The Liquid Lunch Project

There’s only one way to describe this week’s episode: On fire. (Or “lit” for the millennials in the audience.)   We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dave Albin, America's #1 Firewalk Instructor. With an impressive 19+ year tenure working alongside the legendary Tony Robbins, Dave's expertise in firewalking is unrivaled. In 2014, he took the plunge and founded Firewalk Productions, igniting the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals.   But Dave's path to success was paved with darkness and turmoil. In a haunting moment on June 8th, 1988, he found himself at the brink of desperation, pointing a gun at his own head in an attempt to escape the agonizing grip of drug and alcohol addiction.   Fast forward to 2023, and Dave is celebrating an incredible milestone—35 years of sobriety. Join us as we explore the harrowing journey that led him to this moment of triumph.   Dave's list of clients reads like a who's who of major organizations: Google, NASA, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Heineken, RE/MAX, Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), Chick-fil-A, CRISP Video, Mystery Hill, Y.M.C.A., Replace Your University, Tony Robbins, T. Harv Eker, The Four Seasons, The Omni Hotel, The Waldorf Astoria, Waikoloa Hotel, and many more.    If the idea of firewalking terrifies you, baffles you, or makes you wonder what the hell those people are thinking - give this episode a listen for a truly eye-opening look at the process and how it’s a bonding experience like no other.    And if you’re a business owner seeking a new or unconventional way to bring your team together (because we all know teams excel when they get along), Dave is holding a Firewalk Academy from October 3, 2023 - October 7, 2023. Listeners of The Liquid Lunch Project Podcast can get an EXCLUSIVE discount using the code 6828.  Favorite Quote: “What doesn’t challenge you doesn’t change you.” Connect with Dave: https://firewalkadventures.com  https://www.facebook.com/firewalkadventures  https://www.instagram.com/firebuilder2/?hl=en  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-albin/    Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

If you think you need Rockerfeller-type wealth or sell your soul to one of the Sharktank sharks to get your business off the ground and grow it, think again.   Today, we're sitting down with fellow entrepreneur, podcaster, and author, Sara St. John. She's the mind behind the successful marketing agency called PodPlanet, the host of the Frugalpreneur podcast, and the author of Bootstrapped Budget.   After going through six different jobs in less than a year, Sara realized she needed to work for herself. It was through a trial-and-error process exploring over 20 different online businesses (drop-shipping, blogging, print-on-demand, etc.) she discovered a lot of free and affordable resources to run a business on a budget. So she wrote a book about it and then started a podcast, and now she’s using her experience and expertise to help other small business owners learn how to be frugal-preneurs and tap into the power of podcasting. She’s never gone into debt for a business…and typically spends no more than $100 to run them.    Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur looking for a bit of guidance or a business owner who wants to explore podcasting as a way to grow and scale your operations, tune in to our conversation and learn how Sara St. John can help you.   Episode Highlights:   How she helps small business owners find the angle for their podcast How podcast directory ads work How podcasting has evolved over the years Some of her favorite guests she’s had on the show Why she spends more money on ads and less on the business itself How to get a copy of her free Ebook The upcoming trends she sees in the world of podcasting Favorite Quote: “I think there’s a misconception that to start a business, you need to invest a whole lot of money.”   Connect with Sarah: https://www.thesarahstjohn.com  https://www.facebook.com/thesarahstjohn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-stjohn https://instagram.com/thesarahstjohn    Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.  

