In this episode, Henry Harrison welcomes Eric Helitzer, the founder and CEO of SubBase.io, a groundbreaking software platform for the construction industry. Eric shares his journey from a background in construction management to becoming an entrepreneur and launching SubBase.io. The discussion dives into Eric's early influences, his educational background, and the experiences that led him to create a solution for digitizing and streamlining construction material management.

Episode: https://henryharrison.com/subbase-ceo-eric-helitzer/

Key Topics:

Eric's Background:

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from the University of Florida
Early career in large construction companies
Influence of his family's multi-generational involvement in the construction industry
Journey to Entrepreneurship:

The decision to leave a stable job and start SubBase.io
Challenges faced in the early stages of the startup
The importance of addressing pain points in the industry to gain traction
SubBase.io Overview:

The platform's role in digitizing material management workflows
How SubBase.io connects various stakeholders in construction projects
The impact of the software on efficiency and profitability for subcontractors and vendors
Challenges in Technology Adoption:

Resistance to change within the construction industry
Strategies to overcome these challenges and demonstrate value
The importance of providing a 10X improvement to encourage adoption
Success Stories and Lessons Learned:

Real-life examples of SubBase.io's impact on construction companies
Lessons learned from early mistakes and the importance of continuous improvement
The role of early investors and the recent institutional round of funding
Future of Construction Technology:

Eric's vision for the future of construction technology
The potential for further innovation and adoption in the industry
How SubBase.io plans to continue driving change and efficiency
Contact Information:

Website: https://www.subbase.io/
Email: eric@subbase.io
LinkedIn: Follow Eric Helitzer on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erichelitzer/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/subbase/

Revolutionizing Construction with Technology: An Interview with SubBase CEO Eric Helitzer | S:3 E:3

In this episode, Henry sits down with long-time friend and fellow EO Forum member James Poen, President and part-owner of Richardson Saw & Lawn Mower. James shares his remarkable story of taking over his family’s outdoor power equipment dealership, growing it into a thriving business, and eventually partnering with Graycliff Partners, a New York–based private equity firm, to launch a multi-store acquisition strategy.

From early days working alongside his father, to navigating manufacturer changes, to managing the complexities of a nine-month equity sale process, James offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at running — and selling — a successful family business. He discusses how he learned financial discipline, implemented systems and processes to scale, balanced customer service with operational efficiency, and now helps other dealership owners explore selling while staying involved in their businesses.

This conversation is packed with lessons for entrepreneurs considering succession planning, private equity partnerships, or simply looking to run a tighter ship.
Key Takeaways

    Family Business Legacy: How Richardson Saw evolved from a small Garland, TX shop into a premier outdoor power equipment dealership.

    Operational Excellence: The importance of systems, processes, and retaining long-term employees to maintain efficiency and customer service.

    Private Equity Insights: What it’s like to sell to private equity, stay on as president, and transition into a new role focused on acquisitions.

    Financial Discipline: Why monthly books, asking questions, and surrounding yourself with smart peers are essential for business growth.

    Navigating Change: Adapting to online sales expectations, manufacturer restrictions, and generational shifts in customer behavior.

    Succession & Exit Planning: Why entrepreneurs should start preparing 18 months ahead of a potential sale — from tightening processes to choosing the right partners.

Links & Resources

    Visit Richardson Saw & Lawn Mower: https://www.richardsonsaw.com

    Learn more about Henry Harrison: https://henryharrison.com/

James Poen’s Journey with Richardson Saw & Lawn Mower: From Family Business to Private Equity

In this episode, Henry Harrison sits down with Jack Carrere, the founder and CEO of Prokeep, a fast-growing software company transforming how distributors communicate with contractors. From a startup born in New Orleans to a nationwide organization with more than 100 employees, 1,000+ distributors, and 40,000 active users, Jack shares his entrepreneurial journey — including scaling through challenges, harnessing AI, and raising over $37 million in venture funding.

Together, they discuss how Prokeep unifies communication channels for distributors, what it takes to survive market shocks like COVID and Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse, and why empowering counter staff through technology can drive entire industries forward.

Key Topics Discussed
🧩 Building Prokeep
Prokeep was founded over ten years ago to simplify the complex communication flow between distributors and contractors.

Its platform integrates text, email, fax, and phone into a single unified inbox, helping distributors manage orders, improve efficiency, and strengthen customer relationships.

Recently launched “Order Engine”, enabling counter teams to proactively generate orders and connect directly with contractor needs.

🚀 Scaling & Growth
Headquartered in New Orleans with an additional hub in Portland, Oregon, plus a remote workforce of “Prokeepers.”

Serves over 1,000 distributors and 3 million contractor interactions through its platform.

Transitioned from a small two-location pilot customer to working with major national distributors like Ferguson, ABC Supply, and PoolCorp.

💡 Innovation in Distribution
Prokeep’s biggest competitor? Sticky notes and fragmented communication.

The platform consolidates disjointed workflows and improves collective intelligence across teams.

New ERP integration automatically generates quotes and shortens response time — a major advantage in winning orders.

⚙️ Adapting Through Challenges
Survived the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank by acting fast.

Navigated COVID-19 by helping distributors stay operational when walk-in counters shut down — enabling contractors to text orders and remain productive.

Learned to innovate under pressure and embrace agility during times of uncertainty.

🤖 AI and the Future of Prokeep
Prokeep now uses AI to analyze over 80 million customer messages, identifying trends and improving marketing response rates.

AI assists in suggesting targeted audiences, optimal send times, and message templates for promotions.

Jack views AI as an accelerant — both internally for team productivity and externally to help customers communicate smarter.

💼 Entrepreneurial Journey
Initially focused on helping contractors manage their workflow before pivoting toward distributors.

Spent years refining the product through trial, error, and perseverance.

Believes success comes from “surviving as long as you can — and letting hard work compound.”

💸 Raising $37 Million in Venture Capital
Early years were bootstrapped before securing major investments.

Seed Round: Led by Iron Spring Ventures and S3 Ventures (Austin, TX).

Series A: Led by Dalia Equity (San Francisco, CA).

Funding enabled expanded product development, engineering talent, and the rollout of Order Engine.

Jack humorously recalls signing funding documents during Mardi Gras — dodging parade crowds to find phone service!

Notable Quotes
“Our biggest competitor is the sticky note.”

“AI is an accelerant — it helps our customers work smarter, not harder.”

“If you can find an industry where technology hasn’t caught up, you can have an outsized impact.”

“It’s not always the first idea that works — sometimes it’s the 20th.”

Guest: https://www.prokeep.com/ — Jack Carrere, Founder & CEO

Host: https://henryharrison.com/ — Entrepreneurs, Business & Finance Podcast

Jack Carrere of Prokeep with Henry Harrison from Dallas TX

In this episode, Henry Harrison sits down with Chaitanya NK, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Track 3D, an AI-powered construction technology company revolutionizing how job sites are monitored and managed. With over 15 years of experience across AI, 3D vision, robotics, and IoT, NK shares how his team is transforming the trillion-dollar construction industry through “reality intelligence”—the seamless fusion of reality capture and artificial intelligence.

Listeners will gain insight into how Track 3D is helping construction companies stay on schedule, on budget, and ahead of risk by automating project tracking and progress documentation—all from a simple camera walk-through.

Key Topics Discussed
🚀 The Origin of Track 3D

Founded by three lifelong friends with a shared background in software engineering and AI.

Inspired by the inefficiencies in how construction data is collected and shared.

Evolved from earlier startups in smart cities, robotics, and 3D modeling to solving one of the biggest problems in global construction: manual, inconsistent field data.

🧠 How Track 3D Works

Uses mobile devices, drones, or robots equipped with cameras to scan job sites.

AI automatically reconstructs the space in 3D and identifies what work has been done—down to specific materials, placements, and quantities.

Provides real-time progress tracking, early error detection, and precise visual data for all stakeholders.

Enables field teams to spot issues before they become costly rework problems.

📈 From Seed to Series A

Track 3D has raised over $14 million to date from top construction tech investors.

