Grind Design

Mandi Henriod & Michael Wolters
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship

Building a business is simple, and not easy. The Grind Design follows a group of ambitious (or gritty) entrepreneurs navigating the high-stakes world of business building, design innovation, and relentless grind to turn dreams into empires.

  1. 2d ago

    Waiting Until January? You’re Already Behind | Business Planning for 2027

    Your best year in business starts before January. In this episode, Mike and Mandi discuss how to prepare for 2027 now—from building better systems and setting realistic priorities to planning time off you can actually enjoy. They explore why business owners get stuck in the cycle of getting busy, stopping lead generation, and starting over—and how consistent systems can help break that pattern. Plus, they share how they approach 12-week planning, accountability, delegation, and recognizing when a task doesn’t deserve a spot on your calendar. The takeaway: do less, better. Build a business that supports the life you want, and start putting the pieces in place today. Subscribe for more honest conversations about business, growth, and creating a life by design.

  2. Sep 30

    Starting Over at 60: Building a Business with Purpose | Valerie Harris Kimble

    In this episode we talk with Valerie about her journey from chemical engineer to financial services entrepreneur and why she decided to pursue her business full time at 60. Valerie shares her passion for helping families understand money, reduce debt, and prepare for the unexpected. We discuss the shame that can keep people from asking for financial help, the importance of financial education, and the challenges of building a business centered on serving others. She also shares insights on growing through existing client relationships, starting a new chapter, and building a legacy one family at a time. 📚 Valerie’s Book Recommendation Outgrow — a book about growing your business through existing client relationships. 📲 Connect with Valerie Find Valerie on Facebook

  3. Sep 23

    The Power of Figuring It Out | Amy Benedetti

    Summary Amy Benedetti shares her journey from banking to mortgage, her entrepreneurial mindset, and how she balances her business, fitness, and family life. This episode offers insights into building resilience, continuous learning, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. Keywords entrepreneurship, mortgage, banking, fitness, leadership, resilience, continuous learning, work-life balance key  topics Amy's transition from banking to mortgage The importance of continuous learning and adaptation Balancing entrepreneurship with fitness and family Building a supportive team and surround yourself with the right people Overcoming fear and embracing failure as part of growth The value of humility and knowing what you don't know Strategies for staying motivated and challenged The role of mental models and systems in success Takeaways Surround yourself with people who excel in areas you are less strong in. Failure is a natural part of growth and doesn't diminish your value. Always be learning from experts and peers to stay ahead. Balance is a myth; focus on being all-in and adaptable. Taking risks and embracing failure leads to greater resilience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 01:56 Amy's journey from teller to mortgage expert 03:53 Transitioning from banking to brokerage 06:02 Balancing business, fitness, and family 07:59 Lessons learned from entrepreneurship 09:58 The importance of continuous learning 11:49 Building a support team and collaboration 14:11 Overcoming fear and embracing failure 15:58 Amy's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 17:58 The value of humility and self-awareness 20:06 Amy's future plans and passions Where to reach Amy:  Instagram

  4. Sep 16

    Why Successful Entrepreneurs Choose Collaboration Over Competition - John Goodpaster

