Intentional Growth

In this episode, we dive into the transformative journey of implementing the Profit First system. This system, renowned for its simplicity and effectiveness, has significantly altered their business landscape, fostering financial stability and growth. As Jason and Chris tell their Entrepreneur stories, they share practical insights and the impact of financial discipline and strategic planning in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

Profit First as a Game-Changer: Jason shares his transformative experience with the Profit First system, highlighting its role in overcoming financial turbulence. His story underscores the system's simplicity and actionable steps, which dramatically improved his business's financial health.

Entrepreneurial Journey and Growth: Chris's narrative as a serial entrepreneur provides a rich backdrop to the discussion. His transition from a Motorola salesman to a successful entrepreneur and the role of strategic frameworks like EOS in business growth offer valuable lessons on innovation, resilience, and the importance of adaptable systems in entrepreneurship.

Strategic Financial Management: The conversation emphasizes the critical role of financial management in business sustainability. Through their implementation of the Profit First system, both speakers illustrate how disciplined financial planning and understanding cash flow are essential for navigating business challenges and ensuring long-term success.

 

ABOUT CHRIS:

Chris is a 7X entrepreneur with over 15 years as a business coach. He co-founded Ninety.io, software for companies running on EOS, Ascend POS for Trek Bicycle Company, System & Soul business framework, and S2 Sync software.

 

ABOUT JASON:

Jason is a Certified Profit First Professional, Founder/Owner of Up-Rev (tech company), and Managing Partner of uGreenit (Profit First Professional coaching).

 

REST OF SHOW NOTES:

Jason and Chris are entrepreneurs who share their journeys and how they integrated the Profit First system into their businesses. Their experiences, filled with valuable lessons from their time in the business world, pave the way for a discussion on financial strategies capable of transforming businesses.

 

Jason's Transformation

Jason's transition from engineer to business owner showcases the myriad challenges entrepreneurs often face, including unpredictable cash flows and the difficulties of managing growth. Discovering the Profit First system was a pivotal moment for him, providing a straightforward yet revolutionary method for managing finances. By applying this system, Jason not only stabilized his business finances but also gained new insights into financial management, particularly the significance of prioritizing profit allocation over expenses.

 

Chris's Strategic Approach

Chris, with a background in launching successful ventures, offers a complementary view. His journey emphasizes the importance of strategic frameworks in achieving business success. T

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, navigating the complexities of business banking is a crucial aspect that can significantly influence a company’s growth trajectory. In this podcast episode, we dive into the nuanced business banking world with insights from Jeff Campbell, a seasoned banking professional. As we navigate the complexities of economic shifts and the evolving banking industry, Jeff shares invaluable advice for business owners looking to adapt and thrive. From the importance of choosing the right banking partner to strategic financial management, this episode is a comprehensive guide for business owners seeking to navigate the financial challenges of today's market. Join us in our conversation about the keys to successful business banking relationships in an ever-changing economic environment.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

Challenges Facing the Business Banking Industry: The business banking industry's significant issues include navigating the complexities of economic shifts, such as changes in interest rates and investment patterns, the transformation from relationship-based to transactional banking models, and the challenges of providing strategic support and tailored financial products to businesses. These issues matter because they directly affect the ability of companies to secure financing, manage financial risks, and achieve growth, highlighting the need for banks to adapt and for businesses to choose banking partners that align with their strategic needs and objectives.

Proactive Financial Management: Proactive financial management is critical for business owners to optimize their banking relationships, as it enables them to anticipate and adapt to economic and banking changes, communicate effectively with their bank for tailored solutions, and manage financial risks efficiently. This approach ensures businesses can leverage banking resources for growth, maintain a dynamic banking partnership, and navigate financial challenges effectively, contributing to long-term success.

Choosing the Right Banking Partner and Understanding Financial Products: Understanding the banking business model and financial products is crucial when selecting the right banking partner because it enables businesses to align their banking needs with the bank's services and expertise. A deep comprehension of how banks operate, their approach to risk, and the range of financial products available helps businesses identify a partner that can offer strategic support, customized financial solutions, and adaptability to their unique needs. This knowledge ensures the selection of a bank that not only meets immediate financial needs but also supports long-term growth and success. 

ABOUT JEFF:

As Scale Bank's Senior Vice President, Jeff Campbell collaborates with business owners, leveraging two decades of experience to propel their success. Jeff is known for providing next level service, assisting clients in achieving their unique business goals. If a business owner is looking for a resource or connection to a particular expert, Jeff has a referral ready. Whether it is a manufacturing client looking to boost their production or a construction firm managing seasonal cash flow, Jeff’s extensive transaction history brings strategic insights and creative solutions to the conversation.

