Default Profitable

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 sustainable growth. Discover how embracing creativity and relationships can transform challenges into opportunities—perfect for entrepreneurs wondering if they can build a business that fuels both passion and profit.
Learn more about Kelly Sundsvold and Gold Bear Media at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellysundsvold.
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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 founders and leaders dreaming big about profitable ventures. Tune in to uncover how passion and people-first strategies turned cheeseburgers and beer into sustainable success, and gain actionable tips to elevate your own business journey.
Learn more about Ron Ladner, Shaggy's and his new book at https://ronladner.com 
Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.
 

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 challenges. Founders and aspiring leaders will gain motivational takeaways on building a positive culture, staying in your lane, and discovering fulfillment in unexpected career paths—perfect for making profit your default through smart, sustainable strategies.
Learn more about Grant Kirsh and Adoption in Indiana at https://indianaadoption.com
Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.

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 grew through community networks and corporate partnerships—offering real-world strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs on resilience, valuing your worth, and turning passion into sustainable impact. Whether you're starting a business or nonprofit, you'll gain motivational insights on bootstrapping, building meaningful relationships, and embracing Indianapolis's unique supportive spirit to create lasting success.
Learn more about Tom Hanley and Nine13sports at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanleyiv.  
Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.

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 30 employees—while sharing candid lessons on quick decision-making and surrounding yourself with the right team. Aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders: What if one bold leap could transform your career, and how do you adapt when success hits harder than expected?
Learn more about Jesse Porter and Porter Roofing & Restoration at https://www.linkedin.com/company/porterroof.
Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.

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 trivia, corporate team-building, fundraisers, themed events, and even gamified employee training for major companies.
Have you ever wondered what happens when a high-powered attorney trades suits for trivia nights and turns a hobby into a thriving empire? What does it take to scale from solo hosting at dive bars to managing 75 hosts and landing big corporate clients like Eli Lilly and Salesforce? How do you craft questions that spark reason over rote recall, making games memorable and fun for everyone? And ending on a light note, Hammond recalls starting out paid in Coors Lights and buffalo wraps—talk about upgrading to cash without the heartburn.
Learn more about Matt Hammond and Hambone's Trivia at https://www.hambonestrivia.com/about 
Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.

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 challenges into long-term success, whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or seasoned business leader. Tune in for motivational insights on organic growth, market adaptation, and why starting small often leads to big wins in the competitive world of hospitality.
Learn more about Rachel Firestone Mohammad and 9th Street Bistro at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-firestone-12117040.
Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.

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 coaching that lights you up? And how do you set boundaries so you're strategizing, not therapizing? Chanda shares her journey from military discipline to nonprofit healing after tragedy, all while juggling five adult kids, four grandbabies, and globe-trotting adventures—proving gray hair just means smarter shortcuts.
Learn more about Chanda Coston and Chanda Co. at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandacoston and https://www.chanda-co.com/ 
Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.

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 crowded field.
Ever wondered what it takes to ditch a stable career and build a logistics outfit from scratch? How landing the "wrong" clients can teach you more than any win? What happens when you overload your team and learn the hard way about capacity? And why prioritizing sales activity is the ultimate game-changer, even when you're at full throttle? Oh, and Dave's got six kids – including five teens in a row – keeping the home front as chaotic as startup life.
Learn more about Dave Gulas and EZDC 3PL at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegulas.
Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.

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 emotional side of money decisions, and why permanent life insurance deserves a comeback amid industry shifts.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to ditch a sprawling empire for a passion-driven venture that actually fulfills you? What if the secret to killer sales isn't technique, but a rock-solid belief in caring deeply for each client? And how does spotting emotional money triggers from childhood make or break financial planning? Jim wraps with a humorous nod to his golf game—turns out, even a top producer can only hack so many rounds before needing a real purpose.
Learn more about Jim Effner and P2P Group at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimeffner.
Listen to more Indianapolis Business Leaders at https://defaultprofitable.com or subscribe to Default Profitable on your favorite podcast platform.