In today's conversation, I sit down with Ben Landers, the former founder and CEO of Blue Corona, a leading digital marketing firm serving the home services market. Since selling the business in 2022, Ben has spent time exploring and enjoying a new chapter in his life. Our talk covers topics such as kindness, having binary passions, using data to drive results, creative problem solving, and more. Ben shares personal stories and experiences that highlight the importance of these themes in his life. We also talk about Ben's approach to business and decision-making and the lessons he learned from an influential mentor and business partner. Ben's story is one of achieving surprising success while overcoming personal struggles; it is a journey of perseverance and resilience. Ben Landers:Ben on LinkedInTim Ludwig:Tim on XPodcast websiteTopics:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:37) - Leaning on kindness(00:06:13) - Binary passions(00:12:44) - Using data to drive results(00:20:06) - The role of intuition in decision making(00:27:21) - Creative problem solving(00:35:10) - The power of contrarian thinking(00:42:12) - Transitional moments in Ben’s life(01:01:30) - What lessons in your career have had the most impact on you?(01:12:01) - Life after selling a business(01:29:35) - What aspect of your life has been most surprising?The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Heather Endresen, the owner of Viso Business Capital, a lending advisory firm assisting acquisition entrepreneurs with their debt capital needs. Heather has spent her entire career in retail banking, beginning right after high school. She's lived the ups and downs of the industry and continually managed to succeed and develop deep relationships and specialized offerings in a normally commoditized market. In this episode, Heather and I discuss her early independence, how she learned to take risks and pursue the things that mattered to her, what adversity and a strong support system taught her about resilience, and her recent jump into starting her own business.Heather EndresenHeather on XHeather on LinkedInViso Business CapitalTim Ludwig:Tim on XPodcast websiteTopics:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:14) - Heather’s upbringing(00:04:46) - Building quick connections(00:07:30) - Chasing being uncomfortable(00:12:28) - Heather’s early career and meteoric rise(00:19:44) - Navigating the Banking industry as a woman in the 90’s(00:21:59) - Mentors(00:24:28) - The challenges of parenthood(00:38:00) - Breaking the box of commodities in banking(00:42:40) - Making the jump to become a founder(00:47:53) - What aspect of your life has been most surprising?The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Steve Wiesner, the Managing Director and CEO of Watershed Associates, a leading global negotiations training firm. Steve immigrated from Canda to attend business school at Columbia and spent almost 20 years in investment banking and private equity before leaving to found a software business and begin his current chapter of entrepreneurial leadership. In today's conversation, Steve and I talk about his path to immigration and to Wall Street, the value of mentors and being open to the counsel of others at critical moments in life, and failure as a stepping stone to success among other stories. Please enjoy my conversation with Steve Wiesner.Steve Wiesner:Watershed AssociatesSteve on XTim Ludwig:Tim on XPodcast websiteTopics:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:43) - Steve’s upbringing(00:05:55) - What were your impressions of the USA as a child?(00:09:53) - Dealing with family deaths and divorce at an early age(00:12:33) - Exerting control admist trauma(00:20:29) - Steve’e mini-gold marathon & campus charter(00:29:44) - Steve’s experience at Columbia and Wall St.(00:39:06) - Interviewing with Javid Khan(00:43:42) - Sticking around too long at jobs(00:48:18) - Experiencing 9/11, kids, and layoffs(00:51:19) - Changing careers & joining Peleton and Watershed(01:01:58) - What have you learned about failure?(01:06:03) - Mentors(01:08:01) - What has been most surprising about your life?The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

Chris Powers, Founder of Fort Capital, talks about his father's influence, ego struggles, rebuilding his marriage, and stepping down as CEO. He shares insights on vulnerability, authenticity, and looking forward to life at 37.

August Felker, founder of Oberle Risk Strategies, shares insights on his childhood defining moments, mentorship, college experiences as a camp counselor, leadership lessons, and the power of resilience in the face of failures. His journey from sales challenges to entrepreneurship, learning from selling acquired businesses, and the surprising aspects of his life are discussed in an engaging and inspiring conversation.

My guest today is Antonia Botero, the Founder of MADDPROJECT. Antonia has over 15 years of experience in architecture, construction, and development. Her notable projects include the rehabilitation and repositioning of the historic TWA terminal into the TWA hotel at JFK Airport in New York City. In today's episode, we discuss Antonia's key influences including being an immigrant, going to an all-girls school, and the high standards and unwavering belief in her abilities by her parents. We also discuss how a pivotal year led to a complete re-examination of her life and what's changed since then.Antonia Botero:MADPROJECTAntonia on X100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia MarquezDelirious New York by Rem KoolhaasTim Ludwig:Tim on XPodcast websiteTopics:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:50) - Antonia’s upbringing and the impact of all-girls education(00:08:53) - Antonioa’s family life & parental influences(00:16:00) - Entering the real estate field(00:21:52) - Immigrant experiences(00:29:38) - The journey of becoming a US citizen(00:37:37) - Antonia’s early career in architecture and development(00:44:12) - The beauty of NYC(00:54:44) - Moving to Park City, UT(00:59:04) - Starting Mad Project(01:03:13) - High consequence vs. high-risk(01:09:32) - What has surprised you most about yourself?The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

My guest today is Michael Curry, the Co-Executive Chairman of Apex Physics Partners. Mike and his partner raised a search fund in 2013 and acquired the predecessor of Apex in 2014. After running and growing the company successfully over 10 years, Mike moved up to a board role. Prior to his involvement in the medical physics market, Mike worked at Morgan Stanley and founded a men's clothier. Our conversation covers some of the most influential people in Mike's life, his constant desire to live outside of his comfort zone, and healing, and ultimately thriving, after adversity. Please enjoy my conversation with Michael Curry.Michael Curry:Michael on LinkedInApex Physics PartnersTim Ludwig:Tim on XPodcast websiteTopics:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:52) - Michael’s influences(00:16:56) - Childhood challenges and trauma(00:28:57) - Michael’s career arc in banking(00:41:03) - Becoming the man of the family(00:51:39) - Learnings from the cycle of Searching, Operating, and selling(01:01:02) - Crucible moments during acquisition, scale, and sale(01:16:13) - What’s something you hope listeners take away from this?The content of this podcast does not constitute investment advice, an offer to provide investment advisory services, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any investment fund.Transitions with Tim Ludwig is produced by Johnny Podcasts

Guest Chris Munn shares his journey from finance to founding The Fairfield Company. Topics include childhood education exposure, the catalyst to entrepreneurship, legacy, experiences at an HBCU, losing father at 26, starting over in life, buying vs. starting a business, and the meaning of legacy.

Eric Pacifici, a lawyer turned entrepreneur, shares his journey from BigLaw to founding SMB Law Group. Topics include his upbringing, health scares, and the transition to entrepreneurship. He discusses balancing work-life, his passion for advocating for small businesses, and the challenges of starting a social media-driven law firm.

Sam Hyde, President of Circle Surrogacy, discusses overcoming setbacks, expanding opportunities, and evolving as a leader. Topics include education importance, career transitions, MBA value, partnership improvements, and defining purpose. Reflects on managerial challenges, consulting success, entrepreneurship journey, and decision-making in business. Aspires to advisory role and mentorship in the entrepreneurial world.