Intentional Growth

If you’re listening and you own a company, and you’re trying to figure out how to handle conversations with your second-in-command, align your objectives with your eventual growth and exit plan, or if you’re trying to figure out how to hire a second in command, this is the show for you.  Today I’m talking with John “JT” Thelan, who used to work in Corporate America as the second-in-command for a company that (under his wing) grew from 4 mils to 10 mils in revenue, then helped sell the company for 11 times EBITA. JT explains what the process was like, what it’s like being in the head of a second-in-command, and how to make sure that everyone is on the same page. What you will learn: Who is JT and what is his background in business? The key metrics that JT processed which helped him grow companies JT’s journey from sales and publishing to his most recent position How to find a good second-in-command JT’s preferred onboarding procedures (onboarding is like dating) JT’s experience with bonus structure and normalized EBITA What it is like to be a second-in-command How to make sure everyone is on the same page Takeaway: The benefits of having a great second-in-command and the process of finding one. There are huge returns (as seen with Steve and JT) to finding a great second-in-command, getting on the same page, and compensating them correctly. It is worth so much money if you focus on value creation as it relates to the value of your company, instead of focusing on annual income. Links and Resources: Jonathan Thielen, LinkedIn JT’s cell: 612-720-2594 Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want from Your Business by Gino Wickman, Amazon ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp!  You can also reach out to me via email at rtansom@arkona.io or on my LinkedIn About JT: JT is a growth leader who has leveraged the principles of leadership to create accountable teams, operational discipline, and strategic growth strategies. As President, he sold shareholders company for 11x in 2019. JT builds scalable SaaS B2B and B2C sales growth strategies driving revenues, profits and engaging customer experiences. He has had leadership roles with media, start-ups, and data screening companies such as Trusted Employees, AOL/Patch.com, Internet Marketing, Inc, SanDiego.com and Citysearch.com. His focus is in the sales process, operational discipline, employee engagement, LEAN principles, continuous improvement, accountability, brand strategy, a proven process, and most importantly improving the on-boarding (CX) customer experience.

Today I’m talking about aligning your principles with your business and life with Chris Yonker, who is a world-leading vision maker and transition alchemist. He aids people in breaking through to their sales and business goals by helping them in four different aspects of their lives: physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional.  Chris Yonker has a background in neuro-linguistic programming, a seventh-degree blackbelt and a thought leader in personal performance. He takes all of that experience and uses the information to help his clients eliminate resistance in their life as an entrepreneur and their vision for their personal and professional future. What you will learn: Who is Chris and what is his background? Building businesses to get to an outcome versus their love for business How behavior drives outcomes  How NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) works Replicating outcomes through mastery and sensory acuity Power vs. Force by David Hawkins Creating a business for the wrong reasons How should we be making decisions? How you can go through an evolution as an entrepreneur without whiplash Who is advising you? The importance of self-calibrating What are your rules for happiness? Takeaway: What if you didn’t have to be that person, that struggled in order to still have success? Being aware of what you want and why before you have that anxiety or feel imprisoned in your business, is the most important part of being able to engineer the exact outcome that you want. Being able to look inward and doing that reflection will get you to that point. Links and Resources: Chris Yonker, website Chris’ Vision Workbook Power vs. Force by David Hawkins, Amazon Conscious Capitalism by Rajendra Sisodia, Amazon The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek, Amazon ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp!  You can also reach out to me via email at rtansom@arkona.io or on my LinkedIn About Chris: Chris Yonker is a world-leading expert in Vision creation. He and his team work with companies (big and small) as well as high achievers like executives, entrepreneurs, athletes, and celebrities to get clarity on what they really want—and then make the strategic mindset and behavior shifts to create that. As a seventh-degree black belt, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, and thought-leader on Personal Performance, Chris has built a refined strategy to create breakthrough results with clients who were unable to get a desired outcome with other consultants, coaches, and even therapists. Chris was the key driver behind a $6 million increase in revenue within one year for one business client, whose company’s year-over-year growth moved from 1.5% to 7%. The end result: an organization that is able to scale, retain valuable employees, and create a predictable client experience that is unparalleled. As a highly sought-after speaker, Vision expert, and workshop facilitator, Chris’s programs are engineered to meet your demands and exceed your expectations. Chris is a regular contributor to the Coaches Council at Forbes.com and his book Soul Intention: An Executive’s Guide to Building a Life by Choice, Not by Chance is available on Amazon.

