Bigger Than Business

In this episode of the Bigger Than Business Podcast, host Jeff Holler sits down with Sam Mahrouq—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of Mahrouq Enterprises International. Sam shares how he rose from a Palestinian refugee camp to building a business empire that includes Automax dealerships, MEI Auto Finance, Ikon Technologies, and more. He opens up about integrity in business, the value of community, and how setbacks shaped his future success.#SamMahrouq #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #ImmigrantStories #TechInnovation #ArlingtonTexas #MEIAuto #IkonTechnologies #LegacyLeadership #Philanthropy #RefugeeSuccess #CarBusiness #MiddleEasternSuccess #BiggerThanBusiness #JeffHoller

In this episode of Bigger Than Business, James D. Shields, President of Shields Legal Group, shares his journey from attorney to entrepreneur and strategic investor. He reveals how integrating legal expertise with business strategy helps companies maximize value and prepare for successful transitions.Shields discusses the Growth-to-Exit program, which guides founder-led businesses in increasing their worth before a sale. He also delves into the emotional aspects of business exits, estate planning, and preserving family legacies. With insights from his book, Wealth That Lasts: 10 Principles of Legacy Wealth, Shields emphasizes values-based wealth management and the power of entrepreneurship to drive meaningful change.#BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #WealthManagement #LegalStrategy #BusinessExit #FamilyBusiness #TrustBuilding #LegacyWealth #GrowthToExit #BiggerThanBusiness 

Join us on the Bigger Than Business Podcast as we sit down with Doug Renfro, President of Renfro Foods, to discuss the journey of this iconic Fort Worth-based family business. From its humble beginnings in a garage to becoming the ninth-largest salsa brand in the U.S., Doug shares insights on family leadership, product innovation, and the challenges of running a multigenerational business.

Discover the inspiring journey of Tillie Burgin, founder and director of Mission Arlington, in this episode of the Bigger Than Business Podcast. For nearly four decades, Tillie has been at the forefront of transforming lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Learn how Tillie's vision of "taking church to the people" grew from a simple Bible study in apartments into a comprehensive ministry serving thousands daily, committed to meeting both physical and spiritual needs with no strings attached. This episode offers a compelling look at how one woman's vision and dedication can create lasting change in a community, demonstrating that true mission work knows no boundaries.

Explore the rich history of Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs with GG Fletcher and her daughter Amber Fletcher, who carry on this iconic Texas brand. Learn how they balance family traditions with modern marketing, from introducing new menu items like veggie dogs to expanding Fletcher’s presence beyond the State Fair of Texas. This interview dives into the values, memories, and hard work that have made Fletcher’s a beloved, three-generation family business.

On today's episode of Bigger Than Business, Jeff Holler and Chris Cassidy discuss the significance of purpose-driven success. Chris, a former Navy SEAL and astronaut, shares his leadership journey, from high school sports to the Naval Academy, and his experiences in space missions. He highlights the importance of authenticity and confidence for new leaders and recounts a humorous yet profound leadership lesson from his SEAL days. They discuss handling team shortcomings, survival rates of new businesses, the value of training for adversity, and the importance of planning and adaptability, with Chris sharing updates on the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington. The grand opening is March 25, 2025. National Medal of Honor Museum:https://www.mohmuseum.orgWork with Jeff Holler:https://www.TheCapitalChartRoom.com

In this episode of Bigger Than Business, join host Jeff Holler as he sits down with Jeff Crilley, a seasoned journalist turned successful entrepreneur. Crilley takes us on a captivating journey through his illustrious career in journalism, highlighting his groundbreaking announcement of a man's release from prison - a moment that earned him prestigious accolades such as an Emmy. With 25 years of experience in TV news across different cities, Crilley eventually found his way to Texas, where he is making a significant impact. The video highlights Crilley's transition from journalism to becoming the founder of Real News PR in 2008. This shift was largely influenced by the success of his book on publicity, which propelled him to explore new avenues. Crilley generously shares valuable insights from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sales-focused mindset and assembling a strong team.One of the highlights of the conversation is Crilley's delight in working alongside his children and finding a harmonious balance between work and family life. He offers invaluable advice on media coverage and underscores the significance of personal connections in the business world.Join us for this enlightening interview as Crilley opens up about his remarkable career, his entrepreneurial endeavors, and the lessons he has learned along the way. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a true industry expert. Work with Jeff Crilley:https://www.RealNewsPR.comhttps://www.LaunchAShow.comWork with Jeff Holler:https://www.TheCapitalChartRoom.com

