Here's a relationship that isn’t picture-perfect. I’m not close with my dad, but I’m still his daughter and I’ve learnt powerful lessons from who he is and what he’s lived through: growing up as the oldest son of nine kids on a chicken farm, becoming a medical doctor, building a clinic, and continuing to lead with duty and care even as his health declines.

You’ll hear what I’ve adopted from him (resilience, service, quiet strength), what I chose to do differently after watching kindness backfire, and how those experiences shaped me into a more grounded, reliable business advisor. If you’ve ever had complicated family dynamics but still found meaning and lessons inside them, this episode will stay with you.

I walk you through how I handled a real-life disruption that could have derailed my business - and the exact decision-making framework I used to stay calm, protect my environment, and keep executing anyway.

What you’ll learn in this recording:

If you’ve ever felt like you’re building your business while life keeps throwing problems at you, this episode is your playbook for staying steady and moving anyway.

Private equity legend Adam Coffey joins Lorraine Chai to break down how he went from Army discipline to CEO exits, completing 58 acquisitions and helping drive $2.5B in exits. You will learn why the best operators buy great companies (not fixer-uppers), how multiple liquidity events can beat the one-and-done exit myth, and what it really takes to build an “empire” with a clear destination, a value creation plan, and the mindset to ask: “Why not me?”

Get his books:

- Empire Builder: https://amzn.to/4fPFsYs

- The Private Equity Playbook: https://amzn.to/4aceIOb

- The Private Equity Playbook (2nd): https://amzn.to/3S8Ufni

- The Exit Strategy Playbook: https://amzn.to/4uGrlJS

Follow him on social media & Websites

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamecoffey_official/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamecoffey/

- The Chairman Group: https://chairmangroup.us/

I didn’t grow up with Memorial Day, so I walked into my first one with one goal: learn. In this episode, I share what it felt like attending Flags for Heroes hosted by Rotary in Clayton: the presence of police, fire, military, residents, Rotarians, and families of all ages moving together to place flags, the quiet energy of unity, and the surprising moment the sky held off the rain and delivered a rainbow. I also reflect on what it means to honour heroes even when you don’t have a direct family connection to military service, and why this experience reminded me of Australia’s ANZAC Day.

I used to hide behind the phrase “I don’t know” because being wrong felt unsafe. In this episode of The Solo 2 Entrepreneur Show, I share how my upbringing in a strict entrepreneurial family shaped that fear, what I learned from my vocal teacher Kerrie Biddell about focusing on progress, and how asking better questions became the pivot point for my confidence and results. You’ll leave with a simple framework to find your hook, define your USP, and answer the real question every entrepreneur must face: why you?

Most marketing fails because it skips the part buyers actually need: the story behind the offer.

I met a young entrepreneur in Cambodia showing up at 3AM on the same coaching call. What level of commitment really means, why the right mentors and rooms can accelerate your growth, and how to move even when you feel scared, behind, or “not ready.” If you’ve been protecting comfort instead of protecting your potential, this is your wake-up call.

Growth is not a season. It’s a lifestyle. Let's unpack why every human is wired for development and why the best investment is the one where you bet on yourself on purpose. This episode ties self-investment to legacy: the desire to evolve, build, give back, and bring others along for the journey, whether you’re in your 20s, 40s, or 60s. If you’re still listening, something here is calling you higher.

What does it take to lead when the room is loud and the stakes are public? Lorraine Chai talks with Jacques Gilbert, Mayor of Apex, on leadership, identity, and building community. From a historic Black neighborhood to 29 years in law enforcement (retired Captain) to Mayor, he shares mindset shifts, the story behind his gold shoes, and why communication beats charisma.

- Facebook: @mayorjacquesgilbert

- Instagram: @mayorjacquesgilbert

- LinkedIn: @jacques-k-gilbert-12041b12

In this episode, discover the truth behind fearlessness in entrepreneurship - it’s not about absence of fear, but mastering it to make confident decisions amid uncertainty. Whether you’re facing business upheaval or life’s unexpected twists, learn how to reclaim control, prioritize with clarity, and lead your venture with unwavering purpose. Tune in to start your journey from reactive chaos to proactive control.