The Business Development Podcast

Some moments in life don’t make sense… but they stay with you forever. In Episode 333 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Mike Schoenberger, CEO of Sunco Communications, for a conversation that goes far beyond business strategy. Together, they explore two deeply personal experiences they’ve never fully been able to explain, moments where they both knew something had happened before they were ever told. What unfolds is a powerful discussion on human connection, intuition, and the unseen forces that shape how we lead, think, and show up in the world.
This episode also dives into Mike’s journey building a $20M company rooted in people, culture, and authenticity, and why the leaders who win today are the ones willing to be vulnerable, present, and real. From leading with love versus fear to embracing the uncomfortable moments that drive growth, this is a conversation that challenges traditional thinking and reminds us that business is built on something much deeper than strategy alone.
Key Takeaways:
The leaders who win are the ones who are willing to be real, vulnerable, and fully seen by their teams.
Human connection is the foundation of business, not strategy, systems, or processes.
The most powerful growth often comes from moments you cannot explain but choose to learn from.
Leading from love creates trust and performance, while leading from fear creates tension and limitation.
Failure is not the opposite of success, quitting is, and every setback is an opportunity to grow.
Initiative is everything, don’t wait to be told what to do, just start and adjust as you go.
The strongest cultures are built when people feel safe to be vulnerable and make mistakes.
Real leadership requires slowing down, becoming aware, and making intentional decisions instead of reacting.
The more connected you are to yourself, the more effectively you can connect with others.
Success is not just built on what you know, but on how you show up for people every single day.

🔗 Connect with Mike Schoenberger
🌐 Website: https://mikeschoenberger.com/
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-schoenberger/

🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts
The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc, and Atlas Elite Lifts. 🎸⭐
Hypervac Technologies is North America’s leader in hydrovac excavation, delivering safe, non-destructive solutions for critical infrastructure projects. If you work in construction, utilities, or industrial services, check them out at www.hypervac.com
Hyperfab, the fabrication division of Hypervac, delivers custom-built solutions engineered to handle the toughest demands in the field. Learn more at www.hyperfab.ca
Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc has been a trusted name in hydraulic cylinder repair and manufacturing for over 55 years, supporting industries like mining, forestry, and construction across North America. Visit www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions built for performance, safety, and reliability. If you are looking to upgrade your shop, check them out at www.atlaselitelifts.com
If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to support these incredible companies who make conversations like this possible. 🎸⭐
Join The Catalyst Club Community
If you are serious about growth, leadership, and surrounding yourself with high level thinkers, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be.
This is a private community for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals committed to moving the needle every single week.
Join us here: 🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Hyperfab Midroll

In Episode 332 of The Business Development Podcast, Jeroen Kraaijenbrink challenges one of the most common misconceptions in business today: that strategy belongs to leadership. With over 20 years of experience across academia and consulting, Jeroen breaks down why traditional, top-down strategy approaches consistently fail and what it really takes to build strategies that stick. His human-centered approach reframes strategy as a shared capability, not a static plan, and introduces the idea that everyone in an organization should be thinking and acting strategically.
This conversation dives into the shift from strategy as a one-time exercise to strategy as a daily practice. Jeroen explains how organizations can build strategic competence across teams, why adaptability is the most critical skill in today’s environment, and how leaders can move from control to empowerment to drive real execution. If you’ve ever built a plan that didn’t translate into results, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you a new way to approach strategy that actually works.

Key Takeaways:
Strategy should not belong only to leadership. It needs to become a capability built across the entire organization.
Strategy works best as a daily practice, not a once-a-year planning exercise. Real execution happens when it becomes part of normal operations.
Strategic thinking is not enough on its own. People also need the ability to act, align others, and execute.
Most strategy failures happen because the human side gets ignored. If people do not believe in it, they will not carry it forward.
Adaptability is one of the most valuable strategic skills a person can build. The people who adapt best tend to have stronger long-term success.
A plan still matters, even if it changes. It gives you direction and helps you recognize the right opportunities when they show up.
Tools do not make strategy work on their own. Frameworks only help when the people and processes behind them are strong.
Everyone in a company should spend some time thinking strategically. That habit cannot sit only with executives.
Big strategic change can start small. A single team or department can prove a better way before the whole company adopts it.
The best strategy leaders stay open-minded. They listen, learn, and stay willing to challenge their own assumptions.

