Launching and sustaining a successful business transcends merely mastering the financial and operational dimensions. It's an expedition into understanding the heartbeats of both customers and employees, as people form the cornerstone of any enterprise. My enlightening conversation with Tom Walter illuminates this journey, showcasing his extensive business wisdom accrued over time. In this episode, I delve into Tom's compelling narratives about the intrinsic tether between a robust company culture and the thriving pulse of business success.   INTERVIEW QUOTES: 07:48 - “I had a passionate hatred for bosses.” - Tom Walter 21:15 - “He pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to me. It was the core values of the company. He said, ‘This is what makes us different and unique.’ And he said, ‘This is why I want to work here.’” - Tom Walter 36:15 - “Employee engagement is the emotional commitment an employee has to its organization's values, vision, and mission.” - Tom Walter 37:47 - “The biggest enemy for discretionary thoughts (from an employee and employee engagement) is disruptors.” - Tom Walter 39:05 - “I never [heard you] talk about the rules you set up, just the outcomes.” - Tom Walter 45:05 - “I don’t think most employees want an ESOP. I think what most employees want is the privilege of being an owner. And that means money.” - Tom Walter   INTENTIONAL GROWTH™ RESOURCES: Intentional Growth™ Podcast Archives: Archive of 356+ episodes and counting. Get access to the entire library HERE. We'll be adding a searchable tagging feature later on this year. IG Financial Scorecard: Get your Intentional Growth™ Score that grades you on how well you are viewing - and running your business like a financial asset. Get your results and 5 case study videos HERE. Intentional Growth™ Academy: 71 Videos, 9.5 hours of content, 20+ exercises. $995 for subscribers [normally $1,495] HERE Q4 Nov. 2024 Intentional Growth™ Boot Camp: Two-day workshop with 25 other owners on November 8th and 9th in Minnesota at Bethel University. Learn more HERE. Minnesota CEO Exchange: Content + Panel, Networking, and Happy Hour with 100 Entrepreneurs. Mark your calendar, it's September 20th. Topic and location TBD. We'll keep you posted and let you know mid July. Q3 2023 Economic and M&A Update: with ITR Economics, ButcherJoseph, and the National Center for the Middle Market HERE

In this interview with Walker Deibel and Nick Bradley we break down complex topics like business valuations, private equity, and exit strategies into digestible segments, providing valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors in navigating the intricate landscape of M&A. Through shared experiences and thoughtful analysis, this podcast conversation aims to demystify the realm of M&A and highlight the potential opportunities for owners to create wealth, enjoy work, and make an impact, to truly make owning a company worth it. Key Takeaways   1. Valuation and Viewing Companies as Assets: The episode emphasizes the importance of accurately valuing companies and viewing them as leverageable assets for wealth and fulfillment. Entrepreneurs are provided with insights to understand intrinsic financial value and avoid common valuation pitfalls.   2. Acquisition Entrepreneurship and Private Equity Dynamics: Walker Deibel highlights acquisition entrepreneurship as a rewarding strategy, and the dynamics of private equity are explored, revealing strategies for negotiations with sophisticated buyers. The discussions shed light on the pressures and incentives for PE firms and their focus on higher success rates.   3. Exit Strategies and True Value of Exits: The podcast offers a comparison between IPOs and private equity exits, exploring the constraints and appeals of each. It elucidates that the real value of exits may not always be wealth accumulation but the strategic advantages brought by the new proprietor.   // Sign up for the Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit: the kit has intro videos on each of the 5 Intentional Growth™ Principles, the Intentional Growth™ Financial Scorecard along with videos reviewing a case study on how to project out the value of your company, and the entire Intentional Growth™ Podcast Library. //WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: Intentional Growth™ Podcast   Interview Quotes: 23:04 - “There’s a figure that your business is worth now, and a figure that your business could be worth.” - Nick Bradley 23:31 - “If your objective is to build a unicorn, you know, a business that's valued over a billion dollars, that's a pretty stupid objective.” - Nick Bradley 34:29 - “Like there's this little lie that's going on out there, which is like, hey, I know you've never bought a business before. However, everything that you've done in your life up until right now has prepared you to buy a business right now.” - Walker Deibel 59:39 - “It's not uncommon for a firm partner to be close to taking home a million bucks a year.” - Nick Bradley 1:01:00 - “We lost out to a private equity firm in Germany was a 36 times on EBITDA.” - Nick Bradley   RESOURCES: AcquisitionLab BuyThenBuild ScaleUp with Nick Bradley   INTENTIONAL GROWTH™ RESOURCES: Intentional Growth™ Podcast Archives: Archive of 356+ episodes and counting. Get