In this episode of The Confidence Curve, Ashley and Rick Bowers open up about their journey from corporate careers to entrepreneurial success and how their complementary strengths have powered both their business and personal partnership for more than 20 years.

From Rick’s early days duplicating assessment diskettes at TTI Success Insights to Ashley’s childhood passion for organization, their story reveals how curiosity, strategy, and stepping into discomfort built the foundation for Apex GTS. They candidly discuss pivotal career moments, including Ashley’s vulnerable reflection on what she once saw as her biggest professional setback, and how that experience reshaped her outlook on growth and resilience.

Whether you’re leading a team, launching a venture, or simply looking for authentic stories about leadership and perseverance, this episode offers practical wisdom and inspiration to help you grow and succeed.

For Sue Rigler, owner of Hundred Mile Brewing Company, transforming passion into purpose is her reality.

From an ASU microbiology graduate to award-winning brewery owner, Sue’s journey began with a moment of inspiration in 2014 that sparked a vision she pursued despite zero restaurant experience.

In this episode, Sue shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, scaling to 45 employees overnight, building systems for accountability, and growing leadership confidence. She compares running a business to “birthing a fifth child,” offering a candid look at the challenges behind the success.

Beyond brewing, Sue highlights the power of community impact, from scholarship fundraisers to water drives and her creative innovations like water taxis to ASU games.

Tune in for a story of passion, practical wisdom, and turning dreams into reality, preferably with a craft beer in hand.

What does it take to build Phoenix’s largest PR firm? For Jennifer Kaplan, founder and CEO of Evolve PR and Marketing, it started with embracing discomfort and a no-excuses mindset.

From being voted “most talkative” in high school to leading a team built on trust—not micromanagement—Jennifer shares how culture, communication, and strong writing skills have fueled Evolve’s growth. She dives into the difference between brand and reputation, the power of community involvement, and why perception really is reality in PR.

Tune in for insights on scaling a people-first business, the legacy she’s building, and what’s next for Evolve.