Ben Billups builds by questioning popular bluebrints. From skipping the traditional college route to launching companies in industries he never expected to touch, Ben’s path is defined by relentless curiosity and unconventional thinking. Whether he’s scaling email growth with unexpected strategies or redefining how newsletters grow with Breaker, he operates on one core principle: do what others don’t, and do it well.

Ryan Thompson didn’t start 10th Mountain Whiskey just to make spirits—he started it to honor a legacy. Inspired by the soldiers who trained in Colorado’s high alpine terrain, his distillery was built as a tribute to the grit and sacrifice of the U.S. military. Over a decade later, the brand stands as both a business and a platform for giving back. In this conversation, Ryan shares what it takes to scale a values-driven company—and why mission has mattered more than marketing.

Peter G’s path to founding KarmaDharma wasn’t a straight line... it was a series of bold pivots, personal reckonings, and a cancer diagnosis that forced him to choose purpose over comfort. From bussing tables to leading in big media to building a mission-first business, Peter’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and growing with intention.

Bryan Buerkle grew up in the dust and diesel of southeastern Montana. He left to design the future of farming at John Deere—then came home to fix what Big Ag left behind. This is the story of how a ranch kid became a CEO, built a logistics platform for overlooked farmers, and never lost sight of who he was building for.

Alberto Lopez grew up with a deep connection to the ocean—and today, he’s leading Sunfish to build world-class underwater robotics that protect it. From childhood tinkering to scaling a venture-backed startup, Alberto’s story is a reminder that solving the planet’s biggest problems starts with relentless curiosity and grit.

From co-founding a tech business at 22 to leading Me&U, a company tackling one of hospitality’s toughest challenges - how to delight guests whilst operating profitably, Josh Smith’s journey is anything but linear. What stands out is his raw honesty about leadership, failure, and the often brutal lessons of scaling a team. His take on hiring, gut instincts, and keeping people connected in a digital world offers valuable insight for any founder navigating growth.