In this episode, Jamie Seeker sits down with Paul Ladensack, a seasoned architect with over 30 years of experience designing spaces that go beyond function—they tell stories, honor history, and serve communities. As a principal at CCBG Architects, Paul has led a variety of award-winning projects, including cultural, religious, commercial, and residential buildings.

Paul shares insights on balancing creativity with functionality, how every building has a DNA, and the importance of listening to clients. He also talks about adaptive reuse—revitalizing historic spaces rather than demolishing them—and the impact that design has on people’s daily lives.

The conversation wraps up with his dream project, a Presidential Library, and his advice for business owners: surround yourself with colleagues of shared direction and maintain balance in life.

1. Paul’s Journey into Architecture

• Grew up in a creative, artistic family with many influences.
• Initially thought architecture was only about designing exteriors—later learned the importance of interiors and community impact.
• Credits his professors for shaping his understanding of design.

2. CCBG’s Approach to Architecture

• Listening to clients is at the heart of their process.
• Every project blends history, community identity, and modern functionality.
• Paul believes architects are storytellers, not just designers.

3. Notable Project – Gethsemane Lutheran Church

• Paul was brought in after two previous architects failed to align with the community’s vision.
• The original plan was to tear down the existing church, but Paul realized its deep meaning to the congregation.
• Instead, he preserved and repurposed the church, turning it into a lobby while building a new worship space.
• This project reinforced his belief that architecture should honor history and people’s emotional connection to spaces.

4. The Power of Adaptive Reuse

• "Every building has a DNA." Understanding it makes the project successful.
• In Phoenix’s Warehouse District, CCBG has repurposed historic buildings multiple times for different clients.
• The key is working with the structure instead of against it to maintain its integrity and functionality.

5. Awards & Peer Recognition

• Paul values feedback and criticism from industry peers.
• Awards are not about personal recognition, but rather a testament to strong client relationships and good design.
• Younger architects at CCBG enjoy competing and learning from critiques.

6. Mentorship & Advice for Aspiring Architects

• Travel as much as possible to experience different forms of architecture.
• Listen to professors and mentors—their lessons can shape an entire career.
• Embrace criticism as a tool for growth, both from professors and colleagues.

7. Career Challenges That Shaped Him

• Early in his career, he worked on a high-stakes project for the Missouri Botanical Garden.
• The project started small but quickly became a major focus for conservationists.
• The experience taught him how to handle pressure and...

In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker interviews award-winning architect Tessa Bradley about her journey in sustainable architecture, Passive House design, and the challenges of being a female business owner in the industry. Tessa shares her philosophy on solving complex problems with simple, efficient design, why Passive House is the future of sustainable living, and how she built her firm in a traditionally male-dominated field. She also dives into the realities of business ownership, leadership, and the importance of thinking like an owner before you become one.

• Tessa emphasizes an integrated design approach—thinking about sustainability, efficiency, and aesthetics from the start rather than applying them later.
• She believes the best designs solve multiple problems at once in an elegant way.
• Memorable Quote:
• “It’s hard to make something simple that solves everything, but I like to win.”

• Traditional buildings focus on components, while Passive House considers the building as a whole system.
• The idea is to "put a big woolly sweater around your house" to minimize energy loss instead of relying on excessive heating and cooling.
• The biggest barrier to widespread adoption? The construction industry’s slow pace of change due to the complexity of building projects.
• Memorable Quote:
• “Building things is really hard. You take an imperfect idea, designed by an imperfect architect, built with imperfect materials, by an imperfect builder… and you hope it works.”

• Tessa grew up watching her father draft building plans, which sparked her interest in architecture.
• Women remain underrepresented—less than 25% of licensed architects in the U.S. and less than 1% of firm owners are women.
• Representation matters—Tessa never met a female licensed architect until she was nearly one herself.
• Memorable Quote:
• “I didn’t see any women on the path to firm ownership. It was typically white male-owned firms promoting people who looked like them.”

• Most architecture firms pass down experience through generations, making it hard for outsiders to break in.
• As a 100% women-owned firm, Artisans Group had to fight harder to win major projects.
• Success required standing out, proving excellence, and finding the right clients.
• Memorable Quote:
• “We had to claw and fight a little harder to win work because we didn’t inherit the benefit of our forefathers’ portfolios.”

• Business owners must balance long-term vision with daily execution.
• Leadership can be isolating—mentorship and partnerships are essential.
• Power shouldn’t be about dominance; it should be about compromise, strategy, and resilience.
• Memorable Quotes:“Those who crave power probably shouldn’t have it. And those who do, carry more responsibility than is maybe fun.”
• “Romanticizing leadership is easy. Living it is different.”

