Built Without a Net

Brad Foley
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Built Without a Net: Where business gets real—People problems, meet practical solutions. Every business hits a point where things get messy—people issues, compliance confusion, and leadership moments that keep you up at night. Each week on Built Without a Net, business owner and fractional HR expert Brad Foley delivers practical advice, real-life stories, and expert insights from entrepreneurs and business leaders who’ve walked through the fire and figured it out the hard way. From hiring and culture to growth challenges and the gray areas no one warns you about, this podcast brings the unfiltered truth behind building and leading a business. This show is for entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to create something sustainable—without losing their minds, their people, or their purpose along the way.

Episodes

  1. Myles Powell: From Cravings to Brand Power

    5D AGO

    Myles Powell: From Cravings to Brand Power

    Myles Powell is a food entrepreneur who traded his career in civil engineering for a passion that truly fed his soul. After graduating from the University of Delaware with a degree in civil engineering and a business minor, he briefly appeared on the Food Network before launching his first venture, 8 Myles. While completing his MBA, he built the brand around premium, clean, frozen comfort foods—most famously mac and cheese with moxie. In 2021, Myles left engineering behind to focus fully on growing his company. Today, his dedication and vision continue to drive expansion as he pursues his bold goal of building one of the only Black-owned CPG companies valued at over $200 million. In this episode, Brad and Myles discuss: Transitioning from civil engineering to food entrepreneurshipThe Food Network experience and how it sparked his first food businessShifting from barbecue sauce to premium frozen mac & cheeseChallenges of consumer psychology, co-packers, and retail distributionLessons learned from Target shelves, Shark Tank, and building a $200M brand vision Key Takeaways:  Myles realized early in his journey that true fulfillment comes from chasing passion rather than clinging to stability. His decision to leave engineering for food entrepreneurship highlights the power of aligning work with purpose.Not every retail shelf is the right fit for a product, and name recognition alone doesn’t guarantee success. Finding the right market placement can make or break a brand.In food CPG, consumer psychology is often the invisible battlefield. Entrepreneurs must anticipate behaviors and pain points better than customers can articulate.Growth doesn’t always mean getting bigger fast—sometimes the smartest move is to stay lean. Strategic spending and efficiency can protect a business when rapid scaling leads to high burn rates.Resilience, support systems, and the mindset of saying “Why not?” fuel long-term entrepreneurial success. Each setback becomes less of a failure and more of an opportunity to move forward stronger. “Remember that people will try all products, but they'll consistently buy brands.”  - Myles Powell Connect with Myles Powell: Website: https://www.mylescomfortfoods.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myles-powell-5b529025/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MylesComfortFoods  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylescomfortfoods/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mylescomfortfoods  Email: myles@mylescomfortfoods.com  Connect with Brad Foley: Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/  Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com  Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    41 min
  2. 5 Myths about HR in Small Business

    AUG 27

    5 Myths about HR in Small Business

    Every business eventually faces problems—compliance hurdles, employee complaints, and leadership challenges that no one saw coming. In this episode, we dive into five common myths about HR in small businesses and uncover the truth behind them, offering practical solutions that protect your team, your growth, and your peace of mind. In this episode, Brad discusses: Why even the smallest businesses still “have HR” whether they realize it or notHow consistency in HR policies protects businesses from claims of discriminationWhy past luck with employee issues isn’t a future-proof strategyThe truth about outsourcing HR and how it impacts control and complianceWhy good managers with common sense still need HR guardrails Key Takeaways:  Having even one employee means HR already exists in your business, and neglecting compliance can lead to significant financial and legal consequences. It’s not optional—it’s a responsibility that begins the moment you hire.Rather than tying leaders’ hands, HR brings consistency and fairness to decision-making, creating a stronger foundation for trust and reducing unnecessary risks.Just because you haven’t experienced employee complaints or lawsuits doesn’t mean you’re safe. Future-proofing your business requires proactive HR policies and a commitment to risk management.Outsourcing HR doesn’t mean losing control—it means gaining access to expertise while keeping the final say in every decision. The right partnership enhances structure and confidence.Common sense alone isn’t enough when it comes to legal compliance. HR expertise helps managers avoid costly mistakes by providing the clarity, guardrails, and legal context they need to act wisely. “If you have even one employee, you have HR, and so you need to figure out how to manage it.”  - Brad Foley Connect with Brad Foley: Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/  Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com  Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    25 min
  3. Darren Mende: Leadership in the Unthinkable Moment

    AUG 27

    Darren Mende: Leadership in the Unthinkable Moment

    Darren P. Mende, CPA, MBA, is the founder of DP Mende & Co., a boutique firm delivering accounting, tax, small‑business advisory, and fractional CFO/COO services. Energetic and forward‑thinking, he helps entrepreneurs and individuals drive positive change by bridging finance, operations, and technology. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, Darren is also a Certified Real Estate Appraiser and seasoned C‑suite leader. His firm specializes in tailored solutions—from startup modeling and business structuring to tech implementation, M&A support, and succession planning. Darren’s unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on expertise empowers clients to navigate today’s complex small‑business landscape. In this episode, Brad and Darren discuss: Darren’s path from moving furniture and driving trucks to becoming a CPA and business leaderLessons learned from leading through toxic leadership transitionsThe impact of COVID-19 on a growing company and navigating sudden financial challengesThe unexpected loss of a founder and its effect on the business and teamKey strategies for succession planning, crisis management, and mental health in leadership Key Takeaways:  A well-defined succession plan and adequate key person insurance can be the difference between a business surviving a crisis or collapsing under pressure. These safeguards ensure continuity when unexpected events occur.Toxic leadership does more than lower morale—it erodes trust, damages team cohesion, and can take years to repair. Addressing it early prevents long-term organizational harm.During turbulent times, consistent communication and transparency create stability. When employees know the truth, even in difficult situations, they’re more likely to stay engaged and aligned.Successful leaders understand that difficult choices around staffing and budgets are sometimes unavoidable. Decisive action in these moments can protect the company’s long-term viability.Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s also about human connection. Prioritizing mental health, checking in regularly with colleagues, and fostering openness can make a life-changing difference. “Mental health is real, and we don't know fully what's going on in someone's broader life as much as we know them.” - Darren Mende Connect with Darren Mende: Website: https://dpmende.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenmende/  Connect with Brad Foley: Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/  Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com  Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    47 min
  4. Welcome to the Built Without a Net podcast!

    TRAILER

    Welcome to the Built Without a Net podcast!

    Every business hits a point where things get messy—team dynamics, compliance, surprises, and leadership moments that test everything you've built. Welcome to Built Without a Net, where business gets real and people's problems meet practical solutions. Hosted by business owner and fractional HR expert Brad Foley, this show dives into the challenges no one prepares you for so that you can lead through the hard stuff and build something that actually works. In this episode, Brad discusses: Why Built Without a Net is more than an HR podcast and is about real business leadership challengesHow Brad’s career path—from corporate HR to launching his own business—shaped his approach to problem-solvingThe reality check of starting a business, including the risks, sacrifices, and steep learning curvesWhy finding the right support and community matters for business ownersWhat listeners can expect from future episodes, including leadership stories, compliance updates, and actionable insights Key Takeaways:  Built Without a Net shines a spotlight on the real, messy challenges leaders face—cutting through theory to share raw, practical solutions you can actually use. It’s about addressing what happens in the trenches, not just what’s written in the manuals.Brad’s professional detours, from corporate HR to entrepreneurship, provided him with unexpected skills and perspectives that became essential for running his own business. Sometimes the winding road equips you better than the straight path.Excelling at your craft is one thing, but running a successful business demands an entirely different skill set. The transition from specialist to business owner requires learning on the fly and wearing multiple hats.No leader can thrive entirely on their own. Having both personal allies and professional partners is crucial when navigating the uncertainty of building something without a safety net.Listeners can expect candid, encouraging, and highly actionable insights. This podcast offers not just knowledge, but the motivation and perspective needed to push forward through the toughest moments. “When you're building something from scratch without a team behind you, no safety net, it's challenging, and frankly, it can be lonely, and it's hard sometimes to find the right support that you need at the moment that you need it. That's why I put this podcast together. Built Without a Net is meant to be a sounding board, a place that you can turn for insight and perspective and a sense that you're not the only one trying to figure this out.”  - Brad Foley Connect with Brad Foley: Website: https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfoley/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrvaluepartners/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrvaluepartners/  Email: brad@hrvaluepartners.com  Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    10 min

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About

Built Without a Net: Where business gets real—People problems, meet practical solutions. Every business hits a point where things get messy—people issues, compliance confusion, and leadership moments that keep you up at night. Each week on Built Without a Net, business owner and fractional HR expert Brad Foley delivers practical advice, real-life stories, and expert insights from entrepreneurs and business leaders who’ve walked through the fire and figured it out the hard way. From hiring and culture to growth challenges and the gray areas no one warns you about, this podcast brings the unfiltered truth behind building and leading a business. This show is for entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to create something sustainable—without losing their minds, their people, or their purpose along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Brad Foley
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 | All Rights Reserved | Brand Foley https://www.hrvaluepartners.com/
  • Show Website
    Built Without a Net