In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with entrepreneur and advisor Joe Testouri for a wide-ranging conversation about building companies, understanding customers, and navigating the realities of scaling a business.

Joe shares lessons from working with companies at different stages of growth, explaining why many founders struggle to truly understand their customer, how sales maturity impacts strategy, and why honest conversations are often the most valuable ones in business. The discussion explores everything from market positioning and relationship-building to the mindset required to grow sustainably. For entrepreneurs navigating growth or trying to sharpen their strategy, Joe offers thoughtful insights grounded in real-world experience.

Connect with Joe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joetestouri/

Show Notes:

00:00 – Introduction
• Levi and Colby welcome Joe.

01:20 – Meet Joe Testouri
• Joe shares his background and work.

04:20 – Knowing Your Customer
• Why many businesses misidentify their customer.

08:18 – Joe’s Ideal Clients
• The companies Joe typically helps.

12:30 – Sales Maturity
• How sales changes as a business grows.

17:00 – Founder Growth Challenges
• Why founders struggle to step back.

21:00 – Entrepreneurship and Lifestyle
• Travel, business, and balance.

26:30 – Hard Conversations
• Why honest conversations drive growth.

33:00 – Strategy vs Execution
• Why execution matters more than planning alone.

40:00 – Market Positioning
• Standing out by defining your niche.

48:30 – Patterns in Growth
• What Joe sees in successful founders.

56:00 – Business Relationships
• Why trust matters long term.

1:04:00 – Advice for Founders
• Joe’s guidance for navigating growth.

1:15:00 – Building to Last
• The mindset behind durable businesses.

1:22:00 – Closing Thoughts
• Final reflections on growth and entrepreneurship.

Antonio Lennert’s story is a masterclass in reinvention, personally and professionally. He shares how a major life move, a creative career, and an unexpected obsession with Great Lakes surfing led to building Surf the Greats: not just a shop, but an ecosystem built around education, inclusion, and community. Along the way, we get a real look at what it takes to build something niche, and make it viable.

The conversation then turns inward: burnout, purpose, and the kind of personal work that doesn’t fit neatly into a business playbook. Antonio reflects on what it means to lose direction, how support systems can change outcomes, and why partnership alignment is one of the most underestimated leadership challenges. It’s honest, grounded, and full of insights for anyone building while also trying to stay human.

Connect with Antonio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniolennert/
Antonio's coaching business: https://www.theridein.com/

Time stamps

00:00 – Welcome + why this conversation matters.

01:59 – Antonio’s background.

03:59 – Three major pivots: leaving Brazil, burning out in design, finding purpose in surfing.

09:12 – Identity, belonging, and why surfing became more than a sport.

14:56 – “Surfing in Toronto?” Great Lakes waves, tech shifts, and surf culture inland.

20:09 – Not about money: building an inclusive community and a full surf ecosystem.

31:59 – The inner-work phase: burnout recovery / 10-day silent retreat.

47:23 – Loss, grief, and leadership.

58:57 – Becoming a coach.

01:15:10 – What “change” means now.

01:25:10 – Looking forward: what’s most exciting now (purpose, momentum, and the next chapter)

In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with Affan Chowdhury, an entrepreneur, marketer, and the founder of Notionhive, a digital agency based in Bangladesh. Affan shares his unique journey from Bangladesh to North America, explaining how he navigated business culture shifts between countries and industries.

Affan’s story is full of valuable insights on building relationships, embracing vulnerability, and balancing business growth with personal well-being. From adapting to Canadian business culture to building strong networks and navigating the challenges of running a global business, Affan’s perspective offers a fresh view on entrepreneurial success.

If you're navigating change, especially across cultures or industries, this episode is a must-listen. Affan’s journey will inspire anyone looking to scale thoughtfully and authentically.

Connect with Affan https://www.linkedin.com/in/affanmahmud/

Shownotes:

01:00 | Introduction to Affan

• Affan’s background and journey from Bangladesh to Canada.

03:00 | Moving to North America

• Reasons behind the migration to Canada.
• Exposure to North American business practices and lifestyle.

06:00 | Business Culture in Different Regions

• Key differences in business cultures between the US, Canada, and Bangladesh.

09:30 | Building Relationships through Networking

• Affan’s approach to networking in Canada through events like Meetup.

12:00 | Vulnerability in Business

• Power of being vulnerable and transparent with clients.

16:00 | Overcoming Slow Periods in Business

• How Affan fills his pipeline during slow sales periods.

20:00 | Handling Change and Growth

• Lessons learned from managing growth in different regions.

24:00 | Health and Entrepreneurship

• Importance of maintaining physical and mental health as an entrepreneur.

28:00 | Productizing Your Service

• Why productization is key to scaling.

33:00 | Finding Consistency in Business

• The role of consistency in business and health.

36:00 | Building a Sustainable Business Model

• Diversification to keep businesses stable.

40:00 | The Importance of Giving Back

• The impact of giving back on the entrepreneurial community.

45:00 | Navigating Difficult Conversations

• How Affan approaches tough conversations with clients and partners.
• Balancing honesty with diplomacy.

49:00 | The Future of Business and AI

• Affan’s thoughts on the role of AI in business.
• How businesses can adapt to AI-driven changes.

53:00 | Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts

• Reflections on Affan’s journey and approach to life and business.

1:06:00 | The Changing Role of AI in Business

• How AI impacts service-based businesses and what it means for long-term strategy.
• Future opportunities in AI for entrepreneurs.

1:06:00 | Balancing Ambition with Realism

• Discussing the balance between ambition and the reality of growing businesses.

1:16:00 | Creating a Healthy Business Environment

• The importance of building a company culture that prioritizes mental and physical well-being.

1:20:00 | Looking Ahead: Future Goals and Growth

• Affan’s vision for his business and the new markets he’s exploring.