The Decision by EO Nashville

Daniel Woods is the Founder and CEO of The Addison Group, a landscape architecture firm focused on designing personalized and elegant outdoor spaces. The company serves builders and custom clients throughout Greater Nashville, offering landscape design, site and grading plans, pool and outdoor living design, and 3D rendering. Before founding The Addison Group, Daniel was a senior Landscape Architect at Southern Land Company, where he played a principal role in the development of local communities. In this episode… Growth often begins with a simple question: Is the path you're on still the right one? For entrepreneurs, this question can surface in moments of uncertainty, forcing them to rethink how they lead, serve, and build what comes next. Landscape architect Daniel Woods spent years learning the craft of design before realizing that his deeper calling was entrepreneurship. After launching his own business in 2012, he moved from simply serving clients well to building a company with a clearer structure, stronger leadership, and a more intentional client experience. Throughout his journey, Daniel learned that growth requires more than talent — it requires listening well, planning ahead, and committing fully to the principles that set your company apart. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson talk with Daniel Woods, Founder and CEO of The Addison Group, about building a service business through intentional leadership. Daniel shares how he started his entrepreneurial journey, why communication and hospitality became his company's guiding principles, and how EO helped him improve his listening skills.

Brian Fisher is the Co-founder and COO of Jucebox, a digital marketing and sales platform for life insurance agents and advisors. He is also the COO and Chief Compliance Officer at JB Wealth Advisors, an SEC-registered investment advisory services company. With a background in operations and marketing, Brian helps advisors improve performance and client acquisition. In this episode… Success may look like a straight path from passion to achievement, but it rarely unfolds that way. Many professionals find themselves pivoting, reevaluating, and redefining what fulfillment means along the journey. What can you do when the path you've invested in no longer aligns with the life you want to build? Business infrastructure expert Brian Fisher didn't begin his career with spreadsheets or systems, but with a trumpet in hand and a vision of performing. As he moved from music into the restaurant industry, he immersed himself in operations, eventually running multimillion-dollar establishments and launching his own creative dining experiences. Even after achieving his dream of opening a restaurant, an unexpected loss forced Brian to rebuild from scratch. Alongside his twin brother, he found a new path, learning to embrace his strengths behind the scenes — designing systems, scaling operations, and supporting growth rather than chasing the spotlight. Brian's journey demonstrates that success comes from aligning your work with your natural strengths, not forcing yourself into roles that drain you. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Brian Fisher, Co-founder and COO of Jucebox, to discuss navigating career pivots and finding your role in business. Brian shares his transition from music to restaurants, lessons from building and losing a business, and how defining his strengths reshaped his leadership approach.

Michael Burcham is the Chief of Strategy and Talent Development at Shore Capital Partners, a micro-cap investment firm that builds and scales platform companies across healthcare and business services. As an entrepreneur, executive coach, investor, and strategist, he has over 30 years of experience leading investor-backed, high-growth organizations. Michael has launched, scaled, and sold three investor-backed businesses over the past 30 years with a combined valuation of over $500 million. In this episode… Creating a business legacy often comes down to how leaders navigate growth, change, and people. Some founders thrive in chaos, while others stumble when it's time to scale. What separates those who evolve with their companies from those who get left behind? As a seasoned expert in leadership and talent development, Michael Burcham went from humble beginnings in rural Mississippi to guiding entrepreneurs at every stage of growth. He learned that success isn't just about building companies; it's about building people. Additionally, self-reliance, resilience, and the ability to make tough team decisions shape leaders and their companies. Michael advises knowing when to push, when to let go, and investing in others' growth. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Michael Burcham, Chief of Strategy and Talent Development at Shore Capital Partners, to discuss scaling leadership and growth. Michael shares how he learned to identify when team members can't grow with a company, why coaching and accountability are key to scaling, and how investing in people drives lasting success.

Josh Pittman is the Founder and CEO of Pip, which simplifies diabetes care through safe, painless, and easy-to-use lancets. Under his leadership, the company has grown its reach across the US and expanded distribution into DTC and retail channels. In this episode… Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path. It's a journey defined by risks, resilience, and moments that test your conviction. How can you choose between safety and growth or between holding on and letting go? From walking away from a secure accounting career to buying his first company with help from a mentor, diabetes care entrepreneur Josh Pittman learned the hard truths of business ownership. Through losing clients, managing debt, and navigating uncertainty, he discovered that confidence is built by persistence, not success. Josh advises entrepreneurs to embrace discomfort because it signals growth. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Josh Pittman, Founder and CEO of Pip, to discuss how he built, scaled, and sold his company. Josh shares how a mentor's belief helped launch his career, how he rebuilt after losing a major client, and why selling his business led to personal clarity.