access to the entire library HERE. We'll be adding a searchable tagging feature later on this year. IG Financial Scorecard: Get your Intentional Growth™ Score that grades you on how well you are viewing - and running your business like a financial asset. Get your results and 5 case study videos HERE. Intentional Growth™ Academy: 71 Videos, 9.5 hours of content, 20+ exercises. $995 for subscribers [normally $1,495] HERE Q4 Nov. 2024 Intentional Growth™ Boot Camp: Two-day workshop with 25 other owners on November 8th and 9th in Minnesota at Bethel University. Learn more HERE. Minnesota CEO Exchange: Content + Panel, Networking, and Happy Hour with 100 Entrepreneurs. Mark your calendar, it's September 20th. Topic and location TBD. We'll keep you posted and let you know mid July. Q3 2023 Economic and M&A Update: with ITR Economics, ButcherJoseph, and the National Center for the Middle Market HERE

The podcast discusses the importance of alignment in business partnerships, separating roles, and preparing for challenges. It also explores the role of a CEO, challenges faced by CEOs, navigating different growth stages, developing a behavioral language for teamwork, recognizing behavioral tendencies, and the five key responsibilities of a CEO.

(8:57) ITR Economics: Contrasting Economic Landscapes of China, India, and the U.S. Amid Global Monetary Shifts with Brian Beaulieu: Brian highlighted China's demographic and economic challenges, contrasted by India's promising rise in manufacturing, while also shedding light on evolving monetary dynamics within the BRICS nations. As we dive into the U.S. economic landscape, discussions ranged from the resurgence in housing to concerns surrounding rapid interest rate adjustments and potential debt crises. Brian's analyses underscore the complexities of today's global economic environment, emphasizing the need for well-informed data, planning, and objective perspectives.   (37:20) National Center for the Middle Market: Exploring the Resilient Growth of 1,000 Executives with Doug Farren: Doug Farren, an expert on the U.S. middle market, dives into the 2023 Middle Market Indicator report's insights. Highlighting the middle market's pivotal role in the U.S. economy, the report showed a promising 12% revenue growth and 10% employment growth, though concerns about inflation's impact and talent acquisition remain. The discussion also touched on pressing issues like Intellectual Property in Chat GPT environments, global events' influence, and the importance of strategic advisory in navigating challenges. Farren's insights emphasize the sector's resilience and growth, even amidst challenges.   (1:04:30) ButcherJoseph: The Impact of Rising Interest Rates and Economic Uncertainties on 2023-2024 Valuations, Transaction Volumes, Lending, Deal-Making and More with Jeff Buettner: The world of M&A is being reshaped by shifting interest rates, cautious lending, and economic conditions. Despite a tightening landscape, founder-led businesses have a unique opportunity to capitalize on this shift, if they're equipped with the right knowledge and strategic flexibility.   (1:27:49) AiCommerce on eMarketer’s US Ecommerce Forecast 2023: I talk to Jeff Campbell, about the ever-evolving world of retail and e-commerce. Drawing from his 20 years of experience and insights from eMarketer's 2023 U.S. e-commerce forecast, Campbell underscored the continued dominance of physical stores, the rising influence of Gen Z, and the imperative for brands to diversify their online presence. Tune in for a comprehensive exploration of current trends and strategies for staying ahead in this dynamic market. // Sign up for the Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit: the kit has intro videos on each of the 5 Intentional Growth™ Principles, the Intentional Growth™ Financial Scorecard along with videos reviewing a case study on how to project out the value of your company, and the entire Intentional Growth™ Podcast Library. //WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: Intentional Growth™ Podcast   PODCAST INTERVIEW QUOTES: 18:18 - “We think of the economy as a train.” - Brian Beaulieu 19:27 - “There's light at the end of the tunnel and it's not another train coming at us. It’s the sunrise that we’ve all been anticipating.” - Brian Beaulieu 41:07 - “Performance continues to chug along.” - Doug Farren 42:13 - “We also see that there are some significant expansionary activity going on as well, in terms of producing new products and services, entering new markets, building new facilities, so those activities indicate there is an appetite for growth.” - Doug Farren 01:13:57 - “We get that you're coming off peak earnings, but what we don't get is how far below peak earnings you're going to go.” - Jeff Buettner 1:40:56 - “I do think lifetime value, loyalty measurement's important.” - Jeff Campbell   INTENTIONAL GROWTH™ RESOURCES: Intentional Growth™ Podcast Archives: Archive of 356+ episodes and counting. Get access to the entire library HERE. We'll be adding a searchable tagging feature later on this year. IG Financial Scorecard: Get your Intentional Growth™ Score that grades you on how well you are viewing - and running your business like a financial asset. Get your results and 5 case study videos HERE. Intentional Growth™ Academy: 71 Videos, 9.5 hours of content, 20+ exercises. $995 for subscribers [normally $1,495] HERE Q4 Nov. 2024 Intentional Growth™ Boot Camp: Two-day workshop with 25 other owners on November 8th and 9th in Minnesota at Bethel University. Learn more HERE. Minnesota CEO Exchange: Content + Panel, Networking, and Happy Hour with 100 Entrepreneurs. Mark your calendar, it's September 20th. Topic and location TBD. We'll keep you posted and let you know mid July. Q1 2023 Economic and M&A Update: with ITR Economics, ButcherJoseph, and the National Center for the Middle Market HERE

