"You've been selling to the kitchen table, and you need to be selling to the board room." When the real estate market came to a grinding halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bobby, a seasoned real estate developer, faced unprecedented challenges. Listen to his raw and emotional recount of navigating through financial turmoil, making tough decisions like laying off a lot of his staff, and the immense weight of responsibility he felt for his employees and their families.

Bobby's story isn't just about a business struggle; it's a heartfelt journey of resilience and leadership in the face of adversity.

Key Takeaways:

• How COVID-19 took hotel occupancy from 80% to less than 10% and what Bobby did about it
• The best way to approach a "Black Swan" business catastrophe
• How do you build relationships with the right market segment of investors?
• Bobby needs to go BIG on selling to larger investors than he's ever sold to before

Despite exhausting initial investor funds, Bobby underscores the importance of maintaining momentum and refining strategies to attract private equity investors. He shares the significance of building a robust investor base and the challenges of transitioning from small to larger investors, all while staying true to mission-driven goals.

Get valuable insights on the delicate balance between mission and profit, the art of crafting a compelling elevator pitch, and the nuances of investor relations in this episode of THE FORGE.

Join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community

Connect with Anthony Witt: witthouse.com or anthonywitt.com
Anthony Witt is a professional licensed counselor and a business owner with a deep understanding of how entrepreneurship impacts personal health and those around them. Having bought, sold, and started multiple businesses, he has gained valuable
experience at the intersection of personal health and business. His belief that "a healthy business owner creates a healthy business" underscores his approach to helping entrepreneurs thrive.

Connect with Bret Barnhart:
Barnhartexcavating.com
Bret’s Calendar Link
Bret’s Linkedin
Bret Barnhart, Jr. is the fourth generation in his family to start his own excavation company. He began Bret Barnhart Excavating (BBE) in 2002 with $1,500, a single backhoe and truck, and a trailer. Since then, BBE has grown to an entire fleet of heavy machinery and trucks, averages just under 20 employees, and grosses $4mil annually. Being specialized, along with having a personal mentor and joining a mastermind, has helped shape not only Bret's company but also himself as well. Bret and his wife Crystal have been married for 16 years and have two children, Cole and Adelyn.

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/
What Do I Want Challenge: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/whatdoiwantchallenge

"Work to find the truth." Do you ever harbor bitterness or apathy toward your wife for not giving support in building your business? Is she often more afraid for the future when discussing business ventures?

Big A and Wally recount times in both their lives when their wives didn't want anything to do with the business–and how they got through those seasons. Big A confesses a frustrating disagreement with Robin that left him unable to focus on his business, while Wally explains how Sonia's last-minute stress before his travels affected his crucial client meetings.

We dig deep into how personal growth and faith journeys shape our experiences, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the unseen efforts of our spouses. Whether your partner is a homemaker or a career individual, their role is indispensable.

Key Takeaways:

• What happens when we don't prioritize our wife above our business
• Realistic conversations to have with your wife
• What your wife really wants from you when you're running a business
• The crucial role boundaries play for an entrepreneur's wife

Join us as we turn the tables and reveal how your marital strife may be the hidden culprit behind those off days at work. We underscore why cultivating a strong, supportive relationship at home could be the ultimate productivity hack for your business success.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/
The Climb Newsletter: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/climb
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

"If you’re facing financial problems, relationship problems, starting your business… what do you do to simplify your life?" Charlie Cichetti shares his transformative, chaotic journey from a tech start up to a successful business exit. How did he simplify his life from starting his business to selling it?

Key Takeaways:

• How do you get rid of the fear that if you don't follow the next fad, you'll lose your customers?
• How do you let go of opportunities when you're too busy to do everything?
• Charlie's crucial decisions that lead to starting a business in 2008 and then trying to sell it in 2023
• When is the right time to sell your business?

Charlie opens up about his battles with cash flow issues and toxic partnerships, sharing how mentors and the Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) community provided crucial support. He teaches us about resilience and the power of staying focused on our unique paths amidst FOMO.

Our discussion wraps up with insights into creating financial security, setting clear boundaries, and building a leadership team that shares your company's vision. Don't miss this episode filled with practical strategies for achieving entrepreneurial success and personal growth!

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Connect with Charlie Cichetti:
Green Building Matters Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-green-building-matters-podcast-with-charlie-cichetti/id1346854349
Charlie's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliecichetti/

Charlie advocates for LEED and the green building movement to thousands of people monthly as they tune in to listen to his weekly podcast, Green Building Matters. Charlie Cichetti is truly a green social entrepreneur who is motivated by elevating people and the industry to be the best they can be!

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/
The Climb Newsletter: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/climb
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

"It’s not too late going forward, just focus on what’s ahead of you, not what’s behind you." Guys think about four things: sex, finances, time, and relationships. We're skipping over sex today to discuss HOW to think about the other 3 on the list to become a successful man who adds significance and value to the world around him.

Hear firsthand how regular conversations and planning with your wife can reduce stress, foster harmony, and reveal unexpected opportunities for more time for what matters.

