Built to Last

Levi Lawrence and Colby Jardine
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Candid conversations with entrepreneurs on life and business. Join us as we uncover the habits, mindsets, and strategies that help organizations and people thrive for the long haul.

  1. Navigating Change & What Comes Next (Season Finale)

    10/17/2025

    Navigating Change & What Comes Next (Season Finale)

    Colby and Levi sit down, just the two of them. Reflecting on their first season of Built to Last. A 15-episode journey exploring the messy, real, and transformative experiences of entrepreneurs. They revisit standout moments from guests, and also share how these conversations shaped their own business journey at Iron House Pro, and how both the podcast and their company are evolving toward a clearer mission: helping organizations navigate change. If you’ve ever questioned your next step, wrestled with growth, or needed space to hear real talk from fellow builders. This episode is for you.  Links & Resources: Iron House Pro https://www.ironhousepro.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/levilawrence/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-jardine/ 00:00 – Season Wrap-Up & Why It Matters Recap of how the podcast started and evolvedReflections on hitting 15 episodes and the value of “just starting”Why these kinds of conversations are rare—but necessary 03:00 – What We Learned from Our Guests Highlights from episodes with Justinas, Anthony, Michael, and MarinaLessons on grit, offshoring, burnout, moving countries, and perspectiveAcknowledging the emotional and practical weight behind entrepreneurial decisions 11:30 – The Power of Real Conversations Levi and Colby share how meaningful dialogue shaped themThoughts on small talk fatigue and the value of depthDiversity of experiences from guests across regions and industries 17:00 – Evolving Iron House Pro’s Focus How their work organically shifted toward helping companies navigate changeDefining the real value behind services like tech adoption, websites, and process workFinding alignment and clarity in both mission and language 25:00 – Why We’re Doubling Down on Change Real-world examples of organizational risk, artificial margin, and technical debtStories of small but impactful shifts in collaboration, onboarding, and structureHow building resilience often means investing in things that won’t show ROI right away 36:00 – Culture, Communication & Shared Language Why shared values, expectations, and conflict frameworks matterBuilding environments where people can take time off without fearCreating connection through team rituals and common experience 41:00 – Season 2: A New Focus Why the podcast will now center around “navigating change”How the guest lineup and structure will shift moving forwardInviting stories from listeners—especially the ones that aren’t often heard

    42 min
  2. The Hard Truths of Small Town Entrepreneurship – With Michael Petrovici

    10/02/2025

    The Hard Truths of Small Town Entrepreneurship – With Michael Petrovici

    In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with entrepreneur and self-described “chaotic builder” Mihai (Michael) Petrovici. Whose journey from a Walmart manager to a multi-business owner in Bathurst, NB is equal parts inspiring and cautionary. With 7 businesses, 50+ employees, and a distillery now under his belt, Michael opens up about what it really takes to build something from scratch in a small town. From tight payroll weeks to the pride of seeing a packed café you helped create, Michael doesn’t sugarcoat the highs or the lows. Whether you’re considering launching a product, scaling operations, or just surviving the chaos of entrepreneurship, this episode will leave you feeling less alone and more equipped for the journey! https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpetrovici/ https://www.nbdistillery.ca/  https://www.aubootlegger.com/ Segment Breakdown: 00:00 | From Romania to New Brunswick  • Michael shares how his early life and family journey brought him to small-town Canada. 02:00 | Landing in Bathurst (By Accident)  • A temporary relocation becomes permanent—and unexpectedly sparks entrepreneurship. 05:00 |Au Bootlegger: The First Business  • Opening a craft beer bar without restaurant experience, and learning everything on the fly. 08:30 | Applying Walmart Systems to Small Biz  • How Michael brought structure, operations, and process to his bar using corporate tools. 11:00 | Starting Caffeine Café  • Launching a low-risk coffee concept that filled a local gap—and quickly gained traction. 14:30 | Buying a Bookkeeping Business  • His entry into service-based business and how automation changed the model. 17:00 | Growth vs. Sustainability  • Why Michael resists the pressure to scale for the sake of it—and what he focuses on instead. 20:00 | When Payroll Gets Tight  • A close call with cash flow and the lessons learned about forecasting and responsibility. 23:30 | Building the Distillery  • The personal passion and strategic thinking behind launching NB Distillery. 26:30 | Forecasting Gone Wrong  • The reality check that came from overestimating product demand—and underestimating risk. 29:30 | Juggling 7 Businesses  • How Michael manages chaos, team dynamics, and leadership across multiple ventures. 32:00 | A Brutal Winter in Business  • One of the toughest seasons yet—and what it revealed about resilience. 35:00 | Marketing vs. Product Quality  • The challenge of competing in a crowded liquor market where flash often beats substance. 38:00 | Why He Still Believes in Local  • Despite the setbacks, Michael shares why community-driven business still matters. 41:00 | The 5-Story Project  • A new residential build, how it came together, and why it’s more than just real estate. 45:00 | Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs  • Why he recommends building cautiously—and keeping your day job early on. 50:00 | Would He Do It Again?  • Final reflections on pride, risk, and what drives him to keep building.

