Ground Up Growth

Chaz Ramsey: Entrepreneur, Coach, and Former Athlete

What does it take to build something from nothing — and keep going when life knocks you down? Hosts Paul Hopper and Hannah Pittman sit down with Madison, Mississippi entrepreneur and community leader Chaz Ramsey for a conversation that is equal parts faith, hustle, and real talk.
Chaz shares how a career-ending back injury at Auburn redirected his path from college football to the laundry industry, real estate, and early morning boot camps, and why he would not trade any of it. From growing up with a work-first mentality to juggling the five pillars of health as a business owner, husband, and father, Chaz brings the kind of hard-won wisdom that no business school can teach.
In this episode you will hear about building mental discipline and an early morning routine, navigating failure and pivoting with purpose, accountability as the foundation of personal and professional growth, and why grinding in the dark is where real character is built.
If you are an entrepreneur, a faith-driven leader, or someone trying to build a meaningful life on your own terms, this episode is for you.

How Salad Days Scaled to 3 Million Heads of Lettuce with an $9M Hydroponic Expansion

In part two of our conversation with Leigh Bailey, founder of Salad Days Produce in Flora, Mississippi, we go deep on what it actually takes to build a hydroponic lettuce operation from the ground up — and keep it alive when everything falls apart.
Leigh walks us through the early days of their 18,000 sq ft greenhouse, why they eventually walked away from tomatoes after harvesting 56,000 pounds in a single crop, and how a double production expansion landed right in the middle of March 2020 — with 85% of their revenue tied to restaurants that had just shut down.
What followed was one of the most remarkable small business pivots we've heard: an online farmers market that sold out in three hours every Monday and generated $40–50K per week, with Flora police directing traffic on Saturday pickup days.
Today, Salad Days operates a 65,000 sq ft facility producing 3 million heads of living lettuce per year, ships within a 250-mile radius, and has built a cult following of self-proclaimed "Lettuce Snobs" who won't order a salad at a restaurant unless Salad Days is on the menu.
We also cover:
How hydroponic growing works and why your water source matters
The shelf life advantage of living lettuce vs. California bag salads
Fertilizer costs, pricing stability, and navigating supply chain volatility
What it takes to land Walmart, Kroger, and major distributors
Find Salad Days Produce at saladdaysproduce.com
Ground Up Growth is a podcast for entrepreneurs building from the ground up.
#hydroponicfarming #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #mississippi #growthmindset

Leigh Bailey: Owner, Salad Days

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, Paul Hopper and Hannah Pittman sit down with Leigh Bailey, founder of Salad Days, to hear the remarkable story of how a longtime real estate professional made the leap into agriculture and built one of Mississippi’s most innovative local food businesses. From growing up in a real estate development family to launching businesses in publishing, commercial real estate, and eventually hydroponic farming, Leigh shares a career built on reinvention, grit, and entrepreneurial instinct. 
The conversation explores how Salad Days was born—from researching hydroponics, securing land in Flora, and gaining support from local chefs, to creating a business centered around fresh, locally grown produce. Leigh explains why hydroponic farming is becoming increasingly important as food safety, supply chain issues, and sustainable agriculture continue to shape the future of farming. 
They also discuss the parallels between real estate and entrepreneurship, the value of relationships, and what it takes to start over in a completely new industry later in life. If you’re interested in business growth, Mississippi entrepreneurship, agriculture innovation, or hearing how bold pivots can lead to big opportunities, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. 

Fusing Design & Build: How Webb Emerson Is Changing Commercial Construction

In Part 2 of Ground Up Growth, Paul Hopper and Hannah Pittman continue their conversation with Webb Emerson, owner of Form Design Build. Webb shares how mentorship, leadership, and staying lean have helped grow his Jackson, Mississippi construction company in just three years. The episode covers hiring the right people, outsourcing weaknesses, building company culture, why in-person relationships still win business, and how AI is impacting the construction industry. If you’re an entrepreneur, contractor, or small business owner looking to scale the right way, this episode is packed with practical insight.
 
 

Webb Emerson: Owner, Form Design Build

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, Paul Hopper and Hannah Pittman sit down with Webb Emerson, owner of Form Design Build, to talk about building a modern construction company from the ground up. Webb shares his journey from growing up around job sites in Memphis to earning a construction degree from Mississippi State University, gaining experience in large-scale commercial construction, and eventually launching his own business in Jackson, Mississippi.
The conversation dives into how Form Design Build is reshaping the traditional construction model through a design-build approach that combines architecture, engineering, and construction under one roof. Webb explains why this streamlined process creates a better experience for clients, reduces friction, and often delivers stronger long-term value than the standard bid process.
They also discuss branding, marketing, and why many construction companies overlook the power of a strong message and consistent presence online. Webb shares how intentional branding, company culture, and long-term thinking have helped Form grow quickly in just three years. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, construction, leadership, or building a business with vision, this episode delivers practical insight and real-world perspective.

