Podcasts about sops

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Daniel McDonnell co-founder of Maple Movement, shares how severe gut health issues during his professional Ironman career led him to discover the power of maple syrup as a natural fuel source and launch Maple Movement. What began as a house-deposit gamble quickly evolved into a fast-growing gut-friendly energy gel brand now stocked in 125+ stores across Australia and New Zealand. Daniel opens up about bootstrapping the business, learning margins from scratch, managing rapid growth from his living room, and transitioning to a 3PL. He dives into brand positioning, organic content strategy, subscription revenue, and building a lean, aligned team. It's a raw, practical story of turning personal pain into a scalable FMCG business with purpose and momentum. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Daniel McDonnell, the hardest part of growing a small business is keeping up with rapid growth before scalable systems are fully in place, especially during big sales months when demand spikes beyond operational capacity. He shared how he and his wife were packing nearly 95 orders a day from their living room while trying to maintain a personal brand touch, highlighting that the real challenge wasn't generating sales but managing growth sustainably while building the right infrastructure to support it. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Daniel said his favorite business book that's helped him the most is "Built to Sell" by John Warrillow — a practical guide about structuring and scaling a business so it's not dependent on the founder and becomes sellable. He's mentioned it shaped how he thinks about systems, value creation, and building something that can run beyond him. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Daniel McDonnell, one podcast he highly recommends for small business growth is Chew the Fat by the Greive brothers, where they share real, relatable stories after building and exiting Realbase. He values listening to founders who have scaled and exited businesses, as their practical lessons help avoid costly mistakes. Daniel also emphasizes learning directly from experienced mentors and operators rather than figuring everything out the hard way. For him, real-world business conversations and founder-led insights have been the most impactful learning resources. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Daniel McDonnell would point to a tool that helps you systemize and scale without chaos, and one he personally recommends is Notion — it's where he organizes products, SOPs, content calendars, order processes, and more in one place so nothing slips through the cracks. He also emphasizes tools for automating the parts of your business that don't need manual work, like Mailchimp or Klaviyo for email automation, and Shopify + a good 3PL integration to handle orders cleanly as volume grows. For analytics and ads, basic dashboards like Google Analytics and Facebook/Meta Business Suite help you make smarter decisions instead of guessing. The key, he says, isn't having every tool under the sun — it's picking the ones that actually save you time and help you standardize your processes so the business can scale. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Daniel McDonnell, on day one he would tell himself to raise far more capital than he thinks he needs, understand margins and cash flow from the start, and build scalable systems early—because growth can come fast, but without enough cash and structure, it becomes far more stressful than it needs to be. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Solve a real problem and the market will pull you forward - Daniel McDonnell When the team wins in their own lane the whole brand moves faster - Daniel McDonnell Build systems early because growth exposes every weakness - Daniel McDonnell      

Send a textSteven Pope, founder of My Amazon Guy, shares insights on hiring first employee and navigating the early stages of `startup` growth. Learn practical `business tips` on `how to hire employees for a small business` and understand the mindset needed for `entrepreneurship`.Hiring a first employee comes down to solving one clear problem instead of chasing perfect resumes. This video explains simple hiring choices, task testing, and early delegation for small business growth. Learn how founders use first hires to free time, close more work, and build steady operations.If hiring feels stuck or risky, talk to someone who has built teams from zero and fixed it fast: https://bit.ly/4jMZtxu#FirstHire #HiringTips #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurAdvice #TeamBuilding--------------------------------------------------------------------------Want free resources? Dowload our Free Amazon guides here:Amazon Proft Margin Defense 2026: https://hubs.ly/Q042trRH0Amazon PPC Guide 2026 is here!: https://bit.ly/4lF0OYXAmazon SEO Toolkit 2026: https://bit.ly/4oC2ClTAmazon Seller Strategy Report 2026: https://bit.ly/3YN1RME2026 Ecommerce Website & SEO Readiness Checklist: https://hubs.ly/Q040Jg0M0Amazon Crisis Kit: https://bit.ly/4maWHn0TIMESTAMPS00:25 – Why founders delay the first hire01:20 – Hiring to remove work you hate doing02:05 – Why skills matter more than resumes02:55 – First hire with no SOPs in place03:45 – Managing a first virtual assistant04:35 – Checking work early to avoid mistakes05:30 – Solving one problem before adding more06:20 – Delegating work you already know07:25 – Why founders must cover every role early08:10 – Finding your first hire through networks09:05 – In-person vs remote first employees10:00 – Keeping hiring simple at the start________________________________Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28605816/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/myamazonguys/Twitter: https://twitter.com/myamazonguySubscribe to the My Amazon Guy podcast:My Amazon Guy podcast: https://podcast.myamazonguy.comApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-amazon-guy/id1501974229Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4A5ASHGGfr6s4wWNQIqyVwSupport the show

The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 426 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden, Dr. Craig Spodak and Ian de Jongh GUEST: Cory Pinegar DESCRIPTION This episode explores the transformative potential of outsourcing and remote teams in dentistry, focusing on cost savings, efficiency, and practice growth. Guests share insights on building hybrid teams, leveraging international talent, and optimizing practice operations. TAKEAWAYS Outsourcing in dentistry Building hybrid teams Cost savings and efficiency International talent and remote work Practice management and analytics CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility 01:16 Ian's Background and Connection to Dentistry 02:09 The Origin of Bulletproof Dental Ecosystem 02:56 Ian's Personal Journey and Family Background 03:56 The Need for Support Networks in Dentistry 05:06 The Value of Building Hybrid Teams 06:44 Decentralization vs Centralization in Dental Teams 08:52 The Impact of Unanswered Calls on Practice Revenue 11:57 The Productivity Myth in Dentistry 13:22 Layering Responsibilities in Dental Practices 15:14 Real-Life Examples of Call Overload 16:02 Missed Calls and Practice Profitability 17:23 Data-Driven Practice Improvements 18:21 The Emotional and Data Aspects of Practice Management 20:40 The Competitive Edge of Outsourcing 21:26 International Talent and Cost Savings 22:30 Overcoming Language and Cultural Barriers 24:35 Global Talent and Long-Term Practice Growth 26:18 Emulating Big Business Strategies in Dentistry 28:06 Financial Benefits of Outsourcing 30:23 Craig's Advice on Cost Per Hour and Efficiency 30:44 When Outsourcing Is Not the Right Fit 31:48 Setting Realistic Expectations for Outsourcing 32:58 The Importance of SOPs and Systems 35:59 Identifying the Gateway for Practice Improvement 36:40 Starting with Insurance Verification and Call Management 37:36 The Biggest Opportunities in Practice Management 38:16 Vetting and Integrating Remote Team Members 39:13 How to Connect with GetReach and Bulletproof 40:24 Special Offer and Next Steps for Listeners 40:56 Outro  REFERENCES Bulletproof Summit Bulletproof Mastermind Reach  

In this episode, Caleb breaks down how the health of your business directly reflects your leadership, discipline, and personal development. Key topics include: Personal development as the foundation for self-realization and self-awareness Clearly defining what a "win" looks like for yourself and your company The importance of carving out time for focused, deep work Dollar-bracketing systems to ensure efficiency and accountability Building a leadership pipeline — from apprentices to managers Giving true ownership and responsibility at every level Aligning training and SOPs so they reinforce each other Setting clear plans and executing them with precision A powerful episode on leadership, structure, and building a business that runs with clarity, accountability, and purpose. https://www.elitenetworks.us Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www.companycam/kcpodcast Company Cam- 50% for 2 months! Linktree/AumanLandscape @aumanlandscapellc www.CycleCPA.com  Use code: Auman and save $200 when signing up. LMN Software Save on onboarding! Code: AUMAN        

How can better business systems protect your firm's profitability, and your sanity?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee is joined by Darguin Fortuna, founding principal of Flow Design Architects and chair of the AIA Small Firm Exchange. Darguin shares his incredible journey from moving to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 2010, learning English while working night shifts at Wendy's, to passing all six ARE exams in just over a year and earning his license the same day his daughter was born.Darguin's frustration with traditional architecture practice didn't stem solely from long hours; it also stemmed from the lack of transparency around business operations, the constant scope creep, and the inability to establish a healthy work-life balance. Determined to build something different, he and his partner, Marcos Severino, founded Flow with rigorous systems designed to protect profitability and empower their staff. They share how they categorize their services into three distinct levels, Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian, charge for initial consultations, and use a fictional office manager to handle difficult financial conversations."Every line is a source of good, and it's worth money. If I draw a map to a treasure that has billions of dollars of gold, how much is that map worth? You can't get the gold without the map." - Darguin FortunaThis episode is a masterclass in treating an architecture firm as a business first. Darguin explains his obsessive focus on process, from recording client meetings and creating standard email templates to building a vast library of internal training videos that enable the firm to run autonomously. Whether you are a firm owner struggling with profitability or a young architect looking to carve your own path, Darguin's story is a powerful reminder that you have the agency to design a career and a life on your own terms.Guest:Darguin Fortuna is the founding principal of Flow Design Architects in Salem, Massachusetts, and the first Dominican-born recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. After immigrating to the U.S. and completing his architecture degree at the Boston Architectural College, Darguin became licensed and quickly recognized the flaws in traditional practice models. At Flow, he has pioneered highly systematic, business-first approaches to architecture, focusing on profitability, clear client communication, and robust internal training. He is also an entrepreneur with ventures in short-term rentals and childcare.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You are tired of scope creep and want to learn how to ensure you are paid for every service you provide. ✅ You want to understand how to implement tiered service offerings (like Flow's Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian models) to manage client expectations. ✅ You struggle with setting boundaries with clients and want strategies for maintaining work-life balance. ✅ You are interested in how to build internal training systems (SOPs) so your firm can operate without your constant oversight. ✅ You want to hear an inspiring story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and carving out a unique path in the architecture profession.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.

Every home service operator has a failure story.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Jack Carr (CEO of Rapid Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric in Nashville) to break down the biggest business mistakes they've made — and what those mistakes actually cost.From a $13,000 ad spend weekend that only generated $7,000 in revenue… to overpaying vendors for an entire year… to discovering $80,000 per month in unnecessary purchasing — this is a candid conversation about the operational blind spots that quietly drain profit.The surprising takeaway? Most major failures weren't dramatic. They were data problems. Process problems. Cash flow misunderstandings. And hiring financial leadership too late.If you're scaling a home service business — or planning to — this episode could save you years of expensive lessons.In this episode, we discuss:The $13K marketing mistake and how capacity planning changes everythingHow tightening purchasing controls instantly improved marginsWhy most contractors overpay vendors (and don't even know it)The hidden cost of software bloat and subscription creepConstruction vs. service cash flow — and why mixing the two can hurtWhy hiring a controller earlier would have changed everything

Jared shares how he's leading regenerative change on his multi-generation farm by earning buy-in from family and a 40-person team through coaching, small trials, and measurable results rather than mandates. He highlights successes with diverse cover crops, lessons from composting paper biosolids to fix nitrogen tie-up, and the challenges of financing and scaling his egg operation without quota on the balance sheet. Managing multiple enterprises, he relies on systems, KPIs, SOPs, internal training videos, and automation to keep the business running efficiently. He also discusses hiring through a four-step coaching method, building confidence despite criticism, learning through books and podcasts, and integrating his teenagers into farm life while prioritizing presence and stewardship.We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.

So I finally convinced you that you can't ignore AI… and you're ready to implement it in your toy business. Go you. Love that for you.

