Built for This

When AI Threatened His Business, Wes Towers Doubled Down on Humanity

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, a Melbourne-based digital agency helping construction and trade businesses grow online.
Three years ago, Wes received a confronting business valuation — one that made it clear AI could soon make his agency obsolete. Instead of giving up, he used that wake-up call to completely reinvent his company. By blending automation with authenticity and systems with soul, Wes rebuilt Uplift 360 into a thriving, purpose-driven business that’s stronger — and more human — than ever.
Carly and Wes unpack what it really takes to lead through disruption: how to use technology as a catalyst for growth, why trust is the real currency in a digital world, and how values-based leadership can future-proof any business. This is a powerful conversation for anyone navigating the intersection of innovation and integrity.
Key Themes:
AI Doesn’t Replace You — It Reveals You: How technology exposed the gaps in Wes’s business and inspired him to double down on authenticity and originality.
Authenticity Is the New Currency: Why trust and transparency are more valuable than ever in an age of automation.
Lead with Values, Not Fear: How Wes rebuilt his culture, empowered his team, and aligned his business with purpose — even mentoring his son to carry that legacy forward.
Memorable Quotes:
“AI made me realize what couldn’t be automated — authenticity, trust, and human connection.”“All good business is built on trust. It’s the real currency.”“The more the world automates, the more valuable being human becomes.”
Connect with Wes Towers:
Website: https://uplift360.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@westowers  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uplift_360/  Twitter (X): https://x.com/uplift_360  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Uplift360Aus

Fake It Till You Make It — Then Systemize It: Lessons from Niv Davidovich, a Reluctant Entrepreneur

In this deeply grounded episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Niv Davidovich, seasoned litigator and founder of Davidovich Law Firm in Los Angeles.
What began as a simple need — to support a growing family in one of America’s most expensive cities — became a calling that transformed Niv’s life. With no clients, no roadmap, and nothing but a folding table for a desk, he built a thriving law firm from scratch through grit, humility, and unshakable faith.
Carly and Niv dive into the realities of entrepreneurship: building before you’re ready, creating systems that free you to grow, and trusting that every setback is really a divine redirection. It’s a raw, inspiring conversation about conviction, chaos, and the courage it takes to build a business — and a life — that’s truly aligned with purpose.
Key Themes:
Faith Is the Ultimate System: How seeing obstacles as redirections helped Niv navigate uncertainty and find peace in the process.
Systemize as You Grow: Why hiring early and documenting everything turned fear into freedom and chaos into clarity.
Nothing Is Wasted: How every past skill — from creativity to problem-solving — became an unexpected asset in building his firm.
Memorable Quotes:
“Faith is the biggest system there is — it’s the only one that doesn’t fail.”“You can’t see the whole map, but that’s the point. The challenge is just the guardrail keeping you out of the gutter.”“Every failure was just training for the business I was actually meant to build.”
Connect with Niv Davidovich:
Website: http://www.davidovichlaw.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nivdavidovich/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFjWau0jLOas3AhkqUGcMsw

Chasing Excellence: Leadership, Purpose and Innovation with Kevin LaRosa

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with her cousin — and world-renowned aerial coordinator and stunt pilot — Kevin “K2” LaRosa, whose credits include Top Gun: Maverick, Iron Man, Transformers, Devotion, and more than 100 major motion pictures.
 
Kevin shares what it means to live a life where passion and profession are one and the same. From flying planes before he could drive to co-founding X Brand, the revolutionary aerial cinematography company transforming Hollywood, his journey is a masterclass in innovation, discipline, and humility.
 
Carly and Kevin explore the mindset behind chasing mastery — the risks, the lessons, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines true leadership. For anyone striving to build a life driven by purpose and precision, this episode is a powerful reminder that being “built for this” isn’t about perfection — it’s about the pursuit.
 
 
Key Themes:
 
A Life You Don’t Want to Retire From: When work is your passion, fulfillment replaces the need for balance — every day becomes the reward.
Innovation through Empathy: How Kevin built X Brand by asking what clients truly needed, turning a complex industry into a seamless, turnkey service.
Leadership through Humility: Why accountability, safety, and self-awareness are the real markers of excellence — on the ground and in the air.
 
