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Blake Erickson is the co-founder of Scaling.com, a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs scale bigger and faster than they ever thought possible. He is the co-author of the New York Times best-selling book The Science of Scaling, and a highly sought-after keynote speaker specializing in guiding companies and individuals to achieve rapid growth and seemingly impossible goals. Blake resides in Utah with his amazing wife, Bre, and their two sons. Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Links The Science of Scaling: Grow Your Business Bigger and Faster Than You Think Possible Scaling.com/Audiobook The Science of Scaling Your Ward | An Interview with Benjamin Hardy Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Blake discusses the importance of setting ambitious goals and the principles of effective leadership within the context of Latter-day Saint service. The conversation emphasizes how faith and intentionality can lead to significant results in both personal and church-related endeavors. Key Insights Goal Setting and Faith: Blake shares his experience of setting a seemingly impossible goal of 100 baptisms during his mission, illustrating how faith and ambition can drive success. Identifying Key Indicators: He emphasizes the importance of recognizing patterns and indicators that lead to success, such as focusing on individuals who are genuinely interested in the gospel rather than spreading efforts too thin. The Power of One: The discussion highlights that often, one person can make a significant impact, whether in a business or church setting, by inspiring others and driving collective progress. Less is More: Blake advocates for the idea that achieving goals often requires doing less but with greater focus, rather than simply increasing activity levels. Cultural Dynamics: The conversation touches on the need to challenge existing cultural norms that may hinder progress, encouraging leaders to empower all members to contribute actively. Leadership Applications Setting Clear Goals: Latter-day Saint leaders can adopt Blake’s approach by establishing clear, ambitious goals for their congregations, focusing on what truly matters to drive spiritual growth and engagement. Fostering a Culture of Participation: Leaders should encourage all members to take initiative and share their insights, breaking down barriers that prevent individuals from stepping forward in service. Prioritizing Key Activities: By identifying the most impactful activities and focusing efforts on those, leaders can enhance the effectiveness of their ministries, ensuring that resources are used wisely and results are maximized. 00:03:24 – Blake Erickson’s Mission Experience 00:04:10 – Shifting Focus on Mission Goals 00:05:06 – Learning from Missionary Work 00:06:58 – Identifying Key Indicators for Success 00:08:27 – Setting Goals and Expectations 00:10:18 – The Importance of Commitment 00:12:10 – Recognizing Progress and Indicators 00:14:10 – Communicating with Non-Progressing Individuals 00:15:02 – Applying Business Principles to Church Leadership 00:16:37 – Scaling the Church and Its Impact 00:18:50 – The Gospel as a Solution 00:20:49 – Manifesting Faith in Daily Life 00:21:00 – Expressing Desires to God 00:23:30 – The Importance of Ambition 00:25:32 – Balancing Church Responsibilities 00:26:58 – Navigating Life After the Mission 00:27:09 – Engaging with Elders Quorum Leadership 00:29:04 – Focusing on One Goal in the Ward 00:30:17 – The Power of Less and Different Approaches 00:32:02 – Identifying False Requirements 00:34:15 – The Impact of One Person 00:35:04 – Onboarding Others to a Common Goal 00:37:31 – Building Unity Through Shared Goals 00:38:31 – Cultural Dynamics in Church Leadership The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Welcome to Industry Spotlight—a focused series hosted by Sam D'Arc, highlighting standout dealerships and innovative companies, and exploring the trends driving success in today's automotive market. Today, Sam sits down with Jeremy Nowling, Sales and Digital Retailing Director at Rohrman Auto Group, and Matt Muilenburg, Chief Product Officer of Impel. This episode is brought to you by Impel: Impel - Meet the AI Operating System built for a new era of automotive retailing. From CRM to service bay, from website to DMS, it unifies and orchestrates every part of your dealership operations—and your customer lifecycle. Visit @ http://impel.ai and and discover how Impel AI turns routine interactions into VIP experiences. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Topics: 00:45 What do customers expect from dealerships now? 02:01 How is AI changing modern dealerships? 04:32 How did dealerships operate before AI? 05:53 How to implement AI for leads? 07:30 How to customize AI for engagement? 11:14 Why must dealers engage with AI? 14:24 How to train staff on AI? 20:28 What is AI's future in dealerships? 31:56 Final advice for AI adoption? Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
New @greenpillnet pod out today!
Survivor to Thriver Show: Transform Your Fear Into Freedom with Samia Bano
Want to stop #tradingtime for dollars? Interested in #ecommerce? Listen now to this interview with Neil Twa, CEO / Co-Founder of Voltage Holdings, a company specializing in launching, consulting, selling and acquiring brands with a focus on the e-commerce channels such as #AmazonFBA and multi-channel. Neil reveals the key to building a #lucrative lifestyle-driven #amazonbusiness, offering invaluable insights and strategies to pave the way for a #profitableventure, the #funandeasy way!You'll learn:-- Why Specialization (Not Diversification) Builds Million-Dollar Brands-- How to Pick Winning Products with Zero Emotion-- How to Build Brands the Warren Buffett Way-- The Real Reason #Entrepreneurs #BurnOut -- How to Build Multiple Streams of Income Without Spreading Yourself Thin-- And so much more!Connect with Neil now at:voltagedm.com/#EcommerceTips #OnlineBusinessGrowth #BusinessClarity #EntrepreneurMindset #ScalingStrategies #DigitalEntrepreneur #ProductResearch #DataDrivenDecisions #BusinessSystems #AutomatedIncome #BusinessOperations #EntrepreneurLife #BrandBuilding #FocusAndSimplicity #MarketplaceSelling #BusinessSuccessMindset #EcommerceCoaching #BuildAndScale_____________________________________ABOUT SAMIA:Samia Bano is the #HappinessExpert, author, speaker, podcaster & coach for coaches and healers. Samia is most known for her book, 'Make Change Fun and Easy' and her #podcast of the same name. With the help of her signature Follow Your Heart Process™, a unique combination of #PositivePsychology and the #spiritual wisdom of our most effective #ChangeMakers, Samia helps you overcome #LimitingBeliefs, your chains of fear, to develop a #PositiveMindset and create the impact and income you desire with fun and ease…Samia's advanced signature programs include the Happiness 101 Class and the Transformative Action Training.Samia is also a Certified #ReikiHealer and Crisis Counselor working to promote #MentalHealthAwareness. Samia models #HeartCenteredLeadership and business that is both #SociallyResponsible and #EnvironmentallyFriendly.Samia is a practicing #Muslim with an inter-spiritual approach. As someone who has a love and appreciation for diversity, she is a #BridgeBuilder between people of different faiths and cultures. Although Samia currently lives in California, USA, she has lived in 3 other countries and speaks Hindi, Urdu, and English fluently. Want to learn even more about Samia? Visit www.academyofthriving.com :)To Book your Free HAPPINESS 101 EXPLORATION CALL with Samia, click: https://my.timetrade.com/book/JX9XJ
Caleb Withers, a researcher at the Center for a New American Security, joins Kevin Frazier, the AI Innovation and Law Fellow at the University of Texas School of Law and a Senior Editor at Lawfare, to discuss how frontier models shift the balance in favor of attackers in cyberspace. The two discuss how labs and governments can take steps to address these asymmetries favoring attackers, and the future of cyber warfare driven by AI agents. Jack Mitchell, a student fellow in the AI Innovation and Law Program at the University of Texas School of Law, provided excellent research assistance on this episode.Check out Caleb's recent research here. Find Scaling Laws on the Lawfare website, and subscribe to never miss an episode.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another dynamic episode of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu! In this thought-provoking installment, Tom Bilyeu and co-host Drew dive into a whirlwind of today's most pressing topics, delivering sharp insights and lively debate. The episode opens with a rapid-fire rundown of major news—from the possibility of Americans buying healthcare through retailers like Costco, to Palantir skipping the college degree requirement in its hiring process, and the high-stakes race for AI dominance as Sam Altman sounds the alarm at OpenAI. Tom Bilyeu and Drew break down the real challenges behind America's healthcare system, emphasizing the power of competition and the controversial idea of personal responsibility in health outcomes. The discussion then shifts to education and career, as Drew shares his personal thoughts on college and apprenticeships, while Tom Bilyeu weighs the pros and cons of debt and traditional university paths in the era of AI and internet learning. But it doesn't stop there—the duo takes on the fierce battle between Google and OpenAI for AI supremacy, unraveling what competition (or monopoly) could mean for innovation, the economy, and us as consumers. Expect bold takes on how major tech players, government intervention, and monopolistic behavior could shape the future. From there, Tom Bilyeu offers a compelling vision for how AI will transform not just work, but the fundamental fabric of society, meaning, and even crime. The conversation ranges from personal teacher stories, university controversies surrounding free speech, to the changing nature of human relationships and ambition in a digital age. Packed with real talk, tactical advice, and the kind of high-level perspective only Impact Theory delivers, this episode challenges listeners to think critically about the future—and how to stay ahead of the curve. What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.: https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Business Wars: Follow Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe at https://trueclassic.com/impact Linkedin: Post your job free at https://linkedin.com/impacttheory CashApp: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod HomeServe: Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month at https://homeserve.com Quince: Go to https://quince.com/IMPACTPOD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Huel: 15% off with this exclusive offer for New Customers only with code impact at https://huel.com/impact (Minimum $75 purchase). Netsuite: Right now, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at https://NetSuite.com/Theory Raycon: Up to 20% off during this holiday season at https://buyraycon.com/IMPACTTHEORYBC ButcherBox: New users will receive their choice between filet mignon, ribeye or NY Strip in every box for a year + $20 off! at https://butcherbox.com/impact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Marty Grunder joins us to talk about what it really means to build a legacy business that lasts for decades. We dive into the vision behind GROW Group's annual conference coming up in February, the leadership and culture drivers that set winning companies apart, and a recap of the biggest lessons and breakthroughs from LAL. Whether you're scaling from your first crew or leading a multimillion-dollar company, Marty's practical wisdom and long-game mindset will push you to think bigger, lead better, and build something that truly endures.