Today on the show, I’m with Chad Peterson (and his beard), who is here to share his story about growing and selling six companies (including a mortgage business back in the 2000s back when the financial crisis hit). He is here to share the lessons he has learned, the pros and cons of selling six different companies, and how he has become the top in his field. We also talk about how valuable and important your passion for your business is and why that can be a deciding factor on if you should sell your company. What you will learn: Chad’s background in flight school and mortgages “When you’re doing well, is the time to sell.” What is a “quantum leap jump”? When not to sell your company Being passionate versus being too emotionally attached to your business The different types of businesses Chad has built in the past The books Chad has written Chad’s game plan with building and selling his businesses Where there is no passion, there is no profit What happens when hatred comes into the equation What to do when you are too financially trapped in your business Takeaway: Learn about what matters, regardless of the timeline. Even if you’re having fun, think about your business in the way a buyer would look at it. Look at what your exit strategy is, regardless if it is five or ten years out. This will help you shift your mindset and build a healthy business that will have a more transferable cash flow and be more enjoyable for you and your clients. Links and Resources: Peterson Acquisitions, Website  Chad Peterson, LinkedIn Contact Chad Peterson via phone: 913-207-5895 ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp!  You can also reach out to me via email at rtansom@arkona.io or on my LinkedIn  About Chad: Ever since Chad was young, he knew he was destined to fulfill his own destiny. He was always self-sufficient and he knew that he was always an enterpriser. Even when he was in his teens, he built his own window cleaning company and his own lawn/landscaping company. These helped him pursue his education when he attended flight school. After 9/11 (with a baby on the way) he turned to his self-employed roots. Starting off in the mortgage industry, he ended up opening his own company. That’s when he realized that management wasn’t where he wanted to be. He quickly learned why someone would want to sell their company after the financial crisis hit but not before he had turned away the opportunity to walk away with $10 million. In a matter of two weeks, he had lost it all. But instead of calling it quits, he took it as a learning opportunity and build more businesses off of it.

On today’s episode, I’m talking with Sunny Vanderbeck. He’s here today to share his wild and crazy ride as an entrepreneur and now as a private equity investor. Through his professional and personal journeys, Sunny realized that “business” is so ingrained in people who you are and what your legacy is, which is why he started Satori Capital. Sunny and I talk about how to figure out what is important to you, how to determine what’s important when you sell your business, and how to make your business even more valuable than it is now. What you will learn: Sunny’s professional and entrepreneurial background How to determine what’s important to you when you sell your business What you should look for in a buyer How to make a list of who you care about and how you should figure out what you want to do with them during your exit “The One-Year Trap” How the same things that make your company more valuable will make it more transferable  Ways to ask yourself one of the most important questions as a CEO, founder, or owner:  At 5:00 PM, what are your employees’ mindsets? How does that impact your culture, your business, and your legacy The moment you decide to sell to a third party, the entire process is optimized for two things (1) the highest price and (2) the highest probability of close How to ask the crazy questions Takeaway: It’s not just about your money, it’s about your legacy. What can you do with your company now and as you plan your exit strategy, in order to cement the kind of legacy you want? Write down who you care about, and what your optimal future is.  Links and Resources: Sunny Vanderbeck, website Satori Capital “Selling Without Selling Out” by Sunny Vanderbeck, Amazon ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp!  You can also reach out to me via email at rtansom@arkona.io or on my LinkedIn About Sunny: Sunny was no stranger to proving out the principles of conscious capitalism. He had already done so in his previous business venture, which he founded after serving as a Section Leader in the U.S. Army’s 2nd Ranger Battalion and leading a team at Microsoft. Data Return, the managed services, and utility computing company he launched in 1996, sustained 40 percent quarter-over-quarter growth for more than three years and reached a $3 billion market capitalization, making Sunny one of the youngest CEOs ever to lead a NASDAQ company. Just as important, it had reached those milestones while serving all of its stakeholders, nurturing a conscious culture, and maintaining a long-term perspective on success. In addition to Satori, Sunny also speaks publicly and advises businesses on topics such as business strategy, capital allocation, and conscious capitalism. He is regularly interviewed about conscious capitalism and often points to data that show companies with a stakeholder-centric approach outperforming the S&P 500. He also actively develops awareness and support for sustainable business models through the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), showing CEOs and business owners how they can achieve success without sacrificing their values.

