Épisodes

  • Decision Points E86 – Bob Sambol: Heritage, Leadership, and Building an Enduring Hospitality Brand
    Mar 3 2026

    Bob Sambol grew up inside the hospitality world. His father owned restaurants and bars in Manhattan, and Bob spent much of his childhood in those rooms learning how people work and how service creates value. Those early experiences shaped a leadership style grounded in work ethic, consistency, and a clear understanding of what it means to build trust in a customer-driven business.

    In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Bob Sambol, founder of Bob’s Steak & Chop House, for a detailed look at the strategic decisions behind one of Dallas’s most recognizable restaurant brands. Bob discusses his upbringing in the Bronx, the influence of his family’s work ethic, and the early exposure that introduced him to the pace and responsibility of hospitality. He also describes the decision to leave for Miami at twenty-three, the rapid progression that followed, and the lessons learned managing operations at a young age.

    The conversation examines the founding of Bob’s Steak & Chop House in 1993, the financial pressure of the early years, and the relationships that sustained the restaurant during its most challenging periods. Bob explains how a strong focus on product quality, service consistency, and disciplined management contributed to long-term brand strength. He also describes the pivotal moment when national attention, driven in part by influential customers, shifted the trajectory of the business.

    Throughout the episode, Bob reflects on the principles that guide him as a founder and operator. He discusses loyalty, accountability, and the long runway required to build a brand that lasts. For leaders, investors, and operators, his experience offers a clear view of how disciplined execution and consistent values form the foundation of enduring businesses in competitive industries.

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    50 min
  • Decision Points E85 – Mark Winters: Frameworks, Leadership Clarity, and the Discipline Behind Entrepreneurial Operating Systems
    Feb 17 2026

    Mark Winters built his career at the intersection of leadership, structure, and strategic decision-making. His work spans engineering, Fortune 50 environments, early-stage ventures, and the development of frameworks that are now used by leadership teams across the country.

    In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Mark Winters, entrepreneur, co-author of Rocket Fuel, and a leading EOS Implementer. They examine the experiences that shaped his approach to organizational performance. Mark discusses his early life in Poteau, Oklahoma, the academic shift that moved him from engineering to business, and the time he spent at Procter and Gamble, where he learned important lessons about accountability and operational discipline.

    The conversation follows Mark’s early entrepreneurial ventures, including the launch of a cyber café concept, the challenges of capital structure and investor alignment, and the lessons learned inside organizations such as Amoco and a Los Alamos startup. He explains how these experiences informed his thinking on leadership behavior, decision-making, and the realities of building and scaling companies.

    Mark reflects on the development of the Visionary and Integrator model, the role of EOS in supporting organizational clarity, and how leadership chemistry influences long-term success. He also previews his upcoming book, Visionary, which encourages leaders to confront blind spots and strengthen their impact over time. His insights offer founders, executives, and investors a clear look into the frameworks that support sustainable organizational growth.

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    1 h
  • Decision Points E84 – Adam Herrin: Strategic Risk, Market Cycles, and Building Platforms with Purpose
    Feb 3 2026

    Real estate markets reward those who understand cycles, manage risk, and recognize when to create their own path. Adam Herrin has built his career at those intersections. From Celina, Texas, to Division I football at Rice University, to the deal rooms of HFF during the Great Financial Crisis, his trajectory reflects disciplined thinking, strategic repositioning, and a willingness to act when others hesitate.

    In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Adam Herrin, Founder and Managing Partner of Formation Interest, to examine the decisions and inflection points that shaped his development as an operator and investor. Adam discusses the early discipline that competitive athletics instilled, the lessons learned working through the 2008–2009 downturn, and how visibility into distressed capital markets sharpened his understanding of risk, timing, and execution.

    Adam details his progression from analyst to producer at HFF, the launch of an industrial capital markets team, and the strategic rationale behind co-founding Urban Logistics Realty. He reflects on the complexities introduced by the pandemic, how shifting visions required a reset, and why choosing to start again offered the clarity needed to build Formation Interest with intention. He also addresses the core principles that guide his approach to leadership, team construction, and sustainable business practice.

    The conversation offers a clear view into how Adam evaluates opportunities, balances quality of life with professional ambition, and thinks about long-term value creation in competitive real estate sectors. His experience provides investors and founders alike with practical insight into market cycles, strategic differentiation, and the discipline required to build platforms that last.

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    52 min
  • Decision Points E83 – Reimagining Rideshare: Will Coleman and the Creation of Alto
    Dec 16 2025

    For Will Coleman, frustration with ride-hailing turned into a vision for something better. As co-founder and CEO of Alto, he set out to create a new kind of mobility company—one built on consistency, safety, and hospitality.

    In this episode of Decision Points, Will shares how a decade at McKinsey prepared him for the leap into entrepreneurship, and how a dinner-table conversation with his wife sparked the idea for Alto. Launched in 2018, Alto took a radically different path than its competitors: a vertically integrated model where drivers are employees, vehicles are company-owned, and every ride is designed to deliver the same trusted experience.

    Will opens up about the turbulence of building a company in a volatile industry. When COVID-19 hit, Alto saw revenues fall 96% overnight. Instead of folding, they doubled down on their strengths—cleanliness, safety, and service—emerging stronger with expansions into Houston, Los Angeles, and beyond. Strategic partnerships, including a recent deal with Uber, further demonstrate Alto’s ability to adapt and scale.