In this day and age, it seems like everyone wants to fancy themselves a marketing know-it-all. They open a Facebook page or Instagram account, (irregularly) post a few pieces of content, use all the trending hashtags, maybe create a reel or two, and sit back and expect magic…only to be left holding the bag (or hat, as it were) with not a rabbit or new customer in sight.   That’s because there IS a trick to digital marketing. It requires creativity, consistency, and strategic planning. Sometimes brands and businesses get lucky, but more often than not the eye-catching or viral campaigns you see are the result of hours and hours of careful and calculated work.    On the show today, we sit down with Mike Koehler, the founder of Smirk New Media, Oklahoma City's pioneering digital marketing agency. What started at a table in the back of a Starbucks 12 years ago has evolved into an award-winning agency, boasting an impressive roster of clients (like Sonic Drive-In) and a multi-million dollar revenue stream.    As Mike explains it, everyone is competing for attention, and it’s up to every business owner to get their story out there and connect with the community. Opting out of the conversation isn’t an option. Even if you loathe digital marketing and social media in general, you have little hope of capturing the next generation and securing your share in the market without it. You need to take the time to develop your brand's personality, figure out what your story is, be smart, create a strategy, and turn what you do or sell into eye-catching content that stays true to who you are and helps you keep your relationship with the customers going.    If you think your business could benefit from a marketing expert like Mike (he gives free consultations!), tune into this episode to learn more about what he does and how he can help.  Episode Highlights: His transition from “traditional” media to digital. How artificial intelligence affects marketing. His “Reply or Die” motto and why responding to customer reviews are so critical. The impact of nostalgic branding and marketing. Which social media platform is “his first love.” The future of social media platforms amid the rapidly changing landscape.    Favorite Quote: “The audience is demanding you give them good content, and you pay attention to what you’re saying.”   Connect with Mike: https://smirknewmedia.com/ https://www.instagram.com/smirknewmedia/?hl=en https://twitter.com/smirknewmedia https://www.facebook.com/SmirkNewMedia/   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.  

On today’s episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, we sit down with Dan Haberkost, the founder of Front Range Land LLC. Based in Colorado Springs, Dan has built an impressive business specializing in in-fill land improvements throughout the Southeast region. What began as a modest venture investing in rental properties has transformed into a thriving land and development enterprise, consistently driving the acquisition of more rentals.   Dan shares why he focuses solely on horizontally developed land (and what that means), why he sees land as a way to generate sustainable income rather than viewing it solely as a traditional investment vehicle, and how he balances short-term and long-term projects to effectively manage cash flow.    Whether you're an aspiring real estate investor or a seasoned professional seeking fresh perspectives, this “underappreciated niche,” as Dan describes it, might be something worth considering.   Episode Highlights: The going rate in subdivisions Macro trends in real estate What he looks for in a land purchase Financing options (or lack thereof) to purchase land Which state he would invest in right now Favorite Quote: “There are a million ways to make a million dollars, but you can’t do it doing all of them.” Connect with Dan: https://frontrangeland.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-haberkost-68b03371/ https://www.instagram.com/danhaberkost/  https://www.facebook.com/dan.haberkost.3   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Every tax strategy works until it’s audited. This is why having an expert in your corner who knows what they’re talking about is critical.    And one such expert is on the show today. Meet Brett Swarts, founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions. His mission is to equip high-net-worth individuals with the Deferred Sales Trust (DST) tool to help them defer capital gains tax on the sale of their assets. His team can help you clarify your exit plan and determine the right timing to sell, set up the DST and sell your asset and defer your capital gains tax, and finally reinvest the funds to create more (and preserve) wealth.    As taxes continue to rise and the government continues to spend out of control, it makes it harder to keep wealth in the hands of the people. If you’re considering selling a highly appreciated asset (such as a business, a primary home, crypto, etc.) and thought a 1031 was your only option, we recommend setting aside about 40 minutes today to listen to what Brett has to say. He unpacks and shares a lot in this episode, so bring a pen and paper. You work hard for your money - and we want to see you keep more of it.  Episode Highlights:   How a Deferred Sales Trust can help you defer capital gains The difference between a 1031 and a Deferred Sales Trust Real-world, specific examples of how his team has helped clients save money The process of setting up a Deferred Sales Trust Which state would he invest in Favorite Quote: “It’s a bigger picture than just cash flow. It’s tax flow. It’s impact. It’s freedom for America in the next 20 years.” How to Connect with Brett: https://capitalgainstaxsolutions.com   https://www.facebook.com/capitalgainstaxsolutions/ https://www.instagram.com/brett_swarts/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-swarts  https://www.facebook.com/brett.swarts  Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.  

