The Distance is a podcast from Basecamp that spotlights longevity in business. We tell the stories of entrepreneurs who often get overlooked in traditional business journalism. We produce narrative audio stories about businesses that are at least 25 years old. Our stories give insight into those mom-and-pop businesses, neighborhood storefronts and unheralded companies that are typically absent from the news cycle.

The long-timers featured in The Distance have figured out what 90 percent of the entrepreneurial population hasn’t: how not to go out of business. They have a wealth of knowledge that comes only from years of experience making canny decisions and overcoming setbacks, and they’ve pushed ahead through a combination of perseverance, serendipity and sheer force of personality. The stories we present at The Distance represent just a sampling of the incredible diversity and creativity found among this group of business owners. We look for human stories that illuminate the joys and struggles of building something that lasts.

If you’re looking for an alternative to today’s glut of stories about hot startups, tech company valuations and jargon-spouting CEOs, you’ve come to the right place. There’s a lot to admire about young entrepreneurs, but it can be even more worthwhile to examine what has endured. We hope you come away from The Distance with new perspectives on old industries and insights into the business challenges that remain constant from one generation to the next.