Today’s episode is made possible by TerraSlate. TerraSlate Waterproof Paper is waterproof, rip-proof, and recyclable — no more laminating sheets, and no more wasted paper. TerraSlate prints through any standard laser printer and can be written on with a regular ballpoint pen. Powered by 100% renewable energy and recently named a Denver Broncos Small Business Partner, TerraSlate combines durability with sustainability. From ocean dives to mountain summits, it’s trusted by the NFL, the U.S. military, and Michelin-starred restaurants to perform when nothing else does. If your work matters, make it last. 

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Episode recap:

Marcel sits down with Kyle Ewing, CEO and founder of TerraSlate, a two-time Inc. 5000 honoree as one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States. TerraSlate is the company behind the world’s leading waterproof paper used by industries from leading restaurants to NFL sports teams. Kyle shares his fascinating journey from Olympic-level skiing to entrepreneurship, and how a simple idea—making paper waterproof—turned into a thriving, multi-industry business despite early doubts in the digital age. 

Kyle unpacks his Inverted Pyramid Leadership Approach, where leaders serve their teams who, in turn, serve customers. He talks about TerraSlate’s core values—grit, growth, focus, and candor—and explains how care, accountability, and smart delegation drive performance. His “buy back your time” mindset encourages leaders to delegate low-value tasks so they can focus on high-impact work. He also explains his Business Navigator Operating System, a value-based model he created for founders to start and scale their businesses. 

In the second half, Kyle explores AI-driven leadership innovation. He discusses empowering employees to own their work, systemizing knowledge with digital tools and using ChatGPT as a “co-CEO” to maintain communication consistency. Kyle also shares how surfing, philanthropy, and community with fellow CEOs keep him grounded. Listeners will walk away inspired to lead with clarity, kindness, and scalable systems. 

Guest Bio:

Kyle Ewing is the CEO and Founder of TerraSlate. Under his leadership, TerraSlate has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Denver Post, and NPR, and twice named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. Beyond TerraSlate, Kyle also founded Big Island Honey, Windward Equity, and Cube Dynamics, and invests in Sustainability Partners to advance eco-conscious innovation. He blends business acumen with heart-centered leadership, reminding us that leading with love unlocks true potential. Kyle has been recognized with Business Elite’s “40 Under 40” and as a two-time Titan 100 award winner in Colorado. 

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Show Notes

Quotes:

• “Leading with love is doing the hard thing, not the easy thing.”
• “Don’t delegate the task, delegate the outcome—and always state the why.”
• “Clear is kind. The worst thing you can do to someone is delay feedback.”
• “Culture isn’t soft. It’s the system that scales your company.”
• “If someone else can do it for less than your hourly rate, delegate it right now.”
• “AI doesn’t replace you. It replicates your thinking so your people can lead without fear.” 

Takeaways:

1. Flip the leadership pyramid: serve your team so they can serve your customers.
2. Document everything. Systems free people to lead with humanity.
3. Delegate outcomes, not tasks, and always explain the purpose.
4. Build a “Co-CEO” AI system to preserve your company’s institutional knowledge

Timestamps:

[00:00] Welcome and intro to Kyle Ewing 
[03:00] From Olympic trials to business rebirth 
[06:00] The origin of TerraSlate and waterproof paper 
[10:00] Redefining leadership through service and empathy 
[14:50] The four values driving TerraSlate’s success 
[21:30] The art of delegation and owning the outcome 
[26:30] Time hacking and the buyback rate 
[29:30] Building a “Co-CEO” using AI 
[33:00] Speed round: lessons, decompression, and legacy 
[35:00] How to lead with love and practical kindness 
[37:50] Why true networking happens in service, not events 
[39:10] Closing: scaling business with heart 

Conclusion:

Kyle Ewing’s story proves that sustainable growth comes from leading with both heart and strategy. His approach to building TerraSlate shows that empathy and operational excellence are not opposites but powerful partners in success. By empowering people, documenting systems, and embracing AI as a tool for service, Kyle demonstrates how love can scale. His journey from athlete to entrepreneur reminds us that true leadership requires discipline, clarity, and courage. Ultimately, thriving organizations are built not just on performance—but on purpose, people, and principles.

Links/Resources: 

TerraSlate – https://www.terraslate.com/  

Kyle Ewing website for online courses and booking Kyle to speak- https://kyleewing.com/  

Kyle Ewing on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleewing  

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