Beyond the Leap

Brenda Jones
  • 5.0 (15)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Beyond the Leap is the business podcast where bold decisions meet lasting success. Hosted by sales strategist, investor, and entrepreneur Brenda Jones, each episode spotlights founders, executives, and investors who risked comfort for greatness—then forged new breakthroughs on the other side. From bootstrapping seven-figure startups to leaving the C-suite for passion ventures, guests share the wins, missteps, and mindset shifts that followed their biggest jumps. Expect candid conversations on raising capital, scaling teams, reinventing brands, and leading through uncertainty—plus rapid-fire takeaways you can put to work right away. If you’re plotting your own leap, navigating post-pivot turbulence, or just love inside looks at high-stakes growth, tune in for fresh inspiration and practical strategy. Bold moves, breakthroughs, and beyond—hit follow and start building what comes after the jump.

Episodes

  1. 07/09/2025

    Scaling Fast, Failing Smarter: Justin Andresen’s Playbook for Multi-Venture Momentum

    Send a text In this episode of Beyond the Leap, host Brenda Jones catches up with Justin Andresen—serial entrepreneur, operational opportunist, and founder across sectors from legal marketing to energy to recruiting. What started with high school DJ gigs has evolved into a multi-pronged portfolio with 350+ employees, vertically integrated ecosystems, and a blueprint for scaling the unsexy (and wildly profitable) “boring businesses” most founders overlook. Justin opens up about his transition from recruiter to revenue architect, why he sees failure as a feature (not a flaw), and how loyalty, not just leadership, defines his hiring strategy. Together, Brenda and Justin unpack: Recruiting to Risk-Taking – From a high-commission desk at CyberCoders to building a lead-gen empire that powers law firms and utility providers.The First Million – How a lead business evolved into buying call centers, then energy suppliers—transforming a margin game into full-stack ownership.Fail Fast, Fail Smart – The business partnership lessons that cost him time and capital—and how alignment of values now drives every deal.Boring Business, Big Profits – Why RV parks, tow yards, and candy stores might be smarter bets than flashy startups—and how Justin finds and funds them.Cash Flow Jiu-Jitsu – Juggling multiple business cycles and capital flows while avoiding “founder whiplash.”Systems, SaaS & Sauna – His daily rituals, software dashboards, and how AI fits into the next wave of operational scale.If you’re a founder obsessed with numbers, allergic to fluff, and curious how to go from zero to profitable across industries—this one’s for you. Hit play, then hit repeat. Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/brenda-jones/

    48 min

  2. 07/03/2025

    Code, Capital & Community: Stella Han’s Bold Build from First Deal to Fractional CEO

    Send a text In this episode of Beyond the Leap, host Brenda Jones sits down with Stella Han, CEO of Fractional, to unpack her remarkable evolution from software engineer to real estate investor to VC-backed tech founder. Stella shares how childhood weekends spent painting Bay Area flips with her parents unknowingly laid the foundation for a platform that’s now helping thousands co-own property—and increasingly, businesses. From losing her first deal and EMD to raising $15M from investors like Will Smith and Kevin Durant, Stella walks us through the tactical pivots, product market fit wins, and leadership lessons powering her startup’s momentum. Together, Brenda and Stella unpack: From Flips to Fractional – Stella’s path from out-of-state investing rookie to building a platform that helps everyday people co-own real estate and business assets.Capital Raising Chaos – Losing her first deal, rallying 40+ friends for $1M+, and learning how storytelling—not spreadsheets—wins trust.Startup Speed & Storytelling – How Y Combinator shaped Fractional’s DNA and why founders must craft a narrative that earns both dollars and devotion.B2B2C Pivot – Why Stella shifted focus to operators with built-in networks and how that change unlocked scale, compliance, and impact.Bold CEO Moves – Team-building through off-sites, managing motivation across a remote team, and bringing on the former SEC counsel to safeguard trust.Beyond Real Estate – From real estate to candy stores to planes—how Fractional is enabling the co-ownership generation.If you're a founder, investor, or operator wondering how to build with speed, soul, and scale—this is your blueprint. Hit play and take notes. Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/brenda-jones/

