Entrepreneur Ander Sevilla, founder of Black Light, joins host Jim McCarthy to share how he went from selling duct tape wallets in 4th grade to building a fast-growing marketing and private equity hybrid based in Nashville. Ander talks about losing everything (twice), moving cross‑country to start over, turning an Antioch house into an incubator, and raising capital to scale Black Light into multiple markets.

They dive into:

Why he left law school plans for entrepreneurship

How Black Light takes equity stakes in businesses instead of just fees

What he looks for in founders and teams

The real value of college vs. trades vs. starting a business

Culture, hiring (and firing friends), and staying “green so you grow”

Whether you’re just getting started or already deep in the grind, this episode is a reminder that there’s no single “right” path to building a business—only the one you’re willing to bet on, learn from, and keep showing up for. Tune in, take notes, and then take action on the ideas that hit home for you.

Follow Ander:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andersevilla/

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****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:

www.mmtbp.com

www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast

www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos

Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos

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Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.

Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:

https://linktr.ee/mamwmw

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If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!

https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668

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***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:

https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip

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The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:

Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org

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Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co

In this episode of The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy talks with Rob Steier about his unconventional journey from pulling cable in his dad’s Wisconsin security business to firefighting, exotic car brokerage, and now commercial real estate and private equity.

Rob shares the freeway accident that pushed him into firefighting, what he learned serving as an EMT, and how he parlayed trust with high-net-worth clients into brokering ultra-rare Ferraris and other supercars. Jim and Rob also dive into dealership culture, Nashville’s booming luxury car scene, and how being a connector can unlock million-square-foot real estate deals.

Highlights:
Growing up in a family security business and starting at the bottom

Shutting down his first company and finding new purpose as a firefighter

Transitioning into exotic cars and working only with ultra-rare inventory

Inside Ferrari’s strict brand rules and the economics of scarcity

Using long-term relationships to move into commercial and industrial real estate

Whether you’re building a business, reinventing your career, or just figuring out what’s next, Rob’s story is a reminder that opportunity often comes from showing up, serving well, and staying connected. Hit play to hear how one man’s path from cable floors to fire trucks to Ferraris turned into a life built on trust, relationships, and saying “yes” when the right doors open.

Follow Rob:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-steier/

_____________________________________________________________________
****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:

www.mmtbp.com

www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast

www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos

Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos
__________________________________________________________

Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.

Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:

https://linktr.ee/mamwmw

___________________________________________________________
If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!
https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668
___________________________________________________________
***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:
https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip
_________________________________________________________________
The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:
Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org
______________________________________________________________________

Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co

In this episode of The Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast, Jim McCarthy talks with Jarod Goenner from USA TODAY / USA TODAY Network about how AI, personal branding, and digital marketing are changing the game for local businesses.

They cover Jarod’s journey from Navy nuclear reactor operator to media and marketing, how legacy newspapers are adapting to digital and AI, and what actually works now for home services, dealerships, and local pros trying to grow.

You’ll hear real talk on:

Why no one truly has AI “figured out”

The shifting value of SEO vs paid search

How to stand out with a personal brand in an AI-driven world

Authenticity vs hype in social media and “gurus”

Using BNI, referrals, and content to build trust and community

Whether you’re a small business owner, marketer, or simply curious about where AI and local media are headed, this episode will give you practical insight, a healthy dose of skepticism about the latest “hacks,” and encouragement to double down on authenticity and relationships.

Follow Jarod:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarodgoenner/

_____________________________________________________________________

****SUBSCRIBE/RATE/FOLLOW the Mostly Middle Tennessee Business Podcast:

www.mmtbp.com

www.instagram.com/mostlymiddletnbusinespodcast

www.instagram.com/jimmccarthyvos

Tiktok: @jimmccarthyvos

__________________________________________________________

Shoutout to Matt Wilson for lending his voice to the new intro of MMTBP.

Follow him and his podcast from which I may have borrowed the *mostly* concept:

https://linktr.ee/mamwmw

___________________________________________________________

If you like Jim's Boston Scallys, click here to shop and order yours!

https://www.bostonscally.com/a/refer-a-friend/redeem/mqgpwi3u0zgm89vaxnv5crzvlolevo82rvcygsn5/1668

___________________________________________________________

***You hear Jim mention it on almost every episode, ME vs. WE and how 2023 will be 1943 all over again….order “PENDULUM:How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future”:

https://a.co/d/7oKK7Ip

_________________________________________________________________

The co-author of Pendulum wrote a myriad of other books and started a non-profit 21st Century Non-Traditional Business School that you should really check out:

Wizard Academy - www.wizardacademy.org

______________________________________________________________________

Curious about podcasting? This podcast (and many others) is produced by www.itsyourshow.co