  On today’s episode, I’m talking with Tech Guru founder and EOS expert, Daniel Moshe. We’re talking about how he started his business, how he grew it, how he balanced and dealt with personal and professional challenges. We also go over his business partner (Micah Thor), how he followed his passion, and his return on capital.  When Daniel was going through burnout, he was able to make the hard decisions rather than just having a knee-jerk reaction. He could have the difficult discussion, implement EOS, decouple ownership from management, and put a plan in place. What you will learn: Daniel’s background as an entrepreneur The story behind Tech Guru Daniel’s other passion: working with 14 entrepreneurial leadership teams by helping them build their dream businesses The concept that you are not your business Daniel’s path to that realization Delegating and elevating to your unique ability The importance of a great business partner The difference between ownership and W2 pay Daniel’s experience with EOS The biggest challenges that Daniel’s clients deal with How to find your purpose and meaning outside of business “Clarity Breaks” Daniel’s advice for anyone who’s in the middle of “The Chaos” Takeaway: How can you develop a life after business while still owning and running a business? How can you reframe your mindset so you can see that your business is merely an asset? You can run your business (on autopilot) while you pursue other passions. Links and Resources: Daniel Moshe, LinkedIn Strong In Six  TechGuruIT.com ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp!  You can also reach out to me via email at rtansom@arkona.io or on my LinkedIn About Daniel: Daniel is passionate about entrepreneurship and small business and equips leadership teams with the tools and technologies to grow their companies. As founder and CEO of nationwide CPA IT service firm Tech Guru, Daniel, and his team deliver CTO-level strategy to accounting firms seeking innovative technology resources and guidance. With his company Strong in Six, Daniel is a Certified EOS Implementer, enabling leadership teams to get what they want from their businesses with simple, practical tools. Daniel’s reach includes speaking at conferences, teaching webinars, and as a podcast host in the fields of technology and business leadership. His initiatives at Tech Guru to donate IT services to impactful nonprofits have made Daniel known as the Caring Entrepreneur. In his free time, Daniel enjoys quality time with his two young sons, coaching the next generation of entrepreneurs with Entrepreneurs Organization's Accelerator program, motorcycles, and flying.

Today I’m talking with Paul Moffett about what a family office is, and what selling a business to a family office is like. We’re talking about the difference between a family office, an independent office, and a private equity firm. Which is right for you? Who is a good candidate for your business? What you will learn: Paul’s background What will it be like selling to a family office What is a family office vs a private equity The difference between those and independent offices How Encore One is different from other family offices Who is a good candidate for a family office? The incentive to sell to a family office How the management structure works What are the questions you should ask of family offices? What the economy looks like for a family office?  Takeaway: There are a ton of different options out there. Is a family office a good exit strategy for you? How can it help perpetuate your legacy? How can a family office ensure your happiness? How do you know if a family office is right for you? Links and Resources: Paul Moffatt, email: Paul.Moffatt@encoreone.com Paul Moffatt, phone: 952-656-4539 Paul Moffatt, LinkedIn ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp!   About Paul: As Director of Business Development for Encore One, Paul is responsible for sourcing and evaluating potential investments, structuring, and negotiating transactions, and working with portfolio companies. Prior to joining in 2017, Paul enjoyed a successful 16-year career in commercial banking, most recently as a Vice President in the Twin Cities Commercial Banking Group at U.S. Bank serving the banking and broad credit needs of the middle market. Paul lives in St Paul, MN with his wife, two boys and a golden-doodle. Paul enjoys working out at his neighborhood gym and family time; as well as non-fiction, volunteering and golf when he can get those in.