    52 min

  3. 07/02/2025

    Raw and Relentless: Bo DePaoli’s Leap from Burnout Gym Buyout to Multi-Business Empire

    Send a text In this episode of Beyond the Leap, host Brenda Jones talks with Bo DePaoli, CEO of D3 Enterprises and host of the Raw and Relentless podcast. A third-generation entrepreneur with companies spanning fitness, real estate, and industrial construction, Bo reveals how buying a bankrupt gym—and discovering the books were cooked—forced him to rebuild everything with grit, speed, and systems. Together, Brenda and Bo unpack: Grit Over Glamour – surviving a near-bankruptcy gym acquisition with just an IRA and a pricing pivot that added 1,000 members in 30 days.Systems Save Businesses – from SOPs to ERP upgrades, how Bo used structure and core values to scale across high-turnover industries.Speed > Perfection – making rifle-shot decisions, navigating burnout, and why “money loves speed” is more than a mantra—it’s strategy.Mentorship & Mindset – the Canadian gym mogul who helped him pivot fast, and how imposter syndrome and comparison still show up at every level.AI & the Future – automating payroll in construction and deploying AI sales agents to boost gym conversions in real time.If you're stuck overthinking your next move or bogged down by burnout, Bo’s no-fluff journey will push you to act boldly, scale smarter, and bet on grit over glamor. Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/brenda-jones/

    30 min

  4. 06/25/2025

    Trust But Verify: Darrin Yee’s Leap from Pet-Sitting Startup to Private-Equity Deal Maker

    Send a text In this episode of Beyond the Leap, host Brenda Jones talks with Darrin Yee, Chief Investment Officer at EverBridge Capital and co-founder of the Orange County JV real-estate community. Darrin traces his path from “Dudes & Dogs” college dog-sitting to buying, scaling, and exiting physical-therapy clinics—before pivoting into funding Main-Street acquisitions. He explains why trust, but verify guides every loan he underwrites and how the coming “silver tsunami” of retiring baby-boomer owners is the biggest wealth-transfer opportunity of our era. Together, Brenda and Darrin unpack: Dog-Sitter to Deal-Maker – turning a side hustle into two profitable clinics and a private-equity exit—then being fired and finding freedom in business lending.Buying the Boomers’ Businesses – 10–12 k owners retire daily; here’s how to spot, fund, and 3-4× sleepy cash-flow businesses.Trust-But-Verify Toolkit – credit/background screens, three-year financials, DSCR math, and why restaurants & Amazon FBAs rarely pass the test.Bridge-to-SBA Playbook – using short-term bridge loans, seller finance, and creative structures when a company’s books are a mess.Mindset & Mentorship – leveraging Pace Morby’s community, building OC JV to pay wisdom forward, and why “grit” beats pedigree every time.If you’re ready to turn disciplined due diligence into generational wealth—and use capital to buy freedom, not just assets—hit play, take notes, and start trusting and verifying today. Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/brenda-jones/

    47 min

  5. 06/18/2025

    The Power of OPE: Bethany LaFlam’s Leap from Litigation Grind to Capital-Raising Guide

    Send a text In this episode of Beyond the Leap, host Brenda Jones sits down with Bethany LaFlam—CEO & Securities Attorney at Premier Law Group, founder of the Conscious Capital Community (C³), and author of The Power of OPE. Bethany reveals how walking away from 2,200 billable hours and an L.A. commute led her to champion Other People’s Everything as the sanest path to scalable wealth. Together, Brenda and Bethany unpack: Billable-Hour Breakout – quitting a “dream” big-law job (with zero backup plan) to launch her own firm overnight.OPE Framework – leveraging other people’s money, expertise, credibility, and connections to grow fast without burnout.Legal Guardrails 101 – 506(b) vs 506(c) made simple, and why “pay-to-raise” without real duties invites SEC heat.Partner-Vet Playbook – three pre-raise musts: align roles, lock advisors early, document everything—even with family.Mindset & Maintenance – weekly breath-work, fitness, and “white-space” sessions that ignite million-dollar ideas.If you’re ready to scale safely—and ditch the grind for a life you actually love—hit play, take notes, and start tapping Other People’s Everything today. Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/brenda-jones/