🔗 Connect with Jeroen Kraaijenbrink
🌐 Strategy Inc: https://www.strategy.inc
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeroenkraaijenbrink/
📘 The One-Hour Strategy
Jeroen’s latest book, The One-Hour Strategy, flips the script on traditional planning and shows how to make strategy a daily habit across your entire organization.
Get your copy here: https://www.jeroenkraaijenbrink.com/One-Hour-Strategy

🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts
The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab, Thunder Bay Hydraulics, and Atlas Elite Lifts. 🎸⭐
Hypervac Technologies is North America’s leader in hydrovac excavation, delivering safe, non-destructive solutions for critical infrastructure projects. If you work in construction, utilities, or industrial services, learn more at www.hypervac.com
Hyperfab, the fabrication division of Hypervac, delivers custom-built solutions engineered to handle the toughest demands in the field. Learn more at www.hyperfab.ca
Thunder Bay Hydraulics has been a trusted name in hydraulic cylinder repair and manufacturing for over 55 years, supporting industries like mining, forestry, and construction across North America. Visit www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions built for performance, safety, and reliability. If you are looking to upgrade your shop, check them out at www.atlaselitelifts.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Hyperfab Midroll

In this episode of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy breaks down the real difference between people who build something meaningful and those who never get started. Drawing from the rapid launch of his new show and years of entrepreneurial experience, he challenges the idea of failure, reframing it as iteration, evolution, and intentional pivots. This is a powerful reminder that success is not about perfection, it is about momentum, action, and staying in the game long enough to win.
Kelly dives into the 10 most common pitfalls that stop new ideas in their tracks, from overthinking and imposter syndrome to slow execution and poor resource allocation. He emphasizes moving fast, taking imperfect action, and building relentless momentum while others hesitate. If you are sitting on an idea, questioning your next move, or struggling to gain traction, this episode will give you the clarity and push you need to take that first step and keep moving forward.

Key Takeaways:
Ideas without action die quickly, and the people who win are the ones who move first while others are still thinking.
Momentum is one of the most powerful forces in business, and small consistent actions will always outperform waiting for the perfect move.
Failure is not the end, it is either a lesson or a pivot that creates space for something better.
Nobody sees your vision the way you do, so you cannot rely on others to validate what you already feel is right.
Good enough executed today will always beat perfect that never gets launched.
Imposter syndrome disappears when you keep showing up and proving to yourself that you belong.
The biggest risk is not starting, because hesitation kills more opportunities than failure ever will.
Everything meaningful will take longer and cost more than expected, so staying in the game is the real advantage.
Revenue and profitability must come early, because businesses cannot survive on effort alone.
If you stick with anything long enough, keep evolving, and continue moving forward, success becomes inevitable.

The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab, Thunder Bay Hydraulics, and Atlas Elite Lifts. 🎸⭐
Hypervac Technologies is North America’s leader in hydrovac excavation, delivering safe, non-destructive solutions for critical infrastructure projects. If you work in construction, utilities, or industrial services, check them out at www.hypervac.com
Hyperfab, the fabrication division of Hypervac, delivers custom-built solutions engineered to handle the toughest demands in the field. Learn more at www.hyperfab.ca
Thunder Bay Hydraulics has been a trusted name in hydraulic cylinder repair and manufacturing for over 55 years, supporting industries like mining, forestry, and construction across North America. Visit www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions built for performance, safety, and reliability. If you are looking to upgrade your shop, check them out at www.atlaselitelifts.com
Join The Catalyst Club
If you are serious about growth, leadership, and surrounding yourself with high-level thinkers, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be.
This is a private community for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals committed to moving the needle every single week.
Join us here:
🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub

Mentioned in this episode:
Hyperfab Midroll

In Episode 330 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Jordan Labelle, entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of Evergreen Growth Collective, to break down what actually drives long-term success in business. Jordan shares his journey through corporate, startup, and solopreneur life, revealing how each step wasn’t failure, but refinement. Together, they challenge the traditional “hustle harder” mindset and unpack why most founders burn out trying to do everything instead of focusing on what truly matters.
This conversation dives deep into redefining failure, building a business around your strengths, and the importance of staying in the game long enough to reach clarity. Jordan explains why growth doesn’t come from doing more, but from doing the right things with the right people, and how the breakthrough most entrepreneurs are searching for only comes through iteration, awareness, and persistence. If you’ve ever questioned your path, your business model, or whether it’s all going to work, this episode will bring clarity, reassurance, and a powerful reminder to keep going.
Follow Jordan Labelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-labelle/
Check out Evergreen Growth Collective: https://www.evergreengrowthcollective.com/
Email Jordan Labelle: [email protected]

Key Takeaways:
Failure isn’t missing the result, it’s failing to learn and repeating the same mistakes.
Every step in your journey is refinement, not failure, if you’re paying attention and adjusting.
Most entrepreneurs burn out because they try to do everything instead of focusing on what actually matters.
The breakthrough you’re looking for doesn’t come from planning, it comes from staying in the game long enough to find it.
You should build your business around what you’re best at and what you enjoy, not what you think you “should” be doing.
The things you’re best at are often invisible to you but obvious to everyone else, so ask for outside perspective.
Growth isn’t always about scaling bigger, sometimes it’s about staying intentionally small and building smarter.
Hiring should be based on trust, proactiveness, and willingness to learn, not just current skill level.
You don’t need to solve every problem yourself, leveraging partners and specialists can create better outcomes with less effort.
The people who succeed aren’t the smartest, they’re the ones who keep refining and don’t quit when things get hard.

