In this episode, Doug Smith, founder of Hawthorne Capital, shares his journey from a West Texas cotton farm to building a successful land investment business. He discusses the lessons learned from entrepreneurship, overcoming setbacks, scaling a company, and helping families achieve their dream of owning Texas land. It’s a candid conversation about hard work, resilience, opportunity, and what success really looks like.

The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel).  This communication is provided for information purposes only.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.  Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.

© Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com 

In this episode, Doug Smith, founder of Hawthorne Capital, shares his journey from a West Texas cotton farm to building a successful land investment business. He discusses the lessons learned from entrepreneurship, overcoming setbacks, scaling a company, and helping families achieve their dream of owning Texas land. It&rsquo;s a candid conversation about hard work, resilience, opportunity, and what success really looks like.
<hr>
The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel). &nbsp;This communication is provided for information purposes only.&nbsp; Past performance does not guarantee future results.&nbsp; Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. &nbsp;Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.
&copy; Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC &amp; NYSE |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stifel.com">www.stifel.com</a>&nbsp;

Join us as we uncover the journeys, strategies, and wisdom of Houston’s most influential leaders and visionaries who have built remarkable success and are now shaping a legacy of significance. Through candid conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry experts, we explore what it takes to create impact that lasts beyond business.

At MainStreet Wealth Management Group, we believe that Significance transcends Success. 

The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel).  This communication is provided for information purposes only.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.  Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.  © Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com 

Join us as we uncover the journeys, strategies, and wisdom of Houston&rsquo;s most influential leaders and visionaries who have built remarkable success and are now shaping a legacy of significance. Through candid conversations with entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry experts, we explore what it takes to create impact that lasts beyond business.
At MainStreet Wealth Management Group, we believe that Significance transcends Success.&nbsp;
<hr>
The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel). &nbsp;This communication is provided for information purposes only.&nbsp; Past performance does not guarantee future results.&nbsp; Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. &nbsp;Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.&nbsp; &copy; Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC &amp; NYSE | <a href="https://www.stifel.com">www.stifel.com</a>&nbsp;

This podcast features candid conversations with Houston’s top leaders, exploring the journeys, strategies, and lasting impact behind their success and significance.

Houston Business Leaders: From Success to Significance

Check out Stifel's latest podcast, Houston Business Leaders: From Success to Significance.

From a Cotton Farm to 7,000 Acres: Building Something That Outlives the Balance Sheet 

In this episode, serial entrepreneur and former Wolf Center director Ken Jones shares lessons from launching 100+ businesses and coaching CEOs across Houston. He breaks down why most ventures fail, why execution matters more than ideas, and how mastering hiring, capital, and long-term thinking drives real success.

Ken also discusses his latest venture, The Wash Whale, and offers candid insight on failure, opportunity, and navigating a rapidly changing, AI-driven world.

The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel).  This communication is provided for information purposes only.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.  Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.

© Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com 

In this episode, serial entrepreneur and former Wolf Center director Ken Jones shares lessons from launching 100+ businesses and coaching CEOs across Houston. He breaks down why most ventures fail, why execution matters more than ideas, and how mastering hiring, capital, and long-term thinking drives real success.
Ken also discusses his latest venture, The Wash Whale, and offers candid insight on failure, opportunity, and navigating a rapidly changing, AI-driven world.
<hr>
The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel). &nbsp;This communication is provided for information purposes only.&nbsp; Past performance does not guarantee future results.&nbsp; Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. &nbsp;Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.
&copy; Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC &amp; NYSE |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stifel.com">www.stifel.com</a>&nbsp;

From the Classroom to the Car Wash: Ken Jones on Building Entrepreneurs, Coaching CEOs, and Betting on Himself Again

In this episode, Darren Randle, founder and CEO of Houston Tents & Events, shares his journey from small-town Memphis to building one of the fastest-growing event infrastructure companies in Texas. He opens up about launching his business just weeks before the COVID-19 shutdown and how a moment of uncertainty became a catalyst for growth.

The conversation highlights the power of resilience, self-motivation, and seizing opportunity, along with Darren’s leadership philosophy centered on hard work, service, and authenticity. It’s a candid look at what it takes to scale a business, overcome adversity, and create meaningful success while staying true to your values.

The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel).  This communication is provided for information purposes only.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.  Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.

© Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com 

In this episode, Darren Randle, founder and CEO of Houston Tents &amp; Events, shares his journey from small-town Memphis to building one of the fastest-growing event infrastructure companies in Texas. He opens up about launching his business just weeks before the COVID-19 shutdown and how a moment of uncertainty became a catalyst for growth.
The conversation highlights the power of resilience, self-motivation, and seizing opportunity, along with Darren&rsquo;s leadership philosophy centered on hard work, service, and authenticity. It&rsquo;s a candid look at what it takes to scale a business, overcome adversity, and create meaningful success while staying true to your values.
<hr>
The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel). &nbsp;This communication is provided for information purposes only.&nbsp; Past performance does not guarantee future results.&nbsp; Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. &nbsp;Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.
&copy; Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC &amp; NYSE |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stifel.com">www.stifel.com</a>&nbsp;

Darren Randle: Born in Memphis, Built in Houston

What if the true fountain of youth wasn’t a pill - but strength? 

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Petru, founder of Petru In‑Home Fitness, a Houston fitness pioneer who’s spent decades helping people reclaim their independence through safe, consistent strength training.

Equal parts motivating, practical, and inspiring, this conversation will change how you think about health, aging, and what it really means to live strong.

The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel).  This communication is provided for information purposes only.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.  Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.

© Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com 

What if the true fountain of youth wasn&rsquo;t a pill - but strength? 
In this episode, we sit down with&nbsp;Michael Petru, founder of Petru In‑Home Fitness, a Houston fitness pioneer who&rsquo;s spent decades helping people reclaim their independence through safe, consistent strength training.
Equal parts motivating, practical, and inspiring, this conversation will change how you think about health, aging, and what it really means to live strong.
<hr>
The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel). &nbsp;This communication is provided for information purposes only.&nbsp; Past performance does not guarantee future results.&nbsp; Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. &nbsp;Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss.
&copy; Stifel, Nicolaus &amp; Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC &amp; NYSE |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stifel.com">www.stifel.com</a>&nbsp;

From a Cotton Farm to 7,000 Acres: Building Something That Outlives the Balance Sheet

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Houston Business Leaders: From Success to Significance

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