The focus of their Series A round is on scaling go-to-market efforts—expanding sales, marketing, and U.S. operations.

Now active on 400+ job sites, from data centers and hospitals to single-family homes.

🧩 Ease of Adoption

Designed for zero learning curve—onboarding takes just minutes.

Users simply upload drawings and start walking the site with a camera.

Built to integrate smoothly with existing workflows, ensuring fast field adoption rather than top-down resistance.

🤖 The Future of “Reality Intelligence”

Track 3D’s platform combines AI, robotics, and computer vision into a “reality intelligence” system that documents and analyzes every inch of a job site.

The company’s long-term vision: become the operating system for every physical asset across its full lifecycle—from construction to maintenance.

🌎 AI + Robotics = The Next Construction Revolution

With advancements in autonomous drones, robotic site walkers, and improved camera resolution, Track 3D leverages cutting-edge hardware and software to scale globally.

NK sees construction as a data problem—and Track 3D’s mission is to make that data accessible, actionable, and automated.

🔗 Learn More

Guest Website: https://track3d.ai/

Host Website: https://henryharrison.com/

Chaitanya NK, Track 3D CEO Joins Henry Harrison on the Entrepreneurs, Business & Finance

PLANO, TX: Entrepreneurs, Business & Finance — Episode: Glenn Poulos on Building (and Rebuilding) Winning Sales Organizations

https://henryharrison.com/glenn-poulos/

Guest: Glenn Poulos
 — founder, 3× company builder, LinkedIn Top Voice, author of Never Sit in the Lobby

Episode Snapshot

What we cover: Selling without being “that salesperson,” buying a business under non-competes, the power-utility pivot, recovering from a zero-to-hero-to-zero moment, enterprise deal strategy, and practical ways Glenn uses AI daily to win more bids.

Why listen: Glenn has built and sold companies across telecom and now power utilities. He’s candid about a painful, all-stock exit that went to zero—and exactly how he bounced back to $84M revenue before his next sale.

Quick Bio

Glenn sold GAP Wireless (telecom distribution) to private equity in 2022, then acquired Prog USA (power-utility test & measurement distributor) in January 2024 to stay clear of non-competes—switching tech (telecom → power), customers (telcos → utilities), and country (Canada → U.S.) while running the same style of business. He’s an active LinkedIn Top Voice and the author of Never Sit in the Lobby.

Key Takeaways

“Nothing happens until something gets sold.” Sales is the starting point of the value chain—and it’s a craft worth defending.

Customer-first systems win. Build repeatable ways to get, act, and stay in front of customers and be a “pleasure to do business with” even when you lose a deal.

Map the money machine. Learn how your customer actually makes money (e.g., some “hardware” firms are really finance companies).

Enterprise deals require altitude. Start at the highest relevant level; know exactly who signs at each $ tier.

Resilience is a skill. Glenn once sold for stock, got locked up, and watched it all go to zero—then founded a new company within days and grew it to $84M before selling.

AI as a force multiplier. Use AI to mine tenders, summarize 80-page contracts, craft (then humanize) outreach, and spot cash-flow patterns.

Standout Stories

The Dofasco Steel Mill “door-knock relay.” In 24 hours, Glenn and his president went from plant floor → Toshiba integrator → electrical distributor → VP approver and closed the largest order of his career, no emails, no quotes—just live, high-altitude selling.

The painful exit that reset everything. After a stock-only sale to a public company, Glenn became an insider, couldn’t sell, and lost everything when the acquirer imploded. He turned that failure into the launchpad for GAP Wireless, later sold to PE.

How Glenn Uses AI (Practically)

Tender discovery: Data-mines gov/utility bid portals for relevant RFPs.

Bid acceleration: Summarizes long specs, extracts requirements, drafts response scaffolds from prior proposals.

Legal & finance: Flags indemnities/insurance thresholds in contracts; reviews financials and cash-flow patterns.

Marketing & ops: Generates campaign ideas and draft copy—then human edits before sending.

Who Prog USA Serves

Investor-owned and major utilities (e.g., transmission & distribution, substations, battery banks, transformers, breakers) needing test & measurement and diagnostic solutions.

Favorite Lines

“Start and finish at the highest possible level relative to the size of the deal.”
“People want to buy—but not from a pain in the butt.”
“I call it poverty avoidance—it keeps me moving.”

Book: Never Sit in the Lobby — 57 sales tips to be “a pleasure to do business with.” https://www.amazon.com/Never-Sit-Lobb...

Connect with Glenn

Website: https://glennpoulos.com/
LinkedIn:   / glennpoulos  

Connect with Henry

Website: https://henryharrison.com/

Podcast Hub: Entrepreneurs, Business & Finance (subscribe, rate & review!)

Glenn Poulos on Henry Harrison Podcast Entrepreneurs, Business & Finance

luvvoice.com-20251119-rnyx28

Burt Copeland, founder and CEO of New Life CFO, joins Henry Harrison to discuss how his near-collapse during the 2008 financial crisis became the catalyst for building one of the leading fractional CFO and outsourced accounting firms. Serving companies from roughly $2M to $80M in revenue, New Life CFO combines strategic CFO guidance with clean, decision-ready books—because even the best CFO is useless without accurate data.

New Life CFO: https://newlifecfo.com/
Episode: https://henryharrison.com/burt-copela...

The conversation is rich with real-world tools, client success stories, and the deeply personal faith journey that gave the company its name.

Key Takeaways
What New Life CFO Does  
-Two-thirds of the business is fractional/outsourced CFO services  
-One-third is outsourced accounting, controller, and accounting-manager support  
-Focus: drive sustainable cash flow, EBITDA, and enterprise value  
-Core belief: “Even a great CFO can’t make good decisions on bad information.”

Typical Clients  
-Accounting services: $1M–$25M revenue  
-CFO services: generally $5M–$80M revenue  
-Rule of thumb: “As soon as I start looking like overhead, fire me.”

Philosophy
Your financial statements are nothing more than a historical reflection of your people, decisions, behaviors, processes, and systems. To permanently change the numbers, change one or more of those five drivers.

Burt’s 2008 Story
Grew a construction subcontractor from $7M to a $30M run rate. In April 2008, revenue fell 86% overnight when banks froze all construction lending. Lost $6–7M of personal net worth in months. The crisis produced both a business and faith epiphany that led him to sell the company and start New Life CFO with a mission to keep other entrepreneurs from stepping into the same “bear trap.”

Why “Operational CFOs”
Every CFO on the team has P&L ownership experience (GM, COO, or prior business owner) and has professionally “stubbed their toe” somewhere along the way—creating empathy, humility, and practical insight that pure finance backgrounds often lack.

During the darkest days of 2008, Burt prayed two questions:  
“What do You want me to learn?” → Answer: “You’re not using My gifts, and you left Me behind.”  
“Where do You want me to go?” → Answer: “Use My gifts and take Me with you.”

The company exists to use God-given financial and operational gifts to serve entrepreneurs in a God-honoring way through “Care-Frontational” (caring but direct) partnership. Diagnostic Services Offered  Turning Sweat Equity into Gold – exit/life-after-business planning (personal vision → gap analysis → value-building roadmap)  
Insight 29:11 – deep dive into structural EBITDA, cash flow, and value-creating vs. value-diluting revenue streams

Burt Copeland on Henry Harrison Podcast

In this episode, Henry sits down with Hugh Massie, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of DNA Behavior, a behavioral data analytics company pioneering the intersection of psychology, decision-making, and financial behavior. Hugh has spent more than two decades building systems that decode how people think, communicate, and make choices—especially around money.

Resources Mentioned
DNA Behavior — https://dnabehavior.com
Behavioral Economics Today Podcast -    https://www.youtube.com/@BehavioralEconomicsToday

From his beginnings in wealth management to leading a global behavioral-data company with operations across multiple countries, Hugh shares a remarkably candid look at entrepreneurship, leadership, people dynamics, and the future of AI-powered behavior insights.