In this episode, business transformation powerhouse Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon joins me to talk about the moment she looked at her wildly successful company… and realized she hated it.This isn't a story about hustle culture or “girlboss bounce-backs.”It's about bankruptcy, rebuilding with intention, and choosing a business that loves you back.We break down the difference between scaling and self-sacrifice, how money exposes what you haven't healed, why “more clients” isn't the strategy people think it is, and how Darnyelle rebuilt a seven-figure company in two years—this time without losing her health, relationships, or sanity.We dig into the metaphysics of money, the courage to kill a successful business, and what it really means to lead with soul.No clichés. No hustle theatre.Just clarity, candor, and the blueprint for a business that pays well and preserves your life.TL;DR* Success ≠ Sustainability: A seven-figure business can still be a monster.* Burnout math: Saying yes for money creates commitments you eventually suffocate under.* Money as a mirror: It amplifies what you haven't healed—not what you hope for.* One offer > Seven streams: She rebuilt to millions with one $35–40k offer and 35 clients.* Speaking still prints leads: Free or paid—stages can generate six figures if used strategically.* Rebuild rule #1: Sit down. Breathe. Get clear. Desire before strategy.* Work ≠ worth: Your business should love you back—or it's not success.What We Cover* Filing bankruptcy after her first year in business* Working full-time while rebuilding clarity* Scaling to seven figures… then realizing she hated the Frankenstein she'd created* Walking away from all previous commitments to start over* Designing a life-first, soul-centered business* Building the Move to Millions method* Why most entrepreneurs overcomplicate revenue* How she books paid speaking gigs year-round* The discipline of 90 minutes of BD/day* Turning free stages into predictable clientsMemorable Lines* “I didn't build a business. I built a monster.”* “Money amplifies everything you haven't healed.”* “I stopped pitting myself out for revenue.”* “Clarity comes when you sit down long enough to breathe.”* “You don't need seven income streams—you need one that works.”GuestDr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon — CEO of Incredible One Enterprises, creator of the Move to Millions method, business transformation leader helping entrepreneurs scale sustainably.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darnyellejerveyharmon/Website: https://movetomillions.com/podcast/Why This MattersIf you want a business that lasts—one that doesn't wreck your body, your marriage, your joy, or your sanity—you must stop chasing complexity and start designing for reality:* a business model that respects your energy* one clear offer that can scale* money earned without martyrdom* self-care as strategy, not luxuryThis episode is the roadmap for founders ready to rebuild without burning down.Call to ActionIf this conversation lit something up for you, don't just let it fade. Come join me inside the Second Life Leader community on Skool. That's where I share the frameworks, field reports, and real stories of reinvention that don't make it into the podcast. You'll connect with other professionals who are actively rebuilding and leading with clarity. The link is in the show notes—step inside and start building your Second Life today.https://secondlifeleader.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dougutberg.com
Landscape expert Steve Griggs reveals the curb-appeal upgrades that help real estate investors sell faster, boost value, and win emotional buyers.In this episode of RealDealChat, Jack Hoss sits down with Steve Griggs, award-winning landscape designer and founder of Steve Griggs Design, to uncover the most overlooked value-add in real estate: landscaping.Steve explains why curb appeal is the first showing, how the wrong trees and bushes can kill deals, and how investors can dramatically increase perceived value with surprisingly low-cost upgrades. From greening up the lawn to using proper lighting, to designing outdoor “living rooms” that double square footage, Steve shares 40+ years of experience working with luxury homeowners and investors alike.He also breaks down contractor selection, pricing pitfalls, the right way to stage outdoor spaces, and how VAs, renderings, and modern tools help him deliver consistent results at scale.This is a must-watch for flippers, landlords, BRRRR investors, and anyone who wants to stand out in a crowded market.What You'll LearnWhy landscaping is the most undervalued part of flippingThe curb appeal mistakes that kill dealsLow-cost upgrades that create massive emotional impactHow to green up a yard in 7 daysThe right vs wrong plants, trees & placementsWhy lighting matters more than investors realizeHow to design outdoor spaces that “double” the living areaChoosing the right contractors & pricing properlyHow staging and renderings help sell emotionWhy details matter more than buyers know
Send us a textBuilding a team is one thing—but how do you actually run a production ceramics studio day-to-day without losing the handmade quality that makes your work special?In this second part of my conversation with Sarah Wolf of Wolf Ceramics, we dig into the operational realities of running an eight-person studio. Sarah breaks down weekly production rhythms, why cross-training her team across multiple tasks creates both flexibility and ownership, and the strategic decision to invest in a jigger jolly. We explore her approach to balancing 80% direct-to-consumer sales with custom restaurant orders, the importance of upfront honesty about lead times and capabilities, and why giving away $500 worth of samples can be a smart long-term investment. Sarah also shares the story of 2023's financial crisis—when stagnant sales forced her to consider layoffs—and the difficult decision to invest $10,000 in rebranding and ads when money was tightest. Her transparency about hiring for character over ceramic skills, the real value of building a mailing list, and why Instagram consistency isn't actually her secret to success offers practical permission for makers navigating their own growth. Whether you're trying to figure out your own production systems or simply curious what sustainable scaling actually looks like, this conversation provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the real work of building a craft-based business.Looking for support in making your own long-game decisions? Click here to discover the amazing group of makers inside of The Community and learn about the additional perks of membership. Applications are now open to Naomi Clement's "Finding Your Voice" mentorship program! This mentorship is all about the why behind your work. It's a five month virtual program designed specifically for makers like you who are ready to explore new creative directions and dig deeper into their work. Click here to learn more!Love this podcast? Support an episode! Click here to learn more. Follow The Maker's Playbook on Instagram @themakersplaybookHave questions about the show or want to say Hi? Email us at: podcast (at) makers-playbook (dot) com
No Priors: Artificial Intelligence | Machine Learning | Technology | Startups
In just over three years, Harvey has not only scaled to nearly one thousand customers, including Walmart, PwC, and other giants of the Fortune 500, but fundamentally transformed how legal work is delivered. Sarah Guo and Elad Gil are joined by Harvey's co-founder and president Gabe Pereyra to discuss why the future of legal AI isn't only about individual productivity, but also about putting together complex client matters to make law firms more profitable. They also talk about how Harvey analyzes complex tasks like fund formation or M&A and deploys agents to handle research and drafting, the strategic reasoning behind enabling law firms rather than competing with them, and why AI won't replace partners but will change law firm leverage models and training for associates. Sign up for new podcasts every week. Email feedback to show@no-priors.com Follow us on Twitter: @NoPriorsPod | @Saranormous | @EladGil | @gabepereyra | @Harvey Chapters: 00:00 – Gabe Pereyra Introduction 00:09 – Introduction to Harvey 02:04 – Expanding Harvey's Reach 03:22 – Understanding Legal Workflows 06:20 – Agentic AI Applications in Law 09:06 – The Future Evolution of Law Firms 13:36 – RL in Law 19:46 – Deploying Harvey and Customization 23:46 – Adoption and Customer Success 25:28– Why Harvey Isn't Building a Law Firm 27:25 – Challenges and Opportunities in Legal Tech 29:26 – Building a Company During the Rise of Gen AI 37:24 – Hiring at Harvey 40:19 – Future Predictions 44:17 – Conclusion
What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.: https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, where this week's episode dives headfirst into a whirlwind of global tension, political intrigue, and the ever-evolving dynamics shaping our world. Joined by co-host Drew, Tom Bilyeu unpacks the mounting pressure between the US and Venezuela, exploring everything from bomber flights over the Caribbean to reopened military bases, and reflecting on how today's standoff differs from iconic moments like the Cuban Missile Crisis. Amidst talk of China, Russia, and Iran pulling back support, Tom Bilyeu questions Trump's real motives, zooms in on the “chaos strategy,” and weighs the unpredictable leader's impact on international relations. The episode gets even juicier, breaking down explosive claims about Venezuelan interference in US elections, Dominion voting machine manipulation, and Elon Musk's alleged cyber heroics. As narco boats are struck in tense military operations and world leaders—from Maduro to Putin—spin their own narratives, Tom Bilyeu and Drew challenge listeners to look beyond propaganda, analyze frames of reference, and confront uncomfortable truths about values, immigration, and the cost of global power plays. From drone strikes and cyber warfare to existential political battles and lawfare's impact on democracy, this episode delivers a riveting exploration of the headlines you've seen—and the unseen forces driving them. Tune in for a fascinating and fearless journey into the “why now” of world events, and discover what it all means for the future of the US, its leaders, and the international community. Business Wars: Follow Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe at https://trueclassic.com/impact Linkedin: Post your job free at https://linkedin.com/impacttheory CashApp: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod HomeServe: Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month at https://homeserve.com Quince: Go to https://quince.com/IMPACTPOD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Huel: 15% off with this exclusive offer for New Customers only with code impact at https://huel.com/impact (Minimum $75 purchase). Netsuite: Right now, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at https://NetSuite.com/Theory Raycon: Up to 20% off during this holiday season at https://buyraycon.com/IMPACTTHEORYBC ButcherBox: New users will receive their choice between filet mignon, ribeye or NY Strip in every box for a year + $20 off! at https://butcherbox.com/impact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lamar Tyler.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lamar Tyler.
Impulse Labs founder and CEO Sam D'Amico joins ARK's Brett Winton and Sam Korus to explore how embedding batteries into appliances—starting with the humble kitchen stove—can rewire energy infrastructure from the inside out. From his time at Oculus and Google to pioneering a 10,000-watt induction cooktop, Sam shares how Impulse is building what he calls the “modern electric technology stack,” and why that could make Impulse the Tesla of home devices.Key Points From This Episode:(00:00:00) Intro(00:01:00) Why ARK is excited about Impulse Labs(00:03:20) From Oculus to appliances — Sam's founder story(00:06:40) Why embedding batteries transforms the home(00:08:20) “The battery of things” vs. “the internet of things”(00:10:30) How induction cooking works — and what Impulse improves(00:13:30) Building a 10,000-watt coil and keeping it safe(00:17:35) Precision temperature control and AI-powered cooking(00:20:17) Using the stove's battery as grid storage(00:23:59) How battery-backed appliances help with installation and energy resilience(00:26:30) Beyond stoves — expanding into HVAC, water heaters, laundry, and more(00:30:35) Distributed batteries vs. centralized storage(00:34:00) Infrastructure benefits from embedded storage(00:38:20) Why performance, not just sustainability, drives electrification(00:40:52) Scaling manufacturing and the factory as a product(00:44:03) KPIs: Deployed devices and battery gigawatt hours(00:47:18) Microwave experiments and future applications(00:49:17) The appliance market's legacy and Impulse's edge(00:51:05) The original pizza obsession that sparked the idea
Kiera provides very specific tips for how a visionary CEO can keep their practice(s) flourishing on multiple levels without sticking their fingers in all the pies. She gets to the quick with a single question a leader should ask anytime a new task comes across their desk: Just because you can do something, does it mean you should? Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: The Dental A Team (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera and I'm excited about today's topic and I hope you are too. Delegation, I feel like it's such a, ⁓ feels so hard. It feels like what should I do? What should I delegate? What should I not delegate? And this is for like helping you get to multi-level success. So whatever your success level is, whatever you want it to be, delegation is a huge portion of leadership. And I feel like, especially in multi-practices, if you want to get to multi-practices, that's kind how I'm going to highlight this today. You have to ⁓ really get good at delegation. It's not about doing more. It's about doing more of the right things ⁓ and doing less of everything. And so really, really, really getting into that zone of genius, helping you out with that. So I'm excited about this. ⁓ I'll kind of work it through in a couple of different parts to make this easier for you. It's helping you know, what should I delegate? What should I keep? and how to lead across all the locations with clarity. Because as you scale, a lot of people forget that they have to delegate, that they have to get different pieces. And so what happens is things just start to fall off the wagon. And that can get really, really scary. And then you're trying to like catch it all. And so many people, when they get into multi-practice ownership, they tell me like, I wish I would have just stayed at one. And I think, well, yes, there are benefits to staying at one. You had a call inside, you're so wanting to grow. It's just hard right now because we didn't set it up as successful as we could have. Now, I am not one to judge. I did the exact same thing. And so I know the the taffy pole stretch of trying to do every single piece when you're a multi-practice ownership. And so this is coming from real life tactical, curious life experience of what we see with clients to give you the tips of the trade, to give you the secrets to success and doing it here on the podcast in such an open, friendly, welcoming, no judgment zone. More to just give you a hug to tell you, hey, you're doing better than you think you are. And let's give you some tactical practical tips to help you out. So, A Team, we're obsessed with single practices, so multi-practices. We love to help owners build thriving practices at all levels. We love to work with practices anywhere from the startup zone all the way to the multi-location zone. Whether your plan is to build it into a legacy practice or to sell to a DSO or to whatever it is, there is no right answer with Dental A Team. It is your right answer. It is what is best for you, your life, your practice, and also allowing you the freedom to change that. So. working with doctors and their teams to get to that high level success. ⁓ We are ultimately here to help you have the most profitable practice, the happiest team, the thriving practice of your dreams, and to do it on the easiest way possible. So that's what we're about. This is for ⁓ true, true, helping doctors become true CEOs, not ⁓ operators of their businesses to own their businesses to act in that seat rather than being the managers that oftentimes they are. So step one, when you're moving into this multi-practice ownership, you are shifting and I want you just to know your identity is going to be stripped away. You're going to become the same thing that you feel very uncomfortable in because you've never done this, but this is what your organization needs and I think so often owners fail to rise to the need of the organization of what it needs and they like to stay where it's comfortable. And I remember as an office manager, I like when I truly stepped into the office manager role, I'm like, Well, this is weird. I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. And you've got to just settle in and you'll figure it out very quickly. so helping you just know as the owner CEO of the company, what you have to own, like your true role is to own the vision strategy and culture. These are things that do not get delegated out. They're the core of the leadership. They're you setting the example. And when I realized, like, I remember one day I Googled like, what does a CEO do? Like I truly did not know. ⁓ because I'd been a manager for most of my life. I'd been a doer most of it. I did not realize that my job was to own the vision, the strategy, and the culture. Now, not all CEOs, not owners of businesses actually enjoy the vision. You might not be a visionary and that's okay. You might just need to have somebody paired with you who's a really strong visionary. There's usually a visionary integrator according to Traction by Gina Wickman that I choose to, I subscribe to the strongest. So I'd be like a CEO and a COO. ⁓ The CEO is the visionary, the CEO always operations the day to day making the dreams happen. So it's like Walt and Roy Disney ⁓ are some good examples of that too. So when I'm looking at as a portion that you cannot delegate away, you've really got to own this vision strategy culture. That's you, you're the culture master, you're the strategy, you're the vision. So where are we headed? What does that look like? ⁓ What's our 12 month? What's our three year? What's our 10 year target? That can still be, you set the like framework, the team builds it into a full complete picture. And then what's the culture that we want replicated across all the teams. So ⁓ when we start to get that vision strategy and culture aligned and ⁓ owners don't delegate that, you then can bring in hires faster. You can have core values. You can have KPIs like, because we know it's very clear. How do we act? What are we going towards? And then what are the things that we need to measure? So this is truly something that when I realized like that was my job and it was the bigger picture piece, there's other people that do the day to day. It felt awkward. I'm not gonna lie. Like I was like, ⁓ I feel like I'm putting on a different t-shirt today. And like, I don't even feel comfortable. Like I don't look good in yellow. Well, you might not look good in it, but this is what the organization needs and nobody else is doing this besides you. So ⁓ the question is, if you're a multi-practice ownership and you're in this ownership role, question one is, have I clearly communicated our vision? It's like, if Kiera or the Dental A team were to walk into my practice today and ask any team member, would they know the vision of our company? That should be a resounding yes. And if not, you have not communicated it enough and it has not been clear enough. Does your entire company know the core values and do they live them? And does every single practice know what their targets are for that practice and the KPIs they're tracking? It's very simple way to ask yourself this. And I love to ask this and I love to come to offices. If you were to ask any member of our team member, they would be able to tell you, yes, we know exactly what our core values are. We know what the mission is of our company. We also know where we're headed. Now, I think I could be a bit more clear of where I'm headed in the three and tenure. My leadership team knows that a lot better. My core team knows where we're headed this year, what our core values are, and what the core values are of a company. We have this on a... So some of them could rattle it off, our new team members, this is part of their onboarding. So helping you really figure that out is going to be paramount because now all your practices, all the locations are operating the same way and there's strong clarity. Step two is you're going to delegate operations for leaders. So this is kind of like the CEO versus the COO. So like realistically owners of like CEOs of DSOs and multi-practice ownership, you don't have to be a DSO for this. It can be multi, it can be private still. I have a lot of private practices that are three, five, 10 locations. That's totally fine. You can do that, but you can't scale if you're still solving the supply issues and front desk drama and putting them. So you have to have