In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Roe Patterson, co-founder and Managing Partner of Marauder Capital, for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and building energy businesses in one of Texas’ most cyclical industries.

With more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, Roe has built, scaled, sold, and led companies across the energy spectrum, including serving as CEO of a public oilfield services company and completing more than 130 M&A transactions throughout his career. Today, he invests in and advises energy and industrial services businesses, bringing both operator experience and board-level perspective to the table.

Roe shares what it takes to navigate downturns, manage risk, and know when to walk away, whether from a deal, a strategy, or a hiring decision. He discusses the importance of capital discipline, the industry’s shift toward lower leverage and return of capital, and how technological advancements such as automation and AI continue to reshape energy production without replacing the people who make it work.

The conversation also explores culture, mentorship, and leadership evolution. Roe reflects on lessons learned from early setbacks, the power of listening over talking, and why humility and decisiveness must coexist in strong leadership. From hiring philosophy and team retention to innovation and safety in the field, this episode offers practical insight for business owners navigating growth in dynamic industries.

If you are interested in entrepreneurship, energy, leadership development, and the realities of building businesses in Texas, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom from someone who has seen the industry from every angle.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Levi Goode, president of Goode Company, to talk about leadership, legacy, and building a business rooted in Texas culture.

A fifth-generation Texan and three-time James Beard Award nominee, Levi grew up in the family business founded by his father, Jim Goode. From washing dishes as a kid to leading one of Houston’s most iconic hospitality groups, Levi shares what it means to carry forward a legacy while continuing to evolve.

The conversation explores the realities of running a family business, earning trust as a leader, and preserving culture as a company grows. Levi reflects on the role Texas traditions play in Goode Company’s identity, from backyard barbecue and barbecue cook-offs to Houston Rodeo season, community gatherings, and the cookout culture that brings people together year after year.

Chris and Levi also discuss leadership development, team culture, and the responsibility that comes with stewarding a brand that has been part of Houston’s food scene and rodeo tradition for decades. This episode offers thoughtful insight into entrepreneurship, hospitality, and what it takes to build a business that lasts in Texas.

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Brandon shares how Surely became a leader in non-alcoholic wine and why nearly 90 percent of its customers still drink alcohol. Rather than targeting only those who are sober, the brand connects with people who want to enjoy wine on their own terms. He also introduces Arlow, the first legally recognized low-alcohol wine brand in the United States, offering half the calories and zero sugar while maintaining the full-bodied experience wine lovers expect.

Listeners will learn how Arlow’s concept grew from Brandon’s deep understanding of consumer behavior and his curiosity about where the market was heading. He explains the technical challenges of dealcoholization, how his California-based team perfected the process, and what it takes to create a wine that meets both taste and quality standards in this emerging space.

Beyond product development, Brandon discusses how Surely and Arlow have scaled from direct-to-consumer beginnings to major retail success. Today, Surely can be found in Target, Sprouts, Total Wine & More, and Spec’s. He explains how the company’s focus on profitability and sustainable growth has allowed it to thrive in a changing industry where investors now value lean operations over rapid expansion.

As the conversation continues, Brandon shares leadership lessons from two distinct growth phases: one centered on fast-paced scaling and another built around operational discipline. He offers insights into the importance of communication, team alignment, and company culture, noting that even high-performing employees can hold a business back if they are not the right cultural fit.

Brandon also reflects on his journey as a leader, emphasizing the need for transparency and collaboration, both with his team and with his investors. His approach to management highlights how curiosity, accountability, and clear communication can drive consistent results without compromising values.

Now rooted in Austin with his family, Brandon talks about what makes Texas the perfect home for entrepreneurs like him. From the state’s unique energy to its strong business community and culinary culture, he shares why Texas has become the ideal place to grow both personally and professionally.

Whether you are interested in brand strategy, leadership, or the evolving world of consumer products, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how clarity of purpose and innovative thinking can build a business that lasts.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik talks with Nubia Pérez, CEO and part-owner of Gretna Machine Shop, a Houston-based precision manufacturer serving the energy, aerospace, and defense industries.

Nubia shares the remarkable story of how her family built Gretna from a single-garage operation in 1980 into a certified lean manufacturing company, and how she later transformed it through leadership, culture, and purpose.

After her father’s passing in 2012, Nubia faced a decade of uncertainty before realizing that the company’s future depended on her stepping forward. She reveals how she rebuilt Gretna from within by creating accountability, redefining its culture, and leading with empathy and transparency.

From embracing EOS to driving diversification from oil and gas to aerospace, Nubia explains what it takes to modernize a second-generation family business while honoring its legacy. She also shares her perspective on automation, AI, and making manufacturing “mindful” again.

If you are interested in leadership, culture change, and the evolution of Texas manufacturing, this episode offers a powerful look at resilience, renewal, and what it means to lead with heart and purpose.

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In this special live 100th episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik talks with Dean Reynaldo Valencia, President and Dean of South Texas College of Law Houston, and Billy Murphy, CEO of University Lands, about the intersection of law, leadership, and innovation in shaping Texas’ future.

From higher education to resource management, both guests share how Texas institutions are adapting to a rapidly changing world while balancing tradition and transformation. Dean Valencia discusses the law school’s century-long commitment to access and opportunity, its pioneering online programs, and how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal education. Murphy offers a look inside University Lands, where a small team manages 2.1 million acres and billions in annual revenue to fund public universities, while navigating emerging challenges such as renewable energy, AI, and sustainability.

Together, they explore how legal training builds critical thinking and leadership skills that extend far beyond the courtroom, and why innovation, ethics, and stewardship remain central to Texas’ continued growth.

If you’re interested in leadership, education, and the forces shaping the future of business in Texas, this milestone episode offers a thoughtful, forward-looking conversation about progress built on purpose.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik talks with Bobby and Janice Jucker, co-owners of Three Brothers Bakery, about what it takes to build and sustain a family business through two centuries of change, challenge, and perseverance.

From their family’s remarkable story of survival and entrepreneurship to leading one of Houston’s most beloved bakeries today, Bobby and Janice share how resilience, culture, and community have guided every decision along the way. They explain how they turned hardship into strength, rebuilding again and again after floods, fires, hurricanes, and even a pandemic, while staying true to their roots and their people.

Janice discusses lessons learned from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and how they transformed a toxic workplace into a culture grounded in care, communication, and accountability. Bobby reflects on the balance between preserving tradition and embracing innovation, from hand-rolled bread to digital recipe systems and modern production technology.

Together, they offer practical insights on leadership, disaster recovery, and the power of people, proving that success is not about avoiding challenges but about how you rise after them.

If you are interested in entrepreneurship, legacy, and leading with heart, this episode is a masterclass in perseverance and purpose from one of Texas’s most enduring family businesses.

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In this episode of Building Texas Business Podcast, Chris Hanslik talks with Jeff Ludy, Founder of The Window Experts, about what it takes to build a purpose-driven, disruptive business in the home improvement industry.Jeff shares how he turned a small garage startup into one of the most trusted window companies in the country, with a national footprint and the most-watched YouTube channel in the industry. He explains how his faith, integrity, and commitment to treating people with honesty, dignity, and respect have guided every decision along the way.From early lessons in sales and leadership to creating a “no-haggle” model that broke the mold for his industry, Jeff reveals how character and culture drive lasting success. He also shares the systems behind his hiring process, his four “C’s” of talent, and how he navigated growing pains—including scaling too fast and learning to lead through crisis.If you’re interested in leadership, entrepreneurship, and building a company that stands out by doing things differently, Jeff’s story is a masterclass in vision, integrity, and resilience.

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Building a business that lasts starts with building a culture that matters.In this episode of Building Texas Business, I sit down with Andy Weiner, CEO and Founder of RockStep Capital, to talk about what it takes to create and sustain a truly fierce company culture. From his family’s early retail ventures to leading a national real estate investment firm with more than 9.7 million square feet under management, Andy has learned that success depends not just on smart deals but on shared values and disciplined behaviors.Andy reveals how his team lives by 25 guiding principles called “RockSteps,” specific behaviors that define how they respond, collaborate, and lead every day. With rituals like their weekly “RockStep of the Week” call and a focus on accountability, responsiveness, and family-first priorities, he has built an organization where integrity and energy drive performance.We also discuss how RockStep’s “Hometown America” investment strategy and vertically integrated structure have helped them thrive through changing markets, and why the company’s success begins with hiring for cultural alignment rather than skill alone.If you are passionate about leadership, culture, and the values that fuel great Texas businesses, this episode offers powerful lessons on how intentional leadership can transform an organization from the inside out.

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