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CASE STUDIES
Ty Nielson and Tim Miller: Resourcefulness, Risk, and the Power of Proximity
In this episode, Casey sits down with Ty Nielson and Tim Miller, the entrepreneurial duo behind Ninja Kids, for a candid masterclass on building creator-led experiences with heart, vision, and relentless execution. Fresh off a Tony Robbins immersion, they unpack how state, story, and strategy helped catalyze new habits and higher standards; and why the energy of an aligned community can flip limiting beliefs into bold action.
Ty and Tim trace their path from shaping the trampoline park industry to founding Ninja Kids; along the way they learned that it’s rarely a lack of resources, but a lack of resourcefulness that holds leaders back. Their time scaling hundreds of locations provided a front-row education in private equity, deal structure, and culture; lessons they’d later use to design on their own terms.
They also share the scrappy stories that shaped the brand’s creator partnership strategy; from pursuing real estate with nothing but conviction, to a chance introduction that led to the Ninja Kids collaboration and a new growth thesis. Expect takeaways on proximity as power, building wonder into product, modeling excellence, and leading so your people feel believed in.
00:00 | Opening & Intros: Ninja Kids leadership
00:41 | Tony Robbins: going “all in”
01:52 | Shared values & why Sandlot invested
03:58 | What a Tony event feels like (state → story → strategy)
06:47 | The 55° room, physiology, and energy
07:14 | Full-circle moment on Casey’s plane
10:08 | Community, permission to play big, and breakthroughs
11:00 | Proximity is power: the billionaire story
15:13 | Belonging, imposter syndrome, and belief
17:15 | Dreaming bigger: from $20M to $1B vision
17:46 | Shared values with investors & doing them proud
19:50 | Theme of the journey: people who believe in you
20:56 | Origins: missions in Russia & lifelong partnership
27:06 | What Russians taught them about trust and loyalty
29:29 | Ty’s childhood in post-USSR Russia (Pepsi → Coke!)
31:44 | The leap: from Schlumberger to “ringmaster” vision
35:12 | Titles, vision, and chasing wonder
36:20 | Modeling leaders; habits, gratitude, and wonderment
41:08 | Designing for wonder: lighting, art, and moments
45:46 | Scaling lessons: do your absolute best, be resourceful
47:49 | It’s not resources; it’s resourcefulness
54:14 | 300+ parks, private equity, and real-world MBA
56:32 | Culture shock: when the magic dwindles
58:21 | Fired → phone call → blessing → new chapter
01:02:23 | Pattern recognition: rebrands vs. creators
01:06:05 | Tesla saga to Chicago: conviction on wheels
01:08:37 | Kindness compounds: the people who helped
01:12:50 | Emergent strategy: buy tired parks, create energy
01:14:01 | Non-competes, red tape, and 34-month realities
01:16:35 | The Ninja Kids intro (thanks, Stevie from BYU)
01:17:44 | First acquisition in Dallas & signing the PGs
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131. Lynn Perry: Turning Obsession With Excellence Into a $130M+ Annual Business
01:47:03||Season 1, Ep. 131In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Lynn Perry, founder of Central Milling, for a deeply meaningful conversation on excellence, faith, and building a business that truly serves people.Lynn shares how a simple idea rooted in chemical-free farming evolved into a nine-figure organic flour business over four decades, but what stands out is not the scale, it's the intention behind it. From obsessing over product quality to creating flour tailored for world-class bakers, Lynn reveals how a commitment to craftsmanship turned a commodity into something extraordinary.The conversation takes a powerful turn as Lynn reflects on a life-changing experience with his daughter that reshaped his perspective on leadership, service, and purpose. That mindset ultimately influenced one of his proudest decisions, implementing an ESOP that created life changing wealth for employees across the company.This episode is for leaders and entrepreneurs on building with heart, leading with principle, and proving that true success comes from creating value far beyond yourself.131. Bonnie H. Cordon: Highlight Episode
31:51||Season 1, Ep. 131In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Bonnie Cordon - former General Young Women President, current president of Southern Virginia University, and a lifelong champion of potential - for a deeply moving conversation about faith, leadership, and the life-changing impact of simple belief.Bonnie shares the formative experiences of her childhood in Idaho Falls, where lessons in responsibility and resilience were woven into farm chores and family life. She reflects on pivotal moments - from a life-altering interaction with Elder L. Tom Perry to navigating unexpected career opportunities at Oracle - that taught her the transformative power of showing up for others. Together, Casey and Bonnie explore how small acts of kindness, persistence, and seeing the best in people can ripple through generations.This inspiring conversation is packed with wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, and high performers seeking to build a legacy of influence rooted not in titles, but in genuine connection, service, and faith.130. Shauna Smith: The Operator Behind Savory’s Billion-Dollar Vision
