The Business Method: Interviewing Billionaires, Billion Dollar Founders & the World’s Most Successful People 🎧🔥

Chris Reynolds
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May 6, 2026 • 47min

Ep. 573 | From Swiss Special Forces to a $1 Billion Exit | Sam Goodner

Today, we’re diving into a conversation about one of the most overlooked truths in entrepreneurship: scaling isn’t about working harder; it’s about building systems that work without you. And today’s guest is someone who has mastered exactly that at the highest level. Our guest is Sam Goodner, a former Swiss Army officer turned entrepreneur and operator who has helped build and scale companies into industry leaders. Sam is the founder of Catapult Systems, which became Microsoft’s largest software partner, and the former president of Flash Parking, where he helped grow the company from just 12 employees to over 800 across 30 states and six countries, ultimately reaching a $1B valuation in 2022. But what makes Sam different isn’t just the scale; it’s how he thinks. Drawing from his Swiss Army background, Sam brings a disciplined, systems-first approach to leadership. He shares why decentralized decision-making is critical to growth, why many entrepreneurs celebrate outcomes more than execution, and how real scale comes from codifying best practices into repeatable playbooks. He breaks down the exact phases of growth at Flash from early startup days to cloud adoption, marketplace expansion, dynamic pricing, and the future of smart-city mobility. His journey is a masterclass in leadership, clarity, and building organizations that can operate at a high level without constant founder involvement. From hiring based on core values to simplifying operations with the 80/20 rule, to embracing AI as a once-in-a-generation opportunity, Sam shares the frameworks that allowed him to scale efficiently and sustainably. In this episode, we unpack what it really takes to move from founder-led chaos to system-driven growth and why the future belongs to leaders who can build teams, structure decisions, and get out of their own way. It’s a powerful conversation on discipline, scale, and building something that lasts.  Episode Highlights: 00:00 AI Edge Intro 00:24 Meet Sam Goodner 01:36 Swiss Army Lessons 04:12 Decentralized Decisions 04:58 Swiss vs US Execution 07:39 Billion Dollar Pillars 09:53 Breaking Seven Figures 11:12 Codify Playbooks 14:50 Best In World Advantage 16:45 Flash Growth Chapters 20:00 Smart Cities Future 21:43 Core Values In Chaos 23:49 Hiring For Core Values 24:52 Scaling Leadership Transitions 28:41 People First Billion Scale 29:44 Simplify And Focus 32:32 Building Aligned Teams 36:23 Topgrading Interview Method 38:06 Grit And Work Ethic 39:26 Focus Beats Shiny Objects 41:21 Mentors And Peer Groups 42:53 AI Native Advantage 44:09 Book Like Clockwork 45:37 Final Advice Find Mentors Connect with Sam Website: https://samgoodner.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samgoodner X (Twitter):  https://x.com/goodner  Subscribe to The Business Method Podcast  Website: https://www.thebusinessmethod.com/  Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheBusinessMethod  Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyTheBusinessMethod  Follow Chris Reynolds: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn — @chrisreynoldslive  https://linktr.ee/ChrisReynoldsLive
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Apr 1, 2026 • 45min

Ep. 572 | From Broke to $1.2 Billion, the Female CEO Who Rebuilt a Global Brand | Angelica Fuentes.

