What does it really take to leave a stable career and become a successful business owner?

In this episode of Summit Sessions with Bryan Schielke, Bryan sits down with Jeremy Ames, Co-Founder and CEO of Guidant Financial, to unpack what separates aspiring entrepreneurs from those who actually make the leap and thrive.

Jeremy shares lessons from helping more than 30,000 people transition into business ownership, along with hard-won insights from his own experience as a 5-time founder, business acquirer, and franchise owner. The conversation explores risk, conviction, leadership, scaling, and why skepticism can actually be a strength for entrepreneurs.

They also dive into what success means later in your career, and why creating more owners in today’s economy matters more than ever.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What separates dreamers from successful business owners
• The biggest leadership lesson Jeremy learned the hard way
• How risk changes in midlife when family and finances are on the line
• What founders often underestimate when trying to scale
• Why skepticism can be a strategic advantage
• How Jeremy now defines reaching the summit of his career

A thoughtful conversation for anyone considering entrepreneurship, leadership, or ownership as the next chapter.