Neil on Business Podcast

Neil on Business Podcast

Real talk. Real lessons. Real leadership. Hosted by entrepreneur and community builder Neil Darling, Neil on Business is a no-fluff podcast for people who are ready to do business on their own terms. Born from the collaborative energy of RingSpaces—a coworking and event hub in Fredericksburg—this show dives deep into what it really takes to lead, grow, and build in today’s business world. Each episode features raw, insightful conversations with entrepreneurs, leaders, and especially veterans who’ve turned high-pressure life experience into powerful business success. Whether you’re scaling a company, starting from scratch, or simply hungry to lead better, this podcast delivers straight-shooting stories, real strategy, and bold takeaways. What you can expect: Candid conversations with entrepreneurs and former Marines turned business leaders Actionable advice on leadership, mindset, and business growth No jargon, no fluff—just hard-earned wisdom and powerful storytelling Big questions that challenge you to think, build, and lead differently If you’re ready to cut through the noise and grow on your own terms, you’re in the right place.

Episodes

July 18, 2025 18 mins

In this special mash-up episode of Neil on Business, host Neil Darling shares highlights from three popular episodes, featuring stories of leadership, grit, and business success. His guests recount their experience inside the White House during 9/11, another guest reflects on overcoming tragedy after a fatal car accident, a...

In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews former Marines Jim Benson, Jeff Rose, and Jerry McQuoid about their transition from military aviation to tech entrepreneurship. The trio shares how their Marine Corps experiences shaped their leadership, grit, and teamwork, leading to the creation of Ratio Exchange, a platform streamlining government contracting with AI. They discuss...

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In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Eric Streit, a Navy veteran who transitioned into a successful career in show business. Eric shares his journey from military service to working in reality television, stunts, and production, highlighting the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and seizing opportunities. The conversation covers his experiences at Disney, working abroad, and producing hit show...

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In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews David, a Marine veteran and tech expert. David shares his journey from the Marine Corps to a career in technology, discussing his experiences with deployment, mental health challenges, and transitioning to civilian life. The conversation explores the entrepreneurial mindset, the impact of automation and AI on jobs, and the importance of seeking support. David also ...

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In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Dan Craddock, a well-known Fredericksburg entrepreneur. Dan shares his journey from a creative childhood in Italy and Texas to founding Metro Nova, a branding agency. He discusses challenges faced in entrepreneurship, the importance of community support, and his latest venture—a dog-friendly tap house and hot dog restaurant. The conversation highlights resilience, ...

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In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Oscar Espinosa, who shares his journey from immigrating from El Salvador to building a successful painting business in the U.S. Oscar discusses the challenges of starting over, lessons learned in the trades, and the importance of quality, integrity, and customer service. He highlights strategies for hiring and retaining good workers, building t...

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In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Lou Kelly, a former Marine and leadership coach. They discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of effective communication, and lessons from Lou’s military background. Lou shares how understanding communication styles using the DISC model can transform team dynamics and recounts coaching success stories. The conversation also explores...

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In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Justin Lapier, founder and CEO of Synctivate. Justin shares his journey from military service and overcoming personal tragedy to building a tech company that empowers small businesses. The conversation covers his challenges with a past legal issue, his vision for accessibl...

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In this episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling interviews Sam McGregor of Briteco a jewelry and watch insurance company. Sam shares his journey from wrestling at UVA to careers in automotive, jewelry, and insurance. They discuss the value of wrestling in building discipline, the importance of trust in the jewelry industry, and trends like lab-created diamonds. Sam explains how Briteco streamlines jewelry insurance and emp...

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Episode Summary

In this extraordinary episode of "Neil On Business," host Neil Darling interviews his brother, Lt. Colonel Robert J. Darling (USMC, Ret.), sharing one of the most compelling military-to-business transformation stories ever told. Robert's journey takes us from his decision to become a Marine after the 1983 Beirut bombing, through combat operations in Desert Storm and Somalia, ...

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Episode Summary

In this compelling episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling sits down with Zach Hancock, a Marine veteran who transformed his military intelligence skills into a thriving independent insurance practice. Zach's journey takes us from small-town Michigan through the ceremonial duties at 8th & I in Washington DC, to combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan as both an in...

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Episode Summary

In this inaugural episode of "Neil on Business," host Neil Darling sits down with Nathan Dobbins, a Marine veteran turned successful entrepreneur in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Nate shares his winding journey from studying forestry at Virginia Tech to serving as a heavy equipment mechanic in Afghanistan, then pivoting through various careers before finding his calling in real e...

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May 28, 2025 1 min

Real talk. Real lessons. Real leadership.

Hosted by entrepreneur and community builder Neil Darling, Neil on Business is a no-fluff podcast for people who are ready to do business on their own terms. Born from the collaborative energy of RingSpaces—a coworking and event hub in Fredericksburg—this show dives deep into what it really takes to lead, grow, and build in today’s business world.

Each episode features raw, insightful conve...

Mark as Played

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