The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

• 2178 - Connecting Consumers with Exceptional Service and Discovering Daisy's with Hagan Kappler

  Unlocking the Future of Smart Home Technology: Insights from Hagan Kappler, CEO of DaisyIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge welcomes Hagan Kappler, the founder and CEO of Daisy, a company on a mission to redefine smart home and small business technology services. Hagan shares how Daisy is creating a national brand in an otherwise fragmented industry—one that offers not just installation, but also consistent, long-term support.Whether you're a consumer seeking a better smart home experience or an entrepreneur interested in franchise ownership, this conversation uncovers the technology trends, business models, and growth opportunities shaping the future of connected living.Redefining Smart Home Services Through Standardization and SupportAs the smart home market continues to expand—now exceeding $30 billion in the U.S. alone—it still faces serious fragmentation. Many technology contractors are small, local operators with deep product knowledge but limited business infrastructure. Hagan Kappler launched Daisy to solve this problem by offering a platform where talented installers can operate under one cohesive, national brand with the support they need to scale.Daisy provides solutions ranging from home audio and visual systems to smart lighting, security, motorized shades, and fully integrated control panels. But what truly sets Daisy apart is their ongoing commitment to service. Unlike typical one-off installations, Daisy ensures homeowners, builders, and property managers receive continual updates, maintenance, and training—maximizing the longevity and effectiveness of their smart systems.For small business owners, Daisy’s franchise model opens doors. Entrepreneurs can either start a new operation, convert an existing business, or acquire a company, all while receiving centralized support in operations, marketing, customer service, and technology. It’s a win-win: customers enjoy trusted expertise, and franchisees get to grow under a brand backed by national reach.About Hagan KapplerHagan Kappler is the founder and CEO of Daisy, the first national brand in smart space installation and services. Previously, she served as CEO of Threshold Brands, leading nine service businesses across 550+ locations. Hagan has held leadership roles with ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, and Ingersoll Rand/Trane, and began her career at McKinsey & Company and Goldman Sachs. She also helped launch Starbucks Blonde Roast. Hagan holds a bachelor’s in history from Williams College and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School. She lives in Newport Beach, CA with her four children.About DaisyDaisy is redefining smart home and business technology with a comprehensive, customer-first approach. By combining expert installation with long-term service, Daisy offers audio-visual, lighting, security, and automation solutions tailored to every client. Franchise partners benefit from marketing, HR, customer support, and operational tools that make running a tech business easier and more profitable. Learn more at joindaisy.com.Links Mentioned in this EpisodeVisit Daisy's WebsiteConnect with Hagan Kappler on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsHow Daisy fills a major gap in the smart home market by providing both installation and ongoing serviceThe opportunity for small business owners to scale through Daisy’s national franchise modelWhy the...

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• 2177 - Discovering Authentic Learning Experiences from Luma Brighter Learning's Gina Anderson

  Embracing the Power of Learning: Insights from Gina AndersonIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge sits down with Gina Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Luma Brighter Learning, to discuss how learning can drive personal transformation, support resilience, and inspire innovation in an AI-powered world. Gina—also an accomplished author and learning scientist—shares her insights on why hard tasks can unlock personal breakthroughs, how to maintain creativity in an automated world, and the future of authentic learning experiences.Why Embracing Discomfort Fuels GrowthGina begins by reflecting on her own relationship with discomfort, particularly through her routine of running—not because she loves it, but because it challenges her. She pairs this tough activity with joyful elements like scavenger hunts for colorful shells, turning a mental hurdle into an opportunity for mindfulness and reward. This playful mindset parallels how we should approach personal development: by pairing tough goals with incentives that make the journey sustainable.This theme connects to her core belief that learning, like running, requires repetition and resilience. Gina underscores that discomfort is not a sign of failure—it's evidence that growth is happening. When learners push past their comfort zones, they open the door to confidence, creativity, and capability. She offers practical tips like breaking big goals into small milestones and celebrating small wins to build momentum.For those struggling with change or burnout, Gina recommends re-evaluating how you engage with challenges. Are you avoiding them—or are you learning from them? Her advice is clear: lean into discomfort, but bring a little joy with you.About Gina AndersonDr. Gina Anderson is the co-founder and CEO of Luma Brighter Learning, a learning design and technology company specializing in training solutions for transportation and logistics companies. She is the author of Thrive: How Learning Can Ignite a New Way Forward and co-author of Perspectives on Invisible Illnesses. A former educator, administrator, and e-learning innovator, Gina is passionate about the intersection of emotional wellness and applied learning science. Her work has helped thousands of learners across industries adopt lasting behavior change through authentic, engaging educational experiences.About Luma Brighter LearningLuma Brighter Learning is a trailblazer in custom learning solutions for frontline industries. With a focus on transportation, logistics, and safety-critical roles, Luma combines the power of learning science, technology, and human connection to deliver behavior-changing educational programs. The company’s 5-Mode Learning approach ensures deeper engagement through learner-to-learner, learner-to-coach, learner-to-self, learner-to-content, and learner-to-technology interactions.Links Mentioned in this EpisodeLuma Brighter LearningLearningWithGina.comEpisode HighlightsWhy pairing hard tasks with fun rewards helps make difficult learning sustainableHow AI should enhance—not replace—human creativity and problem-solvingThe importance of self-reflection and authenticity in learning designWhy real-world context is essential in education that drives behavior changeHow Luma uses its 5-Mode Learning framework to personalize training in frontline...

