The Jason Cavness Experience

Jason Cavness
  • 5.0 (100)
  • BUSINESS
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The Jason Cavness Experience is where I talk to entrepreneurs and other interesting people.

  1. 5D AGO

    Wesley Nicholson on Leadership, Community, and Building Two Maids of Kent

    In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Wesley Nicholson, owner of Two Maids of Kent, to talk about leadership, entrepreneurship, and building a service business rooted in community impact. Wesley shares how his background in the U.S. Navy and years of leadership experience at Amazon shaped his approach to running a people-first business. He discusses the transition from corporate leadership to small business ownership, the challenges of scaling a service business, and why culture and training matter just as much as operational excellence.  The conversation also explores Wesley's commitment to giving back, including Two Maids' mission of providing free cleanings to individuals battling cancer. Jason and Wesley talk about learning from mistakes, addressing blind spots as a leader, and creating opportunities for team members to grow. This episode is especially valuable for founders, operators, and anyone building a local service business with purpose. Topics Discussed • Wesley's background in the Navy and Amazon • Transitioning from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship • Building and growing Two Maids of Kent • Leadership lessons from military and corporate environments • Creating a strong team culture in a service business  • Training, accountability, and operational discipline  • Giving back through community-focused initiatives  • Learning from mistakes and addressing leadership blind spots • Balancing growth with quality and trust • Defining success beyond revenue Connect with Wesley Nicholson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-nicholson/ Connect with Two Maids of Kent  Website: https://www.twomaidscleaning.com/kent/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575676238096  Connect with Jason Cavness  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com

    2h 32m

  2. FEB 3

    Hans Bjordahl on Digital Transformation, Culture-Led Design, and Building Technology That Actually Works

    In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Hans Bjordahl, co-founder and CEO of Culture Foundry, to talk about digital transformation, experience-driven design, and what it really takes to build technology that serves people and organizations effectively. Hans shares his background in building and leading digital teams, how Culture Foundry approaches complex modernization projects, and why culture, process, and people matter just as much as technology.  He explains how many digital transformation efforts fail not because of bad tools, but because of misalignment between strategy, execution, and organizational culture. The conversation explores user-centered design, modern content platforms, government and enterprise digital work, and what leaders should prioritize when modernizing legacy systems.  Hans also discusses leadership, scaling teams, and how to create digital products that are both functional and human-centered . This episode is especially valuable for founders, operators, and leaders navigating digital transformation in complex or regulated environments. Topics Discussed • Hans's background and path to founding Culture Foundry • What digital transformation really means in practice • Why culture and alignment matter in technology projects  • User-centered and experience-driven design • Modernizing legacy platforms and systems • Common mistakes organizations make during digital transformation • Balancing strategy, design, and engineering • Leadership lessons from scaling digital teams • Building technology that actually gets adopted • Long-term thinking in enterprise and government tech Connect with Hans Bjordahl  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansbjordahl/ Connect with Culture Foundry Website: https://www.culturefoundry.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culturefoundry/  Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com

    3h 37m

  3. JAN 27

    Akalpit Gadre on Technical Leadership, Quantum Computing, and Building in Cloud, AI, and Cybersecurity

    In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Akalpit Gadre, a technologist and founder with deep experience in technical leadership, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. Akalpit shares his journey as a foundry entrepreneur, how he approaches building technology-driven companies, and what strong technical leadership looks like in practice. He talks about navigating complexity in cloud systems, the importance of security-first thinking, and how founders and technical leaders should evaluate new technologies without getting distracted by hype. The conversation also explores problem-solving at scale, decision-making under uncertainty, and what it takes to build resilient systems and teams in fast-moving technical environments. This episode is especially valuable for founders, engineers, and operators building products in AI, cloud, and security-focused spaces.  Topics Discussed • Akalpit's background and path into technical leadership • What it means to be a foundry entrepreneur • Building and scaling cloud-based systems • Cybersecurity as a foundational design principle  • Evaluating new technologies without chasing hype  • Leadership lessons from technical teams • Problem-solving in complex systems • Balancing innovation with reliability • How founders should think about technical tradeoffs  • Long-term thinking in engineering and architecture  Connect with Akalpit Gadre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akalpit-gadre/ Website: https://www.othentk.com/  Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness  Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com

