EP 100: Business, Failure, and the Making of a Disciple, Part 1

In this Kingdom Impact Summit conversation, Steve welcomes Brad for an honest and deeply personal discussion about faith, business, discipleship, accountability, and the way God uses both success and failure to shape a life.

Brad begins by sharing how his journey with Christ started in the summer of 1981, when he heard the gospel for the first time and surrendered his life to Christ. The very next day, his brother-in-law began discipling him and gave him a Bible with a challenge that stayed with him: don’t become a spoon-fed Christian. Learn to open the Word daily and feed on it.

From there, Brad walks through his business journey — from men’s apparel, to Ralph Lauren, to starting his own retail store, to stepping into the Mattress Firm franchise opportunity that moved his family to Jacksonville. He shares how prayer, his wife Vicki’s wisdom, and unexpected opportunities shaped major decisions along the way.

The conversation also explores real accountability, marriage, rapid growth, franchising, and the painful season that came through the Whataburger franchise opportunity. Brad reflects on how the stress and loss exposed idols in his own life and became part of God’s transforming work.

Through Romans 8:28 and Romans 8:29, Brad reminds listeners that God does not waste painful seasons. He uses them to conform His people to the image of Christ.

• 00:00 Welcome & Introduction
• 00:48 Faith Journey Begins
• 02:28 Discipleship Importance
• 02:55 Career Beginnings
• 06:11 Transition to Entrepreneurship
• 10:18 Mattress Firm Success
• 18:09 Business Challenges
• 18:48 Conclusion
• 5 Takeaways

One-on-one discipleship can shape a life in ways that last for decades.

Brad’s brother-in-law challenged him early not to become a spoon-fed Christian, but to open God’s Word daily and feed on it.

Prayer played a central role in Brad and Vicki’s decision to move to Jacksonville for the Mattress Firm opportunity.

Real accountability requires trust, openness, and the willingness to let another person speak into your life.

Brad’s business failure exposed hidden idols and became part of how God transformed him.

Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/3R9YCoUFdMg

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