Building Better Businesses

Paul A. Dillon is a Certified Management Consultant with more than 46 years of experience in the professional services industry. He is the president and CEO of Dillon Consulting Services LLC, a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, based in Durham, NC and Chicago, IL. Paul is the creator of the concept for a veteran startup incubator in Chicago, called Bunker Labs, as well as the creator of the concept for a veteran entrepreneur support organization in North Carolina, called VetStart, which was recently rebranded as Bunker RDU. Mr. Dillon created and teaches a course on veterans' issues at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, where he is an Adjunct Instructor. Paul represents the nation's veteran community on the Kennedy Forum on Mental Health, and is a member of the Leadership Council of the Kennedy Forum Illinois. His articles and quotes on veterans' issues have appeared in Forbes, HuffPost, Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business, US News & World Report, Investor's Business Daily, the Times of Israel, Kiplinger Today, U.S. News & World Report, Arianna Huffington's ThriveGlobal, We Are The Mighty, and USAA Magazine. He is a sought after commentator on national veteran matters on numerous radio programs, podcasts, and TV programs, including CBS Radio's !Eye on Veterans” program, Bloomberg Business Radio, Westwood One Radio Network, Spectrum1 TV News, WRAL-TV and WUNC-TV in Raleigh, NC and WBKB-TV ABC 11 in Michigan. He is a former trustee of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a former Public Member and Commissioner of the national Commission for Case Manager Certification. In this episode, we discuss:   ·      The attributes that make veterans built for entrepreneurship ·      Being flexible to find an underserved area and going after it ·      Integrity as a cornerstone of success ·      Thorough due diligence and ignoring the fear of missing out ·      Any client as an ideal client I hope you find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Susan shared such great insights into growing your business, whether big or small. Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Paul Dillon: Website: www.dillonconsult.com   Email: paul@dillonconsult.com   Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @SteveEschbach     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Ryan Kugler is an entrepreneur and strategist with over 25 years of experience in building profitable businesses from conception within both Fortune 500 organizations and newly launched startups. He operates on a few key principles: “Be nice to everyone, always return phone calls, and stay in communication with everyone.  Since 1998, Ryan has launched several companies. These include Plan B, which helps manufacturers liquidate excess inventory; A5 Events, which organizes corporate events for large corporations and nonprofit organizations to help raise funds with charity events; and Ideal Content, which works with Fortune 500 companies producing new and unique high-end marketing products.  As a public face for the entertainment industry, Ryan has landed coverage both on broadcast outlets and in print. TV appearances include the CBS Early Show, ABC7 News, and KTLA Prime Time News. He also has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Business Journal, Moviemaker Magazine, and the New York Times.Top of Form   In this episode, we discuss: ●     Why entrepreneurs must react quickly in a constantly changing business environment. ●     How diversification can help insulate you from negative market conditions. ●     Why it's important to look for opportunities in every challenge.   Listen to this powerful episode of Building Better Businesses Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Ryan Kugler Website: www.theplanbinc.com Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/ Twitter: @ SteveEschbach   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susanne Mariga is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Tax Coach specializing in business and personal tax planning. Over the past two decades, Susanne worked for Big 4 accounting firms and, in her own firm, has helped thousands of clients achieve their business goals. A Certified Profit First Professional (PFP) at the Mastery Level, she is also a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), as designated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She is the host of the Profit Talk Podcast and the author of Profit First for Minority Business Enterprises. In this episode, we discuss: ·      Evening the playing field for minority owned businesses ·      Determining what type of business to start ·      Following your heart and passions into business ·      Strategies when dealing with government contracts ·      Top strategies for increasing business profits ·      Tax accounting systems to make your business more efficient   I hope you find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Susan shared such great insights into growing your business, whether big or small. Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Susan Mariga: Website: www.marigacpa.com Facebook: @profitfirstmasterclass   Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @SteveEschbach   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Patin is an international best-selling author, financial consultant, and agency expert. He is also the founder and managing partner of Patin & Associates, a Los Angeles-based business management and consultancy firm. Robert Patin offers results-oriented executive financial professional services with extensive expertise in financial review, budget development, cash flow management, debt restructuring, asset liquidation/purchase, and corporate audit for both large and small businesses. With Patin's consulting services his clients have optimized their sales processes, generating more than $30M in additional revenue. His two decades of proven success in finance make him an invaluable asset to any business, and his clients. In this episode, we discuss: ·      Robert Patin's background and how that influenced him to where he is today. ·      How he started his business and grew it overtime. ·      Processes to help your business streamline and increase profits ·      How to restructure your debt to be primed for future growth ·      Managing your cashflow   I hope you find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Robert shared such great insights into growing your business, whether big or small. Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Robert Patin: Website: https://www.cfofinancialstrategies.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeAgencySuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativeagencysuccess/   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creative-agency-success/   Forbes Contributor: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/people/robertpatin/   Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @SteveEschbach   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn McBride is an attorney and business consultant at The Our Shawn and McBride for Business. He is a business nerd with a legal practice and consulting firm that focuses on issues related to business ownership and maximizing the value of that ownership (preparing for the future of business).  Shawn has 14 years of experience and is licensed in 12 states and DC, as well as being a licensed CPA. He has appeared in many major publications and radio shows. He is the author of Business Blunders! which covers common business issues giving powerful themes of protection to add to the message for your teams. He also hosts his own podcasts, McBride for Business LIVE! In this episode, we discuss: ·      Melding together knowledge of law with the pursuit of business to develop something unique ·      How planning ahead in your business can extract the best outcomes ·      Why going through the fundamentals of a business can help a new owner transition seamlessly ·      The blunders you do not want to make in business ·      Why having the right team on your side can make or break a new business acquisition I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Shawn Website: http://www.mcbrideforbusiness.com/ Website: www.planningdoneright.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rshawnmcbride/ Podcast: http://www.mcbrideforbusiness.com/podcasts/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-h9QeZYahVQrREgtGmGCIQ   Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/ Twitter: @ SteveEschbach   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Goldhill is a masterful business coach and personal strategist specializing in guiding next-generation leaders of family businesses to scale up their business as they take control over the leadership and ownership of the family business. Based in the Los Angeles metro area, Goldhill Group has been serving closely held and family business clients in the lower-middle market nationwide since 1987. Jonathan left New York for California at age 20 after his family's large, privately-held men's apparel manufacturing company—started by his great-grandfather—sold to a conglomerate in its third generation of family ownership. Within ten years, Jonathan had established himself as the go-to expert for entrepreneurs looking to find their freedom. Today, Jonathan brings thirty years of experience advising, coaching, consulting, training, and guiding entrepreneurial and family businesses to grow their revenues, profits and people's leadership.    Top of FormBottom of Form In this episode, we discuss: Being raised in a family business and forging a path of your own Dealing with challenges and using them to contribute to your success The questions you should be asking to determine your financial health The seven P's playbook for a successful business The importance of innovation Doing what you love and watching everything fall into place     I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Jonathan was so generous to share his better business practices regarding taking the next step with your family business.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Jonathan Goldhill:   Website: www.thegoldhillgroup.com Podcast: www/thegoldhillgroup.com/podcast   Connect with Steve Eschbach   Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Carr is a senior communications consultant with experience in public relations, crisis communications, investor relations and capital-raising for private and publicly held companies. Sectors in which he has particular experience include financial services (commercial and investment banking, property insurance), business services, energy including sustainable energy, and industrial goods. Steve holds a J.D. from John Marshall Law School, has served on non-profit boards for North Park University and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, and been a long-serving officer and director of the National Investor Relations Institute. He is a frequent guest lecturer and author of Compliance & Ethics Professional, Ethikos, ACG Journal, a book-length work on reputation management to be published in 2020. In this episode, we discuss: ·      Steven's background in investor relationships and law shape the way he deals in his business brokerage ·      How an introvert can use acting like an extrovert to be an excellent communicator and work well with clients ·      How to start thinking of starting a business, buying a business, and building a business plan to get there ·      Why business owners often forget to have an exit plan, and that they are still attached to the business even after it is sold or closed I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Steven has a unique approach to business brokerage and understands how to communicate well with business owners. Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Steven Carr Website: https://www.tworld.com/agent/stevencarr/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrsteve/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/ Twitter: @ SteveEschbach   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Higgins is a high-performance business mentor, podcaster, and author who helps service-based business owners struggling to strike a balance between life and work adopt a hands-off management approach and improve profits to fund their lifestyles. To aid other service-based business owners like himself who have come to the conclusion that having a business so reliant on them is just not going to work, Paul developed a mentoring program—Build Live Give—that helps such business owners take control and implement an end-to-end sales and operations system that can easily generate profits.   Top of FormBottom of Form In this episode, we discuss: Paul's start in the hardcore sales world working for Coca-Cola and what he learned to bring to his own business. How he builds business on a smaller, more diverse scale. How to study the numbers of buying and selling a business so you know what you're getting into. The importance of helping businesses give back to their communities and employees. Never being afraid to ask an expert for advice.     I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Paul was so generous to share his better business practices regarding striking the best work/life balance to succeed.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Paul Higgins:   Website: https://www.buildlivegive.com/    Connect with Steve Eschbach   Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tristan Bond is an entrepreneur, business owner, consultant, and marketing specialist. As CEO and Founder of Practice Acceleration, a business coaching company, he shows business owners how to create predictable, profitable, and scalable businesses by utilizing his Market.Rebook.Manage™ system.    The step-by-step framework shows businesses how to double their profits, halve their hours and build a practice that doesn't depend on you. The system has been implemented by solo startup businesses to clients doing over $20 million in annual revenue. Tristan Bond is also the author of The Practice Acceleration Method, an international best-seller in four business categories in six countries.   In this episode, we discuss: An entrepreneurial journey from healthcare, to business owner, to coaching Pitfalls to growth for small businesses Moving from hands-on operator to efficient administrator Scaling your business with marketing   I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Please let me know your thoughts!     Connect with Tristan Website:  https://practiceacceleration.com/   Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/practiceacceleration/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practiceacceleration/    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/healthcare-business-coach/         Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George is the CEO of Taxhub. He has a Master's degree in taxation from Webster University and began his career in public accounting. Twelve years in, he transitioned to controllership for an engineering firm in New York City. As a controller, he learned a lot about the business side of finance and tax, and the idea for Taxhub took shape. Determined to bring customers a better tax experience, George began assembling a team that could help bring his idea to fruition to serve a broad segment of the private tax-payer market, which then became Taxhub.   In this episode, we discuss: ·      Looking at a business from an accountant's point of view ·      Fulfilling areas of need with your business ·      Working with small businesses on a digital platform ·      Creating tax advantages for your business   I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. George's platform TaxHub is a real asset for small business owners and contractors to keep track of their financials and tax information.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with George Birrell Website: https://www.gettaxhub.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-birrell-867845a/   Top of FormBottom of FormConnect with Steve Eschbach: Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Pereira started Rocket Science Branding in 2019 to help organizations cultivate their communities through branded merchandise. Having observed many organizations purchasing swag because that's what their competitors did, selecting the wrong items because it's what was trending, or simply struggling to communicate their ethos to their community, Andrea decided it was time to step in and step up.  Her team takes a true marketing approach to understand an organization's goals, people, and purpose and then translates this into the tangible touchpoints to develop their community and brand love. A team of marketers for marketers, the Rocket Science Branding folks thrive on telling a brand's story through strategic ideas and creative design to create lasting engagement.    In this episode, we discuss: ·      How Andrea turned an interest in connection into a brand marketing company. ·      Why having a set brand – colors, words, logo – is important for new customers and returning ones. ·      Creating a community with your brand. ·      How to think of branded products as a gift to employees or customers so you don't purchase the wrong product. I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Andrea knows it's better to purchase no swag than to purchase the wrong swag. Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Andrea Pereira Website: https://www.rocketsciencebranding.com/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/rocketsciencebranding Facebook: http://facebook.com/rocketsciencebranding LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocketsciencebranding/   Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaclyn Poole is the Founder and President of MOD Assistants, a fractional assistant company for busy entrepreneurs. Their services are designed to help small business owners as they are preparing for, or already experiencing, a growth phase. Their trained virtual assistants work with professionals to delegate responsibilities and move tasks off their plate so that they can concentrate on the bigger picture items. MOD Assistant's virtual assistant services include calendar management, email organization, client communication, online research, digital marketing, social media marketing, data entry, bookkeeping, and other administrative tasks.   Mod Assistants is a company that is owned by amazing women who care about their employees and offer a purpose for the communities to assist in household needs as well as executive work.   In this episode, we discuss: ·      Entrepreneurship as an unexpected path ·      Taking the experience of personal assistants to the virtual world ·      A strong relationship with business brokers to fulfill their needs ·      Finding a self-motivated staff to work remotely ·      Creating a team environment in a virtual world ·      The importance of sharing as much information with your assistant as you can ·      Creating efficiency with the wealth of technology available today ·      The importance of knowing your worth and not selling yourself short ·      The wealth of tasks a personal assistant, even a virtual one, can do for you ·      An empowered team of women     I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Jaclyn was so generous to share her better business practices regarding what a virtual assistant can do for you.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Jaclyn Poole:   Website: www.modassistants.com                http://www.hiremod.com/ Email: info@hiremod.com Connect with Steve Eschbach: Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maren Rosenberg is the owner of Escape Artistry. She's a Chicago based actor, playwright, and producer who has been ‘locked' in the Room Escape/Exit Games industry as a producer and designer since 2013 (with no intentions of escaping any time soon). Maren has a BFA in Acting and Theatre Arts from University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is the former Executive Producer for Room Escape Adventures which produces ‘Trapped in a Room with a Zombie' and ‘Trapped in a Room with a Zombie II: Still Hungry'.   In this episode, we discuss: ·      A career path in the arts and acting ·      A surprise transition from acting to entrepreneurship ·      The team it takes to start a business ·      Going from a supply and demand business with two competitors to a differentiation business with 17 competitors ·      The wild world of escape rooms ·      Being able to provide employment to artists who may not always find artistic work ·      Team building exercises that escape rooms can provide ·      The importance of trust in a business relationship ·      Hiring for fit and not for skill ·      Making an exit strategy part of your long term business plans   I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Maren was so generous to share her better business practices regarding learning the ropes of artistic entrepreneurship.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Maren Rosenberg:   Website: www.escape-artistry.com                www.marenrosenberg.com   Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean founded Managed Solution in 2002, after receiving his degree from the University of San Diego, because he believed there was a better way to provide IT talent to help businesses with their exponential growth of data, technology needs and business challenges as it relates to IT. Sean is equally passionate about both people and technology, and truly believes it's about finding the right people to empower the right technology solutions that can take your business to where it needs to go. When Sean isn't discussing business objectives or learning about the latest and greatest technology, he enjoys travelling, spending time with his family, and fishing. In this episode, we discuss: ·      The social impact of the internet ·      Putting yourself in other people's shoes to better serve them ·      Access to data as critical to success ·      Creating a roadmap to success through a technological lens ·      How IT can improve customer experience ·      Finding the right tool to solve the problems that need solving   I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Sean was so generous to share his better business practices regarding how technology can help your business.