    2h 42m

  4. JAN 20

    Sabina Nawaz on Executive Presence, Power, and What Changes When You Become the Boss

    In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Sabina Nawaz, an executive coach and leadership advisor who works with founders, CEOs, and senior leaders navigating power, influence, and responsibility at the highest levels. Sabina shares what she's learned from years of coaching executives as they step into positions of authority  and why leadership often becomes harder, not easier, as power increases. She explains how authority subtly changes behavior, how communication breaks down at the top, and why well-intentioned leaders can unintentionally create silence, fear, or distance on their teams. Jason and Sabina discuss executive presence, emotional regulation, feedback, and how leaders can stay grounded and human while still holding accountability. Sabina also talks about the ideas behind her book, You're the Boss, and what leaders need to understand once they're officially "in charge." This episode is especially valuable for founders, CEOs, and operators who are scaling their influence and want to lead with clarity, self-awareness, and trust.  Topics Discussed • How power changes leadership behavior • Why communication often breaks down at senior levels • Executive presence and influence • Managing authority without creating fear • Feedback loops and honest conversations • Emotional regulation for leaders • Listening as a core leadership skill • Blind spots that appear as leaders gain power • Staying human while holding accountability • Coaching executives through high-stakes decisions • Lessons from working with CEOs and founders • What changes when you officially become "the boss"  Connect with Sabina Nawaz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinanawaz/  Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sabinacoaching/ Book – You're the Boss: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Youre-the-Boss/Sabina-Nawaz/9781668023181 Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com

    2h 7m

  5. JAN 13

    Tait Covert on Building Sentry Computing and Practical IT Leadership

    In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Tait Covert, President and CEO of Sentry Computing, to talk about building a service-first managed IT company and what it really takes to support small and mid-sized businesses. Tait shares his path into entrepreneurship, how his background in retail sales, graphic design, and project management shaped his approach to IT, and why clear communication and transparent guidance matter more than technical jargon. He explains how Sentry Computing delivers contract-free managed IT services, prioritizes cybersecurity and reliability, and focuses on long-term client relationships over quick wins. The conversation also covers leadership, customer trust, running a people-first services business, and how business owners should think about IT strategy without getting overwhelmed. This episode is especially valuable for founders, operators, and business owners who want practical insight into IT, cybersecurity, and building a service company that lasts.  Topics Discussed  • Tait's background and journey into entrepreneurship  • Founding and growing Sentry Computing • What "service-first IT" really means • Communicating technical concepts without jargon • Cybersecurity basics business owners must understand  • Building trust with small and mid-sized businesses • Leadership lessons from running an IT services company • Balancing technical expertise with customer experience  • What business owners should prioritize in their IT strategy  Connect with Tait Covert LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taitcovert/ Connect with Sentry Computing Website: https://sentrycomputing.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sentrycomputing/ Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness  Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com

    2h 13m

  6. JAN 6

    Shonta Riles on Building Poppin Notary, Community Trust, and Expanding a Local Service Business

    In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Shonta Riles, CEO and founder of Poppin Notary, to talk about building a trusted local service business, expanding beyond traditional notary work, and staying deeply connected to the community. Shonta shares how he launched Poppin Notary in 2016, what it took to earn trust in an industry built on accuracy and reliability, and why customer service is the real differentiator for small businesses. He explains how his background hosting the Deprogram Talk Radio Show sharpened his communication skills and helped him connect with people from all walks of life.  The conversation explores Poppin Notary's expansion into shipping, printing, and private mailboxes, how Shonta thinks about growth without losing focus, and why building locally in Tacoma still matters. From notarizing documents in non-traditional settings to creating a one-stop service hub, this episode offers practical lessons for service-based entrepreneurs. Topics Discussed • Shonta's path to entrepreneurship and founding Poppin Notary  • Building trust in a service-based business • What great customer service looks like in practice • Lessons from notarizing documents in unconventional environments • Expanding into shipping, printing, and private mailboxes • Knowing when to add new services • Avoiding overextension while growing • Building a business rooted in community • The Tacoma small business landscape • Communication skills developed through radio and media • Leadership lessons learned as a local CEO • Defining success beyond revenue Connect with Shonta Riles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonta-riles-ab508214/ Website: https://www.poppinnotary.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@poppinnotary  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poppinnotary

    1h 39m

  7. 12/30/2025

    Taylor Black on AI, Startups, Microsoft, and Building a Life Through Foster Care and Adoption

    In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Taylor Black for a wide-ranging conversation that spans AI, startups, big tech, and family life. Taylor shares his experience working at Microsoft, where he's been close to how AI is being built, adopted, and misunderstood inside large organizations. He talks about how startups and founders should think about AI realistically not as hype, but as a tool that rewards clarity, discipline, and execution. Beyond tech, Taylor opens up about his family's journey through fostering and adoption, what it's taught him about responsibility, patience, and long-term thinking, and how building a family reshapes how you approach work and leadership. He reflects on balancing ambition with presence, and why success isn't just about what you build professionally, but what you commit to personally. This is an honest conversation about building companies, adopting new technology responsibly, and choosing to show up fully  at work and at home. Topics Discussed • Taylor's role at Microsoft and exposure to AI at scale • How large companies actually adopt AI • The gap between AI hype and real-world execution • How startups should think about using AI • Discipline and clarity as advantages in tech and business • Lessons from working inside a major tech company • Fostering and adopting children and what it teaches about leadership • Balancing startup ambition with family responsibility • Long-term thinking in both business and life • Redefining success beyond career milestones Support CavnessHR CavnessHR is building an AI-native HR system for small businesses with 49 or fewer employees  automation plus a dedicated HR Business Partner.  Invest on Wefunder https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr  Download 7 free eBooks https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks Join the Builders Club https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ Connect with Taylor Black LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blacktaylor/

    2h 34m

  8. 12/23/2025

    Scott Strong on Sales Discipline, Customer Service and Building a Service-First Business

    In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Scott Strong, founder of Strong Fiber Systems, to talk about building a service-first business in the telecom industry and why sales discipline and customer service still matter in a world obsessed with automation. Scott shares his journey into entrepreneurship, how he built Strong Fiber Systems by focusing on relationships and trust, and why doing the unscalable work, personal outreach, follow-ups, and real conversations creates a lasting competitive advantage. He explains the difference between motivation and discipline in sales, how strong habits outperform hype, and why customer service is becoming a lost art.  The conversation also covers leadership, networking without forcing outcomes, using AI without losing the human element, and what it really takes to build a business you can stand behind long term. This episode is packed with practical insight for founders, operators, and sales leaders building service-based companies. Topics Discussed • Scott's path into telecom and entrepreneurship • Building Strong Fiber Systems from the ground up • Sales discipline vs motivation • Why doing the unscalable work still wins • Customer service as a true differentiator • Picking up the phone instead of hiding behind email • Using AI to support sales without removing humanity • Networking with authenticity • Leadership, habits, and long-term thinking Support CavnessHR CavnessHR is building an AI-native HR system for small businesses with 49 or fewer employees  combining automation with a dedicated HR Business Partner.  Invest on Wefunder https://wefunder.com/cavnesshr Download 7 free eBooks https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ebooks Join the Builders Club https://www.buildcavnesshr.com/ Connect with Scott Strong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-strong-entrepreneurship/ Company: https://strongfibersystems.com/ Phone: (888) 601-0123 Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com

    3h 25m
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The Jason Cavness Experience is where I talk to entrepreneurs and other interesting people.

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