Heather and Sabine are joined by guests Jim LaPinska, Mark Pancratz, and Tyler Pavlis for an enriching discussion on developing a business owner mindset. The episode covers vital topics such as: Understanding Business Ownership, Vision and Purpose, Long-Term Commitment, Selective Listening, and Work-Life Balancing.
Listen in to gain insights on setting high standards, financial management, and the importance of personalized coaching. The guests share their experiences in coaching, recruitment, and achieving success in the financial industry.
Don't miss practical strategies to balance aggressiveness with patience, maintain flexibility, and set clear priorities for long-term success.
Episode Highlights:
06:46 - I think the first business owner mindset is to have vision. And I'll say that and people hear it, and then they'll go to try it, and it's hard. Like, it's not obvious. So pursuing a vision, creating a vision, which really dovetails into understanding your why and purpose, a lot of people have heard that in some form or fashion.
10:12 - Have different skill sets that are better or different than yours. I think why our business works well between Jim and Tyler and myself is because we are all different, and we trust each other with our own specific skills that are unique, that then rise the business to higher levels than if I was just trying to do it by myself. And so a lot of business owners have to humble themselves to build a team to create a more successful business that goes beyond just their own capabilities.
35:15 - It goes back to relying on each other's strengths, trusting each other. I don't have to worry whether this person is going to be a good candidate or not. But what we have done that's helped is in this era of recruiting, we've got to get people through the process faster, and we kind of got to make offers faster. And so we'll make an offer, but there are expectations that need to be met after that offer for it to continue.
Contact
Heather Price Consulting
Tyler Pavlis
Tyler Pavlis, current Director of Operations at Northwestern Mutual – Knoxville.
Tyler was born in Knoxville, TN and today lives just 4 blocks from his birth house in a home that he bought from a childhood friend. He never went far from his community having grown up in Knoxville and staying in Knoxville, except for the few years he attended Tennessee Tech University. Graduating at the height of the financial crisis in 2008, he took a position at a staffing firm where he stayed for over 10 years.
Tyler grew up a big sports fan and participant playing basketball, football, baseball, boxing, and track. Knowing early in life that the Olympics nor professional sports were in his future, he wanted to find a way to be close to sports out of college. While working as a recruiter at the staffing firm, he initially served as a track coach for a middle school and a basketball coach for an inner city non-profit for about 4 years.
Wanting more out of the sports industry, he had the opportunity in 2012 to join a start up adult sports club business that eventually was renamed and co-founded by Tyler named Everplay Sport & Social Club. Serving as its Managing Director and starting in the Knoxville-area originally, Everplay grew to nearly 13,000 annual participants and almost 80 part and full-time employees across 8 states at its peak. Tyler sold this business, location by location, to multiple employees throughout the network between 2020 and 2022 after a 10-year run in the business. Through this business, he met a player named Jim LaPinska, current Managing Director of Northwestern Mutual-Knoxville, who later became a friend, advisor, and community partner.
In November 2022, after many years of talking about teaming up with Jim LaPinska in some compacity, Tyler joined Northwestern Mutual Knoxville as its Director of Operations. Before joining, he helped his wife start a Thai-themed food truck and catering business that was very popular in the area.
In addition to his role at NM-Knoxville, and staying true to his own entrepreneurship, Tyler also owns 2 real estate LLC’s that manages multiple properties.
When he’s not playing Director of Ops or entrepreneur, he plays Dad to his two kids, Mikey and Mali, and husband to his wife, Arisa. He also enjoys his longstanding Peloton workout streak of nearly 250 days in a row, being a swim dad, and serving on multiple boards in the Knoxville-area.
Mark Pancratz
As a former University of Tennessee Assistant Coach and now a Founding Partner of Axiom Wealth Management, Mark Pancratz knows the value of developing and connecting leaders.
During his seven years with Coach Bruce Pearl at UT, Mark worked specifically in player development and scouting. His ability to coach talent and enhance skills while thinking strategically set him up to shift his focus to growing a multi-million dollar financial planning service.
Mark also serves as one of the top youth basketball coaches in Knoxville. Building the next generation of leaders while equipping them to not lose themselves in a game sets him apart from many coaches. Through coaching and leading his business, Mark has had the privilege to work with other high impact leaders, coaches and teams to grow their faith, health and wealth.
Find out more about Mark through his monthly newsletter, The Starting Five at markpancratz.substack.com.
Jim LaPinska
Jim LaPinska started his career at Northwestern Mutual in the fall of 2008, right before the market crashed. He was able to experience and observe what good planning and poor planning looked like in one the worst economic markets in history. With Axiom Wealth Management, Jim leads a team that specializes in financial planning for physicians, business executives, and community leaders.
Jim graduated from Maryville College where he was a standout academic scholar and football player. He was named to the ESPN All-Academic Team and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Organization with a Minor in Economics.
Jim has built a comprehensive financial planning practice in Knoxville, TN over the last 16 years. He has consistently been named among the top wealth management advisors in Northwestern Mutual’s Southern Region. Most recently, Jim was named for the second year in a row to Forbes Top Best-In-State Financial Security Professionals Ranking, one of only eight Advisors in Tennessee.
Jim has spent a lifetime mastering the art of financial security, ensuring families can protect and enjoy what matters most. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for personalized planning, Jim guides families and business owners toward achieving their ultimate dreams. Whether it's sailing across the globe or basking in the sun with a margarita in hand, Jim's expertise turns aspirations into reality, providing peace of mind and a future of limitless possibilities.
Jim has completed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, CLU®, ChFC®, and WMCP® designations. He holds the Series 7, 6, 65, and 63 securities registrations, as well as the life/health, long-term care, and variable insurance licenses in 25+ states.
Jim understands the value of community engagement and is involved with multiple organizations, including the United Way Board (Treasurer), Young Leaders' Society, and founding member of the 1922 Society (2013-Present), Metro Drug Coalition Board ( Past President 2015-Present), 2022 UT Chancellor’s Associates class, Young Professionals of Knoxville (Past President 2010-2015), Dogwood Arts Festival former Board member and Finance Committee (2012-2016), Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Man of the Year 2013, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Knoxville (December 2011), Executive Committee to the Board of Governors-Club LeConte (2013), Children’s Hospital Fantasy of Trees Corporate Sponsor, and Knoxville Ice Bears Corporate Sponsor.
Jim and his wife Cheryl reside in Knoxville with his daughter and two stepdaughters. On their weekends you may see them at the UT Football game, eating at their favorite restaurants or enjoying all the outdoor activities our area has to offer.
