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Allison Nordenbrock Brown
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Unhired is a conversational podcast by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Allison Nordenbrock Brown and guests dive into the unsexy reality of running a business- beyond the highlight reel. Subscribe for new episodes every other week.

  1. 07/16/2025

    Every Startup Was Supposed to Make Me Rich (with Grant Chapman)

    Grant Chapman is no stranger to failure, and that's exactly what makes his story compelling. As the CEO and co-founder of Glassboard, Grant opens up about his long, messy path to building a successful business, including multiple startups that didn't pan out and lessons learned the hard way. From founder-led sales to finally building a team that can sell without him, this episode dives into what it takes to stay in the game long enough to win. If you've ever felt like you're one mistake away from closing shop, Grant's unfiltered honesty will feel like a lifeline.

    57 min

  2. 06/16/2025

    Building Tomorrow Bookstore (with Jake Budler & Julia Breaky)

    Jake and Julia are the husband-and-wife team behind Tomorrow Bookstore, a thoughtfully curated shop on Mass Ave near Bottleworks District in Indianapolis. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to run an independent bookstore whose mission goes beyond selling bound pages. Julia's love of curation is front and center in the shop's shelves, and together she and Jake have created a true community for readers in the Circle City. We explore what it's like to work with your partner, the challenges of brick-and-mortar retail, and the magic of helping folks find the right story at the right time. If you've walked through the doors of Tomorrow Bookstore, you'll quickly realize that Jake and Julia have built something truly special and are making their mark on our city.  In this episode, we talk about the mission behind Tomorrow, the logistics of running a brick-and-mortar business in a digital world, and what it means to create something with your partner that's as meaningful to others as it is to you. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.  –ANB

    41 min

  3. 06/03/2025

    Growing Indie Mane Salons (with Belinda Benham)

    What happens when your first salon fills up and you open a second… only to realize you're juggling two entirely different ecosystems? Belinda Benham, founder of Indie Mane Salons at Ironworks and Virginia Avenue, joins us to talk about the reality of growing a brick-and-mortar business while continuing to serve clients and teach across the country. In this episode, Belinda shares what she's learned about leading two teams, building culture across locations, and staying creative while running the show. It's a conversation about growth, grit, and juggling the many personalities involved in the beauty industry.

    35 min

  4. 05/20/2025

    How Heather Jackson Is Using VR to Change the Way We Recruit

    In this episode, we're joined by Heather Jackson, founder and CEO of iXplore—a company that creates immersive VR experiences that help employers recruit their next generation of talent. Heather shares how she went from teaching high school English to leading a tech startup, and why she believes the future of recruiting lies in storytelling, empathy, and immersive technologies. We talk about what it's like to build a business from the ground up, and how her background in education has shaped not only how she sells, but how she leads, hires, and builds systems that serve both clients and end users.

    50 min

  5. 05/05/2025

    Your Business Will Evolve, And So Will You (with Jenn Schimmelpfennig)

    In this episode, we're joined by Jenn Schimmelpfennig, President and Founder of Pivot Brands, for a conversation about growth, space, and what it means to keep evolving after nearly two decades in business. Jenn recently moved her team out of their longtime office in Fletcher Place—where they'd been based for many years—and into CoHatch Polk Stables, a coworking space that's brought renewed energy and momentum. We talk about the symbolism of that move, what's shifted in her leadership, and how she's continuing to scale the business with focus and clarity. Jenn's story is a real-time look at what it takes to build something that lasts—and still adapts to what's next.

    36 min

  6. 04/14/2025

    Reconnecting with Yourself So You Can Lead Others (with Kendra Stoll)

    Kendra Stoll, a designer and leadership wellness guide, joins us for a powerful conversation about connection, healing, and the unseen toll of how we work. In this episode, we dig into her transition from running a design business to focusing on leadership wellness—helping leaders reconnect with themselves so they can lead others more effectively.  Kendra shares what she's learned from launching wellness offerings inside corporate spaces, why our gut health is more important than we think, and how small shifts in self-awareness can transform leadership from the inside out. It's an honest, refreshing, and timely look at how to build a career (and a life) that feels more human.

    49 min

  7. 03/31/2025

    What VCs Look for When Making an Investment (with Michael Kelly)

    Michael Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Developertown, joins us for a deep dive into his 15+ year journey building businesses in Indianapolis. From consulting solo at age 13 to managing a portfolio of over 60 companies, Mike shares how he's navigated the highs, lows, and chaotic middle of entrepreneurship. We talk about everything from why equity-for-services is a trap (don't do it), to how venture studios actually work, to what he looks for in early-stage founders when investing through Start Something Ventures. If you're thinking about raising capital or building a portfolio of your own, this one's packed with perspective.

    45 min

  8. 03/17/2025

    Making it Up as We Grow (Featuring Daniel Herndon)

    In this episode of Unhired, I sit down with Daniel Herndon to talk about the realities of entrepreneurship, the unexpected twists of building a business, and the lessons learned along the way. From navigating challenges to finding clarity in the chaos, Daniel shares insights that every founder can relate to. We also dive into how he approaches problem-solving, what fuels his drive, and why sometimes the best business moves come from the most unexpected places. If you've ever felt like you're making it up as you go (spoiler: we all are), this episode is for you.

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Unhired is a conversational podcast by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Allison Nordenbrock Brown and guests dive into the unsexy reality of running a business- beyond the highlight reel. Subscribe for new episodes every other week.

Information

  • Creator
    Allison Nordenbrock Brown
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    UNHIRED