MATCHplay
MATCHPlay — Hosted by Thad Miller, MATCHPlay explores the parallels between building a strong golf game and planning a successful business transition. Each episode features insights, stories, and strategies to help you stay on course—whether you’re on the green or planning your next big move.
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Season 2, Episode 2: Second-Generation Farmer
01/23/2026
Season 2, Episode 2: Second-Generation Farmer
Selling a successful operating business is one of the hardest decisions an owner will ever face — not just financially, but emotionally — because for many leaders, the business isn’t just what they do… it’s who they are. In this episode of MATCHplay, Thad Miller sits down with retired farmer Jim Harger, a second-generation operator who made the rare decision to sell his equipment and seed processing operations while intentionally keeping the long-term assets that matter most: land and real estate. Jim shares what it really feels like to exit something you built, why stepping away can create an identity crisis for high-capacity operators, and the tension that comes when your success makes more people rely on you than you ever expected. While this story happens on a farm, it’s not just about agriculture — it’s about leadership, responsibility, and what happens when you stop being needed every day. If you’ve ever built something people depend on — a company, a team, an operation, a practice — and wondered what life would feel like after stepping back, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Why successful operators struggle to step away (identity vs. ownership) ✅ How Jim grew from “running his farm” to becoming a resource others depended on ✅ The weight of responsibility that comes with scaling beyond yourself ✅ Family ownership dynamics — and what happens when siblings share equity but not operations ✅ The difference between owning a business and operating it every day ✅ Letting go of the “iron” — the hardest equipment to sell and why it isn’t just financial ✅ Selling the operation while keeping the moat (why land was non-negotiable) ✅ What life feels like after closing, and redefining success in the next chapter 🎧 Listen to MATCHplay on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Youtube
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Season 2, Episode 1: Executive Business Coach
01/16/2026
Season 2, Episode 1: Executive Business Coach
In this episode of MATCHplay, Thad Miller sits down with Dr. Craig Overmyer, Chief Executive Coach, Certified Scaling Up Coach, best-selling author, and founder of Cultures That Work, to unpack what makes selling a practice so scary, the most common mistakes dentists make while owning and scaling, and how leaders can build a practice that holds value long before exit becomes a reality. Craig shares real coaching stories from business owners and dentists across the country who have faced burnout, culture breakdowns, and growth challenges, and how mental toughness and strategic leadership change outcomes. If you’re a dentist thinking about scaling your practice, improving culture, or preparing for a future transition, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: ✅ The scariest part of selling a dental practice (and why it’s not just about money) ✅ Mistakes practice owners make that silently reduce practice value ✅ How culture impacts profitability, retention, and exit outcomes ✅ What makes a practice “owner-dependent” and how to fix it ✅ Mental toughness and leadership mindset during scaling and transition ✅ Real stories from coaching clients navigating growth and exit decisions #DentalPractice #PracticeTransition #SellingADentalPractice #DentalPracticeOwner #DentalBusiness #ScalingUp #LeadershipDevelopment #CompanyCulture #PracticeManagement #Dentistry
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Season 1 Wrapped - Best Lessons, Favorite Moments, and Special Advice from Jack Miller
01/01/2026
Season 1 Wrapped - Best Lessons, Favorite Moments, and Special Advice from Jack Miller
In this special Season 1 Wrapped episode, host Thad Miller looks back on the most impactful moments from every MATCHplay episode, highlighting favorite insights, leadership lessons, and real world advice shared by entrepreneurs, investors, operators, and industry leaders throughout the season. From building long term value and navigating ownership decisions to leadership under pressure and trusting the right advisors, this episode revisits the conversations that defined Season 1 and the lessons listeners took with them into their own careers and businesses. The episode closes with a meaningful and personal segment featuring Jack Miller, Thad’s father and a longtime golf professional, who shares timeless advice on discipline, patience, preparation, and perspective. Lessons learned on the course that apply directly to business, leadership, and life. Whether you are catching up or reliving your favorite moments, this episode is a reflection on growth, ownership, and playing the long game. Listen now and get ready for what’s next in Season 2. 🎧 Listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Youtube
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Episode 10 - Bill Bussick, Founder of DuraMark Technologies
12/05/2025
Episode 10 - Bill Bussick, Founder of DuraMark Technologies
In this episode, host Thad Miller sits down with Bill Bussick, founder and President and CEO of DuraMark Technologies, a company he built into a national leader in high-performance, durable industrial labels for brands like Toro, Terex, Toyota Forklifts, JLG and General Motors. After graduating from the Miller College of Business at Ball State, Bill launched DuraMark from the ground up, driven by an instinct for opportunity and a commitment to solving real problems in the manufacturing world. In 2021, he sold the company to Cardinal Equity Partners and continued as CEO with a focus on strategic growth. In 2023, he led DuraMark through its first acquisition under new ownership. Bill also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Ball State University Entrepreneurship Center, where he helps guide the next generation of innovators and business builders. 💡 In this episode: • What first sparked Bill’s idea for DuraMark and how he spotted an underserved market • Lessons from the early, scrappy years of building a manufacturing company from zero • How Bill’s marketing background shaped DuraMark’s brand and go-to-market strategy • The turning points that helped DuraMark become a trusted partner to major industrial manufacturers • When and how Bill knew it was time to consider selling the business • Why he chose to partner with Cardinal Equity Partners • What owners often miss when preparing for a sale • The leadership lessons Bill learned through the exit process • How he developed teams, talent and culture through each stage of growth • What consistency, clarity and communication really mean for a CEO • The biggest shifts happening in manufacturing and industrial branding today • Where Bill sees the next wave of opportunity for entrepreneurs in the industrial space • What he is focused on now and how he continues to support future founders through Ball State’s Entrepreneurship Center If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or operator in manufacturing or industrial services, this conversation will give you a clear look at what it takes to build a market-leading company, scale smartly, earn client trust, and navigate a successful transition. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more episodes of MATCHplay. Follow Us: Spotify: Apple: Youtube: LinkedIn: Instagram: #MATCHplayPodcast #BillBussick #DuraMarkTechnologies #ManufacturingLeadership #BusinessGrowth #BusinessSale #Entrepreneurship #IndustrialManufacturing #PrivateEquity #BusinessExit #BallStateUniversity #ThadMiller #BusinessStrategy
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Episode 9 - Entrepreneur Brent Claymon
11/28/2025
Episode 9 - Entrepreneur Brent Claymon
In this episode, host Thad Miller sits down with Brent Claymon, a lifelong entrepreneur, investor, and business builder, to explore how vision, timing, and patience shape every stage of the entrepreneurial journey. From growing up in a family of founders, to selling Pac-Van in 2006, to re-entering the industry and acquiring Tyson Onsite after his non-compete expired, Brent has spent his life creating equity, surrounding himself with trusted advisors, and finding a better way to build lasting value. Over two decades of buying, selling, coaching, and leading, he has learned that great entrepreneurship is not about chasing income. It is about thinking long term, listening more than you speak, choosing the right partners, and knowing when to move and when to wait. His 21 years of coaching high school tennis have also shaped his leadership philosophy, proving that clarity, encouragement, and strategic thinking matter just as much in the boardroom as they do on the court. 💡 In this episode: • How growing up around entrepreneurs shaped Brent’s mindset and career path • Why the Pac-Van transaction became a defining moment in his journey • How selling one business opened the door to acquiring another years later • What vision, timing, and patience really look like in dealmaking • Why his philosophy is to find a better way rather than flip for quick wins • How coaching tennis has influenced his leadership, hiring, and decision making • Why listening more and talking less leads to better deals and stronger teams • What separates great entrepreneurs from good ones • How to avoid being overwhelmed by the urgency and emotions of a transaction • Why the first offer is often the best one and why patience builds leverage • What sellers need to know about earn-outs, post-sale roles, and contingencies • The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make near the finish line and how to avoid them If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader navigating growth, acquisitions, or the next chapter of your career, this conversation will challenge you to think clearly, act intentionally, build equity, and surround yourself with people who help you see around corners. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more episodes of MATCHplay #MATCHplayPodcast #BrentClaymon #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #Dealmaking #EquityBuilding #BusinessGrowth #BusinessAcquisition #PrivateEquity #ThadMiller #FindABetterWay #BusinessStrategy
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Episode 8 - Dr. Keith True, Founder of True Vet Potential
11/21/2025
Episode 8 - Dr. Keith True, Founder of True Vet Potential
