Podcasts about building a business

In today's episode, I'm sharing a conversation I had with my content manager that I couldn't stop thinking about: creators and business owners are not the same thing. I break down why I see today's biggest creators as the new Hollywood movie stars, why there's an element of luck and algorithm in that path, and why building a business doesn't come down to luck at all. I walk through the traits and checklist that make a business a business (your own offer, predictable systems, and the ability to run without you) and why I treat organic content as a slow burn while paid ads are where I get speed and control. If you've ever felt pressure to go viral just to grow your business, this one's for you.

What if the business you are building is one your body cannot actually survive? This week on the Glow Up, Gyrl Podcast, Kyra sits down with Arjita Sethi, serial entrepreneur, physical therapist, certified yoga teacher, and Ayurveda practitioner working at the intersection of AI and wellbeing. She founded Shaanti, an AI-powered wellness platform now ranked fourth in AI wellness in the US, along with New Founders School and Build With AI Club. She sits on the advisory board of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center and teaches entrepreneurship at San Francisco State. She started her first company at 16 in India, a vocational school that reached 100,000 people. Then came a venture-backed AI company in San Francisco, twenty-hour days, and by 2019, burnout so complete she says there was not a functional bone left in her body. COVID shut everything down, and she and her husband moved to three acres surrounded by redwoods in Northern California. They stayed two and a half years, and it changed what success meant to her. In this episode: Why AI is your first hire, not a magic trick What most people get wrong about training it, and why every input has a memory Whether using AI is cheating, and why your input is the part nobody can copy How burnout became a badge of honor, and what she saw in Silicon Valley that normalized it The forced pause in the redwoods that rebuilt her definition of success How AI made a six-month paid maternity leave possible, in a year that outperformed the one before What Ayurveda actually is, and why the same advice does not work for everyone Vata, pitta, and kapha, and why your body already knows what it needs The nervous system as a founder's real operating system, with Jensen Huang as the example The free thing she recommends over every product: sleep, water, and breath Her three takeaways, including the question she thinks everyone should be asking Whether you are running on empty and calling it ambition, curious about AI but sure you are behind, or quietly wondering whether the version of success you are chasing is even yours, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Learn more: findshanti.com Also from Arjita: newfoundersschool.com and buildwithaiclub.com Follow Arjita: @arjitasethi Stay connected to Glow Up, Gyrl: Website: glowupgyrl.com | Email: hello@glowupgyrl.com Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn: @glowupgyrl | Facebook: @glowupgyrlatl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Responsible growth requires more than opening new locations, increasing revenue, or expanding into new markets. Growth has to strengthen the business, not simply make it bigger. That distinction becomes increasingly important as a company moves beyond its original founders and locations. What worked when the business was small may become too expensive, too complicated, or simply ineffective at scale. Leaders have to recognize those changes early enough to adapt without abandoning the qualities that made the company successful. Don Varady, CEO and Co-Founder of Clean Eatz, understands that evolution firsthand. What began as a small healthy-food café eventually developed into a franchise organization with more than 120 locations. The path was anything but perfectly mapped out. It involved starting over, taking significant risks, entering franchising without years of industry experience, making mistakes, changing the model, and becoming increasingly disciplined about how the company grows. That experience points to an important reality for any entrepreneur: responsible growth is not about having every answer before you begin. It is about building the ability to make better decisions as the business becomes more complex. Build the Business Around What Customers Value Clean Eatz did not begin with a master plan to create a national franchise system. Don and his wife and co-founder, Yvonne, were initially focused on building a healthy-food concept that served their local community. As the business developed, they found additional ways to serve customers. Today, the Clean Eatz model includes dine-in and carryout business, third-party delivery, rotating weekly meal plans, grab-and-go meals, catering, and marketplace products. A sister company also provides shipped meals and serves additional accounts outside traditional franchise territories. Those revenue streams matter, but the larger business principle is even more valuable. Growth can come from understanding what customers already value and finding additional ways to provide it. The grab-and-go component is a good example. It originated as a practical solution for excess food. Instead of allowing usable ingredients to go to waste, meals were prepared and frozen. Over time, that simple operational solution became another revenue stream and an important source of variety and convenience for customers. Responsible growth often develops this way. Leaders pay attention to what is happening inside the business, identify opportunities that fit the customer, and turn successful ideas into repeatable parts of the model. The key is alignment. Adding revenue streams simply because they might produce additional sales can create unnecessary complexity. The strongest opportunities reinforce the value the company already provides. Be Willing to Change What Used to Work One of the more difficult responsibilities of leadership is recognizing when yesterday's successful model no longer fits today's business environment. Clean Eatz faced that challenge with its restaurant prototype. Don explained that a model the company had used successfully for years eventually became less attractive as construction costs increased and real estate became more expensive. Rather than continuing to force the existing approach, the company began moving toward a tighter, smaller footprint that could reduce equipment and development costs for franchisees. That is responsible growth in practice. A strategy does not have to be a failure before it deserves to be reconsidered. Economic conditions change. Customer expectations change. Technology changes. Labor markets change. Real estate changes. What produced strong results five years ago may create unnecessary friction today. Leaders can become emotionally attached to systems they created, particularly when those systems were once successful. But scaling requires separating the principle behind the business from the specific way it has always been executed. The goal is not to protect the old model. The goal is to protect the business. For Clean Eatz, that means continuing to evaluate how locations are developed and how franchisees are positioned for success. Don also emphasized the importance of site selection before a franchisee signs on the dotted line, along with using newer tools, including AI, to improve vetting and decision-making. Technology can make those decisions more informed, but the objective remains fundamentally human: put the right people into better situations where they have a stronger opportunity to succeed. Growth Depends on the Right People As organizations grow, leadership decisions become increasingly important because the founder can no longer personally execute every part of the business. Don acknowledged that choosing the right people around him has produced some significant lessons. Some hires worked extremely well. Others did not. Over time, those experiences helped clarify what to look for and what to avoid when building the team. This challenge is especially important in franchising. A growing franchise brand may be tempted to view every qualified candidate as another opportunity for expansion. But adding locations without properly evaluating the people responsible for operating them can create problems that affect the entire system. Ford pointed out during the interview that strong franchise organizations often think about awarding franchises rather than simply selling them. The distinction matters because the relationship should involve mutual evaluation. The franchisor needs to determine whether the candidate has the characteristics, commitment, resources, and willingness to follow the system required to succeed. Don's experience has made responsible franchisee vetting an increasingly important part of Clean Eatz's growth strategy. After years of seeing what works and making mistakes along the way, the company now has more experience and better tools available to evaluate prospective franchisees and potential locations. More growth is not automatically better growth. The wrong hire, franchisee, location, or expansion decision can consume resources that could have been invested in stronger opportunities. Responsible growth requires leaders to become increasingly selective as the stakes get higher. Keep Adapting Without Losing the Foundation There is a natural tension in a growing company. The organization needs consistency, but it also needs the ability to change. Too much change can make a business difficult to replicate. Too little change can leave it operating with systems and assumptions that no longer make sense. Clean Eatz's journey demonstrates how those two priorities can coexist. The company has evolved its restaurant model, developed multiple revenue streams, expanded its franchise system, and built a second business around meal distribution. At the same time, the underlying focus on healthy food, convenience, customer experience, and the fitness and wellness community has remained central to the brand. That balance is essential to responsible growth. Leaders need to understand which parts of the business are foundational and which are simply methods of delivering the result. Methods should evolve when better options become available. The foundation should remain clear enough that customers, employees, and partners still understand what the company stands for. The same principle applies to leadership itself. Experience should make leaders more confident, but it should also make them more aware of how much can go wrong. Don's advice to other entrepreneurs reflects that experience: "Trust your gut." He explained that mistakes will happen, but experience develops instincts that leaders should not ignore. Instinct should not replace information, due diligence, or accountability. It can, however, become an important signal when years of experience are telling a leader that something does not fit. Responsible growth combines both. Use better information. Build stronger systems. Ask harder questions. Surround yourself with capable people. Then be willing to act when experience tells you something needs to change. Join Fordify LIVE every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Central across your favorite social media platforms and catch the replay on The Business Growth Show Podcast for more conversations with today's leading business experts, entrepreneurs, and growth-minded leaders. About Don Varady Don Varady is the CEO and Co-Founder of Clean Eatz, a healthy food and meal plan concept he built alongside his wife and co-founder, Yvonne. Without traditional restaurant backgrounds, they turned an early café concept into a growing business focused on convenient, healthy food and a strong customer experience. Today, Clean Eatz has more than 120 locations and a business model that includes cafés, weekly meal plans, grab-and-go offerings, catering, marketplace products, and meal delivery. Don continues to lead the company's growth with an emphasis on responsible expansion, stronger franchisee vetting, smarter site selection, and adapting the business model as market conditions evolve. About Ford Saeks Ford Saeks is a Business Growth Accelerator who has generated more than a billion dollars in sales worldwide by helping businesses attract loyal customers, increase visibility, and accelerate growth. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford has founded more than ten companies, authored eleven books, earned three U.S. patents, and advised organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. A recognized expert in business growth, customer acquisition, leadership, franchising, marketing, and AI-driven business strategies, Ford helps business owners and leaders identify opportunities, improve performance, and achieve sustainable results. Learn more at ProfitRichResults.com and watch Fordify LIVE at Fordify.tv.

This week on the Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth chats with Lucy Holloway, Founder of Dance Shack, about her journey from West End performer to entrepreneur — and how a dance school that started with just seven children grew to around 850 pupils.Now, after 20 years of building Dance Shack, Lucy is taking the business in a new direction: franchising.What we cover:Leaving behind a successful performing careerStarting Dance Shack with just seven pupilsHow motherhood changed Lucy's career prioritiesGrowing from one small school to around 850 studentsWhy Dance Shack is now expanding through franchisesWhether you actually need a dance background to run oneThe support, training and business know-how franchisees receiveWhy Lucy believes entrepreneurship gives her something a traditional job couldn't: freedomKey takeaways:

Building a business has ups and downs at every stage, and none of them automatically mean you're doing something wrong. Sometimes there's too little going on and sometimes there's too much. Things move more slowly than you want, or you don't have enough time to do everything that needs doing. Whether you're just getting started, fully booked, or growing into what's next, there's always some version of it to contend with.I'm breaking down why that's simply the truth of having a business, and how to recognize where you are right now so you can make a conscious decision about what to do next, instead of making it mean something is wrong with you or your business.Listen to learn more about:Why things moving slower than you want isn't a sign that you're failingHow the deadlines you set for yourself can turn a normal phase into a crisisWhat to do when you have more time than clientsWhat to do when you have more clients than time, and you can already see the next dip comingWhy doing your work any way you can, even before you're getting paid for it, is what keeps you movingHow being rigid about what you're willing to do can keep you stuckWhat it looks like to build your body of work instead of waiting for the next clientWherever you are in your business right now, nothing is wrong. And there's always something you can do.Ready to talk about working together? Book a call with me to talk about one-on-one coaching or joining the Passionate & Prosperous Academy: https://my.timetrade.com/book/DFGVNLooking for free support right now? There's a whole resources page on my website: https://www.staceybrassrussell.com/resources

