Ground Up Growth

Paul Hopper

Ground Up Growth brings insightful stories around entrepreneurs, business leaders and self-development. This podcast is hosted by Paul Hopper, a Mississippi real estate broker and developer with over $1B in company sales. Join Paul as he dives into personal & business strategies, entrepreneurial insights and growing pains faced along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, ”Ground Up Growth” delivers actionable advice and inspiring stories to help fuel your journey and build success from the ground up.

  1. 3D AGO

    Service Over Scale: The Unconventional Way Dr. Grace Sturdivant Built Her Business

    What does it actually look like to build a business without losing who you are? In Part 2 with Grace Sturdivant (OtoPro Technologies), we go beyond the origin story and into the real decisions that shape a business—scaling vs. staying lean, product vs. service, and growth vs. identity. Grace shares how she turned a single relationship into a major opportunity with MeatEater, why she refuses to sign exclusivity deals, and how she’s built a profitable company with zero debt—all while prioritizing people over products. We also talk about: The hidden challenges of growth and scaling Building a relationship-driven brand Competing without compromising your values Entrepreneurship as a mother Practical advice for women forging their own path This episode is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone trying to build something that lasts. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on business, entrepreneurship, and growth from the ground up.

    43 min

  2. MAR 31

    Dr. Grace Sturdivant, Owner & Founder, OtoPro Technologies

    In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down with Grace from OtoPro Technologies, a Mississippi-based hearing protection company redefining how people think about hearing health. Grace shares her journey from growing up in Grenada, Mississippi, to becoming a Doctor of Audiology and building an unexpected business from the ground up. What started as a simple desire to help friends and family protect their hearing turned into a nationwide service model—connecting clients with a network of hundreds of clinics across the U.S. and beyond. We dive into the powerful connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline, the gaps in traditional healthcare systems, and how Grace identified a real-world problem and built a business around solving it. She also opens up about balancing motherhood and career, taking risks without a clear roadmap, and building a lean, service-first company that thrives on relationships and word-of-mouth. This episode is a conversation about following conviction, creating opportunity where others see obstacles, and building something meaningful—one relationship at a time.

    44 min

  3. MAR 24

    Why Hard Work Still Wins (Lessons from a PBR Bull Rider)

    In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down for part 2 with Lonnie Stevenson—owner of Circle S Incorporated, industrial cleaning company leader, and former PBR Finals bull rider—to talk about what it truly takes to build a successful business from the ground up. Lonnie shares how his rodeo background shaped his work ethic, discipline, and values—and how those same principles helped him grow a company rooted in quality, opportunity, and team culture. We dive into: Why hard work and consistency still win in any industry The importance of taking pride in your work—even in the toughest jobs How strong leadership creates six-figure opportunities for employees The role of core values, faith, and responsibility in long-term success Why you don’t need a college degree to build something meaningful Lessons from influential mentors and building a people-first business Lonnie also shares stories from his time traveling the world as a professional bull rider, insights on leadership, and his perspective on what’s missing in today’s workforce. If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or someone looking to grow in your career, this episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t complicated—it’s built on discipline, integrity, and showing up every day ready to work.

    27 min

  4. MAR 17

    Lonnie Steverson: Vice President, Circle S Inc.

    From bull riding arenas to industrial job sites, Lonnie Steverson’s story is built on grit, risk, and resilience. In this episode of Ground Up Growth, Lonnie—owner of Circle S Incorporated—shares how a family business that started with painting and “figuring it out” evolved into a multi-state industrial cleaning operation. After losing his father at just 20 years old, Lonnie and his mom worked to keep the business alive, eventually growing it into a company with 80+ employees serving plants across the Southeast. Along the way, Lonnie was also chasing a different kind of dream—competing as a professional bull rider in the PBR. He opens up about that chapter, the injuries that changed his path, and the moment he chose to go all-in on the business. This conversation is about more than hydroblasting and hard jobs—it’s about leadership, earning respect, taking care of your people, and learning the work from the ground up. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build something that lasts, this one’s for you.

    27 min

  5. MAR 10

    Self-Storage Isn’t Passive Income: Development Headaches, Industry Trends & StorageMax’s Story

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Nick Newcomb, CEO of StorageMax, we dive into the realities behind the self-storage industry—an asset class many people assume is easy “mailbox money.” Nick shares the real challenges of building and operating self-storage facilities, including development hurdles like wetland mitigation, construction complications, and the everyday operational issues that come with managing dozens of locations and customers. We also discuss: • The biggest pain points in the self-storage business • Real estate development challenges most people never see • Why self-storage isn’t as passive as people think • Market shifts affecting storage demand today • Competition from large REITs and national operators • How StorageMax builds community relationships and brand loyalty • Using AI and automation in the storage industry • The future of StorageMax and expansion into RV parks and new markets If you're interested in real estate investing, entrepreneurship, self-storage development, or building a long-term family business, this episode gives an honest look inside one of Mississippi’s largest storage companies.

    27 min

  6. MAR 3

    Nick Newcomb: Owner, StorageMax

    In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down with Nick Newcomb, CEO of StorageMax, the largest self-storage operator in Mississippi. Nick shares his path from growing up on a Delta farm to leading a multi-state self-storage portfolio with nearly 40 locations across Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. We dig into his early career in commercial real estate, the hands-on years spent learning every level of the StorageMax operation, and how a focus on systems, people, and customer experience helped scale the business through multiple market cycles. This conversation covers: -What self-storage really looks like behind the scenes (hint: it’s not just “metal buildings and mailbox money”) -The difference between traditional storage and Class A developments -How post-2008 and post-COVID markets shaped StorageMax’s growth strategy -Why systems, technology, and consistency matter more than rapid expansion -Nick’s role in state and national self-storage associations and industry advocacy This episode focuses on Nick’s career journey and leadership philosophy. In Part Two, we’ll go deeper into the operational realities of the self-storage industry—pain points, acquisitions, and what it actually takes to scale. If you’re interested in real estate, operations, or building a durable business from the ground up, this one’s for you.

    29 min

  7. FEB 24

    Labor Nightmares, Burnout, and Building Tuk Tuk Boom from Scratch | Will Puckett

    In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we continue our conversation with Tuk Tuk Boom owner Will Puckett. Will gets real about what it actually takes to build a business from the ground up—especially in the restaurant industry. We dive into the realities of labor shortages, managing emotions and personalities, learning to delegate, and surviving burnout when the pressure is nonstop. From opening a restaurant with zero experience to navigating leadership, trust, and long hours, Will shares the unfiltered lessons most people never talk about. This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck in a job they hate, has an idea they keep putting off, or needs the reminder that the hardest part is simply starting. If you’ve ever asked yourself “What if I just did it?” — this episode is for you. Topics covered: Labor challenges and skilled staffing Delegation, leadership, and trust Burnout and recalibrating as a business owner Taking risks without a safety net Why passion matters more than experience

    28 min

  8. FEB 17

    Will Puckett: Owner, Tuk Tuk Boom

    In this episode of Ground Up Growth, Paul Hopper is joined by first-time co-host Hannah Pittman and guest Will Puckett, founder of Tuk Tuk Boom. Will shares the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes story of how a finance major with zero culinary background walked away from insurance, reverse-engineered Thai recipes on a Belhaven back porch, and built one of Mississippi’s most loved fast-casual restaurant brands. From a stolen truck that sparked an unexpected friendship, to cooking curries in crawfish pots during COVID, to growing a team of nearly 90 employees across two locations—this episode is a true ground-up story. The conversation dives into risk, timing, humility, culture, and the people who make a business work—including the powerful story of the team member who helped make Tuk Tuk Boom possible. This is part one of a two-part conversation, focused on Will’s background, the origin of the idea, and the messy early days of building something from nothing. Part two will dig deeper into labor, leadership, and scaling a business once the doors are open. If you like honest entrepreneurship stories, this one’s for you.

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Ground Up Growth brings insightful stories around entrepreneurs, business leaders and self-development. This podcast is hosted by Paul Hopper, a Mississippi real estate broker and developer with over $1B in company sales. Join Paul as he dives into personal & business strategies, entrepreneurial insights and growing pains faced along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, ”Ground Up Growth” delivers actionable advice and inspiring stories to help fuel your journey and build success from the ground up.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Hopper
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Ground Up Growth

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