In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Juan Cruz, founder and managing attorney of JCA Law, PLLC, a Texas-based education law firm with offices in Laredo, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. With nearly 30 years of legal experience and a track record that includes a win before the Texas Supreme Court, Juan shares the grit, strategy, and heart it took to build a respected firm from scratch.

Juan opens up about:

• Walking away from big law to follow his own vision
• Building a niche firm in education law
• Balancing courtroom advocacy with smart business planning
• Expanding across Texas without taking on debt
• The power of kindness and trust in leadership
• Why it’s vital to know your lane — and stay in it

Whether you're a legal professional, business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, Juan’s journey is packed with real talk, hard-won lessons, and pragmatic wisdom for anyone navigating leadership under pressure.

Welcome back to What It Takes, the podcast where we dig into the real stories behind successful businesses — and the bold people who built them.

Today, we head into the high-stakes world of education law with someone who’s been in the legal trenches for nearly 30 years: Juan Cruz, founder of JCA Law, PLLC. From winning before the Texas Supreme Court to advising school districts across the state, Juan’s journey is one of courage, clarity, and calculated risk.

With offices across Laredo, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi, Juan shares how he built a thriving firm without debt, how he earns trust in a politically charged landscape, and why true leadership shows up in the storm — not just the sunshine.

Juan, thank you for sharing so much with us — not just the wins, but the values that guide how you lead. Your story is a reminder that what it takes to run a business isn’t just strategy or ambition — it’s trust, clarity, and yes, a whole lot of hard work.

To learn more about Juan and his firm, visit jca-law.com and follow @jcalaw on Instagram and Facebook — we’ll link everything in the show notes.

And hey, if today’s episode got you thinking differently about leadership, business planning, or staying true to your values — send it to a friend. Share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Thanks for listening — and we’ll catch you next time on What It Takes.

In this insightful and candid episode, Joseph Nagle, Head of Strategy at Pando Electric, shares how his team is disrupting the EV charging space by simplifying the tech, targeting underserved communities, and building a resilient, mission-aligned company culture.

From securing a $5.4 million state grant to pioneering smart outlet charging that cuts costs and maintenance, Joseph walks us through what it takes to build a scalable and meaningful solution in an emerging industry—while also opening up about leadership, hiring, and the importance of persistence.

• Pando Electric’s innovation: A smart outlet solution for EV charging in multifamily buildings—cheaper, easier to install, and far less prone to vandalism than traditional chargers.
• Why outlets over chargers? “It’s a more simplistic product. People already know how to use an outlet.”
• Impact of the California Energy Commission Grant: $5.4M to install 1,600+ outlets across California, primarily in disadvantaged and underserved communities.

• Hiring Philosophy: Look for people who are hungry, creative problem-solvers, not just technically proficient.
• Interview Tactics: Open-ended questions and unexpected prompts to assess thinking, creativity, and how candidates handle uncertainty.
• Onboarding Strategy: New hires start with hands-on learning and eventually take on a “capstone project” to identify and address a real gap in the business.
• Retention Approach: Equity-based incentives and alignment with the company mission over prestige or big-name offers.

• Joseph’s biggest takeaway from years in EV startups?
• “Patience and persistence. Every project will have something go absolutely horribly wrong.”
• He stresses the importance of seeking help and building community around your venture:
• “Even if you’re the smartest person on the planet, you can’t do it all by yourself.”

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Jake Malott, the founder of Whitestone DCI, a Los Angeles-based consulting firm that specializes in preconstruction project management and land use consulting. From giving Segway tours and dressing as a pineapple to breaking through LA’s regulatory red tape, Jake’s journey into business ownership is anything but conventional.

He shares how persistence, creativity, and valuing his own work were key to launching and sustaining his company — all while building a team, learning on the fly, and reinventing his pricing model in an ultra-competitive, bureaucratic environment.

Whether you’re in real estate or just trying to figure out how to charge what you’re worth, Jake’s story is packed with insight and hard-won wisdom.

• Jake moved to LA without a job and followed a trail of seven connections to land his first role in the preconstruction space.
• He literally said, “I’ll dig a ditch, just get me into this industry,” to show how badly he wanted the opportunity.

• He entered an obscure, specialized field (land use consulting) most people haven’t heard of unless they’re already deep in development.
• Recognized a gap and built Whitestone to serve clients big firms passed over.

• Initially nervous to send even a $500 invoice.
• Over time, he realized:

• Used creative compensation strategies (like profit-sharing with consultants) because he couldn’t afford to pay salaries.
• Created a pricing model around “blocks of work” instead of traditional hourly rates to improve clarity and client buy-in.

• Focuses on hiring people with emotional intelligence and curiosity — not just technical skill.
• Built a culture that reflects his creative, liberal arts background, with a workspace that feels inspiring and community-driven.
• “You never have to be selling what you do. Just be passionate and build communities.”

