Building Great People

When Plans Fail, Character Leads – Leadership Lessons from Mark Blaze

In this episode of Building Great People, we sit down with Mark Blaze—an accomplished Chief Revenue Officer known for driving sales, leading strategic initiatives, and building cultures that thrive. With decades of experience in market expansion, P&L management, and team leadership, Mark unpacks the personal side of executive leadership: staying calm in crisis, leading with empathy, and empowering others to grow.Whether you're scaling a business or leading a team, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom.

Leadership Is a Skill — Here’s How to Train It Like a Green Beret

Episode 3 of Building Great People features Nick Lavery — active-duty Green Beret, keynote speaker, coach, and CEO. A best-selling author and member of The Press, Nick shares a powerful story of grit, leadership, and resilience.
With nearly 20 years in Special Forces, Nick offers deep insights on mission planning, problem-solving, and what it means to truly lead — at work and at home. He opens up about balancing military life with entrepreneurship, and why failure is often the best teacher.
His leadership philosophy?
Lead with values
Care deeply
Stay humble
“People follow you based on who you are and what you represent.” 
This episode is a masterclass in grit, growth, and grounded leadership. Whether you’re a CEO, a team lead, or someone simply trying to make an impact—you don’t want to miss this conversation.

Building Great People (2) - Emily Springer

What if your biggest fear wasn’t failure—but never taking the leap at all?
 
In this episode of Building Great People, we sit down with Emily, founder of Asulon Collective, Downtown Clarksville’s newest craft coffee shop. Emily’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to serving people—one cup at a time.
 
Growing up on a 125-acre hay farm in Florida, Emily learned the power of hospitality from her grandparents, whose door was always open to others. That foundation of generosity shaped her passion for creating a “third place”—a welcoming space outside of home and work where people can connect, rest, and belong.
 
After moving to Nashville in 2016, Emily started her career in coffee at a nonprofit coffee shop, where she discovered how something as simple as a cup of coffee can foster deep conversations and meaningful relationships. Now, as a business owner, she’s dedicated to building a team culture rooted in care, creativity, and purpose—without losing sight of her values.
 
In this episode, we dive into:☕ How Emily overcame the fear of “What If” and took the leap into entrepreneurship💡 The power of vision casting and staying true to your purpose❤️ How she’s investing in her team and creating an experience beyond just great coffee🛠️ Lessons in resilience, leadership, and learning from failure📖 The faith and community that keep her grounded
➕ Plus so much more!
 
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a coffee lover, or someone looking for inspiration to chase your dreams, Emily’s story is one you don’t want to miss.

Building Great People (1) - Leo Millan

In the very first episode of Building Great People, host Rylan Kean sits down with none other than Leo Millan, a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Leo shares his journey—from overcoming challenges to building businesses and giving back through the Millan Foundation. His insights on leadership, faith, and service are ones you don’t want to miss.

Building Great People (0) - Welcome

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