21st Century Entrepreneurship

Monica Cox is the founder of Finding Fertility and a coach who turned an eight-year fertility struggle—and a late-in-life caregiving pause—into a mission. We spoke about rethinking hustle, honoring seasons of life, and building a business that serves your body, family, and long-term joy.Monica’s story challenges the “boss babe” grind and the instant-success myth. After stepping back from her business to care for her father and two young sons, she asked the question too many entrepreneurs avoid: what am I really doing this for? That pause changed everything—how she shows up, how she uses AI, and how she protects the “cellular health” that fuels sustainable performance. As she puts it, “AI has absolutely changed the game,” but it’s leverage, not a license to burn out. You still need boundaries, recovery, and what she calls “radical honesty with grace.”Her core ideas land with pragmatic bite: “You got to do the work. You got to show up,” but also “Your nervous system is the blueprint.” Monica explains why clearing emotions isn’t enough—you also have to rewire patterns in the mundane: notice the old loop and choose differently, again and again. Her mantra for interrupting unhelpful habits? “We don’t live there anymore.” And beneath the strategy sits a simple north star: “The basis is joy.”You’ll hear how fertility and entrepreneurship mirror each other, why chasing worth through sales creates fragile businesses, and how to pair AI + human support without recreating hustle in prettier packaging. Expect candid moments (“The math isn’t mathing”) and empowering reframes (“I was never infertile… I was solving issues”), plus a reminder many high-flyers hide: “Most of life is failures.” The work is showing up anyway.Key takeawaysFrequency > frenzy: Success compounds when your actions match your nervous system capacity. Protect sleep, food, movement—your “cellular health.” “I promise you, your body will hit a wall.”Leverage wisely: Use AI and assistants to remove toil, not to triple your workload. Output ≠ worth.Pattern interrupts in the mundane: Catch the loop, choose differently, repeat—“We don’t live there anymore.”Meaningful metrics: Joy, presence, and recovery are performance variables, not luxuries. “The basis is joy.”Identity, not hustle: Build from aligned beliefs; stop outsourcing worth to sales spikes.Energy + execution: “We are both energetic beings, but we’re playing a physical game”—pair inner work with consistent, concrete action.Monica’s closing invitation: “You are the controller of your reality.” Get curious, set a kinder pace, and build in a way your future self can actually live with.

Joshua Sizemore is a brand builder and operator who’s taken ideas from scrappy to scale across retail, beverages, e-commerce, and franchising, and we spoke about how to balance personal authenticity with hard market signals, why DTC-first matters for new products, and building solutions to your own problems—from beverage pivots to diabetic-safe snacks and a vetted surrogacy platform.From a 900-person town in Kentucky to leading roles in national retail, Josh shares the lessons behind relaunching a heritage soda into “10, 000 stores in two months,” grinding daily at a premium water plant, scaling an Amazon-for-CBD marketplace later sold to Snoop & Martha’s group, a presidency inside a large franchise system, and growing powdered kombucha from zero to nine figures—before returning to consumer goods with a new, patent-backed snack formulated not to spike blood sugar. Along the way he breaks down how to test market fit, why margins now trump vanity revenue, and the mindset rituals (hello, 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. gym sessions) that keep founders level through the roller coaster.The focus of our conversation is FeastFast — the functional snack brand Josh is leading today. With a patented formula and delivery method, their mini cookies don’t spike blood sugar or insulin, don’t break a fast or ketosis, and are designed to be especially safe for people with diabetes or prediabetes. Launched just weeks ago with a direct-to-consumer strategy (website + TikTok Shop) and Amazon coming in September, the brand currently offers four cookie flavors in 3oz bags (18 mini cookies, 6 per serving), with cereals and crackers already in development. The ambition is clear: to become the world’s most trusted and delicious everyday snack for anyone choosing a consistent, sustainable lifestyle over quick-fix diets — a practical tool for daily routines without the stress of sugar spikes.What we discussedAuthenticity vs. audience reality: put your values into the brand, but don’t confuse your personal habits with the market’s behavior (his early SKU mix miss is a case study).A practical launch path: prototype → brutal feedback → DTC for 2–3 months to own customer data → then expand to platforms like Amazon.Margin as the compass: why profitability discipline now beats growth-at-all-costs, and how packaging, shipping, and pricing flow from that.Operator reps: what he learned bottling water daily, running franchise P&Ls, and handing growth to the right mentors at the right time.Building from lived pain: a diabetic-friendly snack (with a delivery method they say won’t spike blood glucose) and a new tech startup to match intended parents with super-vetted surrogates after a personal setback.Founder stamina: simple rituals to buffer the highs and lows so you can keep shipping.