In today's new episode of the podcast, Corey Rosen, the founder of the National Center for Employee Ownership and author of "Reinventing Capitalism," unpacks the current opacity of business ownership in America where equity is largely held by big corporations and large institutional investors. Corey explains the transformative power of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and how they can be used as an antidote to some of the issues we face today. We have covered ESOPs extensively over the years. This episode is special because I was honored to have one of the founding pioneers of employee ownership share his journey and perspective.   // Sign up for the Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit: the kit has intro videos on each of the 5 Intentional Growth™ Principles, the Intentional Growth™ Financial Scorecard along with videos reviewing a case study on how to project out the value of your company, and the entire Intentional Growth™ Podcast Library.\   //WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: Intentional Growth™ Podcast   Key Takeaways:   1.Employee Ownership is Bipartisan: Believe it or not, employee ownership is a rare bipartisan issue that offers incredible tax advantages for both business owners and employees. With benefits like deferred taxes for sellers and equity for employees funded by the company's cash flow, it's a win-win situation that's not just smart business, but also smart policy. 2.Employee Ownership Benefits all Stakeholders: Employee ownership isn't just an ethical move; it's a financial game-changer that creates a win-win for everyone from employees to sellers. By giving workers a stake in the company, we're not only addressing societal issues like wealth inequality but also empowering business owners to cash in on their life's work without dismantling their legacy. 3.Employee Ownership Fosters Personal Growth: Employee ownership fosters productive, self-confident, curious learners, and entrepreneurs—qualities crucial for maintaining the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of our country.  Bio: Corey Rosen is the founder of the National Center for Employee Ownership, a private, nonprofit membership, information, and research organization. He cofounded the NCEO in 1981 after working five years as a professional staff member in the U.S. Senate, where he helped draft legislation on employee ownership plans. Prior to that, he taught political science at Ripon College. He is the author or co-author of over 100 articles and numerous books on employee ownership, including (with John Case), Ownership: Reinventing Companies, Capitalism, and Who Owns What (Berrett-Kohler, 2022). He has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Cornell University.   Interview Quotes: 12:37  - “One way we could change is by making the corporation itself a more democratic organization. I don't mean that the employees are electing the board and running the company, but that they have voice and that somebody will listen to them about their ideas.” - Corey Rosen 20:21 - "So you have a system, highly concentrated wealth and very short-term focus." - Corey Rosen 23:00 - “Well, it's bad for their health to feel that economically insecure." - Corey Rosen 30:50 - "It's about creating opportunities for the ownership of future wealth. It's not taking anybody's wealth away." - Corey Rosen 34:00 - "I realized that if I shared ownership with the people I was working with, they would help me grow the company and I would own a smaller piece of a much bigger pie." - Corey Rosen 01:06:37 - “Companies with ESOPs grow about 2 and 1 1% per year faster than would have been expected.” - Corey Rosen 01:23:35  - “If you go to our conferences you'll see a lot of excited people who will just like leading employee ownership companies a whole lot better it's more fun than leading a conventional company.” - Corey Rosen   Links and Resources: “Ownership: Reinventing Companies, Capitalism, and Who Owns What” by Corey Rosen The National Center for Employee Ownership web site What is employee ownership? Connect with Corey!   Intentional Growth™ Vision Board Intentional Growth™ Online Training   Reach out to me if you have questions about the Intentional Growth™ Training or Fractional CFO services

