From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths

From The Ground Up Show is where the next generation of free-thinking leaders come to be inspired. Host Erick Loden sits down with the men and women who’ve built success with their hands, their hustle, and their heart — from tradespeople and entrepreneurs to self-starters and service members we sit down with those who have rejected the traditional career path and chosen to blaze their own path. Through raw, honest conversations and real listener questions, we uncover the lessons, mindset, and grit it takes to build something that lasts — from the ground up.

From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 51 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths, a business show with 51 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths

  David Michaux — He Quit Project Management to Build a Welding Business

  Sep 29, 20261h 24m

  David Michauxleft a stable project-management career to become a certified welder and buildMichaux Metalworks. The transition forced him to learn what trade school couldnot teach: estimating, equipment decisions, customer selection, pricing, cashflow, and hiring. David explainswhy his first underpriced job cost him more than $1,000, how he launchedwithout taking on unnecessary debt, why he posts daily Reels, and what changedwhen another person's paycheck depended on the business. Listen for acandid look at moving from employee to tradesman to owner, and the decisionsthat make a small trades business sustainable. Join the FromThe Ground Up Show newsletter: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/newsletter/ WATCH &LISTEN Watch this fullepisode: https://youtu.be/FYSmS8YEIQY Subscribe toFrom The Ground Up Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9p Listen in yourpodcast app: https://pod.link/1846907140 SHORTEREDITIONS From The GroundUp Show CONDENSED — a roughly 20-minute focused version of the fullconversation. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9BVKGD64tA Podcast apps: https://pod.link/6806079674 From The GroundUp Show: Topics — complete 3–10-minute episodes built around one usefulquestion or lesson. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVzToS_5Hj6o Podcast apps: https://pod.link/6808750058 GUEST &RESOURCES MichauxMetalworks: https://michauxmetalworks.com/ PARTNERS &SPONSORS https://www.macarthurco.com https://athletefresh.shop/fromthegroundupshow ABOUT FROM THEGROUND UP SHOW Real stories.Hard lessons. Stronger foundations. From The GroundUp Show delivers honest business and leadership conversations and practicallessons for owners, operators, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and leadersbuilding something that lasts—with hearts, hands, and hustle. Hosted by ErickLoden, a former commercial roofing company owner and business advisor. From2014 to 2025, he owned and ran his roofing company, growing annual revenue morethan eightfold and operating profit approximately fifteenfold before completinga successful internal sale. Website: https://www.fromthegroundupshow.com Have a questionfor Erick or an upcoming guest? https://fromthegroundupshow.com/ask-a-question/ Have a storybuilt through hearts, hands, and hustle? Apply to be a guest and tell yourstory: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/be-a-guest/

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  From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths

  Charbel Louis Karam – From Pilot to CEO: Scaling a Dental Lab Platform From 9 to 2,000+ Employees

  Sep 22, 20261h 49m

  What does it take to scale an industry built on individual craftsmanship—without destroying the culture, relationships, and expertise that made its businesses valuable in the first place? THE WEEK'S CONVERSATIONS, IN ONE EMAIL Choose the depth that fits your time: the full conversation, a roughly 20-minute CONDENSED edition, or a focused Topics episode. Join the From The Ground Up Show newsletter: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/newsletter/ Charbel Karam is the CEO and Managing Partner of Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance, one of the country’s largest high-aesthetic dental laboratory platforms. A commercially rated pilot, he came to the dental industry after leadership roles at Airbus, Pratt & Whitney Canada, and several private equity-backed manufacturing companies. As an outsider to the industry, Charbel helped guide an expansion from roughly 1,200 square feet and fewer than 10 employees to approximately 500,000 square feet and 2,300 people. That growth taught him that acquisitions are not won at closing. They succeed—or fail—based on cultural fit, strategic alignment, disciplined integration, and whether leaders can resist “deal fever” long enough to confront warning signs. Charbel explains why combining two businesses only makes sense when one plus one can truly equal three. He also shares how founders can move from working in the business to working on it, why leaders must repeatedly communicate a clear destination, and what it takes to bring people through the uncertainty of major change. The conversation follows his path from aviation into manufacturing, private equity, and dental laboratories. It covers the realities of raising capital and operating with limited resources, a seemingly small decision that may have cost the company millions in missed opportunity, and why perseverance, quiet thinking, and asking for help remain essential to long-term success. For entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and business owners navigating growth, acquisitions, succession, or industry transformation, this is a practical look at how to scale without losing what made the business worth building. WATCH & LISTEN Watch this full episode: https://youtu.be/rvOcqFISL24 Subscribe to From The Ground Up Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9p Listen in your podcast app: https://pod.link/1846907140 SHORTER EDITIONS From The Ground Up Show CONDENSED — a roughly 20-minute focused version of the full conversation. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9BVKGD64tA Podcast apps: https://pod.link/6806079674 From The Ground Up Show: Topics — complete 3–10-minute episodes built around one useful question or lesson. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVzToS_5Hj6o Podcast apps: https://pod.link/6808750058 GUEST & RESOURCES Charbel Karam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charbellouis Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance: https://skdla.com Spectrum Killian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skdla PARTNERS & SPONSORS MacArthur Company: https://www.macarthurco.com Athlete Fresh: https://athletefresh.shop/fromthegroundupshow ABOUT FROM THE GROUND UP SHOW Real stories. Hard lessons. Stronger foundations. From The Ground Up Show delivers honest business and leadership conversations and practical lessons for owners, operators, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and leaders building something that lasts—with hearts, hands, and hustle. Hosted by Erick Loden, a former commercial roofing company owner and business advisor. From 2014 to 2025, he owned and ran his roofing company, growing annual revenue more than eightfold and operating profit nearly fifteenfold before completing a successful internal sale. Website: https://www.fromthegroundupshow.com Have a question for Erick or an upcoming guest? https://fromthegroundupshow.com/ask-a-question/ Have a story built through hearts, hands, and hustle? Apply to be a guest and tell your story: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/be-a-guest/

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  From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths

  Sheldon Murphy - From Teenage Roofer to Building a $10 Million Roofing Company

  Sep 15, 20261h 15m

  Sheldon Murphy started roofing as a teenager and went on to build TSM Roofing into a company generating roughly $10 million in annual revenue. In this episode, he shares the leadership decisions, calculated risks, cultural values, and hard-earned business lessons behind that growth. Sheldon’s story is about far more than roofing. It is the story of a tradesman learning to become an entrepreneur—and an entrepreneur learning to become a leader. He and Erick discuss the transition from doing the work yourself to building a team, developing people, creating a strong company culture, and leading a growing business without losing sight of your family or the values that made the business successful. IN THIS CONVERSATION • How Sheldon entered the roofing industry as a teenager • What pushed him to take the risk of starting his own company • How TSM Roofing grew into an eight-figure roofing business • Why company culture is essential to sustainable business growth • How his leadership style changed as the company expanded • The challenges of trusting people and delegating responsibility • How business owners can develop employees into leaders • The mistakes, sacrifices, and pivotal decisions behind his success • How he balances entrepreneurship, leadership, and family Whether you own a roofing company, operate a construction or trades business, lead a growing team, or dream of becoming an entrepreneur, this episode delivers practical insights from someone who built his company from the ground up. Listen now to hear Sheldon Murphy’s honest account of building TSM Roofing—and the leadership lessons that helped turn a teenage roofer into the owner of a multimillion-dollar company. If this conversation gives you a useful idea or a new perspective, THE WEEK'S CONVERSATIONS, IN ONE EMAIL Choose the depth that fits your time: the full conversation, a roughly 20-minute CONDENSED edition, or a focused Topics episode. Join the From The Ground Up Show newsletter: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/newsletter/ WATCH & LISTEN Watch this full episode: https://youtu.be/jPXT_mpOKOM Subscribe to From The Ground Up Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9p Listen in your podcast app: https://pod.link/1846907140 SHORTER EDITIONS From The Ground Up Show CONDENSED — a roughly 20-minute focused version of the full conversation. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9BVKGD64tA Podcast apps: https://pod.link/6806079674 From The Ground Up Show: Topics — complete 3–10-minute episodes built around one useful question or lesson. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVzToS_5Hj6o Podcast apps: https://pod.link/6808750058 GUEST & RESOURCES https://tsmroofs.com/ 623-213-8267 PARTNERS & SPONSORS https://www.macarthurco.com https://athletefresh.shop/fromthegroundupshow ABOUT FROM THE GROUND UP SHOW Real stories. Hard lessons. Stronger foundations. From The Ground Up Show delivers honest business and leadership conversations and practical lessons for owners, operators, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and leaders building something that lasts—with hearts, hands, and hustle. Hosted by Erick Loden, a former commercial roofing company owner and business advisor. From 2014 to 2025, he owned and ran his roofing company, growing annual revenue more than eightfold and operating profit nearly fifteenfold before completing a successful internal sale. Website: https://www.fromthegroundupshow.com Have a question for Erick or an upcoming guest? https://fromthegroundupshow.com/ask-a-question/ Have a story built through hearts, hands, and hustle? Apply to be a guest and tell your story: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/be-a-guest/ #FromTheGroundUpShow #RoofingBusiness #BlueCollarEntrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #Leadership

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  From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths

  Craig Semple - The Detective Who Investigated His Own Recovery: PTSD, Resilience & Mental Health

  Sep 8, 20262h 2m

  What happens when a homicide detective turns hisinvestigative skills inward? In this powerful episode of From The Ground Up Show, ErickLoden sits down with Craig Semple—a former police detective, mental healthadvocate, and author—to discuss PTSD, burnout, resilience, and the difficultjourney of rebuilding a life after trauma. After years of investigating serious crimes and carrying thehidden weight of life behind the badge, Craig reached a breaking point thatnearly cost him his life. Recovery required him to approach himself as he woulda complex investigation: examine the evidence, identify destructive patterns,challenge long-held assumptions, and determine what needed to change. Craig shares an honest account of the psychological toll ofpolice work, the warning signs he failed to recognize, and the stigma thatoften prevents first responders and high-performing leaders from asking forhelp. He also explains why resilience is not about pretending to beunaffected—it is about learning how to get back up, seek support, and moveforward with purpose. This conversation explores: • The cumulative effects of trauma and stress • PTSD and mental health among police officers and first responders • Burnout, identity, and the pressure to appear strong • Recognizing warning signs before reaching a crisis • Using self-awareness to investigate your own life • The practical work of recovery and rebuilding • Turning personal pain into a mission that helps others Craig’s story is raw, courageous, and ultimately hopeful.Whether you are a first responder, business owner, leader, or someone workingthrough a difficult season, this episode offers an important reminder: askingfor help is not weakness, and your lowest moment does not have to be the end ofyour story. Listen to Craig Semple – The Detective Who Investigated HisOwn Recovery: PTSD, Resilience & Mental Health on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Content note: This episode includes candid discussion ofPTSD, mental-health crisis, and attempted suicide. #FirstResponderMentalHealth #PTSDRecovery#MentalHealthMatters #Resilience #FromTheGroundUpShow ⁠https://shop.fromthegroundupshow.com/⁠ THE WEEK'S CONVERSATIONS, IN ONE EMAIL Choose the depth that fits your time: the full conversation, a roughly 20-minute CONDENSED edition, or a focused Topics episode. Join the From The Ground Up Show newsletter: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/newsletter/ WATCH & LISTEN Watch this full episode: https://youtu.be/5pxPUIFg1BY Subscribe to From The Ground Up Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9p Listen in your podcast app: https://pod.link/1846907140 SHORTER EDITIONS From The Ground Up Show CONDENSED — a roughly 20-minute focused version of the full conversation. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa9BVKGD64tA Podcast apps: https://pod.link/6806079674 From The Ground Up Show: Topics — complete 3–10-minute episodes built around one useful question or lesson. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVzToS_5Hj6o Podcast apps: https://pod.link/6808750058 GUEST & RESOURCES craig@mentalityplus.com.au https://mentalityplus.com.au/ https://a.co/d/0afqjojv https://a.co/d/02loIZyc PARTNERS & SPONSORS https://www.macarthurco.com https://athletefresh.shop/fromthegroundupshow ABOUT FROM THE GROUND UP SHOW Real stories. Hard lessons. Stronger foundations. Honest business and leadership conversations for people building something that lasts—with hearts, hands, and hustle. Website: https://www.fromthegroundupshow.com Questions: https://fromthegroundupshow.com/ask-a-question/

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  From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths

  Jonathan Domsky - Why Great Leaders Never Stop Growing

  Sep 1, 20261h 26m

  What happens when a recent college graduate buys a one-way ticket to China with no clear plan for what comes next? For Jonathan Domsky, that decision changed everything. In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, Erick Loden sits down with Jonathan Domsky, co-founder of Kidorable, to discuss the journey from an unconventional childhood and a life-changing trip to China to building a global children's brand carried by thousands of retailers across more than 20 countries. Jonathan shares the lessons he learned while growing Kidorable, building high-performing teams, creating exceptional customer experiences, and developing systems that allowed the company to scale. He also discusses how entrepreneurship became a vehicle for creating a life of freedom, purpose, and impact. In this episode: Building Kidorable from a small apartment into a global brand • Entrepreneurship and designing a life on your own terms • Leadership lessons from growing a business • Creating systems and SOPs that empower employees • Building a customer-first culture • The role of personal growth in business success • Why great companies are built on values, not just products Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, manager, or aspiring leader, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on building a company that lasts. #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #SmallBusiness #BusinessOwner #FromTheGroundUpShow https://shop.fromthegroundupshow.com/ Sponsor Links: https://www.macarthurco.com https://athletefresh.shop/fromthegroundupshow Connect with From The Ground Up Show: https://fromthegroundupshow.com https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9p https://www.facebook.com/fromthegroundupshow https://www.instagram.com/fromthegroundupshow/ https://www.tiktok.com/@fromthegroundupshow https://x.com/FTGUshow Watch the video show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aWHllkTAYTk Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests: https://fromthegroundupshow.com Guest Links: untangled-coaching.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-personal-growth-coach

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