If you’ve got a case of the Processes-Blues, the Doctor is in, and he will see you now.   Dr. Zach Schaefer (dubbed the Process Expert by Luigi) is a management consultant, leadership coach, and award-winning professional speaker who advises companies on strategy execution and communication. Through his consulting firm, Spark The Discussion, he and his team of expert coaches and consultants have provided solutions to hundreds of companies. With a “Hire to Retire” approach, they help solve the challenges that most businesses will face in due course, including conflict management, organization, leadership development, and workplace culture.    For Zach, the key to his success is communication. Even from a young age, he recognized its critical role in every area of our lives. Whether it’s having tough conversations with employees, knowing how to hold people accountable, building trust within relationships, or creating company culture, it all comes down to how you communicate it.    If you’re struggling with strategy, execution, communication, objectivity, conflict, planning, leadership, or operations within your business, don’t miss this episode for some solid, actionable advice you can start today - and how Spark The Discussion can help you in the future.   Episode Highlights: Is there such a thing as “Perfect Process?” What is Intentional Retention How to separate business from relationships (especially when family is involved) How to keep employees accountable Why a third-party mediator is critical Pros and cons of outsourcing vs. hiring in-house staff Why company culture starts with leadership The importance of clarifying consequences Succession planning strategy   Favorite Quote: “You can’t be objective when your money, your family, or your business is on the line. You need somebody else who’s not tied to any of that.” Connect with Zach: https://www.sparkthediscussion.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/zschaefer https://twitter.com/sparksolver https://www.newstorynewscore.com/   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever made a purchase because of an ad you saw online.   (Don’t lie; we know you have.)   When it comes to social media marketing and advertising, there is a LOT of money to be made. But it’s not always as simple as creating an eye-catching graphic, adding a Buy Me CTA, and then sitting back and waiting for the sales to roll in. When you consider industry limitations, algorithms, geographic locations, and keyword restrictions (just to name a few), there’s plenty to navigate around. And if you’re not a social media ad expert (many of us aren’t!), you won’t get very far.   Today’s guests recognize that challenge and are on a mission to solve the biggest pain points in the ad industry. Eroslav and Rohaan, founders of OrangeTrail, are on the show today to discuss how they’re helping businesses handle and manage ad spend and avoid bans, restrictions, and disapprovals.   With their combined industry experience, an internal compliance team of former Meta employees, and contracts and agreements with all the platforms, they can provide direct support to ensure your ads get approved and stay up and running. Since their inception 18 months ago, they’ve serviced 400 clients, have 27 employees worldwide, and generated $20 million in revenue. And they have no plans to slow down. Episode Highlights:   The three tiers of social media bans How to work around certain ad restrictions - and how it can give you a competitive edge How they help clients get cash back on Google ad spend Which platforms are most successful, and why it depends on your product and target audience Why (good!) copywriting is essential, and why you should invest in different styles of ad creatives and test them out How they’ve incorporated AI into their business model What it’s like to manage a team living around the world Favorite Quote: “Competent people with AI are going to replace the incompetent people without AI.” Connect with Rohaan and Eroslav Orangetrail.io Facebook: Orange Trail  Linkedin: /Orange Trail   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.

Picture it: It’s 2005 and you’ve just been laid off from your corporate banking job. You’re recently married, have a brand new car, a mortgage, and are six figures in debt with $100 left in your pocket.   What now?   Today’s guest doesn’t have to picture it - he lived it, and came out the other side with an amazing story to tell. Meet Matt Shoup: Author, keynote speaker, serial entrepreneur, Brazilian Ji Jitsu black belt, and Spanish coffee addict who took that $100 and transformed it into M&E Painting, an award winning business with $30 million in revenue. From there, he grew five more profitable businesses and is now on a mission to inspire entrepreneurs and business owners find the same success through leadership platforms and programs.    This episode is a vulnerable look at his origin story, and a reminder that sometimes the only limits you have are the ones you put on yourself. And for those watching on YouTube, you’ll get to see our bonus guest and newest (and littlest) member of The Liquid Lunch posse as James Rosabianca makes his podcast debut!   Episode Highlights:   The three phrases of business: A.C.D.C. The two primary ways he marketed his painting business The type of marketing new entrepreneurs should focus on The key to knowing when to bring new people on board How he grew M&E Painting to a $30 million dollar enterprise  How he founded and grew five more successful companies from the ground up How you can travel with him to Spain! Favorite Quote:   “At the end of the day, whatever I’m doing, it always has to contribute to helping people get better.”   Connect with Matt: www.mattshoup.com Facebook: Matt Shoup Instagram: @matthewshoup   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.  

Albert Einstein once remarked that “the measure of intelligence is the ability to change,” and we can’t think of a better way to sum up this week’s episode with Aaron Bare.    A Change Agent, Strategic Educator, and a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and #1 Amazon best-selling author, Aaron is one of the top facilitators in the world and has worked with (just to name a few) NASA, Coa-Cola, Facebook, Amazon, and Adobe, generating over $4 billion in documented results. And now he’s taking that experience and knowledge he’s collected from these elite Board Rooms and making it accessible to help small and medium businesses.    As Aaron points out, our world is evolving at a remarkable pace, and if businesses don’t change with it, they die. As a facilitator, he helps leaders and owners shift to a “yes, and” mentality, teaching them to be willing to make decisions quickly and accept that there’s always a better business model out there. Companies like Bed Bath & Beyond may blame Amazon for running them out of business, but they - like so many others - had the opportunity to adjust and adapt. Aaron wants to help leadership teams think as change agents.    Ask yourself: Do I want to be part of the change, or do I want to let the change happen to me?  Episode Highlights:   Why embracing change is vital to survival Why wisdom will get you so much further than knowledge Why relationships will only take you so far in business Which industry is ripe for AI disruption A look at his best-selling book, ‘Exponential Theory, the Power of Thinking Big.’ Which industry is going to impact every other industry How AI could help companies 10x their work Favorite Quote:   “The world is changing faster than you want it to. You can either resist it and let the world go by you, or you can embrace that change and lean into it.”    Connect with Aaron: www.Aaronbare.com Instagram: @aaronbare Linkedin: Aaron Bare   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com.   Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.  

“If you build it, they will come.”   While that might work for a baseball field in the middle of Iowa, most business owners know that the building part is just the beginning.    If you want to stay ahead of the competition, increase your profits, and keep the lights on and the employees paid, you can’t just open a business and wait for the customers to start streaming in; you need a plan to scale and grow.   And who better to talk on this topic than the founder of Build Scale Grow, Inc., Benjamin F. Friedman? Pulling from his years of experience in finance and operations (including M&A, capital raising, debt financing, team building, and management collaboration, just to name a few), he now helps founders and leaders activate their own visions to build systems and facilitate new growth opportunities and exit plans.    This is a must-listen episode for any startup, founder, or owner who is ready to take the next practical steps to scale their business.  Episode Highlights:   The mistakes most founders make Artificial intelligence vs artificial augmentation Why “being human” in the age of AI is more important than ever The potential negatives of taking vc funding Why he loves working with founders who don’t know everything Succession protocols for successful exits Which industry he would choose to enter into now (hint: health and education) Why he believes everyone should have coaches and mentors A look at his book, Scale: Reach Your Peak Favorite Quote:    “The worst thing in the world is not to fail in your business; it’s to succeed in other people’s eyes and be incredibly miserable through that experience.” Connect with Benjamin:   https://www.webuildscalegrow.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildscalegrow/   How To Get Involved: Matthew Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca use their combined experience to provide insight and strategic advice to help small and medium-sized businesses in America have the same opportunities as corporate 500 companies. If you’re looking for tailor-made solutions to grow your small biz, learn more at www.shieldadvisorygroup.com. Stay Connected: Connect with Matt and Luigi on Instagram: @matthew.r.meehan @luigi_rosabianca @theLiquidLunchProject @ShieldAdvisoryGroup. Visit The Liquid Lunch Project website and subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more. www.theliquidlunchproject.com Make sure you never miss an episode — check out The Liquid Lunch Project on Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review.