Stay ConnectedThe Edge Of Excellence Podcast is about exploring how young aspiring leaders can create a personal impact today, tomorrow, and create their dream future now. The goal is to deconstruct and synthesize successful archetypes and proven principles from high-profile entrepreneurs, systems, and resources that work, successful peers, mentors, and creators.
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What if you really can have it all, just not all at once?
For the milestone 200th episode and the season 7 finale, Matt Stewart brings on two of the sharpest leaders he knows, Nicole McMackin and Lisa Bhathal Merage, for a raw, funny, and honest look at what it really takes to rise to the top as a woman in business.
Nicole runs a technology staffing company, which she took over at 29. Lisa built a global swimwear brand with her brother, sold it to private equity, and now co-owns a portfolio of professional sports teams. Together, they get into fear versus positive thinking, the myth of being ready, why they never saw a glass ceiling, and how to have it all without trying to do it all at once.
If you are waiting to feel qualified before you make your move, this conversation will change how you think about that. Listen now.
Timestamped Highlights
Mentioned Resources
About The Guests
Nicole McMackin is President and CEO of Irvine Technology Corporation, an award-winning IT solutions and staffing firm based in Southern California. She took over the company as a young executive and grew it into a nationally recognized, women-owned business. A passionate advocate for women in technology, she teaches Women in Leadership programs and mentors the next generation of female leaders. Curious by nature and candid about her own fears, Nicole is known for pushing through discomfort, saying yes to the right opportunities, and helping others find a real path to the top.
Lisa Bhathal Merage is Managing Partner and Chief Impact Officer of Revitate, a Newport Beach investment platform focused on real estate, sports, and consumer brands. She and her brother worked their way up in the family business to become co-CEOs of women’s swimwear company RAJ Swim, took it global, and sold it to private equity in what is regarded as the largest buyout in the swimwear industry. Today, she serves as Governor of the Portland Thorns (NWSL) and the Portland Fire (WNBA), helping shape the future of women’s professional sports. A USC Marshall graduate with a Certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania, Lisa leads with fearless positivity and a deep belief in creating lasting community impact.
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The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
What if chasing perfection is the very thing that keeps you stuck?
Matt Stewart reconnects with Cameron Herold, the former COO who scaled 1-800-GOT-JUNK from 2 million to 106 million in revenue, founded the COO Alliance, and now hosts the Second in Command podcast. Eighteen years after they first crossed paths, they trade stories from their shared roots in college house painting and dig into the mindset that built Cameron's career.
You will hear why momentum beats perfection, how a summer painting job became a real-world MBA, the free publicity trick that gets a nobody into the newspaper, and how to find the handful of things you are truly good at and love. Cameron also opens up about the one sacrifice he still regrets and what shifted for him at 60.
Listen now for candid, hard-won wisdom you will not hear anywhere else.
Cameron Herold is a business growth expert, speaker, and author known as the COO Whisperer. As COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, he helped scale the company from 2 million to 106 million in revenue in about six years. He is the founder of the COO Alliance, the global network for the second in command, and the host of the Second in Command podcast. A bestselling author of several business books and a top rated international speaker who has presented on every continent, including Antarctica, Cameron got his start in the same college house painting world as Matt, then went on to build and advise companies around the globe.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website | The Second in Command Podcast
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
What if the fastest way to build something big is to stop chasing fast money?
Sean Phelps reconnects with Colin McGuire, a College Works alum he worked alongside in the Illinois division two decades ago. Colin went from a self-described, generally unemployable student with severe ADHD to running a growth marketing agency and launching Glimmr, a superfood haircare brand now scaling fast inside Target.
They get into the messy 20-year road most people never see. The T-shirt hustles, the wooden toothbrushes, a viral prank gift site, the broke nights in Vegas, and the hundred-plus door-to-door sales pitches that later helped him walk into Target HQ and win. Colin breaks down why staying calm keeps you in the arena, how one skill compounds over a decade, and why patience beats hype.