a regional manager and a lead at each location. That's paramount. You need to have it. They need to have their KPIs and what they're tracking. They also need to know how to make decisions. Like what's the decision framework and how, what do I have decision making autonomy over at the office manager or regional monitor level versus what needs to get approval? And then also we've got to have like training, not just tasks. So that way everybody has training of what do we need to do when we have that set up consistently. So you teach your team and you have a set protocol and process of how to run huddles. Like a system to me is something that no matter who you are, where you come from, whether you've been with us for one day or 10 years, you should be able to do the same thing and get the same results. So a huddle should have a form that everybody follows. You can have it broken down for me. I even have minutes next to it. Like this part's two minutes, part's five minutes. So it's a true 15 minute huddle. for every single practice. Our one-on-ones have a set protocol of how do we do them, when are they run, and how often are they done, where are these things stored? We have a process of how we set up our rooms. We have a process of how we schedule. All these things that you start working on, and doctors who are owners and visionaries might not be good at these processes. So you need a really good regional or really good office manager or really good operations next to you to help build all these things so you do have confident leaders that are leading next to you. But this is everything that gets delegated out. And there's a doctor that I worked with who's actually really, really great at checklists and operations and building. And I said, that's fine. Rock on. You got to pick which seat you want to be in. Do want to be in the CEO visionary seat or do you to be in the operations seat? Both are fine. Both are on the table. Both are doable. And you could honestly do both super, super, super well. You just have to decide which one you want to do. And this doctor, two years later sent me a message and they said, Kiera, I'm so glad you pushed me into that because as much as I was trying to do both, wasn't excelling in either. So they moved into the CEO visionary role. They hired an amazing assistant to them. They hired an amazing regional manager and the practices are flourishing on multi-levels and they have seven locations now in their organization. But this way, there's not the bottlenecks. The CEO, the owner often creates these bottlenecks because they're not delegating those pieces. And then next up is going to be like, how do we actually systematize across the board all the locations? And... ⁓ So this is again, like we've talked about it so many times, it's KPIs, having a dashboard and a scoreboard so you know how every practice is doing, having leadership meetings with agendas and having communication that's very open amongst all practices. And then I do like a centralized training at least once a quarter, if not like once or twice a year. So that way all the teams and all the organization, I know this is a pain for people, but the more you get them all together, the more they realize that they're all on the same team, they're all there. But like, this is not you owner, you're delegating these pieces. So you're delegating the reporting and the communication. So if you look at this really, you're not delegating the culture, you're not delegating the vision, and you're not delegating ⁓ the other piece to that is like the strategy of how we're going to get there. That's your world, that's what you're supposed to be doing. And then your job is to really rise up your leaders. But you are delegating operations, you are delegating systems, you are delegating meetings. Like there's so much to your job that you've been used to doing that you're delegating. And me going from an office manager to a business owner, sometimes it's easy for me to get stuck in management because that's where I feel comfortable. That's where I feel good. ⁓ Vision and strategy, that's actually really hard to put on a scorecard and to account for my time to say like, yep, I put in 40 hours. Well, vision and strategy are not tasks. are, it's like fluffy clouds. and they take quiet, they take ⁓ out of the office, they take ⁓ white noise time is what I like to call it. And it's actually very hard. And I think sometimes this is why CEOs don't like to go into this because it feels fluffy. feels, ⁓ I don't know, like so hard to track, if you will, which it is. But at the same time, if you do that job and you do it well, everything else falls into place and then you just check in on all the other pieces. that are truly delegated. really, it feels so, sometimes I feel like it's unfair. I'm like, what? Like this is all I'm doing and this is everything else that they're doing? Tasks and vision do not get put in same buckets. They're not on a scale of equilibrium. It's not like, well, I spent three hours on vision so I should spend three hours on tasks. No, sometimes vision takes longer. Sometimes it's harder to build. Sometimes strategy's harder to build. The number of nights and times where I'm like working it through in my brain and I'm building it on paper and I'm working through like, What does the company need and what is the culture and how am I going to show up and present and like, what are the meetings I'm going to put it in place? Just because that comes natural for visionaries does not mean that it should be shortchanged for operation that's task built and task focused. But all of this is literally delegated. So all you do is you own the vision and you delegate the operations and you delegate the systemization. Now you oversee it, you are a part of it, you can help create it. So that way it's there. But this is how you have to start to operate in multi locations. A lot of times you are also over the hiring of new doctors ⁓ and then like the partnership portions within the company. If that's a piece of it, that's really what the owner CEO visionary C is responsible for. Yes, you might still do some clinical dentistry, but typically the more practices you build in, the more you're going to need to be overseeing the entire organization and doing less and less and less dentistry because it's something you can delegate out. No one else can do the vision, the strategy and the culture. They can't. everything else can be delegated. And I know this feels weird. It feels awkward. And it's not always right away, but it will start to be something you phase out and phase out and phase out. And it actually becomes really fun and it becomes hard and it's a challenge, but that's what it is. Scaling is not doing all of it. It's about doing the right things as a leader. And this is something where so often we have a phrase in our company where we say, just because you can do it, does that mean you should do it? So leaders, really want to ask the question, just because you can do it, and this is for regional managers, this is for office managers, this is for all leaders, just because you can do it, does that mean you are the best that should do it? We have some team members on our team that love to help out, and I am so grateful for that. Also though, creates that murky and muddy to where I actually don't know who I need to hire, because I've got five people doing something when two people should be able to do it, but I don't know, are they overworked or underworked, because we're all quote unquote helping. So having that. clarity around is really going to help you. So this is a zone where when you're trying to scale multiple practices and you've got that taffy pole, it's the cue that you've got to step into the CEO level leadership and your practice might not need you fully a CEO yet. The business might not need you solely there yet. And so you've got to work on it in phases. And I think the phases are the hard part because you are taffy pulled. So you start to set up days and you start to set up blocks where this is my deep work time for CEO time. And then this is my clinical time. Then this is my... CEO time, and then this is my culture time. This is my strategy time. And I hate the word strategy, it's the swear word in our company, but you do have to build strategy. You do have to talk to other people. have to work on those big relationships. Like that's part of what you do and not undermining it and getting you fully into the right person in the right seat for your organization is going to be paramount for you. And it does take a lot of time. And if you're someone like me, I talk to think, I don't think to talk. So you might need somebody on the other side that works it through with you, whether that's a coach, whether that's a mentor, whether that's your manager, but being able to work through it so that way you're truly in that CEO seat. And so for this, this is strategic leadership. This is next level leadership. This isn't what you've been doing day in, day out, and it's for the next level. And so as you might even be a solo practitioner listening to the podcast today, helping you see what do I need to become and how do I evolve into this? Who do I need on the team? What players do I need to have with me? are all going to be paramount for you to get to this great success that you have. So for this, if you're scaling, you're stuck, you feel like you're doing it all, reach out. Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. This is what we do. Our job is to make it to be simple, to be easier for you, to be more fun for you, and all around to create the freedom and the growth that you need to be successful. You have to have the space to do this. That's paramount for you to be able to do it. And we're here to help you along the way. And as always, don't do this alone. You don't have to. And just because you're learning a new role, just like a lot of office managers are learning a new role. There's nothing wrong with that. We're here to help you. We're here to support you. You're not expected to know at all. So stop pretending like you need to and start to grow into the zones that you are truly great at. And as always, let us know how we can help you reach out. Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. Go to our website, TheDentalATeam.com book a call. Let's talk about it. Let's find your gaps. Let's give you some resources, no judgment, just massive momentum, massive clarity. And as always, thanks for listening. I'll catch you next time on The Dental A Team podcast.
Most entrepreneurs plateau because they can't see their own blind spots—but Nolan Matthias discovered how fast everything changes when you have someone who will. In this episode, Nolan reveals how coaching transformed his business, his clarity, and his confidence, helping him scale a YouTube consulting brand he never knew was possible. You'll hear the surprising… The post 440 – From Stuck to Scaling: The Power of the Right Coach appeared first on Early To Rise.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lamar Tyler.
Fragmentation pulls us in so many directions. We are depleted by the field of limitless possibilities when we don't know how to harness their power.I frequently see this in clients who are looking to scale. Stretched too thin, they try and tackle too many obstacles at once rather than aligning with the highest and best.Your future self path awaits… Push play to learn the six steps of how to close the timelines and focus on a singular outcome. Remember that focus isn't what we are doing… it's what we are NOT doing.Six is a perfect number. Six steps to complete anything and everything, including the six days of universal creation. These six steps are a gift from the collective consciousness. Are you willing to receive them? PS.Feeling the cosmic pull of collective energy support to help you to intimately connect with your higher self???UMBRELLA awaits…
2026 on Gary's Gulch podcast will be dedicated to celebrating our 250th anniversary of the Great American Experiment - If you give citizens ownership over their life, liberty and property and design a government made up of the people and working for the people, they will prosper. Business ownership is fundamental to this premise. Nearly everyone in 1776 was a business owner, there was a need in the community and someone started a business to serve that need. We've gotten away from this with the industrial revolution and globalization (someone in China fills your need via Amazon). We must get back to honoring the value of businesses. Listen in to learn what's coming in '26! Highlights 02:19 - Importance of freedom and personal agency. 04:49 - Divine guidance vs. worldly advice. 06:14 - Real estate vs. gold and silver. 07:52 - Scaling businesses vs. traditional wealth growth. 09:58 - Unique genius and business creation. 11:44 - Historical perspective on business ownership and community value. 12:08 - Critique of modern political figures and ethics. 13:55 - Lessons from early American settlers. 15:20 - Business ownership as a pathway to agency and legacy. Links and Resources from this Episode Connect with Gary Pinkerton https://www.paradigmlife.net/ gpinkerton@paradigmlife.net https://garypinkerton.com/ https://clientportal.paradigmlife.net/WealthView360 Review, Subscribe and Share If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the latest episodes. Subscribe with Apple Podcasts Follow on Audible Subscribe with Listen Notes Subscribe with RSS
Where does agency efficiency go when AI begins handling the repetitive steps teams have battled for years? Jason Cass explores that shift with Jackson Fregeau, Co-Founder and CEO of Quandri, as they break down how a renewal intelligence platform can analyze policies, trigger quoting based on premium changes, and create contextual client communication automatically. Their discussion highlights how these capabilities free up staff to spend more time with clients while opening the door to new levels of retention and operational scale. Key Topics: Evolution from RPA to AI-driven capabilities Building a renewal intelligence platform for agencies Policy analysis across key coverage variables Automated quoting triggered by premium change thresholds Personalized communication for retention and cross-sell Shifts from personal lines to small commercial automation Differences in margin and complexity across business segments Trust, accuracy, and model limits in production workflows AI adoption timing, economic cycles, and industry expectations Reach out to: Jackson Fregeau Jason Cass Visit Website: Quandri Agency Intelligence Produced by PodSquad.fm
Jerry Schill is the founder and CEO of Schill Grounds Management — a company he launched in 1993 with his brother after a chance summer job revealed a passion for landscaping. What began as a two-person side hustle has grown into a large-scale commercial grounds management company, now one of the fastest-growing platforms in the industry.In 2020, Jerry began a bold new chapter—scaling Schill Grounds Management through strategic acquisitions alongside organic growth. Under his leadership, the company has completed more than 16 acquisitions and now operates across six states and Ontario, Canada. With a growing family of nine brands and more than 1,400 team members, Schill Grounds Management is recognized as a national leader built on consistency, performance, and a people-first culture — and Jerry is still very much in building mode.Beyond the business, Jerry is an active contributor to several industry associations, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the Accredited Snow Contractors Association, and the Ohio Landscape Association. He also founded Holiday Feast — an annual charitable tradition that has served thousands of free meals to families in need throughout the Cleveland community.Throughout our awesome conversation, Jerry reflects on entrepreneurship, drive, discipline, humility, ambition, what it means to build something that lasts, and lots more.00:00 Introduction to Jerry Schill and His Journey00:59 The Impact of Family and Early Influences01:49 The Leap into Entrepreneurship03:54 The Evolution of Show Landscape07:21 Understanding the Landscaping Industry13:08 Leadership Evolution and Personal Growth19:04 The Importance of Peer Networks20:58 Scaling the Business and Maintaining Culture24:32 The Shift to Acquisitions for Growth27:47 Integrating Acquired Companies Successfully31:38 The Role of Technology in Landscaping34:47 Motivation and Future Vision for SGM38:09 Lessons Learned from the Journey39:55 Curiosity and Lifelong Learning41:13 The Holiday Feast Initiative44:08 Aiming for a Billion-Dollar Company45:46 Advice to Younger Self46:56 Hidden Gems in Cleveland-----LINKS:https://schilllandscaping.com/abouthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-schill-2b010b1a/Referenced Episode — Sanjay Singh: https://www.layoftheland.fm/218-sanjay-singh-macer-get-good-at-hard-things/-----SPONSOR:Roundstone InsuranceRoundstone Insurance is proud to sponsor Lay of The Land. Founder and CEO, Michael Schroeder, has committed full-year support for the podcast, recognizing its alignment with the company's passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and community leadership.Headquartered in Rocky River, Ohio, Roundstone was founded in 2005 with a vision to deliver better healthcare outcomes at a more affordable cost. To bring that vision to life, the company pioneered the group medical captive model — a self-funded health insurance solution that provides small and mid-sized businesses with greater control and significant savings.Over the past two decades, Roundstone has grown rapidly, creating nearly 200 jobs in Northeast Ohio. The company works closely with employers and benefits advisors to navigate the complexities of commercial health insurance and build custom plans that prioritize employee well-being over shareholder returns. By focusing on aligned incentives and better health outcomes, Roundstone is helping businesses save thousands in Per Employee Per Year healthcare costs.Roundstone Insurance — Built for entrepreneurs. Backed by innovation. Committed to Cleveland.-----Stay up to date by signing up for Lay of The Land's weekly newsletter — sign up here.Connect with Jeffrey Stern on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypstern/Follow Lay of The Land on X @podlayofthelandhttps://www.jeffreys.page/
Tom Bilyeu and Cindy Okereke answer questions from the Impact Theory community. Original air date: 5-28-17 Some topics include: The origins of Tom's “Bright Lines” The Art of Balancing Gratitude and Mindset Content creation and iteration Tom's meditation practice Ways to Overcoming insecurity How to Long Term Network Organizational systems and managing calendars What the blockchain is and why you should care Being friends with a direct report And more… SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Get 5 free AG1 Travel Packs and a FREE 1 year supply of Vitamin D with your first purchase at https://impacttheory.co/AG1pod. Secure your digital life with proactive protection for your assets, identity, family, and tech – Go to https://impacttheory.co/aurapod to start your free two-week trial. ********************************************************************** What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... 1. STARTING a business: JOIN ME HERE: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show 2. SCALING a business: see if you qualify here: https://tombilyeu.com/call 3. Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO IMPACT THEORY & MINDSET PLAYBOOK AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS: apple.co/impacttheory ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us feedback or episode suggestions.How do teams turn accessibility from individual effort into system wide practice? Chris talks with Anna Thielke, founder and CEO of Mantis and Company, to find out. They explore why representation on system teams leads to better standards, how designing for the edges strengthens products for everyone, and what it takes for accessibility work to spread across large organizations in a sustainable way. Anna also shares how lived experience shapes her perspective and why accessibility becomes more effective when teams view it as shared responsibility rather than a late stage requirement.Key TakeawaysDesign systems provide the structure needed to scale accessibility across teams.Representation on system teams shapes the standards that reach every product.Designing for the edges leads to more inclusive and resilient experiences.View the transcript of this episode.Check out our upcoming events.If you want to get in touch with the show, ask some questions, or tell us what you think, send us a message over on LinkedIn.GuestAnna Thielke is an entrepreneur and systems thinker who leads Mantis & Co., a disability-owned accessibility and inclusive design agency. Drawing on 15+ years of experience and her background as a blind, neurodivergent leader, she helps teams build products and cultures that work for everyone. Previously Director of Inclusive Design at CVS Health, Anna is known for blending creativity, honesty, and practicality to move organizations from intention to action.HostChris Strahl is co-founder and CEO of Knapsack, host of @TheDSPod, DnD DM, and occasional river guide. You can find Chris on LinkedIn.SponsorSponsored by Knapsack, the design system platform that brings teams together. Learn more at knapsack.cloud.
“What is your passion? Why are you doing this?” In this episode, Nick speaks with Vincent Wanga about the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Vince shares his unique journey through the creative industry, discussing the challenges and advantages of being an insomniac and how it has shaped his work ethic. What to listen for: Insomnia can be both a challenge and a competitive advantage. Leadership requires sacrifice and understanding of employee dynamics. Passion and purpose are essential for sustainable entrepreneurship. Vision is crucial for effective leadership and business success. Scaling a business requires preparation and understanding of resources. Failure is a necessary part of the learning process. Creatives must balance their artistic mindset with business skills. “Everything that I do is passion and purpose-rooted. And that should be your first mission.” When you anchor decisions in passion, you can more naturally stay motivated during the hard parts of the journey Purpose brings clarity, so you waste less time chasing things that don't matter. Leading with what lights you up often creates the most authentic and sustainable success. Passion-driven work tends to attract the right people and opportunities without forcing it. Starting with purpose sets the tone for how you show up. “Creatives have a visionary mindset. So why can’t creatives be those same CEOs? We just lack the business acumen.” Creativity is the foundation of innovation. Many creatives underestimate how transferable their skills are to leadership. Visionary thinkers often make better long-term strategists than traditional operators. When creatives embrace structure and systems, they become unstoppable leaders. About Vincent Wanga Vince is a dynamic international design thought leader, creative keynote speaker, award-winning creative and executive, author of “The Art of Direction,” serial entrepreneur, and experienced brand consultant with an exceptional range of expertise over a distinguished two-decade career. As former vice president and head of creative for one of the fastest-growing technology startups in North America, he oversaw corporate brand strategy and creative during unprecedented company growth from pre-Series A to an over $1 billion “unicorn” valuation. Vince lives in Washington, DC, and Asheville, NC, with his dog, Okello. When he is not working on new business ventures, he passionately travels the world, collecting creative inspiration at the finest boutique hotels rewards points can buy. https://www.vincentwanga.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-wanga/ Resources: Check out other episodes about creativity and entrepreneurship: Creativity Within Us All With Joe Tertel Post Traumatic Growth, When Trauma Makes You Stronger And More Creative With Christian Ray Flores Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? Send Nick an email or schedule a time to discuss your podcast today! https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/contact/ Thank you for listening! Please subscribe on iTunes and give us a 5-Star review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mindset-and-self-mastery-show/id1604262089 Listen to other episodes here: https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/ Watch Clips and highlights: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1tCM7KTe3hrq_-UAa6GHA Guest Inquiries right here: podcasts@themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com Your Friends at “The Mindset & Self-Mastery Show” Click Here To View The Episode Transcript Nick McGowan (00:01.507)Hello and welcome to the Mindset and Self Mastery Show. I’m your host, Nick McGowan. Today on the show we have Vince Wanga. Vince, how you doing today? Vincent Wanga (00:11.372)I’m doing all right, Nick. I’m looking forward to our conversation and thanks for having me on. Nick McGowan (00:15.618)Yeah, absolutely. I’m excited, man. I think this is gonna be fun. I know there’s a lot that you’ve been through, a lot that you’ve done. One of the biggest reasons why I wanted to have you on the show was to be able to talk about creativity and how it ties into us as people, but also into the systems that we’re in, like the capitalistic system, our family systems, all those things. I grew up as a creative in a… not a typical creative house, so to say. So it felt a little weird, but that was the system that I was in. And then you get into jobs, you get into your career, and like, how do you do all that stuff? And that was one of the things that really stood out to me about having you on. So I’m gonna stop talking. Why don’t you kick us off? Tell us what you do for a living, and what’s one thing that most people don’t know about you that’s maybe a little odd or bizarre? Vincent Wanga (01:00.142)Well, thank you. I am in a weird place in my career because I’m transitioning. I have been a creative at the highest levels and the lowest levels for 20 years. Started as an intern, worked my way up through the agency world, stints as a freelance independent operator working for clients all over the world to owning my own agency and having that unique experience as a business owner and operator. and all the responsibilities that come with managing employees and being responsible for payroll and profit and loss and the other side of the industry, as well as becoming a senior executive and top 100, well, first 100 employees for a billion dollar tech startup and a crazy transformational journey. So I only preface that to say I’ve done it all in so many different industries. I’ve worked with so many different sectors, in-house, freelance. agency, you name it in the creative sector, I’ve done it. And I think that offers me a lot of perspective and advice that I can offer to people, whether you’re creative or not, particularly in the aspects of leadership, which is something I really focus on at this point in my career. But as I mentioned, I’m in a major transition away from creative and more into my real core ethos, which is entrepreneurship and taking all that creative talent, marketing, business acumen into my own businesses and consulting and other opportunities to really express my creativity in a different way. So it’s a really exciting paradigm for me. As far as something that’s really unique about me, I could wax philosophic on that. But I think the most unique thing is I am an insomniac. I get an inhuman amount of sleep and it has been a very difficult, like physical manifestation in my life because that’s not healthy, but it has been an incredible. competitive advantage in my career, where I’m able to work day and night and create businesses on a weekend and maximize my time. But as I get older, the other side of the coin starts catching up and trying to figure out how to adjust as I move forward is a new paradigm I’m dealing with. But that’s one of many unique things about me. Nick McGowan (03:16.459)Wow, I’m really glad that you consider that a unique thing. that you see that as a… there’s kind of a silver lining that you look at that instead of some people saying like, well I just… I’m struggling with this thing. It sounds like even the personality that you have, like you’ll go, well I am kind of struggling but it is what it is and this is what it is. Then I could do something with it. And it’s funny how as you get older, things will shift and change just across the board. I mean we could have a whole fucking episode just about like the specific changes that happen from your knees and your back and the way you think about things. or whatever you don’t mean I wonder at times with the people that are insomniacs that it’s something that they actually kind of crave and it’s like a mental thing where like I want to keep going and I think about it from this perspective In the human design way I’m a generator and I have to use all of my energy every day So by the end of the day there are times where I’m like I’m totally done. It’s nine o’clock at night I guess I’ll go to sleep because I’m done for the day and like all the energy’s out other times It’s like three or four in the morning and it is what it is But for the people that… Nick McGowan (04:27.617)can hear that and say, well, you’re just trying to hustle and just trying to use all that to get ahead and do the grind and all that stuff. I’m reading between the lines and a little bit I know about you so far, that’s not the case with you. So it’s more of one of those like, I do these things because I’m led to do these things, but I also have a really hard time sleeping. So how do you manage that going through each day and saying like, all right, well, I got whatever amount of sleep and my body needs more, but I also have a lot of mental energy where it’s like you can feel the physical of like, man, I’m just fucking dragging. But my brain’s still going and like that must take a toll on you. I could imagine, you know, you have a week of that. Most people would just be driven insane. So how do you how do you manage that? Vincent Wanga (05:12.344)Yeah, and I think, you know, this reminds me of that. I think it was a New Yorker editorial cartoon that had a building in Manhattan with lights on. And it said these three lights are either a drug dealer, serial killer or creative. Right. We’re the only ones up at 3 a.m. So I don’t think it’s as unique within the creative realm. But I think what makes me unique is the duality that I’m up all night in human hours, but I’m also functional in the morning. Like I’ve stayed up for 72 hours before. Nick McGowan (05:25.854)Yeah. Nick McGowan (05:37.93)Hmm. Vincent Wanga (05:40.718)on deadlines and things that push beyond human norms and are completely unhealthy, but have also, again, like I said, been an advantage historically in my career. think the way my brain is wired, and I think a lot of critics can resonate with this, is I’m my most creative and intellectual at night. I could spend the same amount of time and energy between nine to five on the same thing, and that… You know, error of time, I could achieve better results in an hour at 3am. It’s just the way these ideas flow in my mind. It’s the same mindset for anyone who can’t relate where like CEOs get up early in the morning and take a bike ride or do a run. And then they come back to the office and now they got a new product idea that everybody’s got to scramble to do. It’s the CEO brain, but it just kicks on at the wrong time. but it is, it is a burden, because it’s not healthy. And unfortunately there’s, there’s Nick McGowan (06:30.472)You Vincent Wanga (06:39.982)long-term cognitive effects that happen on that and there’s a diminishing return. But I think the most important point here is that I didn’t want to be this way. This is something that evolved from my artist background where I would the only time I had to myself and peace and quiet to create was at night. It started kind of rewiring my brain and then I went to college long story short got kicked out because of money and found myself with my career over before it even started. So I had to hustle and work twice as hard as everybody else just to get started. I started at a deficit. So I always maximize my time in order to try to achieve the results that I needed to get back into the industry. And then the third thing I think people can resonate with is if you’re an entrepreneur, it’s this paranoia when you go to sleep and you don’t want to wake up with bills. You don’t want to wake up with problems. You just want to stay up and solve everything that you can. you could have $10,000 in your bank account for that week and still feel insecure. And I think that just keeps me up at night constantly hustling and hoping that that hustle prevents the worst case scenario from happening. So it’s just this convolutions of things that are part of my experiences and my mindset. But it has been an advantage up until about now where I’m kind of paying the health effects of it, but it’s helped me become incredibly successful. And I think that’s a unique. perspective for me. Nick McGowan (08:09.086)I love when conversations head this way. I’ll ask that question every single episode. So everybody listens. They’re used to that question being asked. But I love when that question invokes us going down a different path for the conversation. Obviously, we were going to talk about creativity and leadership, and that just jives with us both. But that’s a really important thing, I think, to get into because you had neural pathways that were literally changed. And you created these paths so, so many years ago saying, like, everybody leave me the hell alone. Great, you’re all asleep. Everybody’s left me alone. I get to do the thing I want to do. And then you turn that, especially as an agency, for anybody that’s been in any sort of agency, imagine running around with your hair on fire, 15 other people having their hair on fire, and somebody just yelling at you constantly, and you’re constantly late on things that you’re actually pretty much on time for with your projects. And that’s like a typical Tuesday in most agencies. And that will drive you Vincent Wanga (08:41.592)Mm-hmm. Nick McGowan (09:08.848)to have more those neural pathways change because then you have to do things at night. Dude, I’ve been in the same spot where it’s like we have this thing coming up, somebody sent this thing back to me and it’s time for me to QA it or just basically give it once through. Seven hours later you have to do a complete re-haul or whatever and from a leader’s perspective you have to love on that person and help them and work through them. You can’t just go and physically slap them in the back of head and go, the fuck? That’s my first question, you know? So as a creative, I’m right there with you. think a lot of us do have that. Nocturnal energy almost to be able to create but I wonder if a lot of that does come from like when you were in middle school or high school like Just everybody leave me alone. Like when your parents tell you like go to your room. You’re like, thank God awesome now Will you all just stay can I lock the door and like just paint or whatever? I want to do and then that turns into the the systems that we’re in that tell us you have to grind you have to hustle and I I just wonder about how many people are still stuck in that because they don’t see the patterns of, well, I’m having a hard time with this. Like, you see that there’s a pattern with you being an insomniac. But how do you actually combat that, work on that, and not drive yourself crazy each and every day, you know? Vincent Wanga (10:31.522)Yeah, I think that’s a challenge. I think there’s a few ways I can approach that question. One, I really loved your point about the sacrifice of leadership. I think a lot of people underestimate that. It’s like the swan analogy, where it’s calm and collected at the top, but your feet are vigorously swimming and kicking. I think people who are employees and check in nine to five and their check clears on Monday when it’s payday. don’t understand the sacrifice sometimes that their leadership have to make to make that happen. And part of that is that paranoia that we deal with every single day. You know, I also think, you know, I’m highly functional introvert. So I love the quiet time that that allows me to think and to process and to execute on. But I also love that quote. I hope I’m not misquoting them. I think it was by Warren Buffett who said it took me 10 years to be an overnight success. There is no skipping the grind, the hustle. Nick McGowan (11:13.436)Mm-hmm. Nick McGowan (11:25.959)Yeah. Vincent Wanga (11:28.258)the sacrifice, know, your family hates you and you don’t see people enough and your friends are wondering if you’re okay. And that’s what it takes to build business, to build legacy, to build anything. So whether I had this unique deposition to work on godly hours or not, I think people find the will in the way because there’s no shortcuts around that to success. And that’s what you got to do. And if you’ve got a nine to five job, well, guess what? Now you got to work five to nine. and find the time that you need to execute on something. And I think it’s more of an entrepreneur’s brain than a creative’s brain. again, like I said, it’s been advantageous in ways and disadvantageous in others. Nick McGowan (12:07.259)I think they actually tie together though, the creativity and the