    1h 9m
  3. How Inner Change Powers Business Success - With Gina Mollicone-Long

    09/25/2025

    How Inner Change Powers Business Success - With Gina Mollicone-Long

    Colby and Levi sit down with Gina Mollicone-Long Author, speaker, coach, and founder of the Greatness Group, for an energizing conversation about personal transformation, belief systems, and the real meaning of success. Gina shares her path from a high-achieving corporate career to launching multiple businesses rooted in systems thinking, personal development, and high-performance leadership. From stories about charging her first client triple her salary to reflections on parenting, family dynamics, and failure, Gina brings humor, honesty, and clarity to every topic. Ginas Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginamollicone/ Website: https://ginamollicone.com/  00:00 – Welcome Colby shares how he met Gina and why this conversation needed to happen. 03:00 – Mind Meets Matter Gina introduces her work and obsession with systems, performance, and transformation. 06:00 – ESP & Engineering From asking for psychic school at 10 to earning an engineering degree—Gina shares her start. 11:00 – The Leap Out of Corporate Leaving Molson wasn’t a plan—it was survival. Gina shares what it really felt like to quit. 15:00 – The $300/hr Moment Why doubling her rate changed everything—and what it taught her about self-worth. 20:00 – People Reflect What You Expect How your self-perception shapes how others respond to you. 23:00 – Systems > Symptoms Gina unpacks how systems thinking applies to both business and personal growth. 27:00 – Adversity Unlocks Potential From immigrant roots to inner resilience—how Gina’s family history shaped her mindset. 32:00 – Building The Greatness Group A look behind the business: training, team building, coaching, and scalable delivery. 36:00 – Pandemic Pivots How 2020 forced Gina and her husband to adapt every aspect of their business—and home. 41:00 – Discovering NLP by Accident The unexpected way she stumbled into NLP—and how it transformed her approach. 45:00 – Updating the Program Why holding onto outdated beliefs is like running Word 95 on a modern system. 51:00 – Clearing the Mental Clutter How Gina helps people release limiting beliefs and make room for change. 56:00 – Growing Past Your Circle What to do when your growth outpaces your environment—especially with family. 1:02:00 – Oxford & Neurotheology Why she’s going all-in on a PhD—and how it connects science and spirit. 1:07:00 – Breaking Family Patterns Why families function like systems—and how to shift deep-rooted dynamics. 1:14:00 – When Growth Feels Like Rejection Levi reflects on how personal growth can be misunderstood by loved ones. 1:19:00 – Letting Go to Grow Up Why rejection is often needed for independence—whether you’re a kid or a founder. 1:25:00 – The Gift of Failure Reframing failure as fuel for transformation—not something to avoid. 1:30:00 – You vs. The Wall A marathon story that unlocked a belief: you can do more than you think. 1:38:00 – The Filter Is the Problem Why we only see a sliver of reality—and how to take control of your lens. 1:43:00 – Debugging Beliefs How bad logic and flawed data create limiting beliefs—and how to shift them. 1:49:00 – If You Could Install One Belief… The belief Gina would help people unlock—and why it’s always personal. 1:57:00 – Toboggan Tracks & Possibility A metaphor about repetition, ruts, and what it takes to change direction. 2:00:00 – Wrap-Up A record-breaking conversation closes with reflections

