"Without vision, the people perish." Ever wonder why some businesses end up flushed down the drain? We discuss how to avoid the most common traps entrepreneurs find themselves in that often lead to dead-end companies with no way to scale or grow. 

We lay out the ways of maintaining a consistent vision and a direction in your business and how that lays the groundwork for passionate and talented employees that keep the business running smoothly. 

If you're ready to change these 3 things, your company will flourish. Learn how to keep your team aligned and motivated, ensuring everyone is clear about the destination and the route to get there.

Key Takeaways:

• Watch out for these traps that lead to a failed business
• How to delegate to your team wisely 
• What's a Chief Reminding Officer? 
• #1 Reason you're not going to scale your business

Through examples like Chick-fil-A's success, we highlight why identifying where your time is best spent can amplify your impact. Discover how understanding your customers and adapting to market trends can significantly elevate your business, keeping you relevant in today’s ever-evolving marketplace. Tune in for a treasure trove of insights to help you minimize the risk of failing.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Resources:

• "Traction" by Gino Wickman
• "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/

Should you turn your hobby into a business? Jim Cockrum joins us on today's episode to give us a fresh, Biblical perspective on whether or not you should follow your passion–and his countercultural answer will probably surprise you! 

Jim is convinced that the key to business success is explicitly much easier than you think, although it might ruffle some feathers. Hint: It's not about whether your passionate about your business or not. 

Key Takeaways:

• Why you're asking the wrong question
• How to decide on turning your hobby into a business or not
• Rethink the role of passion in your professional life
• The PROVEN way to find fulfillment and success in business

Join us for an enlightening session as we explore a countercultural way of doing business with our guest, Jim Cockrum, who wrote Silent Sales Machine 9.0. He provides a wealth of wisdom on navigating this transformative journey from hobby to business (or not?) in order to be successful.

Our conversation boldly questions conventional ways of creating a business idea, proposing that true fulfillment in business emerges from a much different angle than the world comes at it. Through compelling stories and real-life examples, we share how passion often follows one key idea which Jim reveals in today's episode.

In the final chapter of our discussion, we challenge you to rethink the role of passion in your professional lives.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Connect with Jim Cockrum:
Jim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcockrum/
Jim's Free Business Owners Community: https://silentjim.com
Silent Sales Machine 9.0 Book: https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Sales-Machine-9-0-Cockrum/dp/0692516603

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/

"Most people are looking to cut–how can we make just a little money? It's all about the bottom line." Are you running yourself into the ground every day to make things work? Most business guys are working overtime to make the extra dollar and 10x their financial situation by the end of the year. Some are overworked just to make ends meet. 

How can these guys 10x their lives? How did Big A succeed in having several successful businesses by the age of 50? Today's episode is all about making the most of your life–and how to do it when you're in the trenches. 

Key Takeaways:

• The paradox of rest and growth
• 3 ways that seem counterintuitive to making your life better
• Does less really equal more? 
• How and why should we value rest when we're already burned out?

These counterintuitive strategies aren’t just business tips; they’re life-changing methods to enhance personal satisfaction and family life. We challenge the conventional 10X growth mindset, urging you to aim for holistic improvement as a businessman, husband, and father.

By prioritizing what truly matters and minimizing distractions, you can achieve a deeper impact.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/

"You’re okay to go bankrupt for the sake of helping somebody?" For Tony, our mystery operations manager, the answer is, unfortunately, yes. 

Tony is waging war against himself in this episode of THE FORGE. His employees aren't showing up for work, his "compassion" is running the show, and his customers are suffering for it.

How can he fire people he wants to help? Isn't compassion worth the cost of quality control? Him and the business he works for is in a cycle of indecision and conflict avoidance because Tony desires to help guys in rough situations and provide them with a job... but what happens when these guys don't show up? 

Key Takeaways:

• The tragic cost of avoiding conflict
• How to fire people that don't align with your values
• Why your business' mission is critical to everyone's success
• What compassion REALLY looks like for employees who don't show up

We tackle the complexities of aligning personal preferences and skills with job responsibilities, especially within family-owned businesses. This episode is packed with practical advice on decision-making, personal growth, and the power of open communication, all aiming to help you overcome procrastination and conflict avoidance to achieve a fulfilling and balanced life.