If you’ve ever wondered how to truly understand people at scale—or even understand yourself better—this conversation will hit you right between the eyes.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
• The Origin Story of DNA Behavior

How a wealth management firm led Hugh to realize that understanding a client’s behavior is just as important as understanding their finances—and how that became the foundation for a global psychometric and behavioral analytics platform.

• The Big Leap: From 2.5 Million to 275 Million Behavioral Profiles

Hugh explains the breakthrough moment when his team reversed engineered their system using AI to digitally “scan” individuals’ behavioral patterns—no questionnaire required.

• Profiling People… Without the Profile

How DNA Behavior can now derive behavioral insights from public data using AI, why accuracy differs between traditional profiling and digital scanning, and where each method makes sense.

• Why Money Is the Ultimate Behavioral Trigger

Hugh shares fascinating examples of how people “flip” into instinctive behavior under pressure—especially when money and relationships are involved.

• A Story Every Entrepreneur Will Recognize

Hugh recalls two founders at war over a personal guarantee for a bank loan—and how behavioral insights helped them rescue their partnership, keep their company intact, and rebuild trust.

• Behavioral Economics in the Real World

From decoy pricing to communication misfires, Hugh breaks down why people make irrational decisions—and how truly personalized behavioral data can transform sales, leadership, and client experience.

• Building Behavioral Intelligence into Organizations

Learn how leadership teams, advisors, and even Fortune 100 companies use heat maps, dashboards, and matching tools to communicate more effectively, build trust, and improve performance across entire ecosystems.

• Leadership, Culture, and “Knowing Me, Knowing You”

Hugh talks about the DNA Behavior culture framework—Know, Engage & Grow—and why leaders must share their own profiles first if they want psychological safety, trust, or authentic communication inside the organization.

• How Hugh Built a Global Team Across Four Countries

A look inside DNA Behavior’s distributed team across Atlanta, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Australia—and how Hugh keeps culture aligned across continents.

• Personal Growth, Empathy & the Journey from Numbers Guy to People Person

Henry asks how a former Arthur Andersen tax executive became such a human-centric leader. Hugh opens up about early career lessons, empathy, personal development, and the mentors who shaped his approach.

• The Future of Behavioral Data

Where this all goes next: AI-driven personalization, real-time coaching, scalable client insights, and a world where companies can instantly understand the people they serve.

Learn more at DNABehavior.com or connect with Hugh on LinkedIn. 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughmassie/ 

Hugh Massie, Executive Chairman & Founder, DNA Behavior

Mentorship plays a powerful role in shaping entrepreneurial success. This episode explores how the right mentor can accelerate growth, provide clarity during challenges, and strengthen an entrepreneur’s mindset. Inspired by insights from Angelina Mena, we uncover why guidance, experience, and support can transform your journey and help turn bold ideas into lasting success.

How Mentorship Shapes Successful Entrepreneurs

This episode explores the inspiring entrepreneurial journey of Angelina Mena, a visionary leader who blends creativity, technology, and purpose to build impactful businesses. Discover how she turns ideas into solutions, embraces innovation, mentors future leaders, and champions meaningful change across industries. A motivating story for anyone seeking to create, innovate, and make a difference.

Unlocking Limitless Potential: The Innovation Journey of Angelina Mena

Explore how visionary entrepreneur Angelina Mena transforms bold ideas into impactful businesses across technology, healthcare, and education. This episode dives into her innovation-driven mindset, passion for mentorship, and commitment to purpose-driven leadership. Discover the lessons behind her success and how her approach empowers the next generation of founders to create meaningful change.

Unlocking Limitless Potential: The Innovative Journey of Angelina Mena

Welcome to the Henry Harrison Entrepreneurs, Business, and Finance Podcast, where insightful conversations unfold at the intersection of innovation, commerce, and financial prowess. I'm your host, Henry Harrison (Dallas, TX), and I invite you to join me on a journey through the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and the ever-evolving landscape of business and finance.

Revolutionizing Construction with Technology: An Interview with SubBase CEO Eric Helitzer | S:3 E:3

Henry Harrison Podcast | Dallas Texas

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