Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen

In this episode of The Grit Mindset, Host Matt Rosen sits down with longtime friend and Cloud Communications Group partner, Chris Moffett, for a candid conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, resilience, and navigating the ever-changing world of technology.Chris shares his unconventional entry into the tech world — from carrying luggage at a Houston hotel to installing one of the building’s first voicemail systems, sparking a career in telecommunications and network infrastructure. With no formal engineering background, Chris built his expertise through curiosity, problem-solving, and a relentless willingness to learn on the fly — a defining theme of grit.Together, Matt and Chris unpack Cloud Communications Group’s origin story, born out of a grad school business plan in 2009 and built through persistence, networking, and countless uncomfortable first conversations. Chris reflects on the early days of blank office walls, unanswered phones, and refining the company pitch after 30 minutes in a meeting before realizing the prospect thought he worked for AT&T.Chris also opens up about the moments that tested his resolve the most — including losing an entire executive client team overnight and fearing the loss of his company’s largest account. Instead of collapsing, the challenge expanded his network, strengthened relationships, and ultimately grew the business.As leaders in enterprise network strategy and cloud infrastructure for companies $500M+, the conversation naturally shifts to the future — including:The rapid pace of AI advancement and why adaptation is non-negotiableThe risks of “shadow AI” and unmonitored corporate data exposureWhy data hygiene and governance are the real competitive advantagesThe importance of solving problems without always knowing the answer upfrontHow technical leaders must carry grit in the face of constant pressure and changeChris also shares personal lessons in parenting with an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging his kids to earn opportunities, embrace work ethic, and reject entitlement — even when it means manual labor to fund a weekend trip.When asked what grit means to him, Chris puts it simply:“We’re going to solve this — even if we don’t know how yet.”Matt and Chris close the discussion with insight on leadership, decision-making, and the mindset required to thrive when the finish line isn’t visible.Key Takeaways:Don’t wait for perfect information — make the decision and adjustEntrepreneurship means solving problems before knowing the solutionAI is a tool, not a threat — adaptation beats resistanceTrue grit is choosing motion over hesitationThis episode is a masterclass in patience, perseverance, and staying gritty through uncertainty.Stay gritty.

In this inspiring episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with Mandy Austin, President of Corporate Banking at Vista Bank, to explore how purpose, perseverance, and service define true grit.Mandy shares her journey from growing up in North Texas to building a 20-year career in banking, culminating in her leadership role. She reflects on the influence of her father’s small business ventures and her mother’s dedication to education—two forces that shaped her entrepreneurial spirit and lifelong curiosity.Throughout the conversation, Mandy opens up about the power of resilience—both in business and in life. She recounts overcoming early career challenges and a life-changing multiple sclerosis diagnosis at just 28 years old, which she managed to reverse through research, discipline, and lifestyle change. Her story is one of courage, optimism, and taking ownership of your path.Takeaways include:-How grit is both a choice and a mindset, defined by passion and perseverance.-The importance of finding purpose in your career and aligning your “why” with your work.-Teaching resilience to her children through sports and commitment.-Leading teams through clear communication, vision, and empowerment.Her commitment to community service through United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and Children’s Health, inspired by her nephew’s cancer survival story.Mandy’s story reminds us that grit isn’t just about toughness—it’s about growth, purpose, and using adversity to serve others. Listen to this episode to learn how to stay driven, serve with purpose, and keep pushing forward—no matter what challenges come your way.

Host Matt Rosen sits down with longtime neighbor and friend Kyle Wick, co-founder of 22 One Advisors, to unpack the grit behind building a purpose-driven wealth advisory from the ground up. Kyle traces his path from small-town Iowa to Dallas—hauling boxes at UPS, managing third-shift sanitation crews in meat-packing plants, repo’ing cars for a farm bank—before betting on himself in a commission-only advisory role. With no network and no safety net, he leveraged discipline, continuous learning, and “champagne moments” (visualizing future wins) to push through rejection and build a practice.Kyle shares why his firm’s name comes from Proverbs 22:1 (“A good name is more desirable than great riches”) and how that anchors their philosophy: connect what’s on the balance sheet to what’s in the heart. Today, 22 One Advisors manages ~$500M, prioritizing impact over products—helping clients retire with confidence, steward wealth intentionally, and “die with zero regrets.” He also dives into team dynamics with his partners, community commitments (DFW Hawkeyes, Oak Cliff, faith), and a powerful story of guiding a young widow—proof that real impact goes far beyond returns.Episode Takeaways:Grit = perseverance with passion over time; survive long enough for progress to compound.Start from values: character and legacy before tactics and returns (Proverbs 22:1).Build without a network: tap shared identities (e.g., alumni), tell your “why,” and keep showing up.Introvert edge: Mastery and preparation create confidence Impact over products: retire earlier than you think, spend on purpose (“Die With Zero” mindset), and align money with meaning.Community matters: design clear guardrails for family time and invest in the places you live and serve.Website: https://www.22oneadvisors.com/team.htm