Can you build a successful real estate business without cold calls, paid leads, or door knocking? In this episode of the Real Estate Excellence Podcast, Tracy Hayes sits down with Niki Sparks. Niki Sparks is a St. Augustine real estate professional with Keller Williams Atlantic Partners whose deep family roots in Northeast Florida stretch back generations. After years as a stay at home homeschooling mom, she earned her real estate license and built a successful business by studying her market, developing genuine relationships, and becoming a trusted source of local knowledge. Niki and Tracy discuss what new agents need to understand about treating real estate like a business, choosing the right brokerage and mentor, building a referral driven business, preparing and pricing listings, navigating difficult transactions, Florida insurance, CDDs, HOAs, historic homes, World Golf Village, TrailMark, short term rentals, and the changing St. Augustine market. Listen to the full episode to hear how Niki combines local knowledge, detailed market research, strong relationships, and a client first approach to build a real estate business designed for long term success.   HighlightsTop of FormBottom of Form 00:00-11:00 St. Augustine Roots and Local Knowledge Niki's family connection to St. Augustine dating back to 1565 How generations of local history shape her real estate perspective Understanding neighborhood growth and future development Researching roads, surrounding land, cell towers, and infrastructure Helping buyers understand what their neighborhood could become 11:00-34:07 Building a Real Estate Business Moving from homeschooling into a real estate career Spending months learning inventory before pursuing clients Treating real estate as a business from the beginning Managing taxes, expenses, marketing, and business finances Choosing Keller Williams and the importance of coaching and mentorship  34:07-52:00 Transactions Relationships and Seller Preparation Lessons from a difficult closing where almost everything went wrong Handling utility transfers and preventing closing day problems How Niki built a business through relationships and referrals Using newsletters and market reports to demonstrate expertise Preparing sellers to win through price, condition, and presentation  52:00-1:00:00 Pricing and Unique Properties Handling sellers whose price expectations exceed the market Using current data instead of guessing at property values Closing the expectation gap between buyers and sellers Pricing historic and highly unique St. Augustine homes Listening to market feedback when direct comparable sales are limited  1:00:00-1:12:12 Marketing Insurance and Buyer Education Identifying the ideal buyer for each listing Targeted online advertising and social media marketing Understanding Florida homeowner insurance and older roofs Pre listing inspections and home warranties Explaining CDD fees, HOA costs, taxes, and homestead exemption  1:12:12-1:23:00 St. Augustine Lifestyle and Why Real Estate Matters Matching World Golf Village buyers with the right lifestyle TrailMark and its nature focused community amenities Evaluating short term rental opportunities in St. Augustine Nights of Lights and seasonal visitor demand Why helping people find home keeps Niki passionate about real estate   Quotes: "I want my clients to make the best decision for them based on every available piece of information we have." – Niki Sparks "You are now a business owner. You're building a business." – Niki Sparks "I have no desire to be everyone's realtor." – Niki Sparks "It's truly about people for me. It's about helping them find home." – Niki Sparks   To contact Niki Sparks, learn more about her business, and make her a part of your network, make sure to follow her Website, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.   Connect with Niki Sparks! Website: https://nikisparksrealtor.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niki.sells.real.estate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikisparksandteam LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikisparksrealtor/   Connect with me! Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com   Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com    SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW as we discuss real estate excellence with the best of the best.   #NikiSparks #RealEstateExcellence #RealEstatePodcast #StAugustineRealEstate #FloridaRealEstate #StAugustineFlorida #RealEstateAgent #RealtorLife #RealEstateBusiness #RealEstateTraining #RealEstateMarketing #RealEstateTips #KellerWilliams #ReferralBusiness #ListingAgent #HomeSelling #HomeBuying #WorldGolfVillage #TrailMark #NortheastFlorida

Many shop owners set out to build a business but end up building themselves a job. Chris Knuth knows that trap firsthand. In The Owner's Manual, he shares the lessons he learned moving from technician to shop owner to entrepreneur and investor — and explains why the biggest obstacle to a shop running without its owner may be the owner himself. In this episode, Knuth breaks down the mindset shifts, systems and leadership practices that can help shop owners stop being the bottleneck and start building a business that can thrive without them.

What does it really take to build a construction business that doesn't depend on you for everything? In this episode from JobTread Connect, Steve sits down with Tony Ruffin, a Baltimore-area remodeler specializing in basements, additions, and full-home remodels. After six years running his own business, Tony is focused on building a company with crews and systems that can eventually operate without him. Tony opens up about what he has learned along the way, including what he wishes he had known before jumping into the industry. His biggest lesson? Educate yourself before you start. He also emphasizes the importance of community, relationships, and learning from contractors who have already been through the challenges you're facing. For Tony, success isn't just about revenue. It's about building something that gives him more time with his family while continuing to improve every year. __________________________________ https://steverozenberg.com/ __________________________________ Steve Rozenberg, originally aspiring to be an international pilot, navigated a challenging shift in his career trajectory when the 9/11 attacks jeopardized his pilot career. Turning adversity into opportunity, he embraced his entrepreneurial spirit and transformed his situation into a multimillion-dollar success story. As the proud owner and founder of The Rozenberg Group, an esteemed international consulting firm, Steve is dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals and regain control of their time and freedom. Beyond his role as a successful entrepreneur, Steve is renowned for his dynamic keynote presentations. He delivers motivational and inspiring speeches that resonate with audiences, providing actionable steps, business systems, and a roadmap to success. His direct yet hopeful messages engage audiences both mentally and emotionally, instilling a positive outlook and guiding them toward success in various aspects of life. Despite facing an unimaginable tragedy on March 6th, 2023, with the loss of his beloved son Jett in a motorcycle accident, Steve demonstrated an indomitable spirit. In honor of Jett's remarkable life, filled with global adventures, martial arts, music, and inspiration, Steve and his wife Renee established the LIVE LIKE JETT SCHOLARSHIP FUND. Learn more: livelikejett.org This scholarship fund serves as a tribute to Jett's legacy, encouraging others to embrace life fully and persistently pursue their dreams. The fund specifically supports high school students seeking to enter the trade industry, mirroring Jett's passion as a welder. Currently, Steve Rozenberg channels his extensive experience as a successful real estate investor to mentor and guide individuals toward prosperity. Despite the challenges he has faced, Steve remains committed to inspiring, uplifting, and creating a positive impact on the lives of those around him. ➤https://www.facebook.com/SteveRozenberg1 ➤https://www.instagram.com/rozenbergsteve _______________________________________________________________________ #SteveRozenberg #TwoDayTakeoff #Opportunity #ChangeYourLife #Entrepreneur #LiveLikeJett #FinancialFreedom

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Sana talks with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360 and host of the Built. Trusted. Chosen. podcast, about what happens when a founder realizes they have become the bottleneck in their own business. Wes traces his path from a naive, self-taught start in the year 2000 to the breaking point years later when he realized his health had quietly deteriorated while he poured everything into the business and his young children, leaving nothing left for himself. The conversation moves into the practical and emotional work of letting go: learning to hire people who are better than you at their role so micromanagement stops being tempting, understanding that trust between a founder and their team runs in both directions, and recognizing that sometimes the most productive thing a leader can do is step back and let things settle, the way muddy water clears on its own once it is left alone. Wes and Sana also talk candidly about the lingering stigma around discussing burnout and mental health as a business leader, and why transparency about struggle often builds more trust, not less. About the Guest: Wes Towers is the founder and director of Uplift 360, a marketing agency serving trade and construction businesses, and the host of the Built. Trusted. Chosen. podcast. After years of building his business around being personally hands-on with every detail, he restructured his approach around delegation, trust, and personal wellbeing, including therapy, cold plunges, and breathwork, after recognizing the toll unchecked hustle had taken on his health. Key Takeaways: Becoming the bottleneck in your own business often starts as exhilarating and gradually turns into feeling like you are the only one holding everything together, putting out every fire and making every decision. Physical health can quietly deteriorate while a founder pours everything into the business and family, and the body eventually forces a reckoning even when the mind has been compartmentalizing it away. Delegating to people who are genuinely better than you at their specific role removes the temptation to micromanage, because trust becomes the natural default rather than something forced. Letting go sometimes means active delegation, and other times means simply stepping back and allowing a situation to settle, much like muddy water clearing on its own once it is left undisturbed. Stigma around discussing burnout or mental health as a founder still exists in some industries, but transparency about struggle often builds more trust in a leader, not less, because it signals authenticity. Thinking of your life in chapters helps reframe a difficult period: today's hard chapter is not the final chapter, and there is real agency in deciding what the next one looks like. Connect With Wes Towers: Company: Uplift 360 Website: uplift360.com.au Podcast: Built. Trusted. Chosen. LinkedIn: Wes Towers Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Cold open: when the business built for freedom starts to feel like a trap 05:38 - Welcome to Healthy Mind, Healthy Life and introducing Wes Towers 06:48 - Wes's naive early days building his business in the year 2000 11:54 - The real argument behind staying hands-on, and when it becomes a risk 18:16 - Is talking about burnout still a stigma for founders and leaders 20:01 - The physical signs Wes noticed before he recognized his own burnout 24:11 - What letting go actually looks like in practice, not just theory 27:31 - Why trust has to run both ways between founders and their teams 28:24 - Wes's closing message: today's chapter is not your final chapter 30:23 - How to connect with Wes Towers and Uplift 360   Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. All views expressed by the guest are their personal opinions alone and do not represent the views of the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for any guest statements. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically and independently with all content do not consume blindly. Use this content as a starting point for your own reflection and research, not as a substitute for professional guidance. Third-party content is referenced under fair use for informational purposes only. Guest speakers are solely responsible for their own statements. If you have concerns about any content, please contact us here By listening, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer in full. Read detailed disclaimer here. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6500+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.

What happens when the business opportunity in front of you also connects with the way you want to live your life?Michael Jacobson didn't set out to build a floral business. After starting his career in corporate consulting, he began asking bigger questions about purpose, service and what he wanted his life to look like. Time spent working at his aunt's orphanage helped sharpen that question. Eventually, an opportunity to help sell his uncle's flower shop showed him something unexpected.The problems facing that shop weren't isolated. Michael saw similar challenges throughout the floral industry.In this episode of MOJO: The Meaning of Life and Business, Jennifer R. Glass and Michael discuss how recognizing systemic problems can reveal business opportunities, why customer experience has to remain at the center of growth, what makes partnerships powerful, and why money can be the fuel for a business without becoming its ultimate destination.They also explore:• Why Michael believes business and service can coexist• How pain in a market can reveal opportunity• Why customer experience matters more than operational improvements alone• What he learned while modernizing a traditional industry• Why he chose franchising despite initially disliking the model• The importance of finding people with complementary strengths• How looking back from age 80 can help clarify what matters now• Why success is ultimately a personal definitionMichael's story raises a bigger question for anyone building a career, company or next chapter:Why are you doing it?And once you have an answer, keep asking why.ABOUT MICHAEL JACOBSONMichael Jacobson is CEO of French Florist, a floral company combining traditional floral artistry with technology, operational infrastructure and a growing franchise model.Connect with Michael: frenchfloristfranchise.comPAID GUEST DISCLOSURE: Michael Jacobson paid an administrative appearance fee to participate in this episode. Payment did not guarantee editorial control, endorsement, or any particular outcome.The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of MOJO, Jennifer R. Glass or BGSI.

What happens when you bet on yourself before anyone else believes in you? LTK Creator and entrepreneur Allie Eklund joins Amber on this week's episode to share how she turned her passion for content creation into a thriving business. From walking away from corporate banking to landing major brand partnerships and tripling her income in just six months, Allie shares the lessons behind her decade-long career. Plus, she gets candid about dating as a successful woman, navigating relationships with men who wanted her to give up her career and building a life on her own terms. LTK for CreatorsLTK for BrandsLearn more about More To SayWatch on YouTubeFollow and shop Amber's LTKFollow Amber on InstagramConnect with Amber on LinkedInFollow Allie on Instagram Follow and shop Allie's LTKFollow Allie on TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when working harder is no longer enough to grow your business?On this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, Shemaiah Reed sits down with entrepreneur, business growth strategist, and author Jim Fitzgerald for a conversation about breaking through business plateaus, becoming a stronger leader, and building systems that allow a company to grow without everything depending on the owner.Jim brings more than three decades of entrepreneurial experience to the conversation. He built Taradel from a one-man operation into a national direct-mail and digital-marketing company serving more than 25,000 small-business customers and generating $30 million in revenue before its sale. He later founded Fitzgerald Growth Partners, helping business owners identify the real constraints holding their companies back and create structures designed for intentional, sustainable growth.Jim is also the author of The Million Dollar Hurdle, a USA TODAY bestselling book that distills more than 35 years of business-building experience into a practical framework for moving beyond effort, chaos, and chance.In this conversation, Jim and Shemaiah explore why growth problems are often structure problems rather than motivation problems, why leadership can be learned, how clarity reduces friction inside a company, and what entrepreneurs must change when the habits that helped them start a business are no longer enough to scale it.This episode is for entrepreneurs, founders, leaders, and anyone trying to build something meaningful without becoming the bottleneck inside their own vision.https://fitzgeraldgrowthpartners.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.Subscribe now at YouTube.com/@RefocusedNetworkThank you for your time. 

