Entrepreneurs: Scale Fast or Stall—Lessons from School of Rock, Radio and More with Matt Ross & Ken Dashow

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show, interview Matt Ross, founder of One River School and former CEO of School of Rock and legendary radio host Ken Dashow.

What does it really take to scale a business, pivot your career, and stay creative for decades? In this episode, Matt Ross—former CEO who grew School of Rock from 5 to 400 locations and founder of One River School—shares hard-earned lessons on entrepreneurship, from managing cash flow and navigating risk to escaping the “dysfunctional safety zone” and reinventing yourself at any age. Joined by legendary radio host Ken Dashow, the conversation explores the intersection of creativity and business, the power of testing and iteration, and how passion, discipline, and smart strategy can turn ideas into lasting success. Whether you’re launching a startup or rethinking your next move, this episode delivers practical insights and real-world inspiration. Read more at: https://mattross.com/ and at: https://oneriverschool.com/

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.