If you are waiting to feel ready or chasing the next shiny thing online, this conversation is your wake-up call. Listen now.
00:56 – The three-part definition of excellence that starts with a surprising word
02:11 – The truth behind the overnight success nobody talks about
05:06 – Why being generally unemployable turned out to be an advantage
07:50 – The classroom moment that made door-to-door sales sound perfect
21:12 – His first six-figure profit came from the most boring product imaginable
30:09 – Broke in a 40-dollar Vegas motel, he meets the partner who changes everything
36:55 – The real growth numbers, and where Glimmr goes nationwide next
41:03 – No boardroom, no PowerPoint: the Target pitch that almost fell apart
47:53 – The one skill he tells every young person to master first
Colin McGuire is the co-founder and CEO of Boomn, a full-service growth marketing agency he started in 2017, and the CEO and co-founder of Glimmr, a superfood hair care brand built around its 10-minute hair mask. A College Works Painting alum and Illinois State University graduate, Colin spent years building and selling a portfolio of scrappy ecommerce businesses before turning that hard-won experience into an agency and a fast-scaling consumer brand now expanding across Target and other major retailers.
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
What if the reason you feel stuck is that you keep believing you have to pick just one thing?
In this episode, Matt Stewart sits down with Caleb Hyman, a 20-year-old who plays college football, runs a district for College Works, and still makes time for his friends and family. Caleb was a four-sport high school athlete who worked all the way through, and he brought that same refusal to choose into his first years in business.
They get into what Matt calls the tyranny of OR, the trap of thinking you can only do one thing well. Caleb breaks down how he stays fully present in football, school, and work, the simple way he processes stress before it piles up, and why one hard sacrifice as a young branch manager set up everything that came after.
If you are tired of feeling pulled in too many directions, this conversation is your map. Listen now.
Caleb Hyman is a 20-year-old college athlete and young business leader. A four-sport high school athlete in football, baseball, wrestling, and track, and a captain in football and wrestling, he now plays college football at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He started with College Works as a summer painter, was promoted to branch manager, where he built a six-figure business, and in his first year as a district manager, produced roughly 1.5 million dollars, one of a small handful ever to reach that mark. He plans to follow in his father's footsteps into entrepreneurship and one day run his own business.
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
What if chasing perfection, knowing you’ll never reach it, is the real secret to winning in business and in life?
This episode features powerhouse young leaders Tyler Walden, Justin Bauer, Brad Bond, and Brady Druecke, all veteran College Works managers, with co-host Sean Phelps in a raw conversation with Matt Stewart. They reveal what it's really like to run a six-figure business before even graduating, the real obstacles most people ignore, and why most never make it to that elusive “next level.”
You’ll hear the unfiltered truth about failure, leadership, and how to use a single tough experience to transform your impact forever. Miss this conversation and risk staying stuck in comfort while others leap ahead. Listen now for a behind-the-curtain look you won’t get from textbooks and unlock the bold moves that set the next generation of leaders apart.
01:13 – The quote that changed their entire definition of excellence
06:18 – The hidden advantage all four had before launching their businesses
14:10 – The strange power of picking the “wrong” major (and why it worked)
19:10 – The single shift that made scaling a business suddenly possible
22:51 – The brutally honest lesson most rookies ignore about real profit
29:29 – Why building a system—not just a business—is the only path to freedom
35:58 – The surprising connection between brutal honesty and building trust
42:31 – Why signing up for another year changes everything (and how)
A standout intern and fraternity president from North Dakota, Tyler Walden made history with College Works Painting as a $207,000 rookie manager and is chasing the all-time revenue record. Known for scaling his business to unprecedented heights, he brings leadership experience from both athletics and early management roles. Tyler is passionate about building scalable businesses and leading high-performing teams.
Hailing from Iowa, Justin Bauer grew his College Works Painting branch to $120,000 in his first year, then surpassed $150,000 the next. With a background as a four-sport athlete and experience in his family’s plumbing business, Justin is energized by hands-on work and aims to launch his own landscaping company, using his internship as a launchpad for future service-based entrepreneurship.
Brad Bond juggled playing college football in Emporia, Kansas, while building his College Works Painting business to over $150,000 in revenue, doubling his success as a “double dipper.” Brad’s entrepreneurial journey started with his own lawn mowing business in high school. He’s focused on building his confidence and leadership skills and sees a future in business—where consistency and adaptability are his trademarks.
A Michigan State student who jumped into business as a freshman, Brady Drueke managed $239,000 in his first year at College Works Painting and is scaling up with even more employees in his second year. A varsity athlete in high school, Brady’s early work experiences and involvement in friends’ service businesses sparked his interest in entrepreneurship, organization, and team leadership.
A key mentor, Sean Phelps brings years of leadership and practical business coaching to the table. As a longtime leader within the College Works Painting organization, Sean combines experience in accounting, entrepreneurship, and people development. He’s passionate about helping young leaders achieve excellence through honesty, time management, and persistent growth.
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
What if the only thing between you and your dream life was rewiring your thinking about what’s possible?
In this energizing episode, Sean Phelps sits down with “Millennial Millionaire” Todd Baldwin, a self-made real estate investor who went from a small-town troublemaker to a multimillionaire before 30, without family money or big-city connections.
Together, they challenge the myths holding young leaders back, revealing the raw work, mindset shifts, and unconventional tactics that actually create real wealth today. You’ll hear the untold struggles behind scaling rental empires, how “thinking bigger” beats raw talent, and why your habits in your 20s make or break your future.
Don’t let another year pass stuck in the status quo. Tune in now to discover the brutal truths and proven strategies you actually need to craft a life you love. Miss this, and miss your chance to rewrite your own rules of success.
00:51 – The moment a single mom’s struggle sparked an unstoppable drive
03:33 – Getting expelled and outgrowing self-sabotage: a pivotal shift story
06:08 – One real estate client that altered the course of his life forever
09:28 – The unorthodox strategy that snowballed into $40k/month in rent
12:07 – The candid reality of picking the right tenants (and dodging disaster)
14:44 – The fast path to $50k deals: how wholesaling changed everything
18:26 – Why mediocre Airbnbs fail (and the key to crushing hotel competition)
24:07 – Brutally honest: what 100-hour weeks in your 20s actually buy you
28:52 – The “delusional” mindset that made millionaire dreams real
Todd Baldwin is a self-made real estate investor and content creator, widely recognized as CNBC’s “Millennial Millionaire.” Featured on BiggerPockets and financial media, he built a multi-million dollar portfolio in the country’s most competitive markets—starting with no connections and all grit.
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
What if the secret to breaking through wasn’t talent but choosing the harder path, even when “good enough” should be enough?
In this revealing episode, Matt Stewart sits down with Henry Goodnow to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to stand out as a young leader and entrepreneur right now. They go far beyond résumés, diving into the pressure of building trust in small towns, the brutal truth about indecision, and what happens when you commit to seeing things through—no matter how uncomfortable it gets.
If you think you need experience to be ready for anything, this conversation challenges that head-on. Miss this, and you risk sleepwalking through opportunities that will never return. Listen now to uncover rare mindsets and tactical wisdom you won’t find anywhere else.
00:31 – The definition of excellence that flips “good enough” on its head
04:54 – Can you really work and play three sports in high school? A myth busted
10:48 – The brutal surprise of starting a business where nobody knows your name
13:42 – What most people get wrong about decisiveness and commitment
19:53 – How choosing harder paths transforms your reputation and outcomes
24:50 – The yellow card wisdom: Make a decision, then make it right
32:46 – When messing up earns respect (if you do this one thing)
41:40 – Why most young people get stuck—and the fastest way out
Henry Goodnow is a fast-rising entrepreneur, currently leading teams and divisions within the College Works organization. He has managed over 100 people and millions in revenue before age 23, earning a reputation for radical accountability, coach-style leadership, and relentless pursuit of better outcomes.