Building a Business That Could Make or Break You with Cameron Hartley

In Part 2 of this episode of Ground Up Growth, Cameron Hartley dives deeper into what it really takes to scale a business—and the risks that come with it.
After building a successful equipment company, Cameron shares the high-stakes decision to invest everything into a new location in Gluckstadt, Mississippi—a move he knew would either make him or break him. From navigating drought seasons that cut revenue in half to managing cash flow in a seasonal business, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities most entrepreneurs don’t talk about.
We also explore:
The “commit first, figure it out later” mindset
How to build a business that serves both contractors and everyday customers
Why customer service—not products—is the true foundation of growth
The importance of community, relationships, and long-term vision
What scaling actually looks like after early success
If you’re in the middle of building, growing, or betting on your next big move, this episode will challenge the way you think about risk, resilience, and what it takes to win long-term.

Cameron Hartley: Owner, Hartley Equipment Company

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down with Cameron Hartley, owner of Hartley Equipment Company in Gluckstadt, Mississippi, to unpack his journey from cutting grass as a teenager to building a thriving, multi-division equipment business.
Cameron shares how he started working at just 14 years old, built a landscaping company with over 100 accounts and 16 employees, and ultimately made the bold decision to leave college and bet on himself. We dive into the realities of entrepreneurship—from managing teams and burnout to spotting opportunity and pivoting into the outdoor power equipment industry.
You’ll hear how Cameron transitioned from landscaping to launching Hartley Equipment, built strategic relationships, and scaled his business into a one-stop shop for contractors across Central Mississippi. He also shares lessons on work ethic, risk-taking, leadership, and what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up.
If you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or someone looking for real-world insight into building something from nothing, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and inspiration.

Service Over Scale: The Unconventional Way Dr. Grace Sturdivant Built Her Business

What does it actually look like to build a business without losing who you are?
In Part 2 with Grace Sturdivant (OtoPro Technologies), we go beyond the origin story and into the real decisions that shape a business—scaling vs. staying lean, product vs. service, and growth vs. identity.
Grace shares how she turned a single relationship into a major opportunity with MeatEater, why she refuses to sign exclusivity deals, and how she’s built a profitable company with zero debt—all while prioritizing people over products.
We also talk about:
The hidden challenges of growth and scalingBuilding a relationship-driven brand Competing without compromising your values Entrepreneurship as a mother Practical advice for women forging their own path This episode is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone trying to build something that lasts. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on business, entrepreneurship, and growth from the ground up.

Dr. Grace Sturdivant, Owner & Founder, OtoPro Technologies

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down with Grace from OtoPro Technologies, a Mississippi-based hearing protection company redefining how people think about hearing health.
Grace shares her journey from growing up in Grenada, Mississippi, to becoming a Doctor of Audiology and building an unexpected business from the ground up. What started as a simple desire to help friends and family protect their hearing turned into a nationwide service model—connecting clients with a network of hundreds of clinics across the U.S. and beyond.
We dive into the powerful connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline, the gaps in traditional healthcare systems, and how Grace identified a real-world problem and built a business around solving it. She also opens up about balancing motherhood and career, taking risks without a clear roadmap, and building a lean, service-first company that thrives on relationships and word-of-mouth.
This episode is a conversation about following conviction, creating opportunity where others see obstacles, and building something meaningful—one relationship at a time.

Why Hard Work Still Wins (Lessons from a PBR Bull Rider)

In this episode of Ground Up Growth, we sit down for part 2 with Lonnie Stevenson—owner of Circle S Incorporated, industrial cleaning company leader, and former PBR Finals bull rider—to talk about what it truly takes to build a successful business from the ground up.
Lonnie shares how his rodeo background shaped his work ethic, discipline, and values—and how those same principles helped him grow a company rooted in quality, opportunity, and team culture.
We dive into:
Why hard work and consistency still win in any industry
The importance of taking pride in your work—even in the toughest jobs
How strong leadership creates six-figure opportunities for employees
The role of core values, faith, and responsibility in long-term success
Why you don’t need a college degree to build something meaningful
Lessons from influential mentors and building a people-first business
Lonnie also shares stories from his time traveling the world as a professional bull rider, insights on leadership, and his perspective on what’s missing in today’s workforce.
If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or someone looking to grow in your career, this episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t complicated—it’s built on discipline, integrity, and showing up every day ready to work.