Clay Ezell is the Co-owner and President of The Compost Company, a Middle Tennessee firm that converts organic waste into high-quality compost and soil blends. He also serves as President of the Tennessee Composting Council and is active in regional environmental and recycling networks. As a USCC-Certified Site Operator, Clay trained through New York's EarthMatter program. In this episode… Impactful industry changes often begin with small observations that spark bold ideas. Yet turning those ideas into a real business brings unexpected challenges and tough decisions. How do you know when to take the leap into something new? An expert in large-scale composting, Clay Ezell left a stable career in book publishing to follow a calling that blended purpose and impact. Inspired by childhood memories of early recycling movements and the stark waste realities he witnessed, he trained in New York before bringing his knowledge home. Together with his brother, Clay learned by trial and error, navigating mistakes, zoning challenges, and the complexities of running a hauling service and a production arm. He maintains that real progress comes when you stop trying to do everything yourself and start building systems with the right people in the right roles. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Clay Ezell, Co-owner and President of The Compost Company, to discuss the challenges of industrial-scale composting in the Southeast. Clay talks about treating hauling and product sales as distinct businesses, how food waste in landfills creates methane, and the leadership lessons he gained from EO's Catalyst program.

Elle Harvey is the Founder of A New Leaf Nature School, an outdoor education institution focused on nature, emerging curricula, and learning through project work. Since opening the first summer camp in 2005, she has built A New Leaf into a model for holistic, nature-based learning. Elle has experience in ecology, curriculum development, and early childhood education. She emphasizes co-research and integration of environmental science, languages, and social-emotional growth in her pedagogical leadership. In this episode… Entrepreneurship often begins with a spark of curiosity and the courage to break from a predictable path. It challenges us to see opportunities where others see uncertainties and to persevere when the journey becomes difficult. What does it take to turn a passion for education and the natural world into a thriving, long-term venture? As a seasoned biologist with decades of research experience, Elle Harvey transformed her career when motherhood reshaped her vision of learning. Moving from the lab to early childhood education, she discovered a calling in immersive, inquiry-driven teaching that blends outdoor exploration with academic rigor. Elle faced zoning restrictions, location changes, and the challenge of growing a school from her backyard while staying true to her ideals. She advises entrepreneurs to trust their passion, keep innovating, and believe that solutions will emerge even when obstacles feel insurmountable. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline chats with Elle Harvey, Founder of A New Leaf Nature School, about the lessons she learned transitioning from science to education. Elle discusses the origins of nature-based learning, the importance of an emergent curriculum, and how joining EO's Catalyst program transformed her leadership and business strategy.

John Lupear is the Founder and President of Prodigy, a smart home technology and AV solutions company. The company specializes in home automation, entertainment, and security systems. Under John's leadership, Prodigy offers commercial and residential AV services. In this episode… Entrepreneurs sometimes face the difficult decision of whether to push through tough economic downturns or close shop and start fresh. When financial collapses hinder opportunities in various markets, moving forward can feel daunting. How do business leaders know when it's time to pivot, rebuild, and embrace a new market? After closing his first company during the 2008 recession, AV integration expert John Lupear relocated to a new city, rebuilt his career, and launched a thriving business. He carved a new path in a booming market, designed cutting-edge systems, and built trust with clients who expected the best. Along the way, John navigated employee layoffs and learned that resilience and creativity matter just as much as technical skills. He recommends staying adaptable and developing a strong workplace culture. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline interviews John Lupear, Founder and President of Prodigy, about rebuilding after economic crises. John shares the lessons he's learned from serving billionaire clients, the innovations shaping the AV industry, and how EO has shaped his leadership.

John Lavey is the President and CEO of Hammock Inc., a leading B2B content marketing firm. He led a management buyout in 2022, completing a long-term succession plan with Hammock's founder. As a healthcare journalist, John has spent over 25 years in custom media working for more than 100 healthcare client organizations. In this episode… Many leaders eventually face the question of whether they are truly steering their work and life with purpose or simply moving along with old habits. The pressure to grow, evolve, and make decisions about the future can feel daunting, especially when it involves stepping into full ownership of a business or reimagining its direction. How can you navigate this leap while staying true to yourself and your values? Professional storyteller and leader John Lavey transitioned from being a long-time employee to buying and leading the business he served for decades. He learned that authentic leadership comes not from trying to emulate others but from embracing your own voice. John emphasizes storytelling as a tool for clarity and connection, maintaining that the key to growth is focusing less on self-promotion and more on what matters to the audience. In today's episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson interview John Lavey, President and CEO of Hammock Inc., about leadership, storytelling, and business growth. John discusses the importance of displaying vulnerability in EO, how he reframed his purpose, and why improv comedy helps him stay present.