Decision Points

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Decision Points

True North Advisors

78 episodes

1 day ago

For Brian Jones, the path through finance has been anything but predictable. From Baylor University to Bear Stearns, from Wall Street to the heart of Dallas, and eventually back to New York’s high-stakes hedge fund world, his story is one of perseverance, conviction, and transformation. In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Brian Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of BankCap Partners, to explore the defining decisions that shaped his career and character. Brian opens up about h...

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Entrepreneurship

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For Brian Jones, the path through finance has been anything but predictable. From Baylor University to Bear Stearns, from Wall Street to the heart of Dallas, and eventually back to New York’s high-stakes hedge fund world, his story is one of perseverance, conviction, and transformation. In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Brian Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of BankCap Partners, to explore the defining decisions that shaped his career and character. Brian opens up about h...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/78)

Decision Points

Decision Points E78 - Navigating the Fires of Finance: Character, Resilience, and Redemption with Brian Jones

For Brian Jones, the path through finance has been anything but predictable. From Baylor University to Bear Stearns, from Wall Street to the heart of Dallas, and eventually back to New York’s high-stakes hedge fund world, his story is one of perseverance, conviction, and transformation. In this episode of Decision Points, Scott Wood sits down with Brian Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of BankCap Partners, to explore the defining decisions that shaped his career and character. Brian opens up about h...

1 day ago

54 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E77 - Building Success and Resiliency with Jim Dahlgren

In the world of luxury goods, few stories are as compelling as Jim Dahlgren’s. From knocking on doors selling cookware to building Dahlgren Duck, a premier luxury distribution company, Jim’s journey is full of grit, vision, and lessons learned the hard way. Growing up in Springfield, Missouri, Jim’s childhood was shaped by his father, a World War II veteran who taught him about resilience, hard work, and the value of teamwork. These early lessons stuck with Jim, even as his career took an une...

1 week ago

1 hour 2 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E76 – Turning Crisis Into Opportunity: A Journey Through the Great Recession

Richard Dix has built a career defined by curiosity, reinvention, and resilience. From launching a headwear company in college to leading a NASDAQ-traded business, navigating the Great Recession, and now reimagining housing with Winchester Carlisle Companies, his story is one of bold pivots and lasting impact. In this episode of Decision Points, Richard shares how a simple Baylor class project became Durags—an NFL-licensed company and Olympic sponsor—and how that early taste of entrepreneursh...

2 weeks ago

58 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E75 – From Mexico to Harvard: Entrepreneurship, Fear, and Growth with Fernando De Leon

Fernando De Leon’s life is proof that crossing borders—both literal and figurative—can shape a unique vision for business and leadership. From growing up in Mexico and commuting daily to school in the U.S., to attending Harvard on scholarship and starting his career at Goldman Sachs, Fernando’s path has been defined by contrasts, ambition, and resilience. In this episode of Decision Points, Fernando, founder and CEO of Leon Capital Group, shares how those early experiences gave him an edge as...

3 weeks ago

54 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E74 – Automating the Future: AI, Analytics, and Entrepreneurship with Eric Soden

Eric Soden believes technology should serve people—not the other way around. As Managing Partner of Capitalize Analytics, he’s spent more than a decade helping companies cut through inefficiency, automate processes, and use data as a true competitive edge. In this episode of Decision Points, Eric unpacks the journey that took him from Wisconsin to Dallas, from IBM to entrepreneurship, and from sales engineering to founding Capitalize Analytics. What began as a niche analytics shop serving oil...

1 month ago

53 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E24: Craig Stamm's Tactical Approach to Entrepreneurship and Cybersecurity

In this episode of "Decision Points," we're joined by Craig Stamm, CEO of Zystan, a leader in the cybersecurity industry. Craig takes us on a journey from his early days as a military history enthusiast to his initial steps in finance, and eventually, his rise as a successful entrepreneur. His story is a masterclass in perseverance, showcasing the strategic mindset and determination required to navigate the complex world of business and cybersecurity. Craig dives into the core decision ...

1 month ago

1 hour

Decision Points

Decision Points E73 – Whiskey with a Texas Soul: Building Still Austin with Chris Seals

Chris Seals didn’t set out to run a distillery—he set out to spend time with his dad. What began as a father-son exploration quickly turned into one of Texas’s boldest whiskey ventures. In this episode of Decision Points, Chris Seals, co-founder and CEO of Still Austin Whiskey Company, shares how curiosity, authenticity, and timing transformed a family idea into a fast-growing spirits brand. With a background in English, Economics, and a career as an economist, Chris never imagined his path w...

1 month ago

55 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E72 – Redefining Senior Care: Personalized Service and Family Values with Brian Levy

For Brian Levy, the path to elder care wasn’t linear. With a degree in psychology and a career that began in advertising, he eventually found his calling in a space that touches every family at some point: caring for seniors with dignity, trust, and compassion. In this episode of Decision Points, Brian shares how Cambridge Caregivers and Manchester Care Homes are rethinking senior care through a concierge-level, residential model that stands in stark contrast to traditional large-scale facili...

1 month ago

28 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E71 - The Future is Precious: Gold, Market Cycles, and Smart Strategy with Tarek Saab

For Tarek Saab, gold isn’t just a commodity - it’s a story of timing, innovation, and conviction. In this episode of Decision Points, Tarek Saab - President and Co-Founder of Texas Precious Metals - joins our hosts to share how he helped build one of the largest physical precious metals businesses in the world. From his early days at Texas Instruments to a televised firing on The Apprentice, Tarek’s path has been anything but conventional. He unpacks how a fascination with the nature of money...

