Episodes

  • SE1 E15 From Real Estate Investor to Relationship Coach | Todd Smith
    28 Oct 2026

    What does it take to build a successful business, turn your passion into a purpose, and make a lasting impact?

    In this episode of Ohio Business Unfiltered, host Rick Plaskett sits down with Todd Smith, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and founder of Todd Talks Relationships, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of launching a new business, and his mission to help people build happier, healthier relationships.

    Todd shares how he discovered real estate investing in college, began teaching others about investment opportunities, and eventually pursued his passion for helping people navigate dating and relationships.

    Together, Rick and Todd explore business growth, marketing, goal setting, delegation, perseverance, and the importance of turning passion into purpose. Todd also shares how discovering salsa dancing while trying to save a relationship led to a new skill and business opportunity.

    IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

    • Entrepreneurship: Discovering real estate investing and building businesses from the ground up.

    • Business Development: Turning research, experience, and passion into a relationship coaching business.

    • Healthy Relationships: Why dating readiness and emotional preparation matter.

    • Marketing and Growth: Reaching the right audience and building a sustainable business.

    • Goal Setting and Productivity: Identifying knowledge gaps, learning continuously, and delegating effectively.

    • Perseverance and Purpose: Staying committed to your goals while making a positive impact on people's lives.

    ABOUT TODD SMITH

    Todd Smith is the founder of Todd Talks Relationships, helping people prepare for dating and build healthier, happier relationships. His entrepreneurial ventures also include Lincoln Street Salsa and Legendary Event Center in the Columbus, Ohio, area, alongside his experience in real estate investing.

    Connect with Todd Smith on LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddtalksrelationships/

    Learn more about Todd's businesses:

    Todd Talks Relationships: https://toddtalksrelationships.com

    Lincoln Street Salsa: https://lincolnstreetalsa.com

    Legendary Event Center: https://legendaryeventcenter614.com

    ABOUT OHIO BUSINESS UNFILTERED

    Hosted by Rick Plaskett, Ohio Business Unfiltered features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders about the challenges, lessons, and strategies behind building profitable, sustainable businesses.

    Rick Plaskett is a certified ActionCOACH, West Point graduate, and Army veteran with decades of experience in corporate leadership and business coaching. He helps business owners build stronger teams, develop effective systems, and achieve sustainable growth.

    ENJOYED THIS EPISODE?

    Like, share, and subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs and business leaders. Share your thoughts in the comments: What's the biggest challenge you've faced while building a business?

    Connect with Rick Plaskett on LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-plasket-4b6a157

    Learn more about ActionCOACH:
    https://rickplasket.actioncoach.com

    Listen to Ohio Business Unfiltered:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033jtpIBICapFc5c0uLDjE

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ohio-business-unfiltered/id1896769046

    Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/70038bf4-21c4-44ef-91a4-5fdca2d11607/ohio-business-unfiltered

    New episodes weekly!

    #OhioBusinessUnfiltered #RickPlaskett #ActionCOACH #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #RelationshipCoaching #SmallBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessStrategy #OhioBusiness

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    26 min
  • SE1 E14 How to Scale a Manufacturing Business Through Growth & Innovation | Clay Stephens
    21 Oct 2026

    In this episode of Ohio Business Unfiltered, Rick Plasket sits down with Clay Stephens, Founder and Owner of Synergy Molding Technologies, a company specializing in 3D-printed metal molds and parts, for an insightful conversation about business growth, leadership, and the challenges of scaling a company.

    As a business owner, Clay is focused on taking Synergy Molding Technologies to the next level. From finding a new facility to balancing hiring needs with increasing production demands, Clay shares the realities of managing growth while keeping the business moving forward.

    Throughout the conversation, Clay opens up about the challenges of feeling like a one-man show, learning how to scale effectively, and making the transition from being deeply involved in every aspect of the business to developing the mindset and leadership skills needed to step into a CEO role.

    This episode offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business owners who are navigating the complexities of growth, building a stronger team, and learning to focus on the bigger picture. Clay’s journey highlights the importance of drive, focus, strategic decision-making, and recognizing when it's time to evolve as a leader to support the next stage of business success.