In this episode, host Thad Miller sits down with Dr. Keith True, a veterinarian, entrepreneur, and founder of True Vet Potential, to explore how ownership, leadership, and intentional career design can transform a veterinarian's entire life. After moving from associate to practice owner, Keith discovered that true freedom comes from autonomy: the ability to control your income, culture, schedule, and eventual exit. Today he coaches veterinarians across the country on reclaiming their purpose, building equity, and designing career paths that align with their values. From buying and growing practices to preparing for a high-value sale, his insights reveal what is possible when clinicians take ownership both literally and mentally. 💡 In this episode: • Why Keith believes many veterinarians are stuck and how ownership unlocks their potential • Lessons from his journey from associate to owner to mentor and business strategist • How autonomy changes a veterinarian's career, income, and long-term security • What veterinarians misunderstand about buying, building, and selling a practice • How leadership, culture, and mindset directly impact practice value • The trends shaping the next decade of veterinary medicine and how to stay ahead If you are a veterinarian, practice owner, or clinician considering your next chapter, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger, protect your autonomy, and design a career that works for you, not the other way around. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more episodes of MATCHplay where business succession meets a golf lesson. Follow Us: Spotify: Apple: Youtube: LinkedIn: Instagram: #MATCHplayPodcast #DrKeithTrue #TrueVetPotential #VeterinaryOwnership #VeterinaryLeadership #PracticeOwnership #PracticeTransition #DVMmatch #AutonomyForVeterinarians #VeterinaryBusiness #WealthBuilding #ThadMiller
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Episode 7 - Matt Doherty, Founder of Doherty Coaching
11/14/2025
Episode 7 - Matt Doherty, Founder of Doherty Coaching
Former UNC basketball coach, National Coach of the Year, and executive leadership expert Matt Doherty joins Thad to talk about building championship cultures, leading under pressure, and finishing strong in both business and life. Coach Doherty shares lessons from his time playing for Dean Smith, competing alongside Michael Jordan, and coaching at the highest levels of college basketball. Today he works with executives, business owners, and teams across the country, helping them grow stronger cultures and become more confident and resilient leaders. This episode speaks directly to the challenges many business owners face today, including staff turnover, burnout, pricing pressure, and protecting the value of their practice or company. The insights are especially relevant for dentists, veterinarians, and entrepreneurs working to strengthen their teams and leadership approach. Connect with Coach Doherty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmattdoherty/ Join Coach Doherty's Dental Cohort: Follow Us: Spotify: Apple: Youtube: LinkedIn: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchplaypodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
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Episode 6 - Dipesh Sitaram, DDS MICCMO FICCMO OCF FDOCS FAACP
11/07/2025
Episode 6 - Dipesh Sitaram, DDS MICCMO FICCMO OCF FDOCS FAACP
In this episode, host Thad Miller sits down with Dr. Dipesh Sitaram, a dentist turned entrepreneur and founder of Acuere Capital Partners, to explore how clinical precision can translate into investment success. After building and selling a thriving dental practice, Dipesh transitioned into real-estate private equity and investment banking, where he now leads large-scale projects focused on responsible, long-term value creation. From owning dental practices to managing multimillion-dollar portfolios, his story shows what’s possible when professionals think beyond the chair and into capital markets. 💡 In this episode: • How Dipesh shifted from dentistry to private-equity investing • Lessons learned from selling his first practice and launching Acuere Capital Partners • Strategies for evaluating deals, balancing risk, and leading investor relationships • The mindset and habits that helped him grow from clinician to capital allocator • How he defines “impact” and inspires other professionals to build their own legacy If you’re a dentist, veterinarian, or entrepreneur thinking about your next chapter, this episode will inspire you to play the long game and invest with purpose. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more episodes of MATCHplay — where business succession meets a golf lesson. Follow Us: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gymVuZio3Ji... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/matc... Youtube: https://youtu.be/JZckrf-CoFY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/matchplay... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matchplaypod/
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Episode 5 - Eric Berridge, Founder of Bluewolf
10/31/2025
Episode 5 - Eric Berridge, Founder of Bluewolf
