The Root of All Success with The Real Jason Duncan
The Real Jason Duncan
Welcome to The Root of All Success with The Real Jason Duncan—a podcast where I uncover the real stories behind today's most successful entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, artists, and leaders. In every episode, I dive deep into honest, unfiltered conversations that reveal how these trailblazers define success, overcome challenges, and craft transformative strategies to excel in their industries. I'm not just your host—I'm an entrepreneur behind 12 thriving ventures and the founder of The Exiter Club, a mastermind community dedicated to living #TheExitLifestyle. I built XOS™ (The Exiter Operating System) to empower business owners to transition from the daily grind to becoming strategic owner-investors, creating a life that blends professional achievement with personal fulfillment. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, my journey—from an 8th-grade history teacher to a serial entrepreneur—has been fueled by a passion for authentic success. Outside of my business interests, you'll find me enjoying motorcycle rides, RV adventures, and cherishing everyday moments with my high school sweetheart of 30 years and our two grown children. My life, both personal and professional, is guided by unwavering faith in Jesus. Tune in on all major podcast platforms and YouTube for actionable insights, fresh perspectives, and inspirational stories that can spark your own journey toward balanced success. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed or burnt out in your business, visit businessburnouttest.com to take our Business Burnout Test and get personalized recommendations to reignite your passion and transform your life.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 5, 2021 • 57min
022: Run to the Problem & Create the Solution ft. Eric Albian
Eric Albian has always had the mindset of an entrepreneur - from working a paper route at 10 years old, to lining baseball fields and refereeing hockey games. After graduating from DePaul University with a major in Business Management, Eric worked in a call center collecting donations for fundraising from Alumni. This was not just a job for money, Eric has said that this call center was where he “learned to cut my teeth on the phone. Eric learned as much as he could and used that knowledge to become the working Labor Director for Dupage Housing Authority. After which he used his student loan money to buy equipment and eventually contract the work to his first business, a landscape renovation company. It was then his interest in packaging led him to take a sales job in packaging distribution. After discovering a major flaw in common packaging, he used his passion for problem solving and saved the company millions. He also built the largest disinfectant wipes manufacturing facility in all of Mexico during the start of the COVID outbreak. He is now the CEO of Rosmar USA, a 38 year old integrated specialty chemical formulation company. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! https://therealjasonduncan.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 29, 2021 • 1h 7min
021: The Keys to Overcoming Any Obstacle ft. Kevin McCutcheon
Today’s guest is not only a professional pilot, but an entrepreneur too. Ever since Kevin McCutcheon got his pilot’s license at the age of 17, he has used his passion for aviation to overcome many obstacles. Kevin holds a degree in business aviation and is a professional pilot with an Airline Transport Pilot rating (ATP); Instructor CFI, CFII, and CFI-MEI ratings; and Captain type-ratings in Hawkers, Sabres, Citations, Gulfstreams, and Falcons. With more than 11,000 hours of flying ranging from jets to helicopters, Kevin has also owned his own business for over 25 years. He has personally sold hundreds of aircraft and helicopters worldwide—an estimated $500 million in total sales. When he’s not flying or mentoring others, Kevin is spending time with his wife and four children. In this episode, you will learn how Kevin navigates through the world of entrepreneurism and what skills he finds most important for achieving success. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! https://therealjasonduncan.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 22, 2021 • 1h 15min
020: Thriving off the Hunger for Success: Going Above and Beyond to Impact Others with Pierre Rogers
Pierre Rogers is a great example of the importance of the five P’s, and especially so for preparation and passion. From mowing lawns at just 9 years old to becoming a highly successful CEO, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist, Pierre has overcome a myriad of obstacles through his journey to success. While some might call it luck, Pierre went from answering phones for a Fortune 500 to becoming their youngest ever Senior Vice President - at just 26 years old, all from preparation and passion. Watch now and learn what tricks Pierre used to advance himself as an entrepreneur. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! https://therealjasonduncan.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 15, 2021 • 1h 6min
019: Revive Your Business with Risk, Innovation, and Rethinking Your Obstacles with Mike Dahlke
Mike Dahlke is a unique entrepreneur due to the fact that he is an investor, business turnaround specialist and business coach. Mike doesn't just take the easy gigs too as he is responsible for reviving over 20 failed businesses. No matter how crazy or poorly a business is doing, Mike Dahlke has been there to bring it back to life with leadership, strategy and capital. While met with great success, Mike has learned many things about the growth of businesses through trials and tribulations and shares his knowledge with Jason today. Watch now and discover new tricks that Mike attributes to his success, and learn what it takes to overcome the biggest obstacles. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! https://therealjasonduncan.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 8, 2021 • 1h 6min
018: The Daily Job of an Entrepreneur: Inspiring Others by Doing What They Won’t with Ali Hemyari
