In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with Brian Samson, founder and CEO of Plugg Technologies, to discuss how nearshore staffing is transforming the hiring landscape. Brian shares his journey from leading talent acquisition at top Silicon Valley startups to relocating to Argentina to build a nearshore team, and ultimately founding multiple companies specializing in Latin American talent.

They explore why more U.S. companies are hiring beyond borders, how remote work has reshaped talent acquisition, and what business owners should know about cost, efficiency, and cultural differences when building remote teams. Whether you're a business owner looking to scale or a leader navigating the new world of hiring, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Brian’s Journey into Nearshore Staffing

• From the Midwest to leading recruitment for Silicon Valley’s top startups
• What inspired Brian to start Plugg Technologies
• Moving to Argentina to build a nearshore business
• Scaling a company from 0 to 80 employees abroad

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"I didn’t come from a family of entrepreneurs, but I was surrounded by brilliant founders in Silicon Valley and thought, ‘I think I can do this.’ So I jumped in and figured it out along the way."

What is Nearshore Staffing?

• The difference between onshore, offshore, and nearshore hiring
• Why Latin America is a rising hub for highly skilled talent
• Common misconceptions about hiring internationally

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"Nearshore isn’t just about cost savings—it’s about finding the right talent, in the right time zones, with the right cultural fit for your business."

Cost vs. Quality: The Real Hiring Trade-offs

• How nearshore hiring compares to U.S. hiring in cost, quality, and efficiency
• Why businesses should think beyond just cost savings when hiring globally
• Cultural and time-zone advantages of working with Latin American talent

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"You can find great talent anywhere, but the real question is: do they fit your business needs, your work culture, and your expectations for collaboration?"

The Hiring & Onboarding Process

• Best practices for integrating remote employees into company culture
• Why companies should treat nearshore hires as core team members
• The adaptability and resilience of professionals in Latin America
• Setting clear expectations to drive success in remote teams

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"If you treat your nearshore hires as ‘outsourced resources,’ you’re doing it wrong. They are part of your team, and the success of your business depends on how well you integrate them."

What It Takes to Succeed as a Business Owner

• Advice for business owners hesitant about hiring internationally
• The importance of starting small and learning from hiring mistakes
• The entrepreneurial mindset: Resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning
• Why success in business requires taking calculated risks

🗣 Memorable Quote:

"As an entrepreneur, you’re going to get punched in the face—often. The key is to get back up, learn from it, and keep going."

Where to Find Brian Samson

• Visit Plugg Technologies at

In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker sits down with James Leinhardt, the CEO and Chief Sleep Posture Expert at Levitex. James has built a business around improving sleep posture, working with elite athletes, healthcare professionals, and everyday consumers to optimize their rest. He shares how he turned sleep science into a thriving company, the challenges he faced in educating the market, and why sleep posture is critical for performance and well-being.

They also dive into James’ entrepreneurial journey, from developing a patented sleep surface to supporting Team GB’s Paralympians and British Cycling. If you're an entrepreneur looking to build a business with impact, this episode is for you!

Guest: James Leinhardt, CEO & Chief Sleep Posture Expert at Levitex

Episode Title: Sleep Smarter, Lead Stronger: The Science Behind Success

Topics Covered:

✅ How James turned sleep science into a successful business

✅ The biggest misconceptions about sleep posture

✅ Working with elite athletes and hospitals to improve recovery

✅ Challenges of educating the market about a new concept

✅ The business of sleep – how to innovate in a niche industry

✅ Lessons from growing a business and overcoming obstacles

✅ What it really takes to be a successful entrepreneur

📌 Connect with James Leinhardt & Levitex:

🔗 Website: Levitex

🔗 Instagram: @levitexsleep

🔗 LinkedIn: James Leinhardt

💡 "Most people think sleep is just about getting enough hours, but how you sleep is just as important as how long you sleep."

💡 "I never set out to sell pillows—I set out to educate people on sleep posture, and the business followed."

💡 "Elite athletes don’t leave their performance to chance. They optimize everything—including how they sleep."

💡 "Entrepreneurship is about solving a problem, not just selling a product. If you focus on impact, the business will come."

💡 "If you want to change an industry, you have to educate before you can sell."

On this episode of What It Takes, we sit down with Ive Haugeland, founder and principal of Shades of Green Landscape Architecture. Her journey is a powerful story of taking risks, following a passion, and staying true to her values while building a thriving business.

Originally from Norway, Ive started her career designing environmentally sensitive landscapes before making the leap to California in 2000. With no roadmap, she built Shades of Green in 2004, blending Scandinavian design principles with modern sustainability.

But what does it take to turn a creative vision into a successful business? How do you balance artistry with business strategy while staying authentic? In this episode, Ive shares the challenges, lessons, and defining moments that shaped her entrepreneurial journey.

• Welcome & Introduction
• Introduction to the episode and guest
• Ive’s background: From Norway’s landscapes to California’s gardens
• How her love for landscape architecture began
• Early Inspirations & Taking the Leap
• What drew her to environmental design
• Lessons from designing landscapes in Norway
• The bold decision to move to California and start fresh
• Founding Shades of Green: The Reality of Entrepreneurship
• The challenges of launching a business with no roadmap
• How she built a name for herself in the industry
• The balance between creative passion and business management
• Sustainability & Staying True to Her Values
• How Scandinavian design principles influence her work
• Why sustainability is more than just a business strategy—it’s a responsibility
• Navigating the challenges of implementing sustainable practices
• Business Growth: Lessons, Challenges & Wins
• The biggest hurdles she faced in growing her company
• How she learned to scale a creative business
• The proudest moments and projects that define her success
• Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• The hardest lesson she learned in business
• What she wishes she knew before starting her firm
• Her advice for landscape architects and creatives looking to build their own company
• Signature Question: What It Takes to Succeed
• In your experience, what does it take to be a successful business owner?
• Outro & Where to Connect with Ive
• Final thoughts and key takeaways
• Where to find Shades of Green and Ive’s work
• Call to action: Subscribe, review, and share!

1️⃣ On Taking the Leap:

"I moved across the world with no guarantees—just a passion for design and a belief that I could make it work."

2️⃣ On Entrepreneurship:

"I didn’t start a business because I wanted to run a business. I started it because I wanted to create something meaningful."

3️⃣ On Sustainability:

"Sustainability isn’t a feature—it’s a mindset. Every project we take on considers how we can work with nature, not against it."

4️⃣ On Challenges:

"The hardest part of running a business isn’t finding work—it’s learning how to trust yourself as a leader."

5️⃣ On What It Takes to Succeed:

"It takes vision, patience, and the ability to adapt. Business isn’t just about talent—it’s about learning and evolving every step of the way."