Level Up Claims

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with Marie Torossian, CPA, former CFO, and founder of The Profit Lab, to discuss how business owners can scale smarter, increase valuation, and build systems that attract investors.

Marie explains why true business modernization goes far beyond technology and into mindset, leadership, and financial strategy. She breaks down value-based pricing, financial projections, process documentation, and why clean financials are non-negotiable for growth, private equity interest, and long-term scalability.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for firm owners and entrepreneurs who want to reduce owner dependency, create predictable growth, and build a business that can operate—and sell—without chaos.

Highlights:

• Marie Torossian's journey from CPA and CFO to scaling strategist
• Why modernization is about mindset—not just tech stacks
• How value-based pricing increases profitability and confidence
• Common financial red flags that hurt valuation
• Why clean books are essential before scaling
• The role of financial projections in strategic growth
• What investors look for in scalable businesses
• Systems and processes that reduce owner dependency
• Identifying chaos vs. structure inside your organization
• Leadership habits that drive long-term growth
• What it really means to "level up" as a business owner

Episode Resources:

· Connect with Marie Torossian

· https://marietorossiancpa.com

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

In fast-moving industries like insurance, legal services, and contracting, clear communication is often the difference between growth and dysfunction. In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, host Galen Hair sits down with Ben Baker—author, public speaker, podcast host, and communication strategist with 25+ years of experience—to unpack what truly makes internal and external communication work.

Ben explains why most mission statements fail, how leaders unintentionally sabotage trust, and why employees believe actions more than words. He introduces powerful frameworks for aligning mission, vision, and values, shows how storytelling turns teams into brand advocates, and explains why leaders must communicate the why, not just the what.

Highlights

· Why "values are lived, not laminated"

· The biggest communication traps leaders fall into

· How storytelling helps teams internalize change

· Why internal podcasts outperform emails and meetings

· A real-world case study that saved millions in onboarding costs

· How employee belief directly impacts customer experience and brand value

· Practical ways to measure whether your communication is actually working

Episode Resources

· Connect with Ben Baker

· https://iambenbaker.com/

· Connect with Galen M. Hair

· https://insuranceclaimhq.com

· [email protected]

· https://levelupclaim.com/

As we ready for the new year, tune into this special episode of the "Level Up Claims Podcast" with host Galen Hair, featuring powerful insights from industry experts. Whether it's embracing technology, enhancing personal growth, or championing justice, find out what it truly means to "level up." Perfect for anyone in the storm restoration industry ready to embrace new challenges!

Highlights

• Continuous learning.

• Building potential.

• Keep moving forward.

• The importance of self-discovery.

• Tackle daily challenges.

• Holistic problem solving.

• Maintaining personal goals.

• Take community action.

• Growing business value.

• Taking a step back.

• Staying curious and intentional.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

In this episode, host Galen Hair sits down with creative entrepreneur and author Aurora Winter to explore the power of storytelling in business, leadership, and sales. Aurora explains why expertise alone is no longer enough in a crowded, AI-driven world—and how the right message can dramatically multiply impact and revenue.

Drawing from neuroscience, real-world case studies, and her book Turn Words Into Wealth, Aurora breaks down how stories bypass resistance, build trust, and drive decision-making. From crafting irresistible hooks to leveraging books as powerful business assets, this conversation offers a clear framework for turning your experiences into influence and income.

• Aurora Winter's journey as a creative entrepreneur and author

• Why most professionals underinvest in their message

• How one simple messaging shift led to $3M in sales

• The neuroscience of communication and the three-step persuasion framework

• Why stories sell better than data alone

• Pattern interrupts and hooks that cut through content noise

• The role of status, authority, and social proof in messaging

• How AI can help—and where it falls short in storytelling

• Using books as lead magnets rather than products

• Aurora's $250,000 case study from a single book funnel

• The 27x value multiplier created by adding meaning and story

• Why struggle is essential to the hero's journey

• Aurora Winter's definition of leveling up

Episode Resources

• Connect with Aurora Winter

• https://www.aurorawinter.com/

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

In this episode of the Level Up Claims podcast, host Galen Hair welcomes Andrew Hinkelman of Priority-1 Group, former CTO turned leadership coach, to discuss the evolution of effective leadership. With over 25 years in technology and corporate management, Andrew shares insights on how to move beyond systems and processes to focus on what truly drives success: building trust and fostering strong human connections.

Highlights:

• Andrew's career transition from CTO to leadership coach.

• Overcoming burnout and trusting your team.

• How shadow cultures can hinder real decision-making.

• The importance of emotional intelligence in technical leadership.

• Practical tips for improving team dynamics and communication.

• Leveraging AI as a tool, not a threat, to leadership.

For leaders ready to "level up" their approach, this episode provides actionable strategies to enhance communication, develop stronger relationships, and lead with empathy.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Andrew Hinkelman
• https://www.pri-1.com
• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/

After more than 25 years running one of Florida's fastest-growing remodeling companies, Fabian Videla found himself facing the same nightmare every contractor knows too well: permitting delays, inconsistent city processes, and mountains of paperwork that slowed projects, and profits, to a crawl. Instead of accepting that bottleneck as "just how it is," Fabian decided to rebuild the system from the ground up using AI.

