This is a quick update from Matt on the Build Your Business Podcast. It's been a crazy but good year with lots happening—family moves, business growth, and plenty of irons in the fire. Because of that, we're taking a short break until the fall.

👉 Here's what you need to know:

• We'll be back this fall with brand new episodes.

• Please stay subscribed so you don't miss the announcement.

• In the meantime, dig into the archives—there's a ton of valuable content waiting for you.

Thank you for listening and for supporting this journey. We're proud of what's already been shared and can't wait to bring you even more when we return.

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX

Matt's Links

• Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en

Chris's Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/

Selling without the sleaze isn't just possible—it's the fastest way to build trust, win clients, and grow your business. In this episode of the Build Your Business Podcast, Matt and Chris Reynolds break down a founder-tested approach to sales that replaces pushy tactics with authentic problem-solving. You'll learn how to lead with trust, diagnose real client needs, and close deals without feeling "salesy."

If you're a founder, entrepreneur, or business owner, this episode will help you stop pitching, start solving, and build long-term client relationships. Whether you're selling a service, product, or software, selling without the sleaze can become your most powerful competitive advantage.

✅ What You'll Learn

• Why traditional sales tactics turn prospects off—and what to do instead

• How selling without the sleaze builds trust before you close

• The discovery call framework that gets to the root of a client's problems

• How to reduce friction in your closing process for higher conversions

• The "land and expand" approach to long-term client relationships

⏰ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & 2:40 a.m. founder life story 04:42 – Why bad sales tactics fail 12:02 – Your real job as a founder: solving problems 17:21 – How trust turns leads into long-term clients 23:02 – The discovery call done right 27:30 – Selling without the sleaze in practice 39:05 – Reducing friction from demo to close 45:36 – Playing the long game with clients 51:02 – Favorite sales thinkers and resources 57:26 – Final thoughts & closing

🔖 Hashtags #SellingWithoutTheSleaze #SalesTips #Entrepreneurship #BuildYourBusiness #BusinessGrowth #AuthenticSales #SmallBusinessTips #SalesWithoutPressure #BusinessPodcast #FounderLife

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX

Matt's Links

• Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en

Chris's Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/

Why core values matter for founders isn't just a philosophical question—it's a strategic necessity. In this episode of the Build Your Business Podcast, Matt and Chris Reynolds break down how your personal values shape your business, influence hiring, drive decision-making, and define company culture. You'll learn how to discover your real—not aspirational—core values, and how to use them as a compass for long-term success.

If you're a founder, entrepreneur, or business owner, this episode will help you lead with integrity, focus, and clarity—especially in chaotic or high-stakes situations. Whether you're just starting your company or leading a mature team, defining your core values is a must.

• Why core values matter for founders (and what happens if you skip them)

• How to identify your authentic values using practical, repeatable exercises

• Why core values beat goals when it comes to long-term success

• How to align your team around a values-driven culture

• How to use values as a filter for hiring, strategy, and leadership decisions

00:00 – Intro: From Fear to Freedom 01:10 – Why Core Values Aren't Just Posters 04:26 – The Standard Bearer: A Metaphor for Values 11:04 – Core Value Conflicts & Communication Expectations 17:48 – Listing Attributes: A Self-Awareness Exercise 26:57 – From Attributes to Core Values 34:05 – Use the Tools You Have: Nature, Nurture, & Personality 39:02 – Still Stuck? Try the Sticky Note Exercise 42:25 – Barbell Logic's Core Values: Growth, Connection, Consistency 48:18 – Prioritize Your Core Values for the Year 55:15 – Recap & Practical Implementation

#CoreValues #BuildYourBusiness #StartupLeadership #FounderAdvice #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessStrategy #TeamCulture #BusinessGrowth #MattReynolds #TurnKeyCoach

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX

Matt's Links

• Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en

Chris's Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/

In this episode of the Build Your Business Podcast, Matt and Chris Reynolds unpack what may be the most important skill for any entrepreneur: deep work for founders. They reveal how to build rituals that trigger flow, how to design your day around peak focus hours, and why eliminating distractions is the first step toward real freedom in your business. Whether you're running a growing team or just getting started, this episode delivers the tools to win back your time, focus your mind, and get high-leverage work done.

• Why deep work is foundational to entrepreneurial success

• The real cost of multitasking and how to stop doing it

• How to use the Pomodoro technique to build focus and test anxiety

• How to build daily rituals that activate a deep work mindset

• How to identify the "one thing" that moves your business forward

🧭 0:00 – Intro: From fear to freedom 📖 1:22 – Deep work for founders: Why time and attention matter most 👓 2:59 – Focus = success: Lessons from Warren Buffett & Bill Gates 📵 5:19 – The #1 source of distraction (and how to silence it) 🧠 7:02 – Multitasking is a myth: Here's what's really happening ⏱️ 15:51 – Pomodoro breakdown: Building focus in 25-minute blocks 📆 18:05 – Matt's and Chris's deep work routines 🧘 38:04 – Scheduled thinking time and finding "the one thing" 💡 50:54 – Wrap-up: Rituals, rhythms, and reclaiming your time 📚 53:19 – Recommended books for deep work mastery

#DeepWorkForFounders #ProductivityTips #EntrepreneurLife #PomodoroTechnique #FounderFocus #BusinessPodcast #TimeManagement #MattReynolds #ChrisReynolds #BuildYourBusiness

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX

Matt's Links

Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en

Chris's Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/

How do you lead your business when everything falls apart? In this episode of Build Your Business, Matt and Chris Reynolds share exactly how to handle business crisis—from late-night tech meltdowns and legal threats to complete operational shutdowns.

