Built to Grow: The Small Business Playbook

Ryan Naylor
  • 5.0 (8)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Built to Grow: The Small Business Playbook with Ryan Naylor is a podcast for small business owners who are done guessing and ready to grow with intention. Each episode features real conversations with founders and operators who’ve been through the highs, the hard lessons, and the growing pains of running a small business. No fluff. No theory. Just honest stories and proven strategies you can actually use. Listeners walk away with real playbook tactics on hiring, leadership, operations, and scaling. The kind of insights you only get from experience, not textbooks. If you’re building a business, managing a team, and trying to grow without burning out, this podcast is for you. Because growth isn’t luck, it’s built.

Episodes

  1. The Playbook After the NFL: Markus Wheaton on Business, Mindset & Mental Health

    FEB 20

    The Playbook After the NFL: Markus Wheaton on Business, Mindset & Mental Health

    In this episode of Built to Grow, host Ryan Naylor sits down with former Markus Wheaton, a standout wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who’s now tackling an entirely new arena: small business ownership. Ryan asks the question everyone wants to know: “What’s harder… the NFL or running a small business?” Markus’ answer sets the tone for a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about transitioning from elite athletics to entrepreneurship. Markus opens up about: 🔸 Living in the moment at Oregon State and never assuming the NFL was guaranteed 🔸 Draft-night doubts and the mindset that kept him “always on the rise” 🔸 How he built Western Skies Landscaping from the ground up 🔸 Early challenges: HOA battles, permits, hiring, sub-contractors, quality control 🔸 What he brought from the locker room into business leadership: accountability, ownership, and culture 🔸 How working out, connecting with others, and staying curious protect his mental health 🔸 The loneliness of entrepreneurship and how to fight it 🔸 The transparent leadership style he learned from coach Mike Tomlin 🔸 His next chapter: scaling to $4M and building a home-services investment portfolio This episode is packed with wisdom for small business owners, athletes in transition, and anyone trying to grow personally and professionally. Markus’ mindset, humility, and hunger make this one unforgettable. Follow Markus on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taewheaton/ Western Skies Landscaping: https://www.instagram.com/westernskieslandscaping/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

    30 min
  2. Built to Grow with Jason Payne & Ryan Naylor: How to Build and Scale a Roofing Business

    JAN 23

    Built to Grow with Jason Payne & Ryan Naylor: How to Build and Scale a Roofing Business

    Jason Payne went from making $12.50 an hour to running a multi-million-dollar roofing company and he did it by asking better questions, building better people, and never settling. In this episode, Jason and Ryan Naylor discuss how to hire hungry talent, fire based on values, delegate like a CEO, and reverse-engineer your growth. If you’re a business owner serious about scaling, leadership, and legacy, this episode is a must-listen. Follow Jason Payne: https://www.instagram.com/jasontheroofer/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

    48 min
  3. Human First: Building Trust and Connection in the Workplace

    11/07/2025

    Human First: Building Trust and Connection in the Workplace

    In this episode of The People Ops Playbook, host Ryan Naylor sits down with Chloe Street, an expert in the human side of business and former HR leader at Meta, Credit Suisse, and Morgan Stanley. Together, they unpack what it really means to put the “human” back in human resources. From fighting workplace isolation to creating cultures rooted in trust and genuine connection, Chloe shares practical tools for leaders... like her “90-second rule” and connection formula of Presence, Curiosity, and Trust, that can transform how teams communicate and thrive. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a team that feels seen, heard, and inspired, this episode is your playbook for leading with empathy and depth in today’s disconnected world. 💡 Key Takeaway: Connection isn’t a grand gesture, it’s built in 90-second moments of presence. Follow Chloe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloestreet1/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

    46 min
  4. Future-Proof HR: Lessons from William Tincup

    10/03/2025

    Future-Proof HR: Lessons from William Tincup

    Ryan sits down with HR tech veteran William Tincup to unpack what’s really changing in HR and what never will. They dive into payroll, compliance, the rise of agentic AI, and how HR leaders can adapt without losing the human touch. William shares insights from his decades in recruiting, his work with WorkDefined, and why hyper-personalization and real human connection still matter in talent acquisition. Follow William on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

    43 min
  5. From Chaos to Clarity: How HR Can Drive Business Success

    09/26/2025

    From Chaos to Clarity: How HR Can Drive Business Success

    In this episode of The People Ops Playbook, Ryan Naylor sits down with Sana Walker, founder of HR Girlfriends, to explore how HR leaders can move from reactive problem-solvers to strategic partners. They discuss the importance of setting boundaries, aligning with CEOs, and building trust with leadership. Sanaa shares actionable advice on being solution-oriented, leveraging data to drive decisions, and navigating relationships with CFOs and executives to ensure HR drives real business impact. If you’re an HR professional looking to elevate your influence, or a business leader wanting to understand the true value of HR, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Follow Sana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanarasul/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

    31 min
  6. From Stage to Strategy: How Storytelling Supercharges HR & Culture with Kim Rohrer

    09/19/2025

    From Stage to Strategy: How Storytelling Supercharges HR & Culture with Kim Rohrer

    In this episode, Ryan Naylor sits down with Kim Rohrer, an HR veteran with a background that spans VP of People, talent strategy, and - surprisingly -community theater. Kim reveals how her theater experience fuels her HR “superpower”: storytelling. They explore how every stage of the employee journey, from job postings to onboarding to performance reviews, is an opportunity to craft meaningful narratives that connect people to your company’s culture. Kim shares practical insights on: -Turning organizational changes and challenging news into stories employees understand and trust -Codifying and aligning company culture with real behaviors and decisions -Balancing the human side of HR in an AI-driven world -Improving candidate experience from first glance to the first 90 days Whether you’re an HR leader, people ops professional, or small business owner, this episode shows how thoughtful storytelling and strategic planning can transform the way your employees experience work. Follow Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimrohrer/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

    52 min
  7. The Biggest Myths in Small Business Hiring with Tim Sackett

    09/05/2025

    The Biggest Myths in Small Business Hiring with Tim Sackett

    In this episode of The People Ops Playbook, Ryan Naylor sits down with HR leader and author Tim Sackett to debunk the biggest myths holding small businesses back from successful hiring.  From the misconceptions around “buying” vs. “building” talent, to the realities of retention, culture, and the actual work of recruiting, Ryan and Tim break down what business owners need to know to compete for top talent.  Packed with practical insights and real-world stories, this conversation challenges the status quo and gives small business leaders a fresh perspective on how to hire smarter, retain longer, and grow stronger teams. Follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsackett/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

    36 min
  8. Hacking HR: From Lonely Function to Strategic Leader Through Community

    08/22/2025

    Hacking HR: From Lonely Function to Strategic Leader Through Community

    Join Ryan Naylor and Enrique Rubio as they dive into the evolving world of HR, exploring how traditionally “lonely” HR roles can become powerful drivers of business strategy. This episode unpacks the latest in HR tech, AI, and people operations, while highlighting the power of building community, connecting with peers, and staying relevant in a fast-changing workplace. Whether you’re an HR professional, business leader, or curious about the future of work, this podcast gives you actionable insights, fresh perspectives, and real-world stories to transform your approach to HR. Follow Enrique on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubioenrique/Following HackingHR on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hacking-hr/ Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

    49 min
  9. Authenticity in an AI World: What HR Leaders Must Know

    08/15/2025

    Authenticity in an AI World: What HR Leaders Must Know

    In this fireside chat, Ryan Naylor sits down with HR leader and entrepreneur Robynn Storey to tackle some of the hottest topics shaping hiring today - from AI-generated resumes to building a personal brand that actually works. They dive into the resume chaos that HR teams are facing, exploring whether AI tools are helping or hurting the search for top talent, and how hiring teams can spot the real stars hidden among AI-polished applications. Robynn shares her best advice for job seekers using AI...where it adds value, and where it crosses into hype. The conversation then shifts to the balance between tech and the human touch in HR. Robynn breaks down which processes should never be automated, which tools actually make life easier, and where HR teams should draw the line with technology. Finally, Ryan and Robynn get personal about entrepreneurship and leadership. Robynn opens up about her journey from idea to thriving business, the myths she’s constantly debunking about being an entrepreneur in the HR space, and the truths no one tells you until you’re living it. If you care about hiring smarter, keeping HR human, and leading with purpose, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Follow Ryan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.nylr/ Follow our Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/built.to.grow.podcast/ Learn more about AvaHR and get a free trial of our ATS: www.avahr.com Watch the live Interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avahrsoftware

    42 min
  • 9 Episodes

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Built to Grow: The Small Business Playbook with Ryan Naylor is a podcast for small business owners who are done guessing and ready to grow with intention. Each episode features real conversations with founders and operators who’ve been through the highs, the hard lessons, and the growing pains of running a small business. No fluff. No theory. Just honest stories and proven strategies you can actually use. Listeners walk away with real playbook tactics on hiring, leadership, operations, and scaling. The kind of insights you only get from experience, not textbooks. If you’re building a business, managing a team, and trying to grow without burning out, this podcast is for you. Because growth isn’t luck, it’s built.

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