In this episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with Scott Wood, CEO and Co-Founder of True North Advisors.Scott opens up about his early career — from dreaming of New York finance to launching his own firm that felt straight out of Wall Street. He shares how his family’s entrepreneurial roots shaped his work ethic and perspective, from his grandfather’s lighting company to his father’s home-building business and mother’s design background.Scott reflects on pivotal career moments, including leaving Chase, joining Lockwood Financial in Dallas, and the lessons learned along the way. He explains why credentials alone don’t define success — relentless hard work does. Later, Scott discusses building company culture through shared values and how True North uses those values to guide hiring and leadership decisions.Finally, Scott reveals the inspiration behind his drive, his definition of “opting in” to hard work, and why culture remains the heartbeat of True North Advisors.

In this inspiring conversation, Matt Rosen sits down with Eric Benanti, a marketing major turned creative entrepreneur, who shares his journey of joining and eventually leading his family’s renowned creative agency, Tractorbeam.Eric reflects on the early days — when a set of business cards gifted at Christmas didn’t feel like much of a “gift,” but rather the beginning of a lifelong calling. Over time, his heart shifted. What once felt like work became purpose, and he found deep fulfillment in running a legacy company built on creativity, grit, and vision.He shares the story behind the name “Tractorbeam,” how his father’s “Wild West” entrepreneurial style influenced him, and what it took to professionalize and scale a creative business in a competitive market. Eric opens up about the challenges of working with family, navigating tough client demands, and staying innovative through moments of real uncertainty — including the pandemic years spent building quality work out of a WeWork office.💡 “Creative as a standalone business is challenging,” Eric admits, “but when you get the product mix right, the work becomes the mission.”Stay Gritty!!https://tractorbeam.com/

In this inspiring episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with Joan Kuehl, a trailblazing former CIO whose career has spanned technology, leadership, and mentorship. From growing up in a working-class family to leading global IT projects for major corporations like Sabre, Bank of America, and Travelers Insurance, Joan’s story is a powerful lesson in perseverance, adaptability, and courage.🌟 Highlights:From humble beginnings to the C-suite: Joan shares how her father’s example of hard work and integrity instilled the values that guided her career.Breaking barriers in tech: As one of the few women in computer science in the 1980s, Joan navigated a male-dominated field with grit and determination—eventually leading teams of thousands.Defining moments of leadership: She recounts overseeing the massive US Airways systems conversion project, which required coordination across 8,000 people and critical decision-making under pressure.Building resilience and community: Joan opens up about creating Women in Technology programs and leading Empowering Women Leaders (EWL)—a nonprofit providing mentorship and scholarships to women returning to college later in life.Real stories of grit: From a mother of 11 escaping abuse to women overcoming homelessness and addiction, Joan highlights the life-changing impact of EWL’s mentorship model.Lessons in courage and balance: Reflecting on her own journey, Joan shares the importance of saying yes to opportunities even when you feel unprepared—and the need to balance ambition with family and self-care.💡 Key Takeaway:Grit isn’t just about working harder—it’s about staying persistent, adapting when plans change, and helping others rise with you. Joan’s journey reminds us that courage and compassion can coexist at every stage of success.🎧 Tune in to hear how grit, mentorship, and purpose have shaped Joan's extraordinary path—and how you can apply those lessons to your own life.

In this episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with entrepreneur and investor Ray Larson. Ray shares how he built his career from launching a print management company to running a family office today. He opens up about the challenges he faced early on, the tough pivot from print to search, and the realization that he needed to reinvent his IT shop to keep moving forward. Along the way, Ray reflects on whether he always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur and what keeps him driven.This conversation is all about grit, perseverance, and the hard-earned lessons that come with building and rebuilding in business.Stay Gritty!

