In Episode 20 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Zach Dinicola, aka "Mr. Mixer," to explore what happens after internet fame—and how to turn attention into a sustainable, values-driven business.Zach shares the story behind his rise through viral content, what it’s like navigating sudden visibility, and the pressure that comes with building a brand in public. He opens up about consistency, creative discipline, audience trust, and the difference between chasing views and creating something meaningful that lasts.The conversation covers content strategy, brand identity, monetization pitfalls, and why many creators burn out before they ever build real leverage. Mr. Mixer also reflects on staying grounded, protecting creativity, and aligning business decisions with personal values instead of algorithms.This episode offers a thoughtful look at modern entrepreneurship in the creator economy—and what it takes to build something real after the spotlight hits.Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

In Episode 19 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with BJ Hunt, co-founder of Walnut River Brewing Company, to unpack what it really takes to build a craft brewery from the ground up—and keep it thriving for more than a decade.BJ shares his personal journey from early missteps in college to running a family business, earning his MBA, and eventually betting on himself to start a brewery without knowing how to brew. He explains how Walnut River began with a two-barrel system in a flea market, why El Dorado’s water quality shaped the company’s future, and how smart partnerships helped the business scale responsibly.The conversation dives deep into the realities of the brewery business: distribution economics, bootstrapping, branding decisions, equipment costs, investor relationships, contract brewing, and the risks of growing too fast—or in the wrong direction. BJ also shares candid lessons about leadership, mentorship, staying true to your values, and building a company that serves its community, not just its bottom line.This episode is a masterclass in long-term thinking, authenticity, and building something that lasts—one batch at a time.Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

In Episode 18 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Timothy Shenk, General Manager of Egg Cart’n, to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, regenerative agriculture, and designing products that actually last.

Timothy shares his unconventional path—from teaching and earning a music degree to helping run a family manufacturing business focused on high-quality chicken tractors built for backyard families and small homesteads. He walks through how Egg Cart’n began, what went wrong early, and how the business has evolved through trial, burnout, and hard-earned clarity around roles, ownership, and leadership.

The conversation dives deep into what makes Egg Cart’n different: predator-proof construction, durable materials, ease of movement, and why most people quit raising chickens—not because they don’t care, but because their systems fail. Timothy explains how better design leads to healthier animals, better nutrition, improved soil, and a more realistic way for families to reconnect with where their food comes from.

They also discuss pricing psychology, shipping large products nationwide, marketing to first-time buyers, and why not everyone needs to be a hardcore homesteader to make a meaningful impact on food quality and sustainability.

This episode is a thoughtful look at building a mission-driven product, balancing family dynamics in business, and creating systems that help people follow through on good intentions.

Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

In Episode 17 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Brian Boswell, owner of Reliable Dirt Works and Sunflower Plumbing, to unpack one of the most honest and hard-earned entrepreneurial journeys on the show.

Brian shares how he went from trade school and refinery shift work to restaurant ownership, product invention, service-based entrepreneurship, and eventually building a multi-entity operation spanning excavation, plumbing, and rural water district management. Along the way, he opens up about shutting down Jacob’s Well, inventing and scaling BBQ Hack, surviving major revenue drops, and working seven days a week when failure wasn’t an option.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of blue-collar business growth:

• Cutting income in half to bet on yourself

• Asset-heavy scaling decisions most founders underestimate

• Why knowing when to shut something down is just as important as grit

• Managing hundreds of miles of water infrastructure

• Acquiring Sunflower Plumbing and unlocking operational leverage

• The cost of growth on family life—and why legacy still makes it worth it

Brian also reflects on leadership, resilience, learning outside traditional education, and the importance of having trusted peers when the pressure is highest. This episode is a raw look at what it really takes to build something lasting from the ground up—without shortcuts or hype.

Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

In Episode 16 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Tyler Brickley, Chief Brand Officer at Killer Growth and founder of The Kindness Mob, for a candid, funny, and deeply meaningful conversation about creativity, content, and building something that actually makes the internet better.Tyler shares his unconventional journey—from dropping out of college after six weeks, to car sales, restaurant ownership, video production, and eventually shaping brands through content. Along the way, one theme never changes: a compulsion to create and make things meaningful, even when there’s no clear business outcome.The conversation centers on the origin and evolution of The Kindness Mob, a social movement that mobilizes thousands of people to leave positive comments on overlooked videos online. Tyler explains how the idea was born, why kindness momentum matters, what it’s like to sustain a daily creative habit, and how practicing kindness at scale has changed him personally.They also dive into the realities of content creation—burnout, inconsistent growth, algorithm swings, and the tension between impact and metrics—as well as what it really takes to start a movement online and stick with it long enough for it to matter.This episode is an honest look at creativity without ego, leadership without domination, and what happens when someone decides to build something good simply because it should exist.Learn more at https://killergrowth.com#podcast #podcaster #marketing #thekindnessmob

In Episode 15 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Vince Haines, principal architect at Gravity Works Architecture, for an in-depth conversation on architecture, leadership, and long-term community impact.Vince shares his journey from growing up in El Dorado to discovering architecture almost by accident, studying at KU, and eventually returning home to help lead and grow one of the region’s most respected architecture firms. He walks through what architects actually do—from early concept and schematic design to construction documents, bidding, and contract administration—and why architecture is equal parts art, science, and stewardship.The conversation explores how technology has transformed the profession over the last 30 years, from hand drafting and watercolor renderings to CAD, 3D modeling, and AI-assisted research. Vince explains where technology truly adds value, where it falls short, and why architects are still essential problem-solvers in the built environment.Beyond architecture, Vince reflects on leadership, firm succession, and why Gravity Works has intentionally stayed rooted in El Dorado while still taking on major regional projects. He also shares stories from his time as Mayor of El Dorado, his passion for economic development, classic cars, and the responsibility of giving back to the community that shaped him.This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful design, steady leadership, and long-term vision can shape not just buildings—but entire communities.Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

In Episode 14 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Conor Adler, Capital & Investor Programs Lead at Nexus (Nextus.io), for an in-depth conversation on startups, venture capital, and why the Midwest is far more important to the innovation economy than most people realize.

Conor shares his unconventional path—from growing up outside Chicago, studying finance, working in early-stage startups, and grinding through underpaid roles—to landing in Wichita and helping founders raise capital, scale responsibly, and decide whether venture funding is even the right path for their business.

The conversation breaks down how Nexus actually works behind the scenes:

- What an entrepreneurial support organization (ESO) is

- How angel investing and SPVs function in practice

- Why customer traction matters more than pitch decks

- Common red flags founders don’t realize they’re waving

- How founders should think about growth capital before raising money

They also explore Conor’s work building next-generation investors through Future Funders, the realities of angel investing timelines, managing investor expectations, and why not every business should chase VC dollars.

Along the way, Conor opens up about creativity, vulnerability, and balance—sharing stories about bartending while working startups, building in public on Twitter, playing in a band with his brothers, and his long-term dream of opening an Irish pub with live music.

This episode is a must-listen for founders, operators, investors, and anyone curious about how real startup ecosystems are built—far from Silicon Valley hype.Learn more at https://killergrowth.com

In this episode of the Killer Growth Podcast, Samuel sits down with Brad Demo, fifth-generation owner and president of Demo Distributors, Inc., to unpack one of the most misunderstood yet essential businesses in America: beverage distribution.

Brad walks through his family’s journey from early-1900s produce and ice operations to becoming an Anheuser-Busch distributor after Prohibition—and how that legacy has evolved into a modern, multi-category distribution business spanning beer, wine, liquor, energy drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages across Butler County and Southeast Kansas.

The conversation dives deep into how the three-tier alcohol system actually works, why distributors exist, how territories and franchise agreements function, and where the real margins live in beer, wine, and spirits. Brad explains inventory risk, forecasting months ahead, routing logistics, and the realities of holding millions of dollars in product that must move fast.

Samuel and Brad also explore major industry shifts:

• The decline of legacy light lagers and the rise of ready-to-drink cocktails

• The explosion of non-alcoholic beverages and functional drinks

• Why THC beverages remain a legal gray area in Kansas

• How brands like Pickle Shot, Sparkling Ice, and Form Energy scale through distribution

• The impact of grocery chains, law changes, and consolidation on independent retailers

Beyond the business mechanics, Brad shares lessons from stepping into leadership, managing people, succession planning, and balancing a 100+ year family legacy with modern growth. He also opens up about coaching high school wrestling for 15 years and why investing in people—inside and outside the business—matters most.

This episode is a masterclass in distribution, legacy entrepreneurship, and how unglamorous infrastructure businesses quietly power entire industries.

Learn more at https://killergrowth.com