What if your path to financial freedom wasn’t through Wall Street—but through oil wells, real estate, and smart private equity?

This week, Gary Heldt welcomes Bryan Hancock, Founder of Integrity Development and Texas Freedom Fund, to share how he built a career turning real estate and alternative assets into long-term wealth. From developing 50+ urban infill projects in Austin to structuring private equity funds that generate both income and tax advantages, Bryan reveals the investment strategies that protect capital while growing it.

He opens up about lessons learned through market cycles, how to properly vet alternative investments, and why financial freedom starts with a clear life vision—not just returns. If you’ve ever wondered how high-net-worth investors combine real estate, oil and gas, and private equity into one powerful strategy, this conversation is your blueprint.

5 Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Diversification beyond the stock market – Bryan explains why alternative investments like real estate and energy assets are vital for wealth protection and tax efficiency.
2️⃣ Understanding risk – Every deal carries risk, but smart investors minimize exposure by doing due diligence and partnering with experienced operators.
3️⃣ Tax benefits of energy investing – Learn how intangible drilling costs (IDCs) can offer near-dollar-for-dollar deductions against active income.
4️⃣ Relationship-driven investing – The best deals grow from trust. Bryan shares why starting small and scaling up with trusted partners matters.
5️⃣ Designing your legacy – Financial conversations should begin with your life goals—then build your wealth plan around the future you want.

Quote from Bryan:
“Financial conversations should start with your life conversation—what life are you trying to design?”  

Guest Information: Bryan Hancock
Founder, Integrity Development | Co-Founder, Texas Freedom Fund
📍 Austin, Texas
💼 Expertise: Real Estate Development, Capital Syndication, Private Equity, Alternative Investments
🎓 MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship, Texas Christian University
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: 

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What happens when legal strategy meets human understanding?

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Barry Goldwater sits down with Lisa M. Cukier, Partner at Rubin Rudman LLP, to explore how empathy and expertise intersect in the world of family law, trust and estate matters, and fiduciary services.

Lisa shares how her concierge-level approach helps families and individuals manage life’s most sensitive transitions — from complex divorces and guardianships to multigenerational estate planning and wealth preservation. As both a strategist and advocate, she guides high-net-worth clients, fiduciaries, and family offices through deeply personal legal matters with discretion, insight, and heart.

Through decades of experience, Lisa has developed a unique blend of legal mastery and emotional intelligence — using creativity, collaboration, and compassion to help clients protect what matters most. Her approach reminds us that even in high-stakes law, humanity and clarity can lead the way.

💡 Key Takeaways
→ Why empathy is a strategic advantage in family and wealth law
 → How to protect clients’ interests in emotionally charged cases
 → Lessons from leadership and teamwork inside a major law firm
 → What “concierge-level” fiduciary service really looks like
 → How creativity and compassion can solve problems beyond the law

“When I meet with a client, I’m absorbing and intuiting — but I’m also plotting a path forward. The law gives me parameters, but real solutions come from creativity and compassion.” – Lisa M. Cukier
🎙️ Hosted by Barry Goldwater for Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth
Learn more about Lisa M. Cukier and her work at Rubin Rudman LLP:
👉 https://www.rubinrudman.com/attorney/lisa-m-cukier/

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Are you building wealth — or just hoping it lasts?

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt speaks with Katherine M. Sheehan, Managing Director and Wealth Strategist at Crestwood Advisors, about how smart planning protects both your business and your legacy.
Katherine breaks down what every entrepreneur should know about estate and succession planning — from powers of attorney to corporate recordkeeping — and explains how the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) provision can help business owners exclude up to $10 million in gains when selling their company.
You’ll learn how to avoid costly mistakes, when to bring in specialized advisors, and how to prepare the next generation to carry your vision forward.
🔑 Key Takeaways

→ Estate planning is an investment, not an expense
→ Every business owner needs contingency and succession plans
→ QSBS can unlock massive tax savings with the right timing
→ Build a coordinated team of legal, tax, and financial professionals
→ Start family legacy discussions early to prevent future conflict

💬 Quote from Katherine Sheehan

“Too many business owners wait until it’s too late. A little planning today can save millions tomorrow and protect everything you’ve worked for.”

💼 Connect with Katherine Sheehan

📍 Crestwood Advisors
📧 [email protected]
📞 617-226-0044
🌐 crestwoodadvisors.com

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What if you could legally pay zero in taxes as a small business owner?
In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Lauren Gidley speaks with Carlotta Thompson, founder of Tax Strategists of America.

Carlotta is recognized nationwide for helping small business owners minimize their tax burden and retain more of their earnings. She goes beyond traditional tax prep to create proactive strategies that align with long-term business goals, empowering entrepreneurs to make better decisions with confidence.

Key Takeaways:
➔ Most CPAs act as historians, not strategists.
➔ Real estate strategies like cost segregation and 1031 exchanges reduce taxes.
➔ Entity structure is the most important overlooked strategy.
➔ Congress writes tax laws for billionaires, but business owners can use them too.
➔ Tax strategy is an investment that saves more than it costs.

Want to learn the exact steps to legally lower your taxes—even to zero?
Connect with Tax Strategists of America and discover how proactive planning can transform your finances.

Visit TaxStrategistsofAmerica.com to explore training, resources, and strategies that help you keep more of what you earn.

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Are you unknowingly setting yourself up for a massive tax bill in retirement?
This week on Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt welcomes Jonathan Thomas, CFP®, Private Wealth Advisor at LVW Advisors, for a candid look at the hidden pitfalls that can derail even the best retirement plan. Jonathan reveals how overfunding tax-deferred accounts, ignoring liquidity, and delaying estate planning can lead to unnecessary taxes and lost opportunities.

From smart Roth conversion timing to building tax diversification, Jonathan shares the same strategies he uses with high-net-worth families to create lasting financial confidence. You’ll also hear why independent advisors can offer more flexible, client-first solutions and how small shifts in your financial plan today can open doors for early retirement, charitable giving, and true generational wealth.
 Key Takeaways:
→ The #1 retirement mistake that could raise your future tax bill
→ Why liquidity and diversification are essential for business owners
→ How to use Roth conversions and tax-smart planning for lifelong savings
→ The overlooked importance of estate planning, wills, and term life insurance
→ Simple, practical steps every young family can take to secure their financial future
→ Quote from Jonathan Thomas:
"I like to make the complicated really simple for people—because once they understand it, they feel at ease and realize they can retire earlier than they ever thought possible."
→ Connect with Jonathan:
🌐 LVWAdvisors.com

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What if you could turn your tax bill into a wealth-building opportunity using the same IRS-approved strategies as high-income earners?

In this insightful conversation, guest host Sam Russell, Retirement & Leverage Consultant at Drass Insurance Agency, sits down with Ralf Reinberg, CEO of Taxes Made EZ, to explore creative yet compliant tax strategies that help business owners and W-2 earners save—and even earn—money through the power of smart tax equity planning.
Ralf shares over 40 years of experience working with thousands of clients nationwide, explaining how strategies like solar tax equity can deliver both tax deductions and passive income. He walks through real-world examples showing how a six-figure tax bill can become a multi-year return on investment. Whether you’re a doctor, real estate investor, or entrepreneur, this episode reveals actionable ways to make your taxes work for you—not against you.
🔑 6 Key Takeaways:

→ The difference between traditional tax preparation and strategic tax advising
→ How solar tax equity can generate both deductions and guaranteed ROI
→ Why you can reclaim taxes paid in the past three years and apply credits forward
→ The importance of working with IRS-licensed enrolled agents and CPAs
→ How to legally use the government’s money to build multiple income streams
→ Why proactive discovery calls reveal customized strategies for your situation
💬 Quote from Ralf Reinberg:
“Every year, you owe the IRS a certain amount of money. You can either pay the IRS—or use proven tax strategies to save money and make money.”

Schedule your free discovery call with Ralf Reinberg and his team of licensed tax professionals at mytaxesmadeez.com or call 856-326-2838.

Follow Gary Heldt and Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth for more conversations helping entrepreneurs turn smart strategy into financial freedom.

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In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt sits down with Gary Martoccio, founder of The Martoccio Firm and one of the nation’s leading employment law attorneys representing employees in disputes against their employers. With more than $50 million recovered and over 200 Federal cases handled, Gary brings firsthand insights into the legal landscape that every business owner must understand.

Together, they discuss the real risks hidden in hiring, firing, and managing people—from wrongful termination and discrimination claims to misclassification and retaliation cases. Gary also shares what smart business owners can do to protect themselves legally, maintain ethical practices, and build workplaces that foster trust, compliance, and productivity.

What You’ll Learn
→ The top 3 mistakes that trigger costly employee lawsuits
→ How to document workplace issues before they escalate
→ The role of the EEOC and what to expect during an investigation
→ Steps small business owners can take today to minimize legal exposure
→ Why understanding employment law is critical to long-term business success

Gary Martoccio is an employment law attorney and the founder of The Martoccio Firm, which exclusively represents employees in legal disputes against their employers. With extensive experience in both State and Federal courts, as well as before the EEOC, Gary has recovered more than $50 million for clients. His mission: to level the playing field and educate both employees and business owners on their rights and responsibilities in today’s workplace.

