How’d ya do it?

Send us a textLJ Walker found a passion for learning and gaining knowledge at a young age. He quickly began helping others his own age gain knowledge in grade school, and  also started developing skills to better mentor and help others with schoolwork. Through just an idea, his passion of helping others quickly turned into a business! With over 10,000 tutoring sessions to date, and 600,000 hours of logged tutoring time, LJ and his staff of 10 at "Better than Average Tutoring" are quickly helping the next generation gain an advantage in both Academics and life! They have received multiple awards, including Top 3 Tutoring center in Montgomery (2 years in a row), Voted Top Tutoring Center, Rising Star Award (LJ) Beta Sigma Alumnae Chapter, and LJ's personal achievement of "Top 40 under 40".  We talk about his journey, his passion for constant growth, and overcoming the many obstacles a young entrepreneur goes through in their pursuit to leave a legacy!  

Send us a textJames (Jimmy) W. Rutland, IV is a third-generation home builder and developer that has been in the residential construction, development and real estate sales business in Alabama for over 30 years.  A native of Montgomery and graduate of Auburn University, he currently serves as President of Lowder New Homes, Inc., which has been named numerous times to the Builder 100 by Builder magazine and Giant 400 by Professional Builder magazine.  He became a Certified Graduate Builder in 2004 and a Certified Green Professional in 2009 through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and has been a Green Energy Key Builder as designated by the Home Builders Association of Alabama (HBAA) since 2007.

Send us a textColonel Glenn Schmick has  been in an Army uniform for over 34 years, and just recently released "Serving with Honor: A soldier's lessons in leadership".  He started as a Private First Class in the National Guard and his last assignment with the Army before coming to Maxwell to teach was the commander of the 18th MP Brigade (about 2500-3000 folks) in Europe. He has spent the last 4 years teaching senior government leaders how to make the change to thinking strategically and leading at the national and international level.   Colonel Schmick has been to roughly 51 countries, served about 1000 days in the desert and Afghanistan, with the longest tour being about 15 months. We talk about his journey, the lessons learned, and how he applies those lessons to everyday life! He is retiring soon and is looking to coach and mentor in leadership.

Send us a textAfter my first ten episodes of the podcast, I felt I owed it to those who shared their story, to share how it impacted me. I share what lesson I walked away with from each guest that attended the show. I hope these lessons are helpful and give you something to think about! Also, if you enjoyed this, please take a few seconds and like and subscribe, or rate the channel on Spotify/Apple Podcast - it helps out tremendously! All the best,Lyle

Send us a textDavid Finlayson, owner of "Epicure and Jack's Tavern" (formerly Fantail) is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to owning and operating a successful Restaurant.  Involved in the food and service industry since 1994, David's parents were Restaurant owners as well - owning multiple Iconic Restaurants in the area. David has since taken over formerly the largest Restaurant in Alabama, with seating for over 600, and has set a new standard for dining experience. Epicure & Jack's Tavern actively supports the local community by sourcing ingredients from local producers, from beer to grits, to enrich our menu with locally inspired dishes. Their commitment extends beyond the kitchen; by engage in community events and fostering partnerships that contribute positively to our local economy. Their dedication to quality, community, and sustainability shapes every aspect of their dining experience!

Send us a textJames Sanders is an expert in the field of branding. With over 32 years of experience, he has put a business logo on just about every product imaginable. James has been with F and E sportwear for the entirety of his 32 years of experience, working with well known business in the southeast, as well as constantly providing his services to the local community. He is now Vice President of operations, and is over 45 employees that produce up to 20,000 products a day. We talk about his background, what sets him apart, and how the industry of branding is ever changing. 

Send us a textJudson Vaughan has been making insurance easy for the River Region for over a decade, It is safe to say he knows a thing or two about insurance. A graduate from Troy University, Judson found himself trying to figure out where his career path would land, but one thing he knew for certain -  he was going to help people. Eventually he found himself taking the path of Insurance - protecting what people have worked so hard to obtain. When life happens, that is when Judson comes in. Whether its insuring Auto, Marine, or Home, Insurance is easy with Judson!

Send us a textAngela Allen is Executive Officer of the Greater Montgomery Home Builders Association. The association is a trusted community resource that promotes professionalism in the home building industry by providing education, legislative oversight, marketing, and networking opportunities to our members. Not only do they support the Home Builders in the River Region, they support the community - by several non profit events throughout the year, but also by actively partnering with Beauty by Fire (organization supporting widows in the community). The Greater Montgomery Home Builders Association truly cares about their mission to support it's members, and Angela exemplifies that in the interview! 

Send us a textMichael Morgan has been in the banking industry for over 35 years. It is safe to say, he knows the ins and outs of the banking world! Starting off working at nights, Michael put in his time and made a career out of banking. After different roles over the years, Michael found himself as President and then CEO of First Community Bank. Michael shares his insight on the banking industry, his belief in hard work, and also how local banks impact communities and the importance of that. He has served on multiple boards, and making sure he serves his community to the best of his ability! He not only is an expert in the banking world, but a true community icon! 

Send us a textMike Peacock has spent the majority of his career in a leadership role. He got his start at a well known Rock Quarry and quickly made his way up the ranks into foreman. Through the years of managing some of the toughest men in the area, he has learned the difference between "leadership" and "Management" - a lesson all business owners could use. After moving around and building a reputation of a leader, he found himself leading one of the Top Pest Control companies in the area, and breaking records within the company. He spends his time now sharing his knowledge and experience on how to run a successful company through his Business Consultant firm, with a focus around relationships. Mike is an impressive individual - and he owes all of his reputation and success to a simple quote - "We serve ourselves, by serving others".