    Looking ahead, Will shares his vision for the autonomous future. With infrastructure already in place, Alto is positioning itself to integrate self-driving technology seamlessly into its service—bridging human-driven and autonomous rides under one consistent brand. More than just a tech story, Alto is also an employer story: offering benefits, stability, and culture in a gig economy defined by uncertainty.

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    41 min
  • Decision Points E82 – Charting a Path to Mental Health Leadership: Dr. Jessica Gomez and the Future of the Momentous Institute
    Dec 9 2025

    For Dr. Jessica Gomez, leadership begins with empathy. From the south side of Chicago to the helm of one of Dallas’s most respected mental health organizations, her story is a testament to purpose, perseverance, and the power of community.

    In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Dr. Jessica Gomez, Executive Director of the Momentous Institute, to explore her journey from aspiring physician to nationally recognized psychologist and nonprofit leader. Jessica shares how formative experiences growing up in Chicago shaped her drive to help children and families, and how that calling led her to the Momentous Institute—a century-old organization at the forefront of mental health, education, and community impact. She discusses the decision to pivot from medicine to psychology, her early years serving through the Salesmanship Club, and her evolution from practitioner to executive.

    The conversation dives into leading through the pandemic, implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to strengthen organizational clarity, and scaling the Institute’s programs nationwide—from the Momentous School to their groundbreaking Change Maker curriculum. With a goal of impacting one million lives by 2031, Jessica shares a vision that extends beyond traditional therapy, reaching into workplaces, schools, and communities across the country. Her message is clear: investing in mental health isn’t just a social good—it’s a foundation for stronger, more resilient organizations and lives.

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    42 min
  • Decision Points E81 – From Law to Investment: Resilience, Purpose, and Perspective with Jim Hime
    Dec 2 2025

    Few careers capture as much range—and reflection—as Jim Hime’s. From federal tax law to real estate finance, from tech entrepreneurship to surviving 9/11, his story is one of adaptability, perspective, and enduring gratitude.

    In this episode of Decision Points, host Scott Wood sits down with Jim Hime, Co-Founder and CFO of Accordant Investments, to explore the pivotal choices that defined his remarkable journey. Jim recounts his early years at Baker Botts practicing federal tax law, his transition to Hines where he helped raise capital for major developments, and his foray into the internet startup world during the height of the tech boom. Through successes and setbacks alike, his path reflects a balance of ambition and grounded wisdom—qualities that later became central to the creation and growth of Accordant Investments.

    But perhaps the most defining moment of Jim’s life came on September 11, 2001. From inside the South Tower of the World Trade Center, he experienced the unthinkable. That day changed his outlook forever, reinforcing a life philosophy centered on gratitude, presence, and the pursuit of meaningful work. With humility and candor, Jim shares what it means to live each day as a gift—and how that perspective continues to shape his approach to business, leadership, and life.

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    44 min
  • Decision Points E80 – Building Camelback Equity Partners: Entrepreneurship, Partnership, and Legacy with Jeff Thompson and Mike Trueman
    Nov 18 2025

    Some partnerships are built on opportunity—others on shared vision. For Jeff Thompson and Mike Trueman, Camelback Equity Partners is the product of both. From their individual journeys through real estate and finance to the founding of their Phoenix-based firm, their story is one of collaboration, discipline, and purpose.

    In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Jeff and Mike, co-founders of Camelback Equity Partners, to discuss the origins of their company and the dynamic team behind it. They trace their paths from early careers in development and investment to the decision that brought them together under one banner—creating a firm focused on real estate development, acquisition, and entrepreneurship. The conversation highlights how their complementary skills and shared values have shaped Camelback’s approach to building long-term value through intentional growth, thoughtful partnerships, and a culture that blends professionalism with fun.

    Jeff and Mike also share their insights on the current real estate landscape, from navigating rising interest rates to identifying sustainable growth opportunities. Looking ahead, they discuss expansion plans, the evolving nature of their work, and the importance of legacy—building something that endures for future generations. With candor and humor, they remind us that success isn’t just about the deals you make, but the people you build them with.

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    38 min
  • Decision Points E79 – Scaling with Integrity: Matt Rosen’s Entrepreneurial Journey
    Nov 11 2025

    For Matt Rosen, entrepreneurship has always been about people first—clients, employees, and family. From an early dream of becoming a doctor to founding one of the fastest-growing consulting firms in the country, his story is one of reinvention, resilience, and vision.

    In this episode of Decision Points, host Scott Wood sits down with Matt Rosen, Founder and CEO of Allata, to unpack the key decision points that shaped his journey. Matt reflects on his formative years, his pivot from medicine to sales, and how a single client relationship became the foundation for Allata—a digital consulting firm specializing in technology strategy, software design, and AI transformation. Built on values of transparency, excellence, and care, Allata grew from a small Dallas-based startup into a global enterprise serving mid-market and Fortune 500 clients.

    Matt opens up about navigating rapid growth, building culture during the pandemic, and the strategic decision to partner with private equity to accelerate scale while preserving integrity. He shares candid lessons on leadership, how AI is reshaping the consulting landscape, and what it takes to sustain culture amid expansion. Grounded in humility and guided by purpose, Matt’s story is about leading with intention—even as the business world moves at full speed.

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    56 min