The Business Development Podcast is Proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab, Thunder Bay Hydraulics, and Atlas Elite Lifts. 🎸⭐
Hypervac Technologies is North America’s leader in hydrovac excavation, delivering safe, non-destructive solutions for critical infrastructure projects. If you’re in construction, utilities, or industrial services, check them out at www.hypervac.com
Hyperfab, the fabrication division of Hypervac, provides custom-built solutions designed to meet the toughest demands in the field. Learn more at www.hyperfab.ca
Thunder Bay Hydraulics has been a trusted name in hydraulic cylinder repair and manufacturing for over 55 years, supporting industries like mining, forestry, and construction across North America. Visit www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
Atlas Elite Lifts delivers premium automotive lift solutions built for performance, safety, and reliability. If you’re looking to upgrade your shop, check them out at www.atlaselitelifts.com
Join The Catalyst Club
If you’re serious about growth, leadership, and surrounding yourself with high-level thinkers, The Catalyst Club is where you need to be.
This is a private community for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals who are committed to moving the needle every single week.
Join us here:
🌐 www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub

Mentioned in this episode:
Hyperfab Midroll

In Episode 329 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Nausheen I. Chen, 3x TEDx speaker and Fortune 500 communication coach, to unpack why so many capable leaders struggle when it’s time to speak. From the fight, flight, or freeze response to the pressure of being seen and judged, Nausheen explains what’s really happening in your brain when you feel nervous, lose your words, or freeze under pressure. This episode breaks down the psychology behind communication and why even highly successful professionals can sound flat, robotic, or disconnected when it matters most.
More importantly, Nausheen reveals the shift that changes everything. Public speaking isn’t about confidence, it’s about focus. When you stop trying to perform and start focusing on delivering value, the pressure disappears and your ability to connect skyrockets. If you want to communicate with more clarity, presence, and authority in meetings, presentations, or content, this episode gives you the mindset and tools to finally take control.

Connect with Nausheen I. Chen and learn more about her work:
Website: https://www.speaking.coach
Speak as a Leader Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QTpeh8l5ow8y72rtr8np2
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nausheenichen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nausheenichen/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nausheen.speaking.coach/
Email: [email protected]

Key Takeaways:
You don’t freeze because you lack confidence, you freeze because your brain thinks you’re under threat.
Public speaking fear is a primal response, not a personal weakness, and it can be trained.
The biggest shift in communication is moving from performing to delivering value.
When you focus on the audience instead of yourself, pressure drops and clarity rises.
Confidence is not something you’re born with, it’s built through repetition, self-talk, and preparation.
Your voice, energy, and body language are the three levers that determine how your message lands.
Most people fail in communication because they focus too much on what to say and not how it’s delivered.
Memorizing scripts creates pressure and increases the chance of freezing, speaking naturally creates connection.
Exposure and repetition reduce fear, but only if you review and learn from each performance.
The goal isn’t to impress people, it’s to make their time feel valuable, and everything changes when you do.

Sponsor Shoutouts
This episode of The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, a leader in hydro excavation equipment helping contractors excavate safer, faster, and more efficiently across North America.
Alongside Hypervac, Hyperfab delivers custom-built fabrication solutions designed for durability, performance, and real-world industrial application.
🌐 https://www.hypervac.com
🌐 https://www.hyperfab.ca
This episode is also proudly supported by Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc., specializing in hydraulic manufacturing, repair, and systems integration across Canada.
Alongside them, Atlas Elite Lifts delivers high-end lift solutions for luxury homes, condos, dealerships, and elite garage spaces, with systems that are truly Bat Cave Ready.
🌐 https://www.thunderbayhydraulics.com
🌐 https://www.atlaselitelifts.com
If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to support these incredible companies who make conversations like this possible. 🎸⭐
Join The Catalyst Club
If you enjoy conversations like this and want to connect with entrepreneurs, leaders, and business builders focused on real growth, join us inside The Catalyst Club.
🌐 https://www.kellykennedyofficial.com/thecatalystclub
Mentioned in this episode:
Hyperfab Midroll