Next Level Pros

In this captivating episode, we sit down with Ryan Pineda, a former professional baseball player turned real estate mogul and serial entrepreneur. Ryan's journey is a rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, resilience, and unyielding support from his family.  From his early days flipping furniture to scaling his real estate business, Ryan's story is filled with unexpected twists and valuable lessons. He shares insights into his transition from sports to real estate, the pivotal moments that changed the game for him, and the remarkable role his wife played in his success. Ryan's genuine character and unwavering determination have not only inspired millions but also propelled him to the pinnacle of the real estate industry Tune in to hear how Ryan went from flipping couches to flipping houses! If you're looking for motivation, entrepreneurship wisdom, and the power of unwavering support in your journey, this episode is a must-listen HIGHLIGHTS "Success isn't just about talent; it's about work ethic, it's about the hours you put in." "When I realized I wasn't going to make it to the Major Leagues, I had to find a new dream. "Failure is part of the journey. I've made terrible real estate investments, but I've learned from them." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Introduction 02:06: Professional Baseball 05:02: Starting From Zero 11:04: Real Estate Flipping 14:43: Social Media Success  21:06: Gender Roles & Homeschooling  24:21: Realtionships 29:13: Parenting Challenges 32:35: Power Of Positivity 39:08: Faith & Core Values 43:08: Regrets 50:19: Personal Growth  🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this episode of The Founder Podcast, host Chris Lee welcomes Mr. Richard Parker. Richard has an impressive track record, having acquired 13 businesses, selling 12 of them, and served as an advisor to countless entrepreneurs. He's also the author of the bestselling book, "How to Buy a Good Business at a Great Price," a topic every entrepreneur wants to explore. Richard shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began at a young age in Montreal. He recounts his early career and the pivotal moment when he decided to start his own business after a financial setback. His passion for acquiring and growing businesses led him to become a successful serial entrepreneur. During the conversation, Richard unveils his five golden rules for acquiring businesses, emphasizing the importance of aligning the business with your skills and preferences. He stresses the need for businesses to be sales and marketing-driven, have high margins, existing demand, competitiveness beyond price, and an element of exclusivity. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the intricate art of negotiation and the importance of building rapport and trust with sellers. Richard's wealth of experience and practical advice provide aspiring entrepreneurs and business acquirers with valuable insights into the world of mergers and acquisitions. Tune in to this episode to discover the keys to successfully acquiring businesses, negotiating effectively, and making sound entrepreneurial decisions. Richard Parker's expertise and engaging storytelling make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in business acquisition and entrepreneurship. HIGHLIGHTS "I've always believed that you want to buy a good business, you don't want to buy a distressed business or garbage business." "The faster you can get the guts of that business in your belly and make all the decisions, the better off you are. You buy a business, you're the new sheriff in town." "As long as you've made the determination that that type of business is the right business to fit with your skill set, you like the business, you remain keenly interested in acquiring it. The conversations that you want to have with the seller are more casual. You want to keep their guard down." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Introduction 01:45: Entrepreneurship Journey 04:18: Strategic Acquisitions 10:17: Buying & Selling Businesses 13:42: Small Businesses 20:04: SBA Loans 22:22: Negotiating Business Deals 32:31: Networking 38:00: Business & Personal Relationships 40:35: Common Business Acquisition Mistakes 46:36: Overcoming Obstacles 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this episode, host Chris Lee joins Sean Castrina on the 10 Minute Entrepreneur podcast. Chris shares insights and experiences from his entrepreneurial journey. Chris's path to entrepreneurship began with selling Cutco knives and doing door-to-door sales, where he realized the power of creating value and the importance of selling. Over time, he built two successful businesses that he exited for nine figures each, a remarkable achievement for any entrepreneur. Joining  Together, they discuss the secrets behind Chris's successful exits, emphasizing the significance of building a strong company culture, maintaining clean operations, and assembling an exceptional salesforce. They also touch on the importance of partnership and attracting the right talent to scale a business effectively. As Chris reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, he shares his post-exit plans, including his involvement in consulting and helping other entrepreneurs reach their seven, eight, or even nine-figure exits. Chris believes that strategic thinking and identifying opportunities for growth are key to revitalizing businesses that may have plateaued. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights from Chris Lee on entrepreneurship, sales, building a winning culture, and the exciting prospects of partnering with businesses to fuel their growth! HIGHLIGHTS “Both of my businesses were built with partners. Because I knew that I could run faster with incredible people than I could alone. And I've never met a billionaire that did it completely on his own." "So, I'm very much a strategist, and I can identify, you know, issues and potential within businesses. And so really, the next step for me is partnering with businesses that are that are at a plateau that have been around for a while haven't experienced a lot of growth, maybe they're just been steady and coming in and given them a new fresh eyes, how to market and sell and scale and attract good talent." "I'd rather have 50% of something growing than 100% of something dying." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Introduction 01:28: Exit Strategies 05:17: Scaling 07:31: Partnerships 11:53:Leadership Strategies 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Welcome to another exciting episode of "The Founder Podcast" with your host, Chris Lee. In this installment, Chris reflects on the incredible journey of the podcast, approaching a million downloads since June. He shares the importance of leaving reviews on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, emphasizing the value of good feedback. Chris believes that everyone should treat their life like a business, whether you're an entrepreneur or an employee. You are the founder of your own corporation, and this podcast is here to provide invaluable business knowledge to help you succeed. In this episode, Chris dives into a critical aspect of entrepreneurship: partnerships. Drawing from his own experiences, he discusses the significance of cultivating a positive company culture and structuring partnerships to incentivize growth effectively. Chris distinguishes between good and bad partnerships, highlighting the role of culture and equity sharing. He explains the importance of a vesting schedule, ensuring that all partners, including founders, are committed for the long term. The honeymoon period, Chris notes, lasts at least six months, during which you'll discover if a partner is truly invested in your venture. Chris offers a 6-18-36-month vesting program as a structure to consider, explaining how it works to align interests and commitment. He underscores the power of equity in attracting partners who are willing to forego salary for a piece of the business's future success. Throughout the episode, Chris explores various equity-sharing methods, including cliffs, daily vesting, phantom equity, and profit shares. He emphasizes the role of equity in scaling a business and shares his own success story with private equity. Additionally, Chris introduces the concept of profits interest, a strategy for incentivizing employees with a strike price that has unique tax implications. Join Chris as he imparts his expertise on partnerships and equity-sharing, providing valuable insights to help you navigate the complex world of entrepreneurship. Whether you're an aspiring founder or an established business owner, this episode is packed with knowledge to guide your journey. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from a seasoned entrepreneur and take your business to the next level. Tune in now! HIGHLIGHTS “Everyone has to treat their own life like a business and be the founder of it." "Good culture is imperative, people will bleed for it." "Properly structured equity can bring in top talent even if you can't afford high salaries." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Podcast Growth & Monetization 01:13: Culture Importance  03:05: Equity Structure  07:15: Growing Businesses  With Partnerships 09:27: Incentivizing Employees 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this episode of The Founder Podcast with Chris Lee, Chris shares his personal journey to becoming a millionaire by the age of 33, long before his massive success with his business.  He delves into financial strategies and principles that helped him achieve this milestone. Chris emphasizes the importance of discipline, delayed gratification, and smart financial choices, including leveraging real estate as a wealth-building tool.  He breaks down the five ways to make money in real estate, from cash flow to principal buydown, depreciation, interest savings, and appreciation.  Tune in for valuable insights on building wealth and achieving financial freedom!  HIGHLIGHTS  "You only buy luxuries with Level Three income... A luxury is something you don't need to survive." "Always look for opportunities to experience pain and discipline in the moment because when you do so, I promise you the real fruit is so much sweeter." "Your personal home is not an asset... It's got to be viewed as a money pit." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Introduction  04:37: Smart Financial Habits  09:46: Saving & Investing 14:29: Real Estate Investments  19:08: Strategies & Returns 24:05: Tax Savings 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this episode of "The Founder Podcast, Chris dives deep into the critical topic of trust within teams and organizations. He discusses the importance of both trust in character and trust in ability, drawing a clear distinction between the two.  In this insightful episode, Chris Lee encourages listeners to consider their own confidence and openness to others' opinions, as this can ultimately lead to commitment, accountability, and results within their teams and organizations. Stay tuned for more valuable insights from Chris and his upcoming mastermind program for entrepreneurs.  Whether you're a business owner or simply striving to become a founder in various aspects of your life, Chris Lee provides the wisdom and guidance you need to make it happen. HIGHLIGHTS "The foundation of a functional team is the absence of trust." "Trust is required for any transaction to be able to take place, whether that's in interaction at work within a team, organization, somebody to buy a product, whatever it may be." "There's nothing worse than doing a transaction with somebody that you trust their ability, but you don't trust their character." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Introduction  01:22: Importance Of Trust  04:09: Disfunction 05:21: Team Dynamics  09:22: Confidence, Commitment, & Growth 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Welcome to another episode of The Founder Podcast, hosted by Chris Lee! In this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur Brandon Poulin, who, along with his wife Kaelin, built a remarkable empire at a young age. Brandon is the founder of Lady Boss, a thriving health and apparel company that achieved a staggering $50 million in annual revenue before its recent sale.  But Brandon's journey wasn't an overnight success. He shares the story of his early entrepreneurial ventures, from running an auto glass company at the age of 17 to getting involved in network marketing. It was in the world of network marketing that Brandon and Kaelin found their footing and laid the foundation for Lady Boss. Brandon reveals the turning point in their journey, where they embraced a predictable revenue model, understood customer acquisition costs, and honed their financial strategy. He emphasizes the importance of knowing the math of your business and how it can lead to sustainable growth. As Brandon reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, he offers valuable insights about hiring the right team members and paying competitive salaries to attract experienced professionals. He shares the challenges of transitioning from a scrappy startup to a company with seasoned leaders and the benefits of investing in high-level talent. Tune in to this episode of The Founder Podcast to gain wisdom from Brandon Poulin's incredible entrepreneurial experience and learn how strategic thinking and effective team building can drive long-term success in business. HIGHLIGHTS "It's been a crazy journey for us, but I think the biggest thing is just the impact that we've been able to have." "Being able to retire your wife, give your family the life that you've always dreamed of, that's a really special feeling." "You learn so much from failure, and that's what I've learned." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Introduction 02:00: Personal Growth  07:43: Network Marketing 10:43: Growth Strategies  17:22: Bootstrapping  21:53: Hiring Your Team 25:06: Hiring High Level Management  30:26: Time Management  36:54: Family Rhythm and Alignment 40:23: Motivation 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this special episode of the Founder Podcast, Chris shares his experiences from the prestigious Owner's President's Management Program at Harvard. Discover what it's like to be part of this elite program that brings together successful business owners from around the world. Chris dives into the world of negotiations and reveals valuable insights that can benefit entrepreneurs and business leaders.  Learn about the essential elements of business success: Select, Serve, Satisfy, Survive, and Thrive. Chris discusses the importance of understanding your customers and employees, serving them with excellence, and creating a culture of trust and transparency. Discover how negotiations can be a win-win situation, focusing on the long-term relationship rather than just the current deal. Chris shares real-life examples and practical advice that can help you navigate the world of business negotiations successfully. Stay tuned for more exciting episodes from the Founder Podcast!  HIGHLIGHTS  "I pay $50,000 a year to be a part of this program to attend here for three weeks." "You got to be very selective...You got to have an incredible hiring process in place." "The cost of doing a mistake is very high, but mistakes are forgiven and mistakes are okay." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Harvard Business School 04:43: Strategies & Guarantees  09:37: Customer Service  14:10: Create A Unique Experience  18:41: Employee Satisfaction  22:52: Trust Building 27:03: Long Term Partnerships 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

Join host Chris Lee in an exhilarating conversation with Tommy Mello, the entrepreneurial powerhouse behind the massively successful garage door service empire, A1 Garage Door Service. Tommy's journey from humble beginnings in Michigan to scaling a multimillion-dollar business in the home service industry is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, Tommy shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial path, from hustling side gigs in his early years to realizing the importance of processes and management in business growth. Tommy's story takes a remarkable turn when he delves into the intricacies of navigating a private equity deal and the transformative impact it had on his company. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the process of preparing a business for private equity, the role of due diligence, and the pivotal moments that led to Tommy's business success. Tommy's infectious enthusiasm and candid storytelling make this episode a must-listen for anyone aspiring to scale their own venture, providing practical lessons and inspiration along the way." HIGHLIGHTS “I hear it every day. I'm just gonna do what you did in my industry. I'm like, Well, how many markets are you in? You're in one. And you own 1% of the market, you need to take market penetration in your market plus two or three other markets.” “The other thing is, don't listen to broke people. Because broke people are going to tell you all the reasons why something won't work. But successful people are going to say, 'Well, if you do this, this, and this, this will happen.'" "I love helping people, I love growing people, I love watching them succeed. And I think that's one of the big keys to my success." TIMESTAMPS 00:00: Introduction  02:39: Making Money At A Young Age 04:34: Selling Cars 09:27: The Beginning  12:50: Service Titan 19:06: Hiring The Right CEO 21:37: Rasining Capital  28:44: Process Of Buying And Selling A Company 38:06: Freedoms 46:30: Family & Business 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast

In this energizing episode of the Founder Podcast, your host, Chris Lee, shares a profound message about the key to success and lasting happiness. Post-workout and brimming with enthusiasm, Chris reflects on his journey and how he unlocked a vital principle: the Consumption Deficit. Whether you're at a low point, running a business, or contemplating a new venture, this message is for you. Chris emphasizes that success extends beyond financial gain, highlighting how it's all interconnected – from relationships and spirituality to economics and physique. Chris delves into the principle of operating in a consumption deficit, drawing parallels with calorie counting for weight loss. He explores how we're all chasing feelings in life and why creating joy in every aspect is the ultimate purpose. Join Chris as he discusses his own journey to sobriety (from sugar) and his commitment to self-improvement. Discover how embracing a consumption deficit can transform your life, leading to greater joy and fulfillment. Tune in to this episode for actionable insights and inspiration to create a more meaningful, joyful life in every area. HIGHLIGHTS  It's all connected, association, spirituality, economic and physique. Like it, how you do anything is how you do everything." "Each of us are chasing feelings... for example, we think if we go and drive a $300,000 sports car, it's not about the car, it's about how we potentially feel while driving it." "How you do anything is how you do everything." TIMESTAMPS  00:00: Introduction  02:03: What Are We Chasing? 05:42: Investments Vs Living Expenses   07:50: How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything 11:43: The Parable Of The Talents Of The Lord 🚀 Join my community - Founder Acceleration https://www.founderacceleration.com 🤯 Apply for our next Mastermind https://www.thefoundermastermind.com ⛳️ Golf with Chris https://www.golfwithchris.com 🎤 Watch my latest Podcast Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founder-podcast/id1687030281 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1e0cL2vI1JAtQrojSOA7D2?si=dc252f8540ee4b05 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thefounderspodcast