They dive into real-world examples of how founders can stay calm, lead with confidence, and rally their team when panic sets in. Whether you're facing a crash, lawsuit, or high-stakes customer emergency, this episode gives you a proven playbook for leading under pressure.

• How to handle business crisis without panic

• What "wartime CEO mode" looks like in real life

• How to build and lead a war room team

• Why staying calm is your most powerful leadership tool

• How to recover after a business emergency—and build team loyalty

0:00 – Intro: When Crap Hits the Fan in Business 1:04 – Real Business Emergencies We've Faced 2:04 – Leading Through Chaos Without Panic 4:55 – The Role of a Wartime CEO 7:32 – Business Meltdowns and Real-World Stories 13:01 – Turning Crisis Into Opportunity 14:28 – Avoiding Panic and Rallying Your Team 21:25 – How to Build a War Room 24:49 – Leadership Lessons from the Crisis 33:15 – What to Prioritize During Emergencies 36:03 – Emotional Leadership: Staying Calm Under Fire 42:56 – Course-Correcting During Chaos 44:53 – Celebrating Wins After Crisis Mode 49:19 – Postmortems, SOPs, and Lessons Learned 57:11 – Getting Back to Normal and Leading the Team 58:44 – Closing Thoughts & What's Next

#HowToHandleBusinessCrisis #WartimeCEO #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #FounderLife #BusinessPodcast #CrisisManagement #StartupTips #BuildYourBusiness

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX Matt's Links Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en Chris's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/

If your business feels like it's running you—rather than the other way around—this episode is your roadmap out of chaos. Matt and Chris Reynolds break down why systems and SOPs (standard operating procedures) are the foundation of any successful, scalable business. You'll learn how to start with simple wins, avoid common delegation mistakes, and build living systems that adapt and grow with your company. Whether you're a solo founder or leading a growing team, this episode gives you practical tools and mindset shifts to build a business that runs without you—without sacrificing quality or culture.

• Why systems and SOPs are essential for sustainable growth

• How to delegate without losing quality or control

• The biggest mistakes founders make when building processes

• Why you should never automate before you validate

• How to reclaim your time using the "profit first for founders" approach

• 0:00 – Introduction: Chaos, SOPs & Super Bowl weekend

• 1:20 – Strategy vs. Execution: From game plan to playbook

• 2:45 – What's a system? IKEA manuals, recipes & checklists

• 5:00 – Founder fallacies: "No one can do it better than me"

• 9:00 – Essential books: E-Myth, Buy Back Your Time, High Output Management

• 13:00 – Start with the easiest wins

• 17:00 – Mapping the client lifecycle

• 25:00 – 3 company goals for 2025

• 31:00 – Manual first, automation later

• 37:00 – Building great executive teams

• 42:00 – Loom videos, AI transcripts & empowering team ownership

• 46:00 – Wrapping up: SOPs as a path to freedom

#BuildYourBusiness #BusinessSystems #SOPs #Entrepreneurship #ProfitFirst #FounderTips #BusinessGrowth #BuyBackYourTime #SmallBusinessSuccess

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX Matt's Links Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en Chris's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/

Discover how to apply Profit First for Founders and finally gain control over your business finances. In this episode of the Build Your Business Podcast, Matt and Chris Reynolds walk you through the exact strategies they've used to move from cash burn to consistent profit—including financial dashboards, lean budgeting, and tactical cost-cutting.

Whether you're bootstrapping or scaling, this episode gives you an actionable framework to take the stress out of money management and create a business that pays you first. You'll learn how to reduce fat, stop overspending, and grow your business profitably—starting today.

• Why traditional accounting sets founders up for failure

• How to implement the Profit First for Founders system

• The power of sub-accounts and percentage-based allocations

• Tactics to cut expenses without hurting your business

• What to do if your business is already in a cash burn

• How to create calm and clarity with weekly financial check-ins

00:00 – Intro & Christmas Reflections 01:03 – Bootstrapping Recap & 2025 Budgeting 01:52 – Why You Must Know Your Numbers 03:09 – Dashboards and Decision-Making 06:04 – Business Accounting 101: Revenue to Net Profit 10:03 – Gross Margin Red Flags and How to Spot Them 12:00 – Why Traditional Accounting Fails Founders 14:49 – Profit First for Founders: Overview and Setup 17:14 – Bank Accounts, Sub-Accounts, and Cash Flow 25:35 – Increasing Profit Percentages Over Time 32:05 – How to Get Lean Without Sacrificing Quality 34:00 – Cost-Cutting Tactics: COGS, Payroll, Opex 40:49 – Negotiating Costs (Without Burning Relationships) 45:32 – The Power of Opex Control 48:10 – Home Office Deductions and Separation of Finances 52:19 – Working from Home and Tax Advantages 54:04 – Using Contractors vs Employees 56:02 – Horror Story: DIY Taxes Gone Wrong 56:49 – Using QuickBooks and Weekly Reviews 59:59 – From Burn to Profit: How They Cut $750K 1:03:00 – Why Profit First Gives You Options 1:04:48 – Ending the Year Strong with Financial Clarity 1:06:14 – The Power of Taking Action Now

