In this episode, learn more about Stu’s journey, the values that drive his work, and how he continues to make a positive impact through technology and community service.
Meet Stuart “Stu” Selbst, a community-focused technologist, entrepreneur, and the founder of StuTech. With more than 30 years of experience in IT, telecommunications, and cybersecurity, Stu has built a reputation for making technology easier to understand, safer to use, and less stressful for everyday people.What began as helping seniors in his local community evolved into a trusted business founded on integrity, patience, and genuine human connection. Stu is passionate about simplifying complex technology, helping people protect themselves from online threats, and ensuring every client feels supported and empowered.Beyond his professional expertise, Stu is a devoted husband, proud cat dad, lifelong Dodgers fan, and someone who believes in kindness, service, and treating others with respect. His mission is simple: help people feel safe, confident, and supported in an increasingly digital world.

In this episode of Tales with Taylor, Taylor sits down with talent advisory expert Jim Janosik to discuss the evolving world of recruiting, hiring, and retaining top talent.With a career that began in hospitality and real estate development before transitioning into talent acquisition, Jim shares how the 2008 economic downturn unexpectedly led him into recruiting—and why understanding people remains the key to success. I'm also shares insights on why hiring is ultimately about people, not just resumes, job descriptions, or technology.

If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, manager, or anyone interested in leadership and talent development, this conversation offers valuable lessons on finding the right people and building stronger teams.Subscribe for more business stories, leadership insights, and entrepreneurial journeys on Tales with Taylor.

Why Buying a Business Gives You a Head Start. In this episode, Dan Foley explains why acquiring a business can often be a faster, smarter, and less risky path to entrepreneurship.

Dan shares how he accidentally got into banking after landing a college internship, earning his business degree, and continuing down a path that eventually led him into business acquisitions and entrepreneurship. He also talks about why contracting and service-based businesses generate so much activity in the market, and how many buyers succeed by stepping into established operations and running them effectively instead of building everything from zero.The conversation also dives into the importance of strong communication and detailed business planning. Dan explains how minimal answers from clients can create major problems and why entrepreneurs need to “sell themselves” through the way they communicate. He also shares how he created a template to help people build better business plans and present their ideas more clearly.Toward the end, Dan reflects on a lesson that changed his perspective on life and business: sometimes it’s better to be kind than right.If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, buying a business, small business strategy, leadership, or investing, this episode is full of practical insights and real-world advice.

Virtual Assisting Before it Was Cool with Alana Roberts. On this episode of Tales with Taylor, Taylor sits down with entrepreneur and executive concierge Alana Roberts to talk about virtual assistance, business growth, AI tools, and lifelong learning. Schedule your complimentary strategy session now! https://bit.ly/FP_StrategySessionAlana shares how she began her journey over 22 years ago helping entrepreneurs with blogging, scheduling, websites, and business support long before virtual assistants became mainstream. Today, she partners with businesses of all sizes, helping entrepreneurs stay organized, reduce overwhelm, and continue growing.Taylor and Alana discuss the importance of delegation, how AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are helping businesses operate more efficiently, and why staying curious and open to learning new skills is so important in today’s world. The conversation also touches on spirituality, meditation, community, and Alana’s passion for helping others through Packs for Prosperity, an initiative supporting people experiencing homelessness in the Phoenix area.Books mentioned in this episode include The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer and Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs and community leaders.

What’s really holding your business back? In this episode of Tales with Taylor, we sit down with Paul Sim, founder of Gap View Business Advisors, to uncover the uncomfortable truths leaders often avoid—and how facing them can unlock real, measurable growth.With over 30 years of experience, Paul has helped businesses transform from struggling operations into profitable, scalable organizations—including turning a $500K loss into a $1.5M profit. His approach goes beyond surface-level fixes, diving deep into the gaps between leadership vision and team execution.In this conversation, you’ll learn:- Why leaders struggle to face hard truths in their business- The biggest gap most organizations overlook- What “radical clarity” really means (and why buy-in isn’t enough)- How to identify and fix performance gaps holding your team back- The importance of systems over talent- How failure can become your greatest growth strategy- The balance between structure and creativity in business (jazz vs. classical 🎷)Paul also shares actionable insights on building aligned teams, improving systems, and creating a “north star” that drives real results.If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or business owner ready to grow, scale, and lead with clarity—this episode is for you.Books mentioned: Smartrev, Essentialism