From boy scout to Green Beret, Daniel Elkins has dedicated his life to service. As the Founder and President of the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), Daniel created the organization to fill a critical gap—advocating for Special Operations Forces (SOF) and their families in the halls of power on Capitol Hill.In this conversation with host Matt Rosen, Daniel opens up about:-The unique challenges he faced as a Green Beret and why SOAA was born to give SOF veterans a voice in policy and legislation.-His early dream of military service and path through the National Guard.-The fall of Afghanistan, his first combat experiences, and the life-changing moment when he thought his career might be over.-The impact of watching a fellow soldier survive being shot, and the mindset shift that led him to adopt his “be a shark, keep moving forward” mantra.-What grit truly means to him—from combat zones to tough advocacy decisions, including the harrowing moment of helping choose who would live and who would die during interpreter evacuations.-The challenges of transitioning from military life and why building SOAA was essential for the future of the SOF community.👉 Watch as Daniel shares his story of resilience, leadership, and grit—on and off the battlefield.🔗 Learn more about Daniel and SOAA: soaa.orgTimecodes: 00:10- 4:30: Special Operations Association started by Daniel Elkins, Daniel Elkins is the Founder and President of SOAA, He is a Green Beret and has served in Special Operations rolesWhen he became a green beret he shares unique challenges he had on advocacy for veteransThere was a huge gap under represented, SOAA was created to give a voice to Special Operations Forces (SOF) in the domain of policy and legislative affairs4:30 Daniel shares as a young boy he wanted to be in the military and why he chose the national guard. He was in boy scouts and loved being in the woods and ultimately he wanted to serve his country.8:30 Host Matt Rosen asks Daniel about challenging times he has endured in his life as a green beret. Daniel shares about the fall of Afghanistan and his first real experience in combat12:14 Daniel shares when he thought his career was over and had a difficult decision to make to talk to his Sergeant. 14:09 Daniel shares the rest of his deployment and the repercussions he faced15:00 Daniel shares when his friend was shot in the face and survived and how it effected Daniel with how to have a mantra and mindset of being a shark and not being a failure and moving forward16:30 Matt asks what does grit mean to Daniel20:00 Daniel shares remembering getting a call from a prominent member from Capitol Hill crying with the interpreters and making decisions for who would live and who would die 23:00 Host Matt Rosen asks what the challenges have been for Daniel starting Special Operations Association, he shares the day you take your uniform off what happens after a military careerhttps://soaa.org/team/daniel-elkins/Daniel is the Founder and President of the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), a Green Beret, a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and a member of the Atlantic Council’s Counterterrorism Project.

What does it take to step into the CEO seat—and stay there?In Episode 29, host Matt Rosen sits down with Mark Sinatra to unpack the grit behind leadership. Mark reflects on when he first knew he wanted to be a CEO, the types of businesses he gravitated toward, and the hard truth that finding people who share your vision is rare. His advice? When you find those people—keep them.Matt pushes the conversation deeper, asking Mark to share his most challenging leadership story. Mark opens up about building culture and relationships inside a remote company. While remote work has its advantages, fostering connection and alignment from a distance has been his toughest challenge yet.At the heart of their discussion is what it means to embrace The Gritty Mindset: keeping an open mind, avoiding defensiveness, asking for help when needed, and creating a culture where leaders and team members alike feel safe to show vulnerability.It’s a powerful reminder that grit isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about building trust, connection, and resilience in the face of challenges.

In this inspiring episode, Matt Rosen sits down with Sunny Vanderbeck, entrepreneur, investor, Army veteran, and author of Selling Without Selling Out. Sunny takes us on a journey of resilience, grit, and the lessons learned from building and rebuilding companies.From starting college at 16, earning an engineering degree, serving in the U.S. Army, and launching his first company in his 20s—Sunny’s path is anything but ordinary. He candidly shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship: selling his business, facing a devastating setback, and ultimately buying his company back after bankruptcy.Sunny reflects on how grit—simply just keeping going—carried him and his team through uncertain times. He opens up about the importance of empathy, leadership under pressure, and breaking down vs. breaking through. Along the way, he shares stories of lessons learned at Compaq, the impact of 9/11, and how he built his next venture, Satori Capital, over a meal at Chili’s with a vision to reshape the future.Key Highlights:🎓 Started college at 16, Army service, and first entrepreneurial ventures📠 The fax machine story and a major business setback💪 What “grit” means in entrepreneurship and leadership🌍 Building Satori Capital and its purpose-driven origin🥂 The “Gratitude Dinner” tradition📖 Author of Selling Without Selling Out, helping entrepreneurs exit with integritySunny’s journey is proof that setbacks don’t define you—your grit does.🔗 Learn more about Sunny and Satori Capital: satoricapital.com📘 Get his book Selling Without Selling Out: Amazon linkStay Gritty!

