Headlines say the market is at an all time high, but does that actually mean anything for your small and mid-sized business?

In this episode, we break down the current state of business in 2026 and translate the noise into what small and family-owned business owners should actually be watching.

We cut through the headline economic data driven by the Magnificent Seven and AI hype to talk about what matters at the local level.

We get into why a booming index rarely reflects real business conditions, how AI adoption is playing out slowly across professional services, and why your next hire might be the most strategic decision you make this year.

Plus, a heads up on a recent IRS ruling tied to Covid era penalties that could mean money back for business owners who file the right form before the deadline.

In this episode:

- Why the stock market hitting record highs may have nothing to do with your bottom line

- How AI is reshaping software, hiring, and professional services without the mass layoffs the news predicts

- Why cash flow just overtook inflation as the number one fear among small business owners

- The risk of easy non-bank lending and why a local bank relationship still matters

Andrew Lawrence took a swing on a cold call from a Detroit recruiter for a financial position and quickly ended up as CEO of that 150-year-old company before age 30.

In this episode, Tyler and Grant talk with Andrew about his path from public accountant to CEO, working with PE partners, acquiring EJ Thomas earlier this year, and the leadership mindset that's guided him through it all: "I want to be the dumbest person in the room."

Plus, a first look at PureHome, Andrew's new direct-to-consumer venture launching this summer in Bellbrook.

In this episode:

- What private equity ownership actually looks like behind the headlines

- Becoming CEO during COVID, then acquiring a company

- Mentors, the rule of three, and "be a fountain, not a drain"

- Launching PureHome for the Bellbrook, Sugarcreek, Centerville, and Beavercreek area

What does it take for a fourth-generation family business to compete with national brands and keep growing?

In this episode of NextGen Strategies, we sit down with brothers Greg and Brian Kimmel of Kimmel Corporation to talk about the evolution of their family business, the realities of working alongside family, and how service, culture, and adaptability continue to separate them in a competitive industry.

What started as Kimmel Cleaners in the 1930s has transformed into a commercial uniform, mat, and linen rental company serving businesses across Ohio and beyond. Greg and Brian share how the company shifted with changing markets, why outside experience mattered before joining the business, and how they continue balancing legacy with innovation.

We also discuss:

• The advantages independent companies still have against national competitors

• How Kimmel uses RFID garment tracking and other technology to improve service and accountability

• Leading through COVID while protecting company culture and employees

• The dynamics of running a business with siblings and family members

• Why responsiveness and relationships still matter

• Opportunities they see ahead as consolidation changes the marketplace

This conversation is packed with practical insight for family-owned businesses, manufacturers, distributors, and service companies navigating growth, leadership transitions, and long-term sustainability.

Most businesses think they have a marketing problem. In reality, it’s usually a brand problem. In this episode, we sit down with Melissa and Blake from AR Marketing to break down what drives results on social media today.

From building a strong brand foundation to showing up consistently across channels, we get into what works, what doesn’t, and where most businesses get it wrong.

We talk through:

Why chasing viral trends can hurt your brand

The real role of consistency in marketing

What “authentic” actually looks like in practice

How social media is changing (and how people are really searching now)

Simple ways to create content that connects and converts If your content feels scattered or your social media isn’t producing results, this is a good reset on what matters.

Bottom line: be real, stay consistent, and build something people actually trust.

What does it actually take to survive the ups and downs of business over decades? In this episode of the NextGen Strategies Podcast, we sit down with Shawn Bowshier of Ride One Powersports to talk about what it looks like to grow, struggle, and keep going anyway.

Shawn shares how he helped scale a business from $8M to $38M… and what happened when the market shifted and they lost over half of it almost overnight.

From navigating economic cycles to making tough calls on people, inventory, and direction, this conversation is a real look at what business ownership actually requires.

We also dig into:

- What changes when you go from employee to owner

- Why cash flow can make or break your business

- How to adapt your model as markets and customer behavior evolve

- The role of community and relationships in long-term success.

If you’re building, scaling, or trying to stay steady through uncertain times, this one hits close to home.

Part 2 of our conversation with Chris Haines continues his story around both personal and business growth.

In this episode, Chris talks about his additional business ventures he's gotten into. This includes coffee, retail, and property management.

We talk about the real truths that come with operating a small business in small towns.

Finally, we wrap up talking about the importance of not for profit involvement and the real impacts it can have.

Chris Haines never set out to build the company Marias Technology eventually became.

What started as a technology services operation tied to the insurance industry evolved into a business built on referrals, trust, and a willingness to solve problems customers didn’t even know they had yet.

In Part One of this conversation, Chris, President and CEO of Marias Technology in Covington, Ohio, talks about the early years of the company and how it evolved through constant pivots, customer feedback, and opportunities that appeared along the way.

He also explains why he intentionally resisted the pressure to chase aggressive growth and instead focused on building a company that could support employees, serve clients well, and remain sustainable over the long term.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Chris shares the reality of running a business during COVID, when Marias Technology suddenly lost nearly 40 percent of its revenue and had to make difficult decisions to protect the people who depended on the company.

This episode offers an honest look at leadership, responsibility, and the weight that often comes with building something that supports more than just yourself.

What does it take to break the “third generation curse” in family business?

Jamie McGregor joins us on the shop floor at McGregor Metal to talk about legacy, leadership, and reinvention. As a third-generation leader, Jamie carries the weight of a 60-year manufacturing company while navigating modern pressures like automation, workforce changes, and selective growth.

This conversation dives into culture, humility in leadership, the discipline of saying no to the wrong work, and why success is about more than hitting a revenue milestone.

1. The myth and reality of the third generation curse
2. Leading a family business without entitlement
3. Culture principles that actually show up on the floor
4. Retention vs revenue vanity
5. Selective growth and disciplined customer choice
6. Private equity, ownership transitions, and what gets lost
7. Reinventing manufacturing in Middle America