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Ever wondered how some businesses seem to have plenty of cash while others with similar revenue struggle to make payroll? The secret lies in understanding the financial gap between money coming in and money going out—and nobody explains this better than Cashflow Mike.

In this eye-opening episode, Mike Milan shares his remarkable journey from state trooper to financial expert, revealing how accident reconstruction mathematics gave him the breakthrough he needed to understand business finances in practical, applicable ways. "I didn't understand math until I was a state trooper," Mike explains, describing how connecting abstract concepts to real-world scenarios transformed his relationship with numbers.

Mike introduces us to the counterintuitive concept of "growing broke"—being so successful that you actually run out of money. Through colorful stories about his experiences running multiple businesses (from janitorial services to restaurants and property management), he illustrates how extending payment terms to clients while still needing to meet regular expenses creates a dangerous cash flow trap that can sink even thriving companies.

The heart of this episode focuses on Mike's Clear Path to Cash program and how it helps businesses identify hidden cash through analyzing just nine key numbers from financial statements. This approach has helped his clients uncover over $150 million in hidden cash without increasing sales. Rather than chasing revenue, Mike emphasizes focusing on gross profit—the only cash available to cover operating expenses or contribute to net profit.

For business owners feeling the cash crunch despite solid sales, this episode provides practical insights into six key calculations that reveal where cash is hiding in your business. Whether you're running a construction company, a service business, or any small to medium enterprise, Mike's accessible approach to financial analysis will transform how you view your business finances.

Ready to find the hidden cash in your business? Visit cashflowmike.com for a free Seven Minute Conversation course that will help you understand your business finances better than you have all year.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemilan/

cashflowmike.com 

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=cash%20flow%20mike

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Ever wonder what keeps your friendly neighborhood business attorney up at night? Hint: it's watching entrepreneurs shake hands on partnerships without proper documentation, then having to pick up the pieces when it all falls apart.

Brandon Woodward, founder of Woodward, Kelly, Fulton and Kaplan, cuts through the legal mystique to deliver straight talk about protecting your small business. With 25 years of experience guiding entrepreneurs through the legal landscape, Brandon shares why waiting until there's a problem to seek legal help is like trying to buy insurance while your house is already on fire.

The conversation tackles those awkward but essential discussions business partners need to have while everyone's still smiling and optimistic. Brandon explains why documenting agreements upfront prevents costly disputes when unexpected circumstances arise. "Silent partners are never silent," he warns, highlighting how proper documentation protects everyone involved when reality inevitably differs from rosy projections.

Cash flow challenges get special attention as Brandon reveals why collections issues can sink even profitable businesses. "A business can run in the red for decades, but you can only run out of cash one time," he notes, offering practical advice for maintaining healthy receivables without alienating clients.

Perhaps most valuable is Brandon's guidance on building business cultures that retain talent. He shares a philosophy that resonates deeply: "Train employees so well they could work anywhere. Treat them so well they won't want to." Through profit-sharing and meaningful inclusion, Brandon demonstrates how legal structures can support rather than hinder positive workplace dynamics.

For business owners contemplating an exit, Brandon's insights on preparing years in advance for a sale prove invaluable. His free white paper (available at wkfklaw.com) outlines steps to maximize value and ensure smooth transitions.

Ready to protect what you've built? This episode delivers the legal wisdom every entrepreneur needs without the intimidating billable hours. Your business deserves more than a handshake and good intentions—give it the legal foundation to thrive.

linkedin.com/in/wkfklw.com 

wkfklw.com 

facebook.com/WoodwardCounsel 

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James Holivsky of The Fran Dream shares his journey from corporate America to helping athletes and professionals find the right franchise fit, revealing what makes a successful franchise owner and which concepts offer the best opportunities today.

• After 25 years in corporate America, James helped grow a restaurant chain from 1 to 100 stores before partnering with NFL players on various concepts
• Athletes excel at franchise ownership because they're accustomed to following playbooks and betting on themselves
• The most successful franchisees follow established systems rather than trying to reinvent them
• Current hot franchise opportunities include indoor golf simulators with 24/7 access and minimal staffing requirements
• Dog grooming concepts with membership models offer strong margins and recurring revenue
• Home service businesses, children's education, and senior care will continue to be strong franchise sectors
• Semi-passive ownership is possible but requires initial hands-on involvement and strong managers
• James personally vets franchises by examining profit margins, startup costs, and franchisee satisfaction
• When evaluating franchises, the most important question to ask existing owners is "Would you do it again?"
• Finding the right franchise requires clarity about your goals: semi-passive income, multi-unit operation, or building generational wealth

If you're interested in exploring franchise opportunities, visit TheFranDream.com or email James at [email protected].

