Ever feel like running a business is like sailing in unpredictable waters? For entrepreneurs and leaders, the journey is full of unexpected turns, but that’s where growth happens.

In this episode, Shelby Hacala, seasoned entrepreneur and passionate sailor, shares how lessons from the open sea, adaptation, resilience, teamwork, and strategic thinking, directly apply to running and growing your business.

What you’ll gain:

- Navigating uncertainty

- Preparing your business for sale: right buyer, ensuring “cash is king,” and creating systems

- Protecting your vitality while leading a team

- Real-life stories from Shelby’s personal journey, showing how resilience and adaptability win in both sailing and business

Whether you’re scaling, pivoting, or planning an exit, this conversation offers practical guidance and inspiration to help you steer your business, and your life, toward lasting success.

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What if preparing for an exit wasn’t just a smart business move, but a mindset shift that changes everything?

Imagine packing up the home you’ve lived in for 20 years… only to find closets full of things you forgot you had.

That’s what it feels like to look at your business with fresh eyes, to see what’s working, what’s weighing you down, and what it’s time to release.

In this honest and powerful conversation with business strategist Monica Garcia, we explore what most founders miss when building their business:

• Radical self-awareness
• Sustainable systems
• And the emotional side of growth and exit that no one talks about

Because beyond the metrics and marketing, what truly determines your success as a founder… is your ability to think with an exit mindset, from day one.

Whether you're scaling, selling, or simply craving more freedom in your work, this episode will shift the way you think about success.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• Why exit planning matters (even if you never plan to sell)
• How to remove yourself from the center of your business
• The mindset that keeps your brand relevant and agile
• Why self-care is a strategic advantage, not a luxury

“If you’re always thinking about an exit strategy, you’ll always stay relevant, even if you keep your business forever.”

Tune in to rethink how you build, lead, and one day… leave your business, on your terms.

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Many founders dream of a big exit, but what happens when it doesn't feel like a win?

In this episode, Brian Dukes, entrepreneur and co-founder of ExitWise, the identity crisis so many founders face after selling their business, and why most aren't ready for what comes next.

He shares how taking time off, redefining success, and setting clear boundaries helped him reset and build again, this time, on his own terms.

We talk about identity loss, founder ego, post-exit regret, why empathy matters so much in M&A and how to avoid the post-exit regret no one prepares you for.

If you're building to sell, or already thinking about what comes after, this conversation will help you prepare beyond just the numbers.

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Exit Wise Website

Exit Wise Podcast

Exit Wise Newsletter

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What happens after the exit? In this honest and powerful conversation, Krystyn Harrison opens up about what it really felt like to sell her first tech company, the unexpected pain, identity loss, and the journey back to finding purpose.

We unpack the emotional and practical lessons most founders aren’t prepared for, including why so many regret their exits, and how to start preparing for what comes after the sale, long before you’re ready to let go.

You’ll also hear why separating your personal brand from your business matters, even if selling isn’t on your radar yet. We’ll talk about how to build a business that can run without you, and the powerful mindset shift that protects both your company and your peace of mind.

Whether you’re years away from exiting or in the thick of building, this is an essential listen for any founder thinking long-term.

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Exit Horizon Website

What if your next chapter isn’t about achieving more, but feeling more?

In this raw and refreshingly honest conversation, Kelsey Kitsch, entrepreneur, author of Success Hangover, and champion of radical self-expression, opens up about what happens when the life you built no longer fits.

After chasing success and doing all the “right” things, Kelsey hit a turning point: What if there’s more to life than checking boxes?

We talk about intimacy, desire, and why being truly seen, by yourself and others, can be the most healing experience of all. From building multimillion-dollar companies to diving into psychedelics and pleasure work, Kelsey shares what it means to live with radical authenticity, especially in midlife.

This episode is full of truth bombs, laughter, and powerful takeaways about reinvention, identity, and the messy beauty of being fully alive.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s next, this is your invitation to find out.

