The Deep Dark Podcast
Fidelis Creative Agency
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Welcome to the Deep Dark podcast where we ask seasoned business minds to excavate their history, pulling the best insights, hardest moments, and yes, golden epiphanies. Somewhere in the stories, the deepest recesses, and big breakthroughs we all get a little smarter and feel a little better about our own business ventures.
Available episodes
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Sep 19, 2023
21: Ossified Markets, and the FDA Hates You
Interested in meeting a man whose entrepreneurial pursuits match his severe myopic tendencies? In this podcast, we share the table with David Sley, founder of Hestia Tobacco. David entered the tobacco market in its ossified and totally stagnant state, where a new company could go belly-up before its product ever reached the shelves. When he started selling, he insisted on rethinking everything—ordering packs from around the world and smoking them all. In this episode, David educates us on his entrepreneurial journey, giving insight into why he spends his time bifurcated between cig sales and mountain climbing. You'll have to keep your spirit of adventure at bay while you listen to this episode of The Deep Dark.
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Sep 5, 2023
20: Self Deprecating Marketing For Employee Co-ops
On this episode of the Deep Dark, we're joined by Nadav Mer a serial entrepreneur responsible for starting, growing, and selling businesses in the IT and specialty coffee industries. Prior to becoming a professor, Nadav was the founder and owner of Morning Bell Coffee Roasters located in Ames, Iowa. Nadav exited Morning Bell by converting the business from a sole proprietorship, to Iowa's first employee-owned cooperative. As you might assume, sitting down with some freshly brewed coffee would be an appropriate way to enjoy this episode of the Deep Dark.
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Aug 22, 2023
19: Starting a Business on Your Own, or with a Partner?
Significant life changes oftentimes bring about a real estate need, and these two are the guys you'll wanna turn to. Listen in as we chat with Austin Wyble and Davis Scott, the dynamic duo behind Nail and Key Real Estate. This partnership navigated beyond the traditional W-2 path, overcame entrepreneurship challenges, and even embraced a spontaneous side hustle. Click that play button to discover how personal strengths and vulnerabilities can forge a successful collaborative business journey.
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Aug 8, 2023
18: Developing Key Relationships with Clients and Mentors
The world of insurance may sound intimidating, but James Hoffman can resolve all your worries. Head over to The Deep Dark and listen up as we talk with the Vice President of Higginbotham Insurance. James opens up about the art of caring for their remarkable Higginbotham team and nurturing strong client relationships. Take notes as Chris and James discuss learning from the “no’s” and the pivotal lessons that come from the first three years in the business world. Catch every word on our latest episode of The Deep Dark.
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Jul 25, 2023
17: Visual Storytelling and Stewarding your Domain
If you've ever had an interest in visual storytelling, sink into a chair and listen close as Andrew Kilzer, the General Manager of Texas Filmworks, spills his wisdom in this episode of The Deep Dark. This episode explores everything from how Texas Filmworks started and what it is like to run a team in the media industry, to the excitement of a film's creative ideation process, and how you can use your career to set up your family's future generations for success. There's a lot to benefit from in this episode so tune in and don't forget to share it with your friends.
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Jul 11, 2023
16: Capturing the Heart of the Brand Through Film
On this episode of the Deep Dark Podcast, we talk with Chris Salters, a professional Commercial & Brand Film Editor here in Texas, USA! Chris & Chris spent time talking about capturing the heart of the brand through film, telling the brand story, and discussing the world of commercial and brand film overall. Take a seat, and enjoy this episode of the Deep Dark.
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Jun 27, 2023
15: Starting a Business and a Family
We are honored to have had the opportunity to gain business insight from Phyllis Deitz in this episode of The Deep Dark. Phyllis is a wife, a mother of three, and the CEO of Deitz Consulting. Join us as we explore the intricacies of work-life balance, business growth, and the power of perseverance. Phyllis guides us through what community involvement looks like and the transformative effects of networking on your entrepreneurial journey. So grab some headphones and listen up–this one is too good to miss.
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Jun 5, 2023
14: Cyclical Trends, Woolly Mammoth Hunting, and Pleasing Customers
It's that time again. We have another episode of The Deep Dark podcast ready for you! On this episode we sat down with Derek Ratliff, founder and president of Horizon Firearms, to talk about company leadership and understanding your market. We unpack a few killer topics like how CEOs respond in crisis, keeping up with cyclical trends, woolly mammoth hunting, and one very important lesson about pleasing your customers. Listen in!
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Apr 24, 2023
13: Building Company Culture and Authenticity in the Workplace
Interested in building company culture and exploring authenticity in the workplace? Throw this episode of The Deep Dark in your queue. Chris is sitting down with Jeff Schiefelbein and Nick Besner, owners of Undivided Life and co-hosts of the Beatidudes podcast, to unpack these topics and more. You're gonna want to take notes on this one.
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Feb 13, 2023
12: Growing Orgs in Passion, Production, and Profits
Company culture goes far beyond putting a foosball table in the break room, and it's Alex Sezer's mission to spread the word to businesses who might not know it. Through his gifting with both written and spoken word, Alex is on a mission to help as many organizations as possible grow in passion, production, and profits. Alex believes in combining the bible with business, management with a mission, profits with purpose, and culture with Christ. Tune in to this episode of The Deep Dark podcast to see how he got where he is today and hear how he's navigating the world of business coaching.
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Jan 9, 2023
11: Stoned Ape Theory Applied
Frustrated by the subpar selection of supplements on the market and their lengthy ingredient lists, Nick Salinas set out to create something better with Stoned Ape. Ever heard of the Stoned Ape theory? Listen to this episode of the Deep Dark to find out how it shaped Nick and his team's vision/brand direction for this up-and-coming business. He and Chris also discuss the unique perspective that serving in the military brings to the business world, as well as the importance of picking the right people to build and represent your brand. Check it out.