Memorable Quotes:
 
“I’ve never felt like I’ve worked a day in my life — but I work harder than anyone I know.”
“If you’re not innovating, you’re dying. You can’t wait for permission to evolve.”
“We might never achieve greatness — but the pursuit of it is what makes the journey worth it.”
 
 
Connect with Kevin "K2" LaRosa
 
Website: https://www.k2larosa.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.larosa.96 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/K2LaRosa
XBrand Website: https://www.xbrand.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamxbrand/

Purpose Meets Profit: How Nichole Daher Built the First Autism Therapy Franchise in America

In this episode of Built for This, Carly Pepin sits down with Nichole Daher, founder and CEO of Success on the Spectrum, the first autism therapy franchise in the United States — now with over 70 clinics across 18 states.
 
Nichole’s journey began as a mother on a mission, searching for the right care for her stepdaughter with autism. When the support she needed didn’t exist, she created it — and in doing so, changed an entire industry. 
 
What started as one small clinic has become a nationwide movement, providing transformative care for thousands of families.
 
Carly and Nichole explore what it really takes to scale a purpose-driven organization — from building strong systems to maintaining heart-led leadership. Together, they unpack how Nichole balances purpose and profit, empowers franchisees to succeed, and keeps mission at the center of every business decision.
 
Key Themes:
Purpose Fuels Profit: How Nichole’s mission-first mindset turned passion into a scalable, sustainable business.
Franchising with Heart: Why successful systems start with empowering people — especially those driven by personal purpose.
Structure Creates Freedom: The power of process, automation, and organization in enabling deeper human impact.
Memorable Quotes:
 
“I didn’t plan any of this — I call it a happy accident. Destiny just pointed and said, ‘You.’”
“We make profit with purpose because of our passion — the three P’s that keep everything together.”
“Every child gets better. Every parent gets hope. And every franchise owner gets to wake up knowing their work truly matters.”
 
Connect with Nichole Daher
 
Website: https://www.SOSfranchising.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOSAutismFranchise Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sosfranchising LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sos-franchising/ Nichole’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ8CVZQR/

The Reluctant Entrepreneur: How Mike Konrad Built Success by Putting Purpose First

In this episode, Carly Pepin sits down with Mike Konrad, founder and CEO of Aqueous Technologies, to explore the unexpected lessons that come with entrepreneurship.
 
Once a self-described “reluctant entrepreneur,” Mike took a massive leap to create a product his former employer didn’t believe in. What began as an ego-fueled mission soon evolved into a profound journey of humility, leadership, and conscious marketing.
 
Through candid stories and powerful reflections, Mike shares how he transformed from a headstrong engineer into a purpose-driven leader who built his company on trust, education, and authenticity. His story is raw, relatable, and a must-listen for anyone who’s discovered that true growth requires more than grit — it requires transformation.
 
Key Themes:
From Ego to Empathy: How letting go of pride and embracing humility reshaped Mike’s company and leadership.
Conscious Marketing: Why teaching and transparency build deeper trust than traditional sales tactics.
Evolving as a Leader: The inner transformation required to build a business that lasts.
Memorable Quotes:
 
“Selling doesn’t build trust. Teaching does.”
“The turning point was when I stopped trying to prove I was right and started proving I cared.”
 
Connect with Mike Konrad: 
 
Websites:
http://www.mikekonrad.com
 http://www.aqueoustech.com
 
LinkedIn:
http://linkedin.com/in/mtkonrad

Built For This - Trailer

Built For This is the podcast for founders, CEOs, and vision-driven leaders who know their business is more than just a bottom line—it’s part of who they are.
Hosted by transformational strategist Carly Pepin, each episode dives deep into candid conversations with entrepreneurs and business owners who are building companies with heart, grit, and a mission that matters. We unpack the real stories—the burnout, the breakthroughs, the pivots, and the purpose behind it all.
Carly brings her sharp eye for strategy and her gift for emotional insight to each guest interview. You'll hear what’s really going on behind the scenes in high-growth companies and learn how these leaders are navigating scale, legacy, and team alignment—all while staying true to themselves.
Expect a mix of raw honesty, practical business insight, and soul-stirring moments that remind you why you started in the first place.
Whether you’re building your next big thing or trying to reconnect with the one you've already built—this podcast is for you.