entrepreneurship. I’ve met, god I can’t even put numbers to the amount of entrepreneurs I’ve met over the course of time, but I could probably say in one hand that the people that weren’t really creative and… Vincent Wanga (12:17.667)Mm-hmm. Nick McGowan (12:24.125)definitely told me like I am not creative at all. But then when you look at their processes, how they handle situations, all of it is just oozing creativity. They’re just not creative in the medium of painting or graphic design or web or whatever it is, but they’re still being creative in how they handle it. Shit, even leaders that are like, okay, well I know if I yell at you as a creative, you’re not gonna do the work that you need to do and you’re probably gonna hate it here. So how do I talk to you nicely about it? That is a creative approach. approach to it where you’ve been in spots, I’ve been in spots where somebody clearly didn’t take that spot and they just yelled at you about the thing because they’re hurt or they’re upset and they can’t manage themselves and they’re just diving it at you. But there is a lot of creativity that ties into that. And I think there’s a lot of people that talk about being an entrepreneur with really a hobby in a sense and not understanding that basic principles of entrepreneurship is you just have various means of income and you just work on things as a creative. You can sit down and work on things for six hours and you think, shit, I was doing this for two hours, but six hours later, I’ve been standing here, I’ve been working through this thing. And I want to dive deeper into this because I don’t want people to think that you’re saying to them, you just need to grind. No matter what you’re feeling, what you’re doing, just shut up and grind. That’s not the case. But how do you balance that? Because I know people that literally they take that ethos and just say, well, this is who I am. And it’s in a It’s a false way for them instead of being able to say like this is who I am because man I’m just so passionate about this thing that I eat sleep and dream this because this is my purpose in the world instead of saying well the system tells us this and my god I got a mortgage and these mouths to feed and whatever else it’s like you have to shift from that so how do you shift from that? How did you? Vincent Wanga (14:15.714)Man, I think that’s such a good point. I think too many people get enamored with the grind part, right? That’s what they teach you in investment banking. That’s what they teach you in all these other segments. Just grind and the reward will come and they’ll dangle this carrot in front of you that somehow disappears on your journey, right? Entrepreneurship’s very similar. And I’ll just say, this is the hardest shit in the world, like next to raising a child. Like it is incredibly difficult and that’s… Nick McGowan (14:37.446)Yeah. Vincent Wanga (14:42.102)what discourages most people. But I think the point that you made that was really excellent is you first have to have a purpose. What is your passion? Why are you doing this? Never have I thought when I’m in an entrepreneurial pursuit and I’m working, you know, 18 hours a day, did I ever feel burnt out? Isn’t that interesting that I can go to a typical corporate job and after five hours just can’t wait to leave, but I’ll work nonstop on my own thing and never feel burnt out. I have stress maybe related to money or something. but it’s not work stress. And I think that’s because everything that I do is passion and purpose rooted. And that should be your first mission. Don’t do this thing because you think it’s going to make you rich. You know, start that brewery because you love beer, you love the science of beer, and that you realize that by getting into that business, you are now an agriculture. You’re a farmer. You need to know about hops and the process and supply chain and fermentation. And you are a chemist and you got to figure out the right, you know, balance in order to have the best beer in the world. Otherwise, don’t do it. Nick McGowan (15:11.93)Yeah. Nick McGowan (15:21.561)Hmm. Vincent Wanga (15:41.056)So I think people need to understand what’s your passion would start there. The grind is easy if you’re passion and purpose driven and don’t let that kind of blind you. Start with your passion and your purpose. And that’s really helped keep me balanced so that I make sure the most precious commodity I have right now at this age is my time. And I make sure that just like my money, I invested reasonably and responsibly and only things that really bring me value in return. I think my second point is The grind is should be front end, you know, where your typical nine to five and there’s no wrong path is something you progressively invest in. And at the end, around 65 years old, you get your benefit and you get to go, you know, travel and live in Florida and do whatever you want with your life and retirement. Entrepreneurship is different. You literally grind for three years. The first year you’re just getting established. The second year you’re trying to become profitable. That third year, if you make it that far, you might actually thrive and have a business. And unless you’re paying yourself, Like you said, it’s just a hobby. So you have to be serious about this, understand the business fundamentals, but also understand for three years you’re in the suck and you have to work and work hard. And if you’re passionate and purpose driven, it won’t feel like a burden. And then you get your reward where all of a sudden you have enough profit to hire a COO or even a CEO as a founder to run your business and employees and your scaling and it gets easier. So you just have to understand the different philosophies between a nine to five and entrepreneurial pursuit. and make sure you’re passion and purpose driven and that will really help you keep balanced in this kind of crazy lexicon that is working like we do. Nick McGowan (17:17.338)Yeah, especially here in the States. We work much more than other people, but then there are other countries that… It’s the system that they’re in and how they go through it. I think one of things that you pointed out that really stood out to me was how when you take that approach of the passion and the purpose and you’re doing those things, you’re gonna work so much more on that because you’re fired up about it instead of doing whatever reports or whatever BS meetings or whatever you’re doing at nine to five. And you can just keep working on these things. But as you do that, you really start to stretch that muscle. So it’s like you’re able to handle things in year two, year three differently than you could in year one or even year two, let’s say, because everything starts to stack up. So in a very black and white way, for the most part, I think the people that listen to the show are leaders, at least in what they do, if not entrepreneurs, and there are a lot of entrepreneurs that are already in their business. But the people that think about, want to get out of my job, I want to get into a business, if you’ve got to go through that work anyway, and you’re just going to basically jump in a boat and go down that river. Don’t you want to go down the river with the stream instead of trying to fight up it like you’re currently doing in your nine to five? And it’s like, how do you then take that approach and say, all right, well, this is what I want. And there is a difference between passion and purpose. I think we have a seed of purpose that’s within us and there are ways that we get to show our passion with that purpose. But if you can tie that stuff together, you’re almost unstoppable. There’s shit that’s going to happen, but you’re going to get through that. When you talk to different Vincent Wanga (18:34.254)Sure. Right. Nick McGowan (18:58.138)from people about that sort of stuff and tying those two together. What’s the way that you can kind of put that into a vision to be able to show this is where these two pieces kind of can join? Vincent Wanga (19:06.818)Yeah, and I think for me to tell a little story, I was a senior designer art director at an agency in Minneapolis at the time. And I was getting really good insights on the business side of creative from the particular owner I was working with. He was very transparent about those things. So I found out how much he was profiting per employee, particularly me. And that didn’t match up with my salary. Now he’s a business owner. has every right to a profit. That’s not what I’m questioning. What I said is that my value is significantly higher than I thought it was this whole time. I thought it was defined by my salary. And the funny thing about these nine to five jobs, and I’m not knocking them, we all have done it and are having to do it, but they pay you just enough to kill your dreams. You know, I’m sure you’ve heard that before and just enough to be comfortable. And when I realized the potential there, I started taking advantage of that, you know, five to nine time that overnight time. I started, you know, freelancing and getting clients. And when I compared the numbers, I realized if I went full time with my own hustle, I could triple my income and not triple my work hours. So that was the passion part, right? So what that did is it led into my purpose and the purpose was, and I think this is really important is oftentimes when you get into entrepreneurship, Money should never be your motivation. Money is a reward that comes down later. It should be rooted deeper than that. But if you can tie your entrepreneurship with your lifestyle, your ideal lifestyle and outcome, that is the greatest gift in earth. So for example, imagine you’re a snowboarder and you just want to go to Vail and Whistler and, you know, go down the most amazing double black diamond mountains and make that a part of your lifestyle. Imagine starting a business. where you could be in that community and make profit. Now you’re in your ideal lifestyle, your ideal community, and you have a business that helps fund that. And that was kind of my motivation. So I am now independent, tripling my income. I’m working half as much. I’m able to travel the world. And as long as I have wifi, I can continue to make money indefinitely in whatever country I stay in. It was the most incredible lifestyle of my life. And there’s some limits to that we can talk about later, but it gave me this purpose. Vincent Wanga (21:29.1)and passion combined to continue to progress. And I think people just really need to identify not just passion and purpose, but what is that ideal lifestyle that you want this to lead to? What is that outcome? What is that ambition that you have? If you don’t have that goal and you’re just starting out, what are you doing? You’re making trinkets. You’re not getting paid. You have a very expensive hobby that’s probably gonna cost you your family. So you really have to understand at the end of the day, this is a business. You have to have business fundamentals and run it accordingly. And I think you’ll be in a much better place than just going on some wild adventure because you don’t want to wake up at 9 a.m. I promise you, you’ll be disappointed by entrepreneurship if that is the case. Nick McGowan (22:08.812)Yeah, and it’s interesting because that’s like, there are like shades to that almost. You know, like there are times where you call it like we can’t sleep or we have a hard time because we’re thinking we got to pay for this. We got this thing coming in. There’s this thing and I’m sure there’s a left hook that’s going to come out of nowhere and like whatever and you just kind of manage through that stuff. You work through it. But if you are in a better mental spot because of the passion and purpose that you have to do these things, you can actually handle those things instead of just being crippled by it. I’ve thought many different times about how many people got into podcasting during COVID because they were like, what the fuck? I have nobody to talk to. I don’t know what to do right now. I guess I’ll start a podcast or people that became a coach and are like, I guess I’ll become coaches. And if you look at the numbers, they all skyrocketed. then quickly after that just shot down. So many people just couldn’t do it, didn’t want to do it, didn’t have the skills or whatever. And ultimately it wasn’t right for them to be able to do it. Now there are lots of people that stuck with it. I started this in 2014. Vincent Wanga (22:47.256)Mm-hmm. Nick McGowan (23:15.145)So I wasn’t one of those ones that just started it in 20, but I remember thinking that too. Like well now I’m stuck at the house. What am gonna do? And had friends that I talked to and then just came a podcast and whatever else from there. But being able to actually understand like you’re going to start to take those steps and it doesn’t all have to happen at once. So even with the stuff you’re saying like you get to travel, you make money, you do these things. To somebody if they’re listening on the surface they’re gonna go okay cool you’re just another one of those guys who just like pushes this thing and says I live the best life in the world and work. Vincent Wanga (23:22.648)Right. Yep. Nick McGowan (23:45.148)two hours a day and I harvest butterflies and get four billion dollar homes. Like it’s not what we’re saying. But this is a stacked upon process. Like I talked to people at times, I had somebody on recently it was like man you were in like Idaho and Montana and doing this and you travel and it’s like yeah but this has been a work in progress. This isn’t just one of those things like last Tuesday. It’s like you know what fuck everything else and we’re gonna travel we’re gonna do this thing. It’s like you have to build upon those things so you have to take those initial steps. So for somebody trying to figure out right now. I hear what you guys are saying, I want to take these steps and I think I kind of know what I want to do but I’m afraid to do it as a creative saying I’m stuck in this system and I have to pay for things and I’ve built this whole big career and what do I do now? What advice do you give them? Vincent Wanga (24:35.496)well, the first thing is it’s mostly rooted in fear. Release your inhibition of fear because you will fail. You will fail big, you will fail small, you will fail often. I think what actually ironically makes me successful is my lack of fear of failure. I could write a whole thesis on failure and how that’s affected me. But the true reality is it’s been the greatest education of my life. More than a Harvard MBA could teach me going out there doing something really hard and failing or succeeding in that are immense lessons that you can apply to the next thing and you’ll fail a little bit less and apply to the next thing and fail a little bit less. And I just talked about earlier how your job posting a position where you, you don’t want to risk that comfortability to go out there and potentially fail, but you have to understand that’s part of the cycle and learning process that gets you to success. love that Japanese proverb, you know, fall down seven times, get up eight. That’s, that is, it’s a cliche, but it’s so true. You just have to. Nick McGowan (25:29.973)Hey. Vincent Wanga (25:35.192)get out there and fucking do it. And I think the other most important thing is people get into this journey and they’re not prepared for scale. They never think about it. I think they’re too absorbed in the lifestyle part. Like, okay, I get to work from home. I get to take my kids to baseball. This is great. I want to stay in this comfortable zone. If you’re too successful, if you fuck up, you actually have something that scales. Now you need employees. Now you need people to run your business. Nick McGowan (25:52.084)Yeah. Vincent Wanga (26:03.842)Now you need to redo your supply chain. Now things get more expensive. Now you got to pay attention to your margins. Nobody has that ambition. So always enter this with what is that ideal grand scale? If you’re just in this to just, you again, have this hobby mindset, you will fail and failure is okay, but you need to realize you’re building a business. What is the plan for scale? What is the grand ambition? What is the ideal circumstance you want to reach? And then what resources do you need to get there? I think the second most important thing is Choosing your business