design model


14:45 – Finding Your People (and Yourself)
How EO helped Marina feel like she finally “fit” as an entrepreneur
The impact of peer groups on personal and professional growth
Redefining success and shedding outdated friendships


22:00 – The Real Personal Brand
Why most people confuse personal branding with just being visible
How to separate yourself from your business
The difference between being a thought leader vs. a company spokesperson


33:40 – AI, Identity & the Future of Visibility
How Brand of a Leader embraced AI as a co-creator
The rise of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
Why storytelling and emotion will always matter more than tech


44:30 – Leadership Through War & Hardship
Marina’s deeply personal account of the war in Ukraine
How her EO Ukraine forum became a source of strength and perspective
Hiring Ukrainian talent as a meaningful business decision


56:00 – Making Decisions Through Joy
Why fun is Marina’s true north
Lessons from speaking, stacking, and leading high-stakes EO events
How aligning to joy creates more energy, clarity, and success

1:06:00 – Thought Leadership and the Power of Perspective
What makes someone truly stand out in a crowded space
Why “just post” is the worst advice for founders
How real introspection creates authentic differentiation

In this episode, Levi and Colby are joined by David Barnett — business broker turned consultant, author, and content creator — for a masterclass in buying, selling, and valuing small businesses. David shares his journey from Yellow Pages rep to business owner, debt broker, and ultimately trusted advisor helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of business transactions. The conversation dives deep into lessons learned from brokerage, the realities of small business exits, how real-world transactions often differ from theory, and why systems, not just passion, build enduring organizations.

The episode also explores how content marketing, authorship, and thought leadership have fueled David’s consulting business, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs thinking about how to build reputation and revenue streams beyond direct operations. Packed with candid advice, practical frameworks, and a dose of tough love, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering buying, selling, or scaling a business.

Links and Resources Mentioned
David on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbarnettmoncton/
David Barnett’s Website: DavidCBarnett.com
Books by David Barnett https://www.investlocalbook.com/p/buy-book.html
Courses by David - https://www.businessbuyeradvantage.com/
YouTube Channel: David Barnett’s channel with over 700 videos - https://www.youtube.com/@DavidCBarnett

Quotes Worth Sharing
"The business is the cash flow — that's what someone is acquiring, not just the stuff inside."
"Businesses are always worth far more to their owners than they are to the buyers."
"Luck often explains success in business more than genius — sometimes the right person was simply hired at the right time."
"If you want to sell your business for more, make it more profitable — you get to enjoy the profits while you still own it."
"Don't buy yourself a job unless that's exactly what you want."

Segment Breakdown with Timestamps

00:00 – 07:00 | Introducing David Barnett: A Life in Business
David shares his early passion for business and journey through Yellow Pages sales, entrepreneurship, and business finance.
Lessons learned during the 2008–09 financial crisis.
The evolution from business broker to consultant.

07:00 – 14:30 | From Broker to Consultant: Building a Better Model
The flaws in the traditional brokerage commission model.
How David transitioned to a consulting business structure.
Early use of YouTube to automate sales conversations.
Going from local clients to an international consulting practice.

14:30 – 27:00 | Lessons in Systems, Franchises, and Business Building
How systemization helped David successfully build and sell his first business.
The myth vs. reality of franchise support systems.
Importance of documented processes to create transferable business value.
Why small operational details often separate great businesses from average ones.

27:00 – 42:00 | Buying and Selling Businesses: Tough Love Edition
Why most small businesses don’t sell (80% failure rate).
How owners often drastically overvalue their businesses.
The real market dynamics for Main Street businesses (under $500k cashflow).
Five main reasons people are forced to sell: burnout, poor health, divorce, relocation, retirement.

42:00 – 59:00 | The Reality of Small Business Acquisitions
Insights on "buying a business without money" claims.
Understanding buyer competition and market realities.
How to create your own deal flow outside of traditional brokers.
Why passion can sometimes blind buyers to real business risks.

59:00 – 1:15:00 | Deal Structuring, Due Diligence, and Red Flags
How to evaluate small businesses realistically (cash flow, working capital, client concentration).
Hidden pitfalls: improper broker valuations, missing

In this episode of the Build to Last podcast, Levi and Colby sit down with entrepreneur and self-described “solutionist” Stephen Dixon, founder of GrimRoss Brewing. The conversation ranges widely—from the messy, nonlinear path of growing a business to the philosophical underpinnings of meaningful work. Stephen shares how brewing beer led him to create a side venture tackling industrial waste with black soldier fly larvae, all in the pursuit of sustainable, circular solutions.

But this isn’t just a story about business success. Stephen opens up about burnout, rediscovering health after years of neglect, and why legacy now means solving real, human-scale problems. Whether you’re scaling a company or just trying to reclaim your time and purpose, this episode offers wisdom wrapped in laughter, curiosity, and genuine connection.