The Business Was Never Just the BusinessPlease subscribe and follow us on:Our Personal Pages we share our daily routines: What does it even mean... Join the conversationFacebook: Rene Ribley-StevensBruce StevensInstagram: rrstevens5 - brucedstevens Podcast Pages:Facebook @rbstillhere - We Are Still Here podcastInstagram: @rbstillhereAny questions or comments email us: rbstillhere@gmail.comIntro music: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent is joined by John Readman, founder of ASK BOSCO and Modo25, to explore what it really takes to turn a big idea into a focused, scalable business. John's journey offers a particularly useful lesson for founders: sometimes scaling isn't about doing more. It's about narrowing your focus. ASK BOSCO was created to tackle a problem familiar to many e-commerce businesses. Marketing teams can see return on ad spend, finance teams can see profitability, and platforms such as Google, Meta and TikTok all report their own versions of performance. But those numbers don't necessarily add up to a clear answer to the question that really matters: Where should we spend our next pound to generate the most profit? ASK BOSCO brings those disparate sources together, de-duplicates the data and helps businesses connect marketing activity with commercial performance. But the technology is only part of John's ScaleUp story. One of the standout moments in our conversation is John's account of being told that ASK BOSCO's original strategy was simply too broad. Rather than defending the original plan, the team listened, narrowed its focus and rebuilt the proposition around the Shopify ecosystem. That decision created a much clearer route to market and helped underpin a £4.1 million investment from Gresham House Ventures. The standout message Focus can be a growth strategy. The temptation when building an ambitious business is to serve more markets, add more features and pursue more opportunities. John's experience suggests the opposite can sometimes create far greater value: choose the market where you can win, remove friction and execute relentlessly. We also explore the people and culture behind the businesses. John talks about creating a high-performance environment based on trust, transparency and accountability. That includes a four-day working week on full-time pay, measuring people on outputs rather than hours, monthly visibility of KPIs and even creating a deliberate "not-to-do" list. There's an interesting influence from military discipline too: punctuality, clear processes, teamwork and people knowing what's expected of them. In this episode, we discuss: Why marketing ROAS and actual business profitability can tell very different stories How ASK BOSCO creates a clearer view of marketing performance Why linking product profitability to individual campaigns matters The decision to pivot from a broad analytics proposition to a Shopify-first strategy Why external advice can be invaluable when it challenges your assumptions Raising £4.1 million in venture capital and what investors bring beyond money Building a scalable SaaS model through the Shopify ecosystem Why human onboarding and support can be a competitive advantage in an increasingly AI-driven market Using a four-day week to focus on outputs rather than inputs Creating a "not-to-do" list to protect strategic focus Using a small number of annual "Big Rocks" to create alignment How transparency, discipline and trust shape company culture John's longer-term ambition for ASK BOSCO The one key thing... Scaling often means having the confidence to choose less. ASK BOSCO became more investable and potentially more scalable when the team stopped trying to solve the problem for everybody and committed to a clearly defined ecosystem. For founders facing dozens of apparently good opportunities, John's story is a reminder that the question isn't simply "What could we do?" It's "What should we deliberately choose not to do so we can execute the things that matter?" From more, to less, to done Most founders I speak to feel busy but frustrated. Plenty is happening, but they're not moving forward at the rate they want to. Often that's because success creates more options, pulling founders and their teams in different directions. More than 500 interviews on ScaleUp Radio have reinforced something important: the founders who scale choose less, and deliver all of it. That's what the G90 Summit is for. It's a structured half-day where we cut through everything competing for your attention, agree the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and build the rhythm to make sure they do. From the frustration and chaos of more, through the discipline of less, to the rhythm of done. Quarterly. Virtual. £97 a seat. Smart90.co.uk/summit Listen to the full episode to hear John's ScaleUp journey and the lessons he's learned from building, focusing, funding and leading growing businesses. Intro Script Hi there and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast brought to you by Smart90, inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our ScaleUp journeys that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I'm Kevin Brent and in today's episode I'm joined by John Readman, founder of ASK BOSCO and Modo25. There's a great lesson in John's story about the power of focus. ASK BOSCO started with a huge ambition, but it was narrowing the proposition to Shopify that helped unlock a scalable route to market and £4.1 million of investment. We also talk about linking marketing spend to actual profit, four-day working weeks, human support in an AI world, and why every growing business might need a "not-to-do" list. Before we get into it, most founders I speak to feel busy but frustrated. Plenty happening, but frustrated that they are not moving forward at the rate they want to. Success creates more options, pulling them and their teams in different directions. Here's what more than 500 interviews on this show have taught me: the founders who scale choose less, and deliver all of it. That's what the G90 Summit is for. A structured half-day where we cut through everything competing for your attention, agree the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and build the rhythm to make sure they do. From the frustration and chaos of more, through the discipline of less, to the rhythm of done. Quarterly, virtual, £97 a seat. Smart90.co.uk/summit. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts - and why not give us a follow. You can also nominate a guest for ScaleUp Radio if you know someone with an interesting ScaleUp story – you can find how in the shownotes. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with John. Main Episode Post – LinkedIn + Instagram Could doing less actually help your business scale faster? That's one of the big lessons from my latest ScaleUp Radio conversation with John Readman, founder of ASK BOSCO and Modo25. ASK BOSCO tackles a problem many e-commerce businesses will recognise: Google, Meta and other platforms give you plenty of marketing data, but can you confidently connect what you're spending to the profit you're actually making? John's ScaleUp journey goes much further than the technology. A few things stood out for me:

In this episode of High Velocity Radio, Lee Kantor interviews Juan Carlos Velasco, founder of Scale My Profits, about helping business owners—particularly those in the trades—build companies that can operate independently, generate sustainable profits, and become valuable, sellable assets. Juan Carlos shares his personal experience of nearly losing the value of a business he built […]

One month you're crushing it. The next, you're starting over from scratch, wondering what happened to all that momentum. If you've been in real estate for any length of time, you know this roller coaster — and you've probably assumed the fix is just working harder. In this episode, Neil shares a talk he recently gave live in Destin, Florida, breaking down exactly why so many agents stay stuck in this cycle — and it's not a lack of effort. It's that most agents don't actually know what "the work" is, so they chase an overwhelming menu of tactics, compare themselves to what everyone else is doing, and burn out doing a little bit of everything instead of the right things consistently. Neil walks through the simple framework behind every real estate business — lead generation, matchmaking, and servicing — and the three pillars (Sphere, Chase, and Attract) that make up lead generation. You'll see why picking tactics that are congruent to your personality and lifestyle matters more than copying what other agents do, and how a simple weekly day-blocking rhythm turns a plan into consistent action. Neil also gets personal, sharing what a two-year, cross-country RV trip taught him about happiness, outcomes, and why detaching from the result of any single day or deal is what actually makes consistency sustainable. If you're ready to stop starting over and build a business — and a life — that doesn't run you, this episode is the place to start.

She's been creating content for 20 years.. but Amy Landino never had a master plan. So how did she build the business she has today?I met Amy a long, long time ago, and she was one of the people who inspired me to keep going and keep building my business. I still remember the very first video I watched of hers, an unboxing of a camera!Yes, really. And now, in a full-circle moment, I'm sitting down with her for this episode of the Direct Selling Accelerator podcast. Amy Landino is a bestselling author of Good Morning, Good Life, a social media creator with around 500K YouTube subscribers and 50M views, and she's known as the ultimate business wingwoman.This conversation is jam packed! We talk about evolving your personal brand, YouTube hooks, changing direction, how to handle unfollows, productivity, boundaries and building a business around the life you actually want.Amy's story is a great reminder that you don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to keep moving, keep learning and be willing to evolve.WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT:➡ [07:42] Evolving Your Personal Brand➡ [15:15] The Ripple Effect of Content➡ [18:12] Create Content That Connects➡ [29:06] Share Your Real Journey➡ [33:42] Staying Human in the Age of AI➡ [35:21] Productivity Without Burnout➡ [40:45] Good Morning, Good Life➡ [42:45] The 3 Morning Routine Buckets➡ [47:18] Make Your Own Rules➡ [53:36] Ask for Help Before You Need ItABOUT OUR GUEST: Amy Landino is the trusted authority on focus, personal excellence, and intentional living. The bestselling author, keynote speaker, and award-winning creator helps ambitious women master their attention, command their time, and build lives with unstoppable momentum. Her global bestseller, Good Morning, Good Life — fully expanded for 2026 — has become the morning routine blueprint for high performers worldwide. With 50 million views, half a million YouTube subscribers, features in CNBC, The Tamron Hall Show, Fortune, and many more, she's spent two decades coaching ambitious women to lead with focus, presence, and power. She is every entrepreneur's greatest wingwoman — and she's about to be yours. Please help me welcome Amy Landino.RESOURCES: Amy's Book Recommendation: Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz - https://tinyurl.com/mrybp72n Amy's Favourite Quote: “A question well asked is an answer half found.” Looking for more? Head to our earlier episode or check out:Show Up Anyway by Sam Hind: https://a.co/d/8rk0QthFree Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialmediafordirectsellerswithgregandsam/CONNECT WITH AMY LANDINO:➡ Bestselling Author of: Good Morning, Good Life➡ Youtube: Award-winning Creator of AmyTV➡ Instagram: @Schmittastic - DM Amy: P-Sheets to get her free template offer!➡ Website: www.amylandino.com  - You get to make the rules: https://tinyurl.com/2dudrvbxCONNECT WITH US:➡ Visit our website: https://www.auxano.global/➡ Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DirectSellingAccelerator➡ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auxanomarketing/➡ Sam Hind's Instagram: https://instagram.com/samhinddigitalcoach➡ Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/auxanomarketing ➡ Email us: community_manager@auxano.globalIf you have any podcast suggestions or things you'd like to learn about specifically, please send us an email at the address above. And if you liked this episode, please don't forget to subscribe, tune in, and share this podcast.Are you ready to join the Auxano Family to get live weekly training, support and the latest proven posting strategies to get leads and sales right now - find out more here: https://go.auxano.global/welcome

What if the key to a stronger business – and a stronger team – is actually making them less dependent on you? In this week’s episode, we explore what happens when business owners and leaders step back, creating organisations that can thrive without relying on one person to drive them forward. First up, Simon Bedard – Managing Director of Exit Advisory Group and author of Exit Like an Expert – explains why reducing owner dependence can create a more valuable, enjoyable business and give owners greater freedom, whether they sell soon or not. Then, leadership specialist and Director of Bluestone Edge, Errol Amerasekera, explores why leaders don’t need all the answers. Drawing on his book From Fear to Flow: The Adaptive Safety Revolution, Errol shares practical ways to build adaptive teams by encouraging curiosity, vulnerability and diverse ideas – helping teams develop the confidence and capability to navigate rapid change. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gugs Mhlungu speaks to Rapeleng Ramatlhodi, Founder and CEO of Solarev Solutions, about building an innovative solar maintenance business during COVID-19 after identifying a gap in the market for solar panel cleaning and maintenance. They discuss her journey as an entrepreneur and how she has built a successful business in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu. Listen live on Primedia+ on Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 and 10:00 (SA Time) to Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/u3Sf7Zy or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/BIXS7AL Subscribe to the 702 daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much time and money are you putting into marketing that isn't actually generating business?Michael Cunniff, owner of The Super Agency, joins Miami and RWorld Talk to break down what Realtors® are getting wrong about marketing, social media, and video, and what they should be doing instead.Michael explains why agents should stop relying entirely on marketing they "rent," why 500 local people who know and trust you can be more valuable than 50,000 followers, and why conversations, DMs, and relationships matter more than likes and views.We also get into AI search, websites, Google, personal branding, speed to response, creating authentic content, and the balance between old-school prospecting and new-school marketing.Plus, Michael lays out what he would do during his first 90 days if he had to become a Realtor® in South Florida today with zero followers, zero leads, and a limited marketing budget.If your marketing isn't turning into actual conversations and business, this episode is for you.What's the biggest challenge you're facing with your marketing right now? Let us know in the comments.Chapters:00:00 Welcome03:08 Stop Renting Ads04:14 Authenticity Basics06:03 AI Content And SEO08:22 Own Your Platforms11:32 Google Yourself First15:20 Social Media Mistakes17:38 Consistency Builds Trust20:21 Show The Human22:37 500 Locals Beats 50K24:47 Speed to Response26:19 Quality Over Vanity27:24 Engage and Support29:16 Serve to Win31:47 Collaboration Beats Competition34:16 No Doom and Gloom35:26 Rookie 90 Day Plan38:47 Build Local Authority42:57 Old School Prospecting47:49 Stop Comparing, Start Helping49:03 Wrap Up FOLLOW US:Instagram: @miamirworldtalkTikTok: @miamirworld.talkWebsite: https://rworld.com/LISTEN ON AUDIO:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6TFUYs7cTWw539wUD7aLkE?si=79cdc73ede2f4828Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rworld-talk-south-florida-real-estate/id1671206655#MiamiRealtors #RWorld #RealEstate #SouthFlorida #Realtors #Marketing #ContentMarketing #VideoMarketing #DigitalMarketing #Leads #LeadGeneration #AI #Strategy #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #PersonalBrand

Coleman Spaulding has been part of Allan Draper's pest control story from the very beginning. Nearly 20 years after they first crossed paths, the two reconnect to talk about how door-to-door sales, relationships, and the people you meet along the way can shape an entire career.Coleman, co-founder of Spidexx Pest Control, shares lessons from starting in the industry by knocking doors to building a company that has expanded into multiple markets. They reminisce about the early days of pest control, the people who came out of that era, and the “pest control tree” that continues to connect operators and entrepreneurs today.The conversation also dives into why relationships matter more than individual deals, the value of collaboration in an industry where owners can help each other, creating win-win partnerships, and why taking care of people can pay dividends decades later.Plus, Allan shares the personal connection that brought him into pest control in the first place… and why Coleman is ultimately the reason he's in the industry at all.A conversation about pest control, business, relationships, and the people who shape your journey.