In this episode of The Business Method Podcast, host Chris Reynolds sits down with entrepreneur and CEO Angelica, who shares the remarkable story of stepping into leadership when her family’s company was on the verge of collapse and turning it into a billion-dollar turnaround. Angelica opens up about saying yes to the scariest opportunity of her career: becoming CEO of OmniLife and Chivas at a time when the company was nearing bankruptcy. Faced with enormous pressure, she restructured leadership, rebuilt operations and supply chains, unified branding across international markets, and made difficult decisions including layoffs while implementing a bold people-first culture. Throughout the conversation, Angelica reveals how fear can actually be a powerful signal for growth and why she encourages entrepreneurs, especially women to take action even when they feel afraid. She also shares her early experiences working in her family’s energy business, the discrimination she faced as a woman in leadership, and the inner work that helped her build resilience, confidence, and clarity. Beyond business, Angelica introduces NOWFUL, her wellness system designed to help people reconnect with themselves through simple daily rituals. The system includes AI-powered affirmation cards, a mushroom complex, anchoring oils, magnesium sleep cream, and a 30-day challenge focused on breathing, gratitude, and positive habits. This episode is a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, fear, wellness, and the mindset required to rebuild companies and transform lives. 🎧 Episode Highlights: 00:00 Fear Fuels Action 03:11 Meet Angelica’s Resume 04:15 The Scariest Yes 04:57 Turning Bankruptcy Around 06:06 Fear vs Failure Mindset 06:49 OmniLife and Chivas Explained 07:38 Chapter One Restructure Leadership 08:45 Chapter Two Fix Operations 10:56 People First Policies 12:41 Hard Layoffs and Backlash 15:30 Public Scrutiny as a Woman 17:08 The Inner Void and Self Worth 18:02 Early Work and Discrimination 19:19 Earning the CEO Seat 22:35 Women Leaders Build Differently 24:46 Inner Confidence Built 25:28 Leading in Male Spaces 26:40 Cooperation Beats Ego 27:33 Advice to Women Founders 28:09 Real Power Within 28:38 Why Mouthful Exists 29:12 Wellness as Superpower 30:31 Mouthful System Overview 31:04 AI Affirmation Cards 32:22 Mushrooms Oil Magnesium 34:31 Daily Wellness Habits 35:55 Workout and Lemon Water 37:02 Rapid Fire Questions 37:46 Rest and Burnout Lessons 39:52 30 Day Reconnect Challenge 41:03 B2B Partnerships and Culture 42:20 Core Values in Cards 43:39 Final Message and Farewell   Connect with Angelica Website: https://angelicafuentes.com/ NOWFUL: https://nowful.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelicafuentes63/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelica-fuentes X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/angelicafuentes    Subscribe to The Business Method Podcast  Website: https://www.thebusinessmethod.com/  Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheBusinessMethod  Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyTheBusinessMethod  Follow Chris Reynolds: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn — @chrisreynoldslive  https://linktr.ee/ChrisReynoldsLive    
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Feb 12, 2026 • 1h 5min

Ep. 571 | The Man Who Built The North Face Into a Global Icon | Hap Klopp

In this episode of The Business Method Podcast, host Chris Reynolds sits down with Kenneth “Hap” Klopp, the legendary former CEO who transformed The North Face from a small outdoor brand into a globally recognized powerhouse. From his early days growing up in Spokane, Washington, to leading one of the most iconic outdoor apparel companies in the world, Hap shares the leadership philosophy that drove his success, one rooted in understanding people, building authentic culture, and balancing commercial growth with environmental responsibility. Hap opens up about how The North Face built demand rather than simply following it, the innovative branding strategies that helped define the company, and the importance of storytelling in creating lasting brand value. He also reflects on sustainability, employee engagement, and how true innovation often comes from staying focused on long-term purpose rather than short-term wins. Today, Hap continues to inspire future entrepreneurs through teaching and mentorship, sharing decades of hard-earned lessons about leadership, resilience, and building meaningful businesses. This episode is packed with insights on brand-building, sustainability, leadership, and innovation straight from one of the outdoor industry’s most influential pioneers.  Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to Hap Klopp and The North Face 01:27 Hap Klopp's Early Inspirations and Philosophy 03:49 Challenges and Lessons in Business 07:19 Building The North Face Brand 12:18 Environmental Commitment and Innovations 16:10 The Impact and Legacy of The North Face 19:06 Company Culture and Employee Development 23:37 Branding and Storytelling 29:54 Chapters of Growth and Survival 32:13 Maintaining Employee Engagement 35:19 Creating Demand vs. Following Demand 37:40 The Importance of Focus and Survival 43:10 Influencer Marketing Before It Was Cool 46:28 The Myth of Overnight Success 48:35 Lessons from Bucky Fuller 51:29 Connecting with Nature 01:00:05 Final Thoughts and Resources    Connect with Hap Klopp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapklopp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hap-klopp-b3b976/ Twitter (X): https://x.com/HapKlopp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALMOSTbyHap/  Subscribe to The Business Method Podcast  Website: https://www.thebusinessmethod.com/  Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheBusinessMethod  Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyTheBusinessMethod  Follow Chris Reynolds: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn — @chrisreynoldslive  https://linktr.ee/ChrisReynoldsLive
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Dec 11, 2025 • 56min

Ep.570 | How Waze Co-Founder Uri Levine Built Two Billion-Dollar Startups

In this episode of The Business Method Podcast, host Chris Reynolds sits down with Uri Levine, the co-founder of Waze, a GPS navigation app acquired by Google for $1.1 billion, and Move It, a public transit app acquired by Intel for just shy of $1 billion. Uri shares invaluable insights on the rollercoaster journey of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of creating value, falling in love with the problem, and building strong teams. He discusses strategies to identify problems worth solving, iterating based on customer feedback, and fostering a company culture that encourages value creation and hard decision-making. Listen in for Uri's practical advice on scaling companies from early-stage ideas to global impact, and his thoughts on maintaining high user engagement and overcoming challenges in the startup ecosystem.   Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to Billion Dollar Founders 00:34 Meet Uri Levine: The Billion Dollar Exit King 01:40 The Essence of Entrepreneurship: Creating Value 02:07 Falling in Love with the Problem 03:48 The Journey of Failures and Iterations 08:24 Discovering the Idea for Waze 09:46 The Evolution of Waze 11:57 The Importance of Product-Market Fit 14:02 Strategies for Growth and User Acquisition 19:49 The Role of Word of Mouth in Waze's Success 28:55 The Unique Value of Waze 30:06 Maintaining Customer Engagement 31:26 The Importance of Experimentation 32:33 Meeting Steve Wozniak 34:02 Understanding User Behavior 36:54 The Challenge of Hiring and Firing 38:37 Building a Winning Team 43:10 Creating a Positive Work Culture 47:51 The Role of Value Creation 53:31 Final Thoughts and Advice   Connect with Uri Levine Website: https://urilevine.com/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ulevine/ LinkedIn: https://il.linkedin.com/in/uri-levine Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/UriLevine1 Subscribe to The Business Method Podcast  Website: thebusinessmethod.com  Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/TheBusinessMethod  Google Podcasts: bit.ly/TheBusinessMethodGooglePodcasts  Spotify: bit.ly/SpotifyTheBusinessMethod    Follow Chris Reynolds: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn — @chrisreynoldslive  https://linktr.ee/ChrisReynoldsLive
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Oct 17, 2025 • 38min

Ep.569 | Billionaire Episode: Tim Draper - The Most Successful Venture Capitalist of Today

In this insightful discussion, legendary venture capitalist Tim Draper shares his journey of backing industry giants like Tesla and SpaceX. He emphasizes the significance of risk-taking and innovation in entrepreneurship, revealing how his family legacy shaped his investment philosophy. Draper highlights the importance of personal connections in deal-making, advocates for revisiting SEC regulations, and reflects on his passion for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency's transformative potential. His vision for empowering future entrepreneurs is both inspiring and thought-provoking.
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Aug 3, 2025 • 1h 2min

Ep. 568 | Building a City from Scratch: The Visionary Behind Hiranandani Gardens ~ Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, co-founder of the Hiranandani Group and creator of Hiranandani Gardens, shares his inspiring journey from a classroom in Mumbai to pioneering a thriving integrated township. He delves into the vision that transformed marshland into a vibrant community, the hurdles he overcame including legal battles, and the importance of quality and sustainability in urban planning. Dr. Hiranandani highlights India's unique problem-solving spirit, Jugaad, and emphasizes that true legacy stems from purpose, persistence, and meaningful relationships.
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Jul 9, 2025 • 1h 8min

Ep. 567 | How a Brooklyn Cable Guy Built a $4B Global Media Empire ~ Larry Namer

Today, we’re diving into an incredible story of grit, hustle, and the power of reinvention. Did you know that one of the world’s largest entertainment brands was created by a kid from Brooklyn with just $75 in his pocket? Our guest is Larry Namer — co-founder of E! Entertainment Television, an entrepreneur, media pioneer, and global brand builder whose journey is nothing short of legendary. Larry grew up in a working-class neighborhood, started as a cable splicer in the tunnels of New York, and went on to redefine how pop culture was consumed across 140 countries. From dodging death threats in 90s Russia to bringing modern storytelling to China, Larry’s story shows how unstoppable curiosity and fearless thinking can literally change the world. Today, he continues to build media empires from the U.S. to China — and beyond. From immersive entertainment to podcasting to social impact projects, Larry’s career proves that reinvention never ends. In this episode, we unpack Larry’s remarkable rise, how he created E! from scratch, the lessons he learned building billion-dollar brands, and why he still believes the best is yet to come. It’s a masterclass in entrepreneurship, creativity, and breaking boundaries — you won’t want to miss a second.   Episode Highlights: 00:25 - Meet Larry Namer: Media Legend 01:00 - Larry's Humble Beginnings in Cable TV 02:35 - Rapid Rise in the Cable Industry 08:07 - The Birth of E! Entertainment 23:26 - Challenges and Innovations at E! 34:41 - Casting the First Host 35:12 - Building the Team 37:14 - Challenges and Breakthroughs 39:07 - International Expansion 39:46 - The Digital Revolution 43:39 - Venturing into Russia 49:03 - Success in China 56:46 - Selecting Talent 01:02:11 - Future Projects and Reflections   Subscribe to the Podcast: 🎧 Website: https://www.thebusinessmethod.com/ 🍏 Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheBusinessMethod đź’» Google Podcasts:  http://bit.ly/TheBusinessMethodGooglePodcasts 🎙Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyTheBusinessMethod   Follow Chris Reynolds on Social Media: Instagram: @chrisreynoldslive Facebook: @chrisreynoldslive YouTube: @chrisreynoldslive LinkedIn: @chrisreynoldslive
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Jun 11, 2025 • 2min

HP#195 | It’s Not the Idea - It’s the Billion Dollar Execution | Suneera Madani

2-10 minute high-performance clips delivered to you Monday & Friday from our top interviews   Contact Info: Website: thebusinessmethod.com/ Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/TheBusinessMethod Google Podcasts: bit.ly/TheBusinessMethodGooglePodcasts Spotify: bit.ly/SpotifyTheBusinessMethod Amazon Music: bit.ly/AmazonTheBusinessMethod
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Jun 4, 2025 • 2min

HP#194 | Disrupt the Average & Own the Market ~ Ross Buhrdorf

2-10 minute high-performance clips delivered to you Monday & Friday from our top interviews   Contact Info: Website: thebusinessmethod.com/ Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/TheBusinessMethod Google Podcasts: bit.ly/TheBusinessMethodGooglePodcasts Spotify: bit.ly/SpotifyTheBusinessMethod Amazon Music: bit.ly/AmazonTheBusinessMethod
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7 snips
May 14, 2025 • 40min

Ep.566 | How This Female Founder Built a Billion-Dollar Company by her 35th Birthday ~ Suneera Madhani

Today we’re diving into a conversation about one of the most important shifts happening in business right now. Did you know the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurship and business ownership is actually women? And at the forefront of that movement is today’s guest, a true powerhouse whose story is as inspiring as it is game-changing. Our guest is Suneera Madhani — a visionary entrepreneur, FinTech innovator, and champion for women in business. Suneera is the trailblazing founder of Worth, a revolutionary platform that uses patent-pending AI technology to help small businesses gain fair access to capital. It’s a bold, brilliant idea that’s leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs everywhere. But her story didn’t start at the top. Before founding Worth, Suneera built Stax Payments from the ground up, transforming a simple idea into a multibillion-dollar company with over $140 million in recurring revenue. Along the way, she made history as one of the first female CEOs to build a unicorn — a rare feat in the male-dominated world of FinTech. Her journey is one of resilience, grit, and relentless ambition. From selling credit card machines out of the trunk of a Volkswagen Beetle to being laughed out of boardrooms, she’s faced every challenge head-on and proved the doubters wrong time and again. Today, she’s not only a successful entrepreneur but also an angel investor, advisor to more than a dozen boards, and a sought-after speaker who’s shared her wisdom on some of the world’s biggest stages — from Meta and Harvard Business School to South by Southwest and beyond. In this episode, we’ll unpack Suneera’s incredible rise, her mission to shatter ceilings for women in business, and the lessons she’s learned while bootstrapping billion-dollar ventures, navigating biases in leadership, and balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with family life. It’s a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and what it takes to redefine an entire industry — and you’re going to want to hear every word.   Episode Highlights: 00:22:00 Who is Suneera Madhani? 02:30:00 Suneera Madhani's Early Entrepreneurial Journey 05:08:00 The Game-Changing Idea and Rejection 08:22:00 Building a Billion-Dollar Company 14:10:00 Key Components of a Billion-Dollar Business 18:40:00 The Importance of Team and Culture 21:13:00 Building a Winning Team 22:09:00 The Importance of Networking 22:30:00 Hiring Strategies and Challenges 25:41:00 Reflecting on the Journey 31:39:00 Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs 38:50:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Contact Info: Website: https://suneeramadhani.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suneeramadhani/   Subscribe to the Podcast: 🎧 Website: https://www.thebusinessmethod.com/ 🍏 Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheBusinessMethod đź’» Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheBusinessMethodGooglePodcasts 🎙Spotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyTheBusinessMethod   Follow Chris Reynolds on Social Media: Instagram: @chrisreynoldslive Facebook: @chrisreynoldslive YouTube: @chrisreynoldslive LinkedIn: @chrisreynoldslive  

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