    2h 3m
  4. Why People-First Isn’t Enough: Rethinking Culture with Pierre Battah

    07/11/2025

    Why People-First Isn’t Enough: Rethinking Culture with Pierre Battah

    Challenging common leadership mantras with wisdom, wit, and real-world stories. In this episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby are joined by leadership expert, award-winning author, and jazz bassist Pierre Battah. What begins as a nostalgic reconnection turns into a candid, insightful exploration of leadership, organizational culture, and the future of work. Pierre shares personal stories from his transition from HR executive to independent consultant and speaker, lessons learned through tough client calls, and his approach to reshaping culture from fear-based to learning-oriented environments. The conversation dives into the nuances of facilitation, performance psychology, and the evolving employer-employee relationship. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or emerging leader, this episode offers practical wisdom and plenty of inspiration. Links and Resources Mentioned Pierre Battah –https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrebattah/ Pierre Battah’s website and book https://www.pierrebattah.com/ Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) https://www.canadianspeakers.org/ David Allen – Getting Things Done https://gettingthingsdone.com/ Quotes Worth Sharing “It’s not about being happy—it’s about being engaged.” “I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. I set out to be independent—and then got hooked.” “Culture isn’t ‘people first.’ It’s results through people.” “Safety isn’t soft. It’s the foundation for productivity.” “Not all things that are curious are part of the work.” Segment Breakdown 07:00 – Changing the Employer-Employee Relationship Reframing leadership in the age of talent scarcity. From “you’re lucky to have a job” to “we’re lucky to have you” Why culture change is harder than culture theory 14:00 – People First? Not Quite. Why “people first” can be misleading The importance of balancing empathy with high standards Creating cultures that are challenging, not coddling 20:00 – Breaking the Culture of Fear A real-world example of cultural fear at a successful company Transitioning to a learning culture: the power of debriefs, safe space, and senior-level self-awareness Why some leaders need to step back for progress to happen 27:00 – When to Walk Away from a Client Recognizing misalignment, even when you're hired Ethics and candor in advisory roles When great work isn’t the right fit 33:00 – Craft of Facilitation & Speaking Pierre’s journey from comfortable speaker to certified pro Learning the science behind storytelling, delivery, and adult education The blend of edutainment and real impact 41:00 – Writing a Book & Building Credibility The surprising reason Pierre decided to write Humans, Resourced Behind the scenes of hybrid publishing and distribution Why a book may not be a business—but it can still build one 61:00 – Advice for Young Professionals Stop chasing passion—start with what you’re good at The unexpected journey from engineering to agriculture Why trying and failing early matters 68:00 – The Future of Work & Leadership The two biggest trends to watch: AI and patterns in your own business Importance of white space and strategy time Why being surrounded by big thinkers matters 75:00 – The Limits of Psychology in Change Work Behavior change vs. emotional diagnosis Organizational coaching and habit adoption The role of incentives in leadership development 83:00 – Levi & Colby Reflect on Resistance Why meaningful change often starts with organizing your data The resistance to long-term investment when ROI isn’t immediate Why “working with” instead of “working at” is a mantra at Iron House

    1h 45m
  5. Building Impact Across Borders: A Founder’s Journey Through Startups, Setbacks, and Social Change with Justinus Adriaanse

    06/21/2025

    Building Impact Across Borders: A Founder’s Journey Through Startups, Setbacks, and Social Change with Justinus Adriaanse

    In this wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, we sit down with Justinus Adriaanse—a South African-born entrepreneur whose life journey spans tech startups, social impact, and the pursuit of a more just world. From launching and scaling one of South Africa’s leading real estate platforms to founding a tuition-free coding academy for underserved youth, Justinus shares a remarkable story of transformation shaped by adversity, leadership, and an evolving worldview. We explore the cultural forces that shaped his early assumptions, the inflection points that shifted his path, and the lessons learned from business success, personal hardship, and moving his family across continents. With honesty and clarity, Justinus reflects on growing as a leader, learning to code at 30, building inclusive organizations—and why happiness might just come down to expectations (and a good meal at Nando’s). Links and Resources Justinus on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinusadriaanse/WeThinkCode – A South African non-profit coding academy co-founded by Justinus https://www.wethinkcode.co.za/Private Property – Real estate portal he helped grow and transform https://www.privateproperty.co.za/Tommy Gun’s Barbershop – The Canadian business Justinus now helps operate and grow https://www.tommyguns.com/Solve for Happy by Mo Gawdat – Book on happiness and expectations https://www.mogawdat.com/solve-for-happyCrucial Conversations & Crucial Influence – Frameworks that shaped his leadership style https://cruciallearning.com/Time to Think by Nancy Kline – On creating space for better decision-making https://www.timetothink.com/The Art of Possibility by Rosamund & Benjamin Zander – A book about mindset shifts and reframing assumptions https://www.benjaminzander.org/the-art-of-possibility/ Quotes Worth Sharing “You can’t always change the world you live in, but you can change your expectations of it—and that’s where happiness begins.”“Coding taught me a process for problem solving—without risk. That’s the magic.”“If we create the right process and work on ourselves, we can make a great partnership with 80% of the population.”“We’re either building a country that works for everyone—or eventually it works for no one.”“It’s not about picking the best decision. It’s about picking the best decision people can buy into.” Chapter Breakdown 02:50 – Growing Up in Apartheid-Era South Africa. 07:00 – Building & Scaling Private Property 20:00 – Turning It Around 28:00 – A New Life in Canada 35:00 – Tommy Gun’s & Canadian Business 40:00 – Tech for Opportunity: WeThinkCode 52:00 – Reframing Identity Through an MBA 69:00 – Partnership Conflict & Crucial Conversations 77:00 – Coding, AI & Problem-Solving 83:00 – Buying vs. Building a Business 88:00 – Entrepreneurial Cultures: SA vs. Canada 94:00 – Long-Term Focus & Leadership Growth 103:00 – On Happiness, Health & Perspective Finding joy in the simple—Nando’s included.

    1h 51m
  6. Visibility with Intention: Build a Brand That’s Bigger Than Your Business with Marina Byezhanova

    05/30/2025

    Visibility with Intention: Build a Brand That’s Bigger Than Your Business with Marina Byezhanova

    In this episode of Built to Last, Levi and Colby sit down with Marina Byezhanova, a globally recognized personal branding expert, entrepreneur, and speaker, for a deeply candid and energizing conversation about identity, growth, and what it means to show up as a leader. From navigating business failures in public, to building thought leadership that transcends a company name, Marina shares hard-earned insights that resonate with anyone who's wrestled with visibility, reinvention, or the pressure to be “the face” of a business. The conversation touches on the power of personal brand strategy, how to lead without burning out, the evolving role of AI in marketing, and why stacking joy is one of Marina’s guiding principles. It’s a fast-paced, vulnerable, and insightful exchange. What starts as a professional conversation quickly becomes a powerful connection between peers building businesses with meaning. Links and Resources Mentioned Marina on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmarina/ Marina’s personal branding agency: https://www.brandofaleader.com/ Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO): https://eonetwork.org/ Ryan Holiday, Ego is the Enemy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju8WoRcR4Qo Quotes Worth Sharing “You didn’t build a personal brand. You were the spokesperson for your business—and that’s a big difference.” “I only say yes to things that give me energy. If it drains me, I delegate or delete.” “When you build your brand right, it will always be bigger than your business.” “We are often building visibility, but if we fail, we fail in public.” “Stacking is my life philosophy—bringing my whole life together, instead of splitting it apart.” Segment Breakdown with Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Marina: Life, Travel & Leadership Introduction to Marina’s story: Ukrainian roots, Canadian immigration, global work How she started Brand of a Leader and built a remote-first team Her passion for EO and thought leadership 06:30 – Leading Without Burnout Marina’s hack: only doing what energizes her Delegation as an act of self-awareness Family, parenting, and the joy-centered life design model 14:45 – Finding Your People (and Yourself) How EO helped Marina feel like she finally “fit” as an entrepreneur The impact of peer groups on personal and professional growth Redefining success and shedding outdated friendships 22:00 – The Real Personal Brand Why most people confuse personal branding with just being visible How to separate yourself from your business The difference between being a thought leader vs. a company spokesperson 33:40 – AI, Identity & the Future of Visibility How Brand of a Leader embraced AI as a co-creator The rise of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Why storytelling and emotion will always matter more than tech 44:30 – Leadership Through War & Hardship Marina’s deeply personal account of the war in Ukraine How her EO Ukraine forum became a source of strength and perspective Hiring Ukrainian talent as a meaningful business decision 56:00 – Making Decisions Through Joy Why fun is Marina’s true north Lessons from speaking, stacking, and leading high-stakes EO events How aligning to joy creates more energy, clarity, and success 1:06:00 – Thought Leadership and the Power of Perspective What makes someone truly stand out in a crowded space Why “just post” is the worst advice for founders How real introspection creates authentic differentiation

    1h 52m
  7. Episode 9: The Buyer’s Lens: Seeing Your Business for What It Is with David Barnett

    05/16/2025

    Episode 9: The Buyer’s Lens: Seeing Your Business for What It Is with David Barnett

    In this episode, Levi and Colby are joined by David Barnett — business broker turned consultant, author, and content creator — for a masterclass in buying, selling, and valuing small businesses. David shares his journey from Yellow Pages rep to business owner, debt broker, and ultimately trusted advisor helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of business transactions. The conversation dives deep into lessons learned from brokerage, the realities of small business exits, how real-world transactions often differ from theory, and why systems, not just passion, build enduring organizations. The episode also explores how content marketing, authorship, and thought leadership have fueled David’s consulting business, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs thinking about how to build reputation and revenue streams beyond direct operations. Packed with candid advice, practical frameworks, and a dose of tough love, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering buying, selling, or scaling a business. Links and Resources Mentioned David on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbarnettmoncton/ David Barnett’s Website: DavidCBarnett.com Books by David Barnett https://www.investlocalbook.com/p/buy-book.html Courses by David - https://www.businessbuyeradvantage.com/ YouTube Channel: David Barnett’s channel with over 700 videos - https://www.youtube.com/@DavidCBarnett Quotes Worth Sharing "The business is the cash flow — that's what someone is acquiring, not just the stuff inside." "Businesses are always worth far more to their owners than they are to the buyers." "Luck often explains success in business more than genius — sometimes the right person was simply hired at the right time." "If you want to sell your business for more, make it more profitable — you get to enjoy the profits while you still own it." "Don't buy yourself a job unless that's exactly what you want." Segment Breakdown with Timestamps 00:00 – 07:00 | Introducing David Barnett: A Life in Business David shares his early passion for business and journey through Yellow Pages sales, entrepreneurship, and business finance. Lessons learned during the 2008–09 financial crisis. The evolution from business broker to consultant. 07:00 – 14:30 | From Broker to Consultant: Building a Better Model The flaws in the traditional brokerage commission model. How David transitioned to a consulting business structure. Early use of YouTube to automate sales conversations. Going from local clients to an international consulting practice. 14:30 – 27:00 | Lessons in Systems, Franchises, and Business Building How systemization helped David successfully build and sell his first business. The myth vs. reality of franchise support systems. Importance of documented processes to create transferable business value. Why small operational details often separate great businesses from average ones. 27:00 – 42:00 | Buying and Selling Businesses: Tough Love Edition Why most small businesses don’t sell (80% failure rate). How owners often drastically overvalue their businesses. The real market dynamics for Main Street businesses (under $500k cashflow). Five main reasons people are forced to sell: burnout, poor health, divorce, relocation, retirement. 42:00 – 59:00 | The Reality of Small Business Acquisitions Insights on "buying a business without money" claims. Understanding buyer competition and market realities. How to create your own deal flow outside of traditional brokers. Why passion can sometimes blind buyers to real business risks. 59:00 – 1:15:00 | Deal Structuring, Due Diligence, and Red Flags How to evaluate small businesses realistically (cash flow, working capital, client concentration). Hidden pitfalls: improper broker valuations, missing

    1h 56m
  8. Episode 8: From Beer to Bugs: Building Businesses That Actually Matter with Stephen Dixon

    04/26/2025

    Episode 8: From Beer to Bugs: Building Businesses That Actually Matter with Stephen Dixon

    In this episode of the Build to Last podcast, Levi and Colby sit down with entrepreneur and self-described “solutionist” Stephen Dixon, founder of GrimRoss Brewing. The conversation ranges widely—from the messy, nonlinear path of growing a business to the philosophical underpinnings of meaningful work. Stephen shares how brewing beer led him to create a side venture tackling industrial waste with black soldier fly larvae, all in the pursuit of sustainable, circular solutions. But this isn’t just a story about business success. Stephen opens up about burnout, rediscovering health after years of neglect, and why legacy now means solving real, human-scale problems. Whether you’re scaling a company or just trying to reclaim your time and purpose, this episode offers wisdom wrapped in laughter, curiosity, and genuine connection.   Links and Resources Stephen on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixonstephen/ GrimRoss Brewing Co. – https://www.grimross.com/ The Solutionists by Solitaire Townsend – https://www.koganpage.com/responsible-business/the-solutionists-9781398609327 Peter Attia – Physician known for work on longevity and the “Centenarian Decathlon.” https://peterattiamd.com/ BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits – Framework that helped Stephen overhaul his health through small changes. - https://tinyhabits.com/ Naval Ravikant – Entrepreneur and thinker mentioned in the context of big questions and meaning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Ravikant Chris Williamson Podcast – Referenced in the discussion around self-kindness. - https://chriswillx.com/podcast/ Black Soldier Fly Larvae – Central to Stephen’s waste management startup concept. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens Quotes Worth Sharing “I don’t want to be dependent—I want the freedom to choose how I spend my day.” – Stephen Dixon “Entrepreneurship is just solving problems people care about. That’s it.” – Stephen Dixon “You can’t outsource understanding. I needed to know how everything worked so I could build it and let it go.” – Stephen Dixon “Fitness isn’t about perfection. It’s about tiny habits, compounding over time.” – Stephen Dixon “We’re trying to build systems so we don’t have to do it—so we can, not so we must.” – Levi Lawrence Episode Breakdown 5:00 – 12:30 | Starting GrimRoss & Leaving the Safety Net Brewing beer as a side hobby and early-stage entrepreneurship. The moment Stephen decided to build something he could fully understand and operate solo. 12:30 – 21:00 | Delegation, Growth, and Letting Go How GrimRoss scaled through organic need—staffing, systems, and trust. Why meaningful delegation is a constant cycle, not a one-time event. 21:00 – 30:00 | The Shift Toward Impact Stephen’s personal health crisis and COVID wake-up call. Redefining success: from ROI to long-term human impact and sustainability. 30:00 – 43:00 | The Black Soldier Fly Affair The hilarious and humble beginnings of an insect-based waste solution—starting in a basement. Exploring circular economy thinking and the protein revolution. 43:00 – 54:00 | Systems Thinking & Iron House Pro’s Role Why most founders want independence—not retirement. Discussing Iron House Pro’s work helping businesses reduce founder dependence and scale sustainably. 54:00 – 1:10:00 | Fitness, Identity & The Long Game Strength, mobility, and the Centenarian Workout. How physical health mirrors organizational health—and how to shift from guilt to purpose-driven habits. 1:10:00 – 1:25:00 | Big Questions, Small Changes Meditation, moderation, and meaning: lessons from Buddhist thought and quantum theory.

    1h 44m
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About

Candid conversations with entrepreneurs on life and business. Join us as we uncover the habits, mindsets, and strategies that help organizations and people thrive for the long haul.

Information

  • Creator
    Levi Lawrence and Colby Jardine
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Built to Last
  • Show Website
    Built to Last