    In this episode, you'll discover:
    - The challenges of scaling a specialized manufacturing business.
    - How to balance production demands, hiring decisions, and facility expansion.
    - What it feels like to move beyond the one-person-show mindset.
    - The importance of shifting from working in the business to working on the business.
    - How entrepreneurs can develop the mindset required to grow into a CEO role.
    - Why drive, focus, and intentional leadership are essential for sustainable business growth.

    Whether you're an entrepreneur, a small business owner, a manufacturing leader, or an executive looking to scale your organization, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiration to help you think differently about growth and leadership.

    We hope you enjoy this episode!

    If you find this conversation valuable, please like the video, share it with another business owner, and subscribe to the channel so you don't miss new episodes of Ohio Business Unfiltered every week.

    ---

    CONNECT WITH CLAY STEPHENS

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-bob-stephens/?isSelfProfile=false

    CONNECT WITH RICK PLASKET

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-plasket-4b6a157

    ActionCOACH Website: https://rickplasket.actioncoach.com

    LISTEN TO OHIO BUSINESS UNFILTERED

    🎧 Spotify:
    https://open.spotify.com/show/033jtpIBICapFc5c0uLDjE

    🎧 Apple Podcasts:
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ohio-business-unfiltered/id1896769046

    🎧 Amazon Music:
    https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/70038bf4-21c4-44ef-91a4-5fdca2d11607/ohio-business-unfiltered

    ---

    ABOUT OHIO BUSINESS UNFILTERED

    Ohio Business Unfiltered is the podcast for Ohio business owners who want straight talk about what it actually takes to build a profitable, sustainable company.

    Each week, host Rick Plasket sits down with entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders from across Ohio to explore the real stories behind business success: the obstacles they faced, the decisions that changed everything, the lessons they learned along the way, and the things they wish they had known sooner.

    Rick Plasket is a certified ActionCOACH, West Point graduate, and Army veteran with decades of experience in corporate leadership and business coaching. He works with business owners across Columbus and Ohio to help them stop working in their businesses and start working on them by building effective systems, developing strong teams, and creating businesses that support the lives they want to lead.

    Through Ohio Business Unfiltered, Rick brings a direct, accountability-driven approach to conversations about entrepreneurship, leadership, profitability, and sustainable business growth.

    Subscribe to Ohio Business Unfiltered for more honest conversations, actionable business insights, and lessons from the people building and leading businesses across Ohio.

    ---

    HASHTAGS

    #OhioBusinessUnfiltered #ClayStephens #SynergyMoldingTechnologies #RickPlasket #ActionCOACH #OhioBusiness #BusinessCoaching #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ScaleYourBusiness #OhioEntrepreneur #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessStrategy #WorkLifeBalance #MindsetMatters #Manufacturing #3DPrinting #MetalMolding #Entrepreneurship #CEOLeadership

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    32 min
  • SE1 E13 How to Scale a Startup Into a Multi-State Business | Mike Harvey
    14 Oct 2026

    Business Unfiltered: Mike Harvey on Scaling SkyeVantage and Transforming Home Services

    What does it take to scale a business, build a trusted brand, and transform an entire industry?

    In this episode of Business Unfiltered, certified business and leadership coach Rick Plaskett sits down with Mike Harvey, Founder and CEO of SkyeVantage, to discuss entrepreneurship, business growth, leadership, and the future of the home services industry.

    Mike shares his journey from corporate America to building SkyeVantage, a home services network platform designed to bring greater transparency, trust, and simplicity to roofing and other home improvement services.

    From expanding operations across multiple states to securing private investment and developing strategic partnerships, Mike discusses the challenges of scaling a business, building a strong team, and preparing for national expansion.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:

    - Mike Harvey's journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship
    - How SkyeVantage aims to transform the roofing and home services industry
    - Why transparency in roofing costs, materials, labor, and pricing matters
    - How trusted networks help homeowners access reliable home services
    - The role of private investment, strategic partnerships, and technology in business growth
    - The challenges of scaling operations and preparing for national expansion
    - Leadership lessons on humility, teamwork, patience, and recognizing your strengths
    - Mike's vision for making home improvement services more accessible and transparent

    Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, executive, or aspiring leader, this conversation offers valuable insights into business strategy, leadership, and building a customer-focused company.

    Guest: Mike Harvey, Founder and CEO of SkyeVantage
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-harvey-77193225/

    Host: Rick Plaskett, Certified Business and Leadership Coach
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-plasket-4b6a157
    ActionCOACH: https://rickplasket.actioncoach.com

    Listen to Ohio Business Unfiltered

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033jtpIBICapFc5c0uLDjE

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ohio-business-unfiltered/id1896769046

    Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/70038bf4-21c4-44ef-91a4-5fdca2d11607/ohio-business-unfiltered

    About Ohio Business Unfiltered

    Ohio Business Unfiltered is a podcast for Ohio business owners who want straight talk about building profitable, sustainable companies. Each week, Rick Plaskett speaks with entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders about the obstacles they've overcome, the decisions that shaped their success, and the lessons they've learned along the way.

    Rick Plaskett is a certified ActionCOACH, West Point graduate, and Army veteran with decades of experience in corporate leadership and business coaching. He helps business owners across Columbus and Ohio build effective systems, develop stronger teams, and create businesses that support their long-term goals and personal freedom.

    Subscribe to Ohio Business Unfiltered for more candid conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry innovators. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe so you don't miss new content each week.

    — Rick and the Ohio Business Unfiltered Podcast Team

    #OhioBusinessUnfiltered #BusinessUnfiltered #RickPlaskett #ActionCOACH #MikeHarvey #SkyeVantage #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ScaleYourBusiness #OhioBusiness #BusinessStrategy #SmallBusinessOwner #ExecutiveCoaching

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    22 min
  • SE1 E12 Building a Home Care Business From the Ground Up | Amara Udokporo
    1 Sep 2026

    Welcome to another episode of Business Unfiltered, where we take a closer look at what it really takes to build, operate, and grow a business.

    In this episode, Rick Plaskett sits down with Amara Udokporo, founder and owner of Graceful Home Care Services, to discuss her journey from 25 years in the healthcare industry to becoming a home care business owner.

    Amara shares how she and her husband identified an opportunity to help aging adults live independently and with dignity in their own homes, along with the lessons they've learned while building their business.

    We explore the realities of running a home care company, including marketing, sales, lead generation, networking, client relationships, follow-up, and business growth.

    Amara explains why consistency is so important when building relationships, how her team tracks leads and clients, and why following up with potential clients can make such a significant difference.

    She also shares how Graceful Home Care Services uses social media, networking events, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and strategic partnerships to build awareness and connect with families who may need home care services.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Building and growing a home care business
    • Marketing strategies for home care companies
    • Generating and nurturing leads
    • Turning relationships into business opportunities
    • Social media marketing and networking
    • Following up with potential clients
    • Building a lead tracking system
    • Sales and client acquisition
    • The importance of consistency in business
    • Managing finances and planning for growth
    • Building a strong healthcare business team
    • Entrepreneurship and resilience
    • Helping seniors maintain independence and dignity

    One of Amara's biggest lessons is the importance of resilience and consistency.

    Whether you're running a home care company, working in healthcare, or building a business in another industry, this conversation offers valuable insights into relationships, follow-up, marketing, and sustainable business growth.

    Guest: Amara Udokporo
    Business: Graceful Home Care Services
    Host: Rick Plaskett
    Series: Business Unfiltered

    If you enjoyed the conversation, like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with another business owner or healthcare professional who could benefit from Amara's story.

    #HomeCareBusiness #HomeCare #SeniorCare #HealthcareBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusiness #BusinessUnfiltered #MarketingStrategy #SalesStrategy #Caregiving #HealthcareEntrepreneur #BusinessOwner

    Connect with Rick Plaskett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-plasket-4b6a157

    Visit the ActionCOACH website: https://rickplasket.actioncoach.com

    Listen to Ohio Business Unfiltered on these podcast platforms:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033jtpIBICapFc5c0uLDjE

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ohio-business-unfiltered/id1896769046

    Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/70038bf4-21c4-44ef-91a4-5fdca2d11607/ohio-business-unfiltered

    #OhioBusinessUnfiltered #RickPlasket #ActionCOACH #OhioBusiness #BusinessCoaching #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ScaleYourBusiness #OhioEntrepreneur #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessStrategy #WorkLifeBalance #MindsetMatters

    Ohio Business Unfiltered is the podcast for Ohio business owners who want straight talk on what it actually takes to build a profitable, sustainable company. Each week, Rick Plasket sits down with entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders from across the state to discuss the obstacles they faced, the decisions that changed everything, and what they wish they had known sooner.

    Rick Plasket is a certified ActionCOACH, West Point graduate, and Army veteran with decades of experience spanning corporate leadership and business coaching. He works with business owners across Columbus and Ohio to help them stop working in their business and start working on it by building systems, developing teams, and creating the freedom they got into business for in the first place.

    On Ohio Business Unfiltered, Rick brings that same direct, accountability-driven approach to every conversation.

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    31 min
  • SE1 E11 How AI Is Transforming Industrial Distribution | Dave Rike
    18 Aug 2026

    How is AI transforming the future of industrial distribution, supply chain management, and fluid power?

    In this episode of Business Unfiltered, Rick Plasket sits down with Dave Rike, CEO of DistraNet, to explore leadership, technology, AI, data, e-commerce, and the rapidly changing world of industrial distribution.

    Dave shares his journey from building internet solutions for the grocery supply chain and fintech platforms to developing healthcare technology before becoming CEO of DistraNet, one of North America's largest distribution networks for fluid power products.

    Dave explains how DistraNet uses shared inventory, e-commerce, data synchronization, group purchasing, and AI to help distributors become faster, smarter, and more competitive.

    The conversation also explores why AI is changing the traditional SaaS model, how businesses can use AI to increase employee efficiency rather than simply replace people, and why the companies that succeed in the future may be the smartest and fastest—not necessarily the biggest.

    Dave also discusses his leadership philosophy as a facilitator and problem solver, the importance of understanding the real problems businesses face, and how identifying those challenges can lead to better technology, processes, forecasting, inventory management, and growth.

    In this episode, you'll learn about:

    • Dave Rike's journey to becoming CEO of DistraNet
    • The evolution of industrial distribution and fluid power
    • How DistraNet uses shared inventory to improve customer service
    • AI and the future of business technology
    • Why traditional SaaS solutions may no longer be enough
    • Using AI to improve employee productivity and efficiency
    • Data synchronization and digital transformation
    • E-commerce and modern supply chain management
    • Group purchasing and creating value for distributors
    • Leadership, goal setting, and problem solving
    • Why businesses need to become smarter and faster
    • The future of AI in industrial distribution
    • How fluid power supports the growth of AI data centers

    If you're interested in AI, industrial distribution, supply chain management, leadership, e-commerce, digital transformation, or the future of business, this conversation with Dave Rike offers valuable insights into where the industry is heading.

    Connect with Dave here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daverike/

    Subscribe to the channel for more conversations with business leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

    #DaveRike #DistraNet #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #SupplyChain #FluidPower #IndustrialDistribution #Leadership #Ecommerce #DigitalTransformation #BusinessLeadership #BusinessUnfiltered

    I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe so you don't miss the content coming your way weekly.

    – Rick and the Ohio Business Unfiltered podcast team

    Connect with Rick Plasket on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-plasket-4b6a157

    Visit the ActionCOACH website here: https://rickplasket.actioncoach.com

    Listen to Ohio Business Unfiltered on these podcast platforms:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033jtpIBICapFc5c0uLDjE
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ohio-business-unfiltered/id1896769046
    Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/70038bf4-21c4-44ef-91a4-5fdca2d11607/ohio-business-unfiltered

    #OhioBusinessUnfiltered #RickPlasket #ActionCOACH #OhioBusiness #BusinessCoaching #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ScaleYourBusiness #OhioEntrepreneur #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessStrategy #WorkLifeBalance #MindsetMatters

    Ohio Business Unfiltered is the podcast for Ohio business owners who want straight talk on what it actually takes to build a profitable, sustainable company. Each week, Rick Plasket sits down with entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders from across the state to explore the real challenges they faced, the decisions that changed everything, and what they wish they had known sooner.

    Rick Plasket is a certified ActionCOACH, West Point graduate, and Army veteran with decades of experience spanning corporate leadership and business coaching. He works with business owners across Columbus and Ohio to help them stop working in their business and start working on it—building systems, developing teams, and reclaiming the freedom they got into business for in the first place. On Ohio Business Unfiltered, Rick brings that same direct, accountability-driven approach to every conversation.

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    46 min
  • SE1 E10 How She Turned Rock Bottom Into a Thriving Business | Katie Poole
    11 Aug 2026

    Katie Poole, CEO and second-generation owner of The Chimney Guys, shares the powerful story behind rebuilding her family business, growing a team of 30 employees, and becoming the leader she is today.

    In this episode of Business Unfiltered, Katie opens up about restarting the family business after her father unexpectedly passed away in 2018. At a time when she was a single mother facing serious financial challenges, Katie rebuilt The Chimney Guys with little more than her father's customer records, a 40-foot ladder, and the determination to create a better future.

    Today, The Chimney Guys serves homeowners throughout Central Ohio, providing chimney cleaning, inspections, maintenance, fireplaces, stoves, inserts, remodels, and complete chimney rebuilds.

    Katie also shares valuable lessons on:

    • Growing a business from necessity into a thriving company
    • Leading and developing a team of 30+ employees
    • Setting SMART goals that create real growth
    • Identifying and developing future leaders
    • Learning from leadership mistakes
    • Balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day operations
    • Creating systems and setting clear employee expectations
    • Building a strong company culture
    • Overcoming the pressure of business ownership
    • Using faith to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship
    • Moving from survival mode to purpose-driven leadership

    One of the biggest takeaways from Katie's story is that your circumstances do not define you. Her journey from rock bottom to leading a growing business is a powerful reminder of what resilience, leadership, faith, and perseverance can accomplish.

    If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, leader, or someone navigating a major transition in life, Katie's story offers practical lessons and genuine inspiration.

    Watch the full conversation and discover what it really takes to rebuild a business, develop people, and lead with purpose.

    If this episode resonated with you, give it a like, share it with someone who would benefit from Katie's story, and subscribe to Ohio Business Unfiltered for new episodes every week.

    Connect with Rick Plasket on LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-plasket-4b6a157

    Visit ActionCOACH:
    https://rickplasket.actioncoach.com

    Listen to Ohio Business Unfiltered:

    Spotify:
    https://open.spotify.com/show/033jtpIBICapFc5c0uLDjE

    Apple Podcasts:
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ohio-business-unfiltered/id1896769046

    Amazon Music:
    https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/70038bf4-21c4-44ef-91a4-5fdca2d11607/ohio-business-unfiltered

    #BusinessUnfiltered #KatiePoole #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #SmallBusiness #BusinessLeadership #WomenInBusiness #FamilyBusiness #OhioBusiness #ChimneyGuys #BusinessGrowth #FaithAndBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #RickPlasket #ActionCOACH #BusinessCoaching #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessStrategy #OhioEntrepreneur

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    24 min
  • SE1 E09 How FlexWerk Is Transforming the Fitness Industry | Steve Pirt
    4 Aug 2026

    What if the future of fitness isn't the gym—it's the platform connecting trainers and clients?

    In this episode of Business Unfiltered, Steve Pirt, Founder of FlexWerk, shares how he's transforming the fitness industry with a global platform designed to empower fitness professionals and enhance the client experience. Discover his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of focus and resilience, and the lessons he's learned building an innovative fitness business.

    👍 Don't forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more inspiring founder stories and business insights.

    I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
    – Rick and the Ohio Business Unfiltered podcast team

    Connect with Rick Plasket on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-plasket-4b6a157
    Visit the ActionCOACH website here: https://rickplasket.actioncoach.com

    Listen to Ohio Business Unfiltered on these podcast platforms:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033jtpIBICapFc5c0uLDjE
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ohio-business-unfiltered/id1896769046
    Amazon Podcasts:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/70038bf4-21c4-44ef-91a4-5fdca2d11607/ohio-business-unfiltered

    #OhioBusinessUnfiltered #RickPlasket #ActionCOACH #OhioBusiness #BusinessCoaching #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ScaleYourBusiness #OhioEntrepreneur #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessStrategy #WorkLifeBalance #MindsetMatters
    Ohio Business Unfiltered is the podcast for Ohio business owners who want straight talk on what it actually takes to build a profitable, sustainable company. Each week, Rick Plasket sits down with entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders from across the state to get into the real conversations — the obstacles they faced, the decisions that changed everything, and what they wish they had known sooner.
    Rick Plasket is a certified ActionCOACH, West Point graduate, and Army veteran with decades of experience spanning corporate leadership and business coaching. He works with business owners across Columbus and Ohio to help them stop working in their business and start working on it — building systems, developing teams, and reclaiming the freedom they got into business for in the first place. On Ohio Business Unfiltered, Rick brings that same direct, accountability-driven approach to every conversation.

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    38 min
  • SE1 E08 What It Really Takes to Grow a Startup in Sustainable Agriculture | Gabrielle Blocher
    28 Jul 2026

    What does it really take to build a startup from the ground up while balancing strategy, operations, fundraising, and growth?

    In this episode of Business Unfiltered, Rick Plaskett sits down with Gabrielle Blocher, CEO of Sunflower Fuels, to talk about the realities of leading an early-stage company in the sustainable agriculture and renewable energy space. Gabby shares her journey from the Naval Academy and Marine Corps logistics to Columbia Business School, startup leadership, and now building a company focused on miscanthus-based renewable products and sustainable fuel solutions.

    Gabrielle explains how Sunflower Fuels is working to turn unused agricultural land in Kentucky and surrounding states into a scalable source of lignocellulosic feedstock for products such as animal bedding, renewable packaging, building materials, and sustainable aviation fuel. She also gives a candid look at what it means to lead a revenue-generating but pre-profit startup, including the challenges of fundraising, balancing day-to-day execution with long-term strategy, and planning for future team growth.

    If you’re a founder, operator, investor, startup leader, or someone interested in clean energy, agtech, sustainability, entrepreneurship, or business growth, this conversation is packed with practical insight.

    In this episode, you’ll learn about:

    * Building a startup in the sustainable agriculture and renewable fuels space
    * The business opportunity behind miscanthus and underused agricultural land
    * What it’s like to be a CEO wearing “all the hats” in an early-stage company
    * Balancing operations vs strategic planning in a startup environment
    * How Gabby approaches goal setting, growth, and scaling a business
    * The hiring roadmap for a growing startup team
    * The realities of raising capital as a pre-profit startup
    * Leadership lessons from the military, consulting, and startup world

    Key takeaway from Gabriell: make space for both the operational and the strategic sides of the business — because growth depends on both.

    If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with founders, CEOs, and business leaders sharing real lessons from building and scaling companies.

    #BusinessUnfiltered #StartupLeadership #Entrepreneurship #CEO #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #SustainableAgriculture #AgTech #StartupGrowth #Fundraising #BusinessPodcast #Leadership #SunflowerFuels

    If this resonated, give it a like and subscribe — new episodes weekly.

    I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.
    – Rick and the Ohio Business Unfiltered podcast team

    Connect with Rick Plasket on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-plasket-4b6a157
    Visit the ActionCOACH website here: https://rickplasket.actioncoach.com

    Listen to Ohio Business Unfiltered on these podcast platforms:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033jtpIBICapFc5c0uLDjE
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ohio-business-unfiltered/id1896769046
    Amazon Podcasts:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/70038bf4-21c4-44ef-91a4-5fdca2d11607/ohio-business-unfiltered

    #OhioBusinessUnfiltered #RickPlasket #ActionCOACH #OhioBusiness #BusinessCoaching #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ScaleYourBusiness #OhioEntrepreneur #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessStrategy #WorkLifeBalance #MindsetMatters
    Ohio Business Unfiltered is the podcast for Ohio business owners who want straight talk on what it actually takes to build a profitable, sustainable company. Each week, Rick Plasket sits down with entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders from across the state to get into the real conversations — the obstacles they faced, the decisions that changed everything, and what they wish they had known sooner.
    Rick Plasket is a certified ActionCOACH, West Point graduate, and Army veteran with decades of experience spanning corporate leadership and business coaching. He works with business owners across Columbus and Ohio to help them stop working in their business and start working on it — building systems, developing teams, and reclaiming the freedom they got into business for in the first place. On Ohio Business Unfiltered, Rick brings that same direct, accountability-driven approach to every conversation.

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    23 min