In this episode, we break down why authenticity is one of the most overlooked advantages in business and life. Justin Pates, the youngest regional sales manager at AE Landscape Borders, explains how most people stay stuck in competition because they’re copying others instead of leaning into what makes them different.

The conversation explores why authenticity isn’t a tactic, but a state of being—one that removes comparison, builds confidence, and creates long-term fulfillment. We discuss the role of self-reflection, the danger of running the wrong race, and how using “this is just who I am” can sometimes become an excuse to avoid growth.

If you’ve ever felt stuck competing, unsure of your direction, or hesitant to fully be yourself because of what others might think, this episode offers a practical mindset shift: stop chasing people and start evolving into who you actually are.

This episode centers on the idea that having a Plan B—or safety net—can limit personal growth and commitment. Sean and Kade argue that true progress comes from fully committing to one path without keeping alternatives in the back of your mind. They believe that when failure isn’t an option, you’re forced to show up every day, work harder, and solve problems instead of escaping to an easier fallback.

Sean shares how his mindset, shaped by a message from his dad to “face everything head on,” pushed him to go all-in when the opportunity to start a business arose—even while playing Division I football. Both hosts emphasize evaluating risk realistically, especially when young, noting that time lost is often the biggest risk, not money. They argue that being young makes failure more recoverable and that overestimating risk often prevents people from taking meaningful action.

A key practical insight is reducing business risk by using customer money instead of loans—selling first, collecting deposits, and only then investing in materials and labor. This approach minimizes financial exposure and avoids high-interest debt.

The conversation also explores mindset: safety nets and “what if” thinking can subconsciously pull people toward the negative. Challenges and setbacks are reframed as opportunities for growth, problem-solving, and upward momentum. Rather than fearing lows, the hosts stress staying consistent, limiting emotional highs and lows, and continuing to move forward.

The episode concludes with a clear message: if something keeps coming back to your mind, it likely matters. Stop standing on the fence, go all in, and commit fully—whether in business, relationships, or life. Instead of looking at greener grass elsewhere, put in the work to make your own grass thrive.

In this episode of the Next Play Podcast, we sit down with George, the Illinois regional sales manager for AE, to explore why winners often lose more than losers. George shares insights on embracing failure as an essential part of growth, maintaining mental resilience through setbacks, and the importance of having short-term memory when facing adversity. We discuss how winners stay calm under pressure, leverage their losses for future wins, and surround themselves with positive influences. Tune in for practical tips on staying confident and level-headed, even during tough times, and learn how to transform your mindset to consistently push forward.

In this episode, the team sits down with Evan Dippin, former landscape border sales rep, stealth photography junkie, and proof that real value comes from the skills you build, not the jobs you take. Evan breaks down how learning high-income skills like sales, communication, leadership, accountability, and perseverance completely transformed his life. The conversation explores why these “portable power” skills follow you anywhere, how confidence grows as your abilities sharpen, and why reflection and direction matter just as much as talent. The guys also dive into the difference between having a skill and knowing how to leverage it for wealth, emphasizing that skills create leverage—and leverage creates freedom. From personal stories of hitting rock bottom to insights on using your natural strengths, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for anyone wanting to level up. It all leads to one message: start now, build your skillset, and unlock a future most people never reach.

We sat down with Chris to talk about what it’s really like stepping into a family business and carrying the weight that comes with it. From earning respect at a young age to leading people who depend on you, Chris shares the real pressure behind the title. We talk growth, adversity, and how tough seasons can turn into massive opportunities. He opens up about legacy, responsibility, and the moment he finally felt like he owned his role. If you’ve ever felt torn between honoring what came before you and building something of your own, this conversation will hit home.

n this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur and real estate developer Chris Kamak—the visionary behind Kamak Estates and a builder who turned pure grit into multi-million-dollar communities. Chris shares how he went from flipping homes to revitalizing neighborhoods and how his mission shifted from building properties to building people. He talks about the moment he realized his work was creating real impact, how he scaled from a single rental to large portfolios, and why you can’t save your way to becoming a millionaire. Chris breaks down the power of calculated risk, mastery, and leverage, and why betting on yourself is the greatest investment you can make. He opens up about scaling without mentors, eventually investing in high-level coaching, and the lessons he now passes on to the next generation—including his team and his kids. Chris also reveals how fatherhood and family reshaped his priorities and why the work ethic, integrity, and painful lessons from his youth still drive him today. Packed with real-world wisdom, raw stories, and mindset-shifting principles, this episode is a must-listen for anyone focused on building wealth, impact, and a lasting legacy.

In this episode, the CEO behind AE shares how taking the company past $10 million in revenue was shaped not by comfort, but by some of the hardest and loneliest moments of his life. He reflects on hitting rock bottom at a young age while far from family and stepping into leadership roles before he felt ready. Those moments of discomfort became the foundation for emotional maturity, resilience, and long-term success. Rather than seeking motivation or resilience, he explains how both are built through daily habits, hard decisions, and embracing difficulty. The conversation challenges the idea of chasing ease and instead reframes struggle as a necessary and valuable part of growth. He emphasizes that bad times are often better teachers than good ones and that suffering always carries a lesson. The episode closes with practical advice for navigating hard seasons, focusing on ownership, internal discipline, and moving forward with the confidence that you have survived hard things before.

Meet Brock, a key builder behind the growth of AE Landscape Borders and the launch of the Charlotte market. Since joining in 2024, Brock has helped train leaders, open new offices, and shape a culture rooted in grit, humility, and the belief that you get what you give. In this episode, Brock and the team dig into the tension between ego and humility, why experience is often the greatest teacher, and what separates people who last from those who don’t. They explore the difference between skills that can be taught and character traits that must be caught, emphasizing calmness, positivity, and accountability under pressure. Brock shares what it took to build AE Charlotte from the ground up, nine hours from the nearest branch, and why the right people matter more than perfect resumes. The conversation also covers the transition from working on a crew to leading one, beginning projects with the end in mind, and finding fulfillment in developing others rather than just doing the work yourself. Looking ahead, Brock talks about continuing to launch new teams, creating opportunities for growth, and bringing as many people along for the ride as possible.