    In this episode, John Goodpaster shares insights from his extensive experience in the mortgage industry, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, leadership, and mindset in building a successful and sustainable business. Mandy Henriod explores lessons learned from managing large teams and fostering a community-oriented approach. Keywords mortgage industry, leadership, collaboration, entrepreneurship, business growth, support systems, mindset, community, self-employment, innovation Key  topics The importance of support systems in large organizations Leadership and communication in a growing business The mindset of self-employment and entrepreneurship Building a community over competition in the mortgage industry Lessons learned from industry downturns and recovery The role of technology and innovation in mortgage success The value of collaboration and shared knowledge Personal growth and leadership development Takeaways Support systems are crucial for managing large teams effectively. Leadership involves listening, supporting, and treating everyone equally. Entrepreneurship is about managing your own fate and embracing responsibility. Collaboration and community are more powerful than competition. Success often comes from learning through failures and adjusting. Sound bites "Support systems protect you from blind spots." "Collaboration beats competition every time." "Imagine if everything was possible." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 03:10 Learning from failures and the entrepreneurial spirit 06:48 The importance of learning from mistakes 10:27 Adapting to industry changes 13:34 Leadership lessons and personal growth 16:02 Sharing knowledge and collective success 17:21 The importance of specialization and experience 18:48 Breaking down industry barriers 20:30 The social experiment of independence 22:21 Understanding people and leadership style 24:43 Improving communication and articulating vision 26:02 Overcoming challenges and self-worth 28:15 Treating everyone equally and kindness 30:03 Navigating change and building trust 32:37 Advice to younger self and future leaders 33:03 Recommended resources and inspiration 35:52 Manifestation and the power of belief 37:47 Mel Robbins and the importance of visualization 38:38 Connecting and mentorship in leadership 39:55 Closing remarks and call to action Reach John:  Instagram https://whyjohngoodpaster.com https://arborfinancialgroup.net John's current favorite books/podcasts - Any book by Mel Robbins  - Designing your perfect life (Podcast)

  5. Sep 9

    How Melissa Rose Above a Crashing Market to Build a Thriving Mortgage Business

    Summary Melissa Schwartz shares her inspiring journey from real estate to mortgage success, emphasizing the importance of relationships, resilience, and continuous growth in business and life. Keywords Mortgage, Real Estate, Business Growth, Relationships, Leadership, Personal Development, Success, Entrepreneurship Key  topics Melissa Schwartz's journey from real estate to mortgage The importance of relationships in business success Lessons learned from managing and growing a team The significance of resilience and adaptability Strategies for personal growth and self-awareness Innovative approaches to client engagement The role of mindset and mental models in entrepreneurship Valuable Takeaways -Every no is one step closer to a yes, and persistence is key. -Building genuine relationships creates lifelong clients and advocates. -Managing your weaknesses and embracing mistakes fosters growth. -Aligning with the right team and mentors accelerates success. -Self-awareness and patience are crucial for personal and professional development. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Melissa Schwartz's background 01:49 Melissa's journey from real estate to mortgage 04:06 The story of how Melissa met her husband 05:56 Transitioning from real estate to mortgage and lessons learned 08:54 Managing teams and personal growth 11:50 Building a successful mortgage business 14:58 Innovative client engagement strategies 18:08 The importance of relationships and relational business 21:03 The mindset of persistence and handling rejection 23:55 Lessons from business challenges and failures 27:03 Future goals and personal aspirations 29:58 The significance of self-awareness and patience 32:59 Recommended books and resources 36:00 How to connect with Melissa Schwartz  Where to connect with Melissa Instagram Facebook Linkedin Books Mentioned QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Lifeby John G. Miller Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expectby Will Guidara

  6. Sep 2

    How Emily Brace Built a Real Estate Business That Fits Her Life

    In this episode, Emily Brace shares her journey from hospitality management to successful real estate entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of authentic branding, networking, and embracing risk to build a business true to oneself.  keywords real estate, entrepreneurship, branding, networking, risk-taking, business growth, personal development  key  topics Emily's transition from hospitality to real estate The importance of authentic branding and personal identity Networking as a key to business growth The challenges and rewards of being a solo entrepreneur Managing work-life balance and boundaries in a flexible career The significance of taking risks and overcoming fear Financial lessons including taxes and payroll for entrepreneurs Building a client base through deliberate relationship management The role of continuous learning and self-improvement The impact of supporting systems and community in business  sound bites "My goal in life is to rescue dogs and have them forget about their past." "Referrals are truly your greatest source of income." "Most people think success is about the money, but it's really about the joy." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emily Brace and her background 02:02 Emily's journey from hospitality to real estate 03:52 The importance of authentic branding and personal identity 06:06 Transitioning from team to solo agent and building independence 07:54 Managing work-life boundaries and setting boundaries with clients 09:59 The significance of networking and referral relationships 12:05 Lessons learned about taxes and financial management 13:56 The challenges of client acquisition and self-promotion 16:00 Building a business that aligns with personal values 17:54 The realities of being an entrepreneur and the behind-the-scenes work 19:59 Balancing flexibility with professionalism and boundaries 21:53 The importance of continuous learning and self-growth 24:00 Support systems, team dynamics, and independence 26:00 Surprising lessons and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 28:00 The power of networking and giving back 29:49 Final thoughts on success, authenticity, and building a legacy

