Growth, Grace & Prosperity with Stewart Heath

In this episode of Growth, Grace & Prosperity, host Stewart Heath welcomes Cody Smith, Managing Partner at SHR Talent. Cody shares his entrepreneurial journey, from studying accounting to unexpectedly finding his passion in the recruiting industry.
Cody opens up about how the 2007-2008 financial crisis changed his career path, leading him from a CPA firm in Atlanta to starting a business in Nashville. He reflects on the lessons learned—like the challenges of hiring friends, making strategic decisions, and staying focused on his company’s strengths.
Stewart and Cody also dive into the current job market, the talent shortage in finance and accounting, and how companies are navigating hiring challenges. Cody shares insights on leadership, adapting to change, and making smart investments outside of work.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:✔️ How Cody transitioned from accounting to talent recruitment✔️ The ups and downs of entrepreneurship✔️ Key hiring mistakes to avoid✔️ The state of today’s job market✔️ Personal finance and investment strategies
 
------------------------------------------------------------ Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST

In this episode of The Growth, Grace & Prosperity Podcast, host Stewart Heath sits down with marketing expert and entrepreneur Jeremy LaDuke, founder of Epic Nine, a marketing group based in East Tennessee. Jeremy shares his journey of building a business, key lessons learned, and the pivotal decision that transformed his company’s approach to client consultations.
Jeremy reveals how charging for consultations not only increased his company’s revenue but also positioned his firm as a trusted authority in the industry. He also discusses the challenges of hiring the right team, the importance of humility in leadership, and how social media marketing can be both a valuable tool and a frustrating investment, depending on how it's used.
Other key topics include:
The importance of pricing your services correctly from the start
The impact of hiring mistakes and lessons learned from them
How entrepreneurs can invest in their businesses and navigate risks
Whether social media marketing is truly effective for small businesses
The role of continuous learning through books, podcasts, and industry news
 
------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST

In this episode of the Growth, Grace & Prosperity Podcast, host Stewart Heath sits down with Dr. Joseph Pazona, a urologist turned entrepreneur who took control of his career after being fired from a hospital system. Instead of seeking another job, Dr. Pazona saw the opportunity to build something better—his own medical practice, where patient care comes first.
Dr. Pazona shares his eye-opening experience of navigating the complexities of healthcare, stepping into business ownership, and shifting his practice away from traditional insurance models. He discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the power of saying "no" to create a better "yes," and the importance of continuous learning in both medicine and business.
If you've ever thought about breaking free from the constraints of a system that no longer serves you, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to Dr. Pazona
How he built a thriving medical practice on his own terms
The challenges physicians face in today’s healthcare system
The importance of lifelong learning in business and medicine
His investment philosophy and why he’s betting on himself
------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST

Steve Selengut joins Stewart Heath on this episode of Growth, Grace & Prosperity to share his journey from corporate finance to building a successful investment business. Steve talks about his game-changing moment in the 1970s when he took control of a diverse stock portfolio and realized the power of income investing. He shares how he built a thriving investment advisory firm, managed over $110 million, and transitioned into coaching others on financial independence through steady income portfolios.
In this insightful conversation, Steve and Stewart discuss:
The importance of income-focused investing over chasing stock prices
How Steve built a business on the principle of selling high and reinvesting in undervalued assets
The role of closed-end funds in long-term portfolio management
Why financial advisors often overlook income-generating investments
Steve’s book Retirement Money Secrets and how it helps investors build financial security
Steve now dedicates his time to coaching individuals on creating sustainable income portfolios. He shares his investment philosophy and offers valuable insights for anyone looking to grow wealth with stability.
 
