The Business Growth Journey

Nick Termini
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Entrepreneurship

Welcome to The Business Growth Journey Podcast, where entrepreneurial leaders, owner-operators, and subject matter experts share their stories of success and resilience. Hosted by Nick Termini, this podcast features inspiring conversations with business leaders who have faced challenges, navigated obstacles, and triumphed in the world of business. Through real-life experiences and hard-earned lessons, you’ll hear how these individuals pushed through the tough times, found innovative solutions, and built thriving businesses. Tune in to gain valuable insights you can apply to your own journey and learn from those who’ve paved the way. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. But here, you’ll hear what it truly takes to grow and succeed. Join us for each episode, and be part of the Business Growth Journey!

  1. Aug 2

    The Engineer's Playbook: Ricky Bellinger on Adaptability and Business Success

    In this episode of the Business Growth Journey Podcast, host Nick Termini sits down with guest Ricky Bellinger to explore his career evolution from mechanical engineering to high-level business leadership. Ricky discusses studying mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas (KU), leading student initiatives like creating a study abroad program in India, and how facing drastically different problem-solving environments broadened his global perspective. He also dives into his early career in technical sales at Johnson Controls, where he built key account-management skills, before making the leap to Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management to pursue his MBA and pivot into investment banking. Tune in for an insightful conversation on adaptability, learning what you don't want to do, and applying an engineer's mindset to long-term career growth.

  2. Jun 22

    From Touring the World to Building Community: Reinvents and Reps with Michael Risinger

    What happens when a former international touring metal musician trades life on the road to build a community and a thriving brand in the heart of the Midwest? In this week's episode of The Business Growth Journey, I sit down with Michael Risinger, the creative force behind the KCBC (Kansas City Business Cast). After navigating a major career pivot following a sudden layoff in March 2023, Michael leaned entirely into his own entrepreneurial journey, eventually launching his hit show to document the stories of creators and business leaders across Kansas City. We dive deep into the mindset shifts required to transition from an individual contributor to a community leader, exploring: 🎸 The School of Rock & Road: How touring the country in a metal band at age 13 accidentally fast-tracked Michael's people and networking skills. 🧠 The Hard Truth About Relocating: Why moving across the country taught Michael that "wherever you go, there you are"—and how external complaints are often internal mirrors. 🏋️‍♂️ Getting Your Reps In: Leaning directly into uncomfortable situations, "eating the frog," and why leaning into hard conversations builds professional muscle memory. 🛑 Ditching the Perfectionist Trap: How Michael saved his workflow (and his sanity) by letting go of hyper-editing, embracing the "cringe," and allowing authentic, unscripted human conversation to take center stage. 🎨 Building a Brand Visual Vibe: The creative inspiration behind KCBC's iconic 80s synthwave aesthetics and utilizing modern creative tools to stand out. Whether you are trying to find your footing after a professional setback, striving to be a more authentic leader, or looking to maximize efficiency in your creative workflow, Michael's perspective is packed with actionable grit.   #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Operations #Branding #CommunityBuilding #Podcast #KansasCityBusiness

  3. Jun 12

    Process over Perfection: Navigating the Realities of Entrepreneurship with Joe Beaver

    What happens when you combine the obsessive eye of a professional detailer with the massive scale of a world-class kite company? In this week's episode, I sit down with Joe Beaver, COO of Great American Kites and founder of Rolling Magic Detailing. Joe started his first business at just 16 years old out of pure necessity. Today, he’s celebrating nearly a decade of entrepreneurship and helping run one of the largest event kite companies on the planet. We dive deep into what it actually takes to evolve from a "doer" into a strategic leader. From managing farm-vehicle cleanups in 99-degree weather to flying a 10,000-square-foot American flag kite at massive festivals, Joe’s journey is a masterclass in self-reflection and operational discipline. #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #ProcessImprovement #Operations #SmallBusiness #Podcast #KansasCityBusiness

  4. Jun 9

    From the Golf Course to the Boardroom: How to Build Unshakeable Confidence

    What do high-level sports and high-level sales have in common? More than you think.  In this episode of The Business Growth Journey, host Nick Termini sits down with executive recruitment founder Jeff Janda to unpack the mindset shifts required to win in both business and life. Jeff shares his journey from high-school golf phenom to cutting his teeth in the high-stakes world of advertising sales and recruitment. They dive deep into why treating everyone the same eliminates the "intimidation factor" when dealing with executives, how to pitch yourself effectively without coming across as arrogant, and why early failure is actually the best feedback loop for future growth.

  5. Jun 1

    Re-Wiring the Creative Mind: From Costume Design to Neuroscience with Dr. Holly Battrum

    This week on The Business Growth Journey, Nick Termini sits down with Dr. Holly Battrum for a riveting conversation that bridges the gap between high-level creativity and the complex science of the human brain. Dr. Holly’s path to understanding how people think, scale, and heal is anything but traditional. From her early years as a dedicated ballet dancer in Liberty, Missouri, to a "rebellion degree" in Fine Arts that led to a grueling, high-intensity career building 22 main-stage theater productions a year in costume design—she learned the art of making hard choices and defending creative ideas under massive pressure. Today, she uses that unique blend of experience to help high-performers break through the "head games" that keep them stuck. In this episode, Nick and Dr. Holly dive deep into: - The Anatomy of Rumination: Why your brain reads "worry" the exact same way it reads "action"—and how to stop spinning in place. - The Doorframe Reset: A practical, hospital-tested tool to clear toxic energy and reset your mind before entering your next meeting or room. - The Evolution of Systems: How Dr. Holly went from color-coding physical mailboxes to prevent office interruptions to creating sustainable communication systems in business today. - Flexing the "Hard Things" Muscle: How neuroplasticity allows us to actively rewrite poorly worn neural ruts into pathways of resilience.   Whether you are trying to align a team, implement a new operational system, or simply stop letting your own mind hijack your progress, this episode serves as a masterclass on going "through the ugly to get to the pretty." Tune in to learn how to move your growth journey from your mind, to your hands, and ultimately to your heart.

  6. May 19

    From Bakery Science to Fractional CFO: Taylor Busch on the Relentless Drive Required to Grow

    In this latest episode of The Business Growth Journey, Nick Termini sits down with fractional CFO Taylor Busch. Taylor’s path is anything but a straight line—from a late-night teenage telemarketer to smuggling baby bunnies and mastering the exact science of pie crusts. Taylor shares how she balanced a 40-hour work week, 18 college credit hours, and raising a toddler, all while launching her first LLC out of her apartment. Tune in to hear a masterclass on time management, aligning with your future self, and making the hard choices that build unstoppable resilience.

  7. May 6

    From Laid Off to CEO: Quinton Lewis on Building an Aviation Empire

    What do you do when your industry leaves town and you're suddenly out of a job? If you’re Quinton Lewis, you start an LLC, fly to a conference you’ve never heard of, and build a business from the ground up.   In this episode of the Business Growth Journey, Nick Termini sits down with Quinton Lewis, co-founder of Helios Airborne Solutions. They dive into the "scrappy" early days of aerial survey, the terrifying reality of your first flight lesson at 18, and how a "bias for action" can solve the problem of not having a million-dollar sensor (yet). Key Takeaways: - The transition from employee to business owner. - Overcoming the "fear of heights" (literally and figuratively) in business. - The power of networking: Why showing up is 90% of the battle. - Navigating the high-stakes world of aviation and geospatial data.

  8. Mar 3

    Small Towns, Big Dogs, and the Power of Being "Wildly Curious" with Kim McGownd

    Curiosity didn't kill the cat; it built a career. In this episode of The Business Growth Journey, Nick Termini catches up with Northwest Missouri State alum Kim McGownd to trace a journey that goes from the gymnastics mats of a tiny Missouri town to the boardroom of a national pet food distributor. Kim isn’t just a business developer; she’s a "wildly curious" pioneer who helped shape the natural pet food industry long before it was mainstream. She and Nick dive deep into the grit required to build a territory from zero, the transition from being a high-stakes hospitality pro to a high-stakes buyer, and why hitting the "reset" button at age 40 was the best business move she ever made. Highlights of the conversation include: - The "Coach’s Daughter" Mentality: Why being raised in a sports-obsessed small town gave Kim the competitive edge to survive "BD 101." - Reading the Room: Lessons from the Grand Balloon on the Plaza—how high-end networking is the ultimate sales training. - Trailblazing the Pet Space: Navigating the early 2000s movement of premium nutrition and "human-grade" treats. - The Power of the Pivot: Moving back to KC and finding the humility to rebuild a life and a brand during a global "sabbatical."

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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Business Growth Journey Podcast, where entrepreneurial leaders, owner-operators, and subject matter experts share their stories of success and resilience. Hosted by Nick Termini, this podcast features inspiring conversations with business leaders who have faced challenges, navigated obstacles, and triumphed in the world of business. Through real-life experiences and hard-earned lessons, you’ll hear how these individuals pushed through the tough times, found innovative solutions, and built thriving businesses. Tune in to gain valuable insights you can apply to your own journey and learn from those who’ve paved the way. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. But here, you’ll hear what it truly takes to grow and succeed. Join us for each episode, and be part of the Business Growth Journey!

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Termini
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Business Growth Journey