01:18:00||Season 1, Ep. 130In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Shauna Smith, co-founder and powerhouse operator behind Savory Fund, for a deeply personal and insightful conversation on resilience, leadership, and building something meaningful from the ground up.Shauna shares her journey from a challenging childhood in the South to becoming a central force in scaling over 50 Kneaders Bakery locations and helping build one of the most respected restaurant investment platforms in the country. Along the way, she opens up about stepping into responsibility at a young age, navigating family adversity, and how those early experiences shaped her grit and perspective.Together, she and Casey explore what it really takes to operate at a high level, from executing vision and building teams to making hard decisions and learning from failure. Shauna also reflects on her role in growing brands like Swig and Mo’ Bettahs, her “no A-hole policy,” and why culture and character matter more than anything in business.This episode is a masterclass for leaders and entrepreneurs on ownership, humility, and the power of doing hard things well.00:00 | Introduction & Reconnecting02:02 | Family Life & Partnership with Andrew08:29 | Visionary vs Operator Roles09:54 | Growing Up in Alabama14:12 | Family Adversity & Moving to Utah20:19 | Forgiveness & Personal Growth24:32 | College Years & Meeting Andrew30:20 | Unexpected Pregnancy Story33:24 | Early Entrepreneurial Journey35:13 | The Call to Build Kneaders39:01 | Learning to Run a Restaurant41:19 | Thriving During the 2008 Crisis47:16 | Scaling to 50+ Locations48:49 | Key Lessons from Franchising52:40 | Investing in Swig & Mo’ Bettahs56:56 | Launching Savory Fund59:06 | Fund Growth & Investment Strategy01:00:30 | Biggest Mistakes & Lessons Learned01:01:57 | The “No A-hole Policy”01:02:54 | Best Deal Ever: Swig01:03:47 | Transitioning Roles & Future Vision129. Corinne Stokoe: Highlight Episode
31:06||Season 1, Ep. 129In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Corinne Stokoe, founder of Mint Arrow and a trailblazer in the influencer marketing space. Corinne shares her unconventional path from competitive pianist to entrepreneur, revealing how discipline, faith, and adaptability shaped her journey.She dives into the early days of blogging, the evolution of digital marketing, and how she built one of the most successful affiliate-driven businesses in the industry. Casey and Corinne discuss the power of personal connection in a world dominated by AI, the realities of running a personal brand, and the importance of knowing when to pivot.Corinne also opens up about the role of faith in her career, how she integrates business with purpose, and why embracing authenticity has been the key to her success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, content creator, or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on resilience, reinvention, and building a lasting impact.129. Lloyd Roberts: The Billion-Dollar Founder Who Cracked the Code to a Fulfilling Life
01:18:13||Season 1, Ep. 129In this episode of Case Studies, Casey sits down with Lloyd Roberts, co-founder of LoanPro and serial entrepreneur who has helped launch more than a dozen companies, including a billion-dollar fintech platform built alongside his brothers in Utah. But Lloyd’s story goes far beyond business success; it is a powerful exploration of urgency, perspective, and what it really means to live a fulfilling life.Born with cystic fibrosis and told early on that his time might be limited, Lloyd developed a mindset that shaped everything from how he approached failure to how he built businesses. He shares the lessons learned from starting 17 companies, bootstrapping their ventures without outside capital, and eventually partnering with a growth equity firm to scale LoanPro into a major fintech platform.The conversation then turns to the insight that changed Lloyd’s life: realizing that financial success alone doesn’t produce fulfillment. Today he teaches a simple but powerful framework built around gratitude, growth, and giving; a formula he now shares through his book, speaking, and retreats. Together, Casey and Lloyd unpack how entrepreneurs can pursue success while building a life of meaning, impact, and intentional living.Learn more about Lloyd’s book:https://gcubedformula.com/book/128. Matt Clayton: Highlight Episode
28:50||Season 1, Ep. 128What if the future of education isn’t bigger—but smaller, more personal, and radically student-driven?In this episode of Case Studies, Casey Baugh sits down with Matt Clayton, founder of Slope School, to explore how traditional schools are being disrupted by a new, human-centered model. From working at Goldman Sachs to studying under Clayton Christensen, Matt shares how autonomy, real-world learning, and community are transforming how kids learn.You’ll hear why Slope School focuses on mastery over credentials, how AI is accelerating student growth, and why building identity is the most important part of education. This episode is packed with insights for parents, educators, and entrepreneurs who care about the next generation.128. Sharon Eubank: Leading Global Relief Efforts From Faith to the United Nations
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