Links and Resources

Stephen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixonstephen/

GrimRoss Brewing Co. – https://www.grimross.com/

The Solutionists by Solitaire Townsend – https://www.koganpage.com/responsible-business/the-solutionists-9781398609327

Peter Attia – Physician known for work on longevity and the “Centenarian Decathlon.” https://peterattiamd.com/

BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits – Framework that helped Stephen overhaul his health through small changes. - https://tinyhabits.com/

Naval Ravikant – Entrepreneur and thinker mentioned in the context of big questions and meaning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Ravikant

Chris Williamson Podcast – Referenced in the discussion around self-kindness. - https://chriswillx.com/podcast/

Black Soldier Fly Larvae – Central to Stephen’s waste management startup concept. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens

Quotes Worth Sharing

“I don’t want to be dependent—I want the freedom to choose how I spend my day.” – Stephen Dixon
“Entrepreneurship is just solving problems people care about. That’s it.” – Stephen Dixon
“You can’t outsource understanding. I needed to know how everything worked so I could build it and let it go.” – Stephen Dixon
“Fitness isn’t about perfection. It’s about tiny habits, compounding over time.” – Stephen Dixon
“We’re trying to build systems so we don’t have to do it—so we can, not so we must.” – Levi Lawrence

Episode Breakdown

5:00 – 12:30 | Starting GrimRoss & Leaving the Safety Net
Brewing beer as a side hobby and early-stage entrepreneurship.
The moment Stephen decided to build something he could fully understand and operate solo.

12:30 – 21:00 | Delegation, Growth, and Letting Go
How GrimRoss scaled through organic need—staffing, systems, and trust.
Why meaningful delegation is a constant cycle, not a one-time event.

21:00 – 30:00 | The Shift Toward Impact
Stephen’s personal health crisis and COVID wake-up call.
Redefining success: from ROI to long-term human impact and sustainability.

30:00 – 43:00 | The Black Soldier Fly Affair
The hilarious and humble beginnings of an insect-based waste solution—starting in a basement.
Exploring circular economy thinking and the protein revolution.

43:00 – 54:00 | Systems Thinking & Iron House Pro’s Role
Why most founders want independence—not retirement.
Discussing Iron House Pro’s work helping businesses reduce founder dependence and scale sustainably.

54:00 – 1:10:00 | Fitness, Identity & The Long Game
Strength, mobility, and the Centenarian Workout.
How physical health mirrors organizational health—and how to shift from guilt to purpose-driven habits.

1:10:00 – 1:25:00 | Big Questions, Small Changes
Meditation, moderation, and meaning: lessons from Buddhist thought and quantum theory.

In this deeply human and insightful episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby sit down with therapist and business owner Rankyn Campbell for a conversation that blurs the lines between entrepreneurship, mental health, and personal growth. Rankyn opens up about his journey from competitive hockey to running a thriving mental health clinic, and shares the real, often messy work of self-awareness, boundary-setting, and leadership.

Together, they explore the inner challenges faced by entrepreneurs—compassion fatigue, resentment, identity, burnout, and the myth of work-life balance. Rankyn offers a refreshingly grounded perspective on how values, self-care, and even frameworks like Buddhism and Stoicism can shape a more sustainable and meaningful business (and life). If you’ve ever felt like the renovation never ends—this one’s for you.

Links and Resources Mentioned

Rankyn on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rankyn-campbell-831b2814a/
Campbell Health (Rankyn’s clinic) - https://www.campbellhealth.net/
Self-Determination Theory by Ryan & Deci - https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/theory/
Secular Buddhism Podcast by Noah Rasheta - https://secularbuddhism.com/

Quotes Worth Sharing

“You can drown in 10 feet of water just as easily as you can in 100.”

“Acceptance is not resignation. You can have acceptance and ambition.”

“Resentment is often your first signal that a boundary has been crossed.”

“Self-care has been weaponized—it shouldn’t be another thing that makes you feel like you’re not enough.”

“We are meaning-making machines. Most things aren’t good or bad, we just love to assign meaning.”

Segment Breakdown with Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction and Rankyn’s Story
From hockey to therapy: how sport shaped his mindset
Lessons on confidence, regret, and internal belief systems

10:00 – The Business of Helping People
Starting a mental health clinic with little business training
Learning to lead, hire, and grow a team through therapy and coaching
Reconciling purpose-driven work with financial responsibility

17:00 – Compassion Fatigue & Boundaries
Recognizing early signs of burnout and cynicism
Why resentment is a boundary indicator
Holding two truths: caring deeply while maintaining limits

28:00 – Community, Culture, and Connection
Western therapy vs. traditional communal healing
Isolation, loneliness, and how culture shapes mental health
The role of belonging and interdependence in well-being

40:00 – Identity, Resentment, and the Entrepreneurial Trap
The slippery slope from passion to resentment
Making intentional choices and the illusion of freedom
Why some things are never “fully learned”

50:00 – Rethinking Self-Care and Rediscovering Values
How self-care became a checklist item—and how to reclaim it
Finding your true values through behavior, not just beliefs
Aligning calendar with what matters most

1:06:00 – Sprinting vs. Marathon Work Styles
Knowing how you thrive: short bursts vs. steady pace
Creating recovery rituals and protecting energy
Why being isn’t the opposite of doing—but just as essential

1:10:00 – Mental Health at Work: For Employers
The employer’s role in creating a psychologically safe environment
Trust, autonomy, and relatedness as foundations of workplace culture
Self-determination theory in building resilient teams

1:22:00 – Buddhism, Belonging, and Acceptance
Rankyn’s journey into Buddhism and misconceptions he let go
The danger of constant longing and how to break the cycle
How suffering often stems from resisting what