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Sean Ferrel: Website: www.managedsolution.com Managed Solution LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/managedsolution Sean's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-ferrel-6427a45/       Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Sanfillipo   – Building Better Businesses with Steve Eschbach   Episode 073 Joe Sanfillipo   Joe Sanfillipo is a digital marketer, entrepreneur, investor, executive producer, and talent manager. He is the Manager of Growth & Partnerships at Today's Business, a full-service digital marketing agency. As manager of growth and Partnerships, Joe oversees multiple departments including business development, affiliate marketing, and influencer marketing. In addition to that, Joe has started multiple new business ventures and has become a trusted partner to e-commerce brands and professional athletes / influencers.   In this episode, we discuss: -Developing your interests and finding the best career fit in college -Tailoring your digital marketing to what you offer and what you are looking for -Analytics and tracking your marketing efforts as the key to success -Identifying your business challenges, resources, and target audience to develop the best marketing strategy -Why SEO is important for your marketing and the steps needed to maximize it -The two types of landing pages and which one is best for you -Retargeting with cookies to generate more leads -Not wasting time and getting an early start   I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Joe was so generous to share his better business practices regarding digital marketing.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Joe Sanfillipo:   Website: www.tbsmo.com                      www.undraftedventures.com   Instagram @joesanfillipo LinkedIn: @joesanfillipo   Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Fialkovich   – Building Better Businesses with Steve Eschbach   Episode 072 Jessica Fialkovich   Jessica Fialkovich is the Founder of Exit Factor, an innovative firm that teaches entrepreneurs how to buy and sell businesses through programs, courses, and consulting. Jessica founded the firm after building the fastest growing and most successful business brokerage practice in the United States. She is the Co-Owner of Transworld Business Advisors in the Rocky Mountain and Dallas Downtown locations. Jessica is an entrepreneur at heart and has successfully built and sold two startups alongside her husband and business partner, Al. She is an active board member for entrepreneurial groups including serving as President for Entrepreneur's Organization in Colorado. In this episode, we discuss: -Owning your own business as the best way to secure your future -Giving your client a roadmap to sell their business within a short time frame -Revisiting with those who have sold their business and seeing the positive impact on their lives -The difference between an exit plan and an exit option -Creating more competition for your business with exit options -Preparing to sell your business and acquiring businesses instead -Jessica's Exit Factor program to increase value to the business sale community -Taking your business from unsellable to sellable in less than twelve months -Strategies to increase your business' value in less than six months -Changes in how business is done post-Covid -The different micro-cultures in the US and how they affect the deal making process   I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Jessica was so generous to share her better business practices regarding getting the best return possible when selling a business.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Jessica Fialkovich: website: www.exitfactor.com email: jf@exitfactor.com       Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Cagnetta   – Building Better Businesses with Steve Eschbach   Episode 071 Andy Cagnetta   Andy Cagnetta is the CEO of Transworld Commercial Real Estate Florida. He began his career in commercial real estate and business sales in 1995 when he joined Transworld Business Brokers. Now over 40 years old, Transworld Business Advisors is the number one business brokerage, commercial Real estate and an international Franchisor through a partnership with United Franchise Group. They have currently over 500 business brokers in the organization and have over 5,000 businesses for sale. They also have 200+ franchisees in the US and several internationally. Andy is a recognized speaker and trainer in the subject of business sales, commercial real estate, valuation and negotiations. He has taught his self-authored negotiations class to associations, construction companies, media sales teams, government agencies, high school & university students. He is a member of several non-profit boards, but he is partial to his signature charity event “Andy's Family Pasta Dinner” is in its 20h year and has raised nearly $2M. He is father to two. Rachel, Lauren and his wife, Allison are Hollywood residents (Allison since 1970, Andy since 1994).  In this episode, we discuss: -A brief history of Transworld -The effects of the Great Recession on buying and selling businesses -The Great Resignation as a catalyst to make more people consider business ownership -Why it is one of the best times ever to sell your business -Why overpricing your business hurts the marketplace -How a cashless society helps business owners capture revenue -Why educated buyers and sellers are the best customers -How the quality and quantity of a business's earnings drive multiples -The time it takes to sell your business -Projected trends and data vs. real data when evaluating a business I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Andy was so generous to share his better business practices regarding buying or selling a business.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Andy Cagnetta:   Website: www.tworld.com Email: ac@tworld.com     Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Founder of The Change Coaches and author of Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People Who Are Different from You, LaTonya Wilkins specializes in coaching executives on leading “below the surface” to build psychologically safe relationships with their teams across differences. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and has inspired audiences all over the world. Through highly customized coaching, culture academies, and human-centered design services, LaTonya and her team work with executives, upwardly mobile professionals, and teams to create cultures of belonging, motivating environments, and amplify the “only ones” at work so they feel more valued, heard, and engaged at work.    LaTonya has worked with leaders at many well-known companies including Google, GE, The New York Times, and several nonprofits. She built her career working in HR, talent management, and learning & development at Fortune 500 companies before teaching and taking on progressive leadership roles at the University of Illinois' Gies College of Business. LaTonya was rated an “excellent” teacher by her undergraduate business students, and she is also a board member of the LGBTQ+ Alumni Association at Indiana University. She is currently the President of the True Star Youth Foundation board, which is a digital marketing social entrepreneurship company that recently received a Google Impact Award.    LaTonya has been featured in publications such as Fast Company, Well+ Good, and Inc Magazine. She also gained global recognition when she was recognized on the most inclusive HR influencer list in 2019.  In this episode, we discuss: Discovering your entrepreneurial spirit at a young age collecting golf balls Trusting yourself and proving the naysayers wrong Intrinsic motivation as a better change maker than extrinsic motivation Creating psychologically safe realtionships in the workplace Empathy as an important leadership quality The long game required to create diversity in your workplace I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. LaTonya was so generous to share her better business practices regarding connecting better to lead better and thrive. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with LaTonya Wilkins:  Website: www.leadingbelowthesurface.com LinkedIn:  @latonyawilkins Instagram: @latonyacoaching Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan Lynch is the CEO of Six-Point Creative, a brand strategy agency that helps family businesses double their business without losing their existing customers or values. As part of her mission to help family businesses breakthrough growth plateaus, Meghan has served as an expert advisor to clients in a wide range of industries, from fast-casual restaurants to industrial manufacturers. Meghan was named an Enterprising Women of the Year in 2019 and enjoys testing her limits as an endurance runner.  In this episode, we discuss: - Combining your values with the purpose of your business - How to efficiently initiate a growth plan for your business - Moving past the fears that hold you back from growth - Placing your brand and story front and center  - Focusing on the frequent touch points of your business - Talking to those that your business serves to learn how to create more growth I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Meghan was so generous to share her better business practices regarding aligning your values with your brand. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Meghan Lynch:  Website: https://sixpointcreative.com Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Wirth is the President of EcSell Institute, the world's first and only organization to measure and quantify leadership effectiveness. She and her coauthor, Bill Eckstrom, are considered the world's foremost authorities in metric-based performance coaching and growth. Sarah and Bill's book, The Coaching Effect, was written to help leaders understand how coaching is the key to increase sales, enhance performance, and sustain growth.  Sarah is an expert on women in leadership and has nearly 20 years of experience in employee assessment, leadership development, sales executive coaching, and customer service. She takes an analytical approach to understanding the skills and talents of high-performing sales leaders and is constantly providing clients with new methods for leading and coaching.  Sarah has presented to executives from across the globe with organizations such as Mercedes Benz, Estee Lauder, Ritz Carlton, Cheesecake Factory and many more. Her expertise in coaching and leadership, combined with her fact-based, common-sense approach to their application make her a sought-after presenter at any event.  In this episode, we discuss: Looking at data around team performance and comparing it to what leadership does Consistent coaching and its effects on a team's performance Constant feedback as a beneficial leadership tactic Sarah's different definitions for leading, coaching, and manageing Creating more leads with great leadership Building better psychological safety for your team and the gains it creates Pushing your team to make them grow in the best ways Relationships as the foundation of strong leadership I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Erin was so generous to share her better business practices regarding getting a return on investment with your marketing. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Sarah Wirth:  www.ecsellinstitute.com Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gail Doby experienced both frustration and joy with her design business. After earning a finance degree and working for a Fortune 500 company, she decided to get a design degree because her friends kept asking for her help. Ultimately, she began her consulting career with her friend and company co-founder, Erin Weir. Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting has helped thousands of design companies achieve success well beyond their expectations while doing the creative work they love. Some have doubled, tripled and even 10Xd their businesses. In this episode, we discuss: A creative entrepreneur's struggle to make money with their business The path from working for large corporations to entrepreneurship Having the financial knowledge to receive just compensation for the service you provide Having the right mindset to realize your worth Understanding the value of your dreams Connecting with your clients on an emotional and logical level The importance of investing in coaching Developing processes to enable others to perform tasks the way you want them done The challenges of marketing a creative-based business I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Erin was so generous to share her better business practices regarding getting a return on investment with your marketing. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Gail Doby:  Website: www.gailboby.com Connect with Steve Eschbach: Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suzanne Evans went from secretary to a 7 million dollar business in record time. Her company, Driven Inc, has been on the Inc 500/5000 list of fasting growing companies for 5 straight years. Her NY Times Best Selling book, “The Way You Do Anything is the Way You Do Everything”, set hundreds of thousands of business owners on their fast path to success. Suzanne has grown her brand from humble beginnings inside a 350 square foot Manhattan apart- ment to a sprawling office where she works with clients around the world. She currently lives with her family in Chapel Hill, NC. In this episode, we discuss: Business as the master class in personal development Why everyone needs someone in their life that makes them cry Building a business through commitment Passion as an uncontrollable emotion and not letting it get the best of you If you want to fix one thing, you have to fix everything I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Suzanne was so generous to share her better business practices regarding being driven and the keys to success in business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Suzanne Evans:  Website: www.driveninc.com Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russ Stephens is the co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, a business coaching company dedicated to improving the residential construction industry for both builders and consumers. Russ is a firm believer that residential home builders deserve to be earning more money for the service they are providing and that consumers deserve a superior service than they currently receive. The problem is the difficulty of delivering world-class service on tiny margins, or without having the proper systems in place.  In order to maximize client experience and overcome these difficulties, the Association Of Professional Builders helps builders systemize their building company. The result is an improved client experience which leads to more demand. This allows an increase in margins and ultimately the ability to scale their businesses into desirable building companies that possess real value and can be sold as an asset.  In this episode, we discuss: Success in sales and marketing as understanding and analyzing the numbers The importance of ascertaining your cost of marketing qualified lead The wholesale changes to marketing because of the internet revolution How to get a customer's attention before they are ready to take action Individually curated SMS messages How it's all about timing with consumers The work in progress calculation and why you should understand it KPI's that residential builders want to look out for Sticking to a plan when building a business to make a future exit seamless The advantages of working with an experienced broker to sell your business Knowing what you don't know and naivete as an asset when starting a business Going it alone when you can't find your business soulmate I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Bryan was so generous to share his better business practices regarding building a business only to sell it and starting all over again. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Russ Stephens:  Website: https://associationofprofessionalbuilders.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associationofprofessionalbuilders Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/steveeschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sheevaun Moran is a business advisor, master coach, quantum energy thought leader and the founder of Energetic Solutions. She uses business principles with energetic techniques to help more than 25,000 entrepreneurs, CEOs and leaders bring instant focus and shifts to clarity, purpose and profits. In this episode, we discuss: Business as a journey of your spiritual self The connections that are made and gains in business created when someone is aligned with their values Taking a deep and authentic look at yourself to determine what may be holding you back on business The importance of following through on your idea Service to others as the measure of success Taking a step away from your stressors to be able to combat them with renewed vigor I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Sheevaun was so generous to share her better business practices regarding aligning your spirituality with your business to create success. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Sheevaun Moran:  Website: https://www.sheevaunmoran.com Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/steveeschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Fults is a strategist, coach, implementer, and the founder of Acorn Studio, a business coaching and marketing consultancy. Erin passionately believes that healthy, sustainable small businesses can change the world, and she helps owners implement simple frameworks that maximize revenue and productivity so they can confidently grow the business they love.  Erin is a Storybrand Certified Guide and a Business Made Simple Certified Coach. The results for her clients are consistent leads, clear marketing strategies, and confident business owners. A right-and-left brainer, Erin's background includes more than a decade of experience growing a professional photography studio and five years organizing and co-hosting an annual conference that attracted small business owners from around the world.  In this episode, we discuss: Developing a clear brand and marketing message Taking the risk of following your passions to become successful The creativity needed to get clients through your door Making sure your marketing has a return on your investment Using narratives to position your business as the sought-after problem solver The power of experience to demonstrate your ability to provide value The three questions the homepage of your website should answer I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Erin was so generous to share her better business practices regarding getting a return on investment with your marketing. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Erin Fults:  email: erin@theacornteam.com  website: https://theacornteam.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinfults/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acornstudioms/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/erinfults/?hl=en Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/steveeschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maggie Karshner is a self-employment coach based in Seattle, WA serving solo-preneurs throughout the USA. Maggie is not going to tell you how it "should" be done (though she will share how she commonly sees people solve similar problems.) She wants to hear about your goals and help you achieve what's important to you. Maggie is widely versed in all things relevant to self-employment. The organizational, structure, financials, management, marketing and promotion are all of her favorite things! And she loves working with independent thinkers who want to create an awesome job for themselves.     Maggie launched her business coaching practice in 2014. Prior to that she had already acquired ten year's industry experience encompassing managing a small business, supporting non-profits, and corporate business consulting. She has a BA in Geography from Syracuse University. She is an entrepreneur herself twice over, in addition to working closely with entrepreneurs throughout her career. In this episode, we discuss: Activating your network and getting in front of people to make moves in business Building systems to keep in touch with past clients Trust as essential to finding success in business The importance of the planning process when starting a business The freedom and flexibility you create by being self-employed Realizing your uniqueness and what you can contribute to society I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Maggie was so generous to share her better business practices regarding taking the plunge and going into business for yourself. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Maggie Karshner:  website: https://www.maggiekarshner.com/ facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggiekarshner LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiekarshner Instagram: http://instagram.com/maggiekarshner Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maggiekarshner/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaggieKarshner Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/steveeschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vikrant Shaurya is the CEO and Founder of BestsellingBook.com. He's also the author of two #1 bestsellers: P.O.W.E.R: The Success Mantra, and How to Write a Bestseller: Become a Bestselling Author, Attract High-Value Clients, and Skyrocket Your Authority.    Vikrant has already helped more than 500 aspiring authors become bestselling authors, and he continues to be a trailblazer in the book industry. Vikrant is the most-viewed author for “eBook Publishing” on Quora and is recognized by the National Academy of Bestselling Authors. In this episode, we discuss: Where to go when you have the ideas to share with a book but not the time to publish one All the steps involved in publishing a book The bumps and bruises along the way to becoming a successful entrepreneur Expanding your network by writing a book Podcasts as a great way to get your message out and cement your authority I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Vikrant was so generous to share his better business practices regarding just how easy it is to author a book and use it to contribute to your success. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Vikrant Shaurya:  Websites: https://bestsellingbook.com https://bestsellingbook.com/checklist/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/steveeschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karl Maier founded Abunden, his third software company, to help companies to build their management systems so they could grow their company and, if they want, sell their company. In his various roles over the past three decades, he has been part of the leadership team in five established companies that have at least doubled sales in two years. Leveraging his successes, Karl developed the Abunden Framework© and led the development of the practical management tools in the Abunden Tools App. These online SaaS (Software as a Service) tools build the management structure for companies to grow and succeed. He has been featured on many popular podcasts as well as on LA Tribune TV on Roku. Karl received both his MBA and B.A. from Rice University in Houston. He has been the chairperson for the Rice University Business Network and the Houston District Export Council and a board member for TIE Houston. In this episode, we discuss: How a trip to Disney World on a private jet inspired Karl's interest in business How growth does not prevent the possibility of future decline The pivotal transition from the do-everything founder to the delegating leader Defining where your company is headed and where you want to go How much more your business is worth with clearly defined communication and training channels Listening as a critical component to success I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Karl was so generous to share his better business practices regarding the management systems needed to grow your business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Karl Maier:  Website: https://abunden.com https://quiz.abunden.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abunden/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/steveeschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since 2013, Tina Clements has fearlessly led the RPC USA team, which is a corporate coaching and consultancy firm. Before being asked to launch the U.S. office, she worked for more than a decade within the BMW Organization and in the Learning & Development industry since 1996. Tina's vast experiences in training, Human Resources, and professional development have helped elevate her clients' performance on a wide variety of initiatives.  Tina Clements is also a keynote speaker, and author. She is a communications expert, and her book, "The ART of Facilitation," and keynote address, "Yes, You Do Have a Choice," are testaments to her talent. In this episode, we discuss: The invaluable lessons learned spending some time working in an HR department The success that follows a focus on human interaction and supporting talent Why training, learning, and development never end in a successful career How failure ultimately defines your success The big difference between coaching and consulting your client The paramount importance of a business's focus being customer-centric The many different hats you must wear in order for your business to be successful I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Tina was so generous to share her better business practices regarding your interaction with all the different people in a successful business.  Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Tina Frey Clements:  Website: https://www.rpcamerica.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinafreyclements/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryan Clayton is CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, an online marketplace that connects homeowners with local lawn care professionals. GreenPal has been called the “Uber for lawn care” by Entrepreneur magazine and has over 100,000 active users completing thousands of transactions per day. Before starting GreenPal Bryan Clayton founded Peachtree Inc. which had a $10 million annual revenue before it was acquired by Lusa holdings in 2013. In this episode, we discuss: The disconnect between business school and the realities of running a business The need to evolve your business over the years Sticking to a plan when building a business to make a future exit seamless The advantages of working with an experienced broker to sell your business Knowing what you don't know and naivete as an asset when starting a business Going it alone when you can't find your business soulmate I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Bryan was so generous to share his better business practices regarding building a business only to sell it and starting all over again. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Bryan Clayton:  Website: https://www.yourgreenpal.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryanmclayton/ https://www.instagram.com/yourgreenpal/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Websites: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/  https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henning Schwinum is cofounder and managing partner of Vendux, an interim and fractional sales leadership company. He is an energetic global business leader with a wealth of diverse experiences in Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and General Management, in both a corporate and entrepreneurial setting. He is an expert in building and maintaining relationships with national and international partners. Previously, he led Sales teams at Bayer, Innovadex, and UL. In this episode, we discuss: Tenacity and staying committed to a goal as keys to success Finding a sales leader who can shape the sales process and write the playbook Creating sustained growth to reach peaks, not plateaus How fractional executives can help a business in need How a post-covid world makes a fractional solution more acceptable Partnering with others in subject matter expertise that compliment what you do Listening to the needs of a client so you can best learn how to help them Finding the person who has been there and done that before I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Henning was so generous to share his better business practices regarding fractional executives and how they can help companies achieve success. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Henning Schwinum:  Website: https://www.vendux.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henning-schwinum/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tevis Trower is a Leadership Futurist and innovator in optimizing corporations through fostering greatness in leaders. Heralded in bestselling Megatrends 2010 as “corporate mindfulness guru for the new millennium”, Tevis has assisted powerful organizations ranging from Disney to Morgan Stanley in optimizing their most precious assets: human beings. She has created and facilitated global executive immersions for prestigious organizations including Harvard Business Review Events, Young Presidents Organization, PWC, Bloomberg LP, Viacom, Google and The Economist on issues including executive alignment, legacy and impact, conscious leadership, imposter syndrome, innovation, and the role of corporate culture in fostering radical success and ubiquitous engagement.  You can find profiles and expert advice from Tevis featured in respected media outlets including Forbes, Fortune, BusinessWeek, Glamour, YogaJournal, CIO, Pink, RealSimple, Crain's, New York Post, Financial Times, WWD, New York Observer, MSNBC, FoxBusiness, NY1 and Martha Stewart. As NYU Faculty teaching Business Creativity & Personal Mastery, Tevis has also served as worklife expert to WebMD and Huffington Post.  Tevis lives what she teaches spending time in NYC, Montauk and Woodstock, enjoying surfing, snowboarding and entertaining friends at home with her dachshund, Ruby.  In this episode, we discuss: CEO as the chief cultural officer and what that means If you're not stubbing your toe, you're not taking a misstep, and playing it too safe Identifying your values as a company and examining whether those values are being expressed or not Going slow so you can move fast when defining a corporate culture Connecting culture to KPI's to have measurable actions Forgetting employee engagement and focusing on executive alignment Making your employees feel seen and heard as the most effective way to engage them I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Tevis was so generous to share her better business practices regarding fostering greatness in leadership. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Tevis Trower:  Website: https://www.balanceintegration.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevistrower/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalanceIntegration Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JP Clement is the CEO of boomtime. He has over 30 years of experience in marketing, digital strategy and product management for companies ranging from startups to global brands such as Madison Square Garden, General Mills, DFS Group Ltd., Johnson & Johnson and National Geographic. JP has worked for or helped companies in both the B2C and the B2B sectors and founded three digital strategy and marketing agencies after working for many years on the corporate side of marketing. JP's passions are analytics, digital products and creating the right strategy at the right time for the right audience. In this episode, we discuss: Digital marketing as being critical to getting your word out Marketing as the perfect marriage of creative and analytical sensibilities Doing your marketing based on facts The need for consistency and discipline in your marketing strategy to produce results The importance of a strong culture of clear core values and a clear vision A prospect's cultural fit as sometimes being more important than their resume Educating your clients on every step of the process to make happy clients How B2B marketing is very different than B2B selling The necessity of a well-thought out strategy in marketing I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. JP was so generous to share his better business practices regarding digital marketing. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with JP Clement:  Website: www.boomtime.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jpclement Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Cote is the Director of Digital Services and Partner at Ballantine, a third-generation, family-owned direct mail and digital marketing company based out of Fairfield, NJ. Ballantine has been serving small-business clients since 1966, when it was founded by Ryan's great-uncle. Ryan has been with his family's agency since 2003, and today he manages the growing digital marketing division.  From lead generation to marketing strategy for small businesses, Ryan and his company rise above the get-featured-quick schemes so often attributed to digital marketing. He loves to geek out on technical marketing talk as well as work with real-world business owners about growing their book of business in today's online world.  In this episode, we discuss: How to integrate print and digital marketing for any sized business The multi-faceted, consistent approach you need in marketing to reach a potential lead How timing is everything in sales The five ways to drove leads with digital marketing The difference between social media platforms in regard to marketing The value of providing useful content when digital marketing How to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing Effective paid online advertising strategies I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Ryan was so generous to share his better business practices regarding digital and direct-mail marketing. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Ryan Cote:  Website:  www.ballantine.