What separates businesses that grow from businesses that struggle to gain traction?In this conversation, Joseph Graham sits down with Sean Shahkarami, CPA, CFF, MAc, entrepreneur, strategist, author of Resonate, and founder of The Naples Commission. Sean shares how business owners can unlock growth by combining strategic thinking, financial intelligence, marketing clarity, and authentic storytelling.Drawing from his experience working with entrepreneurs and executives, Sean explains why many businesses fail to communicate their true value, how leaders can think more strategically about marketing, and why resonance matters more than attention. The discussion explores business growth, leadership, execution, personal development, and the critical mindset shifts needed to build a lasting brand and business.Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, sales professional, or leader looking to create more impact, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.Why strategy should drive every marketing decisionHow to create messaging that truly resonates with your audienceThe connection between finance, growth, and business executionCommon mistakes entrepreneurs make when positioning their businessesHow storytelling influences trust, influence, and salesThe mindset shifts required to scale a company successfullyWhy business owners must learn to think like a CMOHow clarity creates momentum in business and lifeSean Shahkarami, CPA, CFF, MAc is an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of The Naples Commission, a Southwest Florida hyperlocal media platform covering business, wealth, real estate, technology, and the influential people shaping the region.Sean works with business owners and leaders at the intersection of strategy, finance, marketing, and growth, helping them develop fresh perspectives on their businesses and transform ideas into meaningful execution.He is also the author of Resonate and a Certified Robbins-Madanes Business and Life Coach.

Today on the podcast, I'm chatting with photographer and podcast host Victoria Phipps, who also happens to be a previous client of mine! Victoria shares her journey from starting out as a self-taught wedding photographer in 2009 to navigating major career pivots, becoming a mum of two, launching her podcast Mum Means Business, and expanding into online courses and personal branding photography. We dive deep into the messy reality of running multiple business fractions, letting go of rigid perfectionism, using AI to organize complex ideas into a design brief, and how investing in a cohesive visual identity completely changes how confidently you show up in your business. Key Takeaways Authentic Branding Builds Real Confidence: A cohesive visual identity is so much more than colours and fonts; it provides the grounding and confidence you need to put yourself out there and take new leaps . Using AI as a Practical Structuring Tool: AI can be an incredible sounding board to help turn a brain dump into a clear, structured creative brief without losing your own voice or opinions . Consistency Flourishes from Joy: It is infinitely easier to stay consistent with projects that bring you genuine joy rather than simply checking off boxes of what you "should" be doing . Over-Communication Elevates the Client Experience: Being proactive, setting clear expectations, and adding thoughtful touches build deep trust and long-lasting professional relationships . Embracing the "Messy Middle": You don't always have to force yourself into a single, narrow niche; unifying your distinct business offerings under one cohesive visual language allows all your passions to thrive together . Episode Highlights 02:00 – Victoria's evolution from wedding photography to navigating COVID, motherhood, and business pivots. 06:15 – Launching the Mum Means Business podcast to connect with other female founders balancing ambition and family. 09:10 – Resisting the pressure to niche down and learning to bridge different business "fractions." 26:15 – How Victoria used Claude AI to dictate and structure a comprehensive creative brief for her rebrand. 33:00 – What makes an unforgettable client experience: communication, clear steps, and thoughtful details. 40:00 – Finding the visual thread that weaves distinct business strands together. 43:15 – How a brand identity that brings you joy transforms your confidence and how you market yourself. About the Guest Victoria Phipps is a UK-based photographer, host of the Mum Means Business podcast, and creator of the Print Over Pixels course for photographers . Website: mummeansbusinesspodcast.com Instagram: @mummeansbusinesspodcast | @victoriaphipps_mbe Mentioned in the Episode Events & Concepts: Atomic Con (aff link) Software & Tools:  Claude AI , Canva , Adobe Express (Aff link)   I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode! This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

#340 In Part 2 of Billy's conversation with Joe Meglio, founder and CEO of Game Changer Fitness, the discussion moves beyond business growth to the decisions that shape an entrepreneur's life. Joe explains how his relationship with money has evolved, why business and personal goals should not exist in separate silos, and how he gives money a specific job through taxes, savings, investments, reinvestment, and lifestyle choices. The conversation then turns to leadership. As Game Changer Fitness grew to 16 locations, Joe had to evolve from coach and operator into a strategic leader focused on people, vision, resource allocation, brand, and long-term direction. Joe also shares the challenges of delegating work he enjoys, trusting new leaders, staying out of the weeds, and building a business that can grow without requiring him to run every location himself. In this episode Why money should be viewed as a tool for building the life you want How personal goals and business goals influence each other Giving every dollar a specific purpose Balancing lifestyle spending, taxes, savings, investing, and business growth Why putting all your financial security into your business can be risky The leadership skills Joe had to develop as the business expanded Why self-awareness matters when building and leading a team The role of books, mentors, frameworks, and assessments in leadership development The challenge of delegating work you enjoy or do well How Joe's role has changed as Game Changer Fitness has grown Leading through vision and resource allocation instead of daily execution Supporting new leaders without getting in their way Using longer time horizons to measure strategic progress Designing constraints that protect time, family, and personal priorities Why Joe decided early on that he would not personally run multiple locations Notable takeaways Money is most useful when it has a clear purpose. Your business should support the life you want—not replace it. As a company grows, the owner's job must evolve. Delegation is not only about removing tasks you dislike; it also means letting go of work you enjoy. Growth requires trusting other people and allowing them room to operate. Constraints can create better systems and force more creative leadership. A business can grow beyond its founder without consuming the founder's entire life. Important Links: Follow Joe here Game Changer Fitness DM Billy for help  

Sometimes, the best business ideas can spring from some of our deepest insecurities.Jessica Rosales and Carlos Torres grew up feeling like "no sabo kids" — not quite fluent enough, not quite connected enough to the culture they came from. But instead of burying that insecurity, they turned it into Yo Sabo, a popular bilingual card game designed to help families reconnect through language.In this episode of This Is Small Business, the married couple shares how a simple night at the dog park turned into a real company, why they bet their savings on an initial order of 500 units, and how man-on-the-street interviews at a theme park helped their game go viral.From selling out inventory before it even landed in the US, to fighting off counterfeits, to Jessica finally quitting her job after their sales passed a million dollars — this conversation is about building something that means more than the product itself.Watch the full conversation on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ThisissmallbusinessIn this episode of This Is Small Business, you'll learn:(01:11) — How insecurity became a business idea(03:16) — The questions that turned an idea into a real product(05:29) — Why showing people play your product beats telling them about it(08:09) —Why a beautiful website isn't enough without customer trust(09:40) — What happens when counterfeits flood your listing(11:02) — What happens when your side project turns into a full-time business

Alex Rudolph is the Co-founder of TBAR Partners, an official TikTok Shop agency partner that scales e-commerce brands through creator content, shop management, and performance advertising. Alex specializes in TikTok Shop growth, creator-led commerce, and DTC strategy, helping major brands build high-converting social commerce programs. He helped build TBAR into a 25-person agency working with brands such as Ridge, Grüns, David Protein, and HexClad. In this episode… Building a fast-growing agency can create as many strategic questions as opportunities, especially when acquisition interest arrives early. How do founders know when it's the right time to sell rather than keep scaling on their own? Alex Rudolph, Co-founder of TBAR Partners, discusses selling a fast-growing TikTok Shop agency. With host Todd Taskey, Alex shares how they scaled through major DTC clients, why Common Thread Collective was the right buyer, and what founders should consider when negotiating deal terms. He also explains where TikTok Shop and live commerce may be headed next.

Send us Fan MailWe're coming to you LIVE from the 2026 Renaissance Women's Summit!On September 10th, more than 100 women entrepreneurs came together at Riverwood Mansion in Nashville for our seventh Renaissance Women's Summit—and one of my favorite activations of the day was the podcast content creation pop-up with our Summit partner Amplify Boutique, founded by Cait Howard.So naturally, Cait put me in the hot seat.We sat down in the middle of the Summit for a fun, candid conversation about what it actually looks like to build a business, brand, and visibility strategy that is sustainable for the woman behind it.I share why one of the biggest themes of this year's Summit was rejecting the pressure—especially the pressure we see on social media—to build the biggest business possible simply because we can. Your version of success gets to look different. Your business should support the life you want to live, not require you to sacrifice it.Cait and I also dig into what sustainable visibility actually looks like and her framework for thinking about it through three important pieces:Visibility: How are people finding you? Connection: How are you giving them an opportunity to go deeper with you? Conversion: How are you creating a path for those relationships to become business?And the answer to each of those questions should be based on your goals, your capacity, and the platforms you actually want to use.We also get into something I am VERY passionate about right now: the increasing value of long-form content in an AI-saturated world.We talk about why podcasts, YouTube, blogs, and deeper conversations give us something short-form content alone can't; why creating long-form content can make you a stronger communicator and sharpen your messaging; and why you should consider creating as if you have a podcast—even if you never actually launch one.Because long-form content gives you the space to tell the stories, explain the nuance, and share the perspective that makes people think, “I want to hear more from her.”And from there? You have an incredible foundation for your short-form content, too.We also reflect on the incredible women who filled the room at this year's Summit, how their energy exceeded our expectations, and what it felt like to see the message of building a Renaissance Business resonate so deeply.This one is fun, honest, a little different from our typical episode—and recorded right in the middle of the magic of Summit day. ❤️CONNECT WITH CAIT HOWARD + AMPLIFY BOUTIQUECait mentioned her podcast audit during our conversation—you can get yours here:Get Cait's Podcast AuditInstagram: @heycaithowardAmplify BoutiqueWelcome to Renaissance Women. Through listening, you're already part of this community—and I'm so glad you're here.Support the showAbout The Host:Sydney Dozier, the visionary behind Renaissance Marketing Group, has been at the forefront of social media excellence since the agency's inception in 2014. Over the past 10 years, Sydney has cultivated a full-fledged team of social media aficionados and creative minds, elevating Renaissance to its current status as one of Nashville's premier agencies. With an extensive and diverse clientele, they've consistently delivered exceptional results.From coast to coast, Renaissance offers a comprehensive suite of services, spanning social media management, strategic guidance, content creation, paid digital advertising, email marketing, influencer partnerships, graphic design, branding, in-house professional photography and videography, and beyond. Their mission is simple: to drive optimal revenue and online growth while consistently surpassing client expectations.Beyond her role as a business maven, Sydney wears multiple hats. She hosts The Renaissance Podcast, an enlightening resource for entrepreneurs seeking to spark a modern-day Renaissance in their lives and businesses. Her passion for championing women in business gave rise to The Mona Lisa Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting and accelerating women entrepreneurs in Nashville through mentorship, grants, education, and a vibrant community.Sydney is also the driving force behind The Renaissance Women's Summit, an annual gat...