In this episode of Masters of Moments, Jake Wurzak sits down with Ethan Orley to unpack his unconventional path into boutique hotel development and management. What started as a post-GFC leap of faith on a 28-room hotel in Knoxville evolved into a design-driven hospitality platform focused on secondary and tertiary markets. Ethan shares how creativity, operational intensity, and disciplined real estate underwriting intersect in his approach to building distinctive properties that stand out without overextending on risk. From bootstrapping a speakeasy with six frat guys and free beer to navigating brand partnerships, third-party management, and the realities of food and beverage, Ethan offers a candid look at what it really takes to create and operate memorable hotels. He reflects on design storytelling, the importance of basis and incentives, and why sometimes the best opportunities are found off the radar. They discuss: How Ethan went from distressed debt and apartments to boutique hotels in secondary markets The role of design narrative and storytelling in creating differentiated hospitality experiences Why basis, incentives, and downside protection matter more than chasing hot markets Lessons learned from building and operating in-house management versus using third parties The hard truths of hotel food and beverage and what separates a struggling outlet from a profitable one Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: ⁠https://x.com/JWurzak⁠ 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: ⁠https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching⁠ Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: ⁠https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo⁠ Links: Oliver Hospitality - https://www.oliverhospitality.com/ Ethan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanorley/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:0:22) - Why hotels: operations, design passion, and real estate upside (00:06:02) - Winning in secondary & tertiary markets (00:12:54) - Betting on ‘mixed' markets (00:16:44) - Indie vs. branded hotels (00:27:20) - Finding deals without a fund (00:32:17) - Design & storytelling (00:36:03) - Crafting the hotel's storyline (00:42:03) - When to use third-party management (00:48:50) - Outsourcing accounting & SOPs (00:52:40) - Food & beverage reality check (01:02:05) - Non-negotiables in new builds (01:07:13) - Favorite hospitality experience

This is Part 3 of our 3-part Exit Series.In Episode 175, we addressed clarifying your motivation before going to market. In Episode 176, we unpacked financial readiness, valuation, and Quality of Earnings (QoE).After signing a Letter of Intent (LOI), sellers enter an intense period of risk evaluation where buyers examine financials, contracts, employee retention, operational systems, and legal exposure. Many transactions fail at this stage — not because the business lacks value, but because risk is uncovered, preparation was incomplete, or expectations were misaligned.In this episode, we explain what due diligence actually is, why so many deals fall apart late in the process, how risk discovery leads to retrading, and how deal fatigue and seller overwhelm derail transactions. We discuss owner dependence, key employee concentration, the difference between documented and functioning SOPs, how buyers assess culture and retention, and why legal structure and indemnification exposure matter more than most sellers realize. We also address the most common reason deals fail — seller hesitation — and what due diligence realistically feels like from the inside.If you are considering an exit, this conversation will help you approach the process with clarity, preparation, and realistic expectations.Download the Leadership Guide in the show notes or subscribe to receive it automatically with each new episode release.

Introduction In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Joshua Hollander sits down with Curtis Barton, CEO and founding visionary of ALKEME Insurance, to explore how ALKEME built one of the fastest-growing brokerage platforms in the country - not by outspending the competition, but by out-integrating them. Curtis shares the unconventional origin story behind ALKEME, his philosophy on alignment, and why firms that invest in people, systems, and technology will define the next era of insurance distribution. Guest Bio Curtis Barton is CEO and founding visionary of ALKEME Insurance. He began his insurance career in 1996 and founded Venture Pacific Insurance, a regional brokerage in Southern California, before co-founding Brokkrr, a digital lead generation insurtech platform. Curtis orchestrated the complex merger of seven independent agencies to form ALKEME, championing a people-powered, tech-enabled business model. Under his leadership, ALKEME has grown to a top-25 brokerage with over 1,000 employees across 50+ locations nationwide. Key Topics • Integration-first vs. rapid roll-up - Why ALKEME chose to build a unified platform from day one rather than stack EBITDA through fast acquisitions, and how that decision shapes every partnership conversation. • One class of stock, true alignment - ALKEME issues a single class of equity to every partner - no preferred, no investor stock. Curtis explains why this structure is the foundation of cohesive alignment. • The compression problem in brokerage multiples - How the spread between entry and exit multiples has collapsed, creating liquidity risk for agencies that relied on financial engineering over operational improvement. • Why agency owners join (not sell) - Most principals aren't looking for exits - they're looking for resources, technology, and scale they can't build alone. ALKEME's pitch is about what changes after close. • SOPs, systems, and reinvestment as growth levers - How deploying standardized processes and technology into historically under-resourced agencies unlocks organic growth at the producer level. • AI as augmentation, not replacement - ALKEME's approach to AI: position producers to be the most valuable asset in the transaction by giving them better tools, not replacing them with automation. • Building leadership that scales - Why Curtis believes no one is a "forever employee" and how ALKEME constantly evolves its leadership to match the company's growth trajectory. Quotes • "We just decided to do our own thing and do it differently. We ended up recruiting nine of my friends out of a cluster that we were all part of that had their own agencies." • "One dollar of organic can give you seven of inorganic capacity, and you've got to look at it from that perspective." • "There is no preferred, there is no investor stock. They have the same exact share that I have that any of our partners have. And that's called alignment." • "Most of these people don't want to sell their agency. They just know that they're going to get outscaled and out-resourced." • "We were already edging towards a people-powered, tech-enabled business, and we talk constantly about how do we position our people to be the most valuable asset in the transaction." Resources • ALKEME Insurance: alkemeins.com • Curtis Barton on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/curtis-barton-8103682/ Subscribe & Review If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Insurtech Leadership Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Leave a review - it helps other insurance and technology professionals find the show.

For many private therapy practices, the end-of-the-road often looks like quietly closing the door, but it can be quite exciting to entertain the idea of selling your practice one day.In this episode, registered psychotherapist Liane Wood and I gently challenge you to explore what it actually means to build a sellable therapy practice—not because you should sell someday, but because thinking this way creates more freedom, sustainability, and financial clarity right now in your personal and professional life.We discuss the emotional blocks therapists face around identity and money, the practical systems that make a business transferable, and how shifting into a CEO mindset can turn your practice into a true asset rather than a job you can never leave.“You can be a compassionate, heart-centered therapist and a strategic practice owner at the same time.” — Liane WoodThe idea of selling a private practice can bring up feelings of grief, guilt, or fear for many therapists—especially when the business feels deeply personal. And if that's the case for you, I encourage you to tune into this episode to learn how separating who you are from what you own allows your practice to become more profitable, less stressful, and more profitable and resilient.From Therapist Identity to Business Asset: Key Conversations from This Episode Even if you're years away from selling your practice, or it's not even on your radar, making these shifts now creates options for your future: stepping back, delegating, taking real time off, or eventually passing your legacy on to someone aligned.(00:04:57) Therapist Identity vs. Business Ownership(00:07:37) Emotional Resistance to Selling or Stepping Away(00:14:58) What Actually Makes a Therapy Practice Attractive to Buyers(00:16:17) Why Systems, Branding, and Diversification Matter(00:24:18) How CEO-level Money Habits Change EverythingWhy Making Your Practice Sellable Changes Everything (Even If You Never Sell) One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is this: building a sellable practice isn't about exiting—it's about creating options. When your business has clean finances, clear systems, diversified revenue, and a brand that isn't dependent on you alone, everything feels lighter. You're no longer trapped inside your own practice. Instead, you're running a business that can support you, your clients, and potentially future owners long after you choose to reduce your personal hours or take a step back.Practical Takeaways for Therapists Thinking About the Long Game You are a business owner who practices therapy inside a container you've built. You are not the container itself.Track numbers regularly, separate personal and business finances, and pay yourself intentionally.Diversifying your income through group therapy, supervision, digital products, or associate teams increases the business's sustainability and transferability.Implementing systems that include SOPs, clear workflows, and organizational branding ensures anyone can step into a role.A sellable practice gives you freedom—whether you sell, step back, or keep running the business forever.Building a practice that can be sold doesn't mean you're planning to leave—it means you're honoring your future self. My hope is that this episode helps you see your work not just as meaningful, but also as valuable in a way that supports longevity, choice, and peace of mind.Ready to...

What actually determines your law firm's value when it's time to sell? In this episode, Melissa continues her conversation with Michael DiGennaro to unpack how law firm valuation really works and why so many owners misunderstand what drives their sale price.      They explore what increases value beyond the numbers. From clean financial reporting to KPIs, SOPs, marketing systems, and diversified client sources, this episode clarifies what makes a firm easier to transfer and therefore more attractive to buyers. If you want to understand how valuation really works and what influences your sale price long before you list your firm, this conversation will give you a clearer lens.       Let's talk! If you are a law firm owner looking to talk with us about partnering on your personal and professional growth, book a short, free, no-pressure call with Melissa here: https://velocitywork.com/calendar      Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.velocitywork.com/350       Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@velocitywork       Monday Map / Friday Wrap: https://www.velocitywork.com/monday-map

What happens when you let AI agents run completely unsupervised — no rules, no guardrails, no humans in the loop? In January 2026, we all found out. And it got weird.Josh and Will are back to breakdown the Moltbot (now OpenClaw) saga: the viral social experiment that dropped 1.4 million AI agents into a Reddit-style platform and just... let them go. We're talking agents spending $150 of someone's tokens, bricked phones, a Wired journalist secretly infiltrating the platform posing as an AI, and a whole lot of unanswered questions about what this all actually means for the future of AI autonomy.But this episode isn't just about Moltbot — it's about the bigger lesson underneath it all: the human still needs to be in the loop. Josh shares a wild story from a school presentation that stopped a room cold, and they dig into why that principle matters now more than ever as AI agents get more capable and less predictable.Head over to our website at ⁠⁠⁠hitechpod.us⁠⁠⁠ for all of our episode pages, social links, and ways to support us.Need a journal that's secure and reflective? Check out our episodes on the Reflection App, and then sign-up for the App⁠ today! We promise that the free version is enough, but if you want the extra features, paying up is even better with our affiliate discount.Ever wanted to create detailed walkthroughs in the easiest way possible? Check out our episode on Scribe and all that it can do for your training needs, SOPs, or troubleshooting docs.Build a world limited only by your imagination in Topia! A virtual world-building tool built to bring you and any of your virtual guests together. Interested in signing up and learning more? Reach out to us or Topia and let them know we sent you!

Episode 133: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Jennifer Goldman, Founder and Strategic Operations Transformer and Integrator at My Virtual COO. Jen is an operations expert with 30 years of experience helping 1,000+ service businesses to thrive.  Jen talks with Kyle about what it really takes to run a profitable, scalable advisory firm. From defining what makes a truly great operator to navigating the messy middle of firm growth, Jen shares practical insights on constellation thinking, building operational leaders, and making hard profitability decisions. She also dives into the emotional and structural crossroads firms face as they scale, the evolving role of technology and AI in operations, and why clean data and strong systems still require human ownership. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:33) - Jen's money moment (06:39) - What it takes to be a great operator (08:55) - How "constellation thinking" works (12:19) - Balancing SOPs with creativity in operations (14:42) - The profitability challenges in the growth process (16:57) - What determines whether you should build or join a platform (21:42) - How Jen utilizes AI in her work  (23:01) - Why AI can't replace CRMs (27:27) - Why it's important to have clean CRM data (32:36) - What it takes to build a process for advisors and investors (37:35) - What Jen looks for when engaging with advisors (39:53) - Jen's outlook on the future of the financial services industry (42:51) - Jen's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Think like an operator. Great operators don't work in silos. They practice "constellation thinking"—understanding how a change in one area (people, process, technology, profitability) impacts the rest of the organization. Sustainable growth comes from seeing those connections before making decisions. Progress beats perfection when scaling a business. Operators must act with imperfect information and accept small failures along the way. Waiting for perfect data or perfect conditions slows growth. Progress, iteration, and course correction are what move firms forward. Your growth path depends on how well you've built your team. When firms hit major crossroads, whether to scale into a platform or join one, the deciding factor is often people. Leaders who develop decision-makers and future executives create optionality—those who don't often feel stuck or fatigued. Systems create stability, but creativity keeps operations moving. SOPs and structured processes are essential for consistency, but operators must also stay flexible and creative when reality doesn't follow the playbook. Balancing structure with adaptability is key to running a resilient firm. Quotes "Your data is so important. It's telling you stories. If you don't keep it clean, it's not going to tell you what you need to do next with the business." ~ Jennifer Goldman "Businesses cannot scale unless they're constantly and continuously improving. It doesn't have to be a heavy lift. Just shine a light, make a small change, and keep going." ~ Jennifer Goldman "This clarity around data and understanding, pulling it together, and using it effectively is so important. It allows you to have more touch with the people around you, whether it's clients or the advisor teams." ~ Jennifer Goldman Links  Jennifer Goldman on LinkedIn My Virtual COO The Let Them Theory Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Sarah Persich discuss: Investing time instead of just spending it Fixing systems before layering on automation Building a connected tech stack that talks to itself Using AI strategically while managing risk   Key Takeaways: High-performing firms focus on building systems that multiply their time rather than endlessly grinding through tasks. Automation, documented workflows, and thoughtful process design “buy back” hours every week. The goal is long-term leverage, not short-term busyness. Most lawyers do not have an automation problem first; they have a clarity problem around roles, processes, and workflows. Undefined responsibilities and undocumented systems cause time leaks long before software can solve anything. Strong foundations make automation effective instead of chaotic. A solid CRM, practice management system, and an integration layer like Zapier allow firms to eliminate repetitive manual work. Open APIs and thoughtful integrations turn scattered tools into a coordinated system. When payments, contracts, intake, and follow-ups connect seamlessly, administrative drag disappears. AI becomes powerful when prompts are specific, voice is clearly defined, and systems are documented with tools like Loom and structured SOPs. Custom prompts or GPT setups help maintain brand consistency and save substantial time on drafting and research. At the same time, firms must weigh confidentiality, compliance, and ethical considerations before deploying AI at scale.   "I still stayed in my comfort zone for a little while, and I finally allowed myself to accept being uncomfortable… the big mistake was not going out on my own sooner, and staying in that safety zone and accepting the uncomfortability. And it's been really, really great ever since." —  Sarah Persich   Check out my new show, Be That Lawyer Coaches Corner, and get the strategies I use with my clients to win more business and love your career again.   Ready to go from good to GOAT in your legal marketing game? Don't miss PIMCON—where the brightest minds in professional services gather to share what really works. Lock in your spot now: https://www.pimcon.org/   Thank you to our Sponsor! Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Lawyer.com: https://www.lawyer.com/   Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/   About Sarah Persich: Sarah Persich is a law firm automation strategist and operations expert known as “The Automation Lady.” With nearly a decade of experience inside a small law firm, she began her career as a legal assistant. She grew into the integrator role, serving as the operational second-in-command responsible for systems, technology, and process design. Her hands-on experience managing IT, workflows, and firm infrastructure gave her a front-row seat to the inefficiencies that quietly drain time and profitability from growing practices. Over time, she transitioned from internal operations leadership into marketing and automation strategy, helping firms move beyond reactive task management and toward intentional system design. Today, Sarah works with law firms to implement CRMs, streamline practice management systems, build automations, and document scalable processes. She helps attorneys distinguish between high-value strategic work and repetitive administrative tasks, enabling them to reclaim time, improve client experience, and build firms that operate with clarity instead of chaos.   Connect with Sarah Persich:  Website: https://www.automationlady.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpersich/   Connect with Steve Fretzin: LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin Twitter: @stevefretzin Instagram: @fretzinsteve Facebook: Fretzin, Inc. Website: Fretzin.com Email: Steve@Fretzin.com Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more! YouTube: Steve Fretzin Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

