In this episode of the Entrepreneurs United Podcast, hosts John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann sit down with Lee Benson, a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple high-value company exits. Lee dives into the concept of acting like the CEO of your own role and introduces his 'Mind Management System,' a groundbreaking approach to aligning every team member toward value creation.

Lee shares:

• Why execution is more important than strategy
  

• How to define your most important number across teams
  

• The leadership traits that matter most for scaling
  

• How to build a culture of productive engagement
  

• What readiness for growth really means
  

Whether you're scaling up or recalibrating your business, this episode provides invaluable insights into creating lasting value for your organization, your employees, and your customers.

Tune in to discover how to elevate your company’s value and foster a culture where everyone contributes like an owner.

Timestamps 00:00 The CEO Mindset: Owning Your Role 00:27 Introduction to Lee Benson and Execute to Win 01:05 The Importance of Execution in Business 01:42 Diving into 'Your Most Important Number' 02:22 Creating Value Holistically 03:35 The Mind Management System 05:02 The Role of Leadership in Value Creation 07:00 Designing Roles for Productive Engagement 09:09 Setting Up a Business for Success 21:21 The Value Creation Flow Structure 25:28 Traits of Effective Leadership 26:52 Readiness for Growth 28:47 Engaging Employees in Value Creation 39:06 Final Thoughts and Resources 42:22 Driving Productive Engagement and Value Creation 43:04 The Mind Management System: A 50-Year Success Story 44:27 Creating Value Across Different Business Functions 45:56 The Importance of Productive Engagement 48:27 Setting Up a New Company for Success 49:26 The Role of Management Operating Systems 51:20 Aligning Teams to Create Value 01:01:52 Leadership Traits and Readiness for Growth 01:17:04 The Fair Exchange of Value in Employment

Connect with Lee Benson Website: https://www.etw.com/leadership-value-lab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/execute-to-win

#Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Execution #ValueCreation #StartupStrategy

EP 263: Where SMBs Should Really Start with AI w/ Dan Goodstein

AI is changing everything—but where should small and medium-sized businesses begin?

In this episode, Dan Goodstein (President of IRPA AI and founder of TheBusinessTherapist.org) joins us to break down how entrepreneurs can leverage AI for real results. From automating sales and marketing to optimizing operations and productivity, Dan shares what’s working now and where to focus your energy.

You’ll learn:

• Why AI is a massive opportunity for SMBs

• The best place to start (hint: it’s not operations)

• How to avoid “shiny object syndrome” with AI tools

• The 7 business blind spots most entrepreneurs miss

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or ready to lead with AI, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you scale smarter.

🎧 Tune in and learn how to future-proof your business.

Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielgoodstein/

Website: https://dangoodstein.com/businesstherapist/

Mastering Sales & Scaling Revenue with James Donovan

What do door-to-door sales in Australia and high-ticket deals for CPAs have in common? James Donovan.

In this episode, James shares how he went from knocking on doors to building a company that delivers high-margin clients to fractional CFOs and accountants. We dive into his approach to lead generation, sales process optimization, and how he handles objections like "the leads are bad" by owning the entire sales funnel—from click to close.

You'll learn:

• Why persistence beats talent in sales

• How to qualify clients before they qualify you

• The power of niching down and systematizing growth

• Why James is planning to buy an accounting firm (despite hating accounting in school)
  

Whether you're scaling a service business, running B2B sales, or just looking to sharpen your revenue strategy, this episode is full of actionable gems.

🎧 Tune in and take notes https://entrepreneursunited.us/links/.

#EntrepreneursUnited #B2BSales #FractionalCFO #SalesStrategy #LeadGeneration #RevenueGrowth

How do you build wealth that lasts beyond you?

In this episode of the Entrepreneurs United Podcast, hedge fund veteran and North Carolina winery owner Jay Raffaldini joins John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann to share powerful lessons on entrepreneurship, adaptability, and multigenerational wealth.

Jay unpacks why most family wealth disappears by the third generation, how to structure businesses so they cannot be sold off too easily, and what it really takes to preserve both money and legacy. From Wall Street trading floors to vineyards, he reveals strategies for risk management, perseverance, and teaching future generations the value of ownership and work.

Whether you are scaling your business, thinking about your family’s future, or simply looking for entrepreneurial wisdom from someone who has lived it, this episode is full of insights you can put into action today.

This week, we’re joined by Jake “The Wizard” Tlapek, CGO of Finch and no-fluff marketing strategist helping entrepreneurs turn confusion into clarity and clarity into growth.

In this high-impact conversation, Jake breaks down:

• Why 99% of businesses are ignoring the biggest free marketing opportunity

• The "One Strategy, One Offer, One Channel, One Year" framework

• How to fire yourself from day-to-day tasks and scale with focus

• The most common misstep even great founders make

• When (and why) to work with an agency vs. building in-house
  

Whether you're stuck in the weeds or scaling fast, Jake shares how to build systems that rank, convert, and grow without guessing your way through marketing.

🔥 Bonus: Hear how Jake mapped a 100-person org chart when his agency had just 2 people and used it to break through growth walls on the way to 50+ employees.

🧠 Key Takeaway: You don’t need more ideas. You need to simplify, stay consistent, and build with purpose.

📲 Follow Jake the Wizard:

Website: thewizard.marketing

Agency: finch.com

TikTok & IG: @thewizardmarketing

X (Twitter): @JakeTtheWizard

🎧 Like this episode? Follow Entrepreneurs United for more real talk with founders, operators, and builders turning vision into execution.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurs United Podcast, hosts John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann break down the Transition Curve every business owner experiences. From the rush of uninformed optimism to the low point of crisis of meaning, they explain how to recognize if you are facing a temporary challenge or a sign it is time for a major change.

You will learn:

• How to push through tough times with patient ambition

• Why you should pause before making big business decisions

• How to identify burnout versus true business misalignment

• Ways to coach your team through their own highs and lows

• The importance of long-term perspective for steady growth
  

Whether you are in your first year or your twentieth, understanding the transition curve can help you make better decisions, manage emotions, and lead your team with confidence.

00:00 Introduction to the Entrepreneurs United Podcast

00:06 Understanding the Transition Curve

00:55 Navigating the Crisis of Meaning

01:44 The Importance of Perseverance

04:16 Coaching Through Challenges

11:33 The Role of Patience and Procrastination

13:56 Balancing Business and Personal Life

15:47 Long-Term Perspective in Business

21:31 Communicating the Transition Curve to Employees

23:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with John on LinkedIn

Connect with Rich on LinkedIn

In this powerful episode of the Entrepreneurs United podcast, executive coach and author David Ian Wood (Get Paid For Who You Are) unpacks the mindset shifts and practical tools entrepreneurs need to escape overwhelm and operate like true CEOs.

David introduces the concept of our three internal personas—the Worker, the CEO, and the Creative—and explains how most leaders stay stuck in reactive mode instead of making strategic, high-impact decisions. You’ll also hear how his revolutionary Whisper.coach AI app delivers real-time feedback on calls, helping you become a better leader, communicator, and coach—without distractions.

Plus, David dives into the Pomodoro technique, the difference between time boxing and time blocking, and his transformational model of leading with humility and dignity. He even shares insights from his unexpected venture into pickleball coaching, showing how passion and business can mix in surprising ways.

Whether you're looking to 4X your productivity, improve your leadership presence, or leverage AI for growth, this episode delivers actionable insights and fresh thinking for ambitious entrepreneurs.

Timestamps: 00:00 Multiple personalities: Worker, CEO, Creative 01:37 David's AI venture: Whisper Coach 06:13 The future of coaching & therapy with AI 11:45 The 4X productivity formula 22:04 Redefining confidence through humility 27:31 Humility vs. dignity in leadership 32:13 Building a business from pickleball 34:50 Daily focus using the Pomodoro technique 37:47 Free tools & final takeaways

Listen now to unlock your inner CEO and lead your business with clarity and focus. #EntrepreneursUnited #FocusCEO #WhisperCoach #ProductivityHacks #LeadershipDevelopment

What if your health is your greatest business strategy?

In this powerful episode, former NFL player and founder of Agentis Longevity, Jimmy St. Louis, shares how elite entrepreneurs can optimize their performance by thinking more like athletes. From personalized diagnostics to values-based living, Jimmy offers a clear roadmap to help you live longer and lead better.

If you're ready to move beyond “sick care” and start taking proactive control of your health and energy, this conversation is a must-listen.

Timestamps & Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Blue Zones and Longevity

00:47 Meet Jimmy St. Louis from AGENTIST Longevity

01:57 Jimmy's Journey: From Athlete to Longevity Advocate

04:10 The Need for Proactive Healthcare

05:49 Bridging the Gap: Knowledge to Action

09:35 Comparing Athletes and Entrepreneurs

13:35 The Importance of Values and Routine

23:15 Father-Daughter Retreat Experience

25:09 Understanding AGENTIST Longevity

29:31 Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

Subscribe to the Entrepreneurs United Podcast:

https://entrepreneursunited.us/links/

📩 Connect with Jimmy St. Louis & Agentis Longevity: 🌐 Website: https://www.agentishealth.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmystlouis/

In this episode of Entrepreneurs United, hosts John St.Pierre and Rich Hoffmann sit down with Vince Perri, an entrepreneur, business broker, and certified exit planning advisor. Discover why preparing for an exit is a smart move for every business owner, and how building a well-oiled machine can give you ultimate freedom, whether you decide to sell or keep your business.

You’ll learn:

• The most important mindset shift for long-term wealth

• Vince’s unique “Four Cs” framework to scale, systemize, and boost company value

• How to leverage AI for SOPs and leadership training

• Why your personal wealth goals should guide your business decisions

• How to avoid common hiring mistakes as you grow

You will also get tips on the “models method” for better communication, plus hear real stories from Vince’s own journey scaling and exiting companies.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Entrepreneurs United, leave us a rating, and share your favorite takeaway. For more strategies and expert insights on building, scaling, and exiting your business, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Connect with Vince Perri:
Instagram: @vinceperriofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinceperriofficial/
Website: vinceperri.com

#BusinessExit #Entrepreneurship #ScaleYourBusiness #SOPs #AIForBusiness

In this episode of the Entrepreneurs United Podcast, hosts John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann explore the crucial role of quarterly offsite meetings in building successful businesses. They discuss the benefits of stepping away from the day-to-day operations to reassess core values, set strategic goals, and develop vulnerability-based trust within teams. The conversation highlights the differences between the EOS and The Advantage frameworks, effective meeting structures, and practical advice for implementing impactful offsite sessions. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, this episode offers valuable insights into fostering better communication, stronger teamwork, and sustained business growth. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion that could transform how you manage your team!

00:00 Introduction to the Entrepreneurs United Podcast

00:07 The Importance of Quarterly Offsites

01:34 Comparing Traction and The Advantage

05:26 Challenges and Benefits of Offsites

10:01 How to Start Your Own Quarterly Offsite

15:22 The ROI of Offsites

20:36 Effective Meetings and Organizational Health

23:00 Conclusion and Call to Action