Flip Your Mindset and Master Public Speaking Confidence with Frank Kitchen. Schedule your complimentary strategy session now! https://bit.ly/FP_StrategySessionWhat if the key to confident public speaking starts in your mind?In this episode of Tales with Taylor, professional growth expert Frank Kitchen shares how shifting your mindset can transform the way you show up on stage and in life. From losing his job in 2015 to becoming a globally recognized keynote speaker, Frank breaks down how focus, belief, and action can turn setbacks into powerful breakthroughs.Learn why “where your mind goes, your body and mouth will follow” and how focusing on fear can hold you back while focusing on purpose can open doors you never expected.Frank also dives into his Live Fresh approach, teaching how to flip stale thinking into fresh results by becoming more focused, resourceful, enthusiastic, strong, and honest. Whether you’re looking to improve your public speaking, grow your career, or build confidence, this conversation is packed with real strategies you can apply right away.If you have ever doubted yourself before speaking or stepping into something new, this episode will help you shift your perspective and take action. https://www.frankkitchen.com/book_motivational_speaker_frank_kitchenShoe Brand: https://candymankicks.com/

In this episode of Tales with Taylor, we sit down with author Mary Westheimer, who shares powerful (and often surprising) insights from her book What Nobody Tells You About Getting Older. From the impact of deep breathing to the importance of protein and collagen, this conversation is packed with practical tips for navigating life with more energy, awareness, and joy.Mary opens up about aging with honesty and humor—covering everything from physical changes and daily habits to mindset, loss, and finding peace through it all. Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, or beyond, this episode will shift how you think about growing older.Mary Westheimer (who is not ashamed to be 70) didn’t mean to write What Nobody Tells You About Getting Older, a book about aging with both eyes open and a smile on your lips. Then she realized that her longtime collection of observations and helpful tips could help people handle the reality of aging (and life in general) while not taking it overly seriously. Westheimer has written hundreds of articles for national, regional, and local publications including USA Today, Columbia Journalism Review, and Publishers Weekly, and was associate editor of national airline America West Airlines’ inflight magazine for eight years. She and the book were recently featured in Parade Magazine. Learn more at https://www.whatnobodytellsyou.com/

What if your business actually supported your life instead of taking it over?

In this episode of Tales with Taylor, we sit down with Jess Hershey—work-life strategist, creative partner, and founder of Moca—to talk about building a business with intention, balance, and joy.From a funny and slightly scary story about falling into the ocean while chasing her dog, to deep insights on entrepreneurship, delegation, and community, this conversation is a reminder that success does not have to lead to burnout.If you have ever felt overwhelmed, stuck doing everything yourself, or disconnected from why you started your business, this episode will give you a fresh perspective.

In this episode of Tales with Taylor, we talk about what it really takes to grow a strong and successful team while becoming a confident leader. Hiring is more than just reviewing resumes. It is about getting to know people, understanding who they are, and finding individuals who truly align with your company culture. Soft skills often matter more than technical ability because skills can be taught, but the right mindset and attitude are harder to develop.We also discuss the importance of confidence when connecting with other business owners. No matter how experienced someone may seem, they are still people, and meaningful relationships can be built through genuine connection. Leveraging AI is another key topic, focusing on how it can help streamline processes and improve efficiency in your day-to-day work.The conversation also touches on reflection and mental health, emphasizing how both positive and negative experiences shape who you are. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, use them as opportunities to grow. Practicing gratitude and being intentional with your time, especially in the mornings, can have a powerful impact on your mindset.

This episode of Tales with Taylor holds a special place in host Taylor Wellman's heart — because without guest Shane Cook, there might not be a podcast at all. Shane is the Realtor who helped Taylor's company, Financial Potion, find the Mesa studio they call home today, the very space that has allowed them to produce quality video content and help countless business owners across the valley tell their stories.

Shane Cook is a full-time Realtor serving residential, commercial, and investment clients throughout the Southeast Valley of the Phoenix Metro area. With an impressive roster of designations including CCIM, CIPS, GRI, ABR, and more, Shane brings a depth of expertise that is rare in any industry. He is also an active investor and developer with a 195-unit apartment complex currently under development. In 2026, Shane serves as Arizona Realtors President Elect, Chair of the Leading Edge Advisory Board, and as an NAR Director — all while volunteering at the local association level and serving on his HOA board in Gilbert. When he is not shaping the future of real estate, you can find him off-roading in his Bronco, hiking, shooting, or adventuring outdoors with his wife, son, dog, and three cats.

In this conversation, Taylor and Shane get back to basics and get real about what it truly takes to build a lasting business and a meaningful career.

In this episode they cover:

Back to Basics— Why relationships are the foundation of everything in business— The role financial literacy plays in both personal and professional success— How to stop taking rejection personally and use it as fuel— Why flexibility is essential when markets shift and what worked before stops working— The importance of developing standout skills in your industry

Trust the Process— Why it is not uncommon for a business to take three to five years before turning a profit— How to use slower seasons to sharpen your systems so you are ready when business picks up

Don't Do It Alone— Why asking experts for help — in business and in life — is a sign of strength, not weakness— How specialists can open your eyes to options you never knew existed— Finding the tasks you can delegate so you can focus more time and energy on what truly matters.