We are talking about the "boring" stuff that actually sets you free. Operations. SOPs. The stuff entrepreneurs usually hate. But they only hate it because they do it wrong.

This week, Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Stacey Brown Randall. The two talk about navigating business failure and rebuilding with intention; the power of referrals in authentically growing a business; and how documenting processes can be the difference-maker in scaling your company. In this episode, we discuss: How Stacey's second book was born out of a "COVID delay," deep year-end reflection, and the realization that readers who downloaded her secret bonus resources were quietly becoming some of her best clients, and why a second (and even third) book makes smart business sense. What her first failed business taught her about scaling, resilience, and why she was determined not to be a "two-time member of the business failure club" when she launched her productivity and business coaching practice. When she started "throwing spaghetti at the wall" with referrals, refusing to ask, pay, or use gimmicks, and accidentally generated 112 referrals in her first year as a productivity coach, all without asking, which pushed her to reverse engineer the process into teachable strategies. Why most businesses have SOPs for everything except referrals, and how treating referrals like any other core system can make them a fun, aligned, and lower-cost way to generate leads instead of something awkward and "icky." How Stacey intentionally designed her business around her life—prioritizing school pick-ups, baseball games, and her kids' events over chasing a Lamborghini lifestyle—and the ongoing work of stepping out of comparison to honor the business she truly wants.​   Stacey Brown Randall is the multiple award-winning author of Generating Business Referrals Without Asking, author of the forthcoming book, The Referable Client Experience (October 2025), and host of the Roadmap to Referrals podcast. Stacey teaches business owners how to generate referrals naturally... without manipulating, incentivizing, or even asking. She has been featured in national publications like Entrepreneur magazine, Investor Business Daily, Forbes, and more. She received her Master's in Organizational Communication and is married with three kids.    Website: https://staceybrownrandall.com/ Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceybrandall/ https://www.instagram.com/staceybrownrandall/    

Is there a right and wrong way to perform a home inspection? In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in the home inspection industry — whether there are absolute truths when it comes to inspection standards, reporting methods, and professional judgment. And there's nobody better than Joey McPeek of Peek Home Inspections to speak on the topic. Well known and well respected in the Boise real estate market, Joey's build a reputation for shooting straight... and also pushing back on conventional home inspection norms. We discuss: ✔ Are there objective "right" and "wrong" ways to inspect a home? ✔ How much interpretation is involved in a home inspection report? ✔ Standards of Practice vs. personal inspection style ✔ Risk management and liability considerations ✔ Should the home buyer be present during the inspection? ✔ Pros and cons of buyer attendance at inspections From buyer presence at inspections to gray areas in defect evaluation, this episode explores how inspectors balance professionalism, liability, ethics, and client education. Whether you're a new home inspector, a seasoned professional, considering entering the inspection industry, or a homebuyer wondering what to expect during an inspection... this conversation breaks down the realities behind "right vs wrong" in the field, challenges assumptions, and explores how to balance ethics, standards, communication, and client expectations. If you're serious about improving your inspection process, client communication, and professional standards, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of AI Marketing for Remodelers, Kai Biami and Spencer Powell discuss the overwhelming landscape of AI for builders and remodelers. They emphasize the importance of focusing on key areas for AI implementation, including establishing systems and SOPs, leveraging data analysis, and exploring vibe coding. The hosts provide actionable insights on how to effectively learn and implement AI tools, advocating for a shift from passive learning to active implementation. They also highlight the evolving nature of software development in the age of AI, encouraging listeners to adapt and innovate in their businesses.

Send a textGrowth isn't just more orders, more crews, and more hours. Real growth shows up when teams trust the process, managers stop micromanaging, and owners finally get their time back. We sit down with Shalisha Wood of GrowthOps Ally, to unpack how blue-collar businesses—sheds, carports, concrete, and beyond—turn day-to-day chaos into reliable, repeatable systems that boost retention and profit.Shalisha's story runs from a family-run food-ingredients company to supporting 11,000 tax offices as a product manager, then into fractional operations leadership. That arc shaped an approach built on respect for field expertise, simple tools that actually get used, and ruthless testing before rollout. She explains why technicians don't resist technology—they resist confusion—and shows how a few high-leverage moves change everything: weekly one-on-ones to catch issues early, time-saving admin shifts like direct deposit, and policies that are clear, bilingual, and easy to follow.We spotlight a concrete example you can copy: a digital time-off workflow using QR codes in the shop and in foreman trucks. Requests go in from smartphones, admins approve in minutes, and everyone gets automated confirmation. Adoption worked because crews helped shape the process, and documentation met them where they are. We also break down the real math behind fractional leadership. Instead of paying a full-time C-suite salary, you get senior strategy and hands-on execution that targets the two outcomes that matter—more revenue or lower costs—plus the hidden win of time back for sales, hiring, and quality control.If you're sprinting from $600k toward $1.5M and feeling every seam strain, this conversation gives you a pragmatic playbook: empower experts, co-design SOPs with the field, focus on simple ROI-driven tools, and measure what matters. Hustle can launch a business. Systems let it last. Subscribe, share this with a shop owner who needs a cleaner workflow, and leave a review with the one process you'll fix first.For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter?  Sign up on our website.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:CALStryker Hunting BlindsCardinal LeasingIFAB

In this episode of the Federal Help Center Podcast, Colin Nchako breaks down one of the most common mistakes small businesses make in government contracting: confusing talent with expertise. Colin shares how he recently restructured his own capability statement, shortened his positioning language, and redefined his business around what the government actually buys — not what sounds impressive. The key lesson? You can add new skills to your business, but if you don't intentionally build and position expertise around them, the government won't see the value. Colin also pulls back the curtain on why training, SOP development, and knowledge-based services are some of the most overlooked — and most profitable — opportunities in GovCon. From in-person training to e-learning and standard operating procedures, he explains how leveraging existing skills, packaging them correctly, and building credibility over time can unlock faster wins and larger contract vehicles like OASIS. This episode is a wake-up call for contractors sitting on valuable skills they haven't fully monetized yet. Key Takeaways Talent isn't enough — expertise is built, positioned, and proven over time Training, SOPs, and knowledge services are high-margin, high-demand opportunities Clear positioning in your capability statement directly impacts contract size and access to major vehicles If you want to learn more about the community and to join the webinars go to: https://federalhelpcenter.com/  Website: https://govcongiants.org/  Connect with Encore Funding: http://govcongiants.org/funding

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron and Terryn unpack why operations only feels "boring" when teams get stuck in loops or over-systemize without fresh challenges. They share how staying engaged in ops requires intentionally creating space for new problems to solve—delegating repeatable work, developing people underneath you, and continuously taking on new projects that re-engage your brain. The conversation emphasizes leadership responsibility: keep your team energized by aligning roles with what excites them while still accepting that some grind is part of building strong operators. They then deep-dive into recruiting—especially overseas hiring and VAs—breaking down a practical, human-first hiring process: real screening (not just keyword filters), staged interviews, trials, and personality fit. Aaron and Terryn outline where VAs work best (task-based ops, customer support, data work, marketing ops) and where they don't (high-risk or ultra-niche expert roles like ad buying or financial control). The episode closes with a framework for smart global hiring: match role complexity to talent level, design clear SOPs, be intentional about time zones and customer-facing communication, and structure your org so overseas support amplifies—not replaces—high-touch leadership roles.   Minute by Minute: 00:00 The Excitement of Operations 06:11 Engagement and Delegation in Leadership 11:36 Effective Recruiting Strategies 17:30 Navigating Virtual Assistance 23:05 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Send a textSome founders are loud. Others let their execution speak. This episode features a low-profile, high-performance family office principal who quietly built, exited, and reinvested in real estate, credit, and systems that scale.From surviving career collapse to engineering a data-driven lending platform, this guest shares what really builds wealth: checklists, compound learning, velocity, and values. You'll hear battle-tested frameworks on systems-thinking, optionality, hiring autonomy, and structuring exits that retain your edge — plus one underrated superpower: kindness.https://familyoffices.com/

You spent the time. You wrote the SOPs.And now—they sit.Unopened.Unread.Unfollowed.That's shelfware. And in multifamily, shelfware SOPs are silent killers of consistency, trust, and performance.In today's episode of Multifamily Collective, Mike Brewer lays it out: SOPs fail when they're static. The market moves. Regulations shift. Teams evolve. And if your SOPs don't change with them, they stop being relevant—and start hurting your credibility.Real talk:If a process can't be followed on a chaotic Friday afternoon, it's not done.If your SOPs don't reflect reality, they'll be ignored.And if outdated steps make your team look foolish?You'll lose trust. Internally and externally.So how do you fix it?Mike shares a practical gem:

In this episode, Gary sits down with Dr Caitriona Ryan and Dr Niki Ralph, co-founders of the Institute of Dermatologists in Dublin, to unpack how they built a modern “centre of excellence” model in Irish private care - combining medical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, skincare, and a growing surgical pathway under one roof. They share the realities of scaling a high-trust healthcare business (systems, hiring, standards, and culture), how COVID sparked a major pivot into new services, and why Ireland needs to shift from reactive healthcare to preventative, longevity-led thinking. Plus: the story behind ID Formulas, their new data-driven approach to supplements (including wearables integration), and what they believe actually moves the needle for healthspan. Show Notes Why Caitriona and Niki built a centre of excellence model (and why it's scalable) A day in the life of two Consultant Dermatologists with five businesses and thousands of patients The difference between medical dermatology and cosmetic dermatology How they protect standards at scale: meetings, feedback loops, SOPs, and hiring The COVID moment that forced a pivot - and led to a new surgical model Their longevity philosophy: healthspan over lifespan The “longevity hype” they're most sceptical of — and what they'd focus on instead A simple, no-fuss skincare framework for founders (men + women) Links & Resources Institute of Dermatologists (IoD): https://instituteofdermatologists.ie IoD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofdermatologists/?hl=en ID Formulas waitlist: https://www.idformulas.com/ Dr Caitriona Ryan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitrionaryandermatology?igsh=MW5jcGhleGFxMWRieg== Dr Niki Ralph Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnikiralph?igsh=MWl2anNucWc5MDR0Yg== Things mentioned in the episode WHOOP: https://www.whoop.com Oura Ring: https://ouraring.com Book — Unreasonable Hospitality (Will Guidara) Book — Outliers (Malcolm Gladwell) Book — Good to Great (Jim Collins) EltaMD UV Clear SPF from IoD site(mentioned as a daily sunscreen option): https://instituteofdermatologists.ie/collections/elta-md-skincare Episode sponsors Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26  Rory's Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk Disclaimer This episode is for general information and education only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your GP, pharmacist, or qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance, especially before starting new supplements or treatments.