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhilovsky/

https://www.instagram.com/thefrandream/?hl=en

#franchise#franchisee#franchisor#professional#athlete#playbook#golf#goldsimulator#thefrandream#smallbusiness#money#love#joshaltman

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Charles and Clay Gridley, the father-son duo behind Six Bridges Brewing, share their journey from homebrewers to successful craft brewery owners with two locations in Georgia's Johns Creek and Milton areas. They reveal how strategic infrastructure planning, distribution partnerships, and community engagement have helped them thrive for seven years in a competitive market.

• Started as homebrewers before investing Charles' retirement savings to launch Georgia's first father-son brewery
• Built larger infrastructure than initially needed to avoid costly upgrades later, making expansion easier
• Navigated Georgia's three-tier distribution system by carefully selecting the right distributor partner
• Boldly expanded to a second location during November 2020 despite pandemic uncertainties
• Created community gathering spaces with events, special releases like the popular "Love Tractor" peach IPA
• Integrated family throughout the business, with Clay's wife managing the Milton location and Charles' brother handling production
• Constantly adapting to industry trends while maintaining core business principles
• Named "Six Bridges" after the six roads with "bridge" in their names throughout Johns Creek

Come visit one of our two locations in Johns Creek or Milton to experience our craft beers, spirits, and community atmosphere. If you can name all six bridges without looking at our mural, your first pint is on us!

www.sixbridgesbrewing.com

https://www.facebook.com/6BridgesBrewing

https://www.linkedin.com/company/six-bridges-brewing/

https://www.instagram.com/sixbridgesbrewing/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/sixbridgescrabapple/?hl=en

#beer#love#money#distillery#taproom#beergarden#dogfriendly##packagebeer#livemusic#foodtrucks#beerdistribution#entertainment#patio#IPA#tiptop#lovetractor#sours#bourbon#rum#singlemaltwhiskey#whiskey#barbeque#prohibition#keylimepie# casualatmosphere#family

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Derek and Andrea Johnston share their journey from enjoying a charcuterie board on their first date to founding The Gathering Board, a successful charcuterie business started during the pandemic.

• Started business without formal planning after discovering no similar services existed in their area
• Built their website in three days and received their first non-friend order while grocery shopping
• Initially operated as a "bootleg" business until securing proper licensing and a commercial space
• Gained traction through Facebook group "Cherokee Connect," generating 500 website visits overnight
• Adopted Gordon Ramsay's quality standards after Andrea watched Hell's Kitchen while recovering from a broken jaw
• Expanded from small home delivery boards to event catering, now representing 75% of their business
• Secured their liquor license to provide full-service events including charcuterie and their signature "Pasta Baby" dish
• Partner with Rally Foundation for childhood cancer research, raising $20,000 through donated services
• Now employ a manager plus several staff members after five years in business
• Maintain the same high standards for every client regardless of size or profile

Follow the same high standards for all your work because you never know when a small job will lead to a major opportunity – many clients try a small order before booking a wedding or large event.
[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/thegatheringboard.co/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/thegatheringboard.co/?ref=_xav_ig_profile_page_web#

www.thegatheringboard.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-johnston-70a8271bb/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-johnston-4806746a/

#rallyfoundation#pastababy#focaccia#cherokeecountyfacebook#rallyontherunway#charcuterieboard#love#wine#pasta#grazingtables#catering#delivery#Atlanta#smallbusiness#money#entreprenuer

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Justin shares his entrepreneurial journey from math teacher to software sales professional to exterior cleaning business owner, revealing how a layoff turned his side hustle into a full-time venture.

• Started with just $4,000 investment and his wife's blessing to "go fail"
• Prioritized education by traveling to learn from industry veterans rather than figuring it out alone
• Discovered algae on roofs is a living organism eating away at shingles, requiring cleaning every 5-7 years
• Partnered with insurance companies who were looking to reduce their risk from unmaintained properties
• Built a custom pump system capable of cleaning 4-5 story buildings from the ground without ladders
• Broke his arm in a ladder accident, forcing him to hire and train others—accelerating business growth
• Doubled business in year two through networking, particularly through BNI membership
• Now considering vertical integration by acquiring a chemical distribution dealership
• Exploring development of a direct-to-consumer product to help homeowners properly clean exteriors

If you're facing algae streaks on your roof or need exterior cleaning services in the Atlanta area, reach out to Justin at myexteriorcleaner.com or find them on Instagram and LinkedIn.

#myexteriorcleaner
#heretohelp

linkedin.com/in/justin-reames

myexteriorcleaner.com

#pressure#cleaner#clean#boats#BNI#algae#roofs#love#money#ladders#solutions#pressurewashing#pressurewashingsolutions#insurance#help

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Mindset coach Renata Mazu reveals how mental blocks prevent business growth and success despite having the right strategies and knowledge. She explores the psychology behind why entrepreneurs sabotage themselves through fear, past trauma, and unconscious patterns that keep them stuck.

