Building Texas Business

BoyarMiller

BoyarMiller Chairman Chris Hanslik interviews industry thought leaders and organizational visionaries in a discussion rife with leading edge information, the latest trends, case studies, and news. Business inspiration, growth, challenges, corporate culture and mentorship will be on the agenda. Enjoy the banter and glean valuable insight as the conversation unfolds.

  1. Ep106: Leading Through Company Transformation with Erin Gajdalo

    MAR 25

    Ep106: Leading Through Company Transformation with Erin Gajdalo

    In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Erin Gajdalo, CEO of Pluralsight, for a conversation about leadership, company transformation, and the challenges of scaling technology businesses. Erin shares the story of her first year leading Pluralsight and the dramatic changes the company has undergone. After stepping into the role, she faced a lender takeover, the need to rebuild the executive team, and the challenge of resetting the organization’s culture and go-to-market structure to return the business to growth. Chris and Erin discuss the realities many startups and SaaS companies face after periods of rapid expansion, including how leaders must align teams around clear priorities, understand where to invest resources, and make difficult decisions during a turnaround. Erin also explains how her leadership style evolved as the company worked through its transformation. The conversation also explores how organizations are responding to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Erin explains how Pluralsight helps companies develop technology skills, build AI literacy across their workforce, and ensure employees understand how to effectively use emerging tools. This episode offers insight into leadership, culture, and the decisions required to guide organizations through periods of change and transformation. LINKS Show Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About Pluralsight

    39 min
  2. Ep105: Entrepreneurship, Leadership and the Texas Business Advantage with Steve Montgomery

    MAR 11

    Ep105: Entrepreneurship, Leadership and the Texas Business Advantage with Steve Montgomery

    In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Steve Montgomery, President and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, for a conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and the growth of one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Steve brings more than three decades of experience in both the private and public sectors. Before leading the Fort Worth Chamber, he helped build and grow a healthcare information technology company, joining as the fourth employee and helping scale the business before its eventual sale. That experience shaped his perspective on entrepreneurship, small business challenges, and the importance of building strong teams. Chris and Steve discuss the mission of the Fort Worth Chamber and its role in advocating for businesses, connecting companies with opportunities, and helping create an environment where businesses can grow and thrive. Steve explains why Fort Worth is experiencing significant growth, pointing to the city’s expanding population, available land for development, and its strategic location within the Texas economy. The conversation also explores leadership lessons from building startups, including hiring philosophy, the importance of culture, and the value of adaptability in growing organizations. Steve shares insights from his work with businesses across Fort Worth, along with trends he’s hearing from local leaders as they navigate economic uncertainty and global market pressures. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, leadership development, and the factors driving business growth across Texas, this episode offers valuable perspective from someone working directly with companies every day. LINKS Show Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce

    35 min
  3. Ep104: Capital Discipline, Culture and Leadership in Texas Energy with Roe Patterson

    FEB 25

    Ep104: Capital Discipline, Culture and Leadership in Texas Energy with Roe Patterson

    In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Roe Patterson, co-founder and Managing Partner of Marauder Capital, for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and building energy businesses in one of Texas’ most cyclical industries. With more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, Roe has built, scaled, sold, and led companies across the energy spectrum, including serving as CEO of a public oilfield services company and completing more than 130 M&A transactions throughout his career. Today, he invests in and advises energy and industrial services businesses, bringing both operator experience and board-level perspective to the table. Roe shares what it takes to navigate downturns, manage risk, and know when to walk away, whether from a deal, a strategy, or a hiring decision. He discusses the importance of capital discipline, the industry’s shift toward lower leverage and return of capital, and how technological advancements such as automation and AI continue to reshape energy production without replacing the people who make it work. The conversation also explores culture, mentorship, and leadership evolution. Roe reflects on lessons learned from early setbacks, the power of listening over talking, and why humility and decisiveness must coexist in strong leadership. From hiring philosophy and team retention to innovation and safety in the field, this episode offers practical insight for business owners navigating growth in dynamic industries. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, energy, leadership development, and the realities of building businesses in Texas, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom from someone who has seen the industry from every angle. LINKS Show Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About Marauder Capital