 Everyone talks about “scaling with AI.” Few design the systems, standards, and safeguards that make scale safe—especially when the work is emotional, high-stakes, and human. In this episode, Coyne breaks down how to architect agentic AI that's simple, secure, and actually ships—plus what leaders need to know heading into 2026–2027. What you'll learnAgentic AI that works: Where LLMs belong (and don't), retry logic, rate limits, and human-in-the-loop checkpointsSecurity > shiny: Data hygiene, role-based access, and why “context engineering” beats prompt soupCompliance reality check: Fair housing, audits, and why brokerages need proof, not promisesTooling truth: Gemini Ultra vs. ChatGPT/Claude—when to mix, when to standardizeProcess before bots: Rethinking workflows, SOPs from screen recordings, and the 80/20 that moves revenueLeadership over micromanagement: Change how people think (mission/why) before changing what they doHost Justin Konikow runs Prime's multi-market operations and experiments at the edge of humans+AI in real estate. Coyne operates at the intersection of architecture, security, and enablement, translating hype into reliable, compliant outcomes. If this helped, subscribe, like, and drop a question—Justin will pull the best into a follow-up Q&A. Share this with a founder, broker-owner, or ops lead who needs a reality-based AI roadmap.

In this episode, Corey talks with AI automation strategist Ashley Gross about how businesses can build an AI agent that engages website visitors, answers questions, and books demos around the clock. Ashley walks through the workflow behind her own implementation — from capturing conversation data to syncing with CRM tools — and shares how automation helped her reclaim time and tie AI initiatives directly to revenue. They discuss practical ways small business owners can start using AI, including training agents on SOPs, integrating with existing tech stacks, and focusing on high-impact use cases first. The conversation also explores common mistakes to avoid, such as overwhelming agents with too much data, and how AI insights can inform content and marketing strategy. Grab Ashley's plug-and-play n8n blueprint free → https://return-my-time.kit.com/6e041f7506

George Wright II interviews Jake Hadlock, founder and owner of Nutrient, a fast-growing contract manufacturer, and host of the Bottom Line podcast/YouTube show. Jake shares his path into supplements through his grandfather's influence, early work in marketing at a supplement brand, and a shift toward product development and formulation consulting that led to building a manufacturing business. They discuss how many supplement products are similar and how brand, marketing, and team execution often separate winners, while long-term success still depends on product experience and efficacy. Jake explains why proprietary blends can be misleading, how ingredients are listed from greatest to least within a blend, and how brands may “fairy dust” desirable ingredients. 00:37 Jake's Origin Story: Family, Formulation & Finding the Path02:11 Behind the Scenes of Supplements: What Really Sets Brands Apart03:50 Proprietary Blends Explained: ‘Fairy Dusting' & Label Red Flags06:55 What Makes Companies Last: Innovation, Trends & Staying Ahead08:37 AI in Formulation: Faster Copycats vs Real-World Product Experience10:06 Efficacy vs Compliance vs Marketing: How Brands Play the Game12:06 The Operator Mindset: Supply Chain, Production & Making It Work14:50 Scaling Nutrient: Building the Team, SOPs & Systems to GrowThanks for listening, and Please Share this Episode with someone. It would really help us to grow our show and share these valuable tips and strategies with others. Have a great day.George Wright III“It's Never Too Late to Start Living the Life You Were Meant to Live”FREE Daily Mastermind Resources:CONNECT with George & Access Tons of ResourcesGet access to Proven Strategies and Time-Test Principles for Success. Plus, download and access tons of FREE resources and online events by joining our Exclusive Community of Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, and High Achievers like YOU.Join FREE at DailyMastermind.comFollow me on social media Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin | TikTok | YoutubeGrow Your Authority and Personal Brand with a FREE Interview in a Top Global Magazine HERE.‍About the Guest:Jake Hadlock is a growth-focused entrepreneur and manufacturing executive in the health and wellness industry. As the CEO of Nutriient, Jake leads one of the fastest-growing contract supplement manufacturers in the United States, helping emerging and established brands bring high-quality nutritional products to market.Jake is known for his candid insights into the realities of retail, capital strategy, and the competitive dynamics of the wellness space. He has shared his expertise on industry platforms, including the podcast Retail War Games, where he discusses manufacturing economics, brand positioning, and scaling strategies in today's marketplace.Guest ResourceWebsite: Nutriient.bizLinkedIn: Jake HadlockYouTube: Bottom Line

CEO & President Kyle and Graphic Designer & Brand strategist Kelsey explore how prompting has evolved from using AI like a “smarter Google” to structured strategies that deliver sharper, less generic results.They break down the CRIT framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task), share why detailed context reduces hallucinations, and explain how prompt libraries and model memory speed up repeatable work. The conversation also dives into context engineering with tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot and Google Workspace Gemini to make AI outputs more relevant and secure.Plus: common prompting mistakes, model comparisons, multimodal inputs, and how to onboard teams without losing brand consistency.Listen now to level up how you work with AI.00:00 Prompting Then vs Now: From “Smarter Google” to Strategic Skill 00:39 Why AI Sounds Vanilla: Averages, Models & AI Slop 01:33 Prompt Engineering & the CRIT Framework 02:35 Interview-Style Prompts: Fewer Hallucinations, Better Results 04:10 Garbage In, Garbage Out: Treat AI Like a New Hire 05:04 Let AI Help Write Prompts + Tools & Libraries 07:08 Why One-Liners Fall Flat (Contractor Analogy) 07:55 From Prompts to Systems: Templates & Model Memory 11:21 Context Engineering: Files, Memory & Workplace Data (Copilot/Gemini) 13:27 Over-Prompting: Context Limits & When to Reset 16:26 Set Outcomes, Don't Micromanage 18:22 Smarter Models: Gemini & Claude Need Less Steering 19:06 Claude Opus vs ChatGPT: Speed vs Detail 20:27 Multi-Model Workflow: Use Each for Its Strength 21:20 Why New Models Feel Smarter 22:11 Ask AI to Improve Your Prompts 24:42 Planning Mode: Structured Builds & AI Interviews 26:13 Training Teams: Frameworks, SOPs & Safe Experimentation 31:47 Multimodal & Voice Prompting (Gemini's Edge) 33:15 Wrap-Up & What's Next

Sebastian Aguilar started farming in 1997, and for much of that time he was growing flowers and vegetables for market with his family. Learn why they made the switch to seeds, and how their operation changed when they went from market farming to seed farming. It's not all about seeds, though- there are plenty of practical tips from Sebastian's 30 years of farming experience. We discuss how they maintain permanent beds with a tractor, how they have been using a tine weeder to work down the weed seed bank in cover crops, and how they use an app called Coda for planning, logging, inventory and managing SOPs, and more!Connect With Guest:Website: summertimeseed.comInstagram: @summertimeseed Podcast Sponsors:Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Since 1972 Ohio Earth Food has been the go-to source for soil testing, consulting as well as the highest performing and most cost effective granular and liquid fertilizers, seed starting soils, foliar sprays and disease and insect controls. All approved for use on organic farms. Start seeds in The Seed Catapult soil with mycorrhizae and put Re-vita Pro fertilizer in the soil before you plant. Learn more at ohioearthfood.com. Seven Springs Farm Supply is a farm-based supply company focused on serving market gardeners and has been in business for 35 years. Our catalog includes a comprehensive selection of approved-for-organic fertilizers, pest & disease controls, growing mixes, cover crop seed, and more. We offer custom fertilizer blending and seasonal cooperative purchasing opportunities, and our experienced team is ready to help guide you to the best solution for your farm's needs. Request a free paper catalog and learn more at sevenspringsfarmsupply.com or give us a call at (540) 651-3228.  Farmhand is the virtual assistant built for farmers—helping CSAs scale sales, run error-free fulfillment, and deliver 5-star service. Whether you're at 100 members or 1,000, Farmhand helps you grow without burning out. You've heard us—and our farmers—right here on the Growing for Market Podcast. Explore more stories and learn more at farmhand.partners/gfm. Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up through any weather conditions, while providing exceptional value and an easy installation for vegetable growers of all sizes. Learn more about the Rimol difference and why growers love Rimol high tunnels at Rimol.com. There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there's only one that's cooperatively owned by farmers. That's GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last.  Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure -- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. This episode is brought to you by Tend, the all-in-one, AI-powered farm management platform trusted by modern growers. Tend helps you cut through the busywork, so you can focus on growing and selling what matters. With Tend, you can plan your crops, assign and track tasks, manage inventory, and handle your sales and accounting, all in one smart, easy-to-use platform. Whether you run a 1-acre farm or manage a large operation, Tend adapts to your scale and style, supporting everything from manual labor to fully mechanized workflows. Try it for free at Tend.com, no credit card required. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

For Nicole, what started as a quest for freedom through freelancing has morphed into a complex leadership challenge—managing a team that seems to consume more time than the work itself. Preston Lee and Dawn Andrews explore the art of creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) that transform team management from a headache into a strategic advantage. They reveal the secrets to empowering your team, reducing management overhead, and reclaiming the entrepreneurial freedom you originally sought. Support our show sponsors -> ⁠https://freelancetofounder.com/sponsors⁠ Submit your own question -> ⁠https://freelancetofounder.com/ask⁠ Connect with Dawn on Linkedin -> ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/freerangethinking/⁠ Listen to Dawn's Podcast -> ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5tFfxkHltyeAeetz9ao4pu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ok, ok, we're not married, but seriously: we've been through a LOT together while doing this podcast. Give a quick listen, have a couple of laughs, and look out for next week's full episode.Interested in all things Proton? Check out ⁠⁠this offer for Proton Unlimited⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠this offer for ProtonVPN⁠⁠. Secure your digital footprint today.Head over to our website at ⁠⁠⁠hitechpod.us⁠⁠⁠ for all of our episode pages, social links, and ways to support us.Need a journal that's secure and reflective? Check out our episodes on the Reflection App, and then sign-up for the App⁠ today! We promise that the free version is enough, but if you want the extra features, paying up is even better with our affiliate discount.Ever wanted to create detailed walkthroughs in the easiest way possible? Check out our episode on Scribe and all that it can do for your training needs, SOPs, or troubleshooting docs.Build a world limited only by your imagination in Topia! A virtual world-building tool built to bring you and any of your virtual guests together. Interested in signing up and learning more? Reach out to us or Topia and let them know we sent you!

Feeling overwhelmed in your business but unsure where to start with delegation? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Samantha Prestidge, founder of Auxo Business Services, shares her practical framework for identifying how to delegate tasks and find the right person before the hiring process even begins. Most business owners approach delegation backwards. Instead of asking "What can I get off my plate?" Samantha explains why you should start by identifying what you want to keep. Her Map It, Keep It, Delegate It framework simplifies the entire process. First, map your business into three core buckets: Sales (how you find clients), Ops (how you deliver services), and Cash (how you manage finances). Then identify what lights you up and what truly requires your expertise. Everything else becomes a candidate for delegation. Samantha also addresses a common misconception about how to delegate. You do not need perfect SOPs before hiring. Many business owners delay getting help because they think everything must be documented first. In reality, a good assistant will improve your processes and create better systems than you would on your own. The conversation covers essential hiring strategies, including how to identify the right person for your team, what questions to ask during interviews, and how to spot red flags early. Samantha emphasizes the importance of clarity. Knowing what you need from a team member prevents micromanagement and supports a stronger working relationship. Key takeaways include understanding which tasks naturally group together, determining when industry experience actually matters, and being clear about your personal working style preferences. These insights help you avoid common hiring mistakes and build a team that genuinely supports your business growth. Whether you are hiring your first assistant or refining your delegation strategy, this episode offers actionable guidance to help you delegate effectively and focus on what you do best.

