The Entrepreneurial Journey

Hosted by Dave Wescott

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Episodes

146

Latest episode

Apr 2026

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About the show

Introducing The Entrepreneurial Journey with Dave Wescott, a dynamic and insightful video podcast that serves as your guide on the entrepreneurial journey. Join Dave and a lineup of inspiring business professionals, thought leaders, and change-makers every Tuesday at 9:15 am PST on LinkedIn and YouTube for engaging conversations that ignite your entrepreneurial spirit. In each 30-minute episode, Dave and his guests dive deep into the topics that matter most to aspiring and established entrepreneurs. From conquering self-doubt and scaling your business to discovering the perfect idea and mastering investment strategies, we explore the essential elements that pave the path to success. But it doesn't stop there! The Entrepreneurial Journey goes beyond business-centric discussions; we spotlight non-profit organizations that profoundly impact and change the world. Special guest appearances from these organizations provide invaluable insights and inspiration to give back and create meaningful change. So, whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking for guidance, a seasoned business owner seeking fresh perspectives, or someone passionate about social impact, The Entrepreneurial Journey is your compass to entrepreneurial excellence. Tune in, gain valuable insights, and set your course for success in the ever-evolving business world. Learn more about Dave at DaveWescott.com or follow him on most platforms at @thedavewescott.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

April 7, 202659 min

From Big Law to a $100M Coffee Business | The Entrepreneurial Journey

What happens when a high-powered Wall Street attorney walks away from the predictable path and bets everything on coffee in Colombia? On this Tuesday's episode, Dave sits down with Adam Jason, Co-CEO of @The Green Coffee Company, Colombia’s largest coffee producer and a vertically integrated farm-to-cup business reshaping the global coffee market. Adam shares how he traded IPOs and Fortune 500 clients for mountain farms, language barriers, and high-stakes entrepreneurship in a foreign country. What followed was scaling to over 10,000 acres, 10 million coffee trees, and raising more than $100M from investors while building a pre-IPO company from the ground up. This conversation is about risk, conviction, and the reality of building something meaningful when nothing is guaranteed. From navigating cultural challenges and fragmented markets to leveraging the iconic Juan Valdez brand and building a direct farm-to-consumer advantage, Adam breaks down what it really takes to scale globally. If you have ever thought about leaving the safe path, entering an emerging market, or building something bigger than yourself, this episode is your wake-up call.

March 31, 202650 min

Stop Sucking at Presentations | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Do you have a message you want to get out about your business, service, or product, but struggle to connect with people when you pitch it in a room? In this episode of The Entrepreneurial Journey Podcast, Dave sits down with Fern Chan, CEO and Founder of Fern Chan Ventures, to unpack what it really takes to stand out, be heard, and make people care. Fern has spent 15+ years helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators become the kind of speakers people cannot ignore, from stages at the United Nations to intimate mastermind rooms. Her philosophy is simple. If you create a real connection, people will remember you. This conversation dives into the realities of entrepreneurship, from walking away from a stable career to betting on yourself, navigating fear, and building a business around what people already come to you for. Fern breaks down why most presentations fail, how storytelling changes everything, and the simple shifts that can instantly make you more impactful in any room. From ditching bullet points to opening with something unexpected, the goal is not perfection; it's a connection. As a bonus for listeners, Fern is offering a free downloadable copy of her book, How to Not Suck at Presentations. You can grab your copy here: https://lnkd.in/gKRD8q3b If you have ever struggled to communicate your value, connect with the right people, or confidently show up as yourself, this episode will challenge the way you think and give you a better way forward. Join us this Tuesday at 9:15 am PST for this lively and entertaining conversation!

March 24, 20261 hr 1 min

Stop Wasting Ad Spend | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Most businesses aren't losing money on ads because ads don't work. They're losing money because they don't understand how to use them. In this episode, Dave talks with Andy Janaitis, Founder and Chief Strategist at PPC Pitbulls, to break down why so many companies waste ad spend and what to do instead. Andy shares how to simplify paid ad strategy, focus on the metrics that actually matter, and build campaigns that are driven by profitability, not guesswork. From recognizing real demand to avoiding common traps in Google and Meta ads, this conversation is a practical look at what separates wasted spend from scalable growth. If you are running ads or thinking about it, this episode will help you stop burning budget and start making smarter decisions