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Are you secretly wondering if you have what it takes to survive your first real business challenge... or if you’ll fumble and flame out like everyone fears?
This roundtable episode brings together the boldest voices from the College Works Painting executive team as they pull back the curtain on launching businesses in your 20s, conquering the fear of failure, and learning to own your setbacks (and your victories).
You’ll hear real stories of panic, poor decisions, painful learning, and turning chaos into confidence from being terrified of sales, to losing all your employees at a backyard BBQ, to thriving despite every reason not to.
If you want battle-tested strategies and truth bombs that rise above cliches, tune in now. Step past the self-doubt and excuses. Get the exclusive mindset secrets, hard-won tactics, and support you can’t find anywhere else... especially when the only thing between you and success is the courage to keep moving.
Skip it, and risk making the same painful mistakes without the blueprint to win. This episode delivers candid wisdom forged in the fire, only from leaders who’ve walked it for real. Listen now!
00:33 – The surprising truth every new founder ignores (but pays for)
06:39 – The one assessment that saves years of painful missteps
09:59 – When fear of failure nearly stopped them cold and what flipped the script
13:55 – The brutal lesson of losing your entire team at once
19:44 – The painful production disaster that became a turning point
26:25 – The costly mistake every first-time entrepreneur makes and how to fix it
34:07 – The strategy that tripled sales and crushed self-doubt
41:32 – The one mindset shift you need to break through your ceiling
Sean Phelps, President at College Works Painting,is a leadership-minded entrepreneur who once believed business ownership was only possible in mid-life. Instead, he dove in early, learning to blend hard work with effective organization and team leadership. Sean’s transformation came from realizing leadership is less about personal output and more about enabling others to succeed. He stands out for his ability to assess failures honestly, refine systems, and mentor others on their journey to excellence.
Jack Kratcha, President at College Works Painting, is proof that you don’t need decades of experience to make an impact in business. Jack began his academic journey studying actuarial science and crunching numbers before pivoting into entrepreneurship, drawn by the opportunity to build something real and lasting. He credits his success to “going all in” channeling his energy into his business and leveraging every learning moment. Jack stands out for his resilience, willingness to take risks, and his ability to keep a level head amid setbacks.
Brett Apel, Vice President at College Works Painting,is an accomplished young leader with a background shaped by hard work, adaptability, and a deep desire to learn from every challenge. Growing up with a tax accountant father, Brett first considered a traditional business path, but quickly discovered his passion for sales, leadership, and entrepreneurship. He’s known for his willingness to ask questions, leverage networks, and pivot quickly transforming early failures into later success. Brett’s journey showcases how embracing discomfort and seeking mentorship can skyrocket growth.
Tyler McCullough, Vice President at College Works Painting, approaches every venture with analytical rigor and a commitment to tracking results. Originally set on becoming an engineer, he shifted into business and leadership, moving from a science and math background into the world of entrepreneurship. Tyler learned the power of ownership taking responsibility for both failures and successes and developed a knack for rapid self-improvement through self-reflection and data-driven action. He exemplifies how changing directions and mindsets leads to unexpected achievement.
Kory Finley, Vice President at College Works Painting,grew up immersed in entrepreneurship from running a cattle business with his brothers in Colby, Kansas, to thriving in fast-paced business environments. Kory brings a pragmatic, coachable spirit to every challenge, never shying away from hard lessons or feedback. He’s motivated by self-reliance, a curiosity about what makes businesses work, and a preference for hands-on leadership. Kory’s drive comes from a desire to continuously learn, grow, and elevate those around him.
Tyler Schuster, Vice President at College Works Painting,is a former collegiate quarterback who translated the discipline and teamwork of college football into entrepreneurial leadership. With a degree in business administration and a focus on sales and management, Tyler’s journey reflects adaptability and self-belief. Despite uncertainty about his long-term goals at first, he soon discovered a love for real estate development and business-building. Tyler’s story illustrates the importance of persistence, self-confidence, and embracing discomfort to fuel a career of impact.