Send a textI quit this podcast 565 days ago. I thought I was done.I was wrong.Something is happening in dentistry right now that most practice owners won't recognize until it's too late. The advantages you built your practice on—clinical skill, technology, and operational polish—are compressing fast. And the conventional advice the industry keeps recycling is making it worse.The Real Reason Your Team Is Flat: It's not laziness. It's not generational. It's biological. And once you see it, you can't unsee it.You Can't Compliance Your Way Into Performance: 8 out of 10 employees are disengaged or working against you. The industry's obsession with SOPs and accountability is creating the exact crisis it's trying to solve.Irreplaceable vs. Interchangeable: One is a treadmill. The other is a moat. Which one is your practice becoming?Just 10 minutes. ▶️ Hit play. This changes how you see the next 3 years.

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Marketing and Operations for Scalable Growth with Kasandra MurrayIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with Kasandra Murray, the Founder and Owner of Unlucky Umbrella Studio, to discuss the critical intersection of lead generation and operational fulfillment. Kasandra shares her expertise on why even the most aggressive marketing campaigns are doomed to fail if a business lacks the back-end systems to support an influx of new interest. This conversation provides a strategic roadmap for entrepreneurs who are tired of "leaky buckets" in their sales funnels and are looking for actionable ways to align their teams, document their brilliance, and leverage technology without losing the human touch.Harmonizing Systems and Processes for Sustainable SuccessThe most common mistake high-growth businesses make is treating marketing and operations as separate silos, where one team focuses on "the hunt" while the other is left to deal with "the catch." Kasandra explains that when these two departments aren't in sync, the result is often a series of missed opportunities—calls go unanswered, follow-ups are delayed, and the customer experience becomes inconsistent. To solve this, leadership must view the customer journey as a single, continuous thread. By mapping every touchpoint from the first ad click to the final delivery, businesses can identify operational friction points and ensure that every dollar spent on marketing actually has a clear path to conversion and long-term retention.Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) serve as the backbone of this alignment, yet they are frequently neglected because they feel unglamorous or time-consuming to create. Kasandra advocates for a "progress over perfection" mindset, encouraging business owners to document their workflows in real-time rather than waiting for a quiet moment that never comes. Effective SOPs do more than just reduce errors; they empower the team to perform consistently and allow for rapid scaling when the marketing engine begins to hum. When knowledge is captured and processes are systematized, the business becomes less dependent on any single individual, creating a more resilient and valuable asset.As businesses look to automate these processes, the role of Artificial Intelligence has become increasingly prominent, though it requires careful management to avoid costly errors. Kasandra points out that while AI can handle repetitive tasks like initial sorting or data entry, it is not a total replacement for human empathy and problem-solving. A successful integration strategy uses AI to augment the team's capabilities, freeing up human staff for high-value, high-touch interactions. By piloting automated solutions internally before deploying them to customers, leaders can ensure that their technology enhances the brand experience rather than creating new barriers to connection.About Kasandra Murray: Kasandra Murray is the Founder and Owner of Unlucky Umbrella Studio, where she specializes in helping businesses optimize their operations and marketing alignment. With a background in streamlining complex workflows, Kasandra is known for her ability to spot operational bottlenecks that prevent companies from reaching their full revenue potential.About Unlucky Umbrella Studio: Unlucky Umbrella Studio is a boutique consultancy that focuses on business optimization through the integration of marketing strategy and operational efficiency. The firm helps clients build robust SOPs, manage lead-flow systems, and implement technology solutions that drive sustainable, scalable growth.Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Book a free Discovery Call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591 

Ever wondered how legendary operations leaders onboard 800 seasonal hires for world-class performance in just 30 minutes? What if your biggest edge wasn't tech, but radical clarity, proven systems, and the courage to democratize what most companies hide?In this revealing conversation, guest host Sivana Brewer sits down with Tom Root, Managing Partner at Zingerman's Mail Order and a driving force behind its remarkable open-book management culture. Tom isn't just running a $24M operation; he's helping to architect the Zingerman's way, a playbook that turns consensus, culture, and scientific thinking into a market advantage.Dive in to discover how Tom's team hires 800 people for the holidays, keeps SOPs thrillingly relevant, leverages just-in-time knowledge systems, and makes “lean” truly work. If you crave real answers on scaling without chaos or losing culture, THIS episode is your exclusive playbook to operational victory. Listen now to avoid another year of stalled growth, outdated systems, and disconnected teams.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why “democratization” is a double-edged sword for accountability[03:07] – Zingerman's wild origin: Russian anarchists, consensus, no classic CEO—and their bold growth vision[06:37] – Why illustrated food (not photos) is marketing magic…and why it works[13:27] – The single ops lever for onboarding 800 people in 30 minutes (no, it's not superstar managers)[17:28] – Secrets behind just-in-time knowledge, digital twins, and how training is dead[23:15] – “Tim's Law”: What happens when only one person “knows everything” and how to fix it[28:41] – Radical SOP audits, the core mistake most leaders make (and how Tom solved it)[31:39] – How open-book management paid off $300K debt and kept Zingerman's profitable every year since[42:09] – Scientific thinking vs. the “tools” trap, and why organizations resist outsidAbout the GuestTom Root is Managing Partner at Zingerman's Mail Order, part of the legendary Zingerman's Community of Businesses in Michigan. He's recognized for championing open book management, building empowered teams, and pioneering proven operational systems that help Zingerman's scale their beloved brand while keeping culture alive. Tom's unique perspective joins hands-on leadership with a background in tech, manufacturing, and continuous improvement.

Send a textIn this Private Practice Survival Guide quick tip, Brandon reframes HR as the single biggest catalyst for owner freedom—because the path from burned-out operator to strategic CEO is built on people systems, not more hustle. He explains why many private practice owners feel trapped in constant turnover, confrontation, and decision fatigue, and makes the case that a strategic HR function becomes the “leadership engine” that fuels growth, accountability, and organizational impact.You'll learn three core ways HR transforms the private practice owner's role: (1) building scalable infrastructure through org charts, role clarity, SOPs, onboarding, and performance systems that eliminate bottlenecks; (2) protecting culture and accountability by translating founder values into daily leadership behaviors, strengthening engagement, and developing leadership pipelines; and (3) turning HR into a data-driven strategy arm by tracking workforce analytics, turnover cost models, compensation strategy, and training investment—so HR earns a true seat at the executive table.The episode closes with a real-world case study from a pediatric therapy practice, showing how strategic (including fractional) HR leadership helped scale from 15 to 50 employees across two locations in 18 months, improved administrative efficiency, redesigned compensation tied to productivity and outcomes, and delivered substantial ROI—ultimately enabling the owner to step out of reactive management and into CEO-level leadership. If you want your practice to run without you being in every lane, this episode lays out the HR operating system that makes it possible.Welcome to Private Practice Survival Guide Podcast hosted by Brandon Seigel! Brandon Seigel, President of Wellness Works Management Partners, is an internationally known private practice consultant with over fifteen years of executive leadership experience. Seigel's book "The Private Practice Survival Guide" takes private practice entrepreneurs on a journey to unlocking key strategies for surviving―and thriving―in today's business environment. Now Brandon Seigel goes beyond the book and brings the same great tips, tricks, and anecdotes to improve your private practice in this companion podcast. Get In Touch With MePodcast Website: https://www.privatepracticesurvivalguide.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonseigel/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonseigel/https://wellnessworksmedicalbilling.com/Private Practice Survival Guide Book This show is proudly produced at PS Studios — learn more https://www.psstudios.co

In Part 2 of this in-depth conversation, Sarah Jeanneault and Dwayne Kerrigan tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in modern business: AI implementation without foundational process.Drawing from Sarah's background in education, finance, trading psychology, and her current role at ProcedureFlow, the discussion reframes AI not as a silver bullet—but as an amplifier of whatever already exists inside an organization. Together, they explore why many companies are failing to see ROI from AI investments, how skipping SOPs and governance creates chaos, and why leaders must slow down before they scale up.Using powerful metaphors—from sourdough baking to mountain biking—Sarah explains why meaningful AI adoption requires patience, critical thinking, and uncomfortable conversations. The episode also expands into leadership, parenting, culture-building, and the human elements AI will never replace: empathy, judgment, and connection. This is a grounded, honest conversation for leaders who want to use AI responsibly—without gambling their business on hype.Episode Highlights:00:00 – Sarah introduces AI implementation using a sourdough recipe analogy01:00 – Dwayne welcomes listeners and frames Part 202:00 – Imposter syndrome, fear, and language we use to protect ourselves05:00 – Growth mindset and the “10 more steps” principle08:00 – Parenting, resilience, and building long-term capability12:00 – Leadership, culture, and why hard conversations matter16:00 – Why AI investments often fail to produce ROI20:00 – SOPs, governance, and backing the bus up 25:00 – Customer experience, AI chatbots, and human frustration 30:00 – Agentic AI, avatars, and future customer service models 35:00 – Why AI is already here and cannot be undone 40:00 – Doom scrolling, humanity, and preserving curiosity46:00 – Data collection as preparation—not prediction53:00 – Visual flows and simplifying complex knowledge59:00 – AI timelines, human choice, and optionality 01:05:00 – Where AI helps—and where it shouldn't replace humans 01:10:00 – Final reflections and resourcesKey Takeaways:AI amplifies broken systems, it doesn't fix themSOPs, processes, and governance must come before automationROI fails when AI is implemented for optics instead of outcomesProcess clarity enables both humans and AI to perform betterNot every industry, or company, is ready for AI at the same paceData collection today enables smarter AI decisions tomorrowAI should augment human judgment, not replace itThe future still belongs to human connection, empathy, and choiceResources Mentioned:ProcedureFlow – Enterprise knowledge management platform - https://procedureflow.com/ Notable Quotes:

If the idea of SOPs makes you want to shut your laptop and walk away, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Glenda sits down with systems and Google tools expert Adrienne Farrow to break down what SOPs actually are, why they matter for travel advisors, and how to create them without overcomplicating your business. They talk candidly about ADHD brains, delegation resistance, and the hidden cost of “it's just easier to do it myself.” This episode shows you how to start documenting what you already do, use simple screen recordings instead of long documents, and build systems that support delegation, consistency, and growth without killing your creativity. If you want a business that does not fall apart when you step away, this is where it starts. Connect with Adrienne: https://www.adriennefarrow.com/ SOP Workshop with Adrienne , Special coupon at checkout! https://store.adriennefarrow.com/products/systematize-with-sops-workshop?variant=46070315581618 Check out our Educational & Coaching Programs: Facebook Ads for Travel Advisors: https://www.travelsalesauthority.com/facebook How to build an email list for Travel Advisors: https://artofsellingtravel.com/cold Looking to grow your travel business? Join the Travel Advisor Success Studio today: https://artofsellingtravel.com/tass Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelagentobjections Are you following me on socials? I love doing random Ask Me Anythings - and you'll only see those if you're following me. Come hang out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/artofsellingtravel/ Or FB at https://www.facebook.com/artofsellingtravel

Ready for calmer projects and stronger profits? Join our free February 24 web class to learn the six-step system top contractors use to build rock-solid teams while maintaining a balanced life. Reserve your spot: https://trybta.com/CGMFB26To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP259 Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL259 Systems and documentation don't have to kill your creativity—they are actually the secret to getting your life back.In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Ronzio, Co-Founder and CMO of Trainual, to dismantle the biggest myth in the contracting world: that SOPs are just "boring paperwork."If you're constantly procrastinating on your systems and processes because they feel overwhelming or restrictive, Jonathan reveals the massive mindset shift you need to make. Learn how to stop being the bottleneck in your business, empower your team to run without you, and finally achieve the freedom you started your business for.In this episode, we cover:Why "boring" systems are the gateway to creative freedomThe simple framework to stop procrastinating on SOPsHow to build a business that runs on process, not just peopleThe first steps to automating your operations today00:00-Intro01:33-The Genesis and “Magic” of Trainual and Customer Base10:33-Overcoming Procrastination and the Owner's Mindset Shift for Documentation17:41-Balancing Systems and Creativity in Business19:44-Applying Lessons from Adventure to Business Leadership22:46-Creativity in Marketing30:32-Trainual's Perspective on AI36:05-Wisdom for a Younger Entrepreneurial Self

FOR MORE - Debt Fund Due Diligence Hub: www.passivepockets.com/debtdd Next Steps Join the discussion + access links/resources: www.passivepockets.com/debtdd Attend the community Zooms (or watch recordings later) Dates mentioned in the episode: Feb 18, Feb 25, Mar 3 (check the member dashboard for times/updates) Attend the 2026 Summit Conference: https://get.biggerpockets.com/passivepocketssummit2026/ This Episode We're officially kicking off PassivePockets' new Debt Fund Due Diligence Series built around what members told us they want most: capital protection and steady cash flow in an uncertain macro environment. Chris Lopez breaks down what real estate private lending actually is (fix-and-flip, bridge, and ground-up construction), why senior debt sits in the “first paid / last to lose” position on the capital stack, and how lending can reduce downside volatility compared to equity-heavy strategies. From there, Chris gets tactical on how to evaluate debt funds like a pro, starting with the single most important document: the loan tape. You'll learn what a loan tape is, what to look for (LTV/LTC/LTARV, borrower quality, defaults/delinquencies, interest reserves, extensions, leverage, fees, and more), and how real-time portfolio data can change the way you assess track record versus longer-cycle equity deals. Chris also shares a field-tested framework for deeper due diligence, including the on-site audit process: reviewing SOPs, pulling and verifying loan files, confirming recorded deeds of trust, and “follow the money” bank reconciliation to reduce lending and fraud risk. Finally, Chris outlines what's next for the series community Zooms, expert panels, sponsor spotlights, and ultimately a community-built Debt Fund DD checklist that lives in the membership area as a continuously updated resource. Key Takeaways Why we're starting with debt: members' #1 fear is losing principal and #1 motivation is steady cash flow Private lending basics: fix-and-flip, bridge, and ground-up construction loan types—and typical timelines Real estate credit is massive: a multi-trillion-dollar market many retail investors still have little exposure to Capital stack 101: why senior debt is “first paid / last to lose,” and how it can reduce return variance Portfolio strategy: debt often functions like the “bond sleeve” of a real estate portfolio as you rebalance risk Two approaches: direct lending (control + concentration) vs debt funds (diversification + passivity) The loan tape: what it is, why it matters, and which columns/metrics actually tell you if risk is controlled The two risks Chris focuses on: lending risk (staying inside the credit box) and fraud risk (borrower + fund level) What “real due diligence” can look like: on-site audits, file pulls, deed-of-trust confirmation, and bank reconciliation Series roadmap: kickoff → community Zooms → panels/fund spotlights → group DD → living DD checklist Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk. Nothing here is investment, tax, legal, or financial advice; consult qualified professionals. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may include paid advertisements or promotional materials for sponsors, funds, or offerings and should not be interpreted as a recommendation or endorsement by PassivePockets, LLC or affiliates. Conduct your own due diligence and consider your financial situation before engaging with any advertised products or services. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for any actions taken based on the information presented.

In this replay of a bonus episode from On The Bright Side, I'm breaking down why limiting your options might be the most powerful move you can make in your balloon business. I walk through how simplifying your color inventory and menu of offerings can make it easier for clients to book, faster for your team to execute and significantly more profitable over time. This approach has helped me reduce stress, streamline training, cut waste and build a business that can grow (or shrink) without chaos. Since I originally recorded this, I've released Sales Sets, which are ready-to-use product images in color palettes that you can purchase instead of doing your own photo shoot to display your menu. So as you're listening, just know you've got two paths. You can absolutely follow along and use this episode as a guide to plan your own menu photo shoot when the time is right; or if you wanna skip the studio booking, inflation and expense, you can use Sales Sets as a plug-and-play option (or even as a placeholder until you're ready to do your own photos). This has been the single best thing I have done to help my customers understand what I'm selling and purchase faster.    In the UGlu Hotline, hear why one listener prints and laminates her SOPs.   Unlock three free bonus episodes!    RESOURCES MENTIONED: Sales Sets Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST) Courtney Lynette Creative Co. (mention the podcast for $100 off!)  UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)  DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline! 2026 Bright Balloon Planner  - - - - On the Bright Side Apple | Patreon Join the Bright Balloon email list  The Bright Balloon on YouTube 

Alisa Sparks grew her home staging brand, Linden Creek, to $4 million in revenue and 20 locations by treating her passion like a math equation rather than a creative outlet. In this episode, Alisa warns that 50% of owners in Home Services are actually running "hobbies" because they lack clarity on their numbers. She breaks down exactly how to escape the hobbyist trap, revealing why "middle market" pricing is a death sentence and how to shift your Business mindset to confidently price for luxury markets.You will learn how to leverage AI to build SOPs that allow you to replicate yourself, the specific financial metrics you must track weekly, and the secrets to successful Business scaling. Alisa also shares her journey into the Franchise model, offering a roadmap for anyone looking to expand their service business without burning out.In this episode, you'll learn:The "Hobbyist Trap": Why 50% of owners are accidentally running hobbies instead of businesses—and the #1 financial metric that exposes the truth.The Middle Market Death Zone: Why pricing your services in the "middle" leads to failure, and how to confidently command luxury rates by solving your client's sleepless nights.AI-Powered Systems: How to use tools like ChatGPT to build "set it and forget it" SOPs that replicate your best work without burning you out.Creativity as Math: Alisa's unique framework for turning subjective skills (like design) into repeatable formulas that anyone on your team can execute.Weekly Financial Habits: The two exact numbers every service entrepreneur must check every Friday to ensure they are cash-flow positive.Resources:Grow your business today:  https://links.upflip.com/the-business-startup-and-growth-blueprint-podcast Connect with Alisa: https://www.instagram.com/alisa_sparks_/