This week, Matt of AS Designs joins Kailey and John on the legal ground his whole business sits on: what "common use" actually means when the threshold moves depending on how scary a product is, how a settlement between one company and the DOJ ended up writing the definition everyone else has to live under, and why patents restrict new designs more than any regulation does. ----------------------- Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this season! Kershaw Knives - Built for the everyday carry, ready for anything. Get your Kershaw today. Patriot Mobile – Get 1 month free with code “GOA” at checkout on their website!Right To Bear - Use code “GOA” for 15% off Life Membership

There's a strange irony at the heart of building something you care about. You start because you want freedom and a better life, but somewhere along the way the thing you're building starts consuming your evenings, weekends, and the quiet moments you were working toward. Host Niharika talks with Rob Broadhead, a fractional CIO, author, and founder who has spent decades helping entrepreneurs and business leaders make technology and business decisions that don't consume the rest of their lives. This episode asks a different question: what if the relentless drive to work harder is actually working against the very thing you're trying to build? Rob shares why exhaustion isn't a badge of honor, how to notice when you've drifted into unsustainable habits, and simple daily shifts that protect your energy without overhauling your whole life. About the Guest: Rob Broadhead is a fractional CIO, author, and founder of RB Consulting, where he helps entrepreneurs and business leaders make technology and business decisions that support sustainable growth. He also hosts the Develpreneur podcast and has spent decades working with developers and founders on building businesses that don't consume the rest of their lives. Key Takeaways: Founders often lose sight of the narrow set of skills that actually make their business unique, and get pulled into administrative work that drains their energy without moving the business forward. We tend to treat exhaustion as proof of success, a medal of honor, instead of a signal that something in how we're working needs to change. Give yourself explicit permission to step back periodically, weekly or monthly, and ask honest questions: is this sustainable, is this serving the purpose of the business, does this actually need to be done by me? Reframe rest as active, not as "stepping away from work." Just like a waiter is actively serving while waiting, taking a break is part of the work of staying healthy and productive, not a break from it. Build small, intentional pauses into your daily schedule rather than waiting for retirement to relax. Even a 10 minute walk can shift your whole day. A different perspective, from a coach, counselor, or trusted colleague, can help you see blind spots and bad habits that have quietly built up over time. Connect With Rob Broadhead: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robbroadhead Website: rb-sns.com Podcast: Develpreneur Episode Chapters: [00:00] The irony of building something you care about [03:00] The biggest misconception about what it takes to build something sustainable [06:30] How to recognize when your work habits are wearing you down [09:00] Why we equate struggle and suffering with success [12:00] Giving yourself permission to step back and reassess [17:30] Reframing rest as active, not as stepping away from work [22:00] Practical time-blocking habits that make a real difference [26:30] Closing thought: building presence into the hours you choose   Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. All views expressed by the guest are their personal opinions alone and do not represent the views of the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for any guest statements. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically and independently with all content do not consume blindly. Use this content as a starting point for your own reflection and research, not as a substitute for professional guidance. Third-party content is referenced under fair use for informational purposes only. Guest speakers are solely responsible for their own statements. If you have concerns about any content, please contact us here By listening, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer in full. Read detailed disclaimer here. Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6500+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.

There's a version of success that looks amazing on paper and feels completely empty on the inside. I know because I've talked to a lot of entrepreneurs who chased the number first and the meaning second, and most of them will tell you they got it backwards. This episode is a gut check on that exact thing, recorded on one of our favorite hiking pods out here in Montana.In this episode of The Happy Hustle Podcast, I hike & pod with Brian McMasters, founder of M&M Quality Solutions, a third party logistics company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri with operations in Salt Lake City and York, Pennsylvania. Brian has been running M&M Quality Solutions for 23 years and has been part of our Happy Hustle community for three of them. He's built his business on a simple, unfashionable idea, that real people beat bots every single time, and that the fastest way to grow a company is to actually care about the people inside it. He's also a husband, a man of deep faith, and someone who's about to release a book on the lessons that took him decades to learn the hard way.What makes this one matter is how honest Brian gets about the cost of chasing money for money's sake. He's not some guru talking theory. He's a guy who built a real logistics company from the ground up, hit the wall that almost every entrepreneur hits, and came out the other side with a totally different definition of what winning actually looks like. If you've ever felt like the hustle was starting to hollow you out instead of fill you up, this conversation is for you.A few things stood out to me that I don't want you to miss.Persistence beats talent every time. Brian says the number one reason he's still standing after 23 years is that he never quit, plain and simple. He calls himself a survivor, and when you remember that most businesses don't even make it past year one, that word means something.Your business should reflect what you actually care about. M&M Quality Solutions started as a pick, pack, and ship operation, and Brian is now steering it toward health and wellness products because that's where his own passion lives. He's not interested in being another faceless 3PL with hidden fees and confusing invoices. He wants his team to care about what's inside the box, not just get it out the door.You cannot build a real business alone. Brian talks about how lonely entrepreneurship gets without a community around you, people who've actually done the work and not just read about it. That's a huge reason he's stuck with Happy Hustle for three years running.Giving beats getting, in business and in love. His advice on relationships hit hard. Don't go in looking for what you can get, go in looking for what you can give, and it comes back to you tenfold. He said the same thing basically applies to how he leads his team.The biggest regret is almost always the same one. Brian was honest that his one regret is spending too many years chasing the money instead of investing that time in his people. Once he flipped that, everything else started to make sense.We also get into his rapid fire round, which is always one of my favorite parts of these hikes. Steak for the food, A Few Good Men for the movie, Think and Grow Rich for the book, and squats for the workout, which he says he used to hate and now genuinely loves. We talk about his morning routine of fifteen to twenty minutes in silence with God before the day even starts, why he trusts a real advisor over just checking boxes with an accountant, and the working title of his upcoming book, which traces back to lessons from his uncle in some very muddy backyards.This conversation reminded me why I love these hiking pods so much. You get the real version of someone when their legs are burning and their guard is down, and Brian gave us all of it. Faith, family, failure, and the kind of hard won wisdom you can only get by staying in the game for over two decades.If you're ready to rethink what you're actually chasing and why, go listen to the full episode. Brian's story is proof that the businesses built on people, not just profit, are the ones that last. When I asked him for his parting wisdom, he kept it simple. Pray, get a brotherhood, get out in nature, and keep hustlin'.Go listen to the full conversation now at https://happyhustle.com/podcast.Connect with Brianhttps://www.facebook.com/brian.mcmaster.50https://www.instagram.com/mmqualitysolutionshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/m-&-m-quality-solutions/https://twitter.com/mmqualsolutionsFind Brian on this website: https://mmqualitysolutions.com/about-us/Connect with Cary!https://www.instagram.com/caryjack/https://www.facebook.com/SirCaryJackhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-jack-kendzior/https://twitter.com/thehappyhustlehttps://www.tiktok.com/@caryjackhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFDNsD59tLxv2JfEuSsNMOQ/featuredGet a copy of his new book, https://www.thehappyhustle.com/bookSign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Course @ https://thehappyhustle.com/thejourney/Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventure @ https://thehappyhustle.com/mastermind/“It's time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!”Episode Sponsors:KilnYour environment shapes your energy and your results. That's why we're proud to partner with Kiln, a premium workspace experience designed to help you work smarter, connect with amazing people, and elevate your lifestyle. From co-working and private offices to meeting rooms and event spaces, Kiln (https://kiln.com/) has everything you need to thrive. Mention "Happy Hustle" for a special hookup!==================================================================If you're feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy's been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that's been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers.This ain't your average magnesium—it's got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all nightIf you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at https://www.bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF.My Green MattressIf you've been waking up with back pain, feeling stiff, or just not getting that deep, quality sleep. This might be what you're missing: My Green Mattress.It's made with clean, non-toxic, and eco-friendly materials, so you're not just sleeping better, you're sleeping healthier too. The comfort and support are on another level, and you can really feel the difference night after night.If you're ready to invest in better sleep and better recovery, check it out at https://thehappyhustle.com/mygreenmattressOzlo SleepIf you've been struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or just wake up feeling actually rested, let me put you on to something that's been a total game-changer: Ozlo Sleep.These aren't your typical sleep buds. They're designed to block out noise and help your brain fully relax, so you can drift off faster and stay in deep, uninterrupted sleep. Perfect if you're a light sleeper or just want that next-level rest.If you're ready to upgrade your sleep and wake up feeling recharged, check out https://ozlosleep.com and save $80 OFF using code HAPPY.

Homeschooling six kids while running a thriving food blog is no small feat, but Laura of Joy Food Sunshine shares how she's made it work without losing sight of her priorities. From the postpartum depression that first pushed her to start blogging, to the viral chocolate chip cookie recipe that still ranks #1 on Google, Laura opens up about building a business alongside motherhood. We talk about sharing responsibilities with her husband, letting go of perfectionism, setting boundaries, and creating content rooted in real life. This conversation is packed with encouragement for moms who want to pursue something they love while keeping family first!In this episode, we cover:Connecting with Laura Sandford, homeschooling mom of six and creator of Joy Food SunshineHow postpartum depression after her third baby lead Laura to start her food blog as a creative outletThe viral chocolate chip recipe that grew her blog and continues to rank #1 on Google since 2017Building a business in the early years by tag-teaming childcare and homeschooling with her husbandLearning to let go of control, hire help, and find the right people to support her businessMonthly check-ins with her husband to ensure every business maneuver is still serving their family– not the other way aroundSaying no to opportunities like writing a cookbook until the season is rightStructuring work hours during afternoon rest times and keeping the business sustainable in busy family seasonsLetting go of perfectionism in homemaking and setting up simple systems for chores, cleaning, and laundryLaura's honest story of postpartum depression during nursing seasons and how she chooses to slow down and savor the baby yearsWhy both of us believe sustainable content has to come from real life, not just chasing trendsAdvice for moms who want to start something online: focus on passion, authenticity, and consistency rather than sensationalismView full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!RESOURCES MENTIONEDLaura's chocolate chip cookies recipe Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTubeMaster the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough courseGain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing seriesTurn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success AcademyKeep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbookCONNECTLaura of Joy Food Sunshine | Website | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTokLisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | PinterestDo you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you'd like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens to your business when you're ready to step away?In this episode of the Wise Divine Women Podcast, Dana Irvine speaks with Matt Middendorp of VisionPoint Capital about Employee Stock Ownership Plans, or ESOPs, and how business owners can approach succession, retirement, wealth, and legacy with greater intention.Matt explains how an ESOP can give qualifying U.S. business owners another option beyond selling to private equity or an outside buyer. Through an employee ownership structure, owners may be able to transition all or part of their company while protecting the culture, leadership, employees, and community they worked so hard to build.The conversation explores why business transitions should be deliberate rather than something that simply “happens” to an owner. Matt shares how succession planning involves much more than the sale price. Owners also need to consider control, identity, profitability, employee retention, company culture, future leadership, and the legacy they want to leave behind.Dana and Matt also discuss the potential benefits of employee ownership for team members, including increased engagement, stronger retention, and the opportunity to build long-term retirement wealth through the success of the company.Matt explains what types of businesses may be a good fit for an ESOP, why profitability and management alignment matter, and how a feasibility study can help owners understand the potential financial impact before making a decision.They also explore how employee ownership may apply to women-owned businesses, wellness practices, spas, yoga studios, retail companies, service businesses, and organizations with government contracts.Key TakeawaysBusiness succession should be intentional. Your transition should reflect your financial goals, personal values, leadership wishes, and vision for the future.Legacy is about more than money. For many owners, protecting employees, culture, and community matters just as much as the final sale price.Employee ownership can align interests. Employees may become more connected to the success of the company when they participate in its long-term value.ESOPs are not right for every business. Profitability, employee count, management alignment, business structure, and ownership goals all need to be considered.There is rarely only one path forward. Matt encourages owners to explore their options rather than assuming a traditional sale is the only choice.About Matt MiddendorpMatt Middendorp works with VisionPoint Capital, helping business owners explore employee ownership and determine whether an ESOP may align with their succession, financial, and legacy goals.Learn more and take the ESOP readiness assessment at:This conversation focuses primarily on ESOPs under U.S. law. Canadian business owners should seek guidance specific to Canadian employee ownership, tax, legal, and succession planning regulations.ESOP, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, business succession planning, employee ownership, business exit strategy, retirement planning, women business owners, selling a business, business legacy, private equity alternatives, employee retention, wealth building, business valuation, VisionPoint Capital, Matt Middendorp, women entrepreneurs