Today, Permit Rockstar is redefining the way construction and remodeling companies move work through cities and counties.

Highlights:

• His journey from growing up in Mendoza, Argentina to launching a multimillion-dollar remodeling company in the U.S.
• The permitting pain points that pushed him to create a tech solution contractors desperately needed
• How he strategically integrates AI—without relying on generic "chatbot" tools—to automate real, regulation-bound workflows
• What the future of construction tech looks like, from AI-generated blueprints to instant zoning checks
• Why accessibility, training, and understanding the right AI models will separate winners from laggards in the next 3–5 years
• His vision to make permitting in Florida fully digital—and eventually transform the industry nationwide

Episode Resources

• Connect with Fabian Videla
• https://permitrockstar.com/
• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/

In this episode of the Level Up Claims Podcast, Galen Hair sits down with Jon Buehler, founder of Buehler Business Brokers, to break down the realities of valuation, risk, transferability, and how to plan for a successful exit, whether or not you want to sell in 3 years or 30.

Jon has worked on deals ranging from small home-service companies to $100M+ transactions.

Highlights

• Why most owners wildly overestimate or underestimate their business
• How buyers actually evaluate value
• The hidden risks that kill deals (owner dependency, customer concentration, bad financials)
• When you should start exit planning
• How to know if now is the right time to sell
• Why your identity might be the biggest obstacle to exiting
• How to fix your business so it's worth more, even if you're not ready to sell

Episode Resources

• Connect with Jon Buehler
• https://www.buehlerbusinessbrokers.com/
• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/

In this powerful episode, host Galen Hair sits down with leadership strategist Nell 3D, whose Me–We–World framework is reshaping how high achievers lead, live, and sustain performance. Nell's story is anything but ordinary: from student debt, burnout, missing her father's funeral, divorce, and even a near-fatal head-on collision all forced a reckoning that transformed both her life and her leadership philosophy. What emerged is a radical concept: The Missing 1%—the idea that real success comes not from adding more, but from subtracting strategically.

Highlights

• Nell3D's academic background and journey to leadership.

• Why many leaders feel successful on paper but empty in reality.

• The gap between theory and practice in high-level organizations.

• A divorce, missing her father's funeral, and a near-fatal crash.

• The shift from one-dimensional "world impact" to 3-dimensional leadership.

• Turning personal collapse into a leadership framework.

• Integrating personal well-being, relationships, and world impact.

• Identifying outdated habits and inherited "shoulds.

• Power with instead of power over in collaboration.

• Negative thought spirals and realistic energy management.

• Real-world, data-driven self-awareness.

• Why horses detect inauthenticity better than humans.

• Nell3D's definition of leveling up.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Nell3D

• https://www.nell3d.com/

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

In this episode, host Galen Hair sits down with international business advisor Diane Helbig to explore modern leadership. Helbig challenges outdated practices, advocating for empathy, presence, and collaboration over control. Her insights offer a playbook for leaders seeking to empower teams and drive innovation. Tune in to learn actionable strategies to foster a supportive and productive business environment. Great for anyone interested in transforming their leadership approach.

Highlights

• Diane Helbig's background and career transition.

• Problems with traditional leadership structures.

• The global work environment shifts post-Covid.

• Shift from ego to empathy and control to curiosity.

• Challenges with an employee not meeting deadlines.

• The importance of having safe conversations to address disconnects.

• Presence over performance in leadership.

• Trust and its challenges in remote/hybrid teams.

• Power with instead of power over in collaboration.

• Encouraging leaders to communicate change transparently.

• Steps to foster psychological safety in a team.

• Measuring success in collaborative leadership.

• Diane Helbig's definition of leveling up.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/

Catch the latest Level Up Claims podcast episode, where Galen Hair chats with Lee Miller, host of the Conquer Contractor Chaos podcast. Lee shares his journey from construction to building multi-million dollar businesses. Discover how crafting the right culture can turn chaos into long- term success. Whether you're a contractor or business owner, learn why culture trumps strategy and how to build a powerhouse team that wins every time. Don't miss Lee's insights on leveraging intrinsic values to create a thriving work environment. Tune in!

Highlights

• Culture always eats strategy for breakfast.

• Contractors lose people due to culture, not pay.

• Transition from construction to hospitality.

• Learning through managerial curiosity.

• Culture needs to be intentional.

• Intrinsic vs. extrinsic values.

• Building intrinsic values in the workplace.

• Maslow's hierarchy of needs applied.

• The love and belonging phase elevates teams.

• Cultivate a positive and intentional culture.

• Competency vs. commitment in employees.

• Blueprint for intentional culture building.

• Communicate culture goals effectively.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair

• https://insuranceclaimhq.com

• [email protected]

• https://levelupclaim.com/