I loved my conversation today because it highlights the interconnected nature of Intellectual Property (IP), entrepreneurial vision, and the evolving dynamics of business valuations.    Today, I sat down with Robert Cote, founder and CEO of Cote Capital, who is an expert in the value of intellectual property (IP). Robert, with his vast experience, highlighted how IP protection is crucial for businesses and introduced the concept of 'IP capital'. We delved into the challenges businesses face, particularly in hardware, and discussed new investment models that prioritize IP. Robert also emphasized the importance of a clear vision in business and the potential of sustainable technologies. Our conversation spanned various topics, but the core takeaway was the transformative role of IP in today's business landscape.   // Sign up for the Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit: the kit has intro videos on each of the 5 Intentional Growth™ Principles, the Intentional Growth™ Financial Scorecard along with videos reviewing a case study on how to project out the value of your company, and the entire Intentional Growth™ Podcast Library.   //WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: Intentional Growth™ Podcast   Key Takeaways:     1. The Significance of Intellectual Property (IP): IP as a Core Asset: the importance of intellectual property (IP) in driving business value. IP protection has been crucial for companies to prosper and introduces the notion of 'IP capital' which allows businesses to leverage their intellectual assets multiple times. IP Valuation and Protection: beyond legal tools such as patents, the real essence of IP lies in the technology it embodies. Companies should adopt global protection strategies and focus on sustainable future cash flows from IP. Robert also discusses challenges in the IP space, such as “efficient infringement” where smaller innovators are at a disadvantage against larger corporations.       2. The Shift in Venture Capital and Business Valuation: Transition from Hardware to Software: the shift in venture capital from hardware-oriented investments to software, and the distinct capital requirements of each. This discussion introduces the concept of 'IP capital' as a growth model. Novel Investment and Valuation Models: Robert shares his novel investment model, emphasizing the importance of valuing IP, sharing revenues, and avoiding the dilution of entrepreneurs' stakes. Robert discusses the essence of IP in business valuations, drawing comparisons to real estate and emphasizing the creation of diverse revenue streams.       3. Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Growth: Visionary Leadership: the power of creative vision in guiding business trajectories is highlighted with figures like Andrew Carnegie and Napoleon Hill,    Embracing Challenges and Growth: Robert sees it as a divine pursuit requiring faith, courage, and understanding life in hindsight. They also delve into the potential of sustainable technologies and the importance of innovation in the context of global competition.   Bio: Robert Cote, founder and CEO of Cote Capital (www.cotecapital.com), is one of the world’s leading intellectual property (IP) lawyers and investors. He has 25 years of experience in identifying, valuing, and investing in the breakthrough IP of technology companies that built new industries in the United States. He has experienced firsthand the challenges technology companies face in funding the growth of their businesses as they enter commercial markets. He developed the IP Capital model as a better way of investing in and scaling a new generation of these companies.   Interview Quotes: 15:22  - “Venture capital has moved to software where they do those many bets across unique ventures, and they value the venture, not the IP. And they have a valuation model that works for software where capital is light, early revenue,evaluation can be low, but the capital need isn't so high that you're taking away most of the equity.” - Robert Cote 17:57  - “So I try to dispel a misconception. And that if sometimes people can think of the IP rights to protect your tech technology as the IP, in the legal world, it's often used synonymously. [...] It's the technology that we're talking about.” - Robert Cote 34:02  - “In the end, cash is king. Cash flow, as opposed to accrual, tells you the truth.” - Robert Cote 34:56 - “People don't realize the more value I create for others, the more value I create for myself.” - Robert Cote 35:11 - "It's a fool's move to keep that diamond in my pocket." - Robert Cote 41:00 - "People don't realize that. And if you go around the world, you'll find that your IP assets, when licensed, those revenue streams are taxed at half or less of corporate profits." - Robert Cote 42:20 - “In terms of actually separating them legally, it is usually wise to have ownership held by a wholly owned subsidiary that holds the IP." - Robert Cote 47:45 - "What's in the mind is hard to separate, even though there's an agreement that says I shall not use it, right? Challenging to prove it." - Robert Cote 1:27:29 - “ And so we need competition because if we don't have the competition we're just sitting there by ourselves and who cares.” - Ryan Tansom Links and Resources: Cote Capital Connect with Robert! (LinkedIn) Intentional Growth™ Vision Board Intentional Growth™ Online Training Reach out to me if you have questions about the Intentional Growth™ Training or Fractional CFO services

In today's podcast interview, I sat down with serial entrepreneur and author of "Further Faster," Bill Flynn. Bill took us on a journey, diving deep into various aspects of business growth, moving beyond just numbers. We discussed the importance of how effective teams work together, the balance between strategic planning and execution, and what cash flow really tells us about a business. He introduced the "jobs to be done" theory, underscoring the importance of understanding customer needs at a functional, emotional, and social level. Bill stresses that seeing things from a new angle is essential for driving growth and innovation, with true leadership rooted in a clear vision and strategic alignment. Bill reminds us that it's more than just about numbers; it's about striking a balance between team dynamics, strategy/execution, and cash. // Sign up for the Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit: the kit has intro videos on each of the 5 Intentional Growth™ Principles, the Intentional Growth™ Financial Scorecard along with videos reviewing a case study on how to project out the value of your company, and the entire Intentional Growth™ Podcast Library.   //WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: Intentional Growth™ Podcast  Key Takeaways: The Interdependence of Team Dynamics, Strategy, and Execution: Bill Flynn emphasizes the importance of aligning every team member with the company's broader strategy. Understanding and harnessing team dynamics ensures that the right players are positioned correctly, allowing for effective execution. It's not just about hiring but about aligning everyone to a cohesive growth strategy.   The Power of Perspective and Visionary Leadership: Perspective plays a crucial role in how business strategies are framed and executed. By shifting narratives and viewpoints, businesses can drive impressive growth and innovation. Both Bill and Ryan agree that true leadership revolves around having a clear vision, ensuring alignment with strategy, and empowering teams.   Understanding and Meeting Customer Needs: The discussion underscores the value of truly understanding customers. Bill introduces the "jobs to be done" theory, explaining that customers choose products or services based on specific tasks, underpinned by functional, emotional, and social needs. Recognizing these needs is paramount for a business's success.   Bio: Bill embodies his core purpose - simplified servanthood - by spending each working moment to help create a compassionately productive society by enabling enlightened leaders to focus on the few things that truly matter to their teams and key stakeholders. He has worked for and advised hundreds of companies, including startups, where he has a long track record of success spanning multiple industries. Bill has been a VP of Sales eight times, twice a CMO and once a GM of a division of a $100MM IT services company before he pivoted to becoming a business growth coach in 2015. Prior to, he had five successful outcomes, two IPOs, and seven acquisitions, including a turnaround during the 2008 financial crisis. As a coach, in addition to being connected with MG 100, Women’s Business Collaborative, MassMEP, Small Giants, and EforAll, Bill has earned certifications from ScalingUp, Gravitas Impact, Metronome United, Predictive Index, and The Neuroleadership Institute.   Interview Quotes: 09:01  - “Teams really get most of the work done. [...] Performance is a team sport.” - Bill Flynn 09:07 - "You really have to understand how to attract the right people to the team.” - Bill Flynn 09:33 - “You hire with the concept of the team in mind, and then you find the pieces that are the best ones.” - Bill Flynn 11:50 - “Cash should be your primary financial growth metric.” - Bill Flynn 20:05  - “Passion is fleeting but purpose has endurance to it.” - Bill Flynn                                                                                                47:04 - “You come up with a hypothesis, you find a target customer or owner, whatever, end user, and then you try to disprove your hypothesis.” - Bill Flynn 51:57 - "People will stay on a great team and a crappy culture, or they'll leave a great culture if they're on a lousy team." - Bill Flynn 57:50 - "You can't control everything in your life, but you can control how you respond to it." - Bill Flynn   Links and Resources: Catalyst Growth Advisors Bill’s Book: “Further, Faster” Intentional Growth™ Vision Board Intentional Growth™ Online Training   Reach out to me if you have questions about the Intentional Growth™ Training or Fractional CFO services

Brian Roers of Roers Companies shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey in a recent podcast. Born into a family of entrepreneurs and with a foundation in accounting, Brian and his brother Kent transitioned into real estate, amassing a $2.2 billion portfolio. They raised—and continue to raise—funds by prioritizing personal relationships and catering to the “everyday investor” over traditional institutional funding. However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Through challenges like the 2009 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian shares compelling stories of resilience, emphasizing the importance of trust, transparency, and a robust corporate culture that prioritizes family orientation, competition, and clear goal-setting. As Brian aptly puts it: "You can never imagine what you're gonna accomplish unless you push on it."   // Sign up for the Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit: the kit has intro videos on each of the 5 Intentional Growth™ Principles, the Intentional Growth™ Financial Scorecard along with videos reviewing a case study on how to project out the value of your company, and the entire Intentional Growth™ Podcast Library.   //WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: Intentional Growth™ Podcast   Main Takeaways: 1. Be Flexible & Open to Change: Brian Roers went through an evolution in his professional life, starting with an early immersion in business due to his parents, to majoring in accounting and management, and eventually owning a CPA firm. His journey then took another significant pivot when he chose to move into real estate, partnering with his brother, Kent, where they have now invested Billions of dollars for their investors. Brian’s story emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and open to new opportunities that align with one's skills, interests, and values. 2. Relationships and Investment Philosophy: Brian and his partner Kent's approach to raising funds was notable. Instead of traditional institutional funding, they relied on personal relationships, raising significant amounts from friends and family. This speaks to the power of personal connections in the business realm and the importance of seeing investors as partners. By offering direct real estate investment opportunities and being transparent about numbers, they've successfully developed over $2.2 billion, aiming for even loftier goals in the future 3. Trust, Transparency, and Corporate Culture: A significant portion of the conversation revolved around trust. Brian placed considerable trust in his team, exemplified by his story about Shane LaFave. He believes that the success of their real estate venture is rooted in the trust their investors place in them. Furthermore, their transparent approach to dealing with investors, even in unfavorable situations, has strengthened the bond with their investor base. Lastly, the emphasis on defining and upholding a corporate culture that is family-oriented, competitive, and goal-driven is pivotal in fostering a conducive work environment and setting clear expectations for new hires.   Bio: Brian is a co-founder and owner of Roers Companies. He started his career in real estate more than 15 years ago, purchasing single-family homes, duplexes, and student housing around the University of Minnesota. After gaining his CPA license in 2002, Brian co-founded Anderson & Roers CPAs, in which he held 50% partnership until launching Roers Companies with brother Kent Roers in 2012. Today, Brian oversees operations for Roers Cos., working closely with the firm’s finance, marketing, and property management leaders to drive revenue growth. He works alongside the executive leadership team to set the vision and strategy for the company, which is aiming to reach a total of $5 billion in real estate and 20,000 units developed by 2025. The firm was named to the NMHC Top 25 developers list in 2023 and earned a Minnesota Real Estate Award for Developer of the Year in 2023. The sustained combined growth of Roers Cos. and its property management business (previously branded as Core Living) earned the company a position on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s most successful private companies for three consecutive years. Brian has also earned individual honors in recent years. In 2018, Brian was named a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal “40 Under 40” honoree. In 2021, he and Kent Roers were named as finalists in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the Heartland region.   Interview Quotes: 21:20 - "You can never imagine what you're gonna accomplish unless you push on it." - Brian Roers 22:00 - "The impact you can have out there is just so much more." - Brian Roers 28:33 - "You believed in me and you just told me to go do it. And you checked in, but I wasn't babysitting in my book." - Brian Roers 32:40 - "One of those things you can see and you can feel, but you can't touch. Totally agree with that, right? But let's write it down." - Brian Roers 37:40  - “I don't want you to look back and say, I could have done more here. I'm like, I want you to look back and be like, I never dreamed I could do this. I could accomplish this. I could create this.” - Brian Roers 56:10 - “Those investors are what have built the $2.2 billion that we've done." - Brian Roers 1:03:50 - “The more people we can work with, the more individual investors we can keep growing this thing. And that's, that's been the fun part about it.” - Brian Roers   Links and Resources: Brian’s cell: 952-210-7460 Roers Companies Intentional Growth™ Vision Board Intentional Growth™ Online Training   Reach out to me if you have questions about the Intentional Growth™ Training or Fractional CFO services

An expert in scaling companies, Jon LaCasse discusses his career path and the importance of understanding motivations in building high-performing sales teams. He highlights the role of education, repeatable solutions, and tracking results. The changing landscape of the business advisory sector and Lifetime Advisors' disruptive business model are also explored.

In my interview today with Casey Cavell, we explore his journey transitioning from a professional poker player into a successful entrepreneur, real estate investor, and podcast host of the Dugout CEO podcast. He took a $9,000 investment and effectively used his poker skills to enter the real estate market, later launching baseball and softball academies and expanding them to five locations in Atlanta, and grossing over $40M between all his ventures. Casey faced significant challenges when he started to get burnt out. He was not living in his unique ability and was struggling with managing all the operations. Casey shares key lessons he learned on delegation, personal clarity, and aligning business goals with personal life. After reaching his personal and financial goals, he navigated the complex process of selling his stake in the ownership, transitioning from his W2 job, and most importantly, detaching his identity from the business. His story provides crucial insights into balancing perfection with acknowledging limitations, redefining self-worth, and drawing parallels between poker and business.   // Sign up for the Intentional Growth™ Starter Kit: the kit has intro videos on each of the 5 Intentional Growth™ Principles, the Intentional Growth™ Financial Scorecard along with videos reviewing a case study on how to project out the value of your company, and the entire Intentional Growth™ Podcast Library.   //WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: Intentional Growth™ Podcast   Three Big Ideas From the Interview: 1. The Parallels Between Poker and Entrepreneurship: Casey's journey into entrepreneurship started at the poker table. The skills and strategies he honed in poker, such as understanding rules, money management, and self-assessment, were directly applicable to running a business. His initial investment of $9,000 into a six-unit apartment complex, made with poker earnings, demonstrated this overlap. It's a powerful reminder that often unconventional beginnings can provide unique, transferable skills that can be leveraged in entrepreneurship. 2. The Importance of Delegation and Focusing on Strengths: Despite his initial success, Casey learned the hard way that running a business was far more complex than he anticipated, leading to burnout. However, an investor's decision to help with managerial responsibilities allowed Casey to focus on his strengths, namely, creating efficient systems and scaling the business. This highlights the crucial nature of delegation, understanding personal strengths, and the need for effective partnerships in entrepreneurship. 3. Redefining Success Beyond Financial Prosperity: The story of Casey is also a tale of personal transformation. After battling feelings of inadequacy and a need to constantly prove his worth, he found contentment through his Christian faith. He then redefined his measure of success to include being a good father and husband, not just a successful businessman. This personal transformation underscores the importance of defining success beyond financial prosperity and the role of personal growth in entrepreneurship. His advocacy for clear goal setting, the use of an accountability coach, and living intentionally echo this sentiment, reiterating that business success involves having a clear vision for one's life and business.   Interview Quotes: 07:25 - “I realized that kind of working in my business rather than working on my business was me like playing poker because you can only make money if you played.” - Casey Cavell 20:04 - “Looking back at it, I probably wish I stayed in it [Real Estate]” - Casey Cavell 23:58 - “Yeah, and I think managing that amount of people when I myself was not a good manager is what led to my burnout.” - Casey Cavell 24:53  - “At least thought at the time, nobody could do it as good as me. And was it true? It probably was for a lot of the business, but for some of the business, it wasn't.” - Casey Cavell 25:10 - “I was worried about how do I take this business from 1.5 in revenue to 1.7 when I should have been thinking 1.5 is good if I don't have to be there anymore.” - Casey Cavell 38:57 - “If you’re doing [business] with people you don’t like to work with, or don’t really enjoy spending time with, it’s going to be brutal.” - Casey Cavell 43:57  - “I think a lot of people, they're so busy building their businesses, they're not building themselves.” - Casey Cavell   Links and Resources: CaseyCavell.com Intentional Growth™ Vision Board Intentional Growth™ Online Training   Reach out to me if you have questions about the Intentional Growth™ Training or Fractional CFO services