You don't have to build the biggest business. You have to build the right one. Kyle has spent nearly 30 years proving that. He built a career around fishing, adventure, travel, and some of the most remote places on the planet. He moved to Alaska without much of a plan, built his reputation as a guide and operator, traveled throughout Patagonia selling experiences he knew firsthand, started over more than once, and eventually found his way to leading Aleutian Adventures. And he did it without giving up the reason he chose this path in the first place. In this episode of Kenversations, Ken Okonek and Kyle Kolodziejski get into what it actually looks like to build a business around what you value. They talk about betting on yourself, taking calculated risks, hiring for character over credentials, controlling the things you can control, earning customer trust, and recognizing that more growth isn't always better growth. That last one is a big part of how Kyle runs Aleutian Adventures today. They already have demand. They already have waitlists. They could market harder and reach more people. They intentionally choose not to. Instead, the focus is on attracting the right people, protecting the experience, respecting the land and fisheries, and making sure growth doesn't destroy the exact thing people are coming to experience. Kyle also shares why some of the hardest moments in his life led to his biggest pivots, how being stranded in Argentina during COVID changed his path, and why he believes following passion instead of money has ultimately created a pretty rich life. And as AI and technology take up more of our lives, Ken and Kyle get into something that may become even more valuable: Places where you can actually get away from all of it. This one is about business, but it's also about having the guts to build a life that actually looks like yours. Subscribe to Kenversations for more conversations with entrepreneurs, leaders, and people willing to do things differently. In This Episode: Kyle and Ken dig into building a career around adventure, taking calculated risks, hiring for character instead of technical skills, the business behind world-class outdoor experiences, building trust with customers, responsible marketing, intentional growth, protecting Alaska's wilderness, and why unplugged experiences could become even more valuable in an increasingly digital world. Chapters: 00:00 Meet Kyle from Aleutian Adventures 02:12 Turning Adventure Into a Career 08:30 How Kyle Found His Way to Alaska 10:15 The Conference That Changed Everything 16:35 Betting on Yourself and Going All-In 24:45 Building a Career in Alaska's Fishing Industry 30:25 Control the Controllables 32:15 Hiring for Character, Not Just Skill 37:15 Leaving Alaska and Starting a New Chapter 42:20 Turning Patagonia Experience Into a Business Advantage 48:25 Marketing, Growth and Knowing Your Customer 56:00 Building a Career One Step at a Time 57:30 Choosing Family and Returning to Alaska 1:05:00 Getting Stuck in Argentina During COVID 1:14:00 Starting Over Again 1:18:30 The Opportunity That Became Aleutian Adventures 1:22:30 Rebuilding the Brand and Marketing 1:24:30 Why More Marketing Isn't Always Better 1:31:30 What's Next for Aleutian Adventures 1:34:30 Why Unplugged Experiences Matter More Than Ever 1:38:00 Protecting One of Alaska's Wildest Places 1:43:00 Closing Thoughts

You make dozens of business decisions every week, but are they actually building the business you say you want? This episode is about looking at your offers, calendar, workload, and opportunities through a different lens so you can spot where things are out of alignment—and start making decisions that move you toward a business you'd actually want more of. RESOURCES MENTIONED NOTE: Some links below contain affiliate/referral links. It is a way for this site to earn advertising fees by advertising or linking to certain products and/or services. DISCOUNT: Code for 30+ free days of Podcast Audio Hosting through Libsyn: bossgirl RESOURCE: Need a Podcast Editor? Hire mine & tell him I referred you…The Podcast Man WORK WITH ME: Back Pocket VIP Coaching YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Subscribe >> The House of Sugar Creek MY BOOK: Snag a copy! Pillars & Purpose: How to Build a Business That Works for You RESOURCE: Contract Templates for your Business YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Subscribe to the BGC YouTube Channel and listen to my episodes via YouTube! MY 90-DAY UNDATED PLANNER: Buy it here! RESOURCE: Receive 20% off your first month or your first year with Dubsado RESOURCE: Receive 50% off your first full year with FloDesk (+ a 14-day free trial) LEAVE A MESSAGE: Click Here UNHINGED COMMENTS: Starts at 6:06 SEARCH BAR CONFESSIONS: Starts at 7:31 BUSINESS NUGGET: Starts at 13:04 RESOURCE: Try Manychat for 2 weeks for free RESOURCE: Check out Hilma products – $10 off for ya! RESOURCE: The Clarity Catch-Up Mini Workbook (FREEBIE) RESOURCE: The Clarity Code (reflection deck) RESOURCE: The Clarity Shot RESOURCE: Influencer Rate Calculator from Soulcial Society RESOURCE: Priestess Numerology Chart Reading AI Tool EPISODES YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY... EPISODE 587 – YOU MIGHT NOT NEED MORE CUSTOMERS EPISODE 578 – THE AI MISTAKE COSTING YOU TIME EPISODE 538 – FROM KEYWORD CHAOS TO COURSE CLARITY EPISODE 488 – IS YOUR ONLINE LEGACY PROTECTED? EPISODE 438 – WHEN THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS EPISODE 388 – WHY PILLARS & PURPOSE MATTER EPISODE 338 – DON'T BE A CONTENT TOURIST EPISODE 288 – HOW TO USE GOOGLE SEARCH CONSOLE EPISODE 188 – MORNING ROUTINES FOR CREATIVES FIND TAYLOR ONLINE... Blog – Sugar Creek Farm Instagram – @taylorlbradford Facebook – bossgirlcreative Pinterest – thehouseofsugarcreek TikTok – @taylorlbradford YouTube – The House of Sugar Creek YouTube – Boss Girl Creative

In this episode, Jen Gore shares her journey from law firm founder to successful coach and mentor, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, strategic vendor management, and continuous evolution in business and life.

Behind every launch, deal, and pitch is a mental and emotional weight most people never see. Host Sreemedha talks with Richard Gearhart, founding partner of Gearhart Law, about the hidden emotional cost of entrepreneurship and why so many founders quietly assume they're supposed to have it all figured out. If you're juggling a startup, a side project, or a season of life where the pressure feels constant, this conversation offers a grounded look at entrepreneur stress management, warning signs your body sends before burnout, and simple daily practices that keep founders steady without pretending the uncertainty ever fully goes away. About the Guest: Richard Gearhart is an attorney, award-winning speaker, and nationally syndicated radio show host. He is the founding partner of Gearhart Law, where he has worked with clients ranging from Fortune 50 companies to Shark Tank entrepreneurs, helping protect the ideas that drive innovation and change. Key Takeaways: The myth that a good idea "manifests easily" sets founders up for stress they didn't expect, even seasoned entrepreneurs underestimate how hard the journey actually is. Watch for the early warning signs of founder burnout: losing sleep, general irritability, and an inability to stop thinking about the business. Not all stress is negative. Positive stress, the kind that comes from achieving your goals, still needs to be processed, or it creates its own tension. Growth as an entrepreneur is often uncomfortable by design. Living through difficult stress and seeing that the business survives builds real resilience for what comes next. Stream of consciousness journaling can help you find the actual root cause of a stressor, once you name it clearly, the pressure often eases on its own. Simple, repeatable habits like regular exercise, eating well, limiting alcohol, and stepping fully away from screens protect your mental health for the long run, not just the short term. Connect With Richard Gearhart: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richardgearhart Website: gearhartlaw.com Radio Show: Passage to Profit, nationally syndicated on iHeartRadio Episode Chapters: [00:00] The version of success we see, and the story running underneath it [02:30] The biggest misconception about entrepreneurs and mental toughness [04:30] Why the entrepreneurial journey is such an emotional marathon [06:00] Warning signs you're carrying more stress than you realize [10:30] Positive stress versus negative stress, and why both need attention [13:30] Richard's personal toolkit: exercise, journaling, and stepping away from screens [16:30] Where to find Richard and the strongest thing you can build   Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. All views expressed by the guest are their personal opinions alone and do not represent the views of the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for any guest statements. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically and independently with all content do not consume blindly. Use this content as a starting point for your own reflection and research, not as a substitute for professional guidance. Third-party content is referenced under fair use for informational purposes only. Guest speakers are solely responsible for their own statements. If you have concerns about any content, please contact us here By listening, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer in full. Read detailed disclaimer here. Healthy Mind By Avik™️is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6500+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.

Experience isn't what happens to you. It's what you learn to see that others miss.Returning guest Nicole Malcolm joins Jay Doran for another conversation on the Culture Matters Podcast, continuing a relationship that goes back to the earliest days of Culture Matters. Since her previous appearance in Episode 835, a lot has changed. Affinity Land Services has continued to grow, The Vault has become a place for education and community, her children have taken increasingly important roles in the family business, and Nicole herself has continued evolving as a founder and leader.At the center of the conversation is a lesson many founders eventually have to confront: the business that got you here may need to operate differently to get you where you want to go next.Nicole shares that Affinity Land Services has roughly tripled its business over the last three years. But that growth did not simply come from selling more. Internally, the company needed greater structure. What had once been a relatively flat organization needed clearer leadership, processes, responsibilities, and a chain of command capable of supporting a larger company.Structure, Nicole learned, does not have to remove the humanity from a business. Done correctly, it can actually protect it.That philosophy extends to The Vault, a nearly 2,000-square-foot learning and event space created to provide additional value to clients and the community. From continuing education and seminars to company meetings, events, and charitable initiatives, The Vault represents Nicole's desire to do something different in an industry where differentiation matters.But some of Nicole's greatest leadership lessons have come from inside her own family.As her children became more involved in the company, Nicole had to confront something difficult for many founders and parents: control. She had built the company. She knew how she wanted things done. Yet growth required recognizing that the next generation could bring different ideas, capabilities, perspectives, and energy to what she created.Sometimes your children may even know how to do something better than you do.Learning to step back has not meant caring less about the company. It has meant trusting more.Nicole and Jay also explore empathy as a leadership responsibility. Nicole wants employees and customers to feel like people, not numbers. She believes leaders should know what is happening in the lives of the people around them, create opportunities to connect outside of work, listen, ask questions, and remember what it felt like to be an employee themselves.That philosophy was shaped in part by watching her own mother lead. Nicole remembers a woman who became respected, relatable, and compassionate, and whose former employees still speak about her with admiration years later. Today, Nicole sees many of those same principles influencing the culture she is building with her own family.In this episode, Jay and Nicole discuss:• The evolution of Affinity Land Services since Nicole's last appearance• Why The Vault was created and how it provides value beyond title services• Differentiating yourself in a crowded industry• Giving back through business and community• How Nicole's leadership has changed over 15+ years• Why rapid growth requires greater organizational structure• How Affinity's business has roughly tripled over the last three years• Leading with empathy without sacrificing accountability• Why employees should never feel like numbers• The challenge of relinquishing control in a family business• Allowing the next generation to bring new ideas into something you built• Learning to trust your children as leaders• Why founders cannot control every circumstance or outcome• Faith, gratitude, and moving forward despite fear• Building trust with new employees• Creating connection outside the workplace• Lessons Nicole learned watching her mother lead• How AI and technology are changing opportunities for the next generation• Why customers remember how you make them feel long after closing• Supporting small and family-owned businesses• Endurance, perseverance, and staying the course when entrepreneurship feels lonelyOne of Nicole's biggest personal shifts has been accepting what she can and cannot control. Growth brought more employees, more responsibility, more opportunities, and naturally, more things to worry about. Through reflection and guidance, she began recognizing that she could give everything within her control without carrying responsibility for everything outside of it.That realization allowed her to relax without disengaging.Faith has played an important role in that process. For Nicole, faith means stepping forward without always seeing exactly where the next step will land. When fear begins taking over, she turns toward gratitude and continues moving.Her word for 2026, looking back on the year, would be growth. That growth is visible in the business, but it is also visible in Nicole herself as a founder, mother, employer, and leader.And when asked what she would tell another founder trying to build both a business and a family, her message is simple:Don't give up. Have endurance. Stay the course.There will be days when you do not feel like moving forward. There will be seasons when entrepreneurship feels incredibly lonely. There will be moments when the company requires you to change, trust other people, relinquish control, and become a different leader than the one who originally built it.Those moments do not necessarily mean something is going wrong.Sometimes they are evidence that you are growing.Stay the course. Build the structure. Trust your people. Give more than you take. And create something your family can continue building long after you.