Robert Reavis is a director at ButcherJoseph focused on employee-ownership transactions, and we spoke about how ESOPs really work, what control owners keep after closing, the tax levers that often make the math compelling, how to prepare years in advance, and when a dual-track (ESOP vs. third-party sale) makes sense.He lays out ESOP 101 in plain language: “an ESOP is effectively a sale of the business to a trust that benefits the employees, typically with favorable tax treatment.” Think house financing: “If you were going to buy a house, you would typically put 20 to 30% of the purchase price down… [and] get a loan for the remaining 70%.” In ESOPs, the trust borrows 60–70% and the seller carries a note for the rest, then company cash flows retire the debt over time.Control and confidentiality don’t vanish post-close. As Robert puts it, “The day after the transaction, the owner will typically retain board control and the managers… will remain in place and continue almost exactly as before.” Employees don’t suddenly run the shop or see everything: “employees typically gain little or no incremental financial information…” His blunt myth-bust: “this isn’t… a conversion to communism where an employee or a worker group gets together to kind of run the day to day of the business.”Complexity? Manageable with the right team: “once you understand… the core functioning… most of the other details have flexibility and are easy to follow.” The payoffs can be significant: sellers can “elect to defer the capital gains… and roll that portion into qualifying replacement property,” and on the company side “many S Corp owned esops pay no tax whatsoever.” That’s why, “in many cases the amount that the company will save in income tax is roughly equivalent to the amount of debt service that is required to finance the transaction.”Timing matters. Even years out, you can increase optionality by cleaning up financials, tightening reporting, identifying next-gen leaders, and aligning estate-planning liquidity targets. ESOPs aren’t perfect for every business (highly irregular cash flows, heavy capex, or strategic fit elsewhere), so Robert often runs a “dual track process option… while at the same time pursuing a third party sale”—letting owners compare real terms, side-by-side. And the first step? “it all starts with a conversation with a knowledgeable counterparty.”What you’ll learnHow ESOP financing actually works (bank debt + seller note) without “giving the company away.”Why owners typically keep board control and why employee information rights stay limited.The key tax levers for sellers (capital-gains deferral via qualifying replacement property) and for companies (S-Corp ESOP tax exemption).Practical pre-exit prep that boosts valuation and deal readiness years ahead.When ESOPs are not ideal—and how a dual-track process creates leverage and clarity.

Tim Townsend is a seasoned financial advisor with over 35 years of experience, and we spoke about the enduring value of personal service in an increasingly depersonalized, technology-driven world. Tim’s career spans from leading major firms to building his own practice alongside business partner Rod Cobain, always with a clear vision: to protect the human connection at the heart of client relationships.We explored why “bigger is not always better” in business, the difference between a customer and a client, and how the pursuit of cheap has often come at the expense of genuine service. Tim shared candid reflections on the limits of personal capacity — his “60 seats on the bus” philosophy — and why trying to stretch beyond it can “turn your life into a personal hell.”With a mix of humor and hard truth, Tim observed: “You will never, ever hear the words ‘your call is important to us’ when you ring me… because if that were true, we’d employ enough staff to answer the phone.” He also reminded us that information alone isn’t enough: “It takes motivation with information, it takes discipline with information, to actually get the outcomes that we seek.”Key themes included:Client vs. customer: Why the depth of the relationship matters more than the transaction.The 60-client rule: How setting clear limits can safeguard both service quality and personal well-being.Technology’s double edge: AI can enhance service but can’t replace human knowledge and connection.Value-based pricing: Charging appropriately for high-touch service to protect both business and client outcomes.Whether you’re in financial services or any profession where relationships matter, this conversation is a masterclass in building sustainable, trust-based client care — and a call to resist the race toward depersonalization at all costs.