Tim Martinez, Value Creation, Strategic, and Exit & Succession Planning Advisor—also known as “The Inside Man”—is on a mission to empower entrepreneurs and make the world a better place with his philosophy of “No entrepreneur left behind.”  In this episode, Tim shares how he evolved from starting small businesses as a teenager to advising founders on high-stakes growth and exit decisions. We explore Tim's 3 Exits Framework, which breaks exit planning into three critical phases: Mental Exit (separating identity from the business), Role Exit (building leadership and succession so the business can run without the owner), and Technical Exit (valuation, deal structure, and the formal sale process). Tim also explains why AI is accelerating business disruption, why minimalism is a competitive advantage, and what keeps so many businesses stuck at the $3M revenue ceiling. — 3 Ways to Exit Your Business with Tim Martinez Good day, dear listeners. Steve Preda here, the Founder of the Summit OS Group. And I have as my guest today Tim Martinez, who is a Value Creation, Strategic, and Exit & Succession Planning Advisor, also known as “The Inside Man.” Tim also has a successful Substack with lots of followers, which has a similar title, Inside Man. He's also built his own ChatGPT API, so he's running with the times. Tim, welcome to the show.  Thanks, Steve. Great to be here.  Finally, we have someone who is ahead of the curve on AI and the technological evolution that's part of this new industry revolution. So let’s start with my favorite question. What is your personal ‘Why’ and how are you manifesting it in your practice and in your business?  Yeah. My personal ‘Why’ is to make the world a better place and to empower entrepreneurs. “No entrepreneur left behind” has kind of been my motto. Since I was a kid—I started businesses very young, like 15 or 16—people would ask me, “How are you doing this?” And I would help however I could. And it was just always felt really good to help my fellow entrepreneurs, whether I was helping them in a small way or a big way. And there's nothing better than seeing some of the advice you're able to give someone actually get implemented.Share on X Then you see them go, “Wow, oh my gosh, this is great.” And again, sometimes it’s small, sometimes it’s big. But I believe entrepreneurs rule the world, and I do my part every day—whether it's writing my Substack, jumping on podcasts, or writing books. I'm always here just to share what I've learned, because I think that’s what makes the world go round.  Well, you have a boundless energy, because you are writing books, you are writing your blog, you are doing these podcasts. Then you also have to gather the information, right? You have to work with clients—otherwise there's no raw material. That is very impressive. So what took you to this point? How did you evolve? I mean, you started at 15, but surely you were not coaching or consulting people at 15.  Yeah, so I probably spent about 10 years just starting small businesses. I had the lemonade stand, then a coffee business and a silk-screen business. I had a DJ business, a retail store, a marketing and advertising agency, a small one, but I was able to sell it. And I got lucky and sold a couple of these small businesses. I built websites, built apps—I mean, anything you can do to make a buck. I was just kind of hustling and figuring it out on my own. And at a certain point in time, maybe like 10 years later, someone asked me to help them write their business plan. It was the first time I thought, “Huh, someone wants to pay me to help them write a business plan. That sounds interesting.” Okay. And I had written all of my own business plans for 10 years. I used to go to SCORE—the Senior Corps of Retired Executives, a division of the SBA—and they would consult for free. They still do, by the way. And I always said my long-term goal was to be an old advisor at SCORE, because they helped me so much when I was a kid.Share on X So I charged money for my first business plan. That person was able to raise money from their uncle. Then they said, “Well, hey, we got this money. What do we do now?” So I said, “Well, I think I can charge you. I think this is called consulting. Maybe I'll just charge you to help execute your business plan.” It was a small business, and I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a book that was like this big—How to Start a Consulting Business. I just sat there and highlighted the whole thing. It had CD-ROM forms in the back. I knew nothing about consulting. And probably for the next handful of years, I just focused on writing business plans and helping people. That's kind of what got me into consulting and working with bigger businesses. It really started with business plans and small businesses.Share on X  Yeah. I mean, business plans are great because you are envisioning the future of the business, crunching the numbers—what's going to happen with your top line, bottom line, costs, overhead, margins—and essentially it helps you visualize the skeleton of the business. Then you can put the meat on the bone, kind of thing.  Yeah. And I had worked on hundreds of business plans, and  pitch decks, financial models, and market research. That documentation aspect of a business, I had spent a good, let's say, 10 years working very heavily with clients as an analyst in consulting firms. And that’s really what got me into the game and got me into bigger and bigger businesses, because I got very good at doing that with no formal training—and we didn't really have what the internet is today. I remember going to the downtown library in Los Angeles, finding articles, and taking scanned copies of them. That’s how we did our market research. And business plans used to be like a dictionary. The SBA would require business plans to meet all these requirements, so we ended up with huge business plans. Now people want a one-pager, maybe a 10-slide deck, and call it a day. Where I got my chops was from understanding every imaginable nuance of every business in all verticals. I worked around the world with businesses, and I guess I was in the right place at the right time for it.Share on X  Yeah, that’s very humble. So one of the things that you do is you help people prepare for exit, and you came up with this framework called The 3 Exits Framework. I thought it was fascinating to think about exits from different perspectives and to have different mental models for them. How did you come up with this, and can you explain to the audience what it looks like, how it works, and how it helps entrepreneurs? Yeah. And it’s important to note that I started my career starting businesses, helping people get the start. And as I got older, the businesses I worked with were also getting older. And as I got a little more gray hair and a few more wrinkles, people would take me more seriously at the later stages of the business, when they maybe wouldn’t take me so seriously when I was in my early twenties. So my business had evolved from starting to growing and then eventually to exiting, and that’s where most of my clients are now. What I’ve discovered is most people enter the exit planning conversation at the very end, asking, “What is my business worth? Who wants to buy it?” Needing a business valuation is the most common first question: “Whoa, what's it worth?” But after working with a handful of companies through this whole exit process, you start to realize that there’s far more than just the numbers. The 3 Exits Framework says there are three exits that need to occur before you're out and on your yacht, sailing into the sunset.Share on X The first exit is the mental exit, which we can talk about at length. It's your role—your identity in the business. Who am I if I'm not the CEO? What am I going to do with my time if I'm not running this business? Who am I if people can't come to me with their every burning question? It’s this piece, it’s so important. And a lot of people don’t want to give up control. They don’t even know they’re control freaks, which I'll call them for lack of a better term. But they don’t even know that they are that. You have to help them through that.  The second exit is really your role exit, because eventually someone needs to run this business in your absence. The whole tenant of selling a business is that you're not going to be in it. You might have earnouts or some transitional involvement, but eventually, you will not run this business. So you have to replicate yourself. Most people say, “I've tried, but it hasn't worked.” Well, you know what? Now’s the time for this to work. It's time to build SOPs, standards of excellence, and get someone who could be better than you ever were in that seat. So that role exit is a big part, and that would be true succession. The other part of that is it’s not just the CEO or the owner. A lot of times it’s them and they’re number one, or they’re number two, or number three, because in many cases those people also have equity and ownership in the companies in some cases. So we need to get succession in line for multiple roles.  And then the third exit is your technical exit. It’s the one piece everyone feels like they start with that is your valuation, getting your documentation together, running a formal auction process, making sure that you’re looking at multiple buyers, whether strategic or financial. And just running a very thorough, formal process that’s going to get you the highest valuation possible. And structuring a deal that there’s going to be a little bit of give and take. Most deals die because of misaligned expectations. And they’re usually misaligned expectations on that final exit. So when you put those three things together and someone says, I want to sell my business, or we're thinking about exiting in the next couple years, I just start first with the identity part.Share on X Yeah. And people underestimate the significance of that. It can sound touchy-feely and like an afterthought in most cases. And people think that just by earning a sack of money, their life will be solved and all problems will disappear. But actually, problems exist at all levels. Elon Musk probably has more problems than most listeners here.  Sure.  So, it's not going to solve your problems, and identity is huge. I talk to people—I was also an M&A advisor for over 10 years, sold many businesses, visited former clients, and went out on their boats on the lake. Often, that was the one time they actually used the boat, because they didn't really need it. They thought they did, but they didn't. Next time, the engine wouldn't start, or the boat was full of water. Or they'd go out on the golf course, meet new people, and ask, “Who are they?” It turned out they were just retired rich people—not interesting entrepreneurs or CEO. That's a huge change. And with the Great Wealth Transfer and the aging Baby Boomer population, there's a statistic that says 50% of business owners are forced into an exit—meaning there’s some life event that occurs that says you now need to sell your business and get out. And you and I both know that if you’re forced to an exit, you’re going to be taking a major discount. But those forces can happen when you have a heart attack, or someone in your family has a health issue, or your grandkids and everybody moves multiple states and you want to go with them. All these things happen. So our recommendation is just start having the conversation now.  Yeah. And so I think it's a little bit like saving for retirement. A lot of people keep putting it off, and eventually there's no time left to do it, and then they’re in trouble. So how do you even raise awareness with people about this? How do you work with them to prepare this? Can you actually raise awareness and make them feel this is a real issue? How do you raise awareness?  Well, I have my blog, and that’s probably where I do most of my conversations. I wrote about the 3 Exits Framework. Any chance I get to speak, I always use it to raise awareness around the subject. In my consulting practice, I work with a handful of consulting firms and investment banks. Anytime I get pulled into a conversation about exit planning, I usually just pause for a second and just talk about their life goals.Share on X Like, what do you really want this exit to do for you? Because there are so many things you can do and a million ways to do it. So, what do you really want this exit to mean for you? Also, remember, Uncle Sam is going to take his cut—so not everyone gets the biggest check possible. Usually, what we hear is people say, “I'm just so exhausted. I don't have anything left in me for this thing, and anything I can get for it, I'd be happy to take, as long as it means I don't have to put out every single fire.” And this usually happens because they didn't build good systems to remove themselves from the business.  Otherwise, they would've been the chairman, and just meeting with their CEO, who's running the business. That’s usually not the case with these owner-operator businesses. And that doesn't mean they're small, by the way. I mean, they could be running a $50 million business and still the choke point where everything has to run through them and they’re just exhausted and burnt out.  Do you think that this AI revolution is going to change things? Is it going to make more people exit-ready because it's easier to create systems?  Perhaps. Yeah, I think it's helping the service provider world be more efficient. In my world as a management consultant, I'm 10 times more efficient. I’m sure you’re 10 times more efficient with tools like the one we’re using here, and it just helps us speed things up. I've noticed people use it as a thought partner, as a psychiatrist, even as a best friend. I've seen people go into deep dialogue like, “Should I sell my business? Give me five factors.” The ones who are aware of this are using it fully. The people who aren't are a little behind the times. And then from an operational standpoint, yeah, I mean with the bots and all the many things you could put in your business to make you more efficient, but that doesn’t apply to everybody. I would say there’s going to be a 10 to 20% group of people that are already on it, making it work for them, and then there are the laggards who will probably never touch it.  Or is it that—okay, maybe we can be more efficient with AI, but we'll have the appetite to do more, and there will be more complexity? Some things we'll simplify, but we'll create other complexities that replace the previous ones. What do you think about it?  Yes. So businesses typically have cycles. There's usually a five- to seven-year cycle where a business hits its peak, and then it starts to trend down. And they usually have some level of innovation that has to reoccur for it to hit another up cycle, and then there will be a down cycle and so on and so forth. So it's always like an up slope after an up slope. When you've been in business for 30 or 40 years, you've gone through multiple rounds of these cycles—three or four rounds of those cycles. What I’m hearing right now is business owners that are, let’s say, at retirement age, they’re saying, “I don't know if I have what it takes to go through this AI cycle. Maybe I had what it took to make it through the eighties, nineties, and two thousands, but now we're in 2026. I’m not sure I’m equipped, or my team who’s also very senior, they don’t feel like they have what it takes to get through that next cycle without hiring young talent. But even then, they don’t really understand what they’re talking about. So there’s this gap. And again, I’m hearing it more and more of people saying, I think now’s the time to get out and let some other company that has gas in the tank, vision, and capacity to come in and do that thing.  Yeah, that's interesting. Do you think a multiple-AI–enabled company versus a post-AI company is going to be markedly different?  Maybe. Because it all comes down to revenue—it comes down to the revenue story. I'll give you a perfect example. You have a very profitable company, but they're using an old CRM. A new company comes in and says, “Hey, you're already profitable. If we buy you and put in a new CRM, maybe we could be even more profitable.” That’s cool. So we don’t really need you to put in all the tech. We’ll come in and do all that, and then we’ll get the upside on that. Just as long as you’re profitable, as long as you’re profitable, yet you don’t have major client concentration, your business has all the components. A new company with new vision could come in. That would largely be a strategic buyer. The PE buyer, the financial buyer, most likely is going to want to inject capital into your business so you can go and reinvest, and build new tech, or become a platform, whatever you’re going to be. But that would be a different arrangement. So it's basically a numbers issue. It doesn't matter your technological evolution. And maybe it’s even worse if you've already implemented AI and that only allows you to make five million dollars—there's less upside for the buyer.  Yeah. The bigger concern is: Is your industry at risk because of AI? Is your particular business at risk? And that's why I think people need to adopt it—so they can say, “No, we're not at risk. We've adopted it, we're applying it in whatever fashion we're doing it, and we're going to see the results.” We've already seen a major downswing in a handful of industries because of AI. I mean, advertising agencies are getting hit really hard. People used to be able to charge for writing press releases, to write blogs, to write social, to do video editing on social media. A lot of that's gone, so the bottom tier of those agencies is just gone—there's no need for them anymore.  Do you see people proactively working on making themselves AI-resilient? Everyone knows that they need to do it. Nobody is unaware that today, it’s like websites. There was a time when everyone knew they needed a website. They just didn’t really know how they were going to build it or who was going to build it. They knew it was going to be expensive. It’s kind of where we’re at right now. Everybody knows they need AI. They’re just not exactly sure how they need AI, what it can actually, literally do for them.I think for some people, that big dream that it was going to do everything quickly got taken off the tableShare on X and they say, okay, we could do this much, but even this much is make me very effective.  But it’s just not going to do everything. Like, I still need an accountant. I still need an account manager. I still need someone to do these things, but maybe I don’t need as many people as I once did. So we’re seeing kind of some leveling off there. But I would say largely most people don’t know what AI can do for them, and they’re not really prepared to make those investments. We have a client right now that just made a half million dollar investment into an RFP tool that’s going to help them move faster than their competitors, submit more on RFPs, build everything out in a very complicated way, but they’re making a half million dollar investment. How many companies out there are saying, let’s go, give me the invoice. I’m ready to roll. There’s still a lot of pause there.  What you're describing feels more like a defensive play—okay, we know AI is coming, so we have to implement some AI tools. But I’m thinking more about the big picture. Is my industry going to be disrupted by AI? And how do I pivot my business before I lose momentum, so I become like Netflix—going from a video rental company to a streaming company? Yep.  Do you see companies rethinking their business model?  I think from what I’ve seen, people are rethinking everything—top to bottom. Because you have to start with labor. That’s usually where people start. “AI can do all these things—do I need less talent on the deck?” And if I do, then what can AI do so I don’t have such heavy overhead? Because overhead is also liability, and it has this employment risk behind it. So if you can go from a thousand staff to 800 or 750, great, let’s do it—why wouldn't you do it? Most people are saying, “Let's figure that part out first.” The next thing is the industry disruption, which is what’s our competitors doing to service clients better, manufacture faster, or do things cheaper, so then we’re not left in the dust. So from a production standpoint, we need to figure this out quickly. What I'd say—what I do—is, as an analyst, as a consultant and advisor coming in, that's why I built my AI. I built my AI to fire myself. I basically said, “What I used to do as a management consultant is now irrelevant, because AI is better than me.” So let me just build the digital me and not worry about that side of my business anymore. So I just don’t worry about that anymore. I don’t even really take on assignments that I used to, because AI can do it better and faster. Now, if you want to hire me and allow me to use my AI tool to handle the technical work, I'm more than happy to do that. But I'll tell you firsthand—save your money.  So you're giving it away, or are you selling it?  Yeah, it's free. It's free. It's on ChatGPT. What people can’t do is sit down and have an honest, sincere conversation and ask them the hard questions and challenge them. That's where AI still lacks the human component. I can take a client and say, “Hey, let's hang out. Let's get lunch. Let's go play golf. Let's bring in your kids. Let's talk to your kids. Let's talk about the family dynamic.” Let’s just have a sincere conversation. Let me hold space and create a forum where I can hear people. And that human component is the only thing that I’m worried, like I’m working on now. I'm out of the technical side, because that part of my job is gone.  So fascinating. So does it mean you have to be more of a social animal?  I think so. If you're not going to be a social animal and you're just going to sit at your desk, you should probably be building software using tools like Replit, n8n, or any of these different software tools and just go all in.Share on X But the way we used to do it—you probably see this on LinkedIn, with all the bots on LinkedIn, it’s not what it used to be. It used to be a place where you had a handful of connections and actually met people. Now it’s just so overrun with the bots. It’s like I don’t even want to accept connections anymore. I'd much rather have a conversation like this. To me, this is the future.  Yeah. But maybe we connected originally through LinkedIn. I don’t know where, how we connected, but we may have have connected through a bot—actually.  It’s possible.  Yeah.  It’s possible. But I'll tell you, I connect with maybe one or two percent of people now. Previously, because I didn't get so many inbound inquiries, I would connect with more, because I felt like there was a sincere person on the other end. Now, I really don't know. I've become very skeptical.  Yeah, I'm with you. Let's switch gears, because our time is running out. And there are a couple of things that in our pre-interview you talked about, and one was minimalism. Yeah.  What is minimalism? How do you do it? And what’s a low-hanging way to start to become a minimalist?  It's kind of like that first-principles idea of what really matters. It’s essentialism. It’s kind of getting down to the one thing, that was my recent blog, if there was only one thing you could do this year, but it would make all the difference, what would it be? And anything that gets in the way of that one thing is just noise. For me, minimalism is really about reduction, and kind of getting rid, and being aware and cognizant of things that really shouldn't be on your desk, on your to-do list.Share on X And using AI tools and assistance to get rid of everything that’s low-level activity. If you think of a pyramid, at the very top is where the most value that you can add would be. But yet we spend all of our time, if this is a time pyramid, most of our time is spent at the bottom, the wide part that pretty much anyone can do. So we kind of got to invert the pyramid. To get there, you have to reduce and extract. To protect your time, you have to treat it as very precious and focus only on the most important thing at all times. It is a very hard thing for all professionals to do, and it’s always been a hard thing, but I just take it upon myself and say, okay, well, as a minimalist, I mean, if you were to come to my house and see how sparse my furniture is on purpose. How sparse my closet is on purpose. I’m trying to get rid of options. It's like Steve Jobs and the black turtleneck—if I have one less thing, because I can only make so many choices and decisions in a given day, let me spend my time on the things that are the most important and most impactful.Share on X And that’s not always, because it’s going to put millions of dollars in my bank account. Sometimes it’s just helps me sleep better at night. So I don’t need 50 clients. If I’m going to have 50 headaches. What if I just have five clients? And every one of those was one that I felt very good about, and that would allowed me to charge more. It allowed me to go deeper with them. It's that concept—then you're free to see where your scalable opportunities are. It's the story I told you about a monk who was carving away at this beautiful elephant. Someone walks up and asks, “How did you learn to do this, carving away this elephant in the stone? And he says, Oh, I just chip away everything that's not the elephant. So for me, I have to have a very clear picture of what the elephant is. I have to see the picture in my brain first—like what my life is, what I’m trying to build, how good of a dad I’m trying to be, how good of a husband I’m trying to be, how good of a business partner or a service provider, an advisor. This is my life’s work as a masterpiece, so let me just get rid of anything that doesn’t belong as part of that picture. So that, to me, is kind of how I would explain it. And my approach toward it is I just get rid of everything. It’s not about accumulation. I don't really need more information, because AI already has all the information. Anything I'm going to absorb, I have to be very intentional about—why am I reading it? I see all the books on your shelf. I could show you my bookshelf—tons of books, right? I feel like I've read them all. Am I going to learn anything new? I could also just go back to the books I've already read. I try to highlight them and stuff, but it's like, what more do I need at this point?  Yeah. So I’m wondering about this idea of a lifestyle business versus a growth business. Because what I see is that people who are building a lifestyle business, it’s easier for them to be a minimalist. Because you just do this most valuable thing. You don’t have to build the business. You don’t have to worry about necessarily all the other people, systems, and processes, or making sure of quality control. You just do your high-value work, and at the end of the day, you can put things down and relax. Whereas a growth business, it's different.  I would say with the clients that I have—some have thousands of employees, some have hundreds—I still encourage them to reduce and subtract. Even though they're in high-growth, highly scalable businesses, sometimes the conversation is: How many direct reports do you have, and why do you have that many direct reports? How are you delegating? How are you giving authority? How are you limiting all the inputs? Because a lot of it is noise in your given day. So how do I make your day a little more silent so you can have a little more peace to make better decisions while you run this highly scalable business? Just because you're scaling doesn't mean it needs to be pure chaos. That's what people think—they think, “Oh, if I scale, that means chaos.” I'm anti-chaos.  Okay. But let me ask you this: Two of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time are Elon Musk and Jensen Huang. Elon Musk runs six companies, so he's got a lot of direct reports and goes deep in each of them. And then Jensen Huang has, I don't know, 20, 30, or 40 direct reports—he basically has a million direct reports as well. And that actually allows them to be closer to decisions and make sure things don't go off the rails and their vision gets manifested. So that's what I'm kind of wondering—whether minimalism means you're going to, maybe the flip side is you have to accept less growth, or maybe not.  So I’ve met with a lot of entrepreneurs in my life. Not one of them has been Elon Musk. So I would say we’re looking at the median of entrepreneurs, the average entrepreneur. Those are the people I deal with. I’m not dealing with Elon Musk. I would love to, but I don’t have those types. I have the family-owned business who took it over from their dad and they’ve been running it for 50 years, and he has 250 employees, and he’s got pure chaos, and I’m getting the call to go in and try to sort him out. These are not always the highly sophisticated Steve Jobs types of the world. If you really take a look under the hood with Elon—I read his book and listened to the audiobook with my kids, so I'm very familiar with his story, because I've heard it twice now—what they don't really mention is all the heroes underneath Elon. He wouldn't be who he is without all the many heroes, all the systems, and the Six Sigma and other processes and procedures. That's not to say he doesn't take a deep analytical look at everything, but who are those heroes and what are the processes? I'm far more interested in hearing about his VP of Operations than about Elon. Because what has his VP of Operations worked out? What systems have they implemented that allow him to scale and build a Tesla? Or his COO, like, what do they have going on? Elon's a face. Elon's a madman. He creates all this momentum and chaos, and then he has teams of people behind him who make sense and order out of that chaos. That's why you have what you have with Tesla. If he were just Elon Chaos, without that, I don't believe he would be where he is. But he had people that wanted to get in line. He had a lot of people that wanted to get in line. They believed in his vision. He had huge visions, and it's very inspiring to get behind those visions. Then they say, “Okay, give me the ball. We'll create the infrastructure that allows this thing to take off.” So I'm far more interested in the infrastructure that allows for that scale.  I agree. I'm just thinking whether there is this kind of dichotomy. Because I see that many entrepreneurs—when I was an investment banker—until they sold their business, they were not able to have that simple lifestyle they perhaps desired, because they were building, they were reinvesting. And it wasn't just reinvesting their cash—they were reinvesting their time. So every time they simplified, that was the opportunity cost of not using that time to improve their business. So they plowed it back in, plowed it back in.  Well, it's kind of like the E-Myth is a bit skewed. It's almost like the E-Myth is a myth. E-Myth is a dream—a dream that you can work on your business, step out completely, and everything about it runs itself. It doesn't really work that way. If you're going to be a successful entrepreneur, you're going to have late nights, long weekends, and you're going to feel like every major problem is your own because you're taking all the legal risks. I'm not telling people not to scale. I'm not telling them not to have chaos. What I'm trying to help them do is get clear on what they consider to be important.  And not get killed in the process, and not get divorced.  Statistically, that can happen—the more successful someone gets.  Yeah, it does. Because our time becomes much more valuable, and at some point, it's really hard to say no to the million-dollar hour—to spend that hour watching Netflix with your spouse, right? Exactly. Just feels harder to do.  Exactly.  Yeah.  That was good.  Alright, well, I enjoyed this tremendously. So one more question, one more question that I have to ask you. You talk about this $3 million rule—what do you mean by that? That’s a really interesting concept.  Yeah. So most small businesses get stuck around $3 million, statistically. The question is, why? Why do they get stuck there? A large majority gets stuck and it’s because they create a lifestyle for themself around $3 million. They’re taking enough off the table that they would never be able to find a job that would be able to replace that type of income. So they've made their small business their sole business, their job, and they say, “This is good enough for me,” because let's say half a million dollars, more or less, is going into their bank. They're filling up their 401(k), sending their kids to private school, giving themselves big bonuses. If they're profitable, they don't really see the need to take more risks or double down to go past that wall. I've seen many businesses kind of stay there. They’ll go fluctuate up and down through the years, but more or less they’ll hit that wall. They could stay there for 20 years and never make any progress. It’s not until they put on new thinking and say, we’re going to grow through acquisitions, we’re going to target a different market, new products, we’re going to innovate in some way. But that takes extra gas in the tank. Sometimes, a lot of entrepreneurs, once they hit that first level of success, say, “This is good enough for me,” because it usually takes them about five to seven years to get to that first major breathing point.  They're not hungry enough anymore.  Exactly.  Does someone has to be a little crazy to still want to eat more, even though they're already full?  Yeah. Some people are just wired that way. Some people just more and more, and that's no slight against them. They're never satisfied. They always want more—another dollar, another nickel. If they saw a nickel on the floor, they would stop and pick it up. They want every piece of everything. And those people usually are the ones that go and go and go and go. They’re usually the ones that just keep going because it’s an insatiable appetite. I'm not talking about people who get—well, I don't want to call it lucky—but sometimes things do fall out of the sky. Sometimes a big client falls out of the sky, or an opportunity opens up, and people are smart enough to buy their competitor when the competitor approaches them. Or sometimes they make these little moves, and that gives them a leap. I’m not talking about those people. Those are outliers to me. I’m talking about your average entrepreneur that built a $3 million business on his own with no major clients falling, just hard work, blood, sweat in tears. The average Joe typically gets stuck around that $3 million.  Yeah, that’s interesting. Fascinating. Alright, well, if you don't want to be stuck around $3 million, or if you want to get to the next level, then reach out to Tim and check out what he’s doing. So where can our listeners find you? Where can our listeners find you if they want to learn with you, learn about you, read your Substack, read your books? Where should they go?  Just go to Google or AI and type in Tim “The Inside Man” Martinez. The Inside Man is an acronym for Tim. You'll find my LinkedIn—happy to connect with you, just tell me you heard me on Steve's podcast. You can also check out my blog: it's Tim “The Inside Man” on Substack, or go to www.theinsideman.biz, my website. I'd love to connect with anyone. Well, do check out Tim's Substack—it's awesome. You're going to get more of what you heard on this podcast. And if you enjoy listening, make sure you follow us. Subscribe on YouTube, LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, or wherever else you get your podcasts, because every week I'm inviting—and luckily more and more people want to come on the show—to have a conversation. So thank you, Tim, for coming, and thank you for listening. Important Links: Tim's LinkedIn Tim's website