• Most business owners know what to do but are held back by mindset issues and "head trash"
• Our past experiences create limiting beliefs that manifest as business obstacles decades later
• Looking for evidence not to trust people creates self-defeating cycles in leadership
• Fear of public speaking isn't about speaking itself but about feared consequences like judgment
• Mental blocks eventually manifest physically as stress, pain, or illness when left unprocessed
• Strategy is only 20-30% of business success - the rest is mindset and implementation
• Self-awareness and observing your patterns is the first step to breaking through limitations
• Processing past emotions properly unlocks new potential for growth and confidence
• Monthly "Money and Mindset" events in Atlanta combine practical strategy with psychological work

Check out Renata's book "Journey to Healing" on Amazon and connect with her on social media under Renata Mazu or Edge Savvy.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgesavvy/

Instagram:  @edgesavvy

#money#mindset#love#homeservicehalloffame#paulburleson#TheJourneytoHealing#healing#journey#golf

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What happens when a fallen preacher finds redemption behind prison walls? Kit Cummings shares his extraordinary journey from respected church leader to rock bottom, and how this painful path ultimately led him to discover his true calling.

With unflinching honesty, Kit reveals how the pressures of leading a 5,000-member congregation led to personal struggles that cost him everything. After a life-changing car accident that should have resulted in jail time but ended with what he calls "an angel in a cop uniform," Kit began a journey toward sobriety. His redemption story took an unexpected turn when he reconnected with a former mentee facing gang-related murder charges, opening the door to what would become his life's mission.

Through powerful storytelling, Kit takes us inside some of the world's most dangerous prisons, where he's created peace movements that have dramatically reduced violence. With vulnerability as his superpower, Kit has earned the respect of hardened gang leaders by approaching them not as broken souls needing salvation, but as teachers who helped him rediscover the principles of respect, integrity, and loyalty he had lost along the way.

The conversation expands beyond prison walls to Kit's work with youth through his "Protect the Dream" program, helping young people develop aspirations powerful enough to overcome negative influences. His insights about dream protection apply equally to business owners and anyone striving to maintain focus on their goals while navigating life's challenges.

This episode delivers profound lessons about redemption, purpose, and how our greatest failures can become the foundation for our most meaningful work. Kit's journey proves that transformation is possible in the most unlikely places, and that sometimes we find our truest calling only after losing everything we thought defined us.

#protectthedream#powerofpeace#kitcummings#respect#loyalty#integrity#prisons#gangsters#love

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Fernando Melo shares his incredible journey from Brazilian immigrant to successful business owner with M&M Home Exteriors, providing roofing, siding, gutters, windows, doors, painting and deck services throughout Atlanta.

• Fernando's dream to visit America and Disney World as a child led to his immigration in 2000
• Started with zero English skills, sleeping on a stranger's couch while attending ESL classes
• Discovered natural talent for exterior construction work, particularly siding installation
• Founded his first business just five years after arriving in America
• Survived the 2008 housing crisis by downsizing from four crews to just himself and a helper
• Expanded into M&M Home Exteriors in 2015, now running multiple specialized crews
• Customer service philosophy influenced by Disney's approach to creating experiences
• Values treating crews with respect and refuses to work with clients who disrespect his team
• Balances business ambitions with family time, building a legacy for his two young sons
• Emphasizes quality workmanship and taking pride in transforming homes

Visit sidingatlanta.com or search M&M Home Exteriors on social media platforms to learn more about Fernando's services.

#siding#love#atlanta#fernandomelo#M&Mhomeexteriors#disney#brazil#america#ESL#deck#exterior#home

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Michael shares his journey from Enterprise Rent-A-Car to real estate entrepreneurship, highlighting how each career step taught valuable lessons about leadership, influence, and customer service. His decision to leave corporate America wasn't about dissatisfaction but about creating a life and business fully aligned with his and his wife Cristi's deeper goals.

• Starting as a rental car agent and witnessing a tie get caught in a paper shredder (a moment that still lives in infamy)
• Working in diverse environments including South DeKalb and Kindercare, where he learned patience and adaptability
• Transitioning to franchising, where he developed skills in influencing without direct authority
• Realizing that despite corporate success, his goals required entrepreneurial freedom
• Building True Blue Mountain Group with a focus on operational excellence and customer experience
• Developing systems that create consistency in real estate transactions
• Using community involvement and networking to establish presence in Blue Ridge
• Leveraging social media connections to reach potential clients seeking vacation properties
• Understanding that when you "burn your ships" and commit fully, going back isn't an option
• Sharing his DIY disaster of accidentally drilling into a water pipe (and the smart move of putting the screw back in)

#truebluemountaingroup#realestate#bourbon#networking#KellerWilliams#KW#LOVE