March 17, 202655 min

The Small Bay Strategy | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Anthony Scavo has spent nearly three decades in real estate development, construction, and operations, and today he is helping lead one of the most interesting plays in commercial real estate. As President and Partner at Basis Industrial, Anthony helps drive a fast-growing platform focused on multi-tenant small bay industrial and self-storage. What began as a self-storage development strategy evolved into something much bigger when Anthony and his team saw a shift in the market and made a smart move. Instead of forcing one path, they paid attention to what tenants needed, what the numbers were saying, and where the demand was going. In this episode, Anthony and Dave dig into the business of industrial real estate, the value of flexibility, and what it really takes to scale a company in a competitive market. Anthony shares how Basis grew from a small team into a multi-market operation with millions of square feet under management, why small bay industrial has become such a powerful asset class, and how customer service can become a real competitive advantage even in commercial real estate. They also discuss: • Why being adaptable matters more than being rigid • How to recognize when the market is telling you to change direction • The difference between chasing a deal and sticking to disciplined underwriting • Why tenant retention and service matter more than most owners realize • How to scale a team without losing accountability • What it means to be a good steward of investor capital Anthony brings an operator’s mindset to everything. He knows the numbers, understands construction, and stays close enough to the business to see problems before they grow. His perspective is practical, grounded, and shaped by years of experience in both institutional real estate and hands-on operations. And Anthony’s closing message is one worth remembering: Be kind.

March 10, 202654 min

Capturing a Legacy | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Chance McClain is the founder of Heritage Films, a storytelling company that has produced more than 800 feature-length documentaries capturing family stories and life legacies. What started as a creative experiment eventually turned into a mission: preserving the voices, values, and memories that families wish they could keep forever. Before Heritage Films, Chance’s career bounced across the creative world. He worked in sports radio, wrote music and theater, produced commercials, and even created a Streamy-nominated project along the way. But everything changed when a friend asked him to film his father’s life story. That single interview became the first Heritage Film and opened Chance’s eyes to the power of documenting real lives. In this episode, Chance and Dave explore what happens when storytelling meets purpose. From filming hundreds of life histories to sitting with people at the most reflective moments of their lives, Chance shares the lessons he has learned about family, faith, leadership, and what really matters. They discuss: • How a creative side project became a business built around legacy • Why authenticity always wins over polished messaging • What hundreds of life stories have taught him about leadership and values • The surprising wisdom that comes from interviewing people near the end of their lives • Why entrepreneurs should document their own stories before it is too late Chance believes every family deserves to preserve its story. The real goal is not just recording memories, but capturing the values that shaped a life. His advice is simple and powerful: live a life that makes your kids want to remember your story.

March 3, 202651 min

Serving One Another | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Andrew Munoz is the Co-Lead Pastor of New Life Church in Everett, Washington, and has spent more than 16 years in pastoral ministry. He's married to Amanda and is raising three children, Lydia, June, and Silas. But Andrew’s story does not start in a megachurch or a spotlight. It begins in a small home church led by his parents, where he watched them love broken, ordinary people with extraordinary consistency. In this episode, Andrew and Dave unpack leadership from the inside out. From marathon training and mental discipline to navigating pastoral burnout, Andrew speaks candidly about identity, boundaries, and what it means to lead without losing your soul. He shares why burnout often stems from poor rhythms and misplaced identity, and how remembering that “Jesus died for the church, not me” changed his leadership forever. They dive into: Why identity must come before performance Building margin, rest, and personal devotion into daily life Leading change in organizations filled with “sacred cows” Communicating mission over preferences The power of serving your family before serving your platform Andrew also challenges leaders to turn down the noise. In a culture addicted to devices and distraction, he calls entrepreneurs, pastors, and parents back to stillness, reflection, and real conversation. This is a conversation about mission, margin, and servant leadership. Whether you are leading a business, a church, or a family, Andrew’s blueprint is simple and powerful: build trust, cast vision, and serve one another in love.

February 24, 202656 min

Opportunity at the Curb | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Ethan Hardinger built a business around something nobody wanted to touch. After starting his career in luxury real estate, Ethan realized he was hunting every deal just to get paid. Big checks, yes. Stability, no. What he wanted was a “chicken” that laid eggs. Recurring revenue. Predictable income. Something that worked while he slept . That search led him to an overlooked opportunity sitting in plain sight: filthy residential trash bins. Today, Ethan is the Founder and CEO of Bubble Binz, a residential trash bin cleaning company with over 35,000 subscription customers and a rapidly expanding franchise model. What started as a side experiment has evolved into a scalable, tech-enabled service business, powered by proprietary software, custom-built trucks, and a system designed for operational excellence. In this episode, Ethan and Dave dig into: • The moment he realized recurring revenue beats one-time commissions • How he validated a “weird” idea before going all in • Why niche service businesses can outperform flashy startups • Building proprietary tech to streamline thousands of stops • Franchising the system so others can “get in the race car and drive.” • Why customer experience is the ultimate growth strategy Ethan shares the lessons learned from trial and error, building trucks from scratch, investing heavily in software, and obsessing over customer service in an unglamorous industry.

February 17, 20261 hr 2 min

When Your Favorite Word is "Yet" | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Tim Packer walked away from a badge and a steady paycheck to live his dream. Tim spent 18 years as a police officer and detective before making one of the boldest decisions of his life. He left a secure career to pursue art full-time. What started as a side passion turned into a thriving, multi-million dollar art business built on originals, self-published prints, and direct-to-collector sales. But Tim did not stop there. After nearly losing his life to serious health complications, he realized his legacy was bigger than selling paintings. He launched the Tim Packer Art Academy to teach artists how to master both the creative and business sides of their craft. Through his #1 bestselling book, You Can Sell Your Art, and his growing online academy, Tim is helping thousands of artists move beyond the starving artist myth and build real income doing what they love . In this episode, Tim and Dave dig into: • Why mastery of skill must come before marketing • The difference between “pretty good” and unforgettable • How to find your unique voice • Why most creatives fail in product mode • The three paths to making a living as an artist • The power of the word “yet.” This is a conversation about art, courage, discipline, reinvention, and building something that lasts. If you are an entrepreneur, creative, or anyone sitting on a dream you have not acted on yet, this episode will challenge you.

February 10, 202657 min

Making an Extraordinary Exit | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Jonathan Sherrill is an entrepreneur, investor, and former manufacturing CEO who successfully exited the business he built from the ground up. In this episode, Jonathan and Dave unpack what makes an exit truly extraordinary. Not just financially, but emotionally and personally. Jonathan shares lessons from his own exit, why most sellers experience regret, and how understanding your deeper “why” early can change the outcome. They talk about preparation, defining non-negotiables, telling the right story to buyers, and navigating identity after the sale. Now a coach and advisor, Jonathan helps founders prepare for exits that maximize value while protecting legacy. This is a thoughtful conversation about selling on purpose, not by accident. "The Entrepreneurial Journey with Dave Wescott" is a weekly podcast airing LIVE at 9:15 a.m. PST on Dave's YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn profiles, and available ahead of your Thursday morning commute as an audio-only podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. This podcast is proudly sponsored by Sherpa CEO Coaching. Learn more at www.sherpaceo.com

February 3, 202650 min

What's Beyond a $70 Million Exit? | The Entrepreneurial Journey

When the founder breaks, the business often follows. Phil Neil knows this reality better than most. An entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Founders Compass, Phil has lived on both sides of the scoreboard. He scaled a medical supply business to more than $70 million in revenue and achieved an eight-figure exit, only to discover that success did not quiet the internal pressure to prove it was not just luck. When his next venture collapsed after an initial burst of momentum, the real lesson became clear. In this episode, Phil and Dave go deep into what happens when pressure distorts judgment and founders begin operating from fear, urgency, and reactivity. Phil shares his personal journey through rapid growth, pivoting during COVID, imposter syndrome, founder conflict, and burnout. More importantly, he explains how these experiences led him to build Founders Compass, a system designed to help founders strengthen their inner operating system before they break. They explore why founders suffer in silence, how decision quality collapses under sustained pressure, and why businesses often fail after the founder has already crossed an invisible line. Phil introduces concepts like the pressure cascade, the waterline method, and what it truly means to build an unbreakable founder. This conversation focuses on clarity, resilience, and learning to lead yourself before leading others. If you are a founder, CEO, or operator carrying more than you admit, this episode will hit close to home. Join us Tuesday morning at 9:15 am PST!