    53 min
  4. Ep102: Building a Better Beverage Brand with Brandon Joldersma

    JAN 28

    Ep102: Building a Better Beverage Brand with Brandon Joldersma

    Brandon shares how Surely became a leader in non-alcoholic wine and why nearly 90 percent of its customers still drink alcohol. Rather than targeting only those who are sober, the brand connects with people who want to enjoy wine on their own terms. He also introduces Arlow, the first legally recognized low-alcohol wine brand in the United States, offering half the calories and zero sugar while maintaining the full-bodied experience wine lovers expect. Listeners will learn how Arlow’s concept grew from Brandon’s deep understanding of consumer behavior and his curiosity about where the market was heading. He explains the technical challenges of dealcoholization, how his California-based team perfected the process, and what it takes to create a wine that meets both taste and quality standards in this emerging space. Beyond product development, Brandon discusses how Surely and Arlow have scaled from direct-to-consumer beginnings to major retail success. Today, Surely can be found in Target, Sprouts, Total Wine & More, and Spec’s. He explains how the company’s focus on profitability and sustainable growth has allowed it to thrive in a changing industry where investors now value lean operations over rapid expansion. As the conversation continues, Brandon shares leadership lessons from two distinct growth phases: one centered on fast-paced scaling and another built around operational discipline. He offers insights into the importance of communication, team alignment, and company culture, noting that even high-performing employees can hold a business back if they are not the right cultural fit. Brandon also reflects on his journey as a leader, emphasizing the need for transparency and collaboration, both with his team and with his investors. His approach to management highlights how curiosity, accountability, and clear communication can drive consistent results without compromising values. Now rooted in Austin with his family, Brandon talks about what makes Texas the perfect home for entrepreneurs like him. From the state’s unique energy to its strong business community and culinary culture, he shares why Texas has become the ideal place to grow both personally and professionally. Whether you are interested in brand strategy, leadership, or the evolving world of consumer products, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how clarity of purpose and innovative thinking can build a business that lasts. LINKS Show Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About Surely Wine About Arlow Wine

    41 min
  5. Ep100: The Future of Law & Business in Texas with Dean Reynaldo Valencia & Billy Murphy

    12/03/2025

    Ep100: The Future of Law & Business in Texas with Dean Reynaldo Valencia & Billy Murphy

    In this special live 100th episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik talks with Dean Reynaldo Valencia, President and Dean of South Texas College of Law Houston, and Billy Murphy, CEO of University Lands, about the intersection of law, leadership, and innovation in shaping Texas’ future. From higher education to resource management, both guests share how Texas institutions are adapting to a rapidly changing world while balancing tradition and transformation. Dean Valencia discusses the law school’s century-long commitment to access and opportunity, its pioneering online programs, and how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal education. Murphy offers a look inside University Lands, where a small team manages 2.1 million acres and billions in annual revenue to fund public universities, while navigating emerging challenges such as renewable energy, AI, and sustainability. Together, they explore how legal training builds critical thinking and leadership skills that extend far beyond the courtroom, and why innovation, ethics, and stewardship remain central to Texas’ continued growth. If you’re interested in leadership, education, and the forces shaping the future of business in Texas, this milestone episode offers a thoughtful, forward-looking conversation about progress built on purpose. LINKS Show Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About South Texas College of Law About University Lands

    53 min
  6. Ep099: Building a Business through Resiliency with Bobby & Janice Jucker

    11/12/2025

    Ep099: Building a Business through Resiliency with Bobby & Janice Jucker

    In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik talks with Bobby and Janice Jucker, co-owners of Three Brothers Bakery, about what it takes to build and sustain a family business through two centuries of change, challenge, and perseverance. From their family’s remarkable story of survival and entrepreneurship to leading one of Houston’s most beloved bakeries today, Bobby and Janice share how resilience, culture, and community have guided every decision along the way. They explain how they turned hardship into strength, rebuilding again and again after floods, fires, hurricanes, and even a pandemic, while staying true to their roots and their people. Janice discusses lessons learned from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and how they transformed a toxic workplace into a culture grounded in care, communication, and accountability. Bobby reflects on the balance between preserving tradition and embracing innovation, from hand-rolled bread to digital recipe systems and modern production technology. Together, they offer practical insights on leadership, disaster recovery, and the power of people, proving that success is not about avoiding challenges but about how you rise after them. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, legacy, and leading with heart, this episode is a masterclass in perseverance and purpose from one of Texas’s most enduring family businesses. LINKS Show Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About Three Brothers Bakery

    41 min
5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

BoyarMiller Chairman Chris Hanslik interviews industry thought leaders and organizational visionaries in a discussion rife with leading edge information, the latest trends, case studies, and news. Business inspiration, growth, challenges, corporate culture and mentorship will be on the agenda. Enjoy the banter and glean valuable insight as the conversation unfolds.