Top 3

In this episode of Top 3, Marcia O'Connor, CEO of the O'Connor Group, had a conversation with Chris Schalleur, CEO of Christo IT, a seasoned expert in the IT world with 24 years of experience. They discussed various aspects of entrepreneurship, including Chris's journey into the IT field, lessons learned from his father's entrepreneurial background, and the importance of core values in building a company culture.Chris shared his early exposure to entrepreneurship, growing up in a household where his father ran his own firm. This experience instilled in him the value of being a trusted advisor to clients, which became a cornerstone of his career. They delved into the challenges and mistakes Chris encountered during his entrepreneurial journey. One major lesson learned was the importance of clearly defining and implementing core values within the organization. Chris admitted that his company initially had core values but did not actively incorporate them into their hiring and decision-making processes. He encouraged entrepreneurs to start with stories that resonate with their company's culture when developing core values.The conversation shifted to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in small businesses. Chris stressed the need to thoroughly understand the financials of the businesses being acquired and the importance of having a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of the deal. He shared a cautionary tale from his experience during 2009, emphasizing the importance of solid financial processes and procedures.Discussing cybersecurity and IT services, Chris emphasized the growing importance of cybersecurity insurance. He advised entrepreneurs to consult with insurance agents to understand their cybersecurity insurance requirements and premiums. Chris also highlighted the evolving nature of the IT industry, where efficiency and communication have become key drivers, especially in the context of remote work.In conclusion, the conversation offered valuable insights for entrepreneurs, from the significance of core values and M&A considerations to the ever-evolving landscape of IT services and cybersecurity. Chris Schalleur's journey and expertise serve as valuable lessons for those navigating the entrepreneurial path.

In the latest episode of "Top Three", Marcia O'Connor introduces Mike Jamgochian, a CPA with his own firm specializing in proactive accounting and consulting. Mike shares his journey from working at a large national firm to starting his own practice. He discusses the importance of proactive accounting, emphasizing the need for entrepreneurs to stay ahead of financial matters rather than reacting to them.

Mike's firm focuses on more than just tax returns; they provide comprehensive financial planning and analysis (FP&A). He stresses the importance of keeping financial records up-to-date in real time, allowing for better strategic planning. Mike highlights the need for entrepreneurs to have a deep understanding of their business's financial health, especially when it comes to profitability in different areas of their operations.

Mike encourages business owners to demand more from their financial professionals, emphasizing the value of hiring experts who can save them money and help them grow. In a practical example, Mike discusses how his firm helped an HVAC company undergoing a transition. They revamped the business's accounting systems and analyzed profitability in different areas, leading to a complete overhaul of the company's pricing strategy. He underscores the significance of strategic financial analysis for business growth and profitability.

As entrepreneurship continues to thrive, Mike advises aspiring entrepreneurs to seek professional assistance early on to navigate the complexities of taxes and financial planning. He emphasizes that understanding and managing your financial situation is crucial for the success of any business, and he invites entrepreneurs to reach out to him for guidance and support.

In this episode of Top 3, Marcia O'Connor introduces Jason Roy, a partner at Prime Benefit Solutions, who discusses the secrets and mistakes of entrepreneurs in the realm of employee benefits. This episode highlights their conversation on strategies for acquiring and retaining talented employees through benefit offerings.

Roy shares his journey and his transition into the insurance business, particularly focusing on Medicare and group health. He emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of industry shifts and recognizing pain points within group insurance, especially as larger insurance companies withdraw from the market. The episode delves into various innovative benefit strategies for companies, touching on topics like self-funded plans, medical bonuses, flexible savings accounts, and financial wellness coaching. Roy emphasizes the significance of regularly surveying employees to align benefit offerings with their needs, a strategy that can improve retention and overall satisfaction.

The episode also touches on emerging employee benefits trends, such as menopause leave, the four-day workweek, and workplace boundaries. These trends reflect a changing landscape where companies are thinking creatively about how to support their employees beyond traditional medical and dental benefits. Additionally, Roy provides insights into life insurance, short-term and long-term disability plans, and other benefits that can greatly impact employee satisfaction.

Overall, the episode sheds light on the evolving world of employee benefits, showcasing how entrepreneurs like Jason Roy are helping businesses navigate these changes to create more supportive workplaces.

In this episode of Top 3, Marcia O'Connor, the CEO and founder of The O'Connor Group, speaks with her friend Deborah Moses, who recently sold her business and is now working with a new technology consulting group. They discuss Deborah's transition from being a CEO for 20 years to her new role as VP of Sales. Deborah reflects on the challenges of making decisions within a team structure after being used to making all decisions herself. She also talks about the importance of considering age, retirement plans, and economic factors when deciding to sell her business.Deborah shares lessons from her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the significance of networking and building a strong company culture. She highlights the value of women-owned business certifications and advises entrepreneurs, especially women, to invest in themselves and pay attention to financial well-being. The conversation also touches on the difficulty of letting go of a business and trusting the new leadership to maintain the established culture. Both Marcia and Deborah stress the importance of following one's intuition and being adaptable in the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship. They acknowledge the challenges and rewards of being a female entrepreneur, discussing the progress that has been made while acknowledging the ongoing need for strong female representation in the business world.

In this episode of Top 3, Marcia O’Connor is joined by Regina Hess. Regina's story is one of courage, determination, and resilience as she embarked on her journey as an independent financial planner. After working in the financial industry for over 25 years, Regina became disillusioned with the pressure to prioritize profits over clients' best interests. She decided to break free from the constraints and start her own company. With a strong conviction to do what's right for her clients, Regina took the leap and established her firm in 2015, coincidentally around Independence Day.

Starting from scratch, Regina faced numerous challenges but remained undeterred. She reached out to her clients, explaining why she was leaving and the value she could bring to them. With limited resources and a steep learning curve, Regina gradually built her team. 

Reflecting on her journey, Regina acknowledges the mistakes she made along the way. She wished she had taken business courses earlier and hired additional staff sooner. However, she has embraced these mistakes as valuable learning opportunities. Regina emphasizes the importance of seeking advice from other business owners and remaining open to change. She believes that things happen for a reason and that some missed opportunities turned out to be blessings in disguise.

Regina's company provides comprehensive financial planning and asset management services. She works closely with clients, analyzing their current financial situations and designing customized plans to help them achieve financial independence or prepare for retirement. Additionally, Regina specializes in providing specialized planning for women going through a divorce, recognizing the unique challenges they face.

Through her journey as a female entrepreneur, Regina shares her secrets and mistakes, offering valuable insights to others starting their own businesses. She encourages entrepreneurs to seek advice, be open to change, and trust that things happen for a reason. Regina's story serves as an inspiration to those seeking independence, following their passions, and making a positive impact in the financial industry.

In this episode of "Top 3" host Marcia O'Connor welcomes her dear friend and CEO of Monarch Staffing, Laura Kasper. With over 21 years of experience in the industry, Laura shares her entrepreneurial journey and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way.

In this episode of Top 3, CEO and founder of the O'Connor Group, Marcia O'Connor, interviews Ian Meierdiercks, founder of IM Wealth Partners.

In this episode of Top 3, Marcia O'Connor interviewed Elise Lupin, the CEO of Elysium Marketing Group, a full-service marketing agency specializing in food and franchise, among other industries. Lupin shared her journey as an entrepreneur, including her successes and failures. The discussion revolved around how the pandemic affected her business and how she coped with the challenges.

In this episode of Top 3 with Marcia O'Connor, she interviews Mike Longo Jr, CEO of 7 Oil, a family-owned business.

On this episode of the Top 3 podcast “Mental Health in the Workplace”, Marcia O’Connor is joined by Meghan Freeman. Meghan is the founder of Abundant Life Partners and is a licensed clinical social worker.

In this episode, Meghan shares her background and her journey to becoming the founder of Abundant Life Partners. After attending Washington and Lee University for Psychology and Philosophy and starting a family, Meghan began working at a mental hospital, where her practice was formed during many overnights. Now, over six years in, Abundant Life Partners has six locations and is constantly growing.

Marcia and Meghan also discuss the normalization of mental health, specifically in the workplace. As Meghan says, “we’re all just trying to deal with life”. After COVID, the remote, working from home approach has been much more common - and while it may be considered “cool” and “comfortable”, what effect does it have on mental health? Is it convenient or just isolating?

The Top 3 podcast also focuses on entrepreneur’s secrets and mistakes. Meghan discusses the ‘flip side of the coin’ - how her secrets are also her mistakes. And in the same way, with mental health, it is so often that our strengths are also correlated to our weaknesses.

From learning to take a step back to being a bit more discerning, Meghan further discusses what she has learned from her mistakes and how she can use them to grow and succeed as the founder of her own practice.