Voices of Leadership – The AIM/R Series is a special 18-episode collection featuring candid, powerful conversations with the leaders who are shaping the future of the manufacturers’ rep industry. Recorded live at the AIM/R Conference, each interview dives into the real stories behind leadership: the defining moments, the challenges, the habits, and the visions that drive this industry forward.
Hosted by Chris Atwell, Founder of Mindset-Conquest and a leadership & mindset coach to agencies across North America, this series brings you unscripted insights directly from the people on the front lines of growth, change, and innovation.
Across these short, high-impact episodes, you’ll hear leaders share:
The pivotal moments that shaped who they are
The toughest challenges they’ve overcome
The habits and mindset shifts that elevated their leadership
Their advice for the next generation of leaders
Their vision for the future of the rep industry
Whether you’re an agency principal, a sales leader, or simply someone committed to becoming a stronger leader, this series offers wisdom, perspective, and inspiration from voices that rarely get spotlighted.
🎙️ New episodes released weekly
📍 Recorded live at AIM/R
🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on your favourite podcast platform
Brought to you by Mindset-Conquest. Accelerating leadership, clarity, and growth for manufacturers’ rep agencies.
Ryan Wilkinson, President at Southwest Sales, Inc.
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Ryan Wilkinson for a grounded, insightful conversation about the experiences that shape real leadership. Ryan reflects on how his leadership wasn’t defined by a single moment, but by a collection of experiences over time, from childhood sports to his professional career, that helped him understand the difference between leaders people want to follow and those they don’t. Those experiences shaped his commitment to a ser...
12 Mar 2026
Richard Bishop, President at BRS Sales & Marketing
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Richard Bishop to discuss the experiences and mindset shifts that have shaped his leadership journey as a second-generation manufacturers’ rep agency owner. Richard reflects on how his leadership has evolved from trying to manage everything himself to recognizing the importance of trusting his team and delegating responsibility. As rep agencies grow and the complexity of the business increases, Richard shares how learn...
5 Mar 2026
Darren Belajac, President at Pinnacle Sales
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Darren Belajac for a thoughtful conversation about the mindset shifts that shape authentic leadership. Darren shares how his leadership journey wasn’t defined by a single moment, but by a process of realizing that leaders can only give their best when they take care of themselves first. After years of pushing through a “grind” mentality and trying to earn trust through constant effort, Darren began to recognize the importanc...
26 Feb 2026
Ben Firebaugh, Sales Representative at Smith & Stevenson
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Ben Firebaugh to discuss his journey into leadership within the manufacturers’ rep industry and the lessons shaping his growth. Ben shares how stepping into leadership has required him to find his voice, especially while working alongside colleagues with significantly more years of experience. Despite not holding an official leadership title, he has embraced the responsibility to lead, building confidence in his knowle...
19 Feb 2026
Brian Morgan, Principal at The Morgan Group
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Brian Morgan to explore the moments and decisions that have shaped his leadership journey in a multigenerational manufacturers’ rep business. Brian reflects on an early defining experience prior to entering the rep industry, when he was empowered to lead and train between 750 and 1,000 people in a short period of time while working in the marketing world. That opportunity to take ownership, build a plan, and execute at scale...
12 Feb 2026
Nate Wolfe, President of Sales at Manufacturers Marketing
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Nate Wolfe to explore the experiences that have shaped his leadership journey. Nate reflects on a defining early moment in his rise into leadership when he made a significant mistake and brought it forward to his company’s CEO, expecting a harsh response. Instead, the focus shifted to everything he had done right that day. That moment changed Nate’s perspective on leadership, reinforcing the importance of not letting mistake...
5 Feb 2026
Joe Herkowski, Owner of Herkowski Stickler & Associates
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Joe Herkowski to discuss the experiences that have shaped his leadership journey as his family business grew and evolved. Joe reflects on a defining period early in his leadership when the company rapidly expanded from a small team of just a few people to a multi-location organization in a short period of time. That growth created both opportunity and pressure, requiring quick decisions, adaptability, and a willingness to st...
