Dallas, TexasFrom the Business Decoded newsroom

For Immediate Release

Release No. 41

From Sri Lanka to Success: Sam Thevanayagam's American Dream

Episode 41 · 34 min · February 17, 2025 · Hosted by Ronnie Spellman

Episode artwork — From Sri Lanka to Success: Sam Thevanayagam's American Dream
Business Decoded, episode 41 — recorded in Dallas, Texas.

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DALLAS, TX — February 17, 2025In this episode of Business Decoded, Ronnie Spellman interviews Sam Thevanayagam, the founder and CEO of Parts Life, Inc. Sam shares his incredible journey from a challenging start in Sri Lanka to building a successful defense contracting business in the United States. The interview emphasizes the importance of resilience, faith, and adaptability in the face of adversity. Sam discusses his pivot from the automotive aftermarket to the defense industry, the challenges of working with the DoD, and his commitment to workforce development. He underscores the value of "playing small ball," focusing on consistent execution and creating a supportive company culture. He also shares how his faith and upbringing instilled a sense of service and generosity, which guides his business and personal life.

About Business Decoded

Business Decoded is a weekly interview podcast hosted by Ronnie Spellman and recorded in Dallas, Texas. Since May 2024 the show has published more than 130 episodes with founders, CEOs and operators — including the former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven, the CEO of the Dallas News Corporation, and the President of the Dallas Business Journal. Episodes are available on every major podcast platform.

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