Scaling Up Success Podcast

What if scaling your business didn’t mean adding more to your plate, but actually freeing up your time to focus on what matters most?

On this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, host Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Christopher Roberts, founder of CSR Solutions, to unpack how business owners can use video not just for marketing, but to build systems that scale.

Chris shares how internal videos can revolutionize how you on...

What if the path to success wasn’t just about talent, but also about preparation, hustle, and building the right team?

On this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, Ryan Van Ornum chats with Michelle Edwards, founder of WireWood Station and a powerhouse musician with a story that spans classical symphonies, touring with Wayne Newton, and creating one of Colorado’s most dynamic live bands.

Michelle opens up about turning ...

What if building wealth wasn’t about chasing money, but about staying disciplined, taking smart risks, and believing in yourself when things get tough?

In this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Joseph McNeal, an Army veteran and real estate broker who turned his military mindset into a life of freedom and purpose.

Joseph opens up about how he used his VA loan to buy his first triplex wit...

What if the real key to success isn’t just grinding harder, but showing up every day with purpose, resilience, and a never-quit mindset?

On this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, Ryan Van Ornum chats with Ignacio Martinez, founder of VersaPro Solutions and all-around problem-solver, about the hustle, heart, and habits behind building a business and a better life.

From helping small businesses get off the ground to lo...

What if the secret to crushing your goals isn’t just talent, training, or hustle, but actually being unapologetically you?

On this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Celeste Bonin, pro athlete, fitness icon, and boss-level entrepreneur, to spill all the tea on how authenticity can take your performance and your life to the next level.

From dominating the stage to building a brand, Celest...

What if the key to scaling a business successfully wasn’t just funding, branding, or hiring the right people, but a founder’s lost “superpower”?

On this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Eli Portnoy, serial entrepreneur and founder of Back Engine, to explore how startups can reclaim the CEO advantage, the unique ability to hear directly from customers, make fast decisions, and align every t...

What does it really take to break through limiting beliefs and build confidence as an entrepreneur?

On this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Shari Carlson to explore how asking bold questions, embracing curiosity, and finding the right community can unlock personal and professional growth.

Shari shares her insights on why the “stupid” question is often the smartest one, how self-doubt c...

What does it really mean to own your data, and why could it be the key to scaling your business?

On this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Vadim Epelbaum, founder of Unitech, to explore how giving businesses ownership of their data through on-premise cloud solutions can fuel growth, increase transparency, and cut hidden costs.

Vadim breaks down why data is “the new gold,” the importance ...

What if smart marketing, automation, and AI could be the key to scaling your business faster than you ever imagined?

On this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Reed Hansen, founder of Market Surge, to explore how he helps small and medium-sized businesses grow using technology, systems, and automation.

Reed shares how he started with a focus on photography studios and expanded into logist...

What if the lessons you learned on the field could be the key to building a thriving business?

On this episode of the Scaling Up Success Podcast, Ryan Van Ornum sits down with Marques Ogden, NFL athlete, Howard University football legend, and founder of Ogden Ventures, to share his remarkable journey from college football to the pros, and then into the business world.

Marques opens up about carrying on a family legacy, earnin...

Are you ready to turn your speaking talent into a thriving business? In this episode of Scaling Up Success, Marty Dickinson joins Ryan Van Ornum to break down how speakers can build momentum and attract clients by leveraging their unique expertise. With nearly three decades of experience, Marty introduces his mascot “Action” — a symbol for moving past procrastination — and explains why true growth demands more than just activity. I...

What happens when sharp analytical thinking blends with the heart of relationship-driven real estate?

Samia Morgan’s inspiring evolution, from Egyptian immigrant to global luxury real estate advisor, shows that real success stems from embracing change while staying rooted in your values.

Her story is one of remarkable transformation: a chemistry graduate turned tech professional turned real estate leader. Guided by her father’s timel...

How Do You Stand Out in Today’s Overcrowded Marketplace?

In this compelling conversation, communication strategist Shelby Jo Long sits down with Ryan Van Ornam to explore what it truly takes to build a visible, impactful personal brand in today’s digital age. From strategic positioning to meaningful relationship-building, Shelby shares the tools every professional needs to rise above the noise.

“Your net worth is directly proportiona...

What if a single moment could completely rewrite the direction of your life?

For Dr. Liz Blanding, that moment came in the form of a devastating car accident. One second, she was a thriving real estate agent, next, she was being told she might never walk again after hydroplaning into a tree. But Dr. Liz refused to accept that prognosis as her truth. Instead, she began a deep, personal healing journey that would eventually lead her t...

What happens when a firefighter brings his values of service, integrity, and leadership into real estate?

Meet Tristan Calabro, founder of The Calabro Group, whose remarkable journey from emergency services to real estate entrepreneurship proves that trust and heart still have a place in business. Driven by a desire to spend more time with his family and take back control of his schedule, Tristan transitioned from fire trucks to ope...

Tom Reber pulls no punches when it comes to business. “You have a glorified job with overhead and a shitty boss,” he says, if you can’t get out of your own way. 

As the founder of The Contractor Fight and Simplify Painting, Tom sits down with host Ryan Van Ornum to unpack the mindset shifts that separate business owners who stay stuck from those who scale with purpose and success.

He shares the real story behind growing Simplify Pain...

What happens when skilled tradespeople, machinists, welders, and engineers step into business ownership?
Many hit a wall around $2–4 million in revenue. In this powerful episode, Dave McFarland of Focus Op-X breaks down why so many “accidental business owners” stall at that point, and how scaling up requires a shift in mindset, not just more hustle.

“You can't read the label from inside the jar,” Dave says, reminding us that true gro...

Scaling a business isn’t just about tactics, it’s about breaking through the fear that keeps entrepreneurs stuck in cycles of hesitation and survival mode. In a powerful conversation with Brent Holtman, founder of Kairos Profit Coach, we explore what really holds small businesses back from sustainable growth. Brent introduces the "buffalo strategy", facing challenges head-on instead of waiting them out. Through real-world case stud...

Think rejection hurts? Imagine facing it every day as part of your job. Dr. Albert Bramante, a veteran talent agent with over 21 years in the industry and founder of Bramante Artists, knows this reality well. "The truth is, you're going to hear more no's than yeses, no matter your talent," he says. His transformative advice: reframe rejection. “Use the no as a gentle reminder that your services aren’t needed today.” With this minds...