Journeys to the Summit

How do you build two successful businesses in completely different industries and sell them both before 40?In this episode, Ilya Zlotnik sits down with entrepreneur Jeff Glazer to unpack a journey that spans medical spas, manufacturing, private equity exits, and everything in between.Jeff shares how he:-Bought a failing medical spa during the financial crisis—and made it cash flow positive in 30 days-Simultaneously built a niche manufacturing business in rural Canada-Navigated failure, debt-heavy turnarounds, and operational chaos-Scaled to 7 med spa locations with strong culture and retention-Sold both businesses in highly competitive markets-Redefined success around family, balance, and long-term thinking This conversation is packed with real-world lessons on execution, resilience, and what it actually takes to build something meaningful over time.Whether you’re an early-stage founder or a seasoned operator, Jeff’s story is a masterclass in playing the long game.

What if you could match the market and improve your after-tax returns?In this episode, Ilya sits down with Bob Holdsworth, Founder of Custom Harvest and a pioneer in ETF-based direct indexing, to break down one of the fastest-growing strategies in wealth management.Bob explains how direct indexing works, why it’s gaining traction, and how investors can use tax-loss harvesting to generate “tax alpha”—without taking on additional risk. The conversation also explores the evolution from traditional stock-based direct indexing to a more streamlined ETF-based approach, offering simplicity, flexibility, and powerful tax advantages.You'll hear more about:-What direct indexing actually is-How tax-loss harvesting boosts after-tax returns-Why ETFs may outperform individual stocks in this strategy-How volatility (like in 2022) creates opportunity-Real-world use cases, including offsetting business sale gains-The future of direct indexing and customizationWhether you're an advisor or investor, this is a must-watch if you're looking to build more tax-efficient portfolios.

Most business owners focus on revenue, growth, and brand when thinking about enterprise value—but overlook one critical factor: taxes.In this episode of Journeys to the Summit, Dean Pearson, Principal at PBG Financial and head of their State & Local Tax group, breaks down how tax decisions made today can directly impact your business valuation tomorrow. From missed filings to multi-state tax exposure, Dean explains how small oversights can lead to major reductions in purchase price during a sale.We also dive into one of the hottest trends right now: relocating to low-tax states like Florida. Dean unpacks the biggest misconceptions around residency changes, why simply moving doesn’t eliminate your tax obligations, and how business owners often get caught off guard.Key topics include:-How tax compliance impacts enterprise value during a sale-Why unfiled taxes can reduce your purchase price-The real cost of waiting to clean up tax issues-Multi-state tax obligations (even without physical presence)-The truth about moving to Florida and avoiding taxes-Residency audits and what states actually look for-Why most business sales still trigger state taxes—even after relocatingIf you’re a business owner thinking about scaling, selling, or relocating, this conversation could save you significant money and headaches.

What if your health issues weren’t random, but signals your body is sending?In this episode of Journeys to the Summit, Ilya Zlotnik sits down with Irina Frenkel, founder of Retreat, a rapidly growing health and wellness boutique redefining modern medicine.Irina shares her journey from traditional healthcare to a personalized, root-cause approach after being misdiagnosed with diabetes at 21. That experience led her to challenge the system and build a model focused on lifestyle, nutrition, stress, and cellular health.They dive into:-Why traditional medicine often treats symptoms, not causes-The role of stress, hormones, and gut health in chronic illness-How personalized care can reverse long-term health issues-Irina's 56-pound transformation and what made it possible-The business behind building a fast-growing wellness brand-Why most people feel unheard in healthcare and how to fix itIrina's mission is simple: help people take ownership of their health and increase not just lifespan, but healthspan.If you’re tired of generic advice and want real answers about your body, this conversation is a must-watch.

What does it take to build a $100B business from scratch, without raising a single dollar?In this episode, Byron Udell shares the full story behind building AcuQuote into one of the largest life insurance brokerage firms in the country. And selling it in 2021 at exactly the right moment, just before markets shifted.From starting as a solo operator in 1986 to scaling a company with 250+ employees and 250,000 clients, Byron breaks down:-How he grew the business organically-Why he ignored conventional advice-The real reason most venture-backed competitors failed-How rising lead costs crushed margins across the industry-The unconventional way he sold his company -Why timing the sale made all the differenceHe also shares powerful insights on entrepreneurship, discipline, and why life insurance, often overlooked, is one of the most impactful financial tools in the world.If you're a founder, investor, or operator, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons you won’t hear anywhere else.

