What happens when you've already built a successful company, sold it for $20 million—and decide to start all over again?

For Nellie Akalp, the second time was much harder than the first.

In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Nellie, CEO of CorpNet, to talk about entrepreneurship, resilience, purpose, and what it really takes to build a business that lasts.

Nellie and her husband started their first company with just $100 from their Southern California apartment and eventually sold it to Intuit for $20 million. But retirement wasn't for her. She needed purpose, so they returned to entrepreneurship and built CorpNet.

This time, success didn't come easily.

Nellie shares what she learned from nearly a decade of struggle, why entrepreneurs have to become comfortable hearing "no," and why failure is very different from giving up. She also explains how CorpNet turned changing market conditions into opportunity, how the company is embracing AI without eliminating the human touch, and why great talent and culture remain critical as a business grows.

Perhaps the biggest lesson is also the simplest: you may not know what you're capable of until you're actually in it.

If you're building a business, struggling through a difficult season, or sitting on an idea you've been afraid to launch, this conversation is a reminder to keep testing, keep adapting, and keep knocking on doors.

Listen to the full episode, subscribe to Simply Business, and share it with an entrepreneur who needs to hear this message.

What happens when you leave the security of a large firm and decide to bet on yourself?

In this episode of Simply Business, John Jennings sits down with Steve Wallace, Managing Attorney and Founder of Wallace Law, a multi-state law firm serving clients across Florida, Texas, and New York. With more than 26 years of experience in bankruptcy, real estate, distressed assets, and business law, Steve brings both a legal perspective and the firsthand experience of a longtime small business owner.

Steve shares why he chose entrepreneurship over the traditional big-firm path, what it means to operate without a safety net, and why adaptability is essential to building a sustainable business. He and John also explore financial discipline, scaling responsibly, the challenges facing small businesses today, and the importance of knowing when to say no to the wrong client.

At the center of the conversation is one simple idea: believe in yourself enough to bet on yourself.

Steve also shares why he sees himself as a problem solver and deal-maker—not a deal breaker—and why serving the client's real goal matters more than simply generating billable hours.

If you're building a business, considering making the leap into entrepreneurship, or navigating uncertainty in your company, this conversation offers practical perspective from someone who has spent decades doing exactly that.

Listen to the full episode, subscribe to Simply Business, and share it with another business owner who needs the reminder that sometimes the best investment you can make is in yourself.

Is entrepreneurship the right next step—or is there a better path?

In this episode of the Simply Business Podcast, John Jennings welcomes Patrice Miles, Career Ownership Coach with The Entrepreneur's Source and host of the Journey to Business Ownership – Freedom Friday Podcast.

Patrice helps professionals navigate one of life's biggest career decisions by evaluating whether business ownership truly aligns with their goals, personality, financial objectives, and desired lifestyle. Whether someone wants to start a business, buy an existing company, or explore franchise ownership, her process is centered on education, clarity, and confidence.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• How to know if business ownership is right for you
• The differences between starting, buying, and franchising a business
• Why due diligence matters more than excitement
• Common misconceptions about entrepreneurship
• How to build a career that creates freedom and purpose

If you're thinking about your next chapter—or simply want a realistic conversation about entrepreneurship—this episode offers practical wisdom that can help you make a better decision.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who's considering becoming a business owner.