------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST

In this episode of Growth, Grace & Prosperity, host Stewart Heath sits down with Dennis Spada, a business leader with over 30 years of experience in software development and IT services. Dennis shares his journey, the importance of mentorship, and the lessons he’s learned from both successes and setbacks.
He reflects on the power of networking, the role of AI in professional growth, and how resilience helped him navigate economic downturns. Dennis also provides valuable advice for young professionals looking to grow in their careers, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful relationships and staying adaptable in a fast-changing world.
Key Takeaways:
Why mentorship plays a crucial role in career growth
The impact of embracing setbacks as learning opportunities
How AI is transforming business and personal productivity
The importance of networking and interpersonal relationships in professional success
How Dennis approaches long-term investing and financial planning
-------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST

In this episode of The Growth, Grace & Prosperity Podcast, host Stewart Heath sits down with Randy Sadler, a military veteran turned entrepreneur, to discuss his fascinating career journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
From his time as a tank commander in the U.S. Army to his transition into the corporate world with Procter & Gamble and Pfizer, Randy shares the pivotal moments that shaped his path. A major turning point came during the 2008 financial crisis when he was let go from his corporate role—an event he now sees as a blessing in disguise. This unexpected setback led him to join CIC Services, where he transitioned into an entrepreneurial role helping businesses take control of their insurance needs.
Stewart and Randy dive into key topics, including:
The challenges of career pivots and how to turn setbacks into opportunities
The role of leadership and teamwork learned from military service
Strategies for navigating changing industries and economic downturns
The importance of faith, perseverance, and showing up every day
 
-------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST

In this episode of the Growth, Grace, and Prosperity Podcast, Stewart Heath sits down with Bryan Clayton, the co-founder of GreenPal, an innovative app often called the "Uber for lawn care." Bryan shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting a small landscaping business with just a push mower to growing it into a company with over 100 crews before making a successful exit.
He then ventured into the tech space, building GreenPal from the ground up—only to realize that creating the technology was the easy part. The real challenge? Getting customers and service providers on board. Bryan talks about overcoming the "chicken and egg" dilemma of marketplace businesses, the importance of customer feedback, and the relentless grind of entrepreneurship.
Bryan also shares insights on wealth-building, explaining how he turned his business profits into real estate investments and why he believes every business will soon be a tech business. He leaves us with valuable advice on forming rigorous daily habits and leveraging "trip wires" to stay accountable and continuously improve.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST

John Fly joins Stewart Heath on the Growth, Grace & Prosperity Podcast to share his journey from an introverted coder to a successful CTO. John reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including how his hard work, adaptability, and willingness to lead led him into senior executive roles. He discusses the challenges of managing people, handling workplace conflicts, and navigating career transitions with resilience and integrity.
John also talks about the rapid advancements in AI, how his company is leveraging generative AI in the legal sector, and why staying current with technology is crucial for any industry. On the personal side, he shares his investment approach, emphasizing long-term financial planning and avoiding risky market trends.
If you're interested in leadership, technology, and career growth, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST

In this episode of Growth, Grace & Prosperity, host Stewart Heath sits down with David Pollack, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Textbook, a groundbreaking B2B marketplace connecting businesses with specialized technicians. David shares his journey from military service to the corporate world and how his experiences in logistics, manufacturing, and transportation shaped his entrepreneurial path.
David discusses the pivotal moments that led him to create Textbook, the challenges he faced in scaling a business, and the lessons learned from his first failed venture. He also dives into the importance of resilience, the transition from structured military life to the unpredictable business world, and why he reinvests heavily into his company.
Tune in to hear David’s insights on:✔️ How his military experience influenced his business mindset✔️ The obstacles he overcame while launching and funding his startup✔️ The future of B2B technology and how Textbook is revolutionizing the industry✔️ His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs—embrace the suck and stay resilient!
 
-------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST

In this episode of Growth, Grace & Prosperity, host Stewart Heath, CPA, sits down with Dr. Trent Nessler, a leading physical therapist, biomechanical expert, and innovator in sports medicine. Dr. Nessler shares the deeply personal story that shaped his career, from witnessing his father’s spinal injury at a young age to developing cutting-edge technology that prevents devastating ACL injuries.
With over 90,000 athletes across five countries using his wearable sensor technology, Dr. Nessler has revolutionized how we assess movement risk and improve athletic performance. He also opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, losing his intellectual property, and the bold decision to start fresh—leading to an even better product.
In this conversation, you'll learn:
How a childhood tragedy sparked his passion for physical therapy
The pivotal moment that drove him to innovate in injury prevention
The challenges of launching a tech-based sports medicine business
Why perseverance and sticking to your vision are key to success
-------------------------------------------------------------- Are you a business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or professional in the Tennessee Valley area? Do you have a story of success and growth to share? We want to hear from you! Apply at GrowthGraceProsperity.com/GUEST