Join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community

Connect with Anthony Witt: witthouse.com or anthonywitt.com
Anthony Witt is a professional licensed counselor and a business owner with a deep understanding of how entrepreneurship impacts personal health and those around them. Having bought, sold, and started multiple businesses, he has gained valuable
experience at the intersection of personal health and business. His belief that "a healthy business owner creates a healthy business" underscores his approach to helping entrepreneurs thrive.

Connect with Bret Barnhart:
Barnhartexcavating.com
Bret’s Calendar Link
Bret’s Linkedin
Bret Barnhart, Jr. is the fourth generation in his family to start his own excavation company. He began Bret Barnhart Excavating (BBE) in 2002 with $1,500, a single backhoe and truck, and a trailer. Since then, BBE has grown to an entire fleet of heavy machinery and trucks, averages just under 20 employees, and grosses $4mil annually. Being specialized, along with having a personal mentor and joining a mastermind, has helped shape not only Bret's company but also himself as well. Bret and his wife Crystal have been married for 16 years and have two children, Cole and Adelyn.

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin:

Do you have what it takes to be a solopreneur? Distractions in this day and age can derail your progress more than ever, and if you aren't practicing the right traits, you'll soon get burned out. So how do you do maintain a successful business as a solopreneur?

If you've ever wondered what is truly necessary to make it successfully as a solopreneur, take it from two guys who scaled their companies from the ground up to multi-million dollar companies: these four must-have traits need to be at the top of your list.

Key Takeaways:

• Why businesses are much harder to maintain than ever before
• 4 must-have traits solopreneurs possess in order to succeed
• How to maintain self discipline in your daily life
• Grow a successful business that scales with these main tips

Drawing wisdom from our mastermind group, we highlight the value of setting boundaries and prioritizing family time. Sometimes, stepping back to take care of your health and relationships can actually propel you forward faster. We'll also show you how a strong support network can keep you on track and help maintain your focus.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/

“If you want time and freedom, you have to lead others to get there.” Seth Buechley joins us to define the crux of business failure and crappy leadership. There is truth that you can faster alone, but you can go farther together. 

Today we talk about practical positives to delegating and how to delegate WELL. We need to create systems and processes, define specific Key Result Areas for our employees, and cultivate a mindset that serves the success of everyone. We cannot scale without empowering our people well. 

• How do successful businesses scale? 
• Long term benefits of entrusting tasks to capable team members
• How to implement KRAs well
• Recipes for burnout and failure

Discover how effective delegation can prevent burnout and transform your business from merely surviving to truly thriving. For solopreneurs and small business owners, we address the tricky balance between managing revenue growth and navigating the risks of hiring and delegation, sharing personal strategies and anecdotes for transitioning to effective leadership and management.

Finally, we delve into building a business that operates independently of its founder. Drawing on principles from John Warrillow's "Built to Sell," we discuss structuring your business with the potential for future sale in mind, even if selling isn't your immediate goal.

 Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Connect with Seth Buechley:
Seth's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-buechley/
Seth Buechley is a serial entrepreneur and business founder who has achieved several multi-million dollar exits. He is the host of the Business Done Right Podcast, which seeks to help faith-driven entrepreneurs build valuable businesses. His book, "Ambition: Leading with Gratitude," was written as a leadership manifesto to help driven people understand why they struggle to find satisfaction and what they can do about it.

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/

Do you know how to celebrate? On our 100th episode, we share transformative stories about significant financial windfalls that taught us the power of celebration. Discover why celebrating your wins, big or small, can skyrocket your motivation and satisfaction in both business and personal life. 

Raised to remain humble and private, we initially found it challenging to share our successes openly. However, joining communities like Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) helped us embrace a culture of celebration and transparency that spurred on us to true success. 

Key Takeaways:

• The best spaces to share your wins in business–and how it's hard to find
• Why it's important to celebrate your wins in business
• Ideas and tips on how to celebrate well
• The profound influence of giving back through personal gestures

We delve into how supportive environments can uplift each other, making it easier to share even smaller, meaningful victories. Reflecting on cultural norms and personal upbringing, we discuss how shifting our mindset about celebration can positively impact our overall happiness.

From repairing strained relationships to achieving business milestones, celebrating wins isn't just about the big moments. We explore practical ways to commemorate your successes and promote a generous attitude of giving back through personal gestures and charitable contributions.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/

"You've been selling to the kitchen table, and you need to be selling to the board room." When the real estate market came to a grinding halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bobby, a seasoned real estate developer, faced unprecedented challenges. Listen to his raw and emotional recount of navigating through financial turmoil, making tough decisions like laying off a lot of his staff, and the immense weight of responsibility he felt for his employees and their families. 

Bobby's story isn't just about a business struggle; it's a heartfelt journey of resilience and leadership in the face of adversity.

Key Takeaways:

• How COVID-19 took hotel occupancy from 80% to less than 10% and what Bobby did about it
• The best way to approach a "Black Swan" business catastrophe
• How do you build relationships with the right market segment of investors? 
• Bobby needs to go BIG on selling to larger investors than he's ever sold to before

Despite exhausting initial investor funds, Bobby underscores the importance of maintaining momentum and refining strategies to attract private equity investors. He shares the significance of building a robust investor base and the challenges of transitioning from small to larger investors, all while staying true to mission-driven goals.

Get valuable insights on the delicate balance between mission and profit, the art of crafting a compelling elevator pitch, and the nuances of investor relations in this episode of THE FORGE.

Join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community

Connect with Anthony Witt: witthouse.com or anthonywitt.com
Anthony Witt is a professional licensed counselor and a business owner with a deep understanding of how entrepreneurship impacts personal health and those around them. Having bought, sold, and started multiple businesses, he has gained valuable
experience at the intersection of personal health and business. His belief that "a healthy business owner creates a healthy business" underscores his approach to helping entrepreneurs thrive.

Connect with Bret Barnhart:
Barnhartexcavating.com
Bret’s Calendar Link
Bret’s Linkedin
Bret Barnhart, Jr. is the fourth generation in his family to start his own excavation company. He began Bret Barnhart Excavating (BBE) in 2002 with $1,500, a single backhoe and truck, and a trailer. Since then, BBE has grown to an entire fleet of heavy machinery and trucks, averages just under 20 employees, and grosses $4mil annually. Being specialized, along with having a personal mentor and joining a mastermind, has helped shape not only Bret's company but also himself as well. Bret and his wife Crystal have been married for 16 years and have two children, Cole and Adelyn.

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: htt

"Work to find the truth." Do you ever harbor bitterness or apathy toward your wife for not giving support in building your business? Is she often more afraid for the future when discussing business ventures? 

Big A and Wally recount times in both their lives when their wives didn't want anything to do with the business–and how they got through those seasons. Big A confesses a frustrating disagreement with Robin that left him unable to focus on his business, while Wally explains how Sonia's last-minute stress before his travels affected his crucial client meetings. 

We dig deep into how personal growth and faith journeys shape our experiences, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the unseen efforts of our spouses. Whether your partner is a homemaker or a career individual, their role is indispensable. 

Key Takeaways:

• What happens when we don't prioritize our wife above our business
• Realistic conversations to have with your wife
• What your wife really wants from you when you're running a business
• The crucial role boundaries play for an entrepreneur's wife

Join us as we turn the tables and reveal how your marital strife may be the hidden culprit behind those off days at work. We underscore why cultivating a strong, supportive relationship at home could be the ultimate productivity hack for your business success.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/

"If you’re facing financial problems, relationship problems, starting your business… what do you do to simplify your life?" Charlie Cichetti shares his transformative, chaotic journey from a tech start up to a successful business exit. How did he simplify his life from starting his business to selling it? 

Key Takeaways:

• How do you get rid of the fear that if you don't follow the next fad, you'll lose your customers? 
• How do you let go of opportunities when you're too busy to do everything? 
• Charlie's crucial decisions that lead to starting a business in 2008 and then trying to sell it in 2023
• When is the right time to sell your business? 

Charlie opens up about his battles with cash flow issues and toxic partnerships, sharing how mentors and the Iron Sharpens Iron (ISI) community provided crucial support. He teaches us about resilience and the power of staying focused on our unique paths amidst FOMO.

Our discussion wraps up with insights into creating financial security, setting clear boundaries, and building a leadership team that shares your company's vision. Don't miss this episode filled with practical strategies for achieving entrepreneurial success and personal growth!

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Connect with Charlie Cichetti:
Green Building Matters Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-green-building-matters-podcast-with-charlie-cichetti/id1346854349
Charlie's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliecichetti/

Charlie advocates for LEED and the green building movement to thousands of people monthly as they tune in to listen to his weekly podcast, Green Building Matters. Charlie Cichetti is truly a green social entrepreneur who is motivated by elevating people and the industry to be the best they can be!

If you want to hear more speakers like this every month and be with the guys on the call, join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community today: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community

Connect with Big A:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/