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In this thought-provoking episode of Legacy Branding, I sit down with legendary coach and business mentor Taki Moore for a conversation that moves far beyond tactics.

Together, we explore what it truly takes to build a coaching business that’s not just scalable, but deeply meaningful. One that serves others, supports your lifestyle, and stays deeply aligned with who you are.

Taki shares his unique philosophy on choosing the right niche (without the pressure), pricing based on value (not self-worth), and building systems that create freedom, not burnout. We also dive into his personal journey: from inherited money beliefs and a fear of sales, to building a business that helps “the good guys win.” 

And “Coaching Beyond the Self”? That’s his quiet rebellion, coaching not from ego, but from service. It’s about creating real impact, leaving a thumbprint on your clients’ success, and building a business that truly matters.

Whether you’re just starting out or already growing, this episode will inspire you to rethink how you coach, how you grow, and how you show up. Expect frameworks, funny stories, sharp insights, and a fresh perspective on legacy.

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What if emotional intelligence was the real foundation of great leadership and the legacy you leave behind?

In this episode of The Legacy Branding Podcast, I’m joined by Mike Desjardins, strategic advisor, founder of ViRTUS, and one of the most emotionally intelligent leaders I’ve ever met.

Mike doesn’t just talk about leadership, he lives it. From building a purpose-driven business to guiding others through high-stakes transitions, his journey is a beautiful example of leading with intention, clarity, and heart.

We talk about what it means to grow people, not just companies, and how the way we show up (especially in the hard moments) is what truly defines our legacy. Mike also shares powerful insights on emotional intelligence, the difference between reacting and responding, and why your personal brand matters long after you leave the business behind.

If you’re a founder, a leader, or just someone who wants to show up more fully, this one’s for you. Tune in, you might never see leadership the same way again.

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In this deeply resonant episode of the Legacy Branding Podcast, I sit down with Derek Coburn, entrepreneur, bestselling author, financial advisor, and co-founder of the Cadre community. We dive into the big, bold question: What if retirement isn’t the goal?

Derek shares the thinking behind his book Let’s Retire Retirement, challenging the outdated narrative that fulfillment comes after we stop working. We talk about building a life that feels aligned and joyful now, not just someday. From parenting with presence to redefining success, this episode is a heartfelt conversation about creating a life rich with meaning, connection and intentional choices.

If you’ve ever questioned the traditional path, or want more joy, purpose and fun in the one you’re on, this episode is for you.

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Derek's Website

In this honest and inspiring conversation, I’m joined by Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, bestselling author, speaker, and proud mom of six. Julie shares her journey from making labels in her basement to becoming the face of a beloved multi-million dollar brand, even after selling the business.

We talk about what it really looks like to sell your company and stay on board, the power of personal branding, not just for founders and visible leaders, but for every team member representing your company, and why your team’s alignment with your values matters more than ever. Julie gets real about how her personal brand helped build trust and drive growth, and why it’s so important for founders to separate who they are from what they’ve built.

We also dive into the balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship, the choices and sacrifices that come with both, and how creating independence at home shaped how she leads her team.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens after the exit, or how to show up authentically as a leader, this one’s for you.

Connect with Julie Cole:

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Learn more about Mabel’s Labels:

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In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I sit down with Mike Brown—former Navy fighter pilot, founder of a wildly successful investment firm, and now a transformational coach helping entrepreneurs redefine wealth on their own terms.

Mike shares his deeply personal journey of achieving everything society says will make us happy—wealth, status, success—only to find himself asking, “Is this it?” From the disorienting silence after the deal closes to the pressure of figuring out what’s next, Mike opens up about the emotional reckoning, identity crisis, and eventual healing that came through creating space.

If you’ve ever wondered who you are without your business, or what a meaningful, joy-filled life looks like beyond the hustle, this one’s for you.

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Mike's Website