Business Wingmen Podcast

Hosted by Steve Smith

BusinessInterviews guests

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Episodes

312

Latest episode

Feb 2026

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About the show

Tired of boring business discussions fit for your out of touch boss? The Business Wingmen Show, brought to you by father and son duo Steve and Travis Smith, trade tales of corporate absurdity and career brilliance with an electric candor, one which isn’t scared to not be politically correct. Our show dives deep into the thinking, behaviors and actions professional people at the top of their game embody. From leadership and management challenges to climbing the corporate ladder or being a successful entrepreneur, Steve and Travis’ insights help their listeners put to practice REAL ideas and tactics that actually work in the business world. Gain some new, thought-provoking perspective on how to lead your team and run a profitable, growing business- all in about 20 minutes.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

February 6, 202634 min

190- The Value of Networking While You Have a Job

Most people wait to build their network once they are out of work. Savvy business professionals understand the folly of this and build networks while they are employeed. Having connections that know you and would be willing to help you reach the next level of your career can only benefit you if they are inplace should you find yourself on the outside looking in.In this eposide of 'Build Your Network While You Have a job', we will be joined by a guest. Tricia Aure is the Sr. Director of Operations. Tricia will be educating us on the various ways to build your network.

December 10, 202538 min

189- Managing Up- The Executive Skill to Control Your Career & Boss

Welcome to Your Business Wingmen! Today, we're unlocking one of the most powerful, yet least-discussed executive skills in professional development: Managing Up.If you're a manager, executive, business owner, or entrepreneur who reports to a board or a superior, you know that career growth requires more than just managing your team—it means proactively shaping the relationship with your boss. Stop being blindsided by mandates from above and start driving your own success.

December 3, 202538 min

188- Management Crisis- Why Your Top Talent Doesn't Want the Promotion

Are your best employees turning down management roles? You're not alone. An emerging trend is showing that up to 70% of high-potential individual contributors are actively avoiding the climb to a leadership position. This isn't just a challenge; it's a Management CRISIS that threatens your company's growth, profitability, and sustainability.In this critical episode, your hosts Steve and Travis Smith dive deep into the first principles behind this reluctance. We unpack the psychological barriers, the generational shifts, and the critical management training gaps that are causing your top talent to say, "No thanks," to the next big promotion.

November 26, 202531 min

187- Future-Proof Your Business. How to Capture Institutional Knowledge

Are your most valuable assets walking out the door?Every business faces the risk of a "Brain Drain" – the catastrophic loss of institutional knowledge (or legacy/tribal knowledge) when key employees retire or move on. The cost of this loss can run into the millions through lost productivity, constant rework, and a breakdown in business continuity.In this essential episode, Steve and Travis Smith of The Business Wingman dive deep into a problem that affects every single industry—and give you the actionable strategies you need to solve it proactively.

October 30, 202535 min

186- How to Turn New Hires into A-Players

Why do so many promising new hires—the ones who looked great on paper—end up being a disappointment? It often comes down to a gap in professionalism, accountability, and the "soft skills" that no one seems to be teaching.As a manager, executive, or business owner, you've felt the frustration. You have to chase people for follow-ups, you see them on their phones in meetings, and they lack the initiative to think one step ahead. It costs you time, money, and energy. In this episode of The Business Wingman Show, Steve and Travis Smith break down the critical behaviors that separate the "A-Players" from the "bad hires."This is the perfect resource to share with your new and young professionals. It’s a masterclass in the unspoken rules of a successful career.Use this episode to start a conversation with your team about:* Taking true ownership and initiative (not just waiting to be told)* The power of "active listening" and being present* Why you MUST participate in meetings (even if you don't have the title)* The correct way to follow up (and why "one email" isn't enough)* How to "manage up" to help your boss* Why taking constructive criticism is a non-negotiable skill

October 30, 202541 min

185- Why 65% of Businesses Fail (And How He Built a 10-Year Success Story)

Are you on the path to being in the 35% of businesses that survive 10 years, or the 65% that fail? This episode of The Business Wingman Show is a real-world blueprint from an entrepreneur who beat the odds.We go behind the scenes with Travis Smith, who just hit his 10-year milestone as a business owner.Travis shares the brutal truths and actionable strategies that allowed him to build a multi-million dollar consulting firm from scratch—starting with his wife 3 months pregnant and zero income for 11 months.If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader looking for real-world lessons on how to scale, how to navigate setbacks, and the one mental model that can make or break your success, this is for you. Travis shares his biggest failures (like the "mile wide, inch deep" mistake) and the single decision that allowed his business to quadruple.

September 23, 202543 min

184- The Founder’s Dilemma- Staying CEO vs. Hiring One

Every successful business starts with a visionary founder, but not every founder is the right person to lead the company once it begins to scale. Knowing when to step aside — or when to level up your leadership — can make or break your startup’s future. In this episode, Steve Smith and Travis Smith unpack:The critical shift from startup founder to commercial CEOHow to recognize if your leadership style fits your company’s next stageThe dangers of ego and why self-awareness is key to scalingWhat investors look for when deciding to back your businessOptions for founders: CTO, CMO, Chairman, or staying CEO — which role is best?Real-world examples (from Zuckerberg to startups that imploded)How to avoid chaos, retain your best people, and build sustainable growthWhether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or leader navigating change, this discussion will give you a practical framework to evaluate your role — and your company’s future.

September 22, 202541 min

183- The Dark Side of Scaling- Real Stories of Growth Gone Wrong

In this episode of The Business Wingman Show, Steve and Travis Smith unpack what happens when growth spirals out of control, drawing lessons from major brands you already know: Peloton, Krispy Kreme, Blockbuster, and Redbox.➡️ What went wrong?➡️ How can you avoid the same fate?➡️ And what does scaling for longevity really look like?If you’re a business owner, executive, or entrepreneur with big growth ambitions, this conversation will give you clarity on how to scale smarter, not faster. Don’t just grow your business — build it to last. #Scaling #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Leadership

September 2, 202538 min

182- The Most Difficult Workplace Communication Style to Manage

Leaders face many challenges, but one of the toughest is dealing with passive aggressive behavior in the workplace. From sarcasm and missed deadlines to victim-playing and quiet resistance, passive aggressive employees can quietly drain your team’s performance and culture.If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I deal with a passive aggressive employee, teammate, or even boss?” — this conversation is for you. Just tune into this episode of the Business Wingmen and let your hosts, Steve Smith & Travis Smith, guide the way!

September 2, 202538 min

181- Are Manager's Really Doing This

Quiet firing is an emerging workplace trend — but what does it really mean, and why is it a dangerous trap for managers and executives? In this episode of The Business Wingmen Podcast, Steve and Travis Smith unpack the reality behind quiet firing: the subtle ways leaders push employees out without saying a word. Whether intentional or not, quiet firing damages trust, kills culture, and hurts your top performers.