The Turn: Blue Collar to Billions

By Iconic Founders Group

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Category: Entrepreneurship

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Episodes: 24

Description

You've fought hard for your business. Growth was earned, not given. Maybe you've scaled, maybe you've sold, but who have you become in the process? This isn't another podcast obsessing over multiples and deal structure. We get to the heart of what you're actually going through. Hosted by Kory Mitchell, CEO of Iconic Founders, we sit down with blue-collar business owners who've built something real, businesses like HVAC, landscaping, pest control, construction. These are honest conversations about the challenges, the lessons, and the moments that changed everything. Because the real story isn't just how you got here, it's about the lessons along the way. 


About the Host, Kory Mitchell: Kory Mitchell is the host of The Turn and the founder of Iconic Founders Group. He's lived the founder's journey, building a small regional specialty contracting business with his family into a national ($200m)brand and navigating two transactions, including a 9-figure exit. With 25+ years in the specialty contracting industry, Kory learned how personal and high-stakes the decision to sell can be. Now he guides founder-led companies through legacy-preserving transactions and serves as a board member for several large national specialty trades businesses, bringing an operator's perspective to strategic growth. 


About Iconic Founders: Iconic Founders Group provides expert guidance for blue-collar industry founders ready to grow and sell their businesses while preserving legacy. We work with founder-led businesses doing $3M–$20M in profit across specialty contracting and trades, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, pest control, roofing, concrete, environmental services, tree services, excavation, asphalt paving, restoration, and more. Whether you're seeking liquidity, finding a partner to scale, or protecting the team and culture that made you great, Kory and the Iconic Team serves as a trusted advisor throughout the entire process, from readiness to strategic buyer alignment, all the way to a proud and well-earned close. Learn more at www.iconicfounders.com. 


Built Something Great? We Want to Hear Your Story. Whether you're in the thick of scaling, contemplating an exit, or reflecting on lessons learned, we'd love to connect. Visit us at www.iconicfounders.com and subscribe to The Turn wherever you get your podcasts.


Episode Date
He Helped Build a Billion-Dollar Company That Could Run Without Him
Oct 06, 2026
He joined as employee 20 and scaled it to $1 billion
Sep 29, 2026
What does it take for a family member to actually earn the top job?
Sep 22, 2026
He Sold His Parents' Paving Company in 30 Days, Then Called to Tell Them
Sep 15, 2026
He Sold 40% of His Company but Never Gave Up Control
Sep 08, 2026
Stuck at Five Million a Month, He Closed the Deal in a Deer Blind
Sep 01, 2026
His Sale Number Was Fixed Before the Deal Ever Started
Aug 25, 2026
$500k in Profit. His Dad Said Stop. But He Kept Going.
Aug 18, 2026
The Warehouse Lease Details Most Owners Never Think to Fix Before Selling
Aug 11, 2026
Fired From the Family Business, Then He Built the Exit on Purpose
Aug 04, 2026
$40M to $90M Twice: His Secret Was Making Himself Replaceable
Jul 28, 2026
They Didn't Buy His Customers. They Bought His Culture.
Jul 07, 2026
Most Owners Are Terrified to Do This. He Did It Anyway.
Jun 23, 2026
They Grew to $40M and Destroyed the Family Doing It
Jun 09, 2026
12x EBITDA—and Still Regrets Selling
May 27, 2026
Didn't Want to Sell. Then Life Changed.
May 12, 2026
Started Over at $3M, Built to $200M
Apr 28, 2026
Family Business to $410M Exit
Apr 14, 2026
15 People to $50M in Profit
Mar 31, 2026
Bootstrapped to Over $70M
Mar 17, 2026
Measure Value, Not Revenue
Mar 05, 2026
Two Exits. Totally Different Outcomes.
Feb 17, 2026
The Hardest Part Comes After the Exit
Feb 03, 2026
Introducing The Turn: Blue Collar to Billions
Jan 16, 2026