In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Kody Landals, a USMC veteran and founder of Reimagine Roofing, to discuss how he’s transforming the roofing and solar industry. Frustrated with unreliable roofing companies while working in solar sales, Kody decided to create a more transparent, efficient, and customer-focused roofing company. In just a few years, he’s scaled Reimagine Roofing to a multi-state operation, offering real-time quotes, no-pressure sales, and innovative digital solutions.

Kody shares his biggest challenges, including how the collapse of the solar industry nearly took his company down, and the leadership strategies he used to rebuild and thrive. He also discusses his work with the Roofing and Solar Reform Alliance (RSRA), which helps contractors elevate industry standards through mentorship and collaboration.

At the end, Kody answers the signature question and shares the 3 C’s for success: Clarity, Commitment, and Confidence.

🏗️ Problems in the Roofing & Solar Industry

• Many companies lack structure and are not run like real businesses.
• Homeowners often get left with no warranty when companies go bankrupt.
• Poor customer service, outdated sales tactics, and slow quoting processes frustrate customers.

🌟 How Reimagine Roofing is Changing the Game

✅ 100% Remote Roof Buying: The only roofing company where you can buy a roof over the phone.

✅ No Hard Sales Tactics: Eliminated in-home, high-pressure sales.

✅ Instant, Real-Time Quotes: Uses satellite measurements & AI to generate quotes in 15 minutes or less.

✅ Educational First Approach: Strong YouTube presence to help homeowners make informed decisions.

📈 Challenges in Scaling the Business

• Biggest hurdle: Solar sales reps were not roofing experts, leading to miscommunication with homeowners.
• Solution: Created video sales letters (YouTube videos explaining roofing options).
• Pivoted from B2B (working with solar companies) to direct-to-consumer when the solar industry began to struggle.

💥 The Solar Industry Crash & Business Crisis

• A major solar company went bankrupt, causing banks to change their lending policies overnight.
• Multiple solar partners defaulted on payments, leaving Reimagine Roofing financially stranded.
• Kody immediately called a team-wide meeting and showed them Jocko Willink’s "Good" motivational video to shift their mindset.
• Rebuilt the business by cutting costs, restructuring, and pivoting to a direct-to-consumer model.

🏆 The Roofing and Solar Reform Alliance (RSRA)

• Over 350 contractors across the U.S., Canada, and even Sweden.
• Helps contractors run better businesses and provide superior customer experiences.
• Promotes collaboration over competition to elevate industry standards.

📚 Key Business Lessons from Kody

• Always be learning: Uses audiobooks & YouTube for...

In this episode of What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Lance Cayko, a multi-talented entrepreneur, architect, professor, podcast host, and co-founder of F9 Productions. Lance shares his journey from growing up on a North Dakota farm to becoming a leader in the architecture and design industry. He dives into how getting laid off pushed him to start his own firm, the importance of discipline and intentionality in business, and how he balances work with his passion projects like fishing and community gardening.

Listeners will gain insights into entrepreneurship, time management, leadership, and redefining work-life balance into work-life harmony. Lance also shares his thoughts on hiring, leadership development, and why setting boundaries is the key to success.

1️⃣ Lance’s Journey into Entrepreneurship

• Started working in construction at 13 after quitting a farming job.
• Learned about business margins early from his mentor and developed a passion for architecture.
• Went from construction to architecture after realizing he wanted control over design and execution.
• Graduated at the top of his class in architecture and moved to Boulder for work.
• Got laid off during the Great Recession, which fueled his drive to start F9 Productions in 2010.
• Built his firm by reacting to common industry complaints and focusing on customer service & quality.

2️⃣ Overcoming Entrepreneurial Challenges

• Drew inspiration from Michael Jordan’s rejection story, using setbacks as motivation.
• Initially carried anger toward being laid off but transformed it into positive motivation.
• Developed a strict morning routine to maintain productivity:
• 4:30 AM wake-up
• Hydration, stretching, meditation/prayer
• Creative work during the “golden hours”
• Stresses that discipline equals freedom – success comes from being intentional with time.

3️⃣ Work-Life Harmony vs. Work-Life Balance

• Rejects the idea of "work-life balance" – prefers work-life harmony where personal and professional passions intertwine.
• Uses intentional scheduling to make time for fishing, family, and community work.
• Says, "I’ve made business deals on the ice while fishing!"
• Incorporates his architecture firm into his nonprofit work (staff helps design and build for community gardens).

4️⃣ Leadership & Company Culture at F9 Productions

• Inspired by Steve Jobs’ philosophy: Your best workers should be your leaders.
• Created an F9 Leadership Group to support newly promoted managers.
• Leadership training focuses on coaching, problem-solving, and maintaining a feedback loop.
• Believes in hiring based on shared values, not just skills—skills can be taught, but values must align.