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Dec 16, 2022
10: Capital Expansion, Multi-Generational Finances, and the Responsibility of Asset Management
Today's Deep Dark guest, Steven Manuel, cofounded Outpost Advisors in 2018. Their mission is to help people expand their capitals while building a multi-generational outpost. While he was formally trained in communications/writing/producing, he has been on a mission to make disciples since he was 21 years old. How did that eventually translate into financial advising? Listen to this episode to find out, and hear from Steven about defining financial success and the weighty responsibility that is being trusted with the responsibility of advising and managing the assets of others.
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Oct 7, 2022
9: Establishing Scalability and Giving Back to the Community
Austin Taylor is a licensed Responsible Master Plumber, a State Board approved Continuing Professional Education instructor, plumbing certification course instructor, Eagle Scout, and owner of Dynamic Drains. He has been a licensed plumber for over 20 years, working in the commercial and residential service, repair, and drain cleaning side of plumbing. In this episode of The Deep Dark, he walks us through the intricacies of starting his own plumbing business, establishing scalability, and the importance of giving back to the community. Check it out.
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Oct 3, 2022
8: Hands-on Operations and Good Coffee
Rodrigo Chavez owns What's The Buzz Coffee here in College Station, TX. We have meetings there weekly and frequently stop by for a quality cup of joe, so this episode hits close to home. At What's The Buzz, they value the togetherness that coffee brings by involving local communities and hard-working farmers across the globe. On this episode, Rodrigo talks through the history of WTB, overcoming adversity, and everything that goes into achieving the perfect cup of coffee.
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Sep 26, 2022
7: Firm Foundations and Growth Mindsets
Ana Dudley and her husband run Texas-based Dudley Engineering - a structural and geo-technical environmental engineering firm with the ambition to grow to a national brand in the next few years. Simply put - they make sure buildings stay upright and safe and that the sub-surface is stable enough to keep those buildings in good order for the future; that's the technical part of their company, but we all know successful businesses with a growth mindset require more than technical know-how to thrive. Join us as Ana unpacks how they're aiming for strategic growth, keeping a great reputation, and attracting the right in-house talent that performs.
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Sep 19, 2022
6: Self Awareness is the Competitive Advantage
On this episode of The Deep Dark, Ed Molitor joins our host, Chris Lyon, to unpack the concept of leadership in both athletics and business. Ed is the CEO of The Molitor Group, specializing in empowering individuals and groups to achieve at the next level. From working as an NCAA basketball coach at Texas A&M, DePaul NIU, & Lewis University to becoming the Vice President of a national recruiting firm, Ed has taught countless athletes, coaches, and business leaders how to think, act, and execute at an elite level. Tune in to find out more about Ed's story, both the highs and the lows, throughout his experiences in the business world.
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Sep 12, 2022
5: Scaling Tech Brands and Maintaining Client Care
On this episode of The Deep Dark, our host Chris Lyon sat down with Randy Trenary of Capsher Technology. Randy describes the process of acquiring and scaling a technology brand in a constantly evolving marketplace. He reflects on the importance of caring deeply for his clients and his own team. He goes on to describe how they have established a thriving culture, built a business where people can grow, and positioned Capsher for future success. You're going to want to dive deep into this one.
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Aug 22, 2022
4: Hurricanes, Market Crashes, and Self-Care
This episode of The Deep Dark features Sam Hickey, owner of Creekstone Outdoor Living. Sam and Chris got right to it, talking through the steps you have to take before getting to do what you've dreamed about, navigating bumps in the road like hurricanes and market crashes, treating your customer right, and taking care of yourself as a business owner. Jump on in.
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Aug 15, 2022
3: Veterans in the Marketplace; Soldier, Aggie, Entrepreneur
On this episode of The Deep Dark we dove in with the owner of KLENR—Chris Thompson. He’s an Aggie grad, a veteran, and an entrepreneur deeply invested in philanthropy. They explore the transition out of the military and into business, adjusting your mindset, the importance of self-care and healthy choices, and how all of it comes into play when starting a new business. Dive in with us.
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Aug 9, 2022
2: Building Community and Indoor Climbing
John Pritchard is the owner and CEO of Stone Co. Climbing right here in College Station. We have lots of climbers around our shop, so we were excited to sit down with John to hear more about the driving forces behind the business we've come to love. In this episode, Chris and John wade through conversations about culture, brand identity, the future of Stone Co., and the classic highs and lows of starting a new business. Dive into the deep dark with us!
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Aug 1, 2022
1: Sawmill Intricacies and Building from Scratch
Brandon Berdoll is the President of Berdoll Sawmill in Cedar Creek, Texas. He's a do-it-yourself kind of guy (more specifically, a build-a-house-yourself kind of guy), and that spirit has heavily influenced every aspect of his business. In this episode, he and Chris discuss the importance of delighting your customer, growing in both business and technical acumen as a business owner, and the role that mistakes play in your growth.
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Jul 7, 2022
Welcome to The Deep Dark
*Welcome to the Deep Dark podcast - where we ask seasoned business minds to excavate their history - pulling the best insights, hardest moments, and yes - golden epiphanies. Somewhere in the stories, the deepest recesses, and big breakthroughs we all get a little smarter and feel a little better about our own businesses ventures. Remember: if it didn’t hurt, it doesn’t count! I’m your host Chris Lyon - strap in and get ready as we plunge into the Deep Dark.*
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