In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Kevin O'Neill — a multi-business owner who has built and scaled several seven-figure lifestyle businesses in the water sports industry.

Kevin brings a raw, unfiltered, and refreshingly honest perspective on entrepreneurship, sharing the highs, the failures, and the unconventional path that led him to success. From growing up in Detroit with no connection to boating, to building a thriving water-based business empire, his story challenges the idea that success follows a straight line.

He opens up about navigating ADHD, overcoming self-doubt, and learning business the hard way — through experience, mistakes, and relentless curiosity. Kevin also breaks down why blindly following traditional business advice (like over-leveraging or rigid systems too early) can actually hurt your growth.

Beyond business, Kevin’s personality shines through — whether it’s raving in his late 40s, traveling the world, or building a life centered around freedom, fun, and family.

This conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build something meaningful — and why knowing yourself is the ultimate advantage.

We explore:

Why “leverage everything” isn’t always smart business advice

The reality of imposter syndrome — even at high levels of success

Why financial literacy is a skill many entrepreneurs learn too late

Building businesses that fund your lifestyle — not consume it

The importance of hiring people better than you

Why authenticity and self-awareness beat traditional leadership playbooks

The power of exploring multiple business models instead of sticking to one lane

How confidence is built by being in the room — even when you feel out of place

Kevin’s story is proof that there’s no single formula for success.

By embracing curiosity, leaning into your strengths, and staying open to opportunity, you can build a life and business that actually works for you — not one dictated by outdated rules.

Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon

Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com/?utm_source=Podcast

Guest Details:

Book: Mate to Millionaire (available on Amazon)

Website: (Coming soon) KevinAndGregLive.com

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite fit the “traditional” mold of success — this episode will show you that might actually be your greatest advantage.

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Leadership doesn’t have to mean carrying everything alone.

If your business is growing, but somehow everything still lands back on your desk, it may not be a time management issue — it may be the decisions shaping your leadership.

Join my FREE live webinar where I’ll walk you through 3 key decisions that help leaders increase revenue without adding more hours to their schedule.

👉 Save your spot here: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com

Stop being the bottleneck. Start leading with more clarity, focus, and freedom.

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Dusty Goldson — CEO of Tectonic, a company he built over 25+ years without outside funding, hype cycles, or chasing trends.

Dusty shares a grounded, no-nonsense perspective on leadership and growth, shaped by real-world experience scaling teams, navigating five acquisitions, and building businesses rooted in trust, consistency, and long-term relationships. His approach challenges the idea that success comes from rigid systems or quick wins — instead, he makes the case for clarity, adaptability, and people-first leadership.

From rethinking decision-making styles to navigating the messy realities of acquisitions, Dusty opens up about what actually happens behind the scenes of “successful” businesses — including the expectations that don’t match reality, the people challenges leaders often underestimate, and the importance of self-awareness in high-stakes environments.

Beyond business strategy, this conversation dives into leadership psychology — from managing impulsiveness and fast thinking, to embracing imposter syndrome as a tool for growth rather than something to avoid.

We explore:

- Why “bullet point thinking” can limit better decision-making

- The hidden challenges behind acquisitions — especially people and culture

- Why early success can sometimes create long-term problems

- The myth of “we’re all family” in business — and what to believe instead

- Why great leaders focus more on people than processes or platforms

- The importance of self-awareness and moderating your natural tendencies

- Building a culture of accountability — and not tolerating underperformance

- Why solving problems (not selling solutions) is the key to long-term success

- How imposter syndrome can actually be a healthy and necessary signal

- The value of surrounding yourself with people who think differently

Dusty’s perspective is a reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about making decisions, learning fast, and staying honest about the realities of building and scaling a business.

If you’ve ever felt the gap between how business is supposed to work and how it actually unfolds in real life — this episode will resonate.

Connect with me here:

Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon

Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com

Guest Details:

Company: Tectonic

Website: https://teamtectonic.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustygulleson/

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Paul Schrader — an entrepreneur who has built and scaled over a dozen companies across e-commerce, manufacturing, third-party logistics, and emerging digital markets.

Paul shares a powerful and unconventional take on business growth, challenging the long-standing belief that success comes from focusing on just one thing. Instead, he reveals how staying adaptable, spotting shifts early, and building around opportunity has allowed him to grow multiple successful ventures in parallel.

From supplying NASA (yes — even sending fruitcake to space 🚀) to building a 150,000+ square foot operation, Paul’s journey is packed with real-world insights on innovation, leadership, and thinking differently in a rapidly changing world.

The conversation dives into the future of entrepreneurship, the evolution of the creator economy, and how AI is reshaping the way businesses operate. Paul also shares his perspective on leadership, authenticity, and why understanding people—not just processes—is the key to building strong teams.

If you’ve ever questioned traditional business advice or felt like there might be another way to succeed—this episode will challenge your thinking in the best way possible.

We explore:

Why “focus on one thing” might be outdated advice

How to spot opportunities and pivot before it’s too late

The real value of adaptability in modern business

How AI is changing research, decision-making, and productivity

Why authenticity beats “sales tactics” every time

The power of networking and building long-term relationships

Understanding different mindsets in leadership (people vs. process)

Why success doesn’t look the same for everyone

The future of the creator economy—and where it’s heading next

Paul’s perspective is a refreshing reminder that there’s no single path to success. By staying curious, adaptable, and open to opportunity, you can build something dynamic, resilient, and uniquely your own—without being boxed in by conventional rules.