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Are you ready for a world where your knowledge job could disappear overnight?
In this explosive conversation, Matt Stewart and Sean Phelps dive in with Jerome Stewart and Darius Mirshahzadeh to uncover the pace, risks, and surprising opportunities behind the AI upheaval transforming every industry. These world-recognized AI experts cut through the hype to reveal who wins, who gets left behind, and the essential skillsets you need right now.
This episode delivers the raw, practical playbook for adapting and thriving in the new AI-first era. Miss this, and you risk getting locked out of tomorrow’s job market or watching your business fade away. Catch it now for exclusive strategies you won’t hear anywhere else, and get the jump on everyone still waiting for things to settle.
00:48 – Why 2026 is a shock year for AI advances and productivity
04:04 – The jaw-dropping moment AI replaced work in seconds
06:08 – Brutal reality: Should most knowledge work even be done by humans?
09:45 – Handshake skills and the surprising future of sales in an AI world
12:19 – The new knowledge work that 20-somethings must master to stand out
14:06 – How hiring has flipped: Entry-level jobs and unemployment decoded
18:13 – Why anyone can become an AI builder in just months
27:12 – Physical jobs, digital robots, and training tomorrow’s workforce
45:25 – The Internet moment: Why even a small AI adoption triggers wipeout
Jerome Stewart is a recognized expert in artificial intelligence and business process optimization, known for his hands-on approach to leveraging AI for 2x and even 3x productivity gains. As a leader with the White Feathers Group, Jerome Stewart dives deep into marketing, workflow automation, and the transformative power of large language models like Claude. He has a knack for demystifying emerging technology, training teams, and encouraging young professionals to lean into AI-driven change. Jerome Stewart also champions the importance of human connection, emphasizing skills like discernment and relationship-building that AI can’t replace.
Darius Mirshahzadeh is a forward-thinking entrepreneur and business leader. He is the chairman of AI It and the host of The Greatness Machine podcast. Featured by Fortune magazine as an AI expert, he specializes in helping organizations automate knowledge work and redefine their tech stacks using AI-first strategies. He is known for his candid assessments of the job market, his ability to break down complex trends, and his passion for building teams skilled in automation platforms and agent-building. With a focus on practical implementation, Darius Mirshahzadeh is a leading voice at the intersection of leadership, automation, and future-of-work innovation.
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Have you ever wondered what truly separates elite performers from everyone else, not just in business, but in life?
In this emotionally charged episode, guest host Sean Phelps sits down with Stephen Bauer, a nationally recognized wealth advisor who climbed from uncertain college beginnings to managing director and Forbes Next Gen honoree. Together, they explore the real drivers of sustained excellence from finding your “why” to leading through adversity and building teams that win long after you’ve left the spotlight.
If you settle for surface-level career advice, you’ll miss what makes top financial leaders tick, especially the strategies most never teach. Listen now for an insider’s look at the habits, choices, and mindset shifts that could change your approach to success, before someone else takes your edge.
02:06 – The brutally honest reason “effort” beats talent every time
07:49 – Why your success will mirror your inner circle
13:06 – The true story behind Stephen’s pivot from engineering to finance
17:14 – How one relationship shortcut Stephen’s entire career trajectory
23:27 – The painful loss that fueled a new level of ambition
27:32 – Breaking down the “niche advantage” to dominate any market
32:27 – The bold career risk that turned into an unfair advantage
44:35 – The overlooked lesson top leaders wish they learned sooner
Stephen Bauer is Managing Director at United Capital Financial Advisors, multiple-year Forbes Next Gen Wealth Advisor, and widely recognized as one of America’s leading millennial financial advisors. He brings decades of proven results, including 11 Five Star Professional awards and national acclaim for his expertise in helping clients achieve real-world peace of mind through values-driven financial planning.
The Edge of Excellence is an original podcast hosted by Matthew Stewart. Brought to you by College Works. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
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