NextGen Strategies

Grant Covault & Tyler Davis
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the NextGen Strategies Podcast, the podcast for modern strategies to help family-owned, small businesses grow and compete. Join long-time friends Grant Covault, marketing strategist and owner of GC Strategies, and Tyler Davis, CPA and owner of DAT CPA, as they interview subject experts on a variety of subjects such as leadership, marketing, finance, operations and much more. If you are a current business leader, aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone looking to get the scoop on the latest and greatest happenings in the world of business, this pod is for you!

  1. 14H AGO

    The Power of Saying Yes | Andrew Lawrence

    Andrew Lawrence took a swing on a cold call from a Detroit recruiter for a financial position and quickly ended up as CEO of that 150-year-old company before age 30. In this episode, Tyler and Grant talk with Andrew about his path from public accountant to CEO, working with PE partners, acquiring EJ Thomas earlier this year, and the leadership mindset that's guided him through it all: "I want to be the dumbest person in the room." Plus, a first look at PureHome, Andrew's new direct-to-consumer venture launching this summer in Bellbrook. In this episode: - What private equity ownership actually looks like behind the headlines - Becoming CEO during COVID, then acquiring a company - Mentors, the rule of three, and "be a fountain, not a drain" - Launching PureHome for the Bellbrook, Sugarcreek, Centerville, and Beavercreek area

    41 min

  2. MAY 8

    Quality Service Lasts Generations | Kimmel Corporation

    What does it take for a fourth-generation family business to compete with national brands and keep growing? In this episode of NextGen Strategies, we sit down with brothers Greg and Brian Kimmel of Kimmel Corporation to talk about the evolution of their family business, the realities of working alongside family, and how service, culture, and adaptability continue to separate them in a competitive industry. What started as Kimmel Cleaners in the 1930s has transformed into a commercial uniform, mat, and linen rental company serving businesses across Ohio and beyond. Greg and Brian share how the company shifted with changing markets, why outside experience mattered before joining the business, and how they continue balancing legacy with innovation. We also discuss: • The advantages independent companies still have against national competitors • How Kimmel uses RFID garment tracking and other technology to improve service and accountability • Leading through COVID while protecting company culture and employees • The dynamics of running a business with siblings and family members • Why responsiveness and relationships still matter • Opportunities they see ahead as consolidation changes the marketplace This conversation is packed with practical insight for family-owned businesses, manufacturers, distributors, and service companies navigating growth, leadership transitions, and long-term sustainability.

    50 min

  3. APR 24

    How Authentic Brands Win Online | AR Marketing

    Most businesses think they have a marketing problem. In reality, it’s usually a brand problem. In this episode, we sit down with Melissa and Blake from AR Marketing to break down what drives results on social media today. From building a strong brand foundation to showing up consistently across channels, we get into what works, what doesn’t, and where most businesses get it wrong. We talk through: Why chasing viral trends can hurt your brand The real role of consistency in marketing What “authentic” actually looks like in practice How social media is changing (and how people are really searching now) Simple ways to create content that connects and converts If your content feels scattered or your social media isn’t producing results, this is a good reset on what matters. Bottom line: be real, stay consistent, and build something people actually trust.

    39 min

  4. APR 9

    Adapting Through Every Cycle | Shawn Bowshier

    What does it actually take to survive the ups and downs of business over decades? In this episode of the NextGen Strategies Podcast, we sit down with Shawn Bowshier of Ride One Powersports to talk about what it looks like to grow, struggle, and keep going anyway. Shawn shares how he helped scale a business from $8M to $38M… and what happened when the market shifted and they lost over half of it almost overnight. From navigating economic cycles to making tough calls on people, inventory, and direction, this conversation is a real look at what business ownership actually requires. We also dig into: - What changes when you go from employee to owner - Why cash flow can make or break your business - How to adapt your model as markets and customer behavior evolve - The role of community and relationships in long-term success. If you’re building, scaling, or trying to stay steady through uncertain times, this one hits close to home.

    33 min

  5. MAR 26

    Business Built Carefully | Part Two with Chris Haines

    Part 2 of our conversation with Chris Haines continues his story around both personal and business growth. In this episode, Chris talks about his additional business ventures he's gotten into. This includes coffee, retail, and property management. We talk about the real truths that come with operating a small business in small towns. Finally, we wrap up talking about the importance of not for profit involvement and the real impacts it can have.

    37 min

  6. MAR 12

    Business Built Carefully | Part One with Chris Haines

    Chris Haines never set out to build the company Marias Technology eventually became. What started as a technology services operation tied to the insurance industry evolved into a business built on referrals, trust, and a willingness to solve problems customers didn’t even know they had yet. In Part One of this conversation, Chris, President and CEO of Marias Technology in Covington, Ohio, talks about the early years of the company and how it evolved through constant pivots, customer feedback, and opportunities that appeared along the way. He also explains why he intentionally resisted the pressure to chase aggressive growth and instead focused on building a company that could support employees, serve clients well, and remain sustainable over the long term. The conversation takes a deeper turn as Chris shares the reality of running a business during COVID, when Marias Technology suddenly lost nearly 40 percent of its revenue and had to make difficult decisions to protect the people who depended on the company. This episode offers an honest look at leadership, responsibility, and the weight that often comes with building something that supports more than just yourself.

    28 min

  7. FEB 25

    Beating the Third Generation Curse

    Episode SummaryWhat does it take to break the “third generation curse” in family business? Jamie McGregor joins us on the shop floor at McGregor Metal to talk about legacy, leadership, and reinvention. As a third-generation leader, Jamie carries the weight of a 60-year manufacturing company while navigating modern pressures like automation, workforce changes, and selective growth. This conversation dives into culture, humility in leadership, the discipline of saying no to the wrong work, and why success is about more than hitting a revenue milestone. Key TopicsThe myth and reality of the third generation curseLeading a family business without entitlementCulture principles that actually show up on the floorRetention vs revenue vanitySelective growth and disciplined customer choicePrivate equity, ownership transitions, and what gets lostReinventing manufacturing in Middle America

    34 min

  8. FEB 5

    The Financial Side of Ownership

    Business ownership changes more than your role. It changes how money moves, how taxes apply, and how decisions impact you personally. In this episode of the NextGen Strategies Podcast, we unpack the financial realities that often surprise business owners, especially during ownership transitions, buy-ins, successions, and acquisitions. We walk through how entity structure really works, why S Corps are so common, how K-1 income can create tax obligations without matching cash, and why minority owners are often the most exposed. This is not an episode about tax hacks or shortcuts. It’s about understanding the financial side of ownership well enough to ask better questions, plan ahead, and build the right bench of advisors before problems show up at tax time. If you’re starting a business, buying into one, or preparing for an ownership transition, this conversation will help you navigate the financial implications with more clarity and confidence.

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to the NextGen Strategies Podcast, the podcast for modern strategies to help family-owned, small businesses grow and compete. Join long-time friends Grant Covault, marketing strategist and owner of GC Strategies, and Tyler Davis, CPA and owner of DAT CPA, as they interview subject experts on a variety of subjects such as leadership, marketing, finance, operations and much more. If you are a current business leader, aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone looking to get the scoop on the latest and greatest happenings in the world of business, this pod is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Grant Covault & Tyler Davis
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Grant Covault & Tyler Davis