Susan Schmidt Bryant, a CPA and certified tax planner, shares her expertise on accounting, tax strategies, and maximizing profits for business owners. She emphasizes the importance of using accounting records to make informed business decisions and the value of implementing value pricing and subscription pricing models. Susan also discusses the challenges business owners face in finding the right accountant and the benefits of investing in a strong accounting function. She provides insights on setting pricing based on value and positioning, as well as the psychology of buyers in relation to pricing. Overall, Susan's passion lies in helping entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses.

• Use accounting records to make informed business decisions and drive profitability.
• Consider implementing value pricing and subscription pricing models to better align pricing with the value provided.
• Invest in a strong accounting function to alleviate stress and free up mental capacity for strategic business activities.
• When hiring, focus on finding individuals who align with your company's culture and values, and ensure they have the necessary skills and qualifications.

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 05:52 Using Accounting Records to Drive Business Decisions
• 09:19 The Psychology of Buyers and Pricing
• 13:15 Determining Pricing Based on Positioning
• 15:40 ROI in Hiring and Employee Performance
• 24:30 Accounting as an Opportunity Center
• 28:07 Challenges in Finding the Right Accountant
• 32:25 Expectations from an Accountant
• 36:24 Giveaway and Contact Information
• 37:18 Conclusion

Pete Sena, a pioneering entrepreneur, co-founded Digital Surgeons, building his career on developing cross-functional teams for Fortune 50s and startups alike. He's a forward-thinking thought leader with expertise spanning from branding to Web3 technologies, attracting 33k Twitter followers and 4.2k on Medium. Dedicated to academia, Pete mentors at Yale and acts as an entrepreneur-in-residence at the University of Connecticut. He hosts the podcast "Forward Obsessed", exploring business and tech insights. Originating from a dorm-room startup, he built District, a CT-based tech campus, and guided startups to success. Now, Pete focuses on AI's societal impact, inspiring future entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Rick Meekins interviews Pete Sena about marketing and branding. Pete emphasizes the importance of differentiation in marketing and shares the ACT-MVE formula for effective marketing. He also discusses common mistakes and missteps in marketing and the need for companies to maintain a connection with their customers as they grow. The conversation highlights the significance of creativity, curiosity, and customer-centricity in successful marketing and branding strategies. Pete discusses the importance of design in creating a better experience for customers and employees. He emphasizes the role of culture in driving innovation and highlights the key factors of intrinsic motivation: purpose, autonomy, and mastery. Pete also explores the concept of internal marketing and the need for alignment between the internal and external narratives of a company. He shares examples of how small experiences and moments can have a significant impact on employee engagement and buy-in. Finally, he discusses the shift from ego-driven leadership to servant leadership and the importance of personal growth as a leader.

• Design plays a crucial role in creating a better experience for customers and employees.
• Culture is a key driver of innovation and success in organizations.
• Intrinsic motivation is fueled by purpose, autonomy, and mastery.
• Internal marketing is essential for aligning the internal and external narratives of a company.
• Small experiences and moments can have a significant impact on employee engagement and buy-in.
• Servant leadership focuses on serving the team and fostering a sense of community.
• Personal growth is an ongoing journey for leaders.

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 02:32 - Marketing Mastery
• 09:30 - Common Mistakes in Marketing
• 23:30 - Maintaining Customer Closeness
• 25:58 - Intrinsic Motivation: Purpose, Autonomy, Mastery
• 34:09 - Selling the Mission Internally
• 39:12 - Continuous Personal Growth in Leadership
• 43:27 - Servant Leadership

In this episode, Rick Meekins interviews Dave Robinson about the power of mindset and how it can positively impact leaders and their companies. Dave explains that our stories and beliefs shape our view of ourselves and the world, and that story work can help analyze and deconstruct these narratives. He discusses the importance of breath work in regulating our physiological state and how it can help us access the parasympathetic nervous system for healing and decision-making. Dave also shares examples of how story work has helped his client’s overcome trauma, improve their performance, and find clarity in their lives.

Takeaways

• Our stories and beliefs shape our view of ourselves and the world.
• Story work can help analyze and deconstruct these narratives.
• Breath work can regulate our physiological state and access the parasympathetic nervous system for healing and decision-making.
• Story work can help individuals overcome trauma, improve performance, and find clarity in their lives.