Tired of random, low-quality LinkedIn calls or no calls at all? In this episode, Troy Hipolito (a.k.a. the “Not So Boring LinkedIn Guy” and former Swiss-Filipino gamification designer) breaks down how he helps B2B and service-based businesses turn LinkedIn into a consistent pipeline of vetted, high-value meetings. After agency work with Fortune 500 brands dried up, Troy reinvented his business using LinkedIn, combining “slow dating” relationship-building with tight systems and clear daily workflows. The result: a predictable process that leverages videos, content, events, and smart follow-up instead of spammy cold pitches and random hustle. https://youtu.be/Oh-wtfBJAI0 Troy reveals the exact framework behind Skoop, his Chrome extension and dashboard, which boosts first-message-to-booked-meeting conversions from ~3% to 21%, a 6x improvement, using short, raw, hyper-personalized videos embedded directly in LinkedIn DMs. You'll learn how to fix a “jacked up” profile that repels your ideal clients, why you only really make money on LinkedIn in two places (content and DMs), how to structure free/low-ticket/high-ticket offers that feed each other, and how to use VAs, SOPs, and repeatable systems so you only spend 30 minutes a day recording videos while your backend runs like a machine. If you want more (and better) meetings without turning LinkedIn into a full-time job, this conversation gives you the blueprint. Quotes: “There's no single silver bullet. The core is providing value, but you have to distribute that value across multiple channels.” “LinkedIn is not a Facebook marketplace. It's a networking domain. It's about building real relationships, not just ‘buy my stuff.'” “We took that first LinkedIn message from about a 3% conversion to 21%, not to a reply, but to a vetted booked meeting.” “People don't read; they scan. Anything more than three lines is too much. That's why the message has to be context, content, context.” “Slow down and ‘slow date' your clients. The sooner you realize you're not a fit, the sooner you can move on with clarity.” Resources: Troy Hipolito on LinkedIn SKOOP

You're keeping people on your crew who are poisoning the well. In this episode, Derek and Tim break down why "talent" isn't enough if the fit is wrong, using a legendary story about Charles Barkley and a $50k lesson from a powerhouse COO. Stop making excuses for bad behavior and start owning your role as a leader. If you don't have clear SOPs, you aren't a boss; you're just a guy with a headache.==============================================Ready to stop playing small? Claim your seat in "The Contractor's Code to Finally Cracking $1M" and learn the systems that separate the pros from the pretenders.https://thecontractorfight.com/code================================================ Rate the Podcast ==Help your fellow contractors find the podcast! Please leave a rating/review.Apple PodcastsSpotify

What if AI could revolutionize your business, streamline operations, and free you of mundane work? The use of artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept. It is a game-changing tool that is transforming businesses across industries. From automating routine tasks to enhancing decision-making with data-driven insights, AI has the power to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and drive innovation. Joshua Pellicer and Peter Cobabe, the visionary co-founders of RLTM.ai, dive into these benefits, bringing a wealth of knowledge on how to seamlessly adopt and integrate AI into businesses.  Through their company, RLTM.ai, Joshua and Peter are dedicated to helping businesses integrate AI into their operations, making complex processes more manageable and enabling teams to focus on what truly matters.  In today's episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius is joined by Joshua Pellicer and Peter Cobabe to explore how AI is transforming business operations. They discuss the benefits of automating tasks, the essential role of a Chief AI Officer, and the mindset shift required for successful AI adoption. Joshua and Peter also emphasize the importance of having a clear vision to fully leverage AI's potential.  Topics include: Joshua and Peter discuss their mission behind founding RLTM.ai  The transformative impact AI is having on businesses How AI is being adopted and integrated into business operations The advantages of automating standard operating procedures (SOPs) with AI The essential role of a Chief AI Officer in maximizing the effectiveness of AI tools The mindset shift necessary for successful AI adoption The importance of clarity in defining goals and objectives The benefits of maintaining a flexible self-identity rather than being tied to a specific title And other topics…. Connect with Joshua: Website: https://www.rltm.ai/  Email: joshua@rltm.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuapellicer  Twitter: https://x.com/joshuapellicer/ Connect with Peter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petercobabe Twitter: https://x.com/peterccobabe  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices