John Merandi once competed at the highest level, butting heads with large, angry men as center for the University of Notre Dame. These days he leads clinical operations for a major dental chain and raises sons in the Houston area. Along the way, he's learned a lot about the power of competition and fair play.

Tim Hayden is a longtime entrepreneur and leader on the Austin tech scene, leading new developments in the way organizations think and connect with customers. In our conversation, he touches on the challenge of staying people-focused in a tech-centric world.

Vince Friedewald has not only created a remarkable Texas lifestyle company in No. 4 St. James, he's also merging the Tiny Home ethos with innovative retail in the form of his Tiny Texas Embassy. Listen in to hear his experience building a powerful brand and making tough choices along the way.