In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Dusty Goldson — CEO of Tectonic, a company he built over 25+ years without outside funding, hype cycles, or chasing trends.

Dusty shares a grounded, no-nonsense perspective on leadership and growth, shaped by real-world experience scaling teams, navigating five acquisitions, and building businesses rooted in trust, consistency, and long-term relationships. His approach challenges the idea that success comes from rigid systems or quick wins — instead, he makes the case for clarity, adaptability, and people-first leadership.

From rethinking decision-making styles to navigating the messy realities of acquisitions, Dusty opens up about what actually happens behind the scenes of “successful” businesses — including the expectations that don’t match reality, the people challenges leaders often underestimate, and the importance of self-awareness in high-stakes environments.

Beyond business strategy, this conversation dives into leadership psychology — from managing impulsiveness and fast thinking, to embracing imposter syndrome as a tool for growth rather than something to avoid.

We explore:

- Why “bullet point thinking” can limit better decision-making

- The hidden challenges behind acquisitions — especially people and culture

- Why early success can sometimes create long-term problems

- The myth of “we’re all family” in business — and what to believe instead

- Why great leaders focus more on people than processes or platforms

- The importance of self-awareness and moderating your natural tendencies

- Building a culture of accountability — and not tolerating underperformance

- Why solving problems (not selling solutions) is the key to long-term success

- How imposter syndrome can actually be a healthy and necessary signal

- The value of surrounding yourself with people who think differently

Dusty’s perspective is a reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about making decisions, learning fast, and staying honest about the realities of building and scaling a business.

If you’ve ever felt the gap between how business is supposed to work and how it actually unfolds in real life — this episode will resonate.

Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon

Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com

Guest Details:

Company: Tectonic

Website: https://teamtectonic.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustygulleson/

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Paul Schrader — an entrepreneur who has built and scaled over a dozen companies across e-commerce, manufacturing, third-party logistics, and emerging digital markets.

Paul shares a powerful and unconventional take on business growth, challenging the long-standing belief that success comes from focusing on just one thing. Instead, he reveals how staying adaptable, spotting shifts early, and building around opportunity has allowed him to grow multiple successful ventures in parallel.

From supplying NASA (yes — even sending fruitcake to space 🚀) to building a 150,000+ square foot operation, Paul’s journey is packed with real-world insights on innovation, leadership, and thinking differently in a rapidly changing world.

The conversation dives into the future of entrepreneurship, the evolution of the creator economy, and how AI is reshaping the way businesses operate. Paul also shares his perspective on leadership, authenticity, and why understanding people—not just processes—is the key to building strong teams.

If you’ve ever questioned traditional business advice or felt like there might be another way to succeed—this episode will challenge your thinking in the best way possible.

We explore:

Why “focus on one thing” might be outdated advice

How to spot opportunities and pivot before it’s too late

The real value of adaptability in modern business

How AI is changing research, decision-making, and productivity

Why authenticity beats “sales tactics” every time

The power of networking and building long-term relationships

Understanding different mindsets in leadership (people vs. process)

Why success doesn’t look the same for everyone

The future of the creator economy—and where it’s heading next

Paul’s perspective is a refreshing reminder that there’s no single path to success. By staying curious, adaptable, and open to opportunity, you can build something dynamic, resilient, and uniquely your own—without being boxed in by conventional rules.

Connect with me here:
Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon
Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8
Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=paul+D%E2%80%99shreder

Guest Details:
Company: https://minimusproducts.biz
Fulfillment: https://minimusfulfillment.biz

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Angelo D’Amico, a CEO leading a multimillion-dollar manufacturing company.

Angelo brings a rare combination of real-world executive experience and deep thinking, shaped by his background in economics and philosophy. Instead of offering surface-level leadership advice, he challenges the way we think about ambition, pressure, and what success actually costs behind the scenes.

This conversation goes beyond the highlight reel of business success and gets into the realities leaders face every day—decisions, trade-offs, and the internal battles that don’t get talked about enough.

From navigating high-stakes environments to questioning conventional definitions of success, Angelo offers a thoughtful and honest perspective for anyone building, leading, or striving for more.

We explore:

The hidden cost of ambition and success

How leaders navigate pressure in real business environments

Why success isn’t always what it looks like from the outside

The role of values in decision-making at the highest levels

How philosophy and economics shape better leadership thinking

Why there are no easy answers in leadership—only better questions

The importance of honest conversations in business and life

Rethinking what it means to build a meaningful career

Angelo’s perspective is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to ask better questions, think deeper, and lead with intention in a complex world.

Connect with me here:
Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon
Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8
Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com

Guest Details:
instagram: https://www.instagram.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com

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