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• 2176 - Why Accurate Content Matters in Legal Marketing with Optimize My Firm's Lindsey Busfield

  Mastering SEO for Law Firms: Insights from Lindsey Busfield of Optimize My Firm🎧 Listen to this episodeOn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge speaks with Lindsey Busfield, Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and partner at Optimize My Firm, a disruptive leader in legal SEO. Lindsey shares the strategies her team uses to help law firms dominate search engine rankings through human-written content, niche targeting, and a client-first approach that forgoes long-term contracts. Whether you’re a solo attorney or part of a large legal team, this conversation offers powerful SEO insights tailored to the legal profession.The Critical Edge of SEO in Legal MarketingLindsey opens the episode by reminding listeners that when people need legal help, they go straight to Google. If your law firm isn’t showing up on the first page—especially in the coveted Google local 3-pack—you’re missing a massive number of potential clients. That’s where Optimize My Firm steps in, helping attorneys build a content and SEO strategy grounded in trust, authority, and user experience.But what makes Lindsey’s approach unique is her stance on AI. While AI tools can assist with drafting, she warns against relying on them in legal marketing. Inaccurate legal content can have serious consequences, both reputationally and legally. Her firm ensures all content is created and reviewed by humans—so it’s not only optimized for Google, but also for accuracy, tone, and trust. She even shares a cautionary tale of a personal injury firm that published AI-generated case information, only to learn it was completely fabricated—putting their brand at risk.Optimize My Firm also stands out with its no-contract model. Lindsey explains that attorneys love this approach—it builds trust, keeps her team accountable, and allows for mutually beneficial, results-based relationships. This client-first mindset, paired with deep SEO expertise, has helped her firm become one of the most respected players in legal marketing today.About Lindsey BusfieldLindsey Busfield is one of the nation’s leading experts in legal SEO and content marketing. As the Vice President, COO, and partner at Optimize My Firm, she’s behind some of the most powerful law firm websites in the U.S. Lindsey is also the host of the award-winning Personal Injury Marketing Minute podcast, named one of the Best Legal Podcasts of 2024 by Attorney At Law Magazine. Her client-first, no-contract model has reshaped how law firms approach digital marketing.A seasoned entrepreneur from a family of trailblazers—her relatives founded Handsome Brook Farms, the largest organic pasture-raised egg provider in the U.S.—Lindsey brings innovation and authenticity to everything she does. Outside of work, she’s an avid pickleball player and proud mom of two young daughters.About Optimize My FirmOptimize My Firm is a boutique SEO agency that works exclusively with law firms. Their focus: helping attorneys generate more qualified leads by increasing online visibility and authority. With a no-contract policy, personalized service, and deep industry expertise, they’re redefining what SEO partnerships look like in the legal space.Links Mentioned in this EpisodeOptimize My Firm WebsitePersonal Injury Marketing Minute Podcast

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• 2175 - Navigating Leadership Challenges in a Tech-Centric Era with Apex Consulting Partners' Mike Peterson

  Navigating Leadership in the Age of Digital Disruption: Insights from Mike Peterson🎧 Listen to this episodeIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge speaks with Mike Peterson, founder and managing partner of Apex Consulting Partners and author of Leading in the Age of Digital Disruption. Mike brings decades of experience to this insightful conversation about the evolving demands of leadership in a technology-first world. He unpacks how leaders can stay grounded in human connection while embracing rapid change—and why these skills are critical now more than ever.Building Trust and Accountability in a Digital WorldAt the core of Mike’s leadership philosophy is the belief that trust, communication, and accountability form the backbone of high-performing teams—even more so in today’s hybrid and remote work environments. He emphasizes that while tools like Zoom and Slack have revolutionized collaboration, they don’t automatically create alignment. Leaders must be intentional about transparency, consistency, and empathy to foster a strong team culture across digital spaces.Mike explains that building trust begins with clear communication and follow-through. Leaders must ensure that distributed teams receive consistent messages and feel equally engaged, whether they’re working from HQ or their home office. In a digital context, trust also comes from creating predictable rhythms—like weekly updates or open office hours—that keep everyone connected and informed. These small acts of consistency build confidence across teams navigating ongoing disruption.Importantly, Mike doesn’t believe trust is built overnight or recovered easily after it's broken. He encourages leaders to model accountability themselves—owning mistakes, giving credit where it’s due, and making decisions that reflect shared values. Even without big budgets for retreats or offsites, leaders can create connection through creative virtual experiences and simple moments of recognition. It’s this blend of personal leadership and practical innovation that defines success in the digital age.About Mike PetersonMike Peterson is a visionary executive coach, author, and founder of Apex Consulting Partners. He draws from over 25 years of corporate leadership experience in high-stakes environments, including senior roles in pharmaceutical, IT, and operations teams. Mike helps organizations elevate team performance, embrace digital tools, and lead with clarity in times of rapid change. Through Apex, he partners with executives and leadership teams to instill a culture of accountability, innovation, and resilience.About Apex Consulting PartnersApex Consulting Partners is a leadership development and consulting firm focused on helping organizations thrive in the digital age. Specializing in executive coaching, strategic alignment, and operational performance, Apex helps companies build high-performing teams that deliver results.Links Mentioned in this Episode:Mike Peterson on LinkedInApex Consulting Partners WebsiteGet the Book: Leading in the Age of Digital DisruptionKey Episode Highlights:Building Trust Remotely: What transparency and consistency...

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• 2174 - Unlocking Simplicity in Startup Legalities with SeedLegals' Anthony Rose

  Transforming Startup Legal Processes with Anthony Rose, Co-Founder and CEO of SeedLegals🎧 Listen to this episodeIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge sits down with Anthony Rose, Co-Founder and CEO of SeedLegals, the revolutionary platform simplifying startup legal documentation. Anthony, best known as the man behind BBC iPlayer, shares his journey from digital innovator to startup legal disruptor, and how SeedLegals is saving founders time, money, and headaches by making legal processes smarter, faster, and more accessible.Reinventing Startup Law Through Tech InnovationAnthony Rose has spent his career building and scaling startups—and now he’s helping others do the same by reimagining one of the most painful parts of entrepreneurship: legal work. With SeedLegals, Anthony and his team have turned traditionally expensive, slow legal processes into an intuitive platform that enables startups to raise capital, create equity agreements, and stay compliant with just a few clicks.In this conversation, Anthony shares how his own frustrations with outdated legal workflows inspired SeedLegals. Whether it’s generating a SAFE agreement, building a cap table, or managing stock options, SeedLegals equips founders with the tools they need—no law degree required.Josh and Anthony also dive into how artificial intelligence is influencing the legal tech space, and why startups must focus on being lean and investment-ready in today’s evolving fundraising climate.About Anthony RoseAnthony Rose is the Co-Founder and CEO of SeedLegals, the UK’s largest closer of startup funding rounds. A serial entrepreneur with a deep background in technology, Anthony built and sold several startups across sectors like 3D graphics, P2P music, internet video, and online communities. From 2007 to 2010, he led the launch of the BBC iPlayer, transforming it into one of the broadcaster’s biggest digital successes. The idea for SeedLegals was born after a chance meeting with investor Laurent Laffy, and together they set out to fix the inefficiencies of startup legal processes. Today, Anthony is a trusted mentor, frequent speaker, and innovator helping founders grow with less friction—and more speed.About SeedLegalsSeedLegals is the leading platform for startup legals, enabling founders to raise investment, issue shares, build cap tables, and manage employment agreements all in one place. Serving thousands of startups across the UK and beyond, SeedLegals automates routine legal workflows with startup-specific templates, smart tools, and expert guidance. Whether you're closing your first round or preparing to scale, SeedLegals helps you stay compliant and investor-ready—without breaking the bank.Links Mentioned in this Episode:SeedLegals WebsiteAnthony Rose on LinkedInSeedLegals Blog & ResourcesKey Episode Highlights:The Birth of SeedLegals: How Anthony’s own pain points led to the creation of a platform now closing over 1,000 funding rounds a year.Legal Tech Meets AI: Anthony’s thoughts on AI tools like ChatGPT and why a hybrid approach still matters in legal documentation.Scaling Smart:...

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