The Grit to Growth Podcast
The Grit to Growth Podcast is for South Dakota’s hardworking business owners and professionals who believe in rolling up their sleeves and getting the job done. This show dives into the real stories of local entrepreneurs—especially in blue-collar and construction industries—who turned grit, determination, and sweat equity into success.
Each episode features candid conversations with business owners who’ve faced setbacks, taken risks, and built something lasting through sheer perseverance. Whether you’re running a trades company, a small-town shop, or just looking for inspiration from people who’ve been in the trenches, The Grit to Growth Podcast delivers practical lessons, motivation, and the reminder that growth doesn’t come easy—but it’s always worth the fight.
Tune in for raw, relatable stories of hustle, heart, and how South Dakota’s toughest builders and business owners made it happen.
- Update frequency
- every 2 days
- Average duration
- 21 minutes
- Episodes
- 14
- Years Active
- 2025
From South Dakota to Global Leadership – Dr. Rachel MK Headley
What does it take to grow from small-town South Dakota roots to leading global projects and government contracts? In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Dr. Rachel…
The Art of Tax Deferral in Real Estate, Business & Bitcoin – Brett Swarts
What if you could sell your business, real estate, or even Bitcoin — without getting crushed by capital gains taxes? In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Br…
From Dairy Farm to Private Equity – Owen Reimer’s 20-Year Journey
How does someone go from milking cows to managing multi-million dollar real estate projects?
In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Owen Reimer, founder of St…
Jon Brudvig: Taking Biotech from Lab to Life
In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, host Levi Te Slaa sits down with Jon Brudvig, a leading biotech researcher specializing in lysosomal health — a cellular recycling system critical for t…
From Vision to Traction: Scaling with Chris Van Dusen
In this episode, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Chris Van Dusen—a seasoned operator, investor, and marketer—who has built and scaled brands from scratch, led three successful exits, and now serves as a …
Lisa Groon: Following Purpose, Not Just a Path
In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Lisa Groon—veteran, healthcare leader, community advocate, and TEDx speaker—whose story embodies the power of following purp…
Scaling Suds & Success with Jon Schemmel
What happens when a former global corporate leader trades the boardroom for the laundromat? In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Jon Schemmel, the man some call …
From Clinic to Corporate: Dr. Adam Finzen’s Leap into Health Tech
What happens when a physician swaps scrubs for startups? In this episode, Levi sits down with Dr. Adam Finzen, a former clinician who now leads business development at WRS Health. Adam shares the piv…
The Making of a Contractor: Roger Pedersen’s Path to Success
In this episode, Levi Te Slaa welcomes Roger Pedersen, co-founder of East River Contracting, for an inspiring deep-dive into what it really takes to build a successful construction business from the …
From Sound Checks to Rent Checks with Erik Dwyer
On this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi sits down with Erik Dwyer, a Minneapolis-based audio engineer and real estate investor. Erik shares his unique path from working audio gigs at spor…
From Zero to Brand Mogul: Andy Holst’s Untold Business Journey
In this episode, Andy Holst dives into the evolution of House of Brands—from its humble beginnings as Embroidery and Screen Works to becoming a premium provider of branded merchandise across the U.S.…
What Drives Robbie Veurink: Business, Balance, and Bold Moves
From a farm kid in New Holland, South Dakota, to a multi-business owner making bold moves across the country, Robbie Veurink’s story is all about grit, growth, and getting your hands dirty—literally.…
Founder Feature: Dusten Hendrickson Tells the Mailbox Money Story
From selling candy bars as a kid to reshaping multifamily real estate development, Dusten Hendrickson’s entrepreneurial journey is anything but typical. In this episode, Dusten joins Levi Te Slaa to …
Welcome to "The Grit to Growth Podcast"
The Grit to Growth Podcast is for South Dakota’s hardworking business owners and professionals who believe in rolling up their sleeves and getting the job done. This show dives into the real stories …