What if the biggest bottleneck in your business isn’t your strategy, your market, or even your team—but you? In this episode, we dive into the idea that true growth for entrepreneurs and small business owners starts from the inside out. High achievers often think scaling means doing more, but as Leila Lahbabi reveals, lasting success comes from personal development, conscious leadership, and aligning your business with who you are at your core.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why personal development is the secret ingredient to building a business that lasts

How high achievers often fall into burnout—and how to break the cycle

Why your business will never outgrow you (and what to do about it)

The balance between hustle, scaling, and actually enjoying your life as an entrepreneur

The “CLAP” methodology for leadership, teams, and scaling from the inside out

This one is packed with wisdom, stories, and practical strategies for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to build both profit and purpose.

👉 Connect with Leila:

LinkedIn: https://fr.linkedin.com/in/leilalahbabiimpactstrategy

Instagram: @leilalhb

Podcast: Billion Dollar Purpose

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leilalahbabi

Tax Services:

Squires Tax Planning is where we help high achievers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners pay the least amount of tax legally and ethically. My team and I have saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars through proactive strategies most tax preparers never bring up.

If you’re tired of just filing taxes and want to see what true tax planning looks like, head over to squirestaxplanning.com

. Take the free assessment to find out if you’re overpaying and book a discovery call with our team.

What if the secret to building wealth, health, and freedom wasn’t in a quick fix, but in compounding small decisions over time? Today’s episode will light a fire under every small business owner and entrepreneur who wants to grow their business and their life at the same time.

In this conversation, I sit down with Mike Milligan, founder of Ideas by Mike and 1.Oak Financial. Mike’s journey started at his grandmother’s dining room table, selling collared sandwiches at construction sites, and has grown into decades of helping entrepreneurs create purpose-driven wealth.

We dive into:

Mike’s personal health transformation—losing over 100 pounds by “planning his health like his money.”

The lessons he learned from his grandmother that shaped his entrepreneur mindset.

Why compounding small actions is the real way to grow your business and yourself.

The advantages and challenges of living and running a business in Puerto Rico (and the tax strategies behind it).

The critical difference between a tax preparer and a true tax planner.

Why entrepreneurs must pay themselves first and learn to own their business—instead of letting their business own them.

If you’re an entrepreneur chasing personal development while trying to grow your business, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical steps.

Connect with Mike:

– COMING SOON: his books The One-of-a-Kind Financial Plan and Retirement Déjà Vu

👉 Website: www.1oakfinancial.com

Follow Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemilligancfp/

Are you a small business owner tired of overpaying the IRS? Here’s the truth: most CPAs are historians—they file what already happened. But real money is saved through tax planning, not tax prep.

At Squires Tax Planning, we work with entrepreneurs and high-income earners to legally and ethically minimize taxes. We’ve saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars through strategies their previous preparer never mentioned.

✅ Take our free tax assessment at squirestaxplanning.com

to see if you’re likely overpaying.

✅ Book a free discovery call and find out how much tax you can save this year.

If this episode brought you value, do me a favor: rate, review, and share the podcast. That’s how we keep helping entrepreneurs become healthier, wealthier, and wiser. And connect with me on social media or at paydensquires.com

where I share daily tips on entrepreneurship and personal development.

Ever wonder why so many high achievers and entrepreneurs hit their goals yet still feel empty? That’s exactly what today’s guest, Grace Najean, is here to unpack.

Grace is a French-Korean leadership mentor, former Tony Robbins Master Coach, and founder of the Soulfluence Method. With over 5,000 hours coaching top leaders, she blends neuroscience, energy work, and spiritual wisdom to help ambitious small business owners and entrepreneurs transform achievement into true alignment and fulfillment.

We dive deep into:

Why so many high achievers fall into the “knowledge trap”

The concept of achievement fatigue and how to recognize it in your life

Moving from 3D (strategy, logic, grind) to 4D (awareness) to 5D (alignment + consciousness)

Practical steps entrepreneurs and small business owners can take to move out of survival mode and into alignment

How Grace rebuilt her life and energy by integrating body, mind, and consciousness

Grace doesn’t just teach this—she lives it. She’s helping leaders and entrepreneurs break free from the endless chase for external validation and step into a more powerful, authentic version of themselves.

👉 Connect with Grace: www.gracenajean.com

Follow her on Instagram: @gracenajean

If you’re a high achiever or small business owner, chances are you’re overpaying in taxes. Most people just have a tax preparer—but what you really need is a tax planner.

At Squires Tax Planning, we work alongside entrepreneurs and high-income earners to legally and ethically minimize taxes, often saving clients hundreds of thousands of dollars. Through proactive planning, we guarantee we’ll uncover multiple strategies your current preparer hasn’t told you about.

👉 Take our free assessment at squirestaxplanning.com

to see if you’re overpaying, and book your free discovery call today.

If this episode hit home, share it with a fellow entrepreneur or small business owner who could use a mindset shift. And don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to Behind Their Success so we can keep building this community of healthy, wealthy, and wise entrepreneurs.

Ever feel like you’re grinding in your business but not really growing it? Today’s episode is for you.

I sat down with Eric Brotman — Certified Financial Planner, CEO of BFG Financial Advisors, author, and host of Don’t Retire...Graduate! With over 25 years of experience helping entrepreneurs and families achieve financial freedom, Eric brings the kind of wisdom you can’t Google.

We talk about:

Why the first 5 years of entrepreneurship usually suck (and why that’s the entry fee).

How to work on your business, not just in it.

Playing to your strengths vs. fixing weaknesses — and why joy in your work matters more than money.

Redefining success: from survival → growth → impact.

The mindset shifts every entrepreneur needs for long-term business growth and personal development.

Eric’s story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial planning. Whether you’re just starting out, scaling your firm, or thinking about succession, you’ll walk away with practical insight and a renewed drive to keep building.

🎧 Tune in and hear why success isn’t just about wealth, it’s about creating freedom and impact — in business and in life.

Squires Tax Planning – Stop Overpaying the IRS

A quick reminder — most entrepreneurs aren’t working with a tax planner, they’re working with a tax preparer. There’s a huge difference.

At Squires Tax Planning, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs and high-income earners pay the least amount of income taxes legally possible. Our clients have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by implementing proactive strategies their old preparer never mentioned.

If you’re serious about business growth, personal development, and building long-term wealth, you need to be intentional about your tax plan.

👉 Take our free assessment at squirestaxplanning.com

to see if you’re overpaying. You can also book a free discovery call with our team to learn how strategic tax planning can accelerate your financial freedom.

Connect with Eric Brotman:

Podcast: Don’t Retire, Graduate

Book: Don’t Retire...Graduate!

Website: BFG Financial Advisors

👉 If you found this episode valuable, do me a huge favor: rate, review, and share the podcast. That’s the best way to help us reach more entrepreneurs who are chasing growth and personal development.

Follow me, Paden Squires, for more tips on entrepreneurship, business growth, and tax planning strategies:

Website: squirestaxplanning.com

Instagram / LinkedIn: @padensquires

Let’s keep building healthy, wealthy, and wise entrepreneurs.

What does it really take to walk away from the security of a steady career and step into the unknown world of entrepreneurship? In this episode of Behind Their Success, I sit down with David Sauers, co-founder and CEO of Royal Restrooms, to unpack his journey from local banker to national franchise builder.

David shares how one frustrating porta-potty experience with his daughters sparked the idea for a business that would disrupt an entire industry. We dive into the realities of leaving behind a safe job, the mindset shifts every small business owner must face, and how personal development becomes just as important as business growth.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or already running a business, David’s story is packed with lessons on resilience, family balance, and turning obstacles into opportunities.

We dive deep into:

-The origin story of Royal Restrooms and how frustration turned into innovation.

-What it really takes to leave behind the comfort of a paycheck to become a small business owner.

-Why failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the process of growth and personal development.

-The sacrifices, lessons, and mindset shifts required to build a company that lasts.

-Balancing family, business, and the constant challenges of entrepreneurship.

David’s journey is a perfect reminder that success often comes from being willing to take one more step when most people would quit.

👉 Where to connect with David:

Website: royalrestrooms.com

LinkedIn: Search David Sauers

Follow Royal Restrooms on all major social platforms

If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur tired of overpaying taxes, this is for you. I run Squires Tax Planning, where we help entrepreneurs and high-income earners save thousands through proactive tax strategies. Most accountants just file your taxes. We plan them—so you keep more of what you earn.

Take our free tax assessment and book a discovery call at 👉 squirestaxplanning.com

Avoiding mistakes is priceless. If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or high achiever chasing personal development and growth, this conversation is going to hit home.

I sat down with William Holsten—a seasoned entrepreneur, inventor, bestselling author, and the “Business Mistake Prevention Specialist.” With nearly 40 years in global marketing and innovation plus his own entrepreneurial ventures (including a patented carnival game that’s still around today), William has seen it all—the wins, the setbacks, and the costly mistakes.

We dive into:

The biggest preventable mistakes entrepreneurs make and how to spot them early

How to “goof proof” your business with William’s 10 practical tools

Why self-awareness might be the #1 superpower for small business owners

The underrated role of structure and planning in fueling creativity and long-term success

How reframing your perspective (like Charlie Munger’s “invert” principle) can save your business from disaster

This episode is full of small business tips and strategies you can put into practice today. If you’re serious about growth, scaling, and protecting your business from “uh oh” moments, you’ll want to take notes.

Connect with William Holsten

👉 Visit williamholsten.com

to grab his free $10,000 Mistake Checklist and learn more about his work helping entrepreneurs avoid costly blunders.

Let’s Talk Taxes

And hey—if you’re an entrepreneur or high-income earner, here’s the deal: most business owners are overpaying in taxes because they’ve got a tax preparer, not a tax planner. That’s where I come in. At Squires Tax Planning, we work alongside small business owners and high achievers to proactively plan, legally minimize taxes, and keep more of your hard-earned money.

👉 Take our free assessment at squirestaxplanning.com

to see if you’re leaving money on the table. From there, you can book a free discovery call with my team and me.

Final Note

If this episode helped you, please rate, review, and share the podcast. That’s the best way to help us reach more entrepreneurs and keep building a community of healthy, wealthy, and wise leaders.

After a near-fatal car accident, Alan came face to face with his own mortality—and it lit a fire that transformed his entire life. From abandonment issues to financial struggles, he turned his pain into purpose, building Next Level University, a top-ranked personal development podcast and thriving coaching business.

In this episode, Alan and I dive into:

How tragedy sparked his obsession with personal development

Why entrepreneurs and small business owners must master compounding habits to succeed

The mindset shift that took him from six figures in corporate to helping thousands of people reach their full potential

Why environment is everything—and how to create one that pulls you forward instead of dragging you back

The #1 meta-habit Alan swears by that keeps him and his clients growing every single day

This conversation is raw, real, and full of lessons that every entrepreneur needs to hear. If you’re chasing success but feel like something’s missing, Alan’s story will hit home.

👉 Connect with Alan directly on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook (he personally answers his DMs). Just search Alan Lazaros and you’ll find him. You can also check out Next Level University wherever you get your podcasts.

If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and share the show. That’s how we reach more entrepreneurs and small business owners who are hungry to grow into the best versions of themselves.

Follow me on social media or visit padensquires.com for more tips, resources, and behind-the-scenes content.

👉 Ready to find out if you’re overpaying taxes? Take our free tax assessment at squirestaxplanning.com. From there, you can also book a free discovery call with our team and see what it looks like to have a true tax planner in your corner.

It's our 100th EPISODE! Today we are talking about six lessons every Entrepreneur needs to hear after interviewing 100 entrepreneurs.

After sitting down with over a hundred risk-takers, game-changers, and trailblazers, I’ve pulled together my top six lessons that will completely shift the way you think about business.

If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner looking for real business tips that go beyond the Instagram fluff, this one’s for you.

In this milestone episode of Behind Their Success, I’m pulling back the curtain on the most powerful takeaways from our first 100 episodes—things I wish I knew when I was just starting out. We’re talking:

1️⃣ Think Bigger Than You Think is Possible – stop capping your dreams at your current abilities.

2️⃣ Build Systems, Not Just Skill – the real secret to scaling.

3️⃣ Purpose Over Profits – why alignment fuels longevity.

4️⃣ Become a Decision Maker, Not Just a Doer – escape the daily grind.

5️⃣ Embrace Continuous Learning & Humility – stay coachable to stay ahead.

6️⃣ Say Yes Early, Say No Later – the art of focus as you grow.

Whether you’re grinding from your living room or running a multi-million-dollar company, these lessons apply. And trust me—they’ve been tested by the best in the business.

💡 CALL TO ACTION:

If you’re tired of overpaying taxes and want a CPA who actually helps you strategically keep more of your money, head over to SquiresTaxPlanning.com. Take our free assessment, find out if you’re overpaying, and let’s put some money back in your pocket—legally and ethically.

📲 Follow me on Instagram @PadenSquires for more entrepreneur insights, small business tips, and behind-the-scenes of running a business.

🎧 Listen now and let’s make your next 100 moves count.

Ever feel like your small business or personal growth journey is one step forward, two steps back? Or maybe you’re stuck in that loop of self-doubt, playing small, and waiting for “someday” to arrive. Today’s episode will change that.

I’m sitting down with Martin Salama — certified life coach, entrepreneur, strategist, and creator of the Warrior’s Life Code. Martin went from losing everything in 2008 to building an abundant life and helping entrepreneurs crush their scarcity mindset. He’s sharing powerful personal development tips, mindset tools, and real stories that will help you go from worrier to warrior.

We dig into:

The difference between self-consciousness vs. self-awareness and why it’s the key to lasting confidence.

Martin’s “Stop–Think–Respond” method to rewire your reactions and lead with strength.

How small business owners can pivot faster than the big guys and use it as their competitive advantage.

Simple mindset tips to overcome scarcity thinking and start operating from abundance.

Why gratitude is the fastest way to shift your day and your results.

If you’ve been craving practical tools to level up your mindset and your business, this one’s a goldmine.

Where to find Martin:

👉 connectwithmartin.com – Book a conversation, grab his book Worrier to Warrior, and check out his coaching programs.

👉 YouTube – Search Martin Salama for his short, powerful mindset videos.

If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and share it. Let’s help more entrepreneurs get healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Follow me, Paden Squires:

🌐 padensquires.com

📱 Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn – @PadenSquires

Tired of Overpaying in Taxes?

Most entrepreneurs don’t have a tax planner—they have a tax preparer. That means they’re missing out on strategies that could save them thousands (sometimes hundreds of thousands). We work alongside small business owners and high-income earners to legally and proactively cut your tax bill.

We guarantee we’ll find multiple tax savings strategies your current preparer hasn’t told you about.

📅 Book your free strategy call today: padensquires.com

Everybody wants the big wins—but nobody talks about the boring part. The slow, unsexy grind. The daily reps. The posts nobody sees. The podcast episodes that only get 12 downloads. But that’s where the magic happens. That’s compounding—and it’s everything.

In this episode, I sit down with Portland startup, Rick Turoczy, and we dive into how showing up consistently in business, in relationships, and in content leads to explosive long-term growth.

Rick shares what it really takes to build strong entrepreneurial communities, how failure is just data, and why putting yourself out there—even when it’s rough—is the only way to break through.

Whether you’re a solo founder, small business owner, or just getting into personal development, this one hits deep. Rick drops straight wisdom on mindset, vulnerability, and why playing the long game—brick by brick—is what actually works.

What You’ll Learn:

Why community is a non-negotiable for entrepreneurs

The myth of the “overnight success” and what really goes down

How failure is just your First Attempt In Learning (F.A.I.L.)

Why personal development must precede business growth

How to start putting yourself out there—even if you suck at first

Connect with Rick:

Check out Rick’s work and writing on the Silicon Florist blog and learn more about the Portland Incubator Experiment (PIE). You’ll see exactly how he's shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the PNW.

👉 https://www.siliconflorist.com

🙌 Connect with Paden:

If you want high-level tax strategy that keeps more money in your pocket and helps scale your business:

📍 squirestaxplanning.com

🎯 Take the free tax savings assessment

📞 Book your free tax discovery call

Follow Paden on social for tips on entrepreneurship, money, and mindset:

📱 Instagram + LinkedIn: @PadenSquires

🌐 padensquires.com