• Shared how he's constantly evolving processes, services, and pricing based on customer feedback and internal capabilities.
• Learned the hard way that “There’s no rulebook — you get to decide how your business runs.”

• “You jump off a cliff and sew your parachute while you’re falling.”
• “No one should ever second guess whether they’re going to get paid on time.”
• “People mirror the value you place on yourself — so price accordingly.”
• “There’s no handbook — you can make up the rules of your business as you go.”
• “Leadership isn’t about being someone else. It’s about owning who you are and building around that.”
• “Find your people. They’re a reflection of you — and you of them.”

In this episode, Dr. Lauren Jones, a veterinarian and Director of Veterinary Medicine at Shepherd Veterinary Solutions, shares her deeply personal and powerful journey from childhood dreams of vet med to burnout, evolution, and bold leadership. Now based in Phoenix, Arizona, Lauren owns and leads the Animal Hospital of Chester County remotely, while serving the broader industry through tech and advocacy work. She opens up about the mental toll of veterinary work, the importance of human-centered leadership, and how embracing team input and streamlined software radically improved her practice and quality of life.

• Knew she wanted to be a veterinarian since age 6.
• Bought her first practice five years out of school and a second shortly after.
• Life shifted during COVID when her family relocated from Philadelphia to Phoenix, prompting her to sell one hospital and lead her practice remotely.

• Experienced intense burnout working 80-hour weeks while raising young kids.
• Describes the emotional rollercoaster of vet med (from puppy visits to euthanasia in minutes).
• Calls attention to staggering mental health stats in the industry — up to 3x the national average for suicide and depression.

• Stepped into a thought leadership role at Shepherd Veterinary Software to promote joy and sustainability in the profession.
• Uses her platform to speak out on destigmatizing burnout and creating meaningful support systems.

• Early mistake: trying to separate team from business decisions — now deeply values team buy-in.
• HR game-changer: explaining the “why” behind every change, from software rollouts to operations.
• Learned the hard way that even small changes (like phone systems) can disrupt workflow and morale without proper onboarding or communication.

• Emphasizes the right tools (like Shepherd) can reduce late nights, free up time, and help staff feel more present in life.
• Her motto: “Let’s get in, get out, and get home.”
• High-quality medicine and a quality life should coexist.

• Grit, determination, and especially the ability to pivot.
• Strong emphasis on humility — being able to say, “This didn’t work. Let’s try again.”
• Belief that joy isn’t optional in business — it’s a responsibility.

In this insightful episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker talks with Justin Tollefson, Principal at Pearson Design Group, a boutique architecture firm based in Bozeman, Montana known for designing stunning, story-driven homes. Justin opens up about his 20+ year journey with the firm, how his leadership style has evolved, and what it really takes to run a design-focused business with heart. From building creative culture and hiring for character to developing young talent and navigating the less glamorous parts of leadership, this conversation gets real about the human side of architecture.

Whether you're leading a team, managing creatives, or just trying to build something meaningful, this episode is full of grounded insights and wisdom for business owners in any industry.

Guest: Justin Tollefson, Principal at Pearson Design Group

Location: Bozeman, Montana

Instagram: @pearsondesigngroup

Website: pearsondesigngroup.com

• Justin’s evolution from young designer to firm principal
• Hiring for character and training for skill
• Balancing creativity with accountability in a team environment
• Why patience is critical in the architecture world
• Developing people when you were never formally trained to do so
• The leadership shift from “me” to “we”
• The dream of pushing sustainable architecture further
• What it truly takes to run a business with creative integrity

In this inspiring episode, Jamie Seeker sits down with Dr. Michael Remson, President and CEO of KeyNote, home of the San Diego Youth Symphony, located in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park. Michael shares his powerful journey from growing up in musical theater in New York City to becoming a nationally respected nonprofit arts leader. He dives into how music shaped his life from a young age, how early access to arts education builds future-ready skills in children, and why cradle-to-college programming is the future of inclusive arts access. He also opens up about the challenges of managing 80+ staff, recruiting talent in an expensive city, and the delicate balance between passion and business in nonprofit leadership.

Themes:

• The transformational power of music in childhood
• Nonprofit innovation and leadership in arts education
• Building programs with real, measurable community impact
• Challenges of staffing, HR, and sustainability in high-cost urban areas
• Rebranding and restructuring to create lasting organizational clarity

Flow & Structure:

1. Michael’s artistic roots and personal journey into music
2. Transition from composer to nonprofit leader (AFA in Houston)
3. Founding and scaling cradle-to-college programming at KeyNote
4. Detailed overview of early childhood programs (Chimes, Music Discovery)
5. HR philosophy and challenges (hiring for heart and skill)
6. Vision for community outreach and equity in arts access
7. Leadership insights, rebranding to unify mission and identity
8. Final reflections on what it takes to succeed in business and nonprofit leadership

"I’ve seen okay musicians who are amazing teachers—and great musicians who aren’t. Teaching is its own calling." – Michael Remson

"If we’re just sitting in Balboa Park waiting for people to come to us, we’re not doing our job as a modern arts organization."

