Default Profitable

Will Steck and his sister both started at Winthrop Supply on the same day in 2009, sweeping warehouse floors and loading trucks. Eleven years later, they bought the business from their dad. Winthrop is a fourth-generation Indianapolis plumbing supply company started in 1939, and also happens to be the longest-running Rheem distributor in the country.

Matt sits down with David Kusch, co-owner of Technic Consulting, a family-run IT managed services provider serving small to mid-sized businesses in Indianapolis. David shares his raw journey—from launching in 2001 with nothing but technical skills and hope, to seven years of hourly billing struggles, selling the business, and a smarter 2012 relaunch built on fixed-fee subscriptions, standardized systems, and proactive support.

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From Travel Turmoil to Aligned Success: Krystal Eicher's Real-Talk Business Journey

Dive into this candid conversation on the Default Profitable Podcast as host Matt Nettleton sits down with Krystal Eicher, co-founder of Serendipitous Rebel, to unpack her resilient path from a pandemic-crushed travel business to building a thriving coaching and consulting firm that empowers online entrepreneurs—especially coaches and service provid...

Host Matt Nettleton sits down with Nate Littlewood of Future Ready CFO, a former Wall Street investment banker who built (and exited) his own e-commerce business before becoming the go-to fractional CFO for consumer product and online brands. Nate pulls back the curtain on why so many founders stay in denial or overwhelm when it comes to their finances, how he uses historical numbers to help entrepreneurs confidently plan and scal...

Ryan Schwartz shares the unfiltered story of building Fenster Components—a niche manufacturer of wood window repair parts and replacement sashes—into a 25-year, nationwide, almost-entirely-online business that helps homeowners avoid costly full-window replacements. From spotting an opportunity in rotting clad-wood windows during his warranty job days, to surviving the 2008 housing crash, selling off service/install sides to focus o...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton interviews Thomas Cox, who shares his journey from coaching college football to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the food and finance industries. Thomas discusses the importance of having multiple revenue streams, the concept of infinite banking, and his passion for educating others about personal finance. He emphasizes the significance of giving back and s...

Join host Matt Nettleton in a candid conversation with Matt Allen, founder of Iconic Insurance, as they unpack essential health insurance strategies for self-employed entrepreneurs and small business owners. Discover why ditching marketplace plans for personalized coverage with a dedicated agent can slash costs, simplify claims, and provide reliable protection—plus, get motivated by Matt's insights on shifting from scarcity to serv...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Bill Reynolds, founder and president of Element 502, about his unexpected journey from consultant to agency owner through an asset purchase in 2015. Bill shares raw insights on overcoming financial hurdles, earning team buy-in with transparency during tough times, and mastering sales as a non-sales guy—plus why trust is the ultimate currency in marketing and busi...

Join host Matt Nettleton as he chats with Kelly Sundsvold, founder of Gold Bear Media, about launching a full-service marketing agency amid the chaos of 2020. From navigating personal health crises like her husband's paralysis and her own breast cancer diagnosis to turning a necessity-driven side gig into a profitable venture, Kelly shares motivational insights on delegation, hiring experts early, and setting boundaries for sustain...

Discover how Ron Ladner accidentally launched Shaggy's restaurant chain amid Hurricane Katrina's devastation, transforming a small-town spark of hope into a powerhouse brand focused on employee growth and customer happiness. In this motivational episode, Ron shares entrepreneurial insights on building a resilient business culture, investing in your team for long-term loyalty, and prioritizing revenue even in recessions—perfect for ...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Grant Kirsh, managing partner of Kirsh & Kirsh, P.C. to explore the realities of succeeding in a second-generation family business focused on adoption law in Indiana. Grant shares candid insights on leadership transitions, managing family employees, and balancing delegation with hands-on involvement while keeping a proven firm thriving amid competitive ch...

In this inspiring episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Tom Hanley, founder and CEO of Nine13sports, about transforming a life-altering accident into a mission-driven organization that empowers Indianapolis kids through cycling and education. Discover how Tom pivoted from elite cycling to launching a nonprofit that now serves 45,000 students annually, survived the pandemic by innovating into logistics, and g...

In this episode of the Default Profitable Podcast, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Jesse Porter, founder of Porter Roofing & Restoration, to unpack his pivot from an accounting degree to building a thriving exterior remodeling business in Indianapolis. Hear how Jesse turned five years of roofing sales experience into his own company amid the 2020 COVID storm, tackling hiring hurdles, cash flow crunches, and rapid growth to 3...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton chats with Matt Hammond, a former corporate lawyer turned trivia entrepreneur. They dive into Hammond's journey from practicing law at a big firm and running political campaigns to launching Hambone's Trivia back in 2012. The conversation covers how a casual weather app game at a downtown Indy bar sparked it all, growing from free beer gigs to a full-scale business with bar...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Rachel Firestone Mohammad, co-owner of 9th Street Bistro in Noblesville, to explore the real strategies behind launching and sustaining a profitable restaurant—from pivoting during the pandemic to building deep community connections.

Discover how embracing flexibility, prioritizing staff well-being, and staying true to your passion can turn unexpected challen...

In this episode we chat with Chanda Coston, a Navy vet turned business strategist who's all about helping women over 40 ditch the chaos and build businesses that actually fit their lives—think structure meets soul, with programs like Build to Blueprint and The Momentum Mastery Collective.

Have you ever wondered if it's too late to pivot after the kids are (mostly) grown? What does it take to swap a steady government gig for coachin...

In this episode of Default Profitable, We sit down with Dave Gulas to unpack his shift from two decades in pharma sales to launching EZDC 3PL, a warehousing and fulfillment powerhouse for e-commerce brands. We dive into the raw realities of starting up – from spotting gaps in customer service to navigating pivots, building an online presence, and why resilience beats any perfect plan when you're bootstrapping a business in a crowde...

In this episode of Default Profitable, host Matt Nettleton sits down with Jim Effner, a 36-year veteran of the financial services and life insurance industry. Jim shares his journey from building a massive Northwestern Mutual operation with 400 people and five buildings to founding P2P Group, a lean sales training firm laser-focused on boosting productivity in financial services. They dive into the challenges of scaling down, the e...

Welcome aboard another episode of Default Profitable, where we get real about the strategies that turn businesses into consistent cash machines. This time, I sat down with Mikkel Thorup, the expat expert who's bootstrapped his way from a tough school experience to running a 32-person team at ExpatMoney.com. We dive into his wild backstory—getting labeled with a learning disability as a kid, ditching public education early, and turn...