    37 min

  6. 06/11/2025

    Screw It, Let’s Try: Beau Basinger’s Pivot from Road-Warrior Marketing to Purpose-Driven Content

    Send a text In this episode of Beyond the Leap, host Brenda Jones welcomes photographer-turned-content-strategist Beau Basinger, whose mantra “screw it, let’s try” carried him from sleeping in a pickup after a real-estate crash to running Beaudacious Media and crafting viral reels for growth-minded founders. Together, Brenda and Beau unpack: Shutdown to Startup – how COVID wiped out Beau’s six-figure experiential-marketing career and pushed him to monetize photography overnight.Mentorship ≠ Expense, It’s a Time Machine – why maxing an $11k credit card on coaching shaved years off his learning curve.Authenticity over Polish – conquering imposter syndrome, using vulnerability as a sales magnet, and the three-second storytelling hook that stops the scroll.Engagement Flywheel – the 15-minute “compliment sprint” that turns strangers into superfans (and clients).Creator Toolkit – low-cost gear, bio-funnel must-haves, and landing-page tactics that monetize a modest audience.If you’re ready to turn uncertainty into opportunity—and build revenue on the far side of fear—hit play, take notes, and start saying “screw it, let’s try.” Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/brenda-jones/

    49 min

  7. 06/04/2025

    Doing It Scared: Marina St. Cyr’s Leap from Hyper-Independence to Power Partnerships

    Send a text In this premiere episode of Beyond the Leap, host Brenda Jones sits down with serial entrepreneur, real-estate investor, author and Access Partners Senior VP of Operations Marina St. Cyr—a leader who swears that “everything I’ve ever wanted was on the other side of fear.” Marina traces her path from lone-wolf property manager to deal-making powerhouse overseeing multiple ventures, M&A transactions, and a diverse real-estate portfolio spanning offices, warehouses, multifamily, and RV parks. Together, Brenda and Marina unpack: Fear as Fuel – why “doing it scared” unlocks joy and momentum.From Solo to Synergy – how abandoning hyper-independence and embracing trusted partners multiplied Marina’s impact.Deal-Maker’s Playbook – straight-talk tactics on structuring partnerships, spotting the money in any asset, and time-blocking a calendar that actually works.Mindset Shifts – the “could the opposite also be true?” question that reframes limitations, plus rapid-fire reflections on daily rituals, growth-mindset reads, and the definition of success at mid-career.If you’ve ever hesitated to ask for help, scale your vision, or chase that intimidating deal, this conversation will give you the nudge—and practical roadmap—you need to leap farther than you thought possible. Hit play, take notes, and get ready to start doing it scared. Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/brenda-jones/

    38 min

  8. 05/22/2025

    Introducing Beyond the Leap with Brenda Jones

    Send a text Beyond the Leap is the business-growth podcast that uncovers what happens after entrepreneurs and executives make their boldest moves. Host / investor / sales strategist Brenda Jones sits down with founders, C-suite leaders, and visionary investors to break down the hard-won lessons, leadership shifts, and breakthrough strategies that followed their biggest leaps.  In this preview episode Brenda shares why she created the show, what “bold moves, breakthroughs, and beyond” really means, and how each interview will arm you with practical insight for your own next step. New conversations drop on a regular cadence—so hit follow and get ready to build what comes after the jump. Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/brenda-jones/

    1 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Beyond the Leap is the business podcast where bold decisions meet lasting success. Hosted by sales strategist, investor, and entrepreneur Brenda Jones, each episode spotlights founders, executives, and investors who risked comfort for greatness—then forged new breakthroughs on the other side. From bootstrapping seven-figure startups to leaving the C-suite for passion ventures, guests share the wins, missteps, and mindset shifts that followed their biggest jumps. Expect candid conversations on raising capital, scaling teams, reinventing brands, and leading through uncertainty—plus rapid-fire takeaways you can put to work right away. If you’re plotting your own leap, navigating post-pivot turbulence, or just love inside looks at high-stakes growth, tune in for fresh inspiration and practical strategy. Bold moves, breakthroughs, and beyond—hit follow and start building what comes after the jump.

Information

  • Creator
    Brenda Jones
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the Leap
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Leap