We Live to Build

Do you believe Your Financials Are a Crystal Ball (If You Know How to Read Them)? For many founders, finance is intimidating, but it's the key to predicting your company's future. In this interview, CPA and former forensic accountant Angela Rice explains how to use your historical financial data to make better decisions and gain a massive competitive advantage. Learn the difference between a bookkeeper, an accountant, and a CFO ; the #1 rule to prevent employee fraud ; and how to prepare your company for a future acquisition. Check out the company: https://centeredceos.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

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Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - Why You're Doomed to Fail Without This Skill

05:29 - CFO vs. Accountant vs. Bookkeeper: What's the Difference?

07:02 - When (And Who) Should You Hire for Your Finances?

08:48 - The #1 Rule to Prevent Employee Fraud

15:27 - What a CFO Actually Does (It's Not Bookkeeping)

22:10 - When should you hire a CFO

26:51 - Accounting Principles (GAAP) Explained Simply

33:22 - A Forensic Accountant's Guide to "Cooking the Books"

38:27 - How to Prepare Your Company to Be Acquired

45:18 - Using Your Financials to Predict the Future

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▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

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Do you know The #1 Mistake Every Technical Founder Makes? It's not a lack of engineering skill; it's building features in a vacuum without market feedback, leading to a product nobody uses. In this interview, serial technical founder Dave Shanley breaks down the hardest lessons he's learned from multiple exits. Learn why you need to fall in love with the problem, not your solution , how to decide if you should be the CEO or the CTO , and the simple communication tactic ("write stuff down") that is the most important soft skill for any technical leader. Check out the company: https://contentcamel.io

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Hardest Lesson for a Technical Founder

03:46 - The #1 Mistake: Building in a Vacuum

05:18 - Fall in Love with the Problem, Not Your Solution

06:57 - The Most Important Soft Skill You MUST Develop

09:37 - Should a Technical Founder Be the CEO or CTO?

11:19 - Why a Founder Can Become a "Liability"

14:51 - How to Align Your Entire Company (The 3 Sliders)

18:27 - How to Hire a CEO When You're the CTO

25:37 - The Real Reason to Start a Company

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▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

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Do you know How Angel Investors Think (And How to Get Them to "Yes")? It's not about having a perfect business; it's about helping them mitigate risk. In this interview, angel investor Mysty Rusk explains the "culture of yes" that drives investment decisions. Learn why your pitch deck isn't a sales pitch for your product , why investors will never sign your NDA upfront , and why the "90 pitches in 90 days" strategy is a "load of crap". This is a founder's guide to navigating the entire angel investing process, from pitch to term sheet. Check out the company: https://angelgen.co

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - From Cattle Ranch to Angel Investor

07:00 - The "Culture of Yes": How Investors Mitigate Risk

09:04 - What Angel Investors Learn in Training

14:18 - Your Pitch Isn't a Sales Pitch (It's an Investment Pitch)

16:15 - Why Investors Will NEVER Sign Your NDA

19:20 - A Founder's Guide to Surviving Due Diligence

21:02 - The #1 Thing That Kills a Deal at the Last Minute

21:55 - "90 Pitches in 90 Days" is a Load of Crap

24:11 - The Investment That Saved My Daughter's Life

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▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

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What is The Secret to Working With Your Spouse (And Staying Married)? For many, it's the ultimate dream and the ultimate challenge. In this interview, Nellie Akalp, who has successfully built two companies with her husband over 24 years, reveals the key: establishing "linear roles." Learn the strategy their couples therapist gave them for dividing responsibilities, why setting strict boundaries is non-negotiable, and how they went from a $100 idea to a multi-million dollar exit... and then started all over again. Check out the company: https://corpnet.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - From Playing Video Games to a Million-Dollar Idea

05:09 - The Early Challenge: Unequal Roles & Toxic Feelings

07:25 - When Work Kills the Romance

11:17 - Why Our Couples Therapist Saved Our Business

13:16 - The #1 Secret: Establishing "Linear Roles"

15:00 - The Power of Boundaries & Saying "No"

16:45 - The Story of Our First Multi-Million Dollar Exit

19:35 - Why We Decided to Do It All Over Again

21:17 - The Key to a 24-Year Business Partnership

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai

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What is Growth Hacking? It's about finding what works and doubling down. Here's How to Get Your First 10 Customers by being "functionally lazy." In this interview, growth hacking expert Chris Out shares his #1 strategy: reverse-engineer the journey of your most recent customers. Learn how to find your most profitable channels and build a marketing machine based on what people already pay for. Check out the company: https://chrisout.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Marketing Mistake That Cost Me 200K

03:50 - What is Growth Hacking?

04:26 - How to Get Your First 10 Customers

07:00 - Steal Your Competitors' Best Ideas

09:30 - How to Find What Your Competitor's Customers HATE

11:38 - The Ultimate Validation: Pre-Selling Your Product

17:20 - When to Start Building a Marketing Department

21:25 - How to Measure Marketing ROI

27:07 - Why Sales Solves All Problems

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai

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How to Find a Great Mentor (By Thinking Like One). To attract a high-quality mentor, you first need to understand what they're looking for: a mentee who is hungry, teachable, and will actually implement the advice they're given. In this special episode, fellow founder and mentor Eropa Stein and I discuss both sides of the mentorship relationship. Learn the life-changing lessons from our first mentors, the insightful question you should always ask a potential mentor, and the test we use to see if a founder is truly teachable. Check out the company: https://hyrestaff.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Life-Changing Power of a Great Mentor

02:31 - A "Real" Mentor Doesn't Charge You Money

07:53 - The #1 Lesson: Stop Selling Your Time, Sell Your VALUE

12:26 - What Mentors Look For in a Mentee (Are You Hungry?)

