Christine spent eight years at Northern Trust managing billion-dollar philanthropic portfolios. Adam helped steward 400-year-old legacy brands in the music industry.

But when COVID hit, something shifted. They needed a change. T

hey both cashed out their 401ks, sold their house, and bought a 50-year-old ski shop in Northern Michigan.

My conversation with Christine Donovan and Adam Weems covers their leap from corporate comfort to business ownership and what it means to steward a legacy brand.

Key takeaways:

→ The power of having a partner who says "I got you"

→ Why worst-case-scenario thinking actually reduces fear

→ The question "how much is enough" is a powerful question

0:00 Intro 2:00 The 50-Year Legacy of Bahnhof Ski Shop

3:45 Christine's Journey: From Flutist to Finance

8:17 Adam's Path: Grocery Stores to Zildjian Drums

16:08 Purpose-Driven Work and the Question of "Enough"

25:10 The Leap: Why Fine Careers Weren't Enough

29:04 "You're Not Fun Anymore"

36:35 Finding the Listing on New Year's Day

44:04 Cashing Out Everything for Retirement

46:42 What "I Got You" Really Means

55:02 Building Kindness Into a Specialty Shop

1:00:03 Keeping a Legacy Brand Alive

1:06:56 What Surprised Them Most About Running a Ski Shop

1:12:32 The Moment the Switch Flipped

1:21:02 You Belong Here

~~~ This episode is brought to you by Auxiom Find out more: https://auxiom.com/

From ICU rooms to the boardroom, Lori Lancaster’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and fearless leadership.

Lori Lancaster Vice Chair at Dakkota Integrated Systems joins Matt Loria, CEO of Auxiom, to share how she went from critical care nursing to leading multi-million dollar manufacturing and mobility companies, including her latest bold move with Emotiv Mobility, set to debut at CES 2026.

In this episode, you’ll hear about: - Her unconventional career path through healthcare and tech - Scaling operations and pivoting through supply chain crises - Launching new tech in mobility — from smart transformers to flying vehicles - Building culture through compassion and high performance - And why she believes change is always worth the risk

This one is packed with lessons for entrepreneurs, operators, and future-focused leaders.

Let’s dig in!!

#Leadership #MobilityTech #WomenInBusiness #Manufacturing #AutomotiveIndustry #SmartTech #FemaleFounders #Innovation #BusinessPodcast #CareerReinvention #BLTnTPodcast

In this episode of the BLTnT Podcast, Matt Loria, CEO of Auxiom, sits down with Jay Hawreluk, founder of AcuMax, a cutting-edge assessment platform that helps organizations hire better, lead smarter, and build teams that functions.

With decades of experience helping private companies — from startups to multi-million-dollar enterprises — Jay shares how understanding a person’s natural wiring can completely shift how leaders build trust, reduce friction, and drive performance.

Matt and Jay dig into:

· Why most assessments fall short — and how AcuMax is changing the game

· What “natural wiring” really means, and how it affects leadership, hiring, and culture

· Real stories from the field: marriages saved, bad hires avoided, and trust rebuilt

· How to scale a company without losing your people in the process

Whether you’re a founder, a team leader, or just someone who wants to lead with more clarity — this conversation will change the way you think about trust and performance.

Let’s dig in!!