Chapters

• 00:00: Introduction and Overview
• 02:03: The Positive Impact of Story Work on Leaders
• 08:22: The Benefits and Misconceptions of Breath Work
• 12:46: The Integration of Breath Work and Story Work
• 21:24: Helping Leaders Find Clarity and Direction
• 25:40: A Client Example: Overcoming Emotional Distractions
• 29:13: The Volatility of Running a Company and the Importance of Mindset
• 31:29: The Ripple Effect of Positive Mindset and Story Work
• 38:54: Facing Fear and Creating a Positive Impact

Anand Narayan, founder of Kenobi Capital, shares his expertise on exit strategies for small business owners. He emphasizes the importance of being well-educated and prepared before selling a company, citing his own experience of making costly mistakes. Anand discusses the financial optimization of a business, including positioning revenue, reducing working capital requirements, and removing personal expenses from the books. He also highlights the significance of having efficient operations, such as a CRM system and automation. Anand provides valuable resources for business owners considering an exit, including an exit attractiveness scorecard and an exit readiness checklist.

Takeaways

• Be well-educated and prepared before selling your business to avoid costly mistakes.
• Optimize your finances by positioning revenue, reducing working capital requirements, and removing personal expenses from the books.
• Ensure efficient operations with a CRM system, automation, and a well-trained delivery team.
• Consider the difference between selling to a private equity firm and selling to another business owner.
• Take advantage of free resources, such as an exit attractiveness scorecard and an exit readiness checklist, to guide your exit strategy.

Chapters

• 00:00: Introduction and Background
• 05:14: Founder-Friendly Private Equity
• 09:49: Passion and Purpose in Helping Small Business Owners
• 11:17: Mistakes in the Exit Process
• 13:59: Financial Optimization for Higher Valuation
• 15:45: Operational Changes for a Smooth Transition
• 23:39: Operational Considerations for Buyers
• 27:52: Selling to a Private Equity Firm vs. Another Business Owner
• 29:45: Educating Yourself and Finding Trusted Advisors
• 36:20: Preparing for a Potential Sale

Ryan Holden, a Group CFO, shares his experience working with small and medium-sized businesses to help them navigate the challenges of growth. He discusses the challenges that founders and leaders face as their businesses grow. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the financial side of the business and how it relates to operations, sales, and HR. Ryan explains how he helps businesses navigate the transition from a small, focused operation to a more complex organization. He also highlights the value of having a clear financial picture and the role of a fractional CFO in providing insights and guidance. Ryan offers his expertise to businesses looking to optimize their financial systems and make informed decisions for growth.

Takeaways

• As businesses grow, they often face challenges in managing their finances and operations effectively.
• A fractional CFO can provide valuable insights and guidance to help businesses navigate the complexities of growth.
• Understanding the financial side of the business is crucial for making informed decisions and optimizing performance.
• Having a clear financial picture and implementing effective financial systems can help businesses identify and address pain points.
• Delegating financial responsibilities to a fractional CFO allows founders and leaders to focus on their core competencies and strategic growth.

Chapters

• 00:00: Introduction and Background
• 03:01: The Challenges of Business Growth
• 11:30: The Role of the Founder and Financial Understanding
• 26:16: Saying No and Laser Focus
• 37:47: The Importance of Financial Data

Erin Andrea Craske, a business and leadership success coach, discusses the importance of addressing the root causes of issues in business and leadership. She emphasizes the need for a mindful and holistic approach to building a business, focusing on strategy and long-term planning rather than immediate fixes. Erin also highlights the significance of self-concept and authenticity in leadership, advocating for leaders to lead from a place of acceptance. She explores the pillars of sustainability in business, including foundation, strategy, leadership, people, and implementation. In this conversation, Erin discusses the six pillars of profitable business: purpose, strategy, culture, contribution, personal growth, and meaning. She emphasizes the importance of giving employees the freedom to improve and contribute to the company's success. Erin also highlights the role of leadership in creating a meaningful and purpose-driven culture within the organization. She suggests that businesses should focus on fixing the root causes of issues rather than relying on perks and bonuses to address employee dissatisfaction. Erin offers her book on strategy as a resource for business improvement.

• Addressing the root causes of issues in business and leadership leads to more sustainable and effective solutions.
• A mindful and holistic approach to building a business is essential, focusing on strategy and long-term planning rather than immediate fixes.
• Leadership should come from a place of acceptance and authenticity, allowing for personal growth and the ability to inspire others.
• The pillars of sustainability in business include foundation, strategy, leadership, people, and implementation. Give employees the freedom to improve and contribute to the company's success.
• Leadership plays a crucial role in creating a meaningful and purpose-driven culture.
• Focus on fixing the root causes of issues rather than relying on perks and bonuses.
• Meaningful innovation goes beyond product development and includes how the company treats its clients.
• Use wise (why) statements to guide decision-making and action.
• Erin's book on strategy is a valuable resource for business improvement.

• 00:00 - Introduction and Background
• 06:30 - Leading with Acceptance and Authenticity
• 14:59 - The Pillars of Sustainability in Business
• 36:31- Using Wise Statements for Decision-Making

Kyle Gillette unravels the secrets to overcoming the invisible barriers that limit business leaders. Learn how mindset shifts, and effective self-awareness can transform overwhelmed business owners into dynamic leaders who not only achieve their business goals but also enhance their personal life. Kyle shares transformative strategies that ensure business owners can lead with confidence and foster environments where every team member thrives.

In this episode, host Rick Meekens interviews Kyle Gillette, a coach and mentor for business owners. They discuss topics such as mindset shifts, overcoming limiting beliefs, and the impact of leadership on personal and professional life. Kyle shares his journey of writing a book and developing a methodology to help overwhelmed business owners. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, accountability, growth mindset, and empowering others as pillars of effective leadership. The conversation highlights the significance of mindset in achieving success and the role of emotional intelligence in leadership. In this conversation, Kyle Gillette discusses his coaching program and how he helps business leaders overcome their limitations and achieve success. He shares a case study of a client who transformed her business and personal life through his coaching. Kyle also talks about his own journey and the importance of mentorship. He highlights the challenges he faced in building his coaching business and the lessons he learned from failures. Kyle's mission is to help business owners achieve success while maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life.

• Mindset plays a crucial role in achieving success in business and personal life.
• Limiting beliefs can hinder growth and success, but they can be overcome through self-awareness and mindset shifts.
• Reprogramming the mind and projecting success can help individuals achieve their goals.
• Effective leadership requires self-awareness, accountability, a growth mindset, and the ability to empower others. Kyle's coaching program focuses on developing self-awareness, accountability, and empowering the team.
• Transformation in leadership leads to growth in business.
• Mentorship and learning from failures are crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Building a coaching business requires resilience and the ability to adapt to challenges.

• 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome
• 01:50 - Kyle's Journey from Mentorship to Coaching
• 09:22 - The Process of Reprogramming Mindset for Success
• 14:04 - Focus on Christian Business Owners
• 17:20 - The B.L.U.E. Shirt Leadership Framework Explained
• 24:45 - Kyle's Personal Journey and the Influence of Mentorship
• 28:54 - Challenges in Building and Rebranding Blue Shirt Coaching
• 31:35 - Inspiration and Motivation Behind Kyle's Coaching
• 34:43 - How to Work with Kyle and His Programs

Navigating Startup Lifecycles - Lance Cottrell delves into the multifaceted journey of a startup, from the adrenaline-fueled inception to the strategic pivots required for growth. He offers a rich narrative that captures the essence of evolving from a technical founder to a visionary leader, the art of team and business development, and the critical moments that dictate a startup's direction. This episode is an invaluable compass for entrepreneurs at all stages, highlighting the resilience needed to navigate the startup lifecycle and the wisdom gained from embracing the full spectrum of a founder's role.

In this episode, Lance Cottrell, a former astrophysicist and founder of Anonymizer, shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenges he faced as a technical founder and the importance of learning on the job. Lance emphasizes the need for technical founders to transition into the role of CEO and delegate responsibilities to others. He also provides valuable advice for startup founders, including the importance of understanding customer needs and focusing on the business side of the company. Lance's experience as an angel investor and mentor has given him unique insights into the startup ecosystem, which he shares through his podcast, Feel the Boot.

• Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship requires a willingness to learn on the job and adapt to new challenges.
• Technical founders should focus on transitioning into the role of CEO and delegate responsibilities to others.
• Understanding customer needs and focusing on the business side of the company are crucial for startup success.
• Seeking advice and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs can provide valuable insights and guidance.

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 04:01 Turning Theoretical Knowledge into Practical Knowledge
• 06:18 Finding a Business Partner
• 11:43 Transitioning Roles and Handing Over Responsibilities
• 13:40 Transitioning from Founder to Advisor
• 15:40 Getting Involved in Angel Investing
• 21:50 Addressing Business Sense Gaps in Technical Founders
• 29:25 Transitioning from Technical Founder to CEO
• 32:05 Advice for Founders Who Prefer Technical Roles
• 38:02 Resources for Startup Advice