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What if your business could scale sustainably—without burnout or chaos?

Viral financial expert and billion-dollar business coach Monica Garcia Duggal reveals how to achieve lasting wealth using her signature Financial BITES Method© and Whole Health Wealth System™.

In this engaging conversation with host Gary Heldt, Monica shares how entrepreneurs can think like institutional investors, create systems that support freedom, and build profit-driven businesses that thrive in any market.

Monica Garcia Duggal is a global financial strategist with over 30 years of experience in investment banking, mergers & acquisitions, and entrepreneurial finance. As the creator of the Whole Health Plan™ and Financial BITES Method©, she helps founders and leaders align their finances, strategy, and mindset for total-life success. In this episode, she joins host Gary Heldt, CPA and wealth strategist, to discuss why most business owners leave money on the table—and how a holistic approach to budgeting, investing, taxes, exit planning, and systems can change everything.
🔑 5 Key Takeaways
→ Think like an investor – Treat your business as an asset that must generate long-term returns, not just revenue.
→ Follow the BITES framework – Budget • Invest • Taxes • Exit • Systems—five pillars that create lasting profitability.
→ Build the right team – Surround yourself with professionals who understand your goals and speak your language.
→ Adopt a growth mindset – Progress beats perfection; consistency compounds into extraordinary results.
→ Measure what matters – Profitability and systems, not just top-line sales, determine a business’s true health.
💬 Quote
“You can’t do everything—but you can start thinking about your company holistically. Profit isn’t just numbers; it’s clarity, systems, and strategy working together.” — Monica Garcia Duggal

Listen now on Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth with host Gary Heldt to learn how to use financial clarity and systems thinking to build a business that works for you—not the other way around.

👉 Visit https://www.monicagarciaduggal.com/ to download her free Financial BITES Method Guide.

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What if your financial partner truly knew your name, understood your community, and fought for your long-term stability?

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Barry Goldwater sits down with Kevin George, CPA and President & CEO of New England Teamsters Federal Credit Union. Formerly CFO at Naveo Credit Union, Kevin shares how his background in accounting and community service led him to champion the credit union model. From helping members avoid financial pitfalls to strengthening union families with dignified retirements, Kevin reveals how credit unions provide the kind of personal service and objective advice big banks simply can’t match.

➡️ 5 Key Takeaways

→ Credit unions focus on people helping people rather than shareholders, giving members better rates and objective advice.

→ Kevin’s career journey shows how professional pivots—from aspiring FBI agent to CPA to credit union leader—can create impact.

→ Teamsters Federal Credit Union combines union strength with modern technology to compete with large banks.

→ Community outreach, from toy drives to youth sports sponsorships, is central to building trust and relationships.

→ Small businesses benefit from direct access to decision-makers in credit unions, ensuring tailored financial solutions.

💬 Quote from Kevin George

"The best move I ever made was joining the credit union world—because every day, I get to help people, not just balance numbers."

📢 Reach out to Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-george-cpa-6969128/

Subscribe to Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth for more expert insights on building financial stability and growth. Share this episode with your network and leave us a review to help others discover how credit unions can transform their business and personal finances.

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What if every workplace conflict could become a growth opportunity instead of a costly battle?💡

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary sits down with Ursula Taylor, a conflict resolution strategist with 17 years of experience as an attorney and business advisor. After years in litigation, Ursula saw how traditional legal systems often amplify disputes instead of solving them.

Now, through her firm Conflict Reimagined, she helps leaders and teams resolve disputes efficiently and humanely—by addressing the real drivers behind conflict: fear, emotion, and miscommunication. Ursula shares how emotional intelligence, awareness, and honest dialogue can prevent lawsuits, protect relationships, and create stronger businesses.

➡️ Key Takeaways:
→ Litigation is expensive, uncertain, and emotionally draining—most disputes stem from human emotion, not legal facts.
→ True resolution begins by identifying what you really need instead of focusing on being right or wrong.
→ Leaders can prevent conflicts by creating safe spaces for communication before issues escalate.
→ Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are critical tools for business growth and team cohesion.
→ The future of leadership lies in embracing what Ursula calls “the human age,” where emotional work meets strategy.

💬 Quote from Ursula:
“Every dispute is driven by human emotion. When you can face that honestly, conflict becomes a beautiful opportunity to grow stronger as a leader.”

📞 Call to Action:
Learn more about Ursula’s work:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursula-taylor-b0ba4729/

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