In this episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with longtime friend and former co worker Vimal Vachani, founder of Crex Software—a SaaS company revolutionizing real estate technology. From his early passion for data and analytics to building software that now serves the entire real estate vertical, Vimal shares how Crex empowers property managers whether they oversee 10 buildings or 1,000+.Vimal opens up about his journey as a first-generation American entrepreneur, the two-year grind of putting pen to paper before launching Crex, and the challenges of starting a company just as COVID hit New York City. He recalls the reassurance of landing his first client, the balancing act of becoming a dad while running a startup, and the perseverance it takes to push through tough times with grit and hustle.With honesty and humor, Vimal admits: “Had someone told me how hard this would be, I don’t know if I would have done it.” But his story is proof that grit, family, and an unshakable belief in data’s power can build something truly impactful.

🚀 On this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen sits down with entrepreneur Chaitan Fahnestock, founder of Sportsmo, the “gamified giving” app changing how fans support their teams. From growing up in Wichita and working in the family heating & air business to building a his own companies, Chaitan shares his biggest lessons, setbacks, and what grit really means to him. 💪 Discover how patience, tenacity, and the love of building led him to launch Sportsmo.Stay Gritty!Timestamps:0:00 Intro0:30 Matt intros Chaitan Fahnestock the founder of Sportsmo1:00 What is Sportsmo explainer "it is gamified giving"1:30 Examples of the Sportsmo app and how to use it play by play2:30 Host Matt Rosen is ready with rooting on his Aggies!2:45 With Oklahoma State in mind, Chaitan was problem solving in his own mind with Universities calling on their wealthiest donors to be successful. Chaitan says this is the "easy" button4:00 Host Matt Rosen asks "What led you down the path through your life to become an entrepreneur"4:10 Chaitan grew up in Wichita Kansas and he had a desire to take a high school entrepreneur class and it got his wheels turning of what could be6:00 Chaitan was a worker at an early age! He worked in heating and air, golf corse, restaurant and a family business Fahnestock Heating and Air6:30 Fahnestock Heating and Air details working for family and how one particular summer taught him what he didn't want to do.7:15 Chaitan's College days at Oklahoma State, minor in French and major in Accounting.. happily falling into accounting.8:00 Ernst & Young (EY) was his first firm, he describes being on site with clients and the excitement of this real world experience as a young man in business for 5 years10:00 Chaitan's Accounting to Sales story, managing teams and he shares the skills that were different with rolling up his sleeves.11:30 The changing business landscape12:00 In 2005, Chaitan is approached to start a business and this was a wonderful decision. Chaitan had quite the journey building a company to 300 million!13:00 Host Matt Rosen asks Chaitan about his greatest adversities he has faced in business. Chaitan shares moments of grit from the earliest days such as collecting invoices to make payroll. Growing pains as a small company are much different from the larger company problems. Chaitan shares moments of everyone getting checks and illustrates angst in digging the company out of the earth with blood sweat and tears.14:58 Chaitan shares a story about recruiting faster than selling and becoming overstaffed. This was a business issue that caused pain and suffering for Chaitan. Business growth was put on hold and this was not his favorite chapter of his story.16:00 Matt asks what Chaitan would "do over" and Chaitan shares he would have tapped the breaks on hiring and would have avoided this pain all together however his perspective is17:00 Host Matt Rosen asks his famous question: What does Grit mean to you? Chaitan's response is heartwarming about his daughter's team is named Grit. He shares his personal perspective on grit means patience and tenacity.18:00 Matt asks Chaitan what adventure he is on now in business, Chaitan shares there was some freedom however he is not built to play golf everyday. He loves the beach but he has aspirations of building.... and that is why he started the Sportsmo app!20:00-25:00 Matt asks Chaitan about his personal hobbies. Chaitan surprises us with mountain climbing! He has climbed the snow capped mountain of Mt. Rainier. He shares an incredible story about the challenges along the way of hiking and climbing a variety of mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro which was 6 nights on the mountain along with the journey to get there. "You get to learn more about yourself than you thought you needed to know" 25:00 Chaitan has a revelation about the adventure of the climb and he starts thinking about the first Fahnestock from the 1700's and the grit to get to America. He has flashes from his past and the grit of his parents who he says are the ultra adventurers. He shares where his name came from.27:35 Matt asks in closing Chaitan's words of advice to listeners, Chaitan says "do your homework but JUST DO IT"

In this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen welcomes Eli Goldaris, Managing Director at Isagani Yorke Capital Partners. With years of experience guiding businesses through complex deals, Eli has built a reputation for helping owners position their companies for growth and long-term success as a seasoned entrepreneur.Eli shares why so many businesses and M&A deals fall apart, what strategic buyers are really looking for, and how his firm supports companies through these high-stakes transitions. He also opens up about his personal journey into entrepreneurship—why questioning whether you should be an entrepreneur usually means it’s not for you, and the defining moment he knew he had to take the leap.In a powerful story, Eli recalls leaving his corporate role to start his own company—only to suffer a stroke two weeks later—and how that life-altering experience reshaped his mindset, resilience, and commitment to forging his own path. Matt and Eli also dive into the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face today and how politics ripple through the economy, impacting business strategy and deal-making at every level.