On today’s show, I talk with recession expert Jonathan Slain about his experience, parts of his recession plan, the importance of having a recession plan, and how to find the value of your business. Jonathan also talks about the book he and his cowriter (Paul Belair) wrote, “Rock the Recession”. Jonathan is a business owner, a recession expert, an author, and an entrepreneur. He and his business partner and coauthor, Paul, have written a workbook and accompanying book about preparing for a recession (“Rock the Recession: How Successful Leaders Prepare for, Thrive During, and Create Wealth After Downturns”) and have a website dedicated to the topic, where you can find information about their programs, organizations, book (and workbook), and where you can find blog posts. What you will learn: The story behind the book, “Rock the Recession” Jonathan’s background and experience Paul’s background and experience Jonathan and Paul’s exit from their businesses The reason it is difficult for people to think about the future of their business, future exit strategy, and recession plans The background behind the initial “Rock the Recession” workbook What babyboomers scan do to transition to retirement The first step: assessing your situation Who you need to talk work with to assess your situation Second gear: How to tune up your business Freeing up people who aren’t A & B players When do you pull the emergency brake? Takeaway: The importance of whiteboarding your recession plan so you can prosper in the future recession. Do you understand how ready you are for the next recession? Do you know what your company’s value is right now? Links and Resources: Jonathan Slain, LinkedIn Recession.com Jonathan’s free 20 question assessment “Rock the Recession”, Amazon ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp! About Jonathan: Jonathan Slain and his coauthor and business partner, Paul Belair, founded Recession.com to give entrepreneurs a free tool to assess their recession readiness at Recession.com/Ready. Jonathan Slain spent the Great Recession huddled int he fetal position on the floor of his office. He borrowed $250,000 from his mother-in-law to survive. Jonathan paid his mother-in-law back and is now a highly sought-after consultant (and, yes, he’s still married!). Jonathan leverages his experience in investment banking and as an entrepreneur on the keynote speaking circuit because he doesn’t want anyone else to have to borrow money from their mother-in-law in the next recession. Paul Belair wasn’t scared when the Great Recession hit. He invested $1 million to purchase a business and just five years later sold it for over $70 million dollars. He achieved an American dream exit by using the Recession Gearbox model outlined in this book to create an intentional recession preparation plan. Paul is a CPA and an MBA, and currently serves as chair of the Young Presidents’ Organization Construction Industry Network.

My guest today is Dan Cooper, an author and entrepreneur. We talk about the book Dan has co-written (“Sharpen: A Guidebook for Business Ownership and Adventures in Leadership”), “plain glass versus stained glass”, his experiences in business ownership, his transition from being a CEO to life after business, part of his soul-searching journey, and his advice about looking in the mirror. What is the point of gaining the world if you lose your soul? What you will learn: Dan’s book and his entrepreneurial history  How Dan co-founded ej4 (“YouTube for the Enterprise”) “Riding the Wave” versus having a plan How Dan changed his business model (service-based to training/content-based) Dan’s process in growing his business Dan’s “looking up” moment Being the CEO of a successful company to “just being a dude” What Dan learned and what he would have done differently The importance of the coffee-lunch call, circles, and life plans How Dan learned what he wanted from business (outside of money) Why your ego is getting in your way and in the way of your business What executive coaching can do for you How can we use our businesses for good? How to look at how you are spending your time Dan’s definition of leadership Dan’s advice for “past Dan” Takeaway: What is the ultimate goal of your company? How can you look in the mirror, set your ego aside, and address what is actually there for you and your business? Ways you can use your business to calculate your return on impact. What is making you happy? How can your business affect that? How are you married to your business? Links and Resources: Dan Cooper, LinkedIn Acumen Sharpen, Website “Sharpen: A Guidebook for Business Ownership and Adventures in Leadership”, Amazon ej4 ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp! About Dan Dan Cooper founded, grew, and transitioned a successful video-based online training business. Dan has always been fascinated by leadership, management, sales, culture, revenue generation, and profit maximization and all types of frameworks and models. He is a product of a decade of seeing hundreds of companies train hundreds of thousands of employees and an entrepreneur who likes to build community and connections. 