14:07 - The Awkward Truth for Female Founders

17:04 - The Test to See if a Founder is "Teachable"

18:18 - The Best Question to Ask a Potential Mentor

19:27 - The Mentor's Process: Setting a Schedule for Success

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

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When you are Selling a Business, there's one thing you must do. Here's How a "Personal Goodwill Audit" Saved Me Hundreds of Thousands in Taxes. In this interview, Jay Myers, who sold his $25 million/year company, reveals the power of a "Personal Goodwill Audit." Learn how this process quantifies the value you personally bring to the business, allowing that portion of the sale to be taxed at a significantly lower rate. In this interview, Jay Myers, who sold his $25 million/year company, reveals the power of a "Personal Goodwill Audit." Learn how this process quantifies the value you personally bring to the business, allowing that portion of the sale to be taxed at a significantly lower rate. This is a must-watch for any founder planning an exit. Check out the company: https://jaymyersceo.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Call I Ignored For Years

06:14 - What No One Tells You About Selling Your Business (The Grieving Process)

07:31 - A Founder's Checklist for Making Your Company "Sellable"

11:38 - How to Get on the Inc. 5000 List

13:52 - Important advice before selling your company

20:10 - How I Kept the $25M Sale a Secret From My Team

25:30 - The #1 Thing They Ask for in Due Diligence

27:00 - The Audit That Saved Me Hundreds of Thousands in Taxes

29:56 - You Don't Sell Your Past. You Sell Your FUTURE.

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▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

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Do you know How to Divorce-Proof Your Startup? A co-founder's divorce can destroy your company, and a lawsuit between founders after a business fails can be "worse than any divorce you've ever seen". In this interview, Silicon Valley lawyer Cassady Toles reveals his best-case scenario for protecting your company: write the founders' spouses into the operating agreement and have them sign for a specific percentage from day one. Learn why this is crucial in community property states like California , and get other critical legal advice on co-founder agreements, NDAs, and why you shouldn't incorporate in Delaware yet. Check out the company: https://flatratelaw.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Legal Mistake That Can Haunt You for 10 Years

02:11 - A Lawyer's Warning: Don't Incorporate in Delaware (Yet)

05:58 - The #1 Thing Your Co-Founder Agreement is Missing

09:04 - How to Divorce-Proof Your Startup

10:14 - Shareholder Agreements: Limiting Investor Control

16:48 - The Real Reason VCs Won't Sign Your NDA

20:19 - Employment agreements

22:22 - Employee Share Option Plan

26:08 - How to Hire a Startup Lawyer (And Avoid Getting Ripped Off)

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai

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Most people think success solves everything, but do you know Why Success Makes Founders Lonelier? As her business grew, today's guest felt like she was on an "island, floating away out at sea". In this candid conversation, CEO Janet Semenova discusses the unique isolation entrepreneurs face, a feeling that can get worse with success. We explore the difference between personal and professional loneliness, the impact of remote work, and a simple daily practice that serves as an "antidote to loneliness". Our guest is Janet Semenova, the co-founder and CEO of Boutique Travel Agents and Centered CEOs. Check out the company: https://centeredceos.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Unspoken Truth About Founder Loneliness

05:41 - What is Isolation? (The Lack of Human Connection)

10:16 - Personal vs. Professional Loneliness

15:01 - The Paradox: "The Bigger Our Business Got... The Further Out at Sea I Felt"

18:55 - How Remote Work Changes Everything

21:28 - The Benefit of Remote Work: Finding Your "Flow State"

26:18 - Are We Facing a Mental Health Pandemic?

39:05 - The Antidote to Loneliness: A Daily Gratitude Practice

42:00 - How to Build Your "Gratitude Sanctuary"

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai

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Most founders make one critical mistake in their pitch: they sell their product. The secret is to Stop Selling Your Solution. Sell The PAIN. In this interview, executive coach Hope Timberlake, reveals the best storytelling formula for winning over investors: focus on the pain, fear, and potential loss of not having your solution. Learn how to distill your entire vision into a 90-second story , tailor your brand message for any audience , and train your team to communicate your vision flawlessly. Our guest is Hope Timberlake, the founder of Forte Consulting, which helps executives hone their branding and leadership skills. Check out the company: https://hopetimberlake.com

Book a 1-on-1 advisory session with me to apply these principles to your business: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

👀 CONNECT WITH SEAN

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@seanweisbrot

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/seanweisbrot

Inquiries: [email protected]

🕒 CHAPTERS

00:00 - Your Brand is Just a Beautiful Piece of Paper, Unless...

03:26 - The First Step to Building a Brand Identity

07:41 - One Message, Three Audiences (Investors, Customers, Team)

10:33 - How to Test Your Messaging for Clarity

14:50 - How to Train Your Team to "Parrot" Your Message

26:07 - The 90-Second Pitch Deck Story

29:30 - The #1 Storytelling Mistake Founders Make

31:00 - The Formula: Focus on Fear & Pain, Not Your Solution

38:00 - Final Advice for Founders

📈 WORK WITH ME

▶ Book a Paid Advisory Session: https://calendly.com/wltb/advisory

▶ Sponsor the Channel: https://www.welivetobuild.com/collaborate

▶ My AI/Automation Agency: https://optimai.ai

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