"It's always about the kids. The day I forget that is the day I need to get out of this work."

"Passion and business sometimes run into each other—and managing that tension is one of the biggest challenges in nonprofit leadership."

"We needed a central rallying cry. That’s why we became KeyNote—because the mission had to be clear to families and the community."

"You can't ask someone to go somewhere you’ve never been. That’s why my team knows I’ve been in their shoes."

In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Shay Wheat, Certified Event Producer™ and CEO of Grace & Ease Productions. Shay shares her powerful journey from managing apartments and doing network marketing to producing multi-million dollar events for powerhouse names like Dr. Oz and Lisa Nichols.

We dive into how events became her ultimate business-building tool, how she pivoted to virtual when the world shut down, and what it really means to lead a business with grace and ease. Shay opens up about the backstage chaos that taught her the importance of building a team, as well as the strategies behind events that truly convert — not just inspire.

If you’ve ever wondered how to scale your impact through live or virtual experiences, this episode is a goldmine.

• How Shay stumbled into event production — and landed her first gig through a chance conversation
• Working on Dr. Oz’s nonprofit event and Maria Shriver’s Women’s Conference
• Why the most successful events are reverse-engineered from the end goal
• The pivotal moment she transitioned from “planner” to Certified Event Producer and strategist
• The “authority illusion” — and how expertise alone isn’t enough to convert
• Pivoting to virtual during COVID (including nearly 600 attendees cancelled days before)
• How to recreate emotional, sensory, and communal experiences virtually
• Importance of intention for both host and attendees
• The role of energetics, healing, and intuition in Shay’s business
• Her breaking point — crawling on the floor in heels during a virtual event mishap — and the wake-up call to scale smarter
• Why entrepreneurs shouldn’t white-knuckle their businesses

“We’re not meant to do life alone, and we’re not meant to do business alone.”

“Events are a bridge. They're the fastest way I know to build trust, connection, and transformation — if you do them with intention.”

“I wasn’t going to keep building a business that required me to sacrifice my well-being to serve someone else’s mission.”

“The audience had no clue, but I was literally crawling on the floor in a dress, unplugging tech at my client’s feet. That was my wake-up call.”

“Being an expert isn’t enough. If you don’t have strategy, team, and conversion systems, your business can bleed out — even if you're the most respected voice in the room.”

“Virtual events are like movies. They need a story, an experience, and a journey that keeps people coming back for more.”

What does it take to be a business owner?

“You can be the most respected voice in the room and still watch your business bleed out. It takes strategy, support, and community. We’re not meant to do this alone — and we shouldn’t have to.”

In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Miguel Adao, CEO of Voler Systems, to explore what it means to be a truly global leader. With a career that’s taken him across eight countries, five languages, and leadership roles at Pepsi, HP, VMware, and more, Miguel shares how cultural intelligence has shaped his leadership philosophy and career path.

Now based in Sunnyvale, California, Miguel leads Voler Systems with a unique mix of engineering expertise, marketing savvy, and global perspective. He dives into the lessons he’s learned working with teams across the world, how to build trust across time zones, and the human side of scaling a tech company.

Whether you’re growing a startup or managing a team that spans continents, this conversation is full of takeaways on connection, adaptability, and leadership without borders.

• Cultural adaptability is a leadership superpower. Living and working in diverse environments taught Miguel to listen first, communicate clearly, and lead with empathy.
• Leadership doesn’t look the same everywhere. Miguel explains how expectations vary — and why self-awareness and flexibility are crucial.
• Language matters — but so does intent. Speaking five languages has helped Miguel connect, but he says tone and body language often speak louder than words.
• Trust is built differently across cultures. From hierarchical to collaborative dynamics, Miguel shares how to tune in and meet teams where they are.
• Leading a tech company today requires a mix of global awareness, humility, and curiosity.

“You don’t lead the same way in Tokyo as you do in Toronto — and that’s not a challenge, that’s the gift of global leadership.”

“Language gets you in the door. But listening gets you the trust.”

“Every country I’ve lived in has taught me something about patience, people, and the pace of business.”

“Leadership without borders is about being comfortable with what you don’t know — and hungry to learn it.”

“What does it take to be a business owner? Resilience, curiosity, and the ability to take the hit and keep going. Every. Single. Day.”

• Global leadership
• Cross-cultural business
• Tech leadership
• CEO interviews
• Startup growth
• International business
• Business communication
• Voler Systems
• Silicon Valley CEOs
• Engineering innovation