  7. Aug 26

    How Food Saved Can Save You: Brandy Price on Gut Health, Advocacy, and Entrepreneurship.

    Summary Brandy Price shares her inspiring journey from a health scare to becoming a certified nutrition and gut health coach. She discusses the importance of authentic marketing, building a personal brand, and focusing on what truly matters in health and business. Keywords nutrition, gut health, entrepreneurship, personal branding, health journey, business growth, social media, email marketing, authenticity, wellness Brandy's health journey and diagnosis The shift from construction to health coaching Building a personal brand and business The role of social media and email marketing The importance of owning your data and relationships Challenges of marketing and visibility Balancing multiple business roles The value of authenticity and passion in business Future plans for expanding her health coaching Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and health coaches Sound bites "What you eat has an effect on your brain" "Your business is your database" "When you don't know, you don't know" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 00:23 Brandy's health scare and initial diagnosis 01:45 Discovering the impact of diet on health 03:14 Transition to becoming a health coach 04:31 Balancing construction business and health coaching 05:28 Starting Beyond the Plate in 2023 06:04 Getting ducks in a row before launching 07:12 Wrapping up construction business 08:32 Challenges of marketing and visibility 10:06 The importance of owning your data 12:04 Building an email list and content strategy 17:25 Hardest challenges in business growth 19:06 Conveying value and connecting with clients 22:17 Future plans and expansion 24:17 The impact of nutrition on health across life stages 27:31 Advice to younger self and embracing authenticity 30:24 Recommended resources and books 33:13 Where to find Brandy online  Reach Brandy Here www.beyondtheplateinhc.com

  8. Aug 19

    How She Planned Her Exit Three Years Before Quitting Her Job - Hannah Lopez

    Summary Hannah Lopez shares her journey from working for the Utah State Tax Commission to starting her own accounting firm, Lopez and Associates. She discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of networking, and practical tips for new business owners, especially around sales tax and financial planning. Keywords entrepreneurship, sales tax, accounting, networking, business startup, financial planning, IRS enrolled agent, business growth, self-employment, Utah business Key  topics Hannah Lopez's background and transition from government to business The importance of sales tax knowledge for small businesses Networking strategies for entrepreneurs Financial planning and saving for business startups Challenges and lessons learned in the first year of business Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hannah Lopez and her journey 00:17 Hannah's background working for the Utah State Tax Commission 00:55 Difference between enrolled agents, CPAs, and auditors 01:51 Why Hannah decided to start her own firm 02:45 The value of her government experience in her business 04:55 Lessons learned from starting her business 06:05 Networking strategies and finding clients 07:07 Hiring her first employee and managing growth 08:24 The process of planning her transition from government to entrepreneurship 10:13 Determining her financial runway and savings 12:02 Networking on Facebook and building relationships 14:05 Mentorship and support from industry professionals 16:12 Handling challenges and unexpected bumps in the road 20:59 Books and resources that inspire her 21:55 Overcoming shyness and building confidence 23:50 How to connect with Hannah and her services Resources Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty Lopez and Associates website  Instagram - LopezAssociates

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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Building a business is simple, and not easy. The Grind Design follows a group of ambitious (or gritty) entrepreneurs navigating the high-stakes world of business building, design innovation, and relentless grind to turn dreams into empires.

Information

  • Creator
    Mandi Henriod & Michael Wolters
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Grind Design
  • Show Website
    Grind Design