Lil Roberts, Founder & CEO of Xendoo, joins the Making Bank podcast to share how she turned adversity into fuel, building a tech-forward accounting company from the ground up. In this candid conversation, she breaks down her entrepreneurial scorecard, the gut-check moments behind every business, and why helping 50,000 small businesses is her north star.

In this episode, Randy Goggans, founder of BankerBounty (http://bankerbounty.com/), shares his journey from growing up on a farm in Alabama to creating a game-changing platform for community banks. Randy and Locality Bank CEO, Keith Costello, dive deep into entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and the vital role of relationships in local banking.

Javier Jorge’s journey is anything but linear. From dropping out of college to working in pest control, spraying Publix floors to make ends meet, to launching two tech startups, one of them while leading SBA lending at Locality Bank, his story is about grit, clarity, and what happens when experience meets purpose. In this episode, Javier shares how setbacks fueled his success and why helping small businesses unlock their potential is personal.

Basil Bernard bet $10K on a business... and nearly lost it all. But a single pivot changed everything. In this episode of Locality's Making Bank Podcast, he shares how Apricot Office Interiors rose from humble beginnings, weathered the Great Recession, and stayed grounded through it all. This story is about grit, grace, and the quiet strength it takes to start again. Learn more about Apricot Office Interiors at http://apricotos.com/

What happens when a paperboy grows up to build one of South Florida’s most respected construction firms? In this episode, father-daughter duo Tom and Traci Miller of Miller Construction share the real story behind 50+ years of business—family values, hard calls, and the kind of culture you can’t fake. From weathering recessions to redefining legacy, this is a masterclass in principled leadership. Learn more about Miller Construction Company at millerconstruction.com.

What happens when you’ve built a thriving business, and it still doesn’t feel right? JR Lay shares his journey from web design wunderkind to bestselling author, revealing the hard resets, personal truths, and shifting perspectives that shaped his entrepreneurial evolution. From the early days of Napster-era hustle to his vision of the "Wisdom Economy," this episode is a masterclass in letting go, starting over, and creating something that matters.

Note: Since recording, JR Lay has launched Level Up Business, where he helps B2B entrepreneurs grow through brand research, podcasting, and book publishing. https://www.levelupbusiness.com/

What does it take to go from humble beginnings in India to leading billion-dollar banks in the U.S.? Andrew Samuel, CEO of LINKBANK, shares his incredible story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and faith. From his first business selling cow dung as a child to taking multiple banks public, Andrew's journey is packed with valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders alike.

In this episode of Locality’s Making Bank Podcast, Andrew and host Keith Costello discuss:

✔️ The early lessons in entrepreneurship from his upbringing in India

✔️ How he hustled his way into banking without industry connections

✔️ The future of community banking and why it matters for entrepreneurs

✔️ The power of values, mentorship, and investing in the next generation

Andrew’s story is proof that success isn’t just about where you start—it’s about perseverance, relationships, and making a lasting impact.

Success. Some inherit it. Others chase it. But the rare few create it through vision and perseverance.

Meet Jim Ryan. The son of a Waldorf-Astoria professional who taught him that true character matters more than the size of your wallet. When corporate restructuring ended his AT&T career, he saw an opportunity where others saw setbacks. In a world of instant gratification and quick wins, he built something meaningful - a global company of 2,000 people who connect humans in an increasingly disconnected world.

This isn't just another business story. This is about seeing opportunity in change, about building lasting value in a fast-moving world. It's about someone who saw beyond the conventional wisdom of what a business should be, creating innovative solutions for how people connect.

Join us for an hour of unfiltered conversation about:

• The art of turning setbacks into opportunities
• Why the traditional path isn't always the right one
• The evolution from voice to digital, and why humanity still matters
• How mentorship shapes the next generation
• The future of business in South Florida's growing tech scene