Ali Hemyari is a great example of someone who understands the importance of continuous preparation. As a graduate of Hume Fogg Academic Magnet, he also attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a major in marketing and finance. Ali is the CEO of Nashville K-9, a highly successful dog training company, and also a fully commissioned law enforcement officer and K-9 unit director. On top of being an entrepreneur, father, and husband, Ali Hemyari is also a Make-A-Wish Board Member and multi-event tri-athlete competing in several triathlons across the south east. When he's not running his multiple companies, He's an avid aviator, flying helicopters, airplanes, and jets. Ali has learned a lot from his life and is always eager to mentor others through their journey. Watch now and learn what tools have helped Ari the most, and the secrets to maintaining a self-sustaining business. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! https://therealjasonduncan.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 24, 2021 • 53min
017: Seeing the Bigger Picture: What Every Business Needs with Steve Catalano
Steve Catalano's story of success is truly unique, and can be especially inspiring to those who are facing hardships. From starting out as the overnight baker for his family’s Mr. Donut restaurant, to becoming a recognized and established franchisee and managing partner of Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins, Steve Catalano has paved the way for his success through preparation, passion, and endurance. He now owns and operates 42 restaurants, 2 central manufacturing locations, and employs nearly a thousand people. While Steve admits that not everything is easy, he was able to learn from his many years of experience as an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and food service operations expert. In this episode, you will learn some valuable skills that Steve has picked up in order to get to where he is today. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! https://therealjasonduncan.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 17, 2021 • 1h
016: Creating the Right Place and Time: How Embracing the Future Can Lead You to Success with Randy Smith
Randy Smith, the chairman and co-founder of STR, is living proof that any plan can be executed with enough passion, endurance, and awareness of the world outside around you. Having started with only a couple of pre-internet desktop computers in 1985, Smith, and his late wife, Carolyn, founded STR as a two-person, U.S. hotel census company which now employs 350 people in 15 countries. Smith is a member and past co-chairman of IREFAC as well as a former vice-chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation Funding Committee. He is a charter member of ISHC and a former member of its board of directors. In October 2019, Mr. Smith sold STR for $450 million and retired soon afterwards. He still manages three highly successful businesses, and credits his success to numerous skills he learned during his journey. Listen now to learn what he believes are the most essential. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! https://therealjasonduncan.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 10, 2021 • 58min
015: Business Growth Expert Can Take You from Zero to Profit with Bryan Clayton of GreenPal
From one of the largest landscaping companies in the state of Tennessee growing over 10 million dollars in revenue, my guest today has an eye for growing and scaling. Bryan Clayton is the co-founder of a company called GreenPal, an online marketplace that connects homeowners with local lawn care professionals. GreenPal has over 100,000 customers and Entrepreneur Magazine calls his company the Uber of lawn care. He shares his family-style business practices, how to get out of the self-employed paradigm, and more!https://www.yourgreenpal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 3, 2021 • 1h
014: Executing Plans by Finding Your Weakness and the Secret to Networking with Nathan Ruff
Nathan Ruff is one the most determined entrepreneurs on the show, despite being the youngest.Having started his own business at the age of 12, and has since launched four profitablebusinesses across the country. Nathan is currently the president of the design developmentagency OneNine, the CEO of the venture backed power solutions company Rabbit, as well asthe host of his podcast The Rabbit. Nathan has gained a lot of insight from his success that hebelieves will take anybody to the next step. Hear Nathan tell his story of success and what skillshe deployed in order to get where he is today. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! https://therealjasonduncan.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 27, 2021 • 52min
013: Letting Go to Grow: How Recreating Can Lead You to the Right Place with Gigi Butler
Gigi Butler is the founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes, which is now the largest cupcake franchise in the world. However, it was not an easy start. At the age of 15, she started her first business, Gigi Cleaning Company, while at the same time trying to make it as a singer/songwriter. After facing some trials and tribulations in the entertainment industry, Gigi realized she had a strong passion for cooking, and decided to start her own cupcake business from scratch. However, being in the middle of 2008, various banks turned her down and even laughed in her face when asking for loans. It was at this moment when Gigi took a leap of faith and leveraged several personal credit cards to fund the first Gigi’s Cupcakes store in Nashville. Now with over 50 locations in 21 states, Gigi's Cupcakes serves as a powerful story to anyone with a passion who has ever faced hardships in their journey. In this episode you will get to hear the full ‘rags-to-riches’ story as well as some inside knowledge that has never been shared by Gigi before. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review & share! https://therealjasonduncan.com/podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