What if true wealth isn’t money—but your health?In this conversation, Ilya Zlotnik sits down with Daniel Chille, founder of TBD Fitness & Holistic Health, to explore the powerful intersection of health, longevity, and wealth.Daniel shares his journey from D1 athlete and professional soccer player to holistic health practitioner, and breaks down how optimizing your body can completely transform your life. From gut health and genetic testing to sleep, stress, and personalized nutrition, this episode dives deep into what it really means to pursue optimal health—not just “normal.”Key topics include:-Why “health is wealth” is more than a cliché-The SPEND framework: Sleep, Stress, Sunlight, Nutrition & more-How gut health impacts everything from immunity to mental clarity-The truth about diets (vegan vs. omnivore)-Why genetic testing is a game-changer for personalized health-The biggest mistakes people make when trying to get healthyIf you want more energy, better performance, and a longer, healthier life—this episode is for you.

Buying or selling a home right now isn’t easy, and that’s exactly why this conversation matters.In this episode of Journeys to the Summit, Scott Ottenheimer, a top real estate team lead at Baird & Warner, breaks down what’s really happening in today’s housing market—and what buyers, sellers, and investors often get wrong.With interest rates soaring and inventory still tight, many buyers feel stuck. But according to Scott, the reality is more nuanced and full of opportunity if you know how to navigate it.We cover:-Why this is one of the toughest environments for buyers-The truth behind “marry the house, date the rate”-Why refinancing isn’t always the best move-Hidden strategies like mortgage recasting-The biggest mistakes buyers and sellers make-How pricing strategy can make or break a sale-Why terms matter just as much as price-The future of real estate commissions and transparency-How technology is changing (but not replacing) agentsScott also shares how he built his business, from side hustle to full-time, by focusing on long-term relationships, transparency, and actually acting as a fiduciary for clients.Whether you’re buying your first home, investing in real estate, or just trying to make sense of today’s market, this episode gives you a clear, data-driven perspective.📩 Want more conversations like this? Subscribe and follow Journeys to the Summit.

What is Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) and why is it gaining traction among high-net-worth investors?In this episode of Journeys to the Summit, Ilya Zlotnik sits down with Jordan Katz, CEO and Founder of JR Katz, to break down one of the most powerful (and often misunderstood) tools in wealth management.Jordan explains how PPLI works as a tax-efficient investment “location”, not just an insurance product—unlocking access to alternative investments like private equity, hedge funds, and private credit inside a tax-advantaged structure.They cover:-What PPLI actually is (and who it’s for)-How it compares to traditional variable life insurance-The three major tax advantages driving adoption-Why tax-inefficient assets (like hedge funds & private credit) belong inside PPLI-Cost structure vs. long-term tax savings-How wealthy families use PPLI for multi-generational wealth transfer-Key risks, limitations, and why patient capital is criticalIf you're an investor, advisor, or business owner thinking about advanced tax strategies—this conversation is a must-watch.Key Insight: PPLI isn’t about insurance; it’s about minimizing taxes and maximizing long-term compounding.

Kyle Therriault didn’t set out to build a massive e-commerce company, but that’s exactly what happened.Starting with overstock auto parts sold on eBay, Kyle and his father, Steve, built Auto Accessories Garage from scratch during a time when most people believed “no one would ever buy auto parts online.”They faced rejection from vendors, banks, and even their own industry. But through persistence, early adoption of SEO, and a willingness to reinvest everything back into the business, they turned a scrappy startup into a dominant player in automotive e-commerce.In this episode, Kyle shares:-How they bootstrapped the business (and took on real risk)-Why Google was both a big asset and a big threat-The brutal impact of algorithm changes (and how they recovered)-The strategic decision to partner with, and eventually sell to, NAPA (GPC)-How COVID accelerated their growth-Why the future of commerce may eliminate shopping entirelyThis is a masterclass in timing, resilience, and long-term thinking.Whether you're building, scaling, or exiting, this episode is packed with lessons you won’t want to miss.

What if you could invest in top private companies before they go public, and at a significant discount?In this episode, Michael Grayson, Portfolio Manager at First Trust Capital Management, breaks down two of the most powerful (and misunderstood) strategies in private markets: co-investments and secondaries.We explore:-The key difference between fund investing vs. co-investing-How investors can avoid high management and performance fees-Why secondaries can offer 40–50% discounts on high-quality companies-Real-world examples, including investments in Reddit and SpaceX-How smaller, nimble investors can outperform large institutions-The importance of alignment and avoiding adverse selection biasThis conversation pulls back the curtain on how sophisticated investors access private equity deals—and why structure matters just as much as the opportunity.Whether you're new to private markets or looking to sharpen your edge, this is a must-watch.