Connect with me here:
Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon
Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8
Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=paul+D%E2%80%99shreder

Guest Details:
Company: https://minimusproducts.biz
Fulfillment: https://minimusfulfillment.biz

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Angelo D’Amico, a CEO leading a multimillion-dollar manufacturing company.

Angelo brings a rare combination of real-world executive experience and deep thinking, shaped by his background in economics and philosophy. Instead of offering surface-level leadership advice, he challenges the way we think about ambition, pressure, and what success actually costs behind the scenes.

This conversation goes beyond the highlight reel of business success and gets into the realities leaders face every day—decisions, trade-offs, and the internal battles that don’t get talked about enough.

From navigating high-stakes environments to questioning conventional definitions of success, Angelo offers a thoughtful and honest perspective for anyone building, leading, or striving for more.

We explore:

The hidden cost of ambition and success

How leaders navigate pressure in real business environments

Why success isn’t always what it looks like from the outside

The role of values in decision-making at the highest levels

How philosophy and economics shape better leadership thinking

Why there are no easy answers in leadership—only better questions

The importance of honest conversations in business and life

Rethinking what it means to build a meaningful career

Angelo’s perspective is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to ask better questions, think deeper, and lead with intention in a complex world.

Connect with me here:
Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon
Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8
Webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com

Guest Details:
instagram: https://www.instagram.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Ken Cox for a conversation that goes way beyond surface-level AI talk.

From running massive data systems to doing stand-up comedy, Ken breaks down what most people are missing:
→ AI can already replace most computer-based tasks
→ The real risk isn’t AI — it’s blind trust in it
→ And the biggest skill right now? Learning how to think with AI, not against it

But it doesn’t stop there…

We get into:
– Why “playing” with AI daily might be your biggest advantage
– The danger of false confidence in automation
– What bombing on stage teaches about growth (and silence 👀)
– And a raw, honest look at identity, transformation, and neurodiversity in the workplace

This one is different. And yes… you’re in for a wild ride.

Connect with me here:
Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com/?utm_source=podcast+Kurt+Uhlir&utm_medium=podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon
Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Kurt Uhlir — CMO, growth operator, and a leader who’s helped scale companies through hypergrowth, acquisitions, and even an $880M IPO.

But here’s the twist…

Kurt challenges the very idea of what leadership is supposed to look like.

Conventional wisdom says:
👉 Leaders must always be certain
👉 Growth follows a fixed playbook
👉 Success means scaling fast—no matter what

Kurt flips that on its head.

He shares why the best leaders don’t pretend to have it all figured out and how that mindset actually unlocks better strategy, stronger teams, and real growth.

This conversation dives deep into:
• Why “having all the answers” can actually hold you back
• The hidden danger of hiring for roles instead of outcomes
• How leadership behavior can unintentionally trigger your team
• Why decision-making gets harder—not easier—as you grow
• The real reason imposter syndrome shows up (even at the top)
• How to define your “best yes” and stop chasing everything

One of the biggest takeaways?

If you don’t define what success looks like for you, you’ll always feel like you’re falling short.

Kurt’s perspective is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about control it’s about curiosity, clarity, and the courage to question everything… including yourself.

🎧 If you’re building, leading, or scaling—this is one you don’t want to miss.

Connect with me here:
Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com/?utm_source=podcast+Kurt+Uhlir&utm_medium=podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon
Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8

Guest Details:
Website: https://kurtuhlir.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtuhlir/
Other: https://www.youtube.com/c/KurtUhlir

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In this episode of Unconventional Wisdom About Conventional Wisdom, Kim Miller-Hershon sits down with Joel Miller, co-founder of The Sky Floor, a boutique marketing agency he runs with his identical twin brother.

Joel shares a refreshingly honest take on business growth, challenging the “scale or die” mindset that dominates today’s entrepreneurial world. While many chase rapid expansion, Joel and his brother have intentionally built a profitable, $500K+ agency with just two people—proving that success doesn’t have to follow a traditional path.

The conversation dives deep into redefining success, pricing your value with confidence, and why hourly billing might be one of the biggest mistakes service-based businesses make. Joel also opens up about imposter syndrome, even after years of success, and the mental frameworks he uses to push through it.

From rejecting generic business advice like “niching down” to treating marketing like long-term investing, this episode is packed with practical insights and powerful mindset shifts for entrepreneurs who want to build a business on their own terms.

We explore:

Why “scale or die” isn’t the only path to success

The problem with hourly billing—and what to do instead

How to confidently price your services (even when doubt creeps in)

Why success looks different for everyone—and how to define it for yourself

The truth about imposter syndrome (at every level)

Why you don’t have to niche down to grow a successful business

Joel’s perspective is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to follow the crowd to succeed. You can build something profitable, sustainable, and aligned—without burnout, without unnecessary complexity, and without sacrificing what matters most.

Connect with me here:
Website: https://www.kimmillerhershon.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmillerhershon
Newsletter: https://link.kimmillerhershon.com/widget/form/aEdmdA1W5MhoMCMfy5O8
webinar: https://webinar.kimmillerhershon.com?utm_source=unconventional+wisdom+episode+58&utm_medium=podcast

Guest Details:
Website: https://www.theskyfloor.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelelliottmiller/

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