1 month ago

49 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E70 - From Brownwood Roots to Boardroom Leadership: A Life of Purpose, Persistence, and Investment with John Harkey

John Harkey doesn’t just invest in businesses - he invests in people, purpose, and long-term impact. In this episode of Decision Points, John Harkey - entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for education - joins our hosts to share the pivotal moments that shaped his life and career. From humble beginnings in Brownwood, Texas, to navigating Stanford’s business and law programs, John’s journey is built on a foundation of hard work, humility, and relentless curiosity. John recounts his early entre...

1 month ago

56 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E69 - Reinventing Bus Travel with Vonlane: Luxury, Innovation, and the Road Ahead with Alex Danza

When most people think of buses, they don’t think luxury. Alex Danza set out to change that. In this episode of Decision Points, Alex Danza, founder and CEO of Vonlane, tells one of the most surprising success stories in transportation. Described as an “airline on the ground,” Vonlane has redefined regional travel by offering first-class bus service between major cities in Texas and the Southeast. Alex shares how a childhood hustle as a paperboy in New York shaped his work ethic and curiosity...

2 months ago

59 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E68 - From M&A Advisor to Entrepreneur: Building Trindero with Purpose with George Coultress

George Coultress spent years helping others navigate business transitions. Now he’s building his own. In this episode of Decision Points, George Coultress, co-founder of Trindero, unpacks what it really takes to move from M&A advisor to entrepreneur. What begins as a discussion about strategy and structure quickly becomes a deeper reflection on leadership, values, and the courage required to build something from the ground up. George walks through the early challenges of launching Trinder...

2 months ago

49 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E67 - Redefining the CPA Firm: People-First Leadership and Strategic Growth with Teryn Grater

Teryn Grater never set out to build just another accounting firm. As a CPA and partner at ATKG Advisors in San Antonio, she helped lead a cultural transformation that turned a team of seven into a thriving 170-person firm - by flipping the traditional CPA model on its head. In this episode of Decision Points, Teryn shares how a relentless focus on people, purpose, and preparedness redefined what success looks like in the accounting world. From her early days working at Dairy Queen to spearhea...

2 months ago

50 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E66 - Leadership Under Pressure: What a Fighter Pilot Can Teach Us About Business with Chris Kopacek

What does flying an F-16 have to do with navigating the chaos of real estate development? According to Chris Kopacek - everything. In this episode of Decision Points, Chris Kopacek, founder and principal of Lone Star Development Partners shares how the discipline, precision, and teamwork of a military pilot translate into leading a resilient, fast-moving business. From the cockpit to the boardroom, Chris reflects on his early training at the Air Force Academy and the high-pressure demands of ...

5 months ago

49 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E65 - Building Keller Williams, Empowering Agents, and Redefining Culture with Joe Williams

Joe Williams didn’t just help build one of the largest real estate franchises in the world - he helped build a movement rooted in empowerment, culture, and visionary thinking. In this episode of Decision Points, Joe unpacks the pivotal moments that shaped his journey from a challenging childhood to co-founding Keller Williams Realty, a global real estate powerhouse. He shares personal stories of strength and resilience, from losing his father at a young age to overcoming physical setbacks tha...

5 months ago

59 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E64 – From Pressure to Purpose: A Real Estate Legacy Rewritten with Bill Cawley

Bill Cawley’s life is a testament to the power of second chances. In this episode of Decision Points, the Chairman and CEO of Cawley Partners opens up about the trials, triumphs, and turning points that shaped his extraordinary path - from a small Midwestern town, through the depths of addiction, to the heights of commercial real estate success. Bill shares a deeply personal account of battling alcoholism, missing his shot at college, and becoming a father at age 18. With only $300 and a ster...

5 months ago

59 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E63 - Surviving, Scaling, and Succeeding in the Gaming Industry

Success is often shaped by adversity. Patrick Hudson, CEO of Robot Entertainment, knows this firsthand. In this week’s episode of Decision Points, hosts Doug Hudson and Scott Wood sit down with Patrick to discuss his journey through the tech and gaming industries, his battle with cancer at 26, and the key decisions that shaped his leadership and career. Starting in tech and business, Patrick’s career took a turn that led him to Harvard Business School, Microsoft, and ultimately founding Robot...

6 months ago

1 hour 14 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E62 - Lessons from the Medici Family on Strategic Relationships and Leadership Development

For many, wealth is the ultimate goal. But what if true success lies in legacy rather than inheritance? In this episode of Decision Points, hosts Doug Hudson and Scott Wood sit down with Cris Auditore Zimmerman, a founder, investor, and advocate for holistic leadership and personal development. Cris shares how his global upbringing - from Germany to South Africa - shaped his worldview and how his investments in real estate, business, and art history have influenced his perspective on long-ter...

6 months ago

1 hour 4 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E61 - Aerospace, Entrepreneurship, and Identifying Your Superpower with Scott Pomeroy

What does it take to lead innovation in aerospace while managing the complexities of entrepreneurship and family business? In this episode of Decision Points, hosts Doug Hudson and Scott Wood sit down with Scott Pomeroy, Chairman and CEO of XTI Aerospace, to explore his multifaceted career across public accounting, food manufacturing, private equity, and aerospace technology. Scott shares how his business-oriented upbringing shaped his approach to leadership and capital raising. He discusses ...

6 months ago

1 hour 15 minutes

Decision Points

Decision Points E60 - How Salim Asrawi Scaled Texas de Brazil from the Ground Up

What does it take to go from working room service at the Ritz Carlton to building one of the most successful restaurant chains in America? For Salim Asrawi, it took hustle, a deep commitment to trust and integrity, and an unshakable belief in the American Dream. In this episode of Decision Points, hosts Doug Hudson and Scott Wood sit down with Salim Asrawi, co-founder of Texas de Brazil, to discuss the highs and lows that shaped his profound journey from Lebanon to the United States. Starting...

6 months ago

59 minutes