Episode Details
December 17, 2025
31 minutes
A raw look at the sacrifices, lawsuits, and mindset required to move forward, and why integrity is your greatest asset.
An honest, inspiring conversation for founders, builders, and anyone navigating the entrepreneurial path.
Featured Quotes
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Episode Transcript And Overview
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Timeline Notes
Introduction & Episode Context
Gratitude and Community Building Douglas Cox and Jeremy Axel express gratitude for the year and encourage audience engagement and community.
Introducing Jeremy Axel & Entrepreneurial Spirit Doug introduces Jeremy, sharing their history and Jeremy’s entrepreneurial drive.
Jeremy’s Early Career & First Startup Experience Jeremy recounts his early career selling copiers, learning business basics, and seeking personal growth.
Transition to Colorado & Software Sales Jeremy describes moving to Colorado, selling SolidWorks software, and reigniting his entrepreneurial ambitions.
Integrity Crisis & Founding Fluid Conveyors Jeremy Axel explains the integrity issues that pushed him to start Fluid Conveyors and the risks involved.
Startup Sacrifices & Early Struggles Jeremy Axel details the grind of starting up, personal sacrifices, lawsuits, and working without pay.
Persistence & Mindset for Growth Jeremy Axel discusses the importance of persistence, daily progress, and evolving his mindset as the company grew.
First Success & Building Confidence Jeremy Axel recalls the first major customer win and how it validated their efforts and team.
arly Embarrassments & Learning Moments Jeremy Axel shares early mistakes, like lacking an owner’s manual, and the importance of adapting and learning.
Cash Flow, Capital Expenses & Team Structure Discussion on managing cash flow, avoiding unnecessary expenses, and evolving the team structure.
Bad Decisions & Learning from Mistakes Jeremy Axel reflects on business mistakes, learning from them, and focusing on long-term brand building.
Niche Focus vs. Broad Approach Doug and Jeremy Axel discuss whether they targeted a niche or stayed broad, and the impact of early lawsuits.
Customer Relations & Integrity as Core Values Emphasis on customer service, integrity, and building trust as foundational company values.
Chasing Every Opportunity vs. Focus Jeremy Axel explains the turning point when they stopped trying to be everything to everyone and focused on their strengths.
Sharpening Focus & Specialization Discussion on the importance of specialization, learning from experience, and resisting the urge to chase all revenue.
Reflections & Regrets Jeremy Axel shares what he would do differently, spending more time with family, but not changing the business journey.
Advice for Entrepreneurs & Grit Jeremy Axel offers advice on grit, focus, and continual improvement for entrepreneurs facing challenges.
Enjoying the Journey & Podcast Philosophy Doug and Jeremy Axel reflect on enjoying the entrepreneurial journey and the meaning behind “Never in Reverse.”
Encouragement & Closing Thoughts Final encouragement to start where you are, focus on grit, and not compare yourself to others.
Notable Guests
Bill Fairman
Fund Manager, Private Lender
Bill Fairman
Fund Manager, Private Lender
A best-selling author, national speaker, and serial entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience in mortgage banking.
Over the years, Bill has worked closely with hundreds of high-net-worth individuals, helping them strategically grow wealth as a Fund Manager for more than 13 years.
He’s also a trusted voice in the industry, serving on the Government Relations Committee of the American Association of Private Lenders.
Nick Kiridzic
Founder and CEO
Nick Kiridzic
Founder and CEO
I'm the founder of StaffHero, where we help growing businesses scale without the chaos connecting them with skilled remote assistants and automation systems that save time and cut costs.Before this, I spent over ten years in healthcare and business development, constantly spotting the same problem: amazing teams burning out under the weight of busywork. That’s what pushed me to build StaffHero.
Now, I focus on helping business owners get their time back and build systems that let them grow with freedom and focus.
Paul Glover
The No B.S. Executive Coach
Paul Glover
The No B.S. Executive Coach
Paul Glover is No B.S. Executive Coach, whose mission is to Challenge the Best to Become Better.
He is also:
• An Ex- White-Collar Felon.
• A “Recovering” Federal Trial Lawyer.
• A Subject Mater Expert on failing and recovery.
• Who is a TEDx speaker, Vintage Speaker, Forbes contributor, and an author whose book, WorkQuake™, is endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith, a Top 10 Business Thinker.
• An Executive Coach With 30 years of experience who advises and coaches executives in organizations with up to $1 billion in annual revenue.
• A Starbucks addict, and
• A Chicago Bears fanatic.
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit is the Founder of Business Success Consulting Group and the host of the Systems Simplified podcast. With nearly three decades of experience as an industrial engineer and process consultant, she has helped hundreds of growth-focused companies systematize their operations to scale successfully.
Known as “The Process Guru,” Adi specializes in designing and implementing turnkey systems that reduce dependence on the owner, empower teams, and increase profitability. Her clients range from fast-growing trades businesses to multi-location professional service firms, and she is a trusted advisor to CEOs across the U.S.
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe is a pioneer in divorce mediation who has been helping couples navigate the end of their marriages with dignity and financial wisdom for over 17 years. As co-founder of Equitable Mediation Services, Joe combines his MBA in Finance with specialized training from Harvard, MIT, and Northwestern University to guide couples toward agreements that protect both their emotional wellbeing and financial futures.
Joe pioneered virtual divorce mediation in 2011, nearly a decade before others adopted online practices during the pandemic. His results speak for themselves: Equitable Mediation Services maintains a 98% case resolution rate, significantly higher than the industry average of 70%.