How can a community keep its children in school and on a pathway to graduation and beyond? How can public-private partnership build a program for disadvantaged kids that becomes effective even beyond its creators’ dreams? Listen as our guest shares how the Fields and Futures program was created, its exponential impact on the youth of Oklahoma City, and how a “stone soup” mentality enriched the project to benefit the entire community. Tim McLaughlin says he feels fortunate to have his family’s values that built Advance Food Company, the business his father David co-founded in 1973.  As Vice President of Corporate Accounts, Tim had over 25 years of experience helping the company grow from $25 million in sales to $900 million before the family sold a majority interest in 2010.  Through his family business experience, Tim learned how to “connect the dots” and identify and overcome obstacles to achieve a sustainable, long-term vision.  After the sale, Tim felt blessed to have the luxury of investing in projects where he and his wife Liz can make a big impact, that are sustainable, and where he can use his unique ability to build strategies that achieve the long-term vision. They founded Fields and Futures, a non-profit that helps overhaul and maintain school playing fields so kids can find a pathway to graduation and beyond by keeping them engaged in sports and school. Tim has a degree in Business Management from the University of Oklahoma. He serves as director on several local organization boards including the Oklahoma Zoological Society, Police Athletic League, Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, and Heritage Hall Board of Trustees. Tim also serves as an OKC member of the Neighborhoods Subcommittee and as an Advisory Board Member for ArtSup?!, a creative after-school extended learning opportunity for inner city youth. In 2017, Oklahoma City University honored Tim with the Able Lemons/Paul Hansen Award for Sports Excellence. Tim and Liz have four children and live in Edmond, Oklahoma. Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

What does the future hold for neuro technology? What strides have been made in performance enhancement via brain studies? How can investors help shape the landscape of mental health treatments? Listen as our guest shares how her new endeavor is investing in companies that elevate human flourishing, how modern treatments can unlock a new era of mental health solutions, and how her expert experience provides an advantage in assessing start-ups that will transform the field of neurosciences.  Dr. Amy Kruse has more than 20 years of experience in science, technology, and innovation, with a special focus on neurotechnology and human performance. She is now the General Partner and Chief Investment officer of Satori Neuro, a stage-agnostic fund focused on mental health, neurotechnology, and human flourishing. She draws on her expertise to support Satori Neuro’s portfolio companies as they explore innovative therapeutics that feature a wide range of treatments, from psychedelic medicine and transcranial magnetic stimulation to virtual/augmented reality protocols and non-invasive brainwave devices. These treatments are designed to address conditions including treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction and substance abuse, neurological disorders, and more. Dr. Kruse is a Founding Member of the Loomis Innovation Council at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C., and a Guest Lecturer for Singularity University.  She is a frequent contributor to defense panels and advisory boards for organizations including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the National Academies, and the Defense Science Board.  She is also the author of numerous scientific papers, chapters, and articles. Dr. Kruse has both a Bachelor of Science in cell and structural biology and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with her husband and enjoys gardening, kayaking, and traveling. Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com

What is Servant Leadership, and what does it bring to the lives of others? How does being told you’re “too stupid” parlay into an almost 40-year career as a respected and sought-after architect and developer? How do you create from tragedy a way to help families across the nation? Listen as our guest, Isaac Manning, shares how his success came from failure, how he engages in servant leadership to build communities, and how his creation and involvement in the “Light the Trail Ride” is providing people nation-wide a way to open up communication on depression and suicide. Isaac Manning has over 37 years of experience in real estate as an architect, developer, strategic planner, and consultant in both domestic and international markets, focusing on public-private partnerships that have major economic impact in their regions. Isaac was an architect in Washington, DC, before joining Hillwood in Texas. Currently, Isaac is Founder and President of Trinity Works, which provides servant leadership to families and institutions through real estate development, focusing on innovation, investment, and implementation. Among Isaac’s other accomplishments are the reinvention of Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium, site selection of the National Jamboree for the Boy Scouts of America and development of the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia, and playing a key role in the development of the United States Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. Isaac has been engaged in a variety of civic and community organizations and boards, and he also co-founded the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation. In 2017, Isaac and Tom Harris completed the 3,700 mile Light the Trail Ride following Lewis and Clark’s route from Oregon to Washington, DC, to raise funds and awareness to battle the stigma of depression and suicide.  Isaac holds an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and graduate degrees from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and MIT. He is a native North Carolinian and lives in Fort Worth with his family. Bigger Than Business is the show where you’ll discover real-world stories of business owners living their purpose. You’ll encounter men and women all over the world who draw strength from understanding why they do what they do and how they remain true to that purpose through the ups and downs every business owner will face. www.thecapitalchartroom.com