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-cote-ballantine/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cara Macklin is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, Creative Disruption Strategist & Scaling Navigator from Northern Ireland, elevating ambitious entrepreneurs to create meaningful change. She grew up in her family business and opened her first business at 15. She spent 15 years as Director of a multi-award-winning healthcare & hospitality group, growing from 3 businesses with 200 employees to 7 businesses with over 600 during this time. She gained in-depth experience of the highs and lows, the growing pains and the successes that come with scaling a business in a tough industry. Cara's passion is constantly growing businesses through a creative culture and methodology to develop the best people who are inspired to deliver growth.  In today's world of uncertainty, speed of change, complexities and volatility, Cara believes the ability to think creatively, adapt quickly and be flexible are crucial. As a professional coach and business mentor she runs her company, Caram, where she combines her entrepreneurial experience with coaching. She developed her unique creative methodology, helping leaders and businesses strengthen their creative ability, think differently and achieve powerful change. Cara has been recognized for her work, being named an IOD finalist for Director of Innovation, NI Top 40 under 40, Women in Business Young Businesswoman of the Year and Women in Business Outstanding Innovation.   She has previously been featured on dozens of podcasts and media including, the BBC, UTV, Qradio, IIBN podcast, TEDx circle, and Fox TV.   In this episode, we discuss: How culture, community, and values are just as important factors in your business as financial numbers Learning that the leader of a business leads and their team follows to find success The importance of a proper strategy and plan to grow your business Innovation as the ability to adapt quickly and how it is critical to your business Disrupting your business to teach the tools necessary to navigate change I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Cara was so generous to share her better business practices regarding disrupting your business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Cara Macklin:  Website:  caram.org.uk  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/caramacklin/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/caramacklincoach Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Hoffend is a 35-year business and marketing veteran who led Hoffend Xposition, a family business from 0 to $50 million and then developed a $500 million strategy and experiential marketing agency, Freeman XP. Dan is a culture builder and motivational speaker at corporate events. An avid cyclist, runner, cross trainer, and adventurer, Dan and Eric Hoffend are co- authors of Who Gets It?! an international best-seller in two business categories in three countries. Dan with his wife and three children split their time between New York and Dallas.  Eric Hoffend has spent 25 years as a sales executive and business development leader at Hoffend Xposition and Freeman. He has built and managed sales teams with revenues upwards of $400 million. A passionate teacher, mentor and speaker, he challenges himself to be dynamic, continually learning, growing and adapting. Eric lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.  In this episode, we discuss: • How people make the big difference when looking at buying a franchise • How business success starts with leadership and trickles down to all other areas of the company • Seeing failures as a step forward through learning as opposed to a step backwards • The importance of taking constructive criticism to lartn and move forward in business • The deal as the easy part of an acquisition and motivating the team afterwards as the important and hard part • How to keep the top talent in an acquired company • Integrity as the most important core value of a business I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Dan and Eric were so generous to share their better business practices regarding what it takes to find success when acquiring a business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Dan and Eric Hoffend:  Website: getsitguys.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/gets-it-guys/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Ivan Misner is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of BNI, the world's largest business networking organization. Founded in 1985 the organization now has over 10,100 chapters throughout every populated continent of the world. Last year alone, BNI generated 11.5 million referrals resulting in more than $16.2 billion dollars' worth of business for its members.   Dr. Misner's Ph.D. is from the University of Southern California. He is a New York Times Bestselling author who has written 26 books including one of his latest books – Who's in Your Room? He is also a columnist for Entrepreneur.com and has been a university professor as well as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of La Verne.    Called the “Father of Modern Networking” by both Forbes and CNN, Dr. Misner is considered to be one of the world's leading experts on business networking and has been a keynote speaker for major corporations and associations throughout the world. He has been featured in the L.A. Times, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times, as well as numerous TV and radio shows including CNN, the BBC, and The Today Show on NBC.   In this episode, we discuss:   ·     What social capital and networking can do for your business   ·     The benefits of a system and a process to keep you focused and successful   ·     Creating consistency by doing 6 things 1,000 times, not 1,000 things six times   ·     Culture as the secret sauce of a successful organization   ·     How visibility, credibility, and profitability go hand in hand for a successful business   ·     How a great networker is like a great interviewer   ·     The evolution of networking today as a result of new global realities   I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Dr. Ivan was so generous to share his better business practices regarding the power of networking.   Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Dr. Ivan Misner:   Websites: www.bni.com www.ivanmisner.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanmisner/   Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Shea represents the Central Florida Transworld office. In business since 2005, he has built a solid reputation as Central Florida's most successful business broker. Over the past two decades, Michael and his team have closed over $70 million in sold business volume and presided over more than 325 transactions.   In this episode, we discuss: Identifying needs to find your place in the market How every client deserves the same level of service regardless of the size of their business Looking at long term data as opposed to the day to day data to find a business's worth Success for small businesses as being based on an owner's ability to operate Injecting a corporate world mentality to main street businesses The importance of being able to adapt to scale a business I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Michael was so generous to share his better business practices regarding the needs of small Main Street businesses. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Mike:  Websites: yourfloridabusinessbroker.com mikesheasells.com Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During his 30+ year career, Mr. Berry, a broad-based mergers and acquisition executive, has held a number of financial and operational leadership roles. These positions include Corporate Development Officer, CFO, Treasurer, and Portfolio Manager for both private and publicly held companies on international and domestic platforms. Ranging from large, well established organizations, to start ups or turnarounds, Mr. Berry has led or managed more than a dozen acquisitions and divestitures totaling hundreds of millions in capital. Each activity focused on assessing existing operations, identifying value-added practices, and integrating structures that optimize operating efficiency. His expertise is a rich blend of experience in insurance, pharmaceuticals, real estate, trusts, and others. Mr. Berry earned his BS in Accounting with a minor in Computer Science at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. As a CPA and Investment Advisor, he has held numerous security licenses in his career. Mr. Berry enjoys running, water skiing, boating, snow skiing, basketball and golf. He has been happily married for 27 years with children ages 19 and 17.   In this episode, we discuss: How you know when to exit a business When to start planning your exit strategy when looking to sell a business The passion for a business that is needed to make it succeed The importance of not putting yourself in a highly leveraged position Finding a business that combines your passion and is still financially driven I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Rick was so generous to share his better business practices regarding people, passions and relationships in M&A. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Mike:  Websites: tworld.comindiana Email: mike.berry@tworld.com Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick Maurer provides leaders who want to lead change the expertise to help them identify even deeply hidden resistance and turn that opposition into support. Rick's approach to leading change is unique. He focuses on two fundamental questions: Why do people support us? Why do people resist us or our ideas? Understanding how to break through resistance is key to turning skepticism and opposition into support for new initiatives. If leaders understand resistance, they can often avoid it before it occurs – or get things back on track when a change is about to derail.  Rick works closely with clients to develop change strategies that will work in their unique organizations. Some of the organizations he has worked with include Lockheed Martin, Deloitte, National GeoSpatial Intelligence Agency, Verizon, Charles Schwab, The Washington Post, NASA, Tulane University Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, and many government agencies in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, and Russia. With an approach that is practical as well as easy-to-lean and apply, Rick can help business leaders around the world build strong support, energy, and forward momentum for their ideas and plans. His latest book, Seizing Moments of Possibility: Ways to Trigger Energy and Forward Momentum on Your Ideas and Plans, will be available for free on his website in May 2021.    In this episode, we discuss: How to build and sustain support and forward momentum for your company The three types of resistance that people must overcome in business Tackling lack of energy with a workforce to overcome the obstacles it presents How to create positive change in your professional life The importance of a willingness to be influenced to find success I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Rick was so generous to share his better business practices regarding facing change in your business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Rick:  Websites: rickmaurer.com Email: rick@rickmaurer.com Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spencer Shaw is the founder of PodKick.com, a podcast production company that is responsible for millions of annual downloads. They've been featured in Forbes, MSN and other publications. Spencer has started and exited several businesses in the software, real estate, and internet industries. He is the host of the Business Growth podcast and is the co-host of The Prosperity podcast. He's also an instructor on the Udemy platform leading over 9,000 eager entrepreneurs. He's a family man, musician and loves to travel with family throughout the world.   