What does it actually take to survive the ups and downs of business over decades? In this episode of the NextGen Strategies Podcast, we sit down with Shawn Bowshier of Ride One Powersports to talk about what it looks like to grow, struggle, and keep going anyway.

Shawn shares how he helped scale a business from $8M to $38M… and what happened when the market shifted and they lost over half of it almost overnight.

From navigating economic cycles to making tough calls on people, inventory, and direction, this conversation is a real look at what business ownership actually requires.

We also dig into:

- What changes when you go from employee to owner

- Why cash flow can make or break your business

- How to adapt your model as markets and customer behavior evolve

- The role of community and relationships in long-term success.

If you’re building, scaling, or trying to stay steady through uncertain times, this one hits close to home.

Part 2 of our conversation with Chris Haines continues his story around both personal and business growth.

In this episode, Chris talks about his additional business ventures he's gotten into. This includes coffee, retail, and property management.

We talk about the real truths that come with operating a small business in small towns.

Finally, we wrap up talking about the importance of not for profit involvement and the real impacts it can have.

Chris Haines never set out to build the company Marias Technology eventually became.

What started as a technology services operation tied to the insurance industry evolved into a business built on referrals, trust, and a willingness to solve problems customers didn’t even know they had yet.

In Part One of this conversation, Chris, President and CEO of Marias Technology in Covington, Ohio, talks about the early years of the company and how it evolved through constant pivots, customer feedback, and opportunities that appeared along the way.

He also explains why he intentionally resisted the pressure to chase aggressive growth and instead focused on building a company that could support employees, serve clients well, and remain sustainable over the long term.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Chris shares the reality of running a business during COVID, when Marias Technology suddenly lost nearly 40 percent of its revenue and had to make difficult decisions to protect the people who depended on the company.

This episode offers an honest look at leadership, responsibility, and the weight that often comes with building something that supports more than just yourself.