Gwendolen Wilder is the founder of Girls Trip to Peace™, a certified business strategist, published author, and retired United States Air Force veteran.She's also a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, and she knows what it means to rebuild from the inside out.Her mission is helping Christian women navigate life and business with God's peace, wisdom, and direction. Not just working for Him. Building with Him.On this episode we talk about faith, resilience, purpose, and creating a life and business rooted in courage and intentionality, even after adversity.If your faith and your business feel like two separate worlds, this conversation brings them together.

What if the life you worked so hard to build no longer feels aligned with who you're becoming?In Part One of the ICON Series, Allison Walsh explores the powerful process of reinvention and what it means to intentionally create your next chapter. From career changes and entrepreneurship to identity, personal growth, and finding greater alignment, Allison shares the lessons she has learned through her own seasons of reinvention—and why starting again does not mean starting from scratch.You may have the career, business, title, recognition, or stability you once dreamed about, yet still feel like something is missing. If you've been asking yourself, “Is this still right for me?”, this episode will help you recognize the difference between simply being successful and being truly aligned with the life you're building.In This Episode, Allison Explores:The 4 signs that you may be ready for reinventionWhy success can stop feeling like alignmentHow gratitude and growth can exist at the same timeWhy your identity can become limiting when it is tied too closely to a title or roleThe difference between being capable of something and being called to continue doing itWhy working harder isn't always the answer when something no longer fitsHow to recognize whether a difficult season is developing you or depleting youWhat to do when your future requires more space than your current life can holdHow to conduct an intentional reinvention auditWhat you should honor, release, carry forward, and practice nowWhy you don't have to burn down your current life to begin creating your next chapterHow to start building your next career, business, or opportunity before you're ready to make the leapThe Reinvention AuditIf you're in a season of change, Allison challenges you to evaluate four things:HONOR — What has this chapter given you?RELEASE — What no longer fits?CARRY FORWARD — What experience, skills, relationships, reputation, and strengths are you taking with you?PRACTICE NOW — What decision can you make today that reflects the woman you're becoming?You don't need to map out the next five years. You simply need to get honest about your next right move.Your Challenge This WeekTake a few minutes to complete your own reinvention audit.Write down four headings:Honor. Release. Carry Forward. Practice Now.You don't need to figure out your entire future. Start by telling yourself the truth about what no longer fits and identifying one decision that moves you toward your next chapter.Because reinvention isn't about becoming someone entirely different.It's about becoming a more complete expression of who you've been becoming all along. About the ICON SeriesICON stands for Intention, Create, Own, Next—a series about intentionally creating your next incredible chapter.This episode is Part One, focused on intention and reinvention.In the next episode, Allison will explore how you can turn everything you've lived and learned into something that creates value, impact, and opportunity for others. Continue Your JourneyIf you're ready to intentionally create your next incredible chapter, Allison invites you to join the ICONIC Impact Summit on November 5 in Winter Park.And if you're looking for strategic support to turn your expertise, story, and vision into a recognizable platform and business, explore the She Believed She Could™ Collective, where the work centers around mindset, messaging, marketing, monetization, and momentum.This episode is sponsored by AdventHealth for Women. Learn more about their Women's Health Navigation Team and how they're making healthcare simpler for women and their families at AdventHealthForWomen.com.Join Us at Iconic ImpactReady to create your next incredible chapter?The She Believed She Could™ ICONIC IMPACT takes place November 5, 2026, in The Center for Health and Wellbeing | Winter Park, Florida, bringing together ambitious, accomplished women for meaningful conversations around leadership, visibility, business growth, wellbeing, purpose, and impact. The experience continues November 6 with the exclusive VIP Impact Lab at Hi Hello Labs.

What if the real measure of a successful design firm isn't how much the principal can personally accomplish—but how well the business operates when they're not there? In this episode of The Art of Being Principal, Michelle Lynne and Katie Decker-Erickson have one of their trademark conversations: part business strategy, part leadership lesson, and part "how did we get on this subject?" They dive into why strong operations are so important for design firms, especially as a business grows beyond the principal doing everything herself. From documenting processes and empowering your team to conducting project postmortems and creating space to step away, they explore what it actually takes to build a firm that can function without you. And yes, they talk about Fiji. Michelle shares her "Fiji Factor"—the idea that if she and her lead designer could disappear to Fiji tomorrow, the business should still be able to operate. Katie adds her own twist: processes should be consistent, but not so rigid that there's no room for the unique needs of a luxury client or the lessons you learn along the way. The conversation also gets into one of the biggest leadership shifts a principal can make: stopping yourself from being the person who solves every problem. Because when your team has responsibility and the authority to make decisions, something important happens. You get your time back. Your team gets stronger. And the business becomes less dependent on you. In this episode, Michelle and Katie talk about: Why documented processes are essential—even for small and solo design firms The "Fiji Factor" and why your business should be able to function without you Why 90% of your process should stay consistent while leaving room for the other 10% Charging appropriately for high-maintenance or high-touch clients How to stop being the person who has to know and solve everything The difference between responsibility and authority when managing a team Why hiring for "care" and character can matter more than hiring for every skill on the job description How to trust your team while still having checks and balances Why project postmortems should capture what went RIGHT—not just what went wrong How to recognize when an old process no longer serves your clients or your firm The importance of auditing your processes, subscriptions, tools, and systems Why the right tools can save you from working harder just to get the same result How creating white space in your business gives you room to think, create, and breathe Why principals need to take real time away from the business The connection between good operations, sustainability, and actually enjoying your business again One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation is simple: Operations may not sound sexy, but they're what give you the freedom to build the business—and the life—you actually want. Whether you want to grow a seven-figure firm, take six clients a year, spend more time designing, or simply be able to take a vacation without your phone exploding, the goal is the same: build a business that doesn't require you to hold every piece in your head. And sometimes, the best leadership move you can make is to step back and let your people figure it out. Because you don't have to know everything. You don't have to solve everything. And your business shouldn't need you to do everything. Connect with Us You can learn more about Michelle by visiting https://thedesignbakehouse.com/ or following her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/by_michelle_lynne/ You can learn more about Katie by visiting https://successbydesign.coach/ or following her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/successbydesign_coach_podcast/ Want to get on the waitlist for Sidemark 2.0? This software will be THE software to run your entire interior design business. A true all-in-one. https://api.mysidemark.com/widget/form/4Ug6Rgg2uqCX0MydoJ2v?notrack=true  

In this special episode of the Wellness Pro Hotline, Cate Stillman sits down with Marita Robinson — a Colorado-based attorney turned mediator — for a live Future You coaching session on how to build a business that fits your life instead of running it. Marita spent years in litigation and public defender work before recognizing what many wellness-oriented professionals eventually see: the traditional legal path was misaligned with the woman she was becoming. In this recorded coaching call, Cate and Marita work in real time to design a new business model — one that combines Marita's mediation license with holistic support for individuals and couples navigating major life transitions. The result is a working concept Cate helps Marita name on the spot: The Healthy Split — a boutique mediation and life design practice for highly conscious clients moving through divorce, career pivots, and other identity-level transitions. Together, Cate and Marita explore: Why "certification collecting" is often expensive procrastination: How Marita's law degree and lived experience already qualify her to lead this work, without another program The Bridge vs. The Breakaway: When to stay with an existing platform (Marita's mediation license) versus when to build your own brand from scratch — and how to run an upsell path inside a larger container Live Business Model Design with AI: Watch Cate work with Claude in real time to sketch pricing tiers, target client personas, and premium boutique positioning The "Aftercare Club" Concept: Why most divorce lawyers disappear after the papers are signed — and how a 10-week Fresh Start Community can become the highest-value part of the offer Regional Word-of-Mouth Marketing: How to build a high-end holistic practice in a small mountain town with two to three leads a week — no funnel required Choosing Your Niche by Elimination: Why the ideal client for Marita isn't a teenage girl or a coaching prospect, but the highly conscious couple or professional woman facing a major legal transition The Cognitive Edge of Body Work in Legal Decisions: Why a dysregulated nervous system cannot negotiate effectively — and how physical grounding leads to faster, cleaner settlements Structuring for Return on Investment: Cate walks Marita through the math of one high-ticket sale covering the full Wellness Pro Academy investment — the "earn while you learn" model Manifesting the Nest, Not Just the Job: How focusing creative energy on a specific business container invites the whole life it's designed around This episode is a rare inside look at how Cate coaches inside Wellness Pro Academy — combining business strategy, personal healing, and real-time AI-supported market research into one session that leaves Marita with a working business concept, a target client, and a next step. Notable Quote: "We need a business system that works for your lifestyle, first and foremost. So that as you go through these stages, you're not bringing your energy out to other people's organizations — you're receiving in and building your own tidy growth engine." Connect with Cate Stillman: Website: wellnesspro.academy Podcast: Wellness Pro Show + Wellness Pro Hotline Books: Body Thrive, Master of You, Primal Habits, Uninflamed If you're a wellness pro, coach, or professional wondering how to combine your existing expertise into a business built around your real life, this episode is a working example of how it can be done.

Sanaa Abourezk is a Syrian-born chef, cookbook author, and owner of Sanaa's Gourmet Mediterranean in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A 2023 James Beard Award finalist, Sanaa has spent more than two decades sharing the food and traditions of her Syrian heritage while championing healthy, plant-forward cooking. She has authored five cookbooks and built a thriving restaurant by staying true to her food, her values, and her community. In this episode, Sanaa shares the lessons she learned from surviving the early years of her restaurant, managing cash flow, retaining great employees, and deliberately choosing a business model that gives her both financial stability and a fulfilling life. On this episode we talk about: How Sanaa went from an agricultural engineering degree in Syria to becoming a chef and restaurant owner in South Dakota Why she refused to compromise her food by adding burgers, fries, or other items just because customers suggested them The importance of cash flow and why entrepreneurs should build more financial runway than they think they'll need How Sanaa managed every aspect of her business in the early days, from cooking and accounting to cleaning floors Why treating employees well and making them feel valued can dramatically improve retention and customer experience How she self-published cookbooks when traditional publishers told her there wasn't a market for her ideas Why Sanaa has intentionally chosen not to franchise or open additional restaurants How to design your business around the lifestyle you actually want Top 3 Takeaways Cash flow can make or break a business. Revenue and profitability aren't enough if you don't have enough cash to cover payroll, rent, insurance, supplies, and unexpected disruptions. Build enough runway to survive the slow periods before assuming your business will become cash-flow positive. Don't compromise what makes you different. Sanaa was repeatedly told to add familiar American foods to her menu, but she stayed committed to her Mediterranean concept. That consistency helped her build a loyal customer base that valued what she uniquely offered. Success doesn't have to mean constant expansion. Sanaa could have opened additional locations or franchised her restaurant, but she chose to build a profitable business that gives her employees stability, allows her to take vacations, and lets her continue doing what she loves. The best business model is the one that supports the life you want. Notable Quotes "If you think your business needs two hundred thousand dollars to build, you ask for four hundred thousand." "If you believe in something, you just stick with it." "I would never serve something I don't eat. Period. That's it." Connect with Sanaa Abourezk: Instagram: @SanaaCooks27 Cookbooks: Sanaa's five published cookbooks A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us Fan MailLindsay Fork pulled up to the studio fresh off dropping her oldest daughter at college… and within about 30 seconds, we were both trying not to cry.So naturally, we went there.We talk about the weird, beautiful heartbreak of watching your kids grow up, what happens to your identity when the role you've poured so much of yourself into starts changing, and why having a purpose that exists alongside motherhood matters more than we probably realize.Then we get into the other side of Lindsay's life: building Luxe Redux into a 15-location bridal powerhouse with 150+ employees, learning how to actually operate like a CEO instead of touching every single thing herself, and the uncomfortable art of trusting your team enough to let go of the vine.We also cover sabbaticals, mom guilt, psychedelics, addiction and trauma, why taking time for yourself can somehow still feel selfish, bridal trends, teenage “vlogging,” Facebook moms coming for Lindsay in the comments, and possibly the greatest leadership tool ever invented:The No Drama Llama.This is one of those conversations that moves exactly like real life does—motherhood, business, identity, growth, ridiculousness, and everything in between.No polished talking points. No perfectly packaged lesson.Just two women chopping it up about where life has them right now.And honestly? Those are usually my favorite conversations.Keep moving, baby.

Send us Fan MailHeidi Weiland built what appeared to be a thriving web agency: steady referrals, corporate clients, established systems and a growing team. Behind the success, however, she was exhausted, anxious and dreading the business she had created.In this conversation with Joey Pinz, Heidi explains how people-pleasing, poor boundaries and the pressure to work harder gradually turned entrepreneurship into burnout. She reveals why a founder's nervous system can quietly influence hiring, sales, productivity and other major business decisions—and how to recognize when anxiety is choosing the strategy.Heidi also introduces “regenerative success”: building a business that returns energy, meaning and connection instead of continually depleting its owner. Drawing on more than 20 years of entrepreneurship, operations experience, yoga, Ayurveda and nervous-system-informed coaching, she offers a more human approach to sustainable business growth.

Leadership growth rarely happens when everything is comfortable. Sometimes it comes from saying “yes” before you feel completely ready. By putting in the extra effort, or believing strongly enough in your path to keep going when things get difficult, anything is possible. Dave Fechtman, CEO of Velocity Advisory Group, today's guest, talks about resilience, perseverance, leadership, and what it takes to build something that lasts. One of the biggest takeaways is Dave's advice to have a point of view and become an expert on something. Especially essential for emerging leaders, developing expertise, volunteering for opportunities, and intentionally building relationships can create opportunities that might not otherwise come your way.Dave shares the very real story behind building Velocity Advisory Group, including the moment when his company was down to just $17, credit cards were maxed out, and he had to choose between gas and groceries. That moment became a catalyst, but perseverance alone wasn't enough. Dave had to change his pricing, expand beyond his local market, stay flexible and creative, and continue adapting until he found a formula that worked. Dave also elaborates on belief, putting yourself in situations where you can get “lucky,” staying uncomfortable, and adapting to rapid changes like COVID and AI. Dave explains why empathy can be both a leadership superpower and a challenge, and gives us a first look at his upcoming book on executive team alignment.If you're an emerging leader, find something you can become an expert in and develop a clear point of view. Don't just attend - volunteer, serve on a committee, or pursue a board role and become part of making things happen. When opportunities stretch you, don't let imposter syndrome convince you that you're not ready; trust that you can and will figure things out. And remember, working harder doesn't mean working endlessly. Dave's challenge is to lean in when the moment calls for it, stay curious, and remain uncomfortable enough to keep learning and adapting.Follow Dave Fechtman on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davefechtman/Velocity Advisory Group Website: https://www.velocityadvisorygroup.com/Follow Suken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukenjain/Email Suken at: suken@synergysyncsolutions.comSynergy Sync Solutions Website: https://www.synergysyncsolutions.com/This episode was brought to you by Pivot Ball Change.

Send us Fan Mail"Success to me is happiness." –Brian HessThe L3 Podcast is BACK! In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Doug Smith sits down with entrepreneur and business leader Brian Hess, founder of The Pavement Group, Top Contractor School, and 1 Team Media.Whether you're building a business, leading a team, raising a family, or simply trying to become a better leader, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for the journey.⏱️ Episode Breakdown00:00 – L3 Leadership is back: Doug welcomes Brian Hess01:00 – The impact Brian's grandmother had on his life04:00 – Dreaming about entrepreneurship at six years old06:00 – The price behind success that people don't see09:00 – Why God likes to “hit a moving target”10:00 – Is entrepreneurship really for everyone?11:00 – Brian's definition of true success12:00 – Why Brian waited until 38 to become an entrepreneur14:00 – Building a company that creates opportunities for others16:00 – The risk Brian and his wife took to pursue the vision17:00 – Why Brian wouldn't change the timing of his journey19:00 – How to compress time and accelerate your experience20:00 – The sacrifices required to build something great23:00 – Helping your family understand what the sacrifice is for25:00 – What Brian learned about hard work from his father27:00 – Why leaders need to reject a victim mentality29:00 – Carrying the weight and responsibility of leadership31:00 – Building a team that can carry the load with you32:00 – Why great leaders have to “pull the weeds”34:00 – Going from being needed everywhere to building a self-sufficient team35:00 – The leadership lessons Brian has learned over eight years36:00 – Humility and knowing when to listen38:00 – Auditing where you invest your time39:00 – The investments that have produced the greatest growth40:00 – Studying Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters41:00 – Brian's approach to building meaningful relationships42:00 – Why cold DMs and transactional networking don't work44:00 – Playing the long game with influential leaders47:00 – How Brian maintains a powerful network49:00 – What Brian is learning about parenting five children51:00 – Why being a parent is the most important title you'll ever have53:00 – How faith has shaped Brian's leadership and entrepreneurship55:00 – The Brian Hess Show and closing thoughtsLinks: Brian Hess https://realbrianhess.comBrian Hess on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/realbrianhess/The Pavement Group https://thepavementgroup.comTop Contractor School https://topcontractorschool.com1TEAM Media https://1teammedia.comNothingman / Shiloh Plate & Pour (Pittsburgh) https://www.shilohplateandpour.comThe Brian Hess Show — Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brian-hess-show/id1477287951The Brian Hess Show — Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4OnmaJ1QDjgb2bZcJjrPhKThe Brian Hess Show — Website https://realbrianhess.com/podcast/John Maxwell https://www.johnmaxwell.comEd Mylett https://www.edmylett.comC12 Group https://www.c12group.comBerkshire Hathaway Letters to Shareholders https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/letters.htmlThe L3 Leadership Podcast is sponsored by Andocia Marketing Solutions.Andocia exists to bring leaders' visions to life. Learn more at www.andocia.com

In part three of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and Eric Skwarczynski expand on a key creator-economy principle: follower count is not financial security. Through examples ranging from a pizza-maker creator who embraces his day job to Surreal's clever low-budget celebrity marketing, they explore why meaningful work, owned audiences, repeatable customer acquisition, and resourceful creativity matter more than hype. On this episode we talk about: Why no honest work should be dismissed as “not a real job” The value of maintaining work you enjoy while building toward larger goals How creators can use a day job as stability rather than seeing it as a limitation Why follower count alone does not make a creator business sustainable The importance of moving an audience from social platforms to assets you control, such as an email list, text list, or community How platform algorithm shifts and monetization changes can abruptly disrupt creator income Why traditional businesses also need a proven, repeatable customer-acquisition channel before going full time Surreal's marketing campaign featuring ordinary people with celebrity names, including Ronaldo, Dwayne Johnson, Serena Williams, and Michael Jordan How a clever idea can earn attention without an expensive celebrity endorsement The tradeoff between healthier high-protein alternatives and food people genuinely enjoy Top 3 Takeaways Respect work that creates value and moves you toward your goals. A job title, social status, or perceived prestige does not determine whether someone's work is meaningful; consistent effort and how people treat others matter more. Build a business around controllable distribution and repeatable demand. Creators should develop owned channels—such as email, SMS, or a community—while businesses need a reliable acquisition method that is not limited to friends, referrals, or a single algorithm. Creativity can outperform budget. Surreal's “official cereal of Ronaldo” concept demonstrates how a strong insight, precise wording, and a well-executed joke can generate attention that expensive celebrity marketing might otherwise buy. Notable Quotes “You should never feel embarrassed about working hard for something. A title and a description doesn't make you who you are.” “If you're making money and working towards your goals, that's all that matters.” “Follower count just does not matter at all.” “If it's not up to you, you should be trying to move the audience over to something that you control.” “The brand didn't buy attention, it earned it. A clever idea beat a celebrity-sized budget.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Website: https://travischappell.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A great business starts with a problem worth solving—but how do you know your customers see it that way? Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit in Charlotte Harbor, this episode of Small Biz Florida features host Tom Kindred in conversation with Kathrine Zobre, founder of Founders Playground. A former SBDC advisor and experienced entrepreneurship educator, Kathrine helps founders turn ideas into businesses by understanding the people they want to serve. Kathrine shares why customer discovery should happen before you build a product, how to recognize a meaningful customer need, and why getting too attached to your original idea can hold you back. Through examples from her own entrepreneurial and investing experiences, she explores the importance of reaching your target market, listening to feedback, and finding evidence that customers want your solution. The conversation also highlights the value of peer networks, SBDC advising, and hands-on support to help entrepreneurs put advice into action. Kathrine offers a brief look at her Summit presentations on using AI to develop service quotes and tapping into workforce development resources. Whether you're exploring a new idea or refining an existing business, tune in for practical insights on asking better questions, testing assumptions, and building around your customers' needs.

On today's episode of The Greatness Machine, host Darius Mirshahzadeh sits down with Allison Maslan, founder of Pinnacle Global Network and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of “Scale or Fail,” for a candid conversation about what it truly takes to scale a business. Drawing from her experience building 10 successful companies and mentoring over 150,000 CEOs, Allison shares the pivotal moments, including a near-fatal car accident, that transformed how she thinks about business growth, leadership, and building teams that don't depend on you. The conversation covers everything from meeting structures and core values to hiring mistakes and the critical importance of vision alignment across your entire organization. In this episode, Darius and Allison will discuss: (00:00) Introduction and Background (02:14) Allison's Entrepreneurial Journey (10:41) The Turning Point: From Overwhelm to Clarity (15:30) Scaling Strategies and Leadership (22:18) Navigating Growth Challenges (23:59) Chasing Symptoms vs. Root Causes (26:02) The Importance of Meeting Structure (30:09) Core Values and Team Commitment (33:01) Setting Up Teams for Success (36:09) Vision Beyond Numbers (40:09) Aligning Team and Personal Visions (41:53) Overcoming Personal Barriers to Greatness (44:00) Pinnacle Global Network Overview Allison Maslan is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, the founder of Pinnacle Global Network, and a leading CEO scaling mentor. She has built 10 successful companies, coached more than 150,000 CEOs and leadership teams, and now leads the world's largest women-owned CEO mentoring and peer advisory network for 7–9 figure founders. Connect with Allison: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allisonmaslan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmaslan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/allisonmaslan  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness. 

Mike Anderson is the co-founder of Kiierr, a company he launched with his wife, Jolene, after their own search for a better approach to hair loss. With a background in marketing and business growth, Mike initially built his career helping companies expand before deciding he wanted his work to have a more direct impact on people's lives. When Jolene experienced significant postpartum hair loss, their search for a solution introduced them to low-level laser therapy and ultimately inspired them to build a company around making the technology more accessible. Mike joins me today to share how his wife's experience with postpartum hair loss led them to take a leap of faith, sell their home, move into a family member's basement, and invest their savings into launching Kiierr. We discuss the early challenges of building the company, the importance of refusing to cut corners, and why Mike has intentionally kept his team small and closely connected. We also explore how Kiierr's technology works, what Mike has learned from serving more than 100,000 customers worldwide, the role family and faith have played in his entrepreneurial journey, and why understanding the people you lead is essential to becoming a better leader. "I don't care if you buy our product, but I care if you buy our product that it helps you." – Mike Anderson "We wanted a mission that actually helps people." – Mike Anderson "If you can take the time to have that sort of relationship with the people that work with you and under you, I think you'll understand them a lot better." – Mike Anderson This Week on The Wow Factor: How Mike's early ambitions in professional golf eventually led him into marketing, entrepreneurship, and business growth Why his wife's experience with postpartum hair loss inspired Mike and Jolene to search for a different kind of solution How Mike and Jolene sold their home, moved into a family member's basement, and invested their savings into building Kiierr Why Mike believes building a trustworthy business means refusing to cut corners, even as competitors enter the market How a small, closely connected team has helped Kiierr grow while maintaining a family-oriented company culture What serving more than 100,000 customers has taught Mike about building a business around solving a meaningful problem Why knowing your employees' individual goals, motivations, and personalities can help you coach, mentor, and lead them more effectively Mike Anderson's Words of Wisdom: Take the time to truly know the people you lead. Every person has different motivations, goals, challenges, and dreams, and understanding those differences allows you to coach and mentor people more effectively. When leaders build genuine relationships with their team, they become better equipped to help each person succeed. Connect with Mike Anderson: Kiierr  Kiierr Facebook Kiierr Instagram Kiierr YouTube Connect With Brad Formsma: WOW Factor Website Brad Formsma on LinkedIn Brad Formsma on Instagram Brad Formsma on Facebook