In this episode, we discuss: The importance of innovation in entrepreneurship The benefits of brining on team members with subject matter expertise that you may not have The ability to create content quickly with a podcast that will have an impact on your marketplace  Podcasts as a tool to make you an authority in your space The larger level, and longer term of commitment that comes from a client because of a podcast The power of relationships to change your life and business for the better I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Spencer was so generous to share his better business practices regarding podcasting and relationships built. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Spencer:  Websites: www.podkik.com Twitter: @spencershaw LinkedIn: /in/spencershaw Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Claxton is an awarded business leader and previous active duty highly decorated U.S. Marine who spent 11 years on active duty and completed 4 total tours in Iraq. He is an entrepreneur and has extensive global experience and reach in a multitude of industries and job functions. By being a proponent of building long-term relationships in business, he exercises a tenacious loyalty and sense of ethics that is unmatched. He is also a proponent of power networking to continuously meet and learn from new people as well as develop new relationships. With these approaches, he has been able to cultivate business relationships with some of the top leaders in business.   Paul has started and led 2 different bootstrapped companies and taken them from conception with zero revenue to over a quarter million in revenues within 60-90 days, respectively.   He currently mentors veterans on Veterati.com and has previously worked at Boutique Headhunting Firms, Fortune 500 Staffing Companies, Marketing Agencies, Military Command Centers, Bootstrapped Startups, High-Growth Startups and Project Management Firms.   In this episode, we discuss: The heart of entrepreneurship as exploring what the world has to offer The discipline a military career provides that lends itself to project management Problem and solutions and the success focusing on the latter brings What to know about the AI when looking at potential investments The far reach that AI plays in many of today's industries I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Paul was so generous to share his better business practices regarding finding solutions and AI's far reach in today's world. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Paul  Websites: www.reciprocityroi.com www.theroboticshub.com www.BAMbusinesses.com Social Medias: USA LinkedIn Paul Claxton | LinkedIn UK LinkedIn Paul Anthony Claxton | LinkedIn Company MEMBER VIEW RECIPROCITY ROI, LLC: Overview | LinkedIn VC TheRoboticsHub   Company Twitter www.twitter.com/reciprocityroi  Company Instagram www.Instagram.com/reciprocityroi Company Facebook www.facebook.com/reciprocityroi  Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denise Blasevick is CEO and co-founder of The S3 Agency, a creative agency specializing in Brand Elevation for clients like BMW of North America, Eight O'Clock Coffee, and the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Brand Elevation is the proprietary process that sets her company apart from other marketing agencies – by helping clients uncover the power and profitability of a truly differentiated brand.  An inductee in the Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey, Denise has won hundreds of awards for her creativity and business acumen. She is a nationally cited marketing expert who shared her expertise on air for many years as the Marketing Makeover Expert for MSNBC's “Your Business” TV show. And she is a member of the Board of Trustees for Centenary University (her alma mater), as well as a graduate of the Entrepreneurial Master's program at MIT. Denise, her husband, and her teenage son enjoy traveling, puzzle solving, and spending time with their “pet” squirrel.  In this episode, we discuss: The importance of being authentic to one's self and relevant to your target customer How your brand is not the same as your name or logo Differentiating yourself from your competition to be more than just a commodity The hand in hand relationship between marketing and sales Elevating your brand by keeping front and center and feeding it every day Digital Discovery as the most important thing to be thinking about for your brand I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Denise was so generous to share her better business practices regarding building an honest and relevant brand. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Denise  Websites Mentioned: s3.agency Guest Contact Info: Email: dblasevick@thes3agency.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thes3agency.com Instagram: : https://www.instagram.com/thes3agency/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniseblasevick/ Twitter: @advertgirl Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Sparks is the Founder of Sparks Law. He works as an in-house counsel for small to medium sized businesses. His bi-monthly blog deals specifically with legal issues that Georgia businesses face. Before forming Sparks Law, Jonathan worked at the United States Department of Justice, the United States Senate Office, the Attorney General's office for the District of Columbia, and as an attorney at King & Spalding here in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School, where he excelled at Corporate and Business law, Torts, Litigation, and Securities law. In this episode, we discuss: The powerful tool your mindset is in regard to entrepreneurship The business benefits of under-promising and over-delivering The power of a great team to an entrepreneur Doing more of the right kind of work and less of the wrong kind of work to achieve success The importance of trusts to continue your legacy the way you intend I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Jonathan was so generous to share his better business practices regarding what you need to understand when looking at the legal side of your business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Jonathan  Websites Mentioned:  https://sparkslawpractice.com Guest Contact Info: Email: jsparks@sparkslawpractice.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SparksLawPractice YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLkyirji7hkBq4u4szb5DOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-sparks-55611a37/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna Waters is a Cybersecurity Consultant at True Digital Security where she specializes in information security program development, industry compliance assessments, threat intelligence, and cloud security controls. She helps clients navigate the complexities of cybersecurity program development and conducts compliance assessments, gap analyses, and holistic security consulting. Jenna is an experienced professional who consults with companies across multiple industries in achieving security-related best practices and/or regulatory compliance objectives. Jenna works to bridge the divide between security control architecture and compliance requirements in Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services cloud environments. Jenna began her career in the United States Navy working under the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command at the Naval Intelligence Operations Center (NIOC) and with the National Security Agency (NSA). Afterward, she graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Jenna is passionate about sharing her knowledge of cybersecurity with business owners, public policy leaders, and healthcare, financial, and tech industry members. When she isn't busy helping her clients protect their customers' data, Jenna is a voracious reader, aspiring hobbyist, and dog mom of two. In this episode, we discuss: The growing importance of a business' cyber-security program The increased risk that small to medium sized businesses are at for cyberattacks   The financial value of a cybersecurity program to any business Identifying gaps and vulnerabilities in a businesses' security How investing in cybersecurity can help a business tackle future IT projects in a more agile way I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Jenna was so generous to share her better business practices regarding what you need to understand when considering your business' cyber-security program. Jenna's lesson on the importance of a company's cyber-security program can teach us all how to have a better business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Jenna  Websites Mentioned: www.truedigitalsecurity.com Guest Contact Info: Email: jenna.waters@truedigitalsecurity.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/je-waters/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Aldridge is currently the Managing Partner for Asbury Investor Relations (AIR). He is also the President of the National Investor Relations Institute for the Southeast and has been on the board of directors for the past five years. He was formerly the Senior Director of Investor Relations (IR) for Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), where he was responsible for managing the company's relationships with the investment community, and creating and disseminating all financial communications, including the company's strategy and vision. Prior to ICE, Dan led the Investor Relations function for CF Industries, INC., based in Chicago, IL.  Prior to CF, Dan helped lead the IR department at The Home Depot and had leadership roles in their internal audit/consulting and FP&A functions for over seven years. Dan started his career at UPS where he had increasing levels of responsibility in the Internal audit, and FP&A departments, including M&A. Dan is a graduate of The University of Georgia Terry College of Business with a BA and Masters degrees in Accounting. Dan also holds a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation. In this episode, we discuss: The increased focus from companies of all sizes on ESG, or how they impact their surrounding community Investor Relations as a position that has access to all the departments of a company Trust as one of the most important qualifiers of corporate credibility  A smaller company's need for strong investor relations The story your company wants to tell and how that can affect its success The importance of communication and diversity of thought to build a better business I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Dan was so generous to share his better business practices regarding what you need to understand when considering Investor Relations. Dan's lesson on the importance of a company's message can teach us all how to have a better business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Dan  Websites Mentioned: asburyir.com Guest Contact Info: Email: dan@asburyir.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-aldridge-iii-1233176/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ami Kassar, founder and CEO of, MultiFunding and author of, The Growth Dilemma, has earned a national reputation as a thought leader in business finance. An in-demand speaker and trusted advisor to growth-focused business leaders, Ami has helped thousands of business owners achieve ambitious growth goals through creative and personalized funding solutions. His work has helped create tens of thousands of jobs. For more than 20 years, Ami has challenged executives to think differently about how they capitalize growth. Regularly featured in national media including The New York Times, Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Forbes and Fox Business News, Ami also writes a weekly column for Inc. Magazine. He has advised the White House, the Federal Reserve Bank and the Treasury Department on credit markets.  In this episode, we discuss: The parallels between an immigrant's journey and the path of an entrepreneur The importance of knowing what you are doing and why when signing a debt agreement Always understanding the downside of taking on debt How being in a hurry and making a bad financing decision can be like a quick lunch at McDonald's The importance of keeping good books when managing finances How difficult is to plan when you don't have a goal and a strategy with financing. I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Ami was so generous to share his better business practices regarding what you need to understand when seeking financing. Ami's story of doing what he can to help his customers can teach us all how to have a better business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Amy  Websites Mentioned: sbaignite.com multifunding.com Guest Contact Info: Facebook: facebook.com/akassar            facebook.com/multifundingllc LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amikassar          linkedin.com/in/company/multifunding-llc Twiiter: @amikassar        @multifunding Instagram: @multifunding    Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From his parents dining room to an international brand, GYMGUYZ Founder & CEO, Josh York, is an American dream come true. 12 years ago, Josh York was sitting at his parents dining room table hammering out the idea that would become GYMGUYZ – a mobile in-home fitness training provider, today boasting 251 locations across 30 states and 3 countries. Josh, who believes sleep is the enemy and subscribes to 4-5 hours a night with a 4:00 a.m. workout followed by a sauna and 25' cold plunge daily, wasn't going to be denied his dream. It has been an incredible journey. From devising visionary business plans where his mom served dinner, to today rubbing shoulders with major disruptors in the business industry such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Phil Knight (Nike Founder) and Trent Shelton, to name a few, Josh and his experienced franchise management team expects to open another 200 locations in 2021. Josh's competitive nature, passion for living, and presence makes him one of the most sought-after motivational speakers of the day. In this episode, we discuss: Persistence and not taking no for an answer Culture wins in business Needing a vision, painting a blank canvass, to succeed The ability to bring so many great minds together with franchising to help you grow  A willingness to fail and make mistakes in order to achieve your goals Delegating your weaknesses and focusing on your strengths Results don't work unless you do  I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Josh gave valuable information and insights on how to do better in business. He delved into sharing life experiences that led him to what he is today. Also, he shared tips on how you can do business easier in the most efficient way possible. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Josh Website  www.gymguyz.com www.joshyorkgg.com LinkedIn www.linkedin/in/josh-york-554a3120 Instagram @joshyorkgg Facebook @gymguyz Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shawn Khorrami is a serial entrepreneur, having started and managed more than a dozen businesses, up to $100 million in revenue, involving products and services across a wide range of verticals. In the process, he has managed thousands of employees servicing tens of thousands of customers, large and small, from consumers to small to medium-sized businesses and even governmental entities. He has formal education and extensive hands-on experience in business operations, strategies and planning, marketing, sales, finance, legal, and human resources. He has obtained university diplomas in mathematics, economics, and computers, and earned a law degree. In this episode, we discuss: Shawn Khorrami's venture from not experiencing a traditional job to an owner of a dozen of businesses Three quick life stories that led to his principle today Trying to make his father's life easier that ended up in providing services to others “One plus one equals four.” What was the business he made that made him feel the happiest? Shawn, when he failed phenomenally A thing he wants to share that he hopes people will do  I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Shawn gave valuable information and insights on how to do better in business. He delved into sharing life experiences that led him to what he is today. Also, he shared tips on how you can do business easier in the most efficient way possible. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Shawn Website www.khorramiconsulting.com LinkedIn Page https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnkhorrami/ Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Langer is an independent board member, successful entrepreneur and industry thought leader. She is currently Co-Founder and Owner of Salo, LLC, an $85M professional services company providing services throughout the U.S. out of offices in Minneapolis, MN, and Chicago, IL. At Salo, Ms. Langer has driven company growth and brand affinity through a keen analysis of market gaps, architecting and leading innovative strategies, and establishing sustainable and scalable infrastructure. Her unwavering commitment to creating an exceptional corporate culture and service environment has led Salo to be widely recognized for setting industry standards relative to innovative culture, superior client service, and workforce flexibility.   Prior to co-founding Salo, she was National Business Development Director at Robert Half International, a $1.5B publicly traded professional services company. In this role, she led transformative change in the North American territory, comprised of 25 offices, and drove a national product line that generated $10M in recurring annual revenue. Earlier in her career, Ms. Langer was employed as a CPA with KPMG, LLP a “big four” accounting firm, where she focused on global insurance and financial services client advisory work.  Committed to professional and community volunteerism, Ms. Langer has a history of service to not-for-profit boards and professional organizations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Health Partners, Washburn Center for Children Emeritus, and Board Member of Greater MSP. She holds a BS in Accounting from the Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University. In this episode, we discuss: ·     Amy's upbringing on a farm and how it taught her the value of hard work ·     Understanding what you love to do and what you excel at, and pursuing it ·     The transition from employee to business owner ·     Valuing relationships over the transaction ·     Resiliency as a necessary trait in business to overcome things not going as planned ·     Pursuing what you want to pursue and fulfilling it as the definition of winning ·     How your failures can provide the lessons you need to succeed I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Amy was so generous to share her better business practices regarding hiring efforts. Amy's story of overcoming failures and working to her strengths can teach us all how to have a better business. Please let me know your thoughts!   Connect with Amy Website https://salollc.com/ LinkedIn Page https://www.linkedin.com/in/amylanger/ Twitter @AmyLanger    Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @ SteveEschbach   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Langer is an independent board member, successful entrepreneur and industry thought leader. She is currently Co-Founder and Owner of Salo, LLC, an $85M professional services company providing services throughout the U.S. out of offices in Minneapolis, MN, and Chicago, IL. At Salo, Ms. Langer has driven company growth and brand affinity through a keen analysis of market gaps, architecting and leading innovative strategies, and establishing sustainable and scalable infrastructure. Her unwavering commitment to creating an exceptional corporate culture and service environment has led Salo to be widely recognized for setting industry standards relative to innovative culture, superior client service, and workforce flexibility.    Prior to co-founding Salo, she was National Business Development Director at Robert Half International, a $1.5B publicly traded professional services company. In this role, she led transformative change in the North American territory, comprised of 25 offices, and drove a national product line that generated $10M in recurring annual revenue. Earlier in her career, Ms. Langer was employed as a CPA with KPMG, LLP a “big four” accounting firm, where she focused on global insurance and financial services client advisory work.   Committed to professional and community volunteerism, Ms. Langer has a history of service to not-for-profit boards and professional organizations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Health Partners, Washburn Center for Children Emeritus, and Board Member of Greater MSP. She holds a BS in Accounting from the Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University. In this episode, we discuss: Amy's upbringing on a farm and how it taught her the value of hard work Understanding what you love to do and what you excel at, and pursuing it The transition from employee to business owner Valuing relationships over the transaction Resiliency as a necessary trait in business to overcome things not going as planned Pursuing what you want to pursue and fulfilling it as the definition of winning How your failures can provide the lessons you need to succeed I hope you will find this episode as exciting and informative as I have. Amy was so generous to share her better business practices regarding hiring efforts. Amy's story of overcoming failures and working to her strengths can teach us all how to have a better business. Please let me know your thoughts! Connect with Amy  Guest Contact Info: 612-269-2401 Email: amylanger@salollc.com Website https://salollc.com/ LinkedIn Page https://www.linkedin.com/in/amylanger/ Twitter @AmyLanger  Connect with Steve Eschbach Website: https://www.tworld.com/locations/naperville/ or https://eschbachassoc.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqgICqaSI8xE2GRYY1HWJA  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speschbach/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveeschbach/  Twitter: @SteveEschbach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices