Work Hard. Be Nice.

Sheri Horvath
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  • Entrepreneurship

Conversations About Business Operations, Leadership & Growth Work Hard. Be Nice. is the podcast from Operator's Edge Co. where host Sheri Horvath sits down with business owners, leaders, entrepreneurs, and community changemakers for honest conversations about what it really takes to build something meaningful. Each episode explores business operations, leadership, growth, entrepreneurship, and the lessons that come from building businesses, leading people, overcoming challenges, and creating lasting impact. Some conversations dive into systems and strategy. Others explore leadership, relationships, community, and the values that shape successful businesses. No matter the topic, you'll leave with thought-provoking insights, fresh perspective, and ideas you can put into action. If you believe success is measured by more than the bottom line, you're in the right place. Building a great business starts with working hard, being nice, and leaving people and communities better than you found them.

  1. Oct 7

    Ep. 13 - Debriefing The Dozen: Episodes 1-12

    Inside this special Episode 13 of Work Hard. Be Nice., host Sheri Horvath steps away from the guest interview format to introduce a new recurring series: Debriefing the Dozen. Every 13th episode, Sheri will look back at the twelve conversations that came before it to reflect on the lessons that stayed with her, the ideas she keeps carrying forward, and the patterns that begin to emerge when you listen closely to people who are actively building businesses, careers, teams and lives. In this first debrief, Sheri revisits the lessons from Episodes 1–12: burnout before scale, caring for the person leading the business, having the courage to change direction, sharing the story while you are still building it, recognizing that capacity is not the same as obligation, growing without losing the heart, protecting your joy, starting again without starting from scratch, learning to stop being the hero, rebuilding after 30 years, creating an alternative instead of simply criticizing what exists, and discovering that the detour may have been part of the training all along. What emerges is something even bigger than twelve individual lessons. There is no single version of a builder. Some people are just beginning. Some are rebuilding. Some are learning to let go. Some are changing direction entirely. And nearly everyone is trying to figure out how to grow without losing the people, values, purpose or parts of themselves that made the work worth doing in the first place. Debriefing the Dozen is a reflection on the first chapter of Work Hard. Be Nice. and the realization that sometimes the thing one person had to learn the hard way is exactly what another person needs to hear today. Twelve stories down. Another dozen ahead. Work Hard. Be Nice. www.OpsEdgeCo.com/Podcast

  2. Oct 6

    Ep. 12 - The Detour Was Part Of The Training w/ Brett Shagen

    Inside this episode of Work Hard. Be Nice., host Sheri Horvath (CEO & Founder of operations consulting firm, Operator's Edge Co.) sits down with Brett Shagen, founder of Gravity Lens, for a conversation about what happens when the career path you once thought was a detour turns out to be part of the training. Brett shares how he originally studied filmmaking and worked in music television before spending years in IT, supporting creative businesses and learning how companies operate from the inside. For a long time, he viewed those years away from filmmaking as lost time. Only after starting Gravity Lens did he begin to recognize how much those experiences gave him - technical problem-solving, client communication, business awareness and a much stronger understanding of how to serve other companies. Sheri and Brett talk about what it really takes to build a creative business, from figuring out how to price work and understanding the true cost of running a company to building a network from scratch in a new market. Brett also opens up about underbidding projects, navigating scope creep, managing client expectations and learning that great creative work still has to be financially sustainable. They also explore the tension between the artist and the business owner knowing when something is good enough to ship, when perfection stops adding value, and how to protect your creative standards without turning every client project into your own art project. The conversation also looks at how AI is changing creative industries, where Brett sees technology as genuinely useful, and where he still believes the human part of creative work matters most. At the heart of the episode is a lesson about reinvention: Sometimes the years you thought pulled you away from the work you were meant to do are exactly the years that prepare you to come back and build it better. An honest conversation about creative work, pricing, perfectionism, business ownership, technology, starting again in a new market, and taking the long way back with a much stronger set of tools. ----------- Connect with Brett Shagen, Gravity Lens here: Website: www.gravitylens.coEmail: info@gravitylens.coGravity Lens On FacebookGravity Lens on InstagramConnect with Sheri Horvath, Operator's Edge Co. Website: www.OpsEdgeCo.comEmail: Edge@OpsEdgeCo.comBecome A Guest of the Show: www.OpsEdgeCo.com/PodcastFree Assessment mentioned in this episode: www.OpsEdgeCo.com/Assessment Intro & Outro Music Credits: "Bottleneck" by Neon Beach

    Ep. 12 - The Detour Was Part Of The Training w/ Brett Shagen

  3. Sep 29

    Ep. 11 - Build It Better, Not Just Bigger w/ Dr. Angela Mineo, DNP

    Ep. 11 - Build It Better, Not Just Bigger w/ Dr. Angela Mineo, DNP Inside this episode of Work Hard. Be Nice., host Sheri Horvath (founder & CEO of Operator's Edge Co.) sits down with Dr. Angela Mineo, founder of Cheval Wellness, for a conversation about what happens when you leave a system that no longer reflects how you believe people should be cared for...and then have to learn how to build something better from the ground up. Angela shares how years in nursing and primary care eventually pushed her to create Cheval Wellness after becoming frustrated with insurance restrictions, rushed visits, and the pressure to check boxes instead of truly addressing what patients needed. What began as a direct primary care model has since evolved into a more focused practice centered on integrative care for women. Sheri and Angela talk candidly about the difference between being a great clinician and being a great business owner, the challenge of building a team, and the expensive lesson that came from trying to operate two locations too early. Angela shares how closing one location felt like a failure in the moment, but ultimately created more clarity, better focus, and even stronger revenue. They also explore what Angela learned when a longtime team member left and she realized too much of the business lived in one person’s head. That experience pushed her to create stronger systems, document processes, give her team more decision-making authority, and begin building a practice that can continue to operate even when she is not the one holding everything together. The conversation also touches on narrowing the business, saying no to work that no longer fits, protecting the quality of care as Cheval Wellness grows, becoming more decisive as a leader, and learning that being kind does not require avoiding boundaries or difficult decisions. At the heart of the episode is a lesson that More is not always growth. Sometimes the strongest next step is focus. And no matter how large Cheval Wellness becomes, Angela is clear about what must remain true: the care must stay personal, unrushed, and centered on the woman in front of her. This is an honest conversation about building differently, learning from expensive mistakes, creating a business that does not depend on one person, holding your boundaries, and growing without losing the reason you built it in the first place. _______________________________________________________________________ Connect with Dr. Angela Mineo, Cheval Wellness here: Website: www.ChevalWellness.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chevalwellnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chevalwellness/Connect with Sheri Horvath, Operator's Edge Co here: Website: www.OpsEdgeCo.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/OperatorsEdgeCo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opsedgeco/Take our FREE Operational Freedom Readiness Assessment: www.OpsEdgeCo.com/assessment Fan of this podcast? Review us on this platform! Intro & Outro Music Credits: "Bottleneck" by Neon Beach

    Ep. 11 - Build It Better, Not Just Bigger w/ Dr. Angela Mineo, DNP

  4. Sep 23

    Ep. 10 - She Believed In Me w/ Kelly McCarthy

    Inside this episode of Work Hard. Be Nice., host Sheri Horvath sits down with Kelly McCarthy, founder of Ignite Dance Company, for a conversation about what it takes to keep building the same dream for 30 years and still be willing to change how you build it. Kelly shares how dance became a safe place for her as a child and eventually inspired her to create that same sense of belonging for generations of students. What began as a love of dance grew into something much bigger. Kelly built a business around confidence, leadership, community, and giving kids a place where they can feel like they matter. Sheri and Kelly talk about the standards Kelly refuses to compromise, even when those standards have cost her customers. They explore the seasons that nearly drained the joy out of the work, and what it looks like to rebuild by returning to the parts of the business that mattered from the beginning rather than chasing bigger. They also dig into one of the biggest shifts for any longtime owner... learning that your way does not always have to be the only way. Kelly shares how she has learned to trust her instructors, allow other people to lead from their strengths, step back from work she once carried herself, and recognize that a strong team does not have to care for the business exactly the way the founder does in order to care deeply about it. The conversation also explores customer relationships, follow-up, community service, protecting the people you serve, and the complicated reality of sometimes having to choose what you believe is right over what a customer wants. And when Sheri asks Kelly what she hopes people will someday say about what she built, her answer is: “She believed in me.” This is an honest conversation about longevity, leadership, rebuilding, holding your standards, trusting other people, and remembering that sometimes the most important thing a business builds is not the product or service at all - it is the people who walk away believing a little more in themselves. Connect with Kelly here: Facebook: Ignite Dance CompanyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignite.dance.company/Website: www.ignitedancers.comEmail: ignite4dance@gmail.com Connect with Sheri here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OperatorsEdgeCo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opsedgeco/Website: https://www.opsedgeco.comEmail: edge@opsedgeco.com Assessment promised at the end of the episode: https://www.opsedgeco.com/assessment Apply to become a guest: https://www.opsedgeco.com/podcast Music Credits: "Bottleneck" by Neon Beach

    Ep. 10 - She Believed In Me w/ Kelly McCarthy

  5. Sep 22

    Ep. 09 - Efficient With Things. Effective With People. w/ David Geiger

    Inside this episode of Work Hard. Be Nice., host Sheri Horvath sits down with David Geiger, founder of SPUR IT Services, for a conversation about what happens when being the person who can fix everything is no longer enough to build the business you actually want. David shares how years of technical expertise prepared him to solve complex problems, but not necessarily to lead a company. He talks about the shift from being the “superhero” who handled everything himself to becoming a business owner who had to trust other people, define what good work actually looks like, and let smart people solve problems differently than he would. Sheri and David also dig into the moments that shaped SPUR; the decision to leave traditional employment, the seasons when he questioned whether entrepreneurship was worth it, the impact of hiring administrative support, and a costly client situation that changed the way he thinks about responsibility, integrity, and the true definition of “done.” They explore delegation, accountability, hiring for the person instead of only the skill set, learning to become less apologetic as a leader, and the tension between being highly capable and becoming too necessary to the business. At the heart of the conversation is a lesson many founders eventually have to learn... The goal is not to be the hero of the business. The goal is to build a business full of capable people who do not need you to rescue everything. An honest conversation about technical skill, leadership, integrity, letting go, and building a company that can eventually operate without depending on you for every answer. Connect With David here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wow.its.dave LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wowitsdave/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spur.it.services/ Website: https://www.spursystems.com Connect With Sheri here: www.OpsEdgeCo.com Become a Guest of this podcast: www.OpsEdgeCo.com/Podcast Take the assessment mentioned in this episode here: www.opsedgeco.com/assessment Intro and Outro Music Credits: 'Bottleneck' by Neon Beach

    Ep. 09 - Efficient With Things. Effective With People. w/ David Geiger

  6. Sep 14

    Ep. 08 - Find What You Love, Then Build Around It w/ Nicole Atwood

    Ep. 08 - Find What You Love, Then Build Around It w/ Nicole Atwood Inside this episode of Work Hard. Be Nice., host Sheri Horvath (Operator's Edge Co.) sits down with REALTOR® Nicole Atwood for a conversation about reinvention, entrepreneurship, relationships, and what it looks like to finally build something for yourself after years of building for everyone else. Nicole shares how her career path moved from interior design to manufacturing, bookkeeping, school operations, leadership, and eventually real estate, all while raising three children and spending more than a decade helping run a Montessori school. Looking back, she realized she had been building businesses and leading people for years before she ever saw herself as the builder. Sheri and Nicole talk about starting over in a new state without actually starting from scratch, learning to trust the experience you already have, becoming a beginner again after being competent in other careers, and the mindset work required to keep going when it feels like nothing is happening. They also dig into the difference between planning and doing, collaborative leadership, learning in real time, building genuine relationships with clients, and why Nicole believes some of the best business development happens when you find something you genuinely enjoy and use it to connect with people. Nicole also shares what she and her husband are building next through real estate investing, and what she hopes her children learn from watching their parents continue to take risks, build businesses, and create new opportunities. At the heart of the conversation is a beautiful lesson - Find what you love. Then figure out how to build around it. An honest conversation about starting again, taking action before you have every answer, building through relationships, and recognizing that sometimes you’ve been a builder long before you ever gave yourself credit for it. Connect With Nicole Atwood Email: nicole.atwood@kw.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-atwood1818Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoleatwood2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleatwood2 Connect With Sheri Horvath & Operator's Edge Co. Email: sheri@opsedgeco.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/operators-edge-coFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/OperatorsEdgeCo/ Take the assessment mentioned in this episode: www.opsedgeco.com/assessment Music Credits: Intro & Outro "Bottleneck" by Neon Beach

    Ep. 08 - Find What You Love, Then Build Around It w/ Nicole Atwood

  7. Sep 9

    Ep. 07 - Don't Let Them Steal Your Joy w/ Judy Lambert

    Ep. 07 - Don't Let Them Steal Your Joy w/ Judy Lambert Inside this episode of Work Hard. Be Nice., host Sheri Horvath sits down with insurance broker, longtime accounting professional, former restaurant owner, and entrepreneur Judy Lambert for a candid conversation about business, leadership, money, resilience, and learning not to give the wrong people too much power. Judy shares how a difficult experience navigating insurance during her husband’s serious illness eventually inspired her to help other families understand and prepare for the financial realities life can bring. Her approach has always been less about selling a product and more about helping people make informed decisions before they find themselves in a crisis. This conversation goes far beyond insurance. Sheri and Judy talk about owning and operating a restaurant, leading employees across generations, knowing when a team member simply isn’t the right fit, building systems, embracing new technology, and the challenge business owners face when they keep doing work themselves because handing it off feels harder than just getting it done. They also get into one of the harder parts of building something you care deeply about, which is learning not to let one negative voice outweigh a hundred positive ones. Judy shares the story of a single customer review that stole the joy from an otherwise incredible day inside her restaurant and the lesson she carried forward from it… when we allow criticism, negativity, or other people’s opinions to take up too much space, we give away our own power. Together, Sheri and Judy talk about surrounding yourself with people who will remind you who you are, standing up for others when they aren’t in the room, and why the people willing to tear someone down with you will eventually be willing to do the same thing to you. At the heart of the episode is a brilliant reminder for anyone building something meaningful: Work hard. Hold yourself to a high standard. Treat people well. And don’t let someone else steal the joy from what you’ve worked so hard to build. An honest conversation about business ownership, leadership, financial wisdom, hard lessons, resilience, and protecting your ability to keep moving forward. Intro & Outro Music Credit: "Bottleneck" by Neon Beach Connect with Judy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudyInsures Connect with Sheri Horvath via Operator's Edge Co.: https://www.facebook.com/OperatorsEdgeCo/ Like and follow this podcast on social: Work Hard Be Nice Podcast on Facebook Operator's Edge Co. Website: www.OpsEdgeCo.com Free Assessment mentioned in this episode: www.OpsEdgeCo.com/assessment

    Ep. 07 - Don't Let Them Steal Your Joy w/ Judy Lambert

  8. Sep 3

    Ep. 06 - It's Not Worth The Growth If You Lose The Heart w/ Colleen Kurtz

    It’s Not Worth the Growth If You Lose the Heart w/ Colleen KurtzInside this episode of Work Hard. Be Nice., host Sheri Horvath sits down with Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Colleen Kurtz, founder of Mindfully Nourished Wellness, to talk about what happens when the thing you once needed becomes the business you’re responsible for growing. Colleen shares how years of struggling with her own health, and feeling unheard while searching for answers, eventually led her to build the kind of support she wished she had. But knowing how to help people and knowing how to build a business turned out to be two very different things. Sheri and Colleen talk about learning to ask for help, hiring before you can do everything yourself, finding the right mentor, navigating seasons when the clients stop coming, and changing your relationship with failure. They also dig into Colleen’s transition from solopreneur to leader as she hires another practitioner and learns to create capacity without losing the standards, care, and personal connection her business was built on. They explore boundaries, self-care, delegation, trusting other people with your work, and the sometimes uncomfortable realization that being capable of doing something doesn’t necessarily mean you should keep doing it. At the heart of the conversation is a question every growing business eventually has to answer: How much are you willing to change in order to grow...and what are you unwilling to lose along the way? For Colleen, the answer is clear. Growth matters. But if the business ever loses the heart behind why she built it in the first place, it’s not worth the growth. This is an honest conversation about building what you needed, letting other people help you carry it, and learning how to grow without losing what made it worth building in the first place. CREDITS: Contact Colleen Kurtz, Functional Nutritional Therapist, owner of Mindfully Nourished Wellness at www.mindfully-nourished.com Contact Sheri Horvath, Founder + Lead Strategist, Operator's EDGE Co. at www.opsedgeco.com Take The FREE Operational Freedom Readiness Assessment mentioned at the end of this show at www.opsedgeco.com/assessment Intro and Outro Music Credits: "Bottleneck" by Neon Beach

    Ep. 06 - It's Not Worth The Growth If You Lose The Heart w/ Colleen Kurtz
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About

Conversations About Business Operations, Leadership & Growth Work Hard. Be Nice. is the podcast from Operator's Edge Co. where host Sheri Horvath sits down with business owners, leaders, entrepreneurs, and community changemakers for honest conversations about what it really takes to build something meaningful. Each episode explores business operations, leadership, growth, entrepreneurship, and the lessons that come from building businesses, leading people, overcoming challenges, and creating lasting impact. Some conversations dive into systems and strategy. Others explore leadership, relationships, community, and the values that shape successful businesses. No matter the topic, you'll leave with thought-provoking insights, fresh perspective, and ideas you can put into action. If you believe success is measured by more than the bottom line, you're in the right place. Building a great business starts with working hard, being nice, and leaving people and communities better than you found them.

Information

  • Creator
    Sheri Horvath
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sheri Horvath