 

RESOURCES:

Scale Bank

 

INTENTIONAL GROWTH™ RESOURCES:

In today’s episode, we dive into the nuanced perspective of private equity (PE) on value creation, featuring Dan Cremons, a seasoned PE expert turned CEO and advisor. Dan shares his extensive experience in fostering "people-powered performance" in PE-backed companies, emphasizing the strategic importance of aligning human capital with business objectives. The discussion navigates through the core principles of PE value creation, actionable strategies for operational excellence, and the pivotal role of leadership and culture in driving sustainable growth. Whether you're a business owner, investor, or enthusiast, this conversation sheds light on the intentional, proactive approaches essential for outperforming in the current "Value Creation Era" of private equity.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

Strategic Alignment and Operational Excellence: Dan highlights the criticality of aligning leadership teams and operational strategies with the broader goals of equity value creation. He shares insights on how Private Equity firms assess potential investments and the systematic approach to enhancing operational efficiencies, driving revenue growth, and optimizing cost structures.

Human Capital as a Pillar of Value Creation:A significant part of the discussion is dedicated to understanding the impact of "people-powered performance," and how it relates to value creation. Dan discusses how cultivating a robust leadership team and fostering a culture of excellence can accelerate value creation, emphasizing the need for strategic talent management and development within PE-backed companies.

Adapting PE Principles for Broader Application: The conversation also explores how the principles of Private Equity value creation can be applied to non-Private Equity-backed companies aiming for accelerated value growth. Dan shares his "6 questions model" for intentional growth, offering listeners a framework to align their teams and strategies towards achieving sustainable success.

 

ABOUT DAN:

After starting his career in operations management and wealth management, Dan Cremons—an author who detests writing about himself in the third person, but will try to make you think that someone else wrote this—landed in the private equity space in 2007 thanks to a few strokes of luck and a little elbow grease. Since the early days (the first month of which he spent trying to figure out what EBITDA stood for), Dan has led investments, served on numerous boards, built out portfolio operations and human-capital capabilities, and led within several private equity-backed companies as a CEO and CXO.

Perhaps most notably, he was the proud champion of his previous firm’s 2011 and 2012 cornhole tournaments (though he has since lost his touch) and took first prize in its 2015 plank competition.

Along the way, Dan realized that although there were investors far better than him at the deal-making part of private equity investing, his greatest contributions came, as he puts it, “after the wires cleared”—during the value creation phase.

Recognizing this, Dan launched Accelera Partners to help ambitious private equity firms accelerate what he calls “people-powered performance” in their portfolio companies. Dan helps portfolio companies’ leadership teams define their winning future, get clear on the stepping-stones in that direction, and ensure they have the right team and culture in place to get there.

Daniel Goldstein's interview is an intriguing blend of his extensive expertise in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and his impressive track record as the former CEO of Folience, an ESOP-owned holding company. With his deep insights into how ESOPs can revolutionize company culture and employee engagement and his experience leading significant business growth and diversification through acquisitions, Goldstein offers a unique perspective on employee ownership's role in wealth distribution, business sustainability, and economic impact. His success in enhancing ESOP share value and winning awards underlines his proficiency in ESOPs and leadership. This interview is a must-listen for those interested in innovative business strategies, leadership excellence, and the broader implications of employee-centric business models.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

The Transformational Role of ESOPs in Business Growth and Diversification: Daniel Goldstein shares his firsthand experience in leading Folience, a company that thrived under his stewardship as an ESOP. He emphasizes how ESOPs can catalyze significant business growth and diversification, as evidenced by Folience's successful acquisitions and expansion under his leadership.

ESOPs in Enhancing Company Culture and Employee Engagement: Goldstein delves into how ESOPs can revolutionize company culture and boost employee engagement. He discusses the importance of fostering a sense of ownership among employees, leading to increased motivation, dedication, and a shared sense of purpose within the company.

Broader Economic and Social Implications of ESOPs: The interview highlights Goldstein's insights into the broader economic and social impact of ESOPs. He discusses how ESOPs contribute to wealth distribution, business sustainability, and the overall financial system, offering a unique perspective on how employee-centric business models can reshape the landscape of American capitalism and business ethics.

