In the Thick of It

About In the Thick of It

Join Scott Hollrah, founder of Venn Technology, as he takes you "In the Thick of It" with the real stories of founders who are actively navigating the challenges and triumphs of running their businesses. This podcast goes beyond the typical entrepreneurial success stories and delves into the messy, gritty, and sometimes chaotic world of building and growing a company. Get inspired, learn from the experiences of others, and gain insights into what it truly means to be in the thick of the entrepreneurial journey.

Publisher

Scott Hollrah

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Aug 2023

Latest episode

4 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

98 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Jun 2026

   #48 Chris Lesner, Founder & CEO | Project World Impact

   Let's dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Chris Lesner (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislesner/), founder and CEO of Project World Impact (https://projectworldimpact.com/). Join us as Chris takes us from a childhood spent moving across the globe from Michigan to Japan, Australia, Germany, and back to the Chicago suburbs, to his emergence as a purpose-driven entrepreneur building businesses designed to honor God and impact people. During our conversation, Chris opened up about how growing up in 10 schools over 11 years shaped his resilience, adaptability, and optimism. He shares the story of launching his first marketing company in college at just 19, learning SEO by Googling it after pitching clients, walking away from a fast-growing business during his senior year, and turning down outside investment so he could build on his own terms. He also reflects on the early chaos of Project World Impact, burning through capital on failed software builds, being forced back into marketing to fund the vision, and navigating the uncertainty of building something meaningful before it was profitable. Discover the origin story of PWI, as Chris reflects on the early chaos of Project World Impact, burning through capital on failed software builds, being forced back into marketing to fund the vision, and navigating the uncertainty of building something meaningful before it was profitable. *** About Project World Impact At Platform Transition, we're dedicated to educating and connecting nonprofits and individuals who want to make a positive impact on the world's most basic needs. We offer a range of affordable and innovative services for organizations seeking to communicate their mission effectively. To learn more, visit projectworldimpact.com (https://platformtransition.com/) *** 📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us 📱 Connect with us on socials • https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-thick-of-it-podcast/ • https://www.facebook.com/inthethickofitpodcast/ • https://www.instagram.com/inthethickofit_podcast/

2. 

   26 May 2026

   #47 Hugh Stewart, President | Platform Transition

   Get ready to dive into the remarkable journey of Platform Transition's (https://platformtransition.com/) president, Hugh Stewart (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughostewart/). Join us as Hugh takes us from his childhood in Jamaica, where a Blue Angels air show sparked a lifelong obsession with aviation, to his emergence as a leading data migration expert in the Sage Intacct ecosystem. During our conversation, Hugh opens up about the winding path that shaped him, earning his pilot's license at 17, graduating with a master's degree at 21, working as a nuclear and chemical engineer at GE, HP, Pratt & Whitney, and Merck, and ultimately starting 37 companies over 25 years. He shares candidly about the devastating moment employees stole $150,000 from his businesses, how that betrayal sparked his passion for accounting, and the mentor who has been whispering wisdom into his life for 30 years. Discover the origin story of Platform Transition, as Hugh shares valuable lessons on building partnerships with friends and family, creating an abundance mindset in a competitive market, and the power of choosing a direction and making it right. From rebuilding 15 years of QuickBooks history into pristine Intacct records to giving 10% of profits back to his team, Hugh offers a compelling look at one entrepreneur's journey of turning lemons into lemonade, again and again, while building a company that makes chaos fade away. *** About Platform Transition At Platform Transition, our mission is to empower finance teams to go live in Sage Intacct® with all the data they want to streamline their accounting workflows, gain powerful insight into their operations, and leave their legacy system behind forever. We collaborate with implementation teams to offer the most comprehensive data migration services in the industry, with a flat-fee structure that incentivizes us to get it right the first time. To learn more, visit platformtransition.com (https://platformtransition.com/) *** 📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us 📱 Connect with us on socials • https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-thick-of-it-podcast/ • https://www.facebook.com/inthethickofitpodcast/ • https://www.instagram.com/inthethickofit_podcast/

3. 

   18 May 2026

   #46: Shane Bauman, President | RISE Wealth Strategies

   Get ready to dive into the inspiring journey of Rise Wealth Strategies (https://www.risewealth.org/)' founder, Shane (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebauman/). Join us as Shane takes us from his roots in the small farming town of Eaton, Colorado, to his emergence as a purpose-driven wealth advisor redefining what financial planning looks like. During our conversation, Shane opens up about growing up with two father figures, a 9-to-5 union worker and a farmer, and how their contrasting perspectives on career versus business shaped his worldview. He shares candidly about his prodigal years chasing debauchery in college bands, and meeting his wife Jenny (and the unforgettable wedding dance that almost ruined his chances). Discover why Shane believes money is simply a tool best used when aligned with purpose, and why liquidity isn't just a safety net, it's the key to freedom, opportunity, and making decisions from a position of strength. This episode kicks off the return of In the Thick of It with a compelling look at one advisor's journey from rural Colorado to building a firm that helps clients align their wealth with what matters most. *** About RISE Wealth Strategies RISE Wealth Strategies was founded on a simple but powerful belief: that every dollar of your wealth should have a clear purpose and move toward what matters most to you. What guides everything we do is different: our systematic approach to giving every dollar purpose, our commitment to servant leadership, and our dedication to walking alongside you as you build generous, contented, and impactful lives rooted in biblical stewardship principles. To learn more, visit risewealth.org (https://www.risewealth.org/) *** 📧 If you or a founder you know would like to be a guest on In The Thick of It, email us at intro@founderstory.us 📱 Connect with us on socials • https://www.linkedin.com/company/in-the-thick-of-it-podcast/ • https://www.facebook.com/inthethickofitpodcast/ • https://www.instagram.com/inthethickofit_podcast/

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

16 ratings

Spotify

4.3 / 5

6 ratings

Contact In the Thick of It

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.