Eric Berridge—founder of Bluewolf—joins Thad Miller on MATCHplay to share how he turned a consulting idea into a category-defining Salesforce services firm. We dig into earning credibility with early clients, building a hiring engine, leading through change, and the playbook for scaling a people-first services business. Whether you run a dental or veterinary practice, a tech consultancy, or any small business, Eric’s lessons on talent, process, and customer experience apply everywhere. Come for the Salesforce stories, stay for the leadership and growth fundamentals—and a few golf-course analogies along the way. What you’ll learn -How to win your first marquee clients (and keep them) -The skills that separate great consultants from good ones -Hiring, culture, and incentives that actually scale -Pricing, scoping, and avoiding “death by custom” -When to productize services—and when not to -Navigating major growth milestones without losing your edge About MATCHplay Hosted by Thad Miller, MATCHplay explores the real stories behind building, buying, and selling businesses—pulling takeaways any owner can use. Follow Us: Spotify: Apple: LinkedIn: Instagram:
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Episode 4 - Featuring David Durm, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg
10/24/2025
Episode 4 - Featuring David Durm, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg
On this episode of MATCHplay, Thad Miller sits down with David Durm, attorney at Barnes & Thornburg, to dive into what every business owner should know before selling their company. With years of experience helping clients across a wide range of industries — from dental and veterinary practices to larger corporate sales — David shares what really goes on behind the scenes of a successful transaction. From avoiding costly legal mistakes and structuring a deal the right way, to choosing the right advisors and knowing when it’s time to sell, this conversation is packed with practical insight and real-world lessons. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just want to understand what goes into maximizing value, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. And stay tuned — this won’t be David’s last appearance on MATCHplay. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to learn how to protect your interests, set yourself up for success, and walk away from a sale feeling confident. Watch on YouTube: LinkedIn: Instagram: Facebook:
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Episode 3 - Greg Miler, Founder of ENS
10/17/2025
Episode 3 - Greg Miler, Founder of ENS
On this episode of MATCHplay, Thad Miller sits down with Greg Miler, founder and former owner of ENS (Engineered Network Systems), a leading manufacturer of products trusted to mount, pair, charge, and protect technology across industries. From teeing off with an idea in 2000 to ultimately selling to private equity in 2015, Greg shares the full course of his entrepreneurial journey and how he built ENS, navigated the challenges of growth, and managed the emotional ups and downs of selling a business he poured years of hard work into. Thad and Greg talk about the importance of trust, relationships, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Greg offers candid insights on working with clients, getting to know your partners, and choosing the team you want by your side when it matters most. Tune in for practical advice, reflections from the fairway of experience, and lessons that remind us that success—like golf—is all about patience, preparation, and trusting your swing. Watch on YouTube: LinkedIn: Instagram: Facebook:
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Episode 2 - Chris Waters, Founder of LUNA Language Services
10/09/2025
Episode 2 - Chris Waters, Founder of LUNA Language Services
On this episode of MATCHplay, Thad sits down with Chris Waters, founder of Indianapolis-based LUNA Language Services, one of the nation’s leading providers of translation and interpreting services. From caddying at Crooked Stick to serving in the Peace Corps, Chris shares the journey of building LUNA into a company with 65 full-time employees and over 1,000 independent contractors worldwide, providing 24/7 support in more than 200 languages—including American Sign Language—for clients across legal, healthcare, education, business, nonprofit, and government sectors. Chris and Thad discuss the headwinds and hazards of entrepreneurship, from balancing work with a spouse, navigating local competition, and keeping pace with technology and innovation, to recovering from the impact of COVID. Chris opens up about planning and executing the sale of his company in March 2023, working closely with trusted advisors, and the emotions tied to selling a lifetime of work. Tune in for practical takeaways, swing thoughts, and lessons from both business and the golf course, as Chris shares insights that apply on and off the fairway. Watch on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Yp-LbcrvA
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Episode 1 - Kickoff with Thad Miller
10/06/2025
Episode 1 - Kickoff with Thad Miller
We're kicking things off with a quick introduction to MATCHplay. In this episode, host Thad Miller sets the stage for what you can expect from the show - insightful conversations, industry expertise, and stories that matter to all business owners. Whether you are here to learn grow or just stay connected to what's happening in the world of practice transitions and beyond, this is the perfect place to start!
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