29 Jan 2026
Bo Beard, Principal at Smith and Stevenson
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Bo Beard of Smith & Stevenson for a candid conversation about what leadership really looks like when you grow from peer to leader inside a long-standing manufacturers’ rep agency. Bo shares an honest and relatable perspective on stepping into leadership without feeling fully ready, and how confidence is built gradually through listening, learning, and experience. Bo reflects on his early days in leadership, when he...
22 Jan 2026
Anthony Estrada, Owner of ANT Sales Company
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Anthony Estrada for a thoughtful, authentic conversation about what truly shapes a leader over time. Anthony reflects on how his leadership foundation was formed long before business ownership, rooted in watching his father serve others with humility, generosity, and consistency. That early example instilled in Anthony a people-first philosophy that continues to guide how he leads his team, supports his customers, and shows ...
15 Jan 2026
Jason Romano, Vice President of Mid-Continent Marketing
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Jason Romano for a grounded, insightful conversation about the experiences that shape real leadership. Jason reflects on a defining moment early in his career as a young football coach, when his head coach was battling cancer and instilled a powerful standard of “mental toughness” within the team. That season marked by loss, resilience, and unity shaped Jason’s belief that leadership is about team over individual, grit over ...
8 Jan 2026
Beau Jolly, South East Texas Territory Manager of Tipton Company
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Beau Jolly for a grounded, deeply personal conversation about the experiences that shape real leadership. Beau reflects on a defining, life-altering moment, being diagnosed with diabetes, and how that challenge fundamentally changed the way he approached not only his health, but discipline, mindset, and leadership. What began as a personal battle became the foundation for how he shows up every day: leadership starts with sel...
1 Jan 2026
Graham Walker, VP Sales & Marketing of Allied Technical Solutions
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Graham Walker for a grounded, insightful conversation about the experiences that shape real leadership. Graham reflects on a defining contrast early in his career, experiencing leadership inside a large, highly structured organization and then within a smaller, trust-driven environment. That contrast shaped his belief that while process matters, real leadership is built through personal connection, trust, and genuine commitm...
25 Dec 2025
Patrick McCarthy, Vice President of Walter Morris Company
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Patrick McCarthy for a grounded, insightful conversation about the experiences that shape real leadership within a multigenerational, family-run rep agency. Patrick reflects on a defining chapter in his journey: navigating a formal succession planning process that forced him to confront his leadership style, personality, and role within both the business and his family. That experience brought a new level of self-awareness a...
18 Dec 2025
Jamie Hill, President of W.R. Bristow Manufacturers' Agents, Inc.
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Jamie for a grounded conversation about how real leadership is built over time. Rather than pointing to a single defining moment, Jamie reflects on how consistency, responsibility, and simply refusing to let the ball drop shaped his leadership journey. For him, leadership wasn’t claimed, it was earned by showing up and caring deeply about making people better. A central theme of the conversation is the connection between lea...
11 Dec 2025
Justin Elis, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Sales, Inc.
In this episode of Voices of Leadership, Chris Atwell sits down with Justin Elis for a grounded, insightful conversation about the experiences that shape real leadership. Justin reflects on a defining moment early in his career, being thrust into a failing property integration and tasked with “fixing it.” What he learned through that challenge continues to influence his leadership today: growth often comes from being thrown into the fire, and effective leaders understand the motivations, stre...
4 Dec 2025
Scott Cooper, President of New England Sales Inc.
In this first episode of the Voices of Leadership – AIM/R Series, Chris Atwell sits down with Scott Cooper, President of New England Sales Inc. and a second-generation leader with nearly 40 years of experience in the manufacturers’ rep industry. Scott offers a grounded, humble, and deeply seasoned perspective on what it truly takes to lead with purpose over the long term. Scott shares why leadership isn’t shaped by a single “aha” moment, but by a lifetime of experiences; watching his father l...
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