Today’s guests are Alexander McCobin (CEO of Conscious Capitalism) and Dan Golden (owner of BFO). We’re talking about “Conscious Capitalism”, a book and movement that I’ve mentioned a lot on the show. Alexander, Dan, and I talk about what got us into the movement, the fundamentals of the movement, how capitalism and “doing good” can overlap, and how to make these conscious decisions. What you will learn: Alexander’s background Dan’s background What is the “Conscious Capitalism” movement? The four principles of conscious capitalism How to improve the value of your company Short-term versus long-term decisions Tangible examples of conscious decisions by companies, which create value for people How Conscious Capitalism helps businesses make changes The future vision for conscious capitalism Takeaway: How can you do good and make money at the same time? Find out how conscious capitalism helps you with your exit strategy, avoid burnout, and find out how to grow yourself and your company in a way that fulfills you. Links and Resources: Conscious Capitalism, the website Conscious Capitalism, the book BFO Alexander McCobin Dan Golden The Conscious Capitalism 2019 CEO Summit ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp! About Alexander and Dan Alexander McCobin is CEO of Conscious Capitalism, Inc.,  dedicated to elevating humanity by improving the practice and perception of business. Capitalism is fundamentally a human endeavor, it is the way for human beings to ethically engage with and help one another. This underlying insight of Conscious Capitalism differentiates it from so many other approaches to business and economics and is needed now more than ever. Alexander holds a BA in philosophy and economics from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MA in philosophy from Georgetown University. Dan Golden is a veteran digital marketing executive & speaker known for famously and accurately predicting that last year, this year, and next year will all be the “year of mobile.”  Dan is a digital marketing geek at heart and still spends time auditing accounts, testing new tactics, diving into analytics, and making strategic recommendations for his clients. As President and Co-Founder, Dan has lead Be Found Online (BFO) to 6 straight years on the Inc. 5,000 list, a finalist for Best Large PPC and SEO agency at the US Search Awards and was recognized as the #1 Best Place to Work according to AdAge. Dan has spent time on the client-side, at the largest search agency and at Google before launching BFO. BFO has continued its pedigree with work on Nissan, Autonation, CarQuotes.com & LotLinx.

Today’s guest is Hannah Paramore, the founder of Paramore Digital. We’re talking about what you can do before you hit burnout and what you can do with your business after you’ve built it.  What you will learn: Hannah’s professional background What it was like as she started her first company Where Hannah was when she realized her relationship with business changed What to do when you lose your energy? What are the signs that you’re jaded with your company? Hannah’s exit process The emotional impact of the integration process after closing Phantom anxiety and indignities Rebuilding identities after closing Finding the sense of accomplishment outside of business Hannah’s advice for entrepreneurs before burnout Takeaway: If you’re the CEO, losing confidence about the business can make it difficult to come in every Monday. How do you separate yourself emotionally from your business so you can see it as an asset? What should you do with what you’ve built? Links and Resources: Hannah Paramore, website Hannah Paramore, LinkedIn Hannah Paramore, Instagram Hannah Paramore, Twitter Hannah Paramore, Facebook ARKONA Boot Camp Reach out to me if you have questions about the boot camp!  About Hannah: Hannah was raised in a church, by a housewife mother and a preacher father. She worked her way up through administration and middle management in various companies. After four layoffs in two years (after the dotcom bubble burst), she decided to take on her own contract job. A few years later, she realized that she had built a great client list, hired employees, and had started a company on her own.