partner wisely. And I’m emphasizing business partner like it’s almost a requirement. Sure, you can get to a certain level by yourself. You know, there’s that saying, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. You need a partner. Nobody has expertise in everything. So figure out what your core competencies are. If you can’t, failure will do that for you. Figure out what you do enjoy and then go find a business partner who complements your skills or compensates for the things that you’re not skilled at. And together. that you and that person can build something really immense and double your time. Because I think the biggest dilemma, particularly in entrepreneurship, historically has been, how do you duplicate yourself? You get to a certain point, how do you find somebody else who will work as hard as you, who’s as motivated as you, who’s as passionate about you? And I think in this age of AI, it doesn’t take a founding team of six anymore. You, another competent person, and three AI agents can really get to a place where you can scale effectively and efficiently in three years. So you just have to think about the grand perspective and not treating it as a hobby. And I think that’s half the way to success and release that inhibition of failure. know the stakes get greater as we get older, but imagine, you know, I mentioned Warren Buffett earlier, if he thought that way, imagine if George Washington thought that way, if Martin Luther King thought that way, like anything worth doing is hard. So get over it, get out there and do it and fail. Take those lessons, apply it to the next thing until you succeed. Nick McGowan (28:01.332)I think something to point out with. George Washington, Buffett, anybody else. Like there are times where I bring up purpose and people are like, well, I don’t know if my purpose is supposed to be the next Steve Jobs or something. No, that was his. Let him have his. You do yours. George Washington, Buffett, everybody else had these thoughts of like, this is where I want to get to. This is what I want to do. But it wasn’t like, I’m going to do this because it’s deep in my heart that I’m going to become George Washington or Buffett or whatever else. They had to actually build upon those things. And there are people that just want to have a solo business. There are people that want to have a small business. And by small, I mean, you know, a few handful of employees, maybe they make millions of dollars, but like, it’s a group of a small group of people. There others that want to have a huge bustling business of hundreds of employees and all of that. But I think it’s important for us to actually talk to ourselves about, do you want it? Because you want the ego of purposes of, have all these employees. I have all these things. Look at the boat that I have that I never get into because I have to work and manage all these employees. What’s the actual purpose underneath that? And I think as a creative and the people that are creatives, we can rely on the creativity inside of us because that’ll always nudge us along. It’s sometimes really hard to listen to. I’m sure you’ve experienced some of that going through probably years where you’re like, it’s hard to listen to it. I’m being creative, but I’m not really being creative. You’re getting paid to be a creative, but you’re basically like churning things out or using of stuff and not really creating but everybody’s like well this looks amazing and you’re like I fucking hate it and I hate you and I hate all this stuff so leave me alone. So for people that are in that spot right now and really for the people that are on their path towards self mastery what sort of advice would you give to them? Vincent Wanga (29:47.938)Well, speaking specifically to creatives, I think you can relate. We have a very unique mindset when it comes to certain things. And I think people misdiagnose us that our advantage is somehow attached to our hands and the software and skills. It’s our mentality in the way that we think. For example, the way we solve problems are completely different. What most people would see as an obstacle, we see as a challenge and we use our creativity to get around it. With the systems that we build, the solutions that we build, that’s what we get paid for. So I think that is an invaluable skill when, whether it’s business or your nine to five is remembering that that is your core competency and your greatest value that you bring is your ability to uniquely solve problems. And that’s why we are employed in every single industry in the world and have survived all kinds of efforts to remove us from those industries. And they keep coming back to us because of that skillset. think in addition to that, you just have to really be prepared for change. And we are an adaptable force. Look at all of the journeys that we’ve been through from the digital revolution and the elimination of print to interactive and AI, all of these things we are at the bleeding, cutting edge of. So we are in a natural position to be early adapters, to see and flesh out these new emerging technologies and see if they’re viable or not, and then use them to our advantage in a competitive sense against some of our non-creative peers in order to thrive. it while others are being replaced by it. So I think we need to recognize our power in that context and use that to our advantage. I’ll also add that you look at the highest level of leadership, a CEO, right? They have immense powerful responsibilities, but the number one is to create vision. They create the vision like Steve Jobs saying, I want a thousand songs in your pocket. And then it trickles down to the rest to execute and to figure out how to make that vision a reality. So vision is a creative mindset. creatives have visionary mindset. So why can’t creatives be those same CEOs? We just lack the business acumen. And I think if I was a creative in that position, that’s the first thing I would balance and start studying is what business skills do I lack that can compliment this thing that is very rare, which is that creative mindset that could make me unstoppable in the marketplace. And I am on this mission in my life to help creatives become more entrepreneurial, to think more business minded because the hardest skill we already have. Vincent Wanga (32:15.498)So having that balance that yin and yang between the creativity and conceptual and the analytical and business mindset will really put you in a place where you will be much more successful than if you try to pursue anything with just one mindset or the other. Nick McGowan (32:30.736)Yeah, what a cool way to be able to put that too. It’s like just being resourceful in that sense. You know, if you think from a basic creative perspective, if you’re just sketching, we need paper or something to draw on. You need the pen or pencil or whatever. And then you need the time. You need these pieces to do these things. So any of these things are like, well, what pieces do I need? Even to the fact about the partners, it’s like, what am I lacking here? What am I not a 10 at? And what does somebody else attend at that I could even just Have some help with some people don’t want to take on partners. They want to do the business by themselves I think that’s where coaches mentors come into play to be able to say I’ve been through this and before here’s some suggestions Here’s how you can go about it. Even just that fact of like just reaching out and having some of those conversations There’s somebody that’s out there. There’s some information that’s out there and I I Don’t want everybody to just lean on AI and everybody’s gonna do whatever they’re gonna do, but I do think that atrophies things I use AI at times. I mean fucking everybody does. It’s more so just being pushed on us at this point. But not literally just saying, I’m just going to hand this thing off and not understand how it is. Like you pointed out earlier, if you want to have a brewery, you have to be all these different things. And if all that is too much for you, don’t do it. If you just want to be a money person, then sure, be a money person and never show up. Maybe go and have a beer every once in a while and that’s it. That’s a whole different story though. Like where the fuck did you get that money from? Did you create a business to do that? know, or some Vincent Wanga (34:00.134)Sure. Nick McGowan (34:00.451)somebody handed to you. But being able to point that out and understand the resources of that and then what you’re good, what you’re not good at, I think it’s really good stuff, man. So I appreciate you bringing that up. It’s been a pleasure having you on. Before I let you go, where can people find you and where can they connect with you? Vincent Wanga (34:14.382)No, I really appreciate the conversation. Again, I speak all over the country and internationally. So if I’m in a conference in your area, please feel free to come up to me. And I love meeting new people, especially in different industries. In addition to that, have a website, VincentWongred.com, where you can see some of my other thought leadership across entrepreneurship, creative, design. Leadership is another thing I speak on often. I also have a book called The Art of Direction. personal perspectives on the path to creative leadership. So that is available through Amazon, Walmart, all the major online retailers and for special order at your bookstore. It’s a book about leadership. And I think that’s agnostic of just the creative industry and the unique, soft and hard skills that you need to make that leap that few people are prepared for. So it also very deeply personal and talks a little bit about my experiences and my journey and of course my failures and how that led to my success. And then you can also contact me on LinkedIn and Instagram through my website. Those are the primary ways you can get a hold of me. Nick McGowan (35:20.208)And again, it’s been pleasure having you on Vince. I appreciate your time. Vincent Wanga (35:23.478)Absolutely. Thank you,
Matt Gardner had to rebuild his entire life after a major health setback pushed him out of the military. Starting over meant learning new skills, trying different paths, and figuring out how to make real estate work from the ground up. Nothing came easy, but each step gave him a clearer sense of what actually moves the needle.In this episode, Matt walks through how he used time money and knowledge to get into his first deals, partner with the right people, and build momentum in mobile home parks, RV parks, and larger projects. He shares the early mistakes, what he would do differently, and the simple criteria he follows before committing to any opportunity.Anyone looking to grow in real estate will get a straightforward look at how steady decisions and clear frameworks can build something meaningful. Matt's journey is a strong reminder that you don't need a perfect background to scale — just a plan you stick with long enough to let it work.Create your FREE account AND get 100 FREE credits NOW here: http://LeadDeck.AI
If you've been doing all the things and your business still isn't scaling the way you want, this episode is the reset your CEO brain needs.In today's solo, Kaila breaks down the three core CEO systems that make scaling simple, sustainable, and aligned:✔️ Your Visibility System — how people find you✔️ Your Sales System — how clients buy from you✔️ Your Delivery System — how you create repeatable, transformational resultsYou'll learn why hard work isn't the solution, what's actually blocking your growth, and how to step into your role as a Million Dollar CEO with clarity, confidence, and systems that support you.If you want to scale your business with more ease and less guesswork, this is the episode you've been waiting for!Mentioned in this episode: Find out the fastest way to grow your business (without sacrificing more time or adding more 1-1 clients)! Take the quiz (45 seconds or less!!) www.myalignedpurpose.com/quiz
In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary Fox sits down with Jac Dunne, CEO of Dimply, an AI-powered financial experience platform that's quietly reshaping how banks, insurers and wealth managers serve their customers. After almost three decades in legacy finance, Jac made a bold move in her mid-50s into regtech and then fintech, “bookending” her career by building the kind of technology she always wished existed inside the big institutions. She breaks down what Dimply actually does in plain English, how it powers hyper-personalised journeys inside apps like AIB's, and why the future of money will be a hybrid of human advice and seamless digital experiences. Jac also opens up about leaving a senior corporate role where her voice wasn't being heard, taking on a startup CEO role, scaling a remote-first team, and building practical programmes to get more women and students into tech. If you're a founder, operator or leader trying to scale something meaningful and still have a life outside of work, this conversation is packed with insight. Show Notes: In this episode, we cover:
Kevin Daisy interviews New York trial lawyer Arkady Frekhtman live at Law-Di-Gras. Arkady shares how his PI firm uses multiple office locations to strengthen Google Maps visibility, how his YouTube channel drives nationwide referrals, and why he is exploring AI and system improvements to scale. A concise look at modern PI firm growth through content, visibility, and trial-focused strategy. Chapters (00:00:00) - The Conference for Law Firms: Thinking Big(00:00:59) - How to Start a Personal Injury Firm in New York(00:02:43) - Law De Gras 2019: How to Grow the Firm(00:06:49) - Lardi Gras 2017 conference interview
In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with JustinCuviello and Kyle Cuviello, brothers and co-owners of Care Team Solutions, a national healthcare staffing agency based in Buffalo, NY. Their story is packed with grit: from taking a leap of faith after careers in pharmaceutical and software sales, to launching a staffing firm from scratch, to growing through COVID, and surviving the steepest downturn their industry has ever faced.Together, we dive into:How Care Team Solutions grew from a small start-up into a national brandThe pain points of starting a staffing agency with no roadmapWhy recruiting is truly a sales jobRiding the COVID rollercoaster: explosive growth followed by a massive correctionTheir “hire for character, train for skill” philosophyThe importance of culture, purpose, and keeping the right people in the right seatsTheir expansion into physician recruiting, locums, and clinical researchHow they use AI as a tool, not as a replacement for human connectionWhy travel nurses stay loyal when recruiters actually listen and support themThe mental health, financial, and career resources they now provide travelersJustin and Kyle are honest, thoughtful, and refreshingly transparent about the lessons they've learned over 11 years of building a business. If you're in staffing, healthcare, sales, orentrepreneurship — this is a must-listen.Connect with Care Team Solutions Website: https://careteamsolutions.comJob Board: via their websiteEmail: justin@careteamsolutions.com | kyle@careteamsolutions.comConnect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points PodcastWebsite: https://staffbuffalo.comEpisodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpointsSocials: @StaffBuffalo
In a world where AI can write, speak and even imagine on our behalf, what does it really mean to understand human stories? In this episode, Andy Goram is joined by James Warren, founder and CEO of Share More Stories and the team behind SEEQ, a platform that helps organisations read, interpret and quantify the emotional depth inside customer and employee experiences. James argues that stories aren't just communication, they're how we form relationships, build community and create meaning. They're emotional code. And if leaders can learn to listen properly, stories reveal the truth people often can't or won't put in a survey. Together, Andy and James explore how AI can help leaders understand thousands of stories at scale without replacing or sanitising the human heart behind them. They get into the nuance of emotional data, connection, belonging, trust and the danger of letting machines fabricate “ideal employees” through synthetic responses. It's a conversation about preserving humanity in an increasingly machine-shaped world and why the future belongs to leaders who combine technology with vulnerability, deep listening and genuine openness to the stories their people share. ----more---- Key Takeaways Stories reveal emotional truth leaders can't get from surveys. Stories contain emotional “code” that shows what people value, fear and hope for. Connection creates a shared “we”, the foundation of real change. Without connection, organisational change becomes something leaders do to people, not with them. AI can scale human understanding, but it must not replace humans. SEEQ helps reveal emotion in stories at scale, but synthetic data crosses an ethical line. Human nuance matters more than ever in an AI-shaped future. Imperfection, emotion and authenticity are trust signals machines can't replicate. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:26 – Stories in a machine-shaped world 0:03:39 – Meet James Warren 0:05:16 – Why stories explain the “why” behind experiences 0:06:06 – Storytelling as human survival & connection 0:08:14 – Humanity, belonging and collective wisdom 0:11:59 – Navigating change with empathy and clarity 0:18:24 – Connection and the power of “We” 0:19:49 – SEEQ and quantifying emotional data 0:32:59 – The meaning layer: why emotion matters 0:34:24 – Imperfection, realism and trust 0:41:52 – AI, nuance and future guardrails 0:44:15 – Synthetic data and ethical boundaries 0:46:42 – James's 3 Sticky Notes of advice ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow James Warren on LinkedIn here Find the Share More Stories website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here
Send us a textWondering why you're working so hard and things don't feel like they're getting easier? Or perhaps you're giving more of yourself .. your time, your energy, your creativity, your money ... to your business and at best you're breaking even. Often times, the issue isn't a bad strategy on its own. It's invisible leaks in your energy, identity, and business model that are functioning like a ceiling on your income. In this episode of The Mothered Business you will learn:The illusion of "doing everything right"Invisible blocks that are hurting your ability to scaleHow cognitive load in motherhood influences business model successBandwidth and strategic mismatch If you feel frustrated and like you should "be further ahead" or you identify as a high achiever who is not seeing the ROI, this episode can function as an audit to support the business you want, not the one you have. With love,Robyn xoP.S. If you loved this episode, I'd appreciate if you could leave a review or share on your socials. It truly means the world to me and helps amplify this message for other mothers desiring a supportive business for motherhood. If you would like to learn more about The Mothered Business Mastermind, click here. Please say hi to me on Instagram @robyn.gooding or take a peek at my website for more info www.robyngooding.comClick here to book your call anytime!
Business Wars: Follow Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe at https://trueclassic.com/impact Linkedin: Post your job free at https://linkedin.com/impacttheory CashApp: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod HomeServe: Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month at https://homeserve.com Quince: Go to https://quince.com/IMPACTPOD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Huel: 15% off with this exclusive offer for New Customers only with code impact at https://huel.com/impact (Minimum $75 purchase). Netsuite: Right now, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at https://NetSuite.com/Theory Raycon: Up to 20% off during this holiday season at https://buyraycon.com/IMPACTTHEORYBC ButcherBox: New users will receive their choice between filet mignon, ribeye or NY Strip in every box for a year + $20 off! at https://butcherbox.com/impact What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.: https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu In the second half of Tom's conversation with Robert Breedlove, the podcast dives deeper into the intricate web of economics, personal sovereignty, and the transformative power of Bitcoin. Robert Breedlove eloquently lays out a blueprint for reclaiming autonomy in a world ruled by inflation and government overreach. You'll hear a blunt assessment of why socialism repeatedly fails and turns murderous, guided by brutal incentives and philosophical errors. Moving beyond critique, the episode shifts toward solutions: why private property matters, why Bitcoin is uniquely resistant to theft and inflation, and how decentralization might change war, politics, and the shape of the future. Part 2 explores the real-world implications of an economy built on fiat and debt, the slow erosion of purchasing power, and the mathematical inevitability of open conflict when deficits spiral out of control. Tom and Robert go head-to-head on the accessibility of Bitcoin for the average person, the limits of technological optimism, and the possible impact of AI and robotics on both meaning and scarcity in human life. If you care about the social, spiritual, and technological destiny of humanity, don't miss this how-to guide for surviving and thriving in the disruption ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, we break down why business often outpaces real estate when it comes to fast, scalable income. You'll hear how one investor built a nationwide portfolio... escape rooms, axe throwing, trophy shops, lending, home-services and more... using creative deals, strong partnerships, and smart acquisitions.We also cover the lending model earning 15–65% returns, why home-service companies are the next big play, and how to decide whether to build a business or buy one.Learn how to invest in real estate with the Cashflow 2.0 System! Your business in a box with 1:1 coaching, motivated seller leads, & softwares. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com/Want to work 1:1 with Ryan Pineda? Apply at ryanpineda.comJoin our FREE community, weekly calls, and bible studies for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. https://tentmakers.us/Want to grow your business and network with elite entrepreneurs on world-class golf courses? Apply now to join Mastermind19 – Ryan Pineda's private golf mastermind for high-level founders and dealmakers. www.mastermind19.com--- About Ryan Pineda: Ryan Pineda has been in the real estate industry since 2010 and has invested in over $100,000,000 of real estate. He has completed over 700 flips and wholesales, and he owns over 650 rental units. As an entrepreneur, he has founded seven different businesses that have generated 7-8 figures of revenue. Ryan has amassed over 2 million followers on social media and has generated over 1 billion views online. Starting as a minor league baseball player making less than $2,000 a month, Ryan is now worth over $100 million. He shares his experiences in building wealth and believes that anyone can change their life with real estate investing. ...
What's the real reason your business growth feels like you're carrying bricks uphill? On today's episode, Michael Walsh takes us behind the curtain of business growth, from "we're doing fine" to "we're doing great, but I'm drowning anyway." He walks through the hidden growth blockers (structures, people, manager vs. individual contributor), his "Freedom by Design" framework, and how to shift your business from a grind to something that actually frees you.
In this special crossover episode, you'll hear Geoff Zimpfer guest-host The LO Down Community Call with Connor Bartley to uncover how four top-producing LOs are generating real pipeline through strategic agent events. Forget the stale Lunch & Learns—this panel breaks down what's actually working to get butts in seats and referrals on the books.You'll learn:Why classes are the most leveraged way to connect with agents at scaleHow to pick topics agents care about (hint: it's not mortgage guidelines)The exact steps to promote your event—even if you're starting from zeroFrom investor workshops to modern marketing panels, this episode gives you the blueprint to host agent classes that attract, convert, and scale.Connect with Connor on LinkedInLearn More About myAgent ClassesLike This Episode?
#700 What if the secret to building an unstoppable creative team has nothing to do with resumes — and everything to do with psychology, personality, and energy? Larry Walshe — founder of the globally renowned Larry Walshe Studios — joins host Brien Gearin to break down how he recruits and builds high-performance teams in the creative industry. Larry shares his journey from West End performer to world-class event designer serving elite clients across the globe, and reveals the unique framework he uses to curate teams for multimillion-dollar events, including Chinese zodiac archetypes, personality colors, and learning styles. If you want to hire smarter, lead more effectively, and attract top creative talent, this episode delivers a fresh, practical perspective! What we discuss with Larry: + Larry's journey from performer to designer + Building a $12M global events brand + Recruiting through archetypes and energy + Using Chinese zodiac in team building + Personality colors for team harmony + Matching roles to learning styles + Avoiding “vibe-based” hiring mistakes + Why small jobs create big opportunities + Scaling creative teams across locations Thank you, Larry! Check out Larry Walshe at LarryWalshe.com. Follow Larry on all social platforms @larrywalshe. Watch the video podcast of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training What if growth doesn't make things easier but actually just raises the stakes? Agency life looks glamorous from the outside, but the real growth usually starts in the messy middle. Today's featured guest just wanted to build something of her own, but quickly learned that growth means the challenges get harder, instead of easier, and that your client and team retention will always be the best measures of success, since it means you've managed to build a business that has a real impact on clients and a culture people never want to leave. She'll share the pressure she felt as the agency got bigger, how she learned to celebrate the little wins, and how she built a culture that has truly worked as a strategic advantage. Elyse Lupin is the president and founder of Elysium Marketing Group, a full-service agency specializing in food and franchise marketing. With more than a decade of running the business, she has scaled from a new mom charging a thousand bucks for her first client to leading a well known, franchise-focused marketing team recognized for expertise, execution, and a culture clients genuinely enjoy working with. In this episode, we'll discuss: Why growth gets harder as your agency scales. 2 metrics that actually predict agency success. How culture became her agency's competitive advantage. The importance of letting go instead of babysitting tasks. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service. How Mentoring Can Be the Push You Need Elyse started her agency during what most people would consider the absolute worst time to make a career change. She had a newborn, a mortgage, and a job that drained her every morning as she left her child in daycare. That friction reached a breaking point. A mentor tossed out traditional job options, but Elyse surprised even herself when she said, "I just want to start my own thing." Instead of talking her out of it, that mentor became her first client. It's one of those decisions you look back on and realize how thin the line is between staying stuck and building something you love. In the early days, she charged way too little, as nearly all agency owners do for those first engagements. But like she said, ignorance can be a gift. When you are early and scrappy, you move fast and celebrate every small win because you have no idea what's coming next. Why Growth Gets Harder, Not Easier After eleven years, Elyse said she was shocked by how the difficulty of running an agency evolves. Things do get easier in some ways, but each stage comes with a new complexity level. As the agency grew, so did the pressure to hire better people, keep up quality, retain clients, and juggle new demands that never existed in the early days. You go from hands-on fulfillment to team building to culture shaping to visionary leadership. Each level is a different skill set and none of it is simple. Scaling is not a victory lap. It is a longer, more strategic version of the same game you started with: solve the next problem without losing momentum. For Elyse, it's all about stopping to celebrate the little wins and let herself enjoy watching her team crush new challenges. 2 Metrics That Predict Agency Success: Client and Team Retention A lot of agency owners fall into the trap of measuring success by employee count or top line revenue. Elyse prefers to track retention. She considers it far more meaningful. Clients only stick around if they are getting results and some of her clients have been with her agency since the beginning. Employee retention matters just as much, because no amount of growth means anything if the team delivering the work is burning out or bailing. Even during COVID, when most of their food clients disappeared overnight, Elyse's agency found a way to pivot into B2B, protect the team, and still grow. Not at the same pace, but still upward. That speaks to culture, resilience, and leadership. In the end, what really matters is how happy you are in the business, whether or not your team is happy, and how profitable the business actually is. These are the things that will guarantee you stay in business and not start to resent it. How Culture Becomes an Agency's Competitive Advantage Elyse's agency has a spirit week. costume day. concert tshirt day. team jersey day. They joke about team members hearing her excitement through the office walls. But behind the fun is something serious. A happy team performs better, stays longer, and delivers higher quality work. She also implemented rituals that reinforce positivity and growth. Every Friday on remote days, they kick off with Wins of the Week. Team members spotlight others who went above and beyond, which forces everyone to pause and recognize progress. Then there is Elysium Advancement, a bi-weekly internal training where someone teaches a new AI tool or system. It keeps the whole agency sharp without overwhelming everyone with the nonstop flood of new tech. Finding the Balance Between a Remote and In-Person Team Elyse's agency is in office Monday through Thursday and remote on Fridays. She believes their productivity is higher together, especially since half the business is design focused. Instead of 15 email threads, they solve problems in 30 second conversations. Some teams thrive remote. Others thrive together. The important thing is knowing which one your agency needs. For them, an in-person environment helps them move faster and design better. Letting Go: Building Leaders Instead of Babysitting Tasks Most agency founders struggle with this. Elyse has built three strong department heads who now own their areas. Sure, she still has a hand in more than she probably should, but the structure is finally allowing her to think bigger instead of babysitting tasks. She also knows what her team would tell her to stop doing. Being too loud in the office. Which, as problems go, is one of the funnier ones. The Power of Picking a Niche Years ago, Elyse heard this very podcast's advice about niching down and resisted it. Like most agency owners, she felt her client base was too broad to narrow down. After COVID, she finally made the leap and put a stake in the ground around franchise marketing. She got her Certified Franchise Executive credential, doubled down on franchising events, and made franchise marketing a core part of the brand. And the decision paid off immediately. Franchise systems want a partner who understands their world, their FDDs, their local store marketing needs, and their complexity. Her agency became that partner. And with that clarity came authority, opportunity, and recognition. Niching did not reduce her client pool. It strengthened her position and made her easier to hire. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.
Ready to earn more without adding more hours to your week? We break down three practical paths pool pros use to scale: hiring your first tech with clean pricing and standards, selling select accounts for lump‑sum cash, and building passive income that compounds over time. You'll hear the exact numbers, the customer conversations that make handoffs smooth, and the realistic headaches to expect so you can plan around them.We start with a readiness check: if your monthly rate can't support wages, payroll taxes, workers' comp, chemicals, and admin while leaving a margin, hiring will backfire. From there, we map a ride‑along training plan, why a company truck reduces risk, and how to prep clients so they're comfortable with a new face on the route. We run conservative math: paying a tech per pool using a 4.3-week multiplier, estimating a $50 net per account at 50 stops, and showing how that can conservatively add ~$30,000 a year. Scale that approach with density and QA, and you understand how larger firms turn process into profit.If you're allergic to payroll, try the route-cycling strategy. Partner with builders, grow to ~90 stops, then sell a 15‑pool package each year—often worth close to 10–12 months of revenue—dropping a sizable check into the business while you reset to a tight 75 and rebuild. It's a simple loop that improves route quality and protects your time. We also look beyond the backyard: small multifamily with DSCR loans, or cash‑heavy businesses like coin laundries, can provide tax advantages and durable cash flows that don't depend on your daily schedule.• Readiness checks for hiring and pricing• Per‑pool pay math using a 4.3 multiplier• Customer prep and selective handoff strategy• Training plans, trucks, insurance, and QA• Conservative profit scenarios and scaling logic• Annual route‑sale model with builders• Real estate and DSCR loans for passive income• Tax advantages, deductions, and CPA guidance• Mindset of stewardship and sustainable growthJoin the pool guy coaching program. LeSend us a textSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y
Are you using your technology to its fullest potential? In this episode of the Registered Investment Advisor Podcast, Seth Greene interviews Christopher Johnson, CEO of TrigaByte Technologies, who delves into the challenges wealth management firms face when integrating technology and maximizing its potential. With 30 years of experience, Chris shares his journey from working as a compliance officer to founding Trigger Byte, where he helps advisors leverage technology for greater efficiency and client satisfaction. Chris discusses everything from client onboarding to the rise of AI in wealth management, offering actionable insights for firms looking to scale smarter. Key Takeaways: → Why the biggest challenge in wealth management is effectively integrating and using technology. → How optimizing tech usage helps firms increase their ROI. → How AI is the future of automating client interactions and tasks for wealth management firms. → Why wealth management firms are shifting from commission-based models to fee-for-service models. → Why it's vital to choose and implement technology that fits a firm's specific needs. Christopher Johnson has spent over 30 years in the financial services industry, leading, growing, and guiding wealth management firms through both change and opportunity. With deep expertise in building strong operational foundations and scalable infrastructure, Chris understands what advisory offices need to truly thrive. He believes that when the right tools and technology are applied intentionally, they do more than improve efficiency—they create space for purposeful growth, elevate the client experience, and enhance team performance. Passionate about helping advisors reach their full potential, Chris works closely with firms to streamline processes, optimize existing systems, and deliver exceptional service at every stage of their evolution. Connect With Christopher: Website: https://www.trigabytetech.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christrigabytetech/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of The Unlearn Podcast, Barry O'Reilly is joined by Steve Elliott, a serial entrepreneur, product leader, and investor with two decades of experience advising high-growth companies. Steve is the founder of Dotwork, an AI-driven platform that connects strategy to execution, and co-founder of The Uncertainty Project, a community for product leaders focused on better decision-making.He previously served as Head of Product at Atlassian, where he helped scale Jira Align after selling his company AgileCraft for $166M—earning recognition as a Fortune Best Small Business in America and a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. With five successful exits under his belt, Steve brings rare depth to the art of building and unbuilding what no longer serves.In this conversation, Barry and Steve explore how to design for the messy reality of modern work, the role of unlearning in leadership, and how AI is redefining what it means to be a decisive company.Key TakeawaysFrom CTO to CEO – Why Steve transitioned from tech leader to founder and the personal growth that came with it.Scaling after acquisition – The emotional and strategic shifts required when your startup becomes part of a larger machine.Why strategy execution breaks – Most alignment tools assume order—Steve builds for complexity.Agentic AI in the enterprise – How Dotwork uses knowledge graphs and AI to surface insight in context, not just dashboards.Decisive companies – What it really means to help leaders make faster, more confident decisions.Additional InsightsUnlearning the idea that startups are for the young—Steve didn't found his first company until his 40s.How Dotwork is building a “context memory engine” for both executives and AI agents.The future of AI-native tools isn't more interfaces—it's less friction and smarter context delivery.Why the most valuable enterprise products aren't flashy—they're quiet, ambient, and deeply integrated.Episode Highlights00:00 – Episode RecapSteve Elliott shares how each startup exit taught him something new—but also how returning to the founder's seat means unlearning old assumptions. Now, with Dotwork, he's not just building a tool—he's rethinking how organizations make decisions in complexity.01:45 – Guest Introduction: Steve ElliottBarry introduces Steve Elliott, founder of AgileCraft (acquired by Atlassian) and CEO of Dotwork, with a track record of five successful exits and a deep focus on enterprise work management.03:40 – Early career shiftsFrom a consulting career at PwC to software experiments that took off—how Steve found his way into entrepreneurship.08:55 – From technologist to founderThe value of combining tech expertise with business empathy—and why startups offer unmatched learning opportunities.11:05 – Unlearning post-acquisition mindsets What Steve had to unlearn transitioning from CEO to leader within a larger company—and back again.13:36 – Building tools for strategic decisionsWhy enterprise tools fail to support real-time, strategic decisions—and how Steve is tackling the problem differently.17:50 – The rise of agentic frameworksHow Dotwork is using knowledge graphs and agentic AI to reflect the dynamic, decentralized nature of modern...
Ready to turn your freelance side hustle into a booming $20K/month studio? In this inspiring conversation on Young Boss, Isabelle Guarino chats with Ben Jackson, a solopreneur who transformed his creative hustle into a thriving boutique web development studio. Youth is your power, and Ben's story proves that ambition, strategy, and persistence can lead to incredible success.Learn how Ben prepared for his leap to entrepreneurship, navigated the challenges of building a business in a competitive field, and positioned himself as a standout developer in a world of cheap labor and AI. He shares practical advice on financial literacy, finding your niche, and balancing creative control with scaling your business. Whether you're a young entrepreneur or just dreaming of breaking through barriers, this episode is packed with actionable insights and motivation to fuel your journey.Discover the power of valuing your craft, attracting the right clients, and creating a business that aligns with your lifestyle and goals. Don't miss this success story filled with unique experiences and lessons for anyone looking to make their side hustle a full-time reality. Hit play, and be inspired to chase your dreams! Don't forget to like, share, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok to stay connected with Young Boss and more episodes celebrating youth, ambition, and innovation.#scalingbusiness #businessadvice #creativeentrepreneurship #webdevelopmentstrategies #youngentrepreneursCHAPTERS:00:00 - Intro00:35 - Preparing for Career Leap03:20 - Selling Your Value in Competitive Market05:45 - Scaling and Growing Your Business08:40 - Challenges of Going SoloSubscribe to Young Boss with Isabelle Guarino wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to like, share and follow on Instagram and TikTok.And remember, youth is your power.
Investor Fuel Real Estate Investing Mastermind - Audio Version
In this conversation, Jeff Potter discusses the complexities of navigating the real estate market, including challenges related to construction costs, investment strategies, and the importance of integrity in business dealings. He shares insights on adaptive reuse projects and the necessity of being well-financed in a fluctuating market. The discussion culminates in valuable lessons learned throughout his career, emphasizing the need for careful risk management and adaptability. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind: Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply Investor Machine Marketing Partnership: Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com Coaching with Mike Hambright: Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform! Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/ New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club —--------------------
In this episode, I share my own holiday reflections and reveal six practical strategies I use to stay out of overwhelm in December. From setting boundaries and deciding what's “enough” to protecting my time and taking intentional breaks from social media, I offer the actionable steps that help me find balance and joy through the season.I talk about focusing on routines that matter, avoiding unnecessary projects or stress, and documenting activities now to make things easier next year. Tune in as I discuss how I stay present, let go of comparison, and embrace a peaceful, intentional holiday season.Grab my Holiday Headquarters guide to get everything you need to organize, plan, and celebrate with ease, think gift lists, family photos, meal plans, and memory-making ideas all in one place! Free Resources:Join 30 Day Calendar Blocking Blueprint and finally feel in control. Click here to join the next round. Are you a business owner making $100,000+ and still wearing all the hats? Click here to learn about my upcoming 12-week Outsourcing Mastermind.Are you an aspiring or newer business owner who needs some accountability and clarity on the next steps? Click here to join my 6-month accountability group - Simplify.
Business Wars: Follow Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe at https://trueclassic.com/impact Linkedin: Post your job free at https://linkedin.com/impacttheory CashApp: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod HomeServe: Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month at https://homeserve.com Quince: Go to https://quince.com/IMPACTPOD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Huel: 15% off with this exclusive offer for New Customers only with code impact at https://huel.com/impact (Minimum $75 purchase). Netsuite: Right now, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at https://NetSuite.com/Theory Raycon: Up to 20% off during this holiday season at https://buyraycon.com/IMPACTTHEORYBC ButcherBox: New users will receive their choice between filet mignon, ribeye or NY Strip in every box for a year + $20 off! at https://butcherbox.com/impact What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.: https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Tom Bilyeu welcomes prolific Bitcoin philosopher and decentralization advocate Robert Breedlove for an electrifying conversation about money, power, and the future of civilization. Known for his rigorous critiques of central banking and his optimistic vision for personal sovereignty, Robert Breedlove brings decades of economic insight and philosophical inquiry to the table. Together, he and Tom Bilyeu break down the practical and ethical problems underlying today's political headlines, including the resurgence of socialism, the structure of the “deep state,” and why incentives drive the behavior of individuals and institutions. In Part 1, Tom and Robert explore the fundamental flaws of centralized systems—from socialist governance and political theater to the mechanics and consequences of central banking and inflation. The conversation examines the history of money itself, the unintended consequences of trying to organize society from the top down, and the anatomy of coercion versus consent in economics. Whether you're skeptical of government spending or on the hunt for financial security in turbulent times, this episode offers a lucid roadmap for understanding the motivations and incentives shaping our world. FOLLOW ROBERT BREEDLOVE:Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Breedlove22Website: https://www.whatismoneypodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Business Wars: Follow Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe at https://trueclassic.com/impact Linkedin: Post your job free at https://linkedin.com/impacttheory CashApp: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod HomeServe: Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month at https://homeserve.com Quince: Go to https://quince.com/IMPACTPOD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Huel: 15% off with this exclusive offer for New Customers only with code impact at https://huel.com/impact (Minimum $75 purchase). Netsuite: Right now, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at https://NetSuite.com/Theory Raycon: Up to 20% off during this holiday season at https://buyraycon.com/IMPACTTHEORYBC ButcherBox: New users will receive their choice between filet mignon, ribeye or NY Strip in every box for a year + $20 off! at https://butcherbox.com/impact What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER: https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.: https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If crypto wins without privacy, did we actually win? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Aztec co-founders Zac Williamson and Joe Andrews to unpack their eight-year quest to build a private world computer for Ethereum, covering the Aztec ignition chain, zero-knowledge-powered “private intents,” and how you can route trades across L1 and L2s without exposing your strategies or balances. They dive into ZK Passport (turning your NFC e-passport into a proof of personhood), the coming breakdown of selfie KYC in an AI world, holistic on-chain identity, Aztec's one-shot move to a fully decentralized L2. Along the way, Zac and Joe get candid about the regulatory risk of building privacy rails, echoes of the early SSL wars, and what keeps them grinding after nearly a decade of R&D to ship Aztec Alpha ---