Key Takeaways:

• What turning to a vice will do for you
• What do we do with our anxieties?
• How to move forward from past mistakes
• How to manage your time well

We reflect on the early, challenging days of starting a business, and the powerful role of faith and community support. A heartwarming story of family prayer and an anonymous act of generosity highlights the importance of prioritizing relationships and time. We delve into strategies for balancing personal time, nurturing relationships, and achieving both success and significance. Tune in for actionable insights and join our ISI Iron Sharpens Iron community for ongoing support and engagement.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/
The Climb Newsletter: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/climb
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

Episode 50: Is a Sexless Marriage Really a Marriage?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/view-from-the-top/id1649249589?i=1000628482116

How can we effectively sift through well-meaning advice to find what truly aligns with God's will for us?

Through shared personal experiences, we highlight the necessity of being open and vulnerable to receive quality guidance. Your trainer at the gym might not need to be a believer to advise you on something, but should your trusted advisors be believers?

And what if you don't want advice at all and would rather just figure it out yourself?

Key Takeaways:

• Criteria for advisors vs. trusted advisors
• Should you take advice from nonbelievers?
• Do your core values really make sense for real life? Are you going to the right people to help keep you accountable?

This episode dives deep into the practicalities of seeking spiritual guidance, emphasizing reliance on God over mere human advice. But how do we know when our advisors are giving us biblical advice?

Join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community

Connect with Anthony Witt: witthouse.com or anthonywitt.com
Anthony Witt is a professional licensed counselor and a business owner with a deep understanding of how entrepreneurship impacts personal health and those around them. Having bought, sold, and started multiple businesses, he has gained valuable
experience at the intersection of personal health and business. His belief that "a healthy business owner creates a healthy business" underscores his approach to helping entrepreneurs thrive.

Connect with Bret Barnhart:
Barnhartexcavating.com
Bret’s Calendar Link
Bret’s Linkedin
Bret Barnhart, Jr. is the fourth generation in his family to start his own excavation company. He began Bret Barnhart Excavating (BBE) in 2002 with $1,500, a single backhoe and truck, and a trailer. Since then, BBE has grown to an entire fleet of heavy machinery and trucks, averages just under 20 employees, and grosses $4mil annually. Being specialized, along with having a personal mentor and joining a mastermind, has helped shape not only Bret's company but also himself as well. Bret and his wife Crystal have been married for 16 years and have two children, Cole and Adelyn.

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/
What Do I Want Challenge: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/whatdoiwantchallenge

"If I don’t have the right resources and the right people around me, I tend to start making decisions that are outside the scope of my knowledge base… that gets really risky."

There's always a chance you might get stuck, no matter where you are in your business. You can get stuck when you're starting off, you can get stuck with team members that just won't move the needle, and you can get stuck when you've arrived at the view from the top.

What do we do when we don't know what to do next? Big A and Wally both expose their own difficulties when trudging through unknown waters of their business and how they were able to keep moving forward.

Key Takeaways:

• 3 reasons you're stuck and how to get unstuck
• How do you deal with fear of failure? Could this be holding you back?
• What Harry Potter has to do with business
• How risk plays a part in moving forward with business decisions

This episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories to help you conquer your business growth challenges.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/
The Climb Newsletter: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/climb
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

"The numbers tell the story of where you've been, where you are, and where you wanna go.” How do you define "success" in your own life? Are you looking to break even, pay yourself, or reach that million dollar mark annually? Are these what truly defines "business success"? Defining success for yourself is key to building a business that works for you, your team, and your customers.

What if redefining success could completely transform your life? Learn the four benchmarks we created that define success for our lives on today's episode.

Key Takeaways:

• Don't get distracted by everything
• Is profitability the only benchmark to define success?
• How can you stay profitable?
• The two factors to customer satisfaction
  
  

Hear why knowing your numbers and having accountability partners can make or break your business, especially if you're a financial advisor or CPA. We emphasize the critical role of customer satisfaction and product quality, both of which directly influence your business's reputation and employee retention. By openly addressing financial issues and always striving for customer satisfaction, you'll build a solid foundation for long-term success.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group
Local Roundtable Events: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/isiroundtable

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/
The Climb Newsletter: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/climb
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

Optimist vs. Pessimist vs. Realist: the game is on. “You’re not going to change who you are at your core, but... you can train your brain to create new habits.” Are you an optimist, pessimist, or a realist? Why does this matter in business, and how can it help be a better leader?

You'll hear opposing viewpoints today as Big A and Wally discuss the differences and strengths of optimists, realists, and pessimists. Does one "win" over the other? We discuss the importance of blending different perspectives
—whether you're a galvanizer or deeply analytical—to make more informed and balanced decisions as a leader in business.

Key Takeaways:

• How to leverage the strengths and weaknesses you have
• How does stress play into your core leanings?
• Optimist vs. Pessimist vs. Realist.... is there a clear winner?
• Big A is an optimist, Wally is a realist–so it's going down on today's episode

Our conversation shifts gears as we dissect the balance between optimism, pessimism, and realism. We delve into how being analytical can sometimes be mistaken for pessimism and explore the strengths each outlook brings, particularly in professional and personal settings.

Whether you're fostering optimism in your family or balancing realism and positivity in your business, we offer actionable advice to create a supportive environment for your company culture. Join us for a deep dive into the power of perspective and the nuanced interplay between optimism and pessimism.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group
Local Roundtable Events: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/isiroundtable

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/
The Climb Newsletter: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/climb
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/