#ProfitFirstForFounders #BusinessFinance #SmallBusinessTips #Entrepreneurship #StartupFinance #GetLean #ProfitFirst #FinancialFreedom #FounderTips

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX Matt's Links Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en Chris's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/

Struggling to get more clients? This episode of the Build Your Business Podcast shows you how using content to build trust and win clients is the most scalable, low-cost marketing strategy for entrepreneurs. Matt and Chris Reynolds break down why your founder story matters more than your brand, and how authenticity, vulnerability, and consistency drive conversions—especially for service-based businesses.

Learn how to create high-impact content (even if you're scared to post), which platforms to prioritize (B2B vs. B2C), and how to make the ask without sounding salesy. Whether you're just starting out or trying to grow, this is your roadmap to building real trust that turns into real clients.

• Why people follow founders, not brands

• How to tell your story in a way that builds connection

• Which social platforms are right for your business type

• How to generate endless content from real-life experiences

• When and how to ask for the sale without being pushy

00:00 – Intro: Why Founders Matter More Than Brands 01:53 – The Founder Brand Concept Explained 06:53 – Vulnerability and Storytelling Build Trust 13:30 – B2B vs. B2C: Platform Strategy 20:00 – How to Create Consistent, Relevant Content 26:00 – Content → Trust → Clients 31:55 – Repel the Wrong Clients 36:00 – Long-Form → Short-Form → Conversion Funnel 39:00 – Make the Ask: How & When to Sell

#FounderBrand #ContentMarketing #BuildTrustWinClients #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessPodcast #MarketingStrategy #ClientAcquisition #MattReynolds #ChrisReynolds #BuildYourBusiness

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX Matt's Links Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en Chris's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/

Are you ignoring churn in your business? You might be losing more than you realize.

In this episode of the Build Your Business podcast, Matt and Chris Reynolds reveal how churn is the silent killer of growth—especially in service-based and fitness businesses. They share actionable strategies to improve client retention, reduce drop-off, and turn satisfied customers into loyal advocates. If you're tired of constantly hustling for new leads, this episode will help you build a stronger, more sustainable foundation by mastering client experience and tracking what really matters.

• Why churn is more dangerous than a lack of leads

• The real cost of losing existing clients

• Simple ways to reduce churn and boost retention

• Why over-serving beats overselling

• How to play the long game in business

• 00:00 – Welcome & Weather Banter

• 04:59 – Understanding Churn in Business

• 11:46 – The Power of Client Retention

• 17:50 – Proven Strategies to Reduce Churn

• 25:53 – How Service Quality Impacts Retention

• 32:31 – Fixing Product-Market Fit via Churn Signals

• 38:01 – The Long Game: Outlasting the Competition

#Churn #ClientRetention #BusinessGrowth #FitnessBusiness #EntrepreneurTips #SmallBusinessStrategy #CustomerExperience #MarketingStrategy #TurnKeyCoach #BuildYourBusiness

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX Matt's Links Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en Chris's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/

Customer focus isn't just a buzzword—it's the foundation of long-term business growth. In this episode of the Build Your Business podcast, Matt and Chris Reynolds share real-life stories—from a sudden family relocation to a dangerous carbon monoxide scare—that highlight why putting people first pays off in the business world.

Learn how to build trust, create loyal customers, and outmaneuver bigger competitors by focusing on what matters most: service, relationships, and doing the right thing. Whether you're a startup founder, small business owner, or service-based entrepreneur, this episode will show you why customer focus is your most powerful advantage.

• Why customer focus leads to long-term success

• How personal stories can reshape your business values

• The role of trust in setting small businesses apart

• Why empathy and authenticity are your strongest business assets

• How to create loyal customers without massive marketing

00:00 – Introduction & personal updates 21:01 – The importance of customer focus 25:29 – Great customer service as a differentiator 30:29 – Building trust through care & expertise 35:27 – Doing the right thing—even when it's hard 40:11 – Small business advantage 52:00 – Empathy, authenticity & long-term value

#CustomerFocus #SmallBusinessGrowth #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BuildYourBusiness #EmpathyInBusiness #BusinessLeadership #TrustInBusiness #DoTheRightThing #CustomerExperience #BusinessEthics

PS - Coach Smarter, Earn More: https://bit.ly/3X4ixOX Matt's Links Website: https://ryanmattreynolds.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reynoldsstrong/?hl=en Chris's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismreynolds/