Untrapped Entrepreneur

In this episode Ben chats with Andy Cavanaugh ([email protected]) of Apex Business Advisors, based out of Kansas City.

Andy discusses:

- his own journey out of corporate America, which featured him repeatedly getting fired despite consistently performing at the top of his game

- how he and his wife's plans of running a franchise together had to get re-imagined when she faced a challenging pregnancy

- the importance of business owners separating their identity from their businesses: this not only makes the business easier to sell, it makes life better too

You’ll find more about Andy's story and others on www.untrapped.com

In this episode Ben speaks with serial entrepreneur Mike Powell, about what he's learned in his journey of being married while being an entrepreneur for many years.

Mike speaks about:

- the importance of listening to your spouse, and how his wife encouraged him to take a job after a long stint of runs with startups...then encouraged him to take a startup position again

- the dangers of taking a business sale mostly in stock

- how being vulnerable and open with his wife helped their marriage through some challenging times

You’ll find more about Mike and others on www.untrapped.com

In this episode Ben chats with David van Noy, aka DVN, of Van Noy Real Estate, a residential real estate business based out of Kansas City.

David discusses:

- the idea of his role as a "dragon slayer" with the need to protect his family from the ups and downs of said slaying

- how problems are often caused by people thinking they are "owed" something by anyone else

- why he believes he always has to be "the best employee the company has"

You’ll find more about DVN and others on www.untrapped.com

In this episode Ben chats with Nick Kennedy of Nick Kennedy Coaching. 

Nick talks about:

- the power of walking, whether for meetings or for chats with your spouse: walking unlocks ideas that just don't come out when you're stationary

- not letting your job title become your identity: you only have 30,000 days in life and of them 10 will be the most important...how do you want those days to be defined?

- the importance of the frame of "my spouse can help me, what do I need to do in order to be able to hear him/her?"

If you enjoyed listening to Nick, check out his episode from Season 1.

You’ll find more about the Hari Mari story and others on www.untrapped.com

In this episode Ben chats with Sean Heatley of ICON EV, a manufacturer of low speed and neighborhood vehicles based in Tampa. 

Sean shares:

- what it meant to lose the safety net of a second household income and to go all in on his business

- what changes when you don't just live with your spouse but work with him/her too (and the systems that need to get put in place)

- some smart financial strategies that have kept Sean, his wife, and his business on the straight and narrow

You’ll find more about Sean's story and others on www.untrapped.com

In this episode Ben chats with Dan Labroad of Ovation Health and Life Services, providing better benefits at lower costs (and yes, we use him, so we can vouch for that).

Dan discusses:

- the importance of finding a role model to help you understand how a marriage works (Dan didn't witness that growing up himself)

- how you need to learn the importance of "You're right, I'm sorry" and how this particularly hit home when his wife said, "You treat your clients better than you treat me." (Ouch)

- what he had to do to save his marriage when he got over his skis with spending despite losing some big clients

You’ll find more about Dan and other guests from this season on www.untrapped.com

In this episode Ben chats with Moe Bousaid, who works with his wife Andrea as business brokers licensed in NV, CA, AZ, and FL.

Moe shares:

- how the current economic situation has led to more openness to seller financing

- why the husband/wife dynamic he and his wife bring to the table makes them so relatable to couples selling businesses (or looking to buy)

- the importance of being aware about emotions: selling a business is one of the most emotional events adults go through and brokers have to be sensitive to things that sometimes seem irrational

You’ll find more about Moe and other guests from this season on www.untrapped.com

In this episode Ben chats with Neel Parekh of MaidThis Franchise, a fully remote local cleaning business for homes and Airbnbs

Ben and Neel talk about:

- how the business dealt with the pandemic: lost 50% of revenue but came out leaner and meaner and ready to grow

- the world of online dating (Neel met his wife through a dating app) and how "oversupply" can influence a willingness to settle down

- the importance of not making your spouse responsible for everything: best friend/lover/spouse/business sounding board; give them space and don't make them involved in everything 

You’ll find more about the MaidThis story and others on www.untrapped.com

In this episode Ben chats with Jeremy and Lila Stewart of Hari Mari, a premium lifestyle sandal company based out of Dallas.

Jeremy and Lila share:

- the origin of the brand, which grew out of three years living in Jakarta, Indonesia

- how their families were totally opposed to the idea in the beginning

- why they make sure to stay in their respective lanes to help their business thrive

You’ll find more about the Hari Mari story and others on www.untrapped.com

[0:00-0:57] The 1% club

[0:58-2:40] About Solo Sherpa

[2:40-5:35] Challenges when taking leaps as an entrepreneur

[5:36-7:09] The side hustle method

[7:10-7:55] How did you meet your wife?

[7:56-8:22] Kids

[8:23-10:52]  Advice to enterpreneurs starting just starting out

[10:53-12:58] Knowing thyself and learning to know each other

[12:59-14:02] Understanding differences

[14:03-16:40] The importance of date night

[16:41-19:39] Somebody has to give more

[19:40-21:56] Giving 110%

[21:57-23:49] The Gents Store

[23:50-26:52] Keeping perspective: sometimes you have to hit a reset button

[26:53-28:57] The importance of communication

[28:58-33:22] Advice to entrpreneurs keeping business and family separate