In this episode of The Grit Mindset, Matt Rosen takes us back to 2002, when the tech bubble burst and he traded IT sales for bar ownership in Dallas’ Lower Greenville. He shares the wild ride of opening Dirty Daves—from build-out headaches, parking problems, and too many free drinks… to debt before opening day, missing daiquiri machines, and hiring the DJ as manager.Matt gets real about the mistakes, the lessons learned, and how those early challenges shaped his move into consulting. Along the way, he reflects on working with his brother, why personal guarantees can be risky, and the dos and don’ts of going into business with friends. It’s an honest, entertaining, and educational look at grit, risk, and finding the silver lining when things don’t go as planned.

In this episode of The Grit Mindset, the roles are reversed—Matt Rosen welcomes Ollie Chandhok, President and Publisher of the Dallas Business Journal, to the hot seat. After being featured himself in DBJ, Matt now gets to interview the man behind the headlines.Ollie shares his unique journey from selling nuts and bolts in warehouses to leading one of the most respected business publications in the country. With a team of 25, the Dallas Business Journal plays a vital role in informing and connecting the local business community, as part of the American City Business Journals network across 44 U.S. cities.🔗 Learn more about the Dallas Business Journal: bizjournals.com/dallas

What happens when a 5-year-old boy believes moms are supposed to go find dads? That’s how Larry Hagner began his journey—a journey marked by absence, abuse, discovery, and ultimately, purpose.In this powerful episode of The Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, Larry opens up about his early childhood—growing up without a father, surviving a toxic step-parent relationship, and the life-changing moment when he met his birth father at age 12 and reconnecting when he himself, became a Dad in his 30's. Larry founded The Dad Edge movement in 2012 to help men become better husbands, fathers, and leaders. Since launching The Dad Edge Podcast in 2015, he’s coached thousands and interviewed over 1,400 guests—yet this is the first time he gets this raw about his personal story.Now a father of four boys (ages 9, 11, 17, and 19) and celebrating 22 years of marriage, Larry is proof that you don’t have to repeat your past—you can rewrite it.🎙 “Most men think, ‘I’m married. I should just know how to be a great dad and husband.’ But the truth is—it’s a skill. It takes reps. It takes community. And it’s never too late to start.”👉 Watch the full episode to hear how Larry turned childhood pain into a mission to build stronger men—and stronger families.🔗 Learn more: thedadedge.com/mastermind📲 IG: @thedadedge | FB: The Dad EdgeBook: thedadedge.com/legendarybookMastermind: thedadedge.com/mastermind

In this episode of Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, host Matt Rosen takes the mic solo to share his own journey of resilience, entrepreneurship, and personal growth for the very first time on the show. Tune in for candid advice and real-world strategies to help you harness your own grit and pursue your goals with confidence.

What does it take to rise from the chaos of a war-torn childhood to leading a successful furniture company? Join Matt Rosen as he sits down with Veronica Schnitzius, President of American Leather, who shares her incredible journey from Medellín, Colombia, to the heart of Dallas. Discover how grit, resilience, and the power of community shaped her path to success. Tune in for actionable insights that will inspire you to embrace your own challenges and push forward!

Unlock the secrets of entrepreneurial success with Shane Spillers on this week’s episode of Grit Mindset! As a seasoned entrepreneur and EOS implementer, Shane shares invaluable insights on overcoming challenges and building resilient teams with host Matt Rosen. Discover how clarity in goals and the right people in the right seats can transform your business journey. Tune in for actionable strategies that can help you cultivate your own grit and achieve your dreams!

What does it take to transform challenges into opportunities? In this episode of Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with Matt McGaughey, founder of Spinakr Solutions, to explore the grit behind building a global consulting firm from the ground up. Discover how embracing vulnerability and fostering trust can empower your team to thrive in a fast-paced world. Tune in for actionable insights that will inspire you to cultivate resilience in your personal and professional life!