 

ABOUT DANIEL GOLDSTEIN:

Daniel Goldstein is a seasoned executive leader and experienced Board member with 25+ years of managing and advising employee-owned and family-owned companies, family offices, foundations, and trusts on complex issues, including business strategy, acquisitions, direct investments, structuring, portfolio design, real estate, building teams, culture, family dynamics, and philanthropy--spanning several continents, many jurisdictions, and multiple languages.

Daniel’s experience includes founding and managing companies, negotiating acquisitions, leading direct private investments, structuring capital and corporate entities, creating joint ventures and strategic alliances, leading executive development, designing and implementing investment strategies across asset classes, overseeing confidential family issues, and forming and directing philanthropic foundations. Daniel is a frequent speaker at global conclaves and conferences, and has presented at, chaired, and moderated hundreds of events on five continents. He has also guest lectured at universities across the US and beyond.

 

 

RESOURCES:

[email protected]  

Connect with Daniel!

In this episode, Jonathan, an entrepreneur and author of "The Least Likely Millionaire," shares his journey of overcoming adversity and achieving remarkable success. He delves into his personal challenges, including mental health struggles and skepticism from others, and how he channeled these experiences into driving his business forward.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

Overcoming Adversity: Jonathan's story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Despite facing numerous challenges, including mental health issues and negative expectations from others, he managed to turn his life around and create a successful business.

Healthy Obsession as a Catalyst: Jonathan introduces the concept of "healthy obsession," where he harnessed his anxiety and stress into something productive. This approach played a crucial role in scaling his e-commerce business, Single Swag, and achieving significant growth.

Importance of Self-Reliance and Learning: A key factor in Jonathan's success was his willingness to learn and adapt. He taught himself digital advertising and managed his business's growth without external investors, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and continuous learning in entrepreneurship.

 

ABOUT JONATHAN BESKIN:

With an engaged audience of 1.2 million followers across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, SinglesSwag is one of the pandemic’s biggest success stories. As a single dad in 2016, Jonathan Beskin had a crazy idea that would disrupt the subscription box industry almost overnight.

In just three years, he was spending more than $15,000 per day on Facebook ads to keep up with the demand that SinglesSwag created, securing him a #181 spot of Inc. 5000 Magazine's Fastest Growing Company List (2020).

During the pandemic, when many companies went under or took huge losses, Jonathan took SinglesSwag to a height of $60+ million in revenue through the creation of 30+ in-house brands, out-of-the-box thinking, and perseverance. He also acquired Paradise Delivered in 2020, scaling the company from a few hundred boxes shipped per month to 10k+ boxes shipped per month in under a year.

Today, SinglesSwag has shipped over 2 million boxes to 60+ countries and has been featured in publications such as the TODAY Show, Fast Company, NBC News, USA Today, Business Insider, and InStyle.

  

INTENTIONAL GROWTH™ RESOURCES:

Intentional Growth™ Podcast Archives: Archive of 367+ episodes and counting. Get access to the entire library HERE. We'll be adding a searchable tagging feature later on this year. 

IG Financial Scorecard: Get your Intentional Growth™ Score that grades you on how well you are viewing - and running your business like a financial asset. Get your results and 5 case study videos

Tom Reber shares his rich experience and visionary approach towards transforming the trades industry. With a background deeply rooted in contracting, Tom passionately discusses the need to elevate the perception of trades from a fallback option to a respected and lucrative career choice.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

Mission and Passion: Tom is dedicated to changing the narrative around trades. He believes in eradicating mediocrity in personal and professional life, emphasizing that trades should not be seen as a fallback but a worthy career choice.

Value of Trades: Tom discusses the financial aspects of the trades. He highlights the importance of understanding business finance, advocating for contractors to recognize their worth and charge appropriately.

Mental Battle: The episode delves into the psychological challenges in the contracting world, addressing issues like self-doubt and the significance of positive self-perception in professional success.

 

ABOUT TOM:

Tom Reber is a performance coach, HGTV host, and the founder of The Contractor Fight, a global organization that has transformed the lives and businesses of hundreds of thousands of home improvement contractors worldwide. With over 11 years of experience in the industry, Tom is a trusted advisor and mentor for business owners, CEOs, and sales teams, empowering them to sell unafraid, build stronger teams, and skyrocket profits.

Tom's impact goes beyond the stage. He delivers electrifying keynotes, transformative workshops, and game-changing boot camps that leave audiences in awe. His message is relevant, powerful, and authentic, blending hard-hitting reality with practical, boots-on-the-ground advice. Tom is also a proud United States Marine Corps veteran, a tequila connoisseur, and a kettlebell enthusiast. He lives in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, CO, where he continues to ignite the flames of success for individuals and organizations worldwide.

 

INTENTIONAL GROWTH™ RESOURCES:

Intentional Growth™ Podcast Archives: Archive of 367+ episodes and counting. Get access to the entire library HERE. We'll be adding a searchable tagging feature later on this year. 

IG Financial Scorecard: Get your Intentional Growth™ Score that grades you on how well you are viewing - and running your business like a financial asset. Get your results and 5 case study videos HERE.

Intentional Growth™ Academy: 71 Videos, 9.5 hours of content, 20+ exercises. $995 for subscribers [normally $1,495]

Have you ever wondered why products and companies fail? Doug Howarth has dedicated his life to answering this question. An innovative thinker in economics, he is the founder of Hypernomics.

 

Doug's journey is driven by a deep fascination with why certain products fail, why people decide to buy, and how companies succeed. Fueled by this newfound clarity, he founded Hypernomics Inc., creating innovative software that analyzes markets in four or more dimensions, going beyond the traditional two dimensions of supply and demand. This approach attracted the attention of industry giants like NASA, Virgin Galactic, and Lockheed Martin.

 

Hypernomics is a new economic paradigm that challenges traditional views by considering market phenomena in four or more dimensions. Doug delves into his journey of discovery, practical applications, and the potential of Hypernomics to revolutionize decision-making in business and beyond.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

Hypernomics: A New Way of Thinking About Markets: Doug introduces Hypernomics as a multi-dimensional approach to understanding economic phenomena, moving beyond the traditional two-dimensional supply and demand model. This new approach offers a more nuanced understanding of market behaviors, consumer decisions, and the ability to predict the success of a product or service.

Real-World Examples on Why the Old Way Doesn't Work: Doug discusses real-life examples of how companies succeed and fail, such as electric cars and business jets, to demonstrate how Hypernomics can be applied to predict market trends and make informed business decisions.

Future Implications: Doug shares his vision for Hypernomics as a tool for businesses to predict the success of future products and services and reduce the failure rate of new ventures.

 

ABOUT DOUG:

At age 14, Doug Howarth sensed the plotting systems created by René Descartes were inadequate for many tasks. Decades later, he made a series of startling discoveries. He found the economy self-organizes in recognizable opposing patterns and devised ways to portray markets in four, five, or any number of dimensions. Doug named this new field Hypernomics. In 2011, he formed a company, Hypernomics, Inc., which shows their customers how to take advantage of Hypernomics. Hypernomics. Inc. has worked for NASA, United Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon, among others. Along with two of his Hypernomics colleagues, he was awarded US Patent Number 10,402,838 for Multivariable Regression Analysis, the world's first software designed to deconstruct markets into their 4D structures.

Doug has written 13 peer-reviewed publications across four continents.  They've been issued by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS), among others. NASA has requested that he speak to them three times. He has spoken to the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) in London four times, and they have also published his peer-reviewed work. A sought-after speaker, he has addressed international conferences in Albuquerque, Amsterdam, Belo Horizonte (Brazil), Big Sky (Montana), Brussels, Denver, Houston, Montreal, Melbourne (Australia), New York, New Orleans, Phoenix,

Do you ever think about how Entrepreneurship is just like building a fort when you were 10? It's a process that starts with a vision, survives through resilience, and flourishes with adaptability and passion. This podcast with Chris Heivly revolves around personal experiences, practical strategies, and the mindset required for building a successful business, drawing upon the metaphor of 'building a fort'.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

Embracing Adaptability: The conversation highlights the significance of adaptability in entrepreneurship. Success often requires pivoting and adjusting strategies based on market feedback and changing circumstances.

Passion as a Driving Force: Chris emphasizes that genuine passion is crucial for enduring the challenges of entrepreneurship. This passion fuels persistence and innovation.

Learning from Experience: A recurring theme is the importance of learning from both successes and failures. Chris shares insights on using past experiences to make better decisions and grow. 

ABOUT CHRIS HEIVLY:

Chris Heivly is a Serial entrepreneur (MapQuest co-founder) and early-stage investor with company-building experience from $0 to $25M. Interest in startups, venture-backed companies, and venture capital organizations in and around software technology.

He is a frequent blogger at www.heivly.com, Contributing Writer for INC.com, Best Selling author of the Build The Fort series about how to start anything, and the field guide for startup community builders. Chris is a public speaker (400+ events) about startups, corporate innovation, and startup communities specifically entrepreneurial ecosystem development.

 

 INTENTIONAL GROWTH™ RESOURCES:

Intentional Growth™ Podcast Archives: Archive of 356+ episodes and counting. Get access to the entire library HERE. We'll be adding a searchable tagging feature later on this year. 

IG Financial Scorecard: Get your Intentional Growth™ Score that grades you on how well you view and run your business like a financial asset. Get your results and 5 case study videos HERE.

Intentional Growth™ Academy: 71 Videos, 9.5 hours of content, 20+ exercises. $995 for subscribers [normally $1,495] HERE

Robb Green is a corporate refugee turned experienced e-commerce entrepreneur, as he unveils the art of scaling an online business. From his start in drop shipping to building and selling multiple brands, Robb focuses on the crucial aspects of operational efficiency and brand strategy. Tune into this insightful podcast to learn how these elements drive success in the competitive e-commerce world and gain actionable insights to elevate your own business journey.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

 

Start with Efficiency and Scalability: Rob highlights the significance of operational efficiency in scaling an e-commerce business. His shift from traditional sales to online dropshipping began a journey toward creating a more scalable and efficient business model.

 

Building and Leveraging Brands: For Rob, transitioning from reselling products to developing private labels and original products was an essential strategy. He emphasizes the importance of creating and nurturing brands that resonate with customers rather than just competing on price.

 

Adapting to Market Changes: Rob's journey underscores the need to adjust to market dynamics continuously. From recognizing opportunities in dropshipping to exploring new platforms like TikTok shops, staying agile and responsive to market trends is crucial.

 

ABOUT ROBB GREEN:

Robb Green has successfully launched 17 brands online and has sold multiple e-commerce companies. He is also the host of the I’m the One Podcast, which can be found on all the major podcast hosting apps. Robb knew from a young age that he didn’t want to work for anyone else. He needed to be his own boss. After business school, he founded a dropship company with a business partner, which launched his entrepreneurial career.

 

RESOURCES:

I’m the One with Robb Green (Podcast)

 

 

INTENTIONAL GROWTH™ RESOURCES:

Intentional Growth™ Podcast Archives: Archive of 356+ episodes and counting. Get access to the entire library HERE. We'll be adding a searchable tagging feature later on this year. 

IG Financial Scorecard: Get your Intentional Growth™ Score that grades you on how well you are viewing - and running your business like a financial asset. Get your results and 5 case study videos HERE.

Intentional Growth™ Academy: 71 Videos, 9.5 hours of content, 20+ exercises. $995 for subscribers [normally $1,495] HERE

Q4 Nov. 2024 Intentional Growth™ Boot Camp: Two-day wor

Atif Rafiq is a former Silicon Valley executive and the author of "Decision Sprint". In this episode, Atif shares his journey from finance to technology, highlighting his experiences at companies like Yahoo, Amazon, and his pivotal role as McDonald's first Chief Digital Officer. The discussion dives into the core ideas from his book, focusing on transforming business strategies into effective execution, managing change, and the importance of a systematic approach in decision-making within organizations.

 

THREE BIG IDEAS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

The Importance of Systematic Decision-Making: Atif emphasizes the significance of a structured approach to decision-making in organizations to overcome red tape and conquer the unknown. He introduces the concept of 'Decision Sprint', a methodology that helps businesses transition from ideas to execution effectively. This process involves stages like exploration, alignment, and decision-making, ensuring that every step is thoughtfully considered and contributes to the overall goal.

Exploration Before Execution: A key insight from Atif is the need for purposeful exploration before rushing to conclusions by dividing meetings into “input” and “output” meetings. He advocates for a process where significant problems are thoroughly explored to understand all aspects before making decisions. This approach helps in avoiding common pitfalls like acting on incomplete information or being too cautious due to fear.

Cultivating a Collaborative Culture: Atif stresses the importance of creating an environment that fosters open communication and collaboration. He discusses the idea of input and output meetings, emphasizing that understanding and resolving unknowns are crucial for successful execution. A culture where team members can freely contribute ideas and insights leads to more effective problem-solving and innovation.

 

 

RESOURCES:

Ritual

Decision sprint

Connect with Atif on LinkedIn!

  

INTENTIONAL GROWTH™ RESOURCES:

Intentional Growth™ Podcast Archives: Archive of 356+ episodes and counting. Get access to the entire library HERE. We'll be adding a searchable tagging feature later on this year. 

IG Financial Scorecard: Get your Intentional Growth™ Score that grades you on how well you are viewing - and running your business like a financial asset. Get your results and 5 case study videos HERE.

Intentional Growth