5️⃣ Boundaries & Time Management for Success

• Sets strict work boundaries at F9: Employees choose between 7-4 or 8-5 schedules (no overtime culture).
• Many firms in the architecture industry glorify 50-60 hour workweeks—Lance proves success is possible without burnout.
• "Boundaries equal freedom" – structuring work allows for personal pursuits without sacrificing business growth.

6️⃣ Signature Question: What Does It...

In this episode of What It Takes, Laura Wilson, founder of Natural Pilates, shares her incredible journey of immigrating to the U.S. with just $100 and turning her passion for movement into a thriving Pilates business.

From discovering Pilates while working in a physical therapy office to building multiple studio locations, launching an online fitness platform, and developing a teacher training program, Laura has navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship with resilience and adaptability.

She also takes us behind the scenes of how she pivoted during the pandemic, scaled her business, and what she believes it truly takes to be a successful business owner.

• Laura immigrated to the U.S. in 2002 with just $100 in her pocket.
• She came through a student work program and was immediately captivated by the opportunities in the U.S.
• Instead of saving money to send back home, she focused on investing in her education and career.

• While working in a physical therapy office in Santa Monica, she discovered Pilates as a rehabilitation tool.
• A car accident left her with severe neck pain, which led her to explore Pilates further.
• She became certified in 2005 and opened her first studio in Beverly Hills.
• Natural Pilates has since expanded to five studio locations across Los Angeles and New York.

• She blended classical Pilates with athletic performance training, making the practice more accessible and results-driven.
• Launched Natural Pilates TV, a digital platform offering online workouts.
• Developed her own teacher training program, which is now nationally accredited.
• Created a line of Pilates equipment and fitness products to enhance workouts.

• Anticipated lockdowns two weeks before they happened and quickly transitioned online.
• Launched virtual classes within 24 hours of business closures.
• Provided clients with at-home workout equipment to keep them engaged.
• Applied for an SBA loan on the first day, which helped keep her staff employed.
• Used the crisis as an opportunity to build an online fitness empire.

1. Consistency is key – Success doesn’t happen overnight; it requires dedication and perseverance.
2. Adaptability is crucial – Challenges like a pandemic or financial setbacks are inevitable, but quick decision-making and problem-solving make all the difference.
3. Passion fuels the journey – Loving what you do makes even the hardest days worth it.
4. Find solutions, not problems – Instead of dwelling on obstacles, focus on how to overcome them and move forward.
5. Leadership can be lonely – Business owners carry unique responsibilities that employees may not understand, requiring strong mental...

Dave Benton, founder of Metajive, shares his journey from an accidental entrepreneur to leading a top-tier digital agency working with brands like Nike, Red Bull, and Google. He discusses the challenges of scaling a creative business, the importance of relationships in securing major clients, and the mindset shifts required to sustain long-term success. Through personal setbacks, industry changes, and pivotal moments of reinvention, Dave emphasizes adaptability, accountability, and the willingness to keep moving forward—even when things get tough.

1️⃣ Accidental Beginnings → Intentional Growth

• Dave never intended to start a company; Metajive was initially just a placeholder website for his portfolio.
• He moved to San Francisco intending to find a job but kept landing contract work, which organically evolved into a business.

2️⃣ Overcoming Challenges & Pivotal Moments

• Made every mistake in the book but kept pushing forward with the mindset of making “the next right decision.”
• 2008 & 2015 were tough years with major setbacks, including losing Metajive’s largest client, which forced him to rebuild the business.
• 2020 was another major test, losing 75% of revenue in three weeks, but he worked 100-hour weeks to turn things around.

📌 Memorable Quote:

"Every major transformation in my business started as a crisis. The key was deciding to rebuild, not retreat."

3️⃣ The Turning Point: Building Long-Term Relationships

• The real shift happened when Metajive secured its first long-term retainer client—moving from project-to-project work to sustainable business relationships.
• Most of Metajive’s biggest clients, including HP, Bank of America, and T-Mobile, came from relationships built years earlier.
• Lesson: Good work and strong relationships create future opportunities, often when you least expect them.

📌 Memorable Quote:

"The best clients aren’t found—they’re earned through years of great work and trust."

4️⃣ Landing Major Clients: Relationships Over Cold Outreach

• Two main paths to working with big brands:

1. Direct networking and outreach (not the route Dave took).
2. Long-term relationship building—working with great people early in your career who later bring you opportunities.

• Every major deal Metajive has landed came from past relationships rather than cold calls.

📌 Memorable Quote:

"Big brands don’t just hire agencies—they hire people they trust."

5️⃣ Scaling While Maintaining Creativity

• Balancing business growth with creative integrity is difficult but essential.
• Key to success: Having a team deeply committed to the craft and strong project management to keep things running smoothly.
• AI and digital transformation are forcing businesses to rethink how they add value—Metajive constantly adapts to stay ahead.

📌 Memorable Quote:

"Innovation isn’t about keeping up—it’s about leading the way."

6️⃣ Surviving Hard Times & Rebuilding from the Ground Up

• 2015 setback: Lost over 50% of business, down to just Dave, his wife (COO), and one project manager. Considered mergers and job opportunities but ultimately rebuilt from scratch.
• 2020 crash: Lost 75% of revenue, but hard work and persistence led to new opportunities, including a major project for New York Fashion Week, which helped Metajive bounce...

In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Brian Samson, founder and CEO of Plugg Technologies, to discuss how nearshore staffing is transforming the hiring landscape. Brian shares his journey from leading talent acquisition at top Silicon Valley startups to relocating to Argentina to build a nearshore team, and ultimately founding multiple companies specializing in Latin American talent.

They explore why more U.S. companies are hiring beyond borders, how remote work has reshaped talent acquisition, and what business owners should know about cost, efficiency, and cultural differences when building remote teams. Whether you're a business owner looking to scale or a leader navigating the new world of hiring, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Brian’s Journey into Nearshore Staffing

• From the Midwest to leading recruitment for Silicon Valley’s top startups
• What inspired Brian to start Plugg Technologies
• Moving to Argentina to build a nearshore business
• Scaling a company from 0 to 80 employees abroad

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"I didn’t come from a family of entrepreneurs, but I was surrounded by brilliant founders in Silicon Valley and thought, ‘I think I can do this.’ So I jumped in and figured it out along the way."

What is Nearshore Staffing?

• The difference between onshore, offshore, and nearshore hiring
• Why Latin America is a rising hub for highly skilled talent
• Common misconceptions about hiring internationally

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"Nearshore isn’t just about cost savings—it’s about finding the right talent, in the right time zones, with the right cultural fit for your business."

Cost vs. Quality: The Real Hiring Trade-offs

• How nearshore hiring compares to U.S. hiring in cost, quality, and efficiency
• Why businesses should think beyond just cost savings when hiring globally
• Cultural and time-zone advantages of working with Latin American talent

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"You can find great talent anywhere, but the real question is: do they fit your business needs, your work culture, and your expectations for collaboration?"

The Hiring & Onboarding Process

• Best practices for integrating remote employees into company culture
• Why companies should treat nearshore hires as core team members
• The adaptability and resilience of professionals in Latin America
• Setting clear expectations to drive success in remote teams

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"If you treat your nearshore hires as ‘outsourced resources,’ you’re doing it wrong. They are part of your team, and the success of your business depends on how well you integrate them."

What It Takes to Succeed as a Business Owner

• Advice for business owners hesitant about hiring internationally
• The importance of starting small and learning from hiring mistakes
• The entrepreneurial mindset: Resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning
• Why success in business requires taking calculated risks

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"As an entrepreneur, you’re going to get punched in the face—often. The key is to get back up, learn from it, and keep going."

Where to Find Brian Samson

• Visit Plugg Technologies at

In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with James Leinhardt, the CEO and Chief Sleep Posture Expert at Levitex. James has built a business around improving sleep posture, working with elite athletes, healthcare professionals, and everyday consumers to optimize their rest. He shares how he turned sleep science into a thriving company, the challenges he faced in educating the market, and why sleep posture is critical for performance and well-being.

They also dive into James’ entrepreneurial journey, from developing a patented sleep surface to supporting Team GB’s Paralympians and British Cycling. If you're an entrepreneur looking to build a business with impact, this episode is for you!

Guest: James Leinhardt, CEO & Chief Sleep Posture Expert at Levitex

Episode Title: Sleep Smarter, Lead Stronger: The Science Behind Success

Topics Covered:

✅ How James turned sleep science into a successful business

✅ The biggest misconceptions about sleep posture

✅ Working with elite athletes and hospitals to improve recovery

✅ Challenges of educating the market about a new concept

✅ The business of sleep – how to innovate in a niche industry

✅ Lessons from growing a business and overcoming obstacles

✅ What it really takes to be a successful entrepreneur

📌 Connect with James Leinhardt & Levitex:

🔗 Website: Levitex

🔗 Instagram: @levitexsleep

🔗 LinkedIn: James Leinhardt

💡 "Most people think sleep is just about getting enough hours, but how you sleep is just as important as how long you sleep."

💡 "I never set out to sell pillows—I set out to educate people on sleep posture, and the business followed."

💡 "Elite athletes don’t leave their performance to chance. They optimize everything—including how they sleep."

💡 "Entrepreneurship is about solving a problem, not just selling a product. If you focus on impact, the business will come."

💡 "If you want to change an industry, you have to educate before you can sell."