What Running for Congress Taught Me About Building a Business
In 2016, I ran for Congress in Wisconsin's 5th District. Deep red district. In 2016, I ran for Congress in Wisconsin's 5th District. Democrat. Deep red district. I lost. That campaign taught me more about running a business than any MBA program could have.
What 36 Years of Silence Taught Me About Vulnerability in Leadership
My mother Joyce died by suicide with a gun when I was 20 months old. I didn't talk about it for 36 years. Not because I forgot. You don't forget a thing like that.
A Homeowner’s Guide to Roof Replacement: What to Expect
Nearly 30-year roofing veteran Khary Penebaker walks homeowners through the complete roof replacement process, from signs you need one to choosing the right contractor.
What Business Leaders Get Wrong About Psychological Safety
Every company I have worked at or built has had some version of an open-door policy. And at every one of those companies, people were afraid to walk through the door. Not because the leader was threatening. Because the culture had never been tested.
The State of Home Improvement in 2026: Trends to Watch
Nearly 30 years in the industry, from commercial roofing to running four markets for Great Day Improvements. Here is what is actually happening in home improvement in 2026 and why a lot of it is being misread.
Why Every Professional Needs a Personal Website in 2026
In 2026, every professional needs a personal website. Learn why your site is your most valuable career asset and how to build one that works for you.
The Real Cost of Gun Violence Beyond Headlines
When people talk about gun violence, they talk about lives lost. They should. But there is another dimension to this crisis that almost never makes the news: the economic devastation it leaves behind. Gun violence is not just a public health emergency.
Why I Still Fight: My Story of Gun Violence Prevention
Gun violence prevention advocate Khary Penebaker shares his personal story of losing his mother to gun violence and why he continues to fight for change.
What Building a $35M Operation Taught Me About Leadership
I started with a truck and a phone. Nearly 30 years later, I scaled operations to $35 million. Here are the leadership lessons that got me there.
How to Choose a Keynote Speaker for Your Corporate Event
Choosing the wrong keynote speaker for your corporate event is an expensive mistake that goes beyond the fee. A bad keynote kills the energy of the entire event. Attendees check their phones. The post-event survey reflects it.
What Does a Keynote Speaker Actually Do?
Most people think a keynote speaker shows up, gives a speech, and leaves. That is about 10% of what the job actually involves. I have delivered keynotes at corporate events, nonprofit galas, political conventions, and industry conferences across the country.
How to Scale a Construction Company: $1.5M to $35M
I scaled a construction company from $1.5 million to $15 million in revenue, then helped build another operation to over $35 million with 180 employees across four states. Both times, the playbook was different but the principles were the same.