The Candy Valentino Show

Today I have Patrick Leonard on the show. Patrick is a business entrepreneur in the software and IT space who has successfully grown, scaled and exited two companies that he built, including My IT and Cornerstone, which were full-service IT solutions providers. It was a 20-year period from beginning these companies, building and scaling them, to eventually exiting them — so always remember we are playing the long game! Patrick later founded a SaaS company called BackUp Radar in 2015 and sold it in 2021, just 7 years after founding it. He is now working on 3 new SaaS apps. Patrick and I dive into the nitty gritty tactics and strategic steps you can take to build a business that will be appealing to investors or buyers.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: How to build a business with the end in mind The importance of transparency with your staff How to build a legacy in your business Why it is so important to have the right company culture The importance of implementing systems and processes  RESOURCES Pre-sales for my first book, Wealth Habits, are available now. Buy your copy at wealthhabitsbook.com and become a part of my exclusive book launch team, where you’ll receive early access to the book, a live teaching and Q&A with me, plus more bonuses to be announced. Buy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now! Learn more from me and proven business experts by signing up for one of my many  online courses.  CONNECT WITH PATRICKConnect with Patrick on Linked In CONNECT WITH CANDYFollow me: @candyvalentinoJoin Founders Organization  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My first ever book is out! Wealth Habits: Six Ordinary Steps to Achieve Extraordinary Financial Freedom is here and I am so honored and grateful for the response that we've had already. In today’s episode, I discuss the nuggets and the goodness of making this dream a reality. There are a couple of key takeaways and lessons that I've learned in this whole process that I want to make sure to share with you.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: How my decades of experience made me ready to write this book now Why it's so important to take the next step, the next action forward and how it's more strategic to continue to show up and not try to force something Being clear on your vision and not compromising  RESOURCES My first book, Wealth Habits, is available now. Buy your copy at wealthhabitsbook.com and become a part of my exclusive book launch team, where you’ll receive early access to the book, a live teaching and Q&A with me, plus more bonuses to be announced. Buy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now! Learn more from me and proven business experts by signing up for one of my many  online courses.  CONNECT WITH CANDYFollow me: @candyvalentinoJoin Founders Organization  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oftentimes we think that in order to have a trust, you have to be rich and wealthy. Well, good news: trusts can be for everyone, and they give you much more control where a will does not. In today’s episode, I am going to share eight benefits of trusts and the types of trusts that you can set up so you can decide which one might work for you.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: The difference and the benefits of both revocable and irrevocable trusts. The difference between the three roles in a trust. The difference between a will and a trust, and why you should have both and not one or the other.  RESOURCES Pre-sales for my first book, Wealth Habits, are available now. Buy your copy at wealthhabitsbook.com and become a part of my exclusive book launch team, where you’ll receive early access to the book, a live teaching and Q&A with me, plus more bonuses to be announced. Buy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now! Learn more from me and proven business experts by signing up for one of my many  online courses.  CONNECT WITH CANDYFollow me: @candyvalentinoJoin Founders Organization  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to creating wealth and reaching your financial goals, it’s all about building your habits on the ground level. I’m breaking down my top five strategies for achieving the wealth that you deserve, including exactly how much of your income you should be investing and illustrating the difference between good and bad debt. I explain what a ‘broke mindset' looks like, why it’s so important to surround yourself with positive people, and how being with the wrong partner can be the biggest financial hit you’ll ever take (and I’m not just talking about divorce). More than 64% of Americans say that money is a significant source of stress, so listen in to learn how you can keep yourself out of that statistic.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: How to know when you’re overspending and living beyond your means  Two ways to get out of bad debt ASAP  The best way to mitigate losses and risk in your investment portfolio  Taking a critical look at your relationship with money  The role that the people in your life play in your ability to build wealth  Understanding that being wealthy isn’t just about the amount of money in your bank account   RESOURCESBuy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now!  CONNECT WITH CANDYFollow me: @candyvalentinoJoin Founders Organization  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Scudamore is the founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK and O2E Brands. Brian shares the story behind how he went from hauling junk in his $700 truck to owning and operating a $600 million company. He opens up about his non-traditional path to business, why he believes in learning-as-you-go, and the real story behind why he fired his entire team and restarted from scratch. Brian shares his simple ‘beer-and-barbecue’ litmus test for hiring, and how that differs when it comes to taking on a new franchise partner. He breaks down what he looks for when he wants to invest in a new vertical and why he values the Net Promoter Score (a market research metric) above all else. We also talk about his unique perspective on what it means to be wealthy and his go-to strategy for avoiding burnout as a serial entrepreneur.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: What inspired Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit  Brian’s mission and vision behind franchising 1-800-GOT-JUNK  The most common problem that he sees business owners struggling with  Key factors in Brian’s decision-making process for investing in a new company  The connection between your health, happiness, and success of your business   RESOURCES The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber   The Ultimate Question: Driving Good Profits and True Growth by Fred Reichheld   Buy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now!  CONNECT WITH BRIAN Follow Brian: @brianscudamore  Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: Brian Scudamore  Visit Brian’s website: brianscudamore.com  Check out Brian’s new book: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cody Jess is one of the top-rated Business Litigation attorneys in Phoenix, AZ. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, commercial bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and business law. I’m excited to share our conversation because regardless of if you’re an LLC, S corp, or C corp, you will want to hear from the guy that finds these discrepancies in business documents and get some insight into the common mistakes that he sees people making.  Cody and I talk about how to get really clear in your contracts and keep them updated, key differences between independent contractors and employees, and why you want to increase your personal liability umbrella as your assets grow. Cody breaks down what to look out for when you’re thinking about taking on a board position and critical legal areas where you don’t want to cut corners. Plus, I share my top tip for moving past the fear and dread that a lot of us feel about reviewing and organizing legal documents.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: The biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs tend to make their first few years in business (and how to avoid them)  The types of contracts that entrepreneurs should get comfortable putting into place  Why it’s crucial to have your corporate books in order, regardless of the size of your company  The attorney fees clause that you want to have in all your contracts The first thing that Cody asks when he’s been invited to sit on a board   RESOURCESBuy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now!  CONNECT WITH CODYConnect on LinkedIn: Cody Jess  CONNECT WITH CANDYFollow me: @candyvalentinoJoin Founders Organization  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Something that I see so many entrepreneurs missing the mark on is how they view the trajectory of their business, more specifically, how to reverse engineer their goals to set out on that trajectory. If there comes a time when you want to grow your revenue and scale your business, you have to start with the end in mind, planning your exit from day one. By reverse engineering your goals, you avoid the hamster wheel effect and can position yourself for a lucrative exit. In today’s episode, I break down the main exit strategies, the pros and cons of each method, and how they affect your current business decisions. I also touch on the four things that potential buyers look for and what I personally dig into when I’m thinking about investing in a business.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: What happens when you don’t intelligently plan your exit  The difference between mergers, acquisitions, selling to someone you know, and IPOs  Tips for getting the full return on your EBITA How to create realistic and competitive profit margin goals  Why it’s critical that your financial documents are pristine and transparent   RESOURCES Buy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now! Join me in my new 12-week course “Multi-Million Dollar Business” at candyvalentino.com   CONNECT WITH CANDYFollow me: @candyvalentinoJoin Founders Organization  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m joined by Todd Davis, co-founder of LifeLock, to talk about the ups and downs of his identity theft protection startup, which was acquired by Symantec for $2.3 billion just 12 years after he launched the company. He shares the stories behind LifeLock’s iconic marketing strategies, like the $1 million guarantee and publishing his Social Security Number all over billboards and commercials. We discuss how he confronted his insecurities and self-doubt as a CEO, and what his hiring approach was for building a world-class team. He also dives into how he decided to take on venture capital and what his advice is for anyone who hears ‘no’ during an investment pitch.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: How to differentiate yourself through innovation  Building your presence via bold and unconventional branding techniques  The top leadership tips he learned from his time working with Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies How Todd quickly recovered from losing $1 billion of market capital in one day  How Todd is applying what he learned during his career at LifeLock to his new ventures in the CBD industry   RESOURCESBuy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now!  CONNECT WITH TODDConnect on LinkedIn: Todd Davis Learn more about LifeLock: lifelock.com  CONNECT WITH CANDYFollow me: @candyvalentinoJoin Founders Organization  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m joined by Alison Lumbatis, the CEO of Outfit Formulas®, speaker, and best-selling author. Outfit Formulas® is an online styling program that has taught over 100,000 members how to curate a functional, fashionable wardrobe they feel confident wearing. We discuss the tipping point that inspired her to take the leap, leave her steady corporate job, and embark on her entrepreneurial journey. She shares her number one piece of advice to anyone starting out, what her biggest mistake was as a rookie entrepreneur, and how community and mentorship have impacted her growth as a business owner. We also discuss the power of strategic collaborations and using ‘old school’ marketing techniques like SEO and email lists.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: What prompted Alison to start blogging, even though it wasn’t generating any income at the time Why getting your customer’s feedback and buy-in is crucial for growth  Key techniques that Alison has used to grow her email list Recognizing that you bring something valuable into masterminds and networking events, regardless of your current revenue or business experience  Getting clear on what has really worked well in your business, but you’ve stopped doing  RESOURCESBuy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now!  CONNECT WITH ALISON Follow Alison: @alisonlumbatis Follow Outfit Formulas®:  @outfitformulasofficial Shop Outfit Formulas®: outfitformulas.com Learn more about Alison: alisonlumbatis.com  CONNECT WITH CANDYFollow me: @candyvalentinoJoin Founders Organization  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m joined by Amy Lacey, founder of Cali’flour Foods and national best-selling author of Cali’flour Kitchen and The Clean Switch. After being diagnosed with lupus in 2010, she needed to make major changes in her diet and give up one of her favorite traditions: pizza with her family on Friday nights. She decided to get creative in the kitchen and ended up developing the OG cauliflower pizza crust that actually satisfied her cravings, but helped her stay on track with her health goals.  Amy talks candidly about mistakes that she’s made along the way, including not having solid legal contracts in place and not trusting her intuition. She gives her top tips when it comes to finding the right business partner and investors. We discuss her non-traditional exit, valuing the success of the company over your own ego, and what her role at Cali’flour Foods is nowadays. Amy shares so much wisdom about branding, scaling, and the power of showing up, so tune in to hear her story and learn more!  IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: How making your customer the hero will transform your profitability and growth  Amy’s process of getting Cali’flour Foods in supermarkets  How Amy’s ‘handshake mentality’ backfired  The story behind how Cali’flour Foods went from -$269,000 in profit to $5.6 million (and then $20 million the year after that!)  Accepting that you have limited skills and partnering with people who complement your abilities  The bittersweet nature of operational efficiency and realizing that your brand can run without you    RESOURCESBuy your ticket for the next Wealth & Business Summit on November 9-11 in Scottsdale, AZ. Early bird pricing is available now!  CONNECT WITH AMYFollow Amy: @heyamylacey Shop Cali’flour Foods: califlourfoods.comFollow Cali’flour Foods:  @califlourfoods CONNECT WITH CANDYFollow me: @candyvalentinoJoin Founders Organization  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices