Join host Sam Davidson as he unpacks the extraordinary journey of Michael Burcham, the founding CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. From his humble beginnings in rural Mississippi, Michael shares how a dream to escape his small-town bubble led him to the Army National Guard for college, a dynamic career in healthcare, and ultimately, to becoming a prolific founder, investor, professor, and four-time author.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, strategic thinking, and the power of giving back. Michael details the challenges and triumphs of founding two successful healthcare companies, Teraphysics and Paradigm Health, including how he overcame dozens of rejections to secure his first investor, strategically pivoted business models for explosive growth, and navigated lucrative exits. He then recounts the inspiring story behind the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, from its audacious vision of a physical hub for entrepreneurs to the monumental task of renovating its historic Hillyard home with no debt.

Dive into Michael's profound insights on the entrepreneurial mindset, including lessons from his books, "The Art of Startup Failure" and "The Seven Deadly Emotions of Entrepreneurship." Discover his three critical guideposts for discerning when to pivot versus persevere, and learn why fostering relationships is the bedrock of lasting success. Michael also shares his current focus at Shore Capital and his mission to empower entrepreneurs who are driven not just by profit, but by a desire to scale for impact and "send the elevator back down" for the next generation.

Episode Highlights:

• 0:06 - Meet Michael Burcham: Founder, Author, Investor, Professor
• 1:07 - Michael's first glimpse of entrepreneurship in rural Mississippi
• 1:38 - Starting his first business at 14: The lawnmower venture
• 2:44 - The deep-seated drive to expand beyond his small-town upbringing
• 3:41 - How the Army National Guard paved Michael's path to college
• 4:34 - Launching a career in healthcare and earning an MBA at HCA
• 8:04 - Founding Teraphysics: Overcoming 30 rejections to raise crucial capital
• 10:59 - The strategic business model pivots that propelled Teraphysics' success
• 19:07 - Co-founding and scaling his second impactful company, Paradigm Health
• 23:38 - The ambitious vision behind establishing the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC)
• 31:00 - The monumental challenge and triumph of renovating the EC's historic Hillyard building
• 34:40 - Why strong relationships are non-negotiable for entrepreneurial success
• 37:40 - Transitioning from the EC to Shore Capital and embarking on an authorship journey
• 41:35 - Key takeaways and wisdom from "The Art of Startup Failure"
• 44:27 - Exploring "The Seven Deadly Emotions of Entrepreneurship" and navigating internal struggles
• 49:01 - Michael's three essential guideposts for deciding when to pivot
• 54:23 - Michael's current mission: Coaching entrepreneurs to scale for impact, not just profit, and his upcoming book, "Blood, Sweat, and Equity"

Listen now to gain Michael's unique perspective on entrepreneurship. Subscribe to Circle Back for more inspiring stories. Share this episode with aspiring founders and business leaders, and leave us a review to help others discover valuable content.

Relevant Links:

Michael Burcham's Books

Nashville Entrepreneur Center

Shore Capital Partners

Connect with Michael Burcham

Circle Back Podcast

Nashville Post

Nashville Entrepreneur Hall of Famer Cal Turner shares the remarkable story of his family's legacy in founding Dollar General, tracing its roots back to his grandfather Luther Turner—a self-taught entrepreneur with only a third-grade education. Cal reflects on his unexpected path from ministry to business leadership, highlighting the values of humility, hard work, and the importance of surrounding yourself with smarter people. As CEO, he guided Dollar General's growth into a thriving public company by keeping customers and frontline employees at the heart of its mission. Now devoted to philanthropy, Cal channels his family's story into efforts to improve literacy and education, proving that true success lies in lifting others up.

The Rev. Becca Stevens shares her journey becoming the founder of Thistle Farms, a powerful social enterprise that helps women heal from trauma, addiction, and trafficking. What began as a small venture making bath and body products has blossomed into a nationwide movement, complete with a cafe, global partnerships, and over 70 sister communities across the U.S. Rev. Stevens offers a fresh take on "justice entrepreneurship," prioritizing dignity and empowerment over profit and explains the importance of tackling big challenges, staying open to new paths, and building a strong circle of support. Rev. Stevens was the 2000 Nashvillian of the Year and in 2013 was inducted into the Tennessee Women's Hall of Fame.

Elise Mitchell, author, executive coach, and motorcycle riding mother, shares her entrepreneurial journey that began when she started her own public relations agency, Mitchell Communications Group, which she grew to over 500% in just 5 years. After 18 years, she sold the company and took on a global role focused on mergers and acquisitions. Reflecting on her career, Elise decided her greatest contribution now would be as an executive coach and business consultant, helping other founders navigate growth, scale, and eventual sale of their companies. Mitchell's story illustrates the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the importance of work-life balance, and the value of mentorship and personal growth in building a successful business.

As a ninth-generation Nashvillian and CEO of Nashville History on Tour, David Ewing takes us on a deep dive into the city's rich entrepreneurial history, weaving together stories of innovation, resilience, and transformation. With roots in the city dating back to the late 1700s, Ewing shares his own family's long-standing connection to Nashville and highlights the thriving African-American business community that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He also explores the rise of key industries—religious publishing, medicine, and sports—while shedding light on the profound impact of urban renewal on these communities. Looking ahead to the future revitalization of downtown Nashville, Ewing addresses the opportunities and challenges that today's entrepreneurs and creatives face in a rapidly evolving city.

Will Acuff's entrepreneurial journey is a powerful testament to purpose-driven innovation and resilience. His path began with a college band and evolved into a mission to create a meaningful impact through community empowerment. After a life-changing trip to Nairobi and years in a low-income Nashville neighborhood, Will and his wife, Tiffany, co-founded Corner to Corner, a nonprofit that equips underserved individuals to launch their own businesses. As the organization grew, Will stepped back from leadership to focus on expansion and fundraising. Inspired by personal challenges, including parenting a child with disabilities, Will then authored No Elevator to Everest, a heartfelt book about resilience, purpose, and finding joy in the face of life's steepest climbs.

Stuart McWhorter shares his entrepreneurial journey from selling Jolly Ranchers out of his high school locker to becoming Tennessee's Commissioner of Economic Development. He reflects on his early interest in healthcare administration, his time at Clayton Associates alongside his father, navigating venture capital and stepping into leadership roles, and his transition to spearheading Nashville Entrepreneur Center. McWhorter shares his view on the entrepreneurial spirit in Tennessee, the importance of fostering business growth, and how his experiences shape his approach to business development. He also touches on his own family legacy, expressing hopes of working with his own children in the future.

A serial entrepreneur, EC Hall of Famer and inaugural board director of the EC, J. Tod Fetherling joins CEO Sam Davidson to discuss his epic journey from the early days of the internet to building multiple successful companies. Being tasked with developing HCA's first internet strategy in 1995 fueled Fetherling's passion for technology, data, and healthcare innovation. Over the years, he's played a key role in various ventures, launching health-focused digital platforms and emphasizes the importance of partnerships, research-driven decision-making, and adaptability in business. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by strategic pivots, impactful transactions, and a dedication to improving healthcare outcomes for all through technology.