That moment when your heart races, your palms sweat, and your gut tells you to retreat, that’s often the signal you’re on the edge of growth. Courage feels a lot like fear when you are in it. The difference is whether you move forward anyway. Here’s how I’ve been learning to

One of the joys of the Tiny Happy Library is watching it ebb and flow. Some days the shelves are bare, other days they’re brimming with books and surprises from generous neighbors. That’s the beauty of a sharing library, it reflects the rhythm of community. Each contribution,

Most people avoid discomfort. I chase it. Why? Because discomfort is a signal. It means you’ve reached the edge of what you know, and you’re about to learn something new. That’s where growth happens. That’s where creativity lives. In 2024, I challenged myself to do one thing

Nothing calms Nashville traffic like music Proud to stand alongside Stratford STEM principal Dr. MICHAEL PRATT and my brothers at Corinthian Lodge No. 8 as we welcomed the marching band to our corner in East Nashville. From zero to sixty students in just three years, this

Every book that lands in the Tiny Happy Library is chosen with intention. This week, thanks to the generosity of Brad Perling and the Bitfreighter team, kids get to meet Drop, the most adventurous drop of water you’ll ever know. It’s playful, funny, and quietly profound: a

I’ve started and sold seven companies in seven completely different industries. No, I didn’t have deep experience in all of them. What I did have was relentless curiosity. That’s the common thread. Not industry. Not capital. Not credentials. Curiosity is what leads you to see

In this clip from The Parallel Entrepreneur podcast, Tim Ozgener, founder of Oz Family Cigars, OZ Arts Nashville, and former president of CAO Cigars, shares how to grow responsibly without losing the authenticity and edge that makes a brand unique. What you’ll learn in this

This morning in Tampa at HQ with John M. McDonald III and Kensington Park Capital and the weather is amazing! Too bad Monday Night Football is an away game for the bucks - Go Tampa Bay Buccaneers! #NFL #MondayNightFootball #TampaBayBuccaneers

Comparison is a trap. Progress is the way out. Focus on your next step, not someone else’s highlight reel. #StartupMindset #ProgressOverPerfection #Leadership #ParallelEntrepreneur #Resilience

I’ve spent too much of my life worrying about things that might happen or carrying baggage from things that already did. The truth is, I’m at my best when I’m fully present, dealing with what’s in front of me, right now. That changes everything. In business, that means I don’t

The older I get, the more I realize: Staying relevant isn’t about keeping up. It’s about listening better. I used to be the mentor in the room. Now? Some of my most important teachers are 20 years younger than me. They move faster. They see trends earlier. They ask questions

Oregon came to play - in white out environment - Ducks playing a very physical game! “Great opportunity to prove the better team is best in preparation,” says #MiniFan Mark glued to NBC Sports #GoDucks

The universe sending me a message today. #FastIsSlow

Every founder has a story they don’t tell often. The product that flopped. The deal that fell through. The hire that hurt the culture. Here’s mine: I’ve failed more times than I can count. But I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. Because failure isn’t the end. It’s

Most leaders underestimate the “people tax” in M&A. You can use data to drive decisions, and model synergies to the decimal point, but you cannot reduce trust, morale, or leadership alignment to a spreadsheet formula. Every unanswered question from your employees adds drag.

It’s easy to get caught up in comparison, especially in the startup world. You see someone raise a big round, land a huge client, or post a flashy win online. But none of that has anything to do with your path. The real measure is whether you’re making progress. Not compared

Here at #Rutgers homecoming with their famous boardwalk experience and great fans. There’s a WHOLE LOT of green here! #GoDucks

“I’m 90 and I’m fine,” says Rosetta Miller-Perry, tonight’s NEXT Award Entrepreneur’s Hall of Fame inductee. Talking about her start up, inspiring us on her “work still to be done” in her workforce housing project. #NEXTawards #Entrepreneurs

Having a good idea isn’t what makes you an entrepreneur. Lots of people have good ideas. Very few are willing to do the hard, boring, unglamorous work of turning them into something real. Entrepreneurship is not about being first. It’s about following through. That means

I’ve been both the seller and the buyer in M&A. What sellers often don’t realize: Letting go is an emotional journey. It’s not just a business, it’s their life’s work. What buyers often don’t realize: Founders want to protect their legacy. It’s not just about money, it’s about