Mark Khuri is the co-founder and CEO of SMK Capital Management, with over 20 years of experience as a real estate investor. We spoke about the historic market correction in commercial real estate, why certain sectors present unusually strong opportunities right now, and how passive investors can reduce risk while securing attractive returns.“The commercial real estate sector has undergone a historic market correction… pricing’s down anywhere from 20 to 30% over the last few years. Right now is a very opportune time to be getting into this space,” Mark explains. From apartments and self-storage facilities to industrial properties, he outlines where the best deals are hiding—and the red flags that can derail an investment.We explored his approach to diversification—spreading capital across multiple assets, regions, and operating partners—and why SMK invests in only 1–2% of the deals they review. As Mark puts it, “We’re really trying to… cherry pick the best deals out there… the lowest amount of risk with the highest potential upside.”Key takeaways include:Why market timing matters—and how today’s price corrections create opportunity.Passive vs. active investing—what investors gain by partnering with specialized operators.The four core asset classes Mark focuses on: mobile home parks, self-storage, multifamily, and industrial.Risk-reduction tactics—from occupancy analysis to avoiding cherry-picked sales comps.The importance of cash flow from day one in protecting against market shocks.For anyone seeking to diversify beyond stocks and bonds, this conversation offers practical criteria for spotting quality deals, negotiating better terms, and building a portfolio designed for both income and growth.

Michael Fabiano is a world-renowned opera singer, entrepreneur, pilot, and philanthropist — and we spoke about why real success demands more than just money in the bank. Drawing from a career marked by both standing ovations and near bankruptcies, Michael shares how failures, solitude, and disciplined focus have shaped his artistry, business ventures, and life philosophy.He’s candid about the grind behind the glamour: “Success is not sexy and failure is required.” For him, winning is measured not by net worth, but by lives changed — whether through his performances, his arts mentorship programs, or technology solutions designed to give artists more sovereignty over their work.Our conversation explored:How to pivot from failure without being consumed by itWhy “if the only feeling is that I'm looking to make money… my mind is not going to be on humanity”The role of solitude, from deadlifting to Mahler and Bruckner, in sharpening strategic thinkingWhy monopolism is the “bastardization of capitalism” and how it harms innovationThe urgent need to modernize the arts world’s outdated systems and payment structuresMichael also draws striking parallels between flying high-performance aircraft and leading in business: when the stakes are high, emotion must give way to calm, fact-based decision-making. “If I'm thinking about anything else, I'm likely going to have an unstable flight or I'm going to crash.”Key Takeaways:Success is personal and should align with values, not just financial targetsEmotional connection belongs in your craft, not in crisis decision-makingSolitude fuels clarity — monotony can be a catalyst for innovationThe arts and culture sector needs a systemic shift to value artists as much as institutionsFun and lightness aren’t optional; they’re essential to long-term partnership and opportunityIt’s a masterclass in balancing discipline with humanity — and a challenge to rethink how we define, measure, and sustain success.

Dr. Brian Alman is a pioneering mind-body expert, PhD in psychology and MindBody expert, author of 15 books, and co-developer of the original ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Study. We spoke about trauma, transformation, and why even the most successful entrepreneurs often neglect the one thing that matters most: their inner world.What if the roots of anxiety, burnout, or feeling “stuck” aren’t in your current situation—but in your unresolved past? Dr. Alman shares how healing the “rings of your tree”—your inner child, your teenage critic, your adult perfectionist—isn’t just possible, but essential for lasting success and peace. And he doesn't just talk theory. His frameworks, assessments, and the Enlighten methodology have helped millions move from pain to purpose across 100+ countries.“The outer world will not help the inner world.”Dr. Alman recounts his personal story of growing up with chronic pain, writing to Milton Erickson as a 20-year-old student, and ultimately training with two of the greatest healing minds of our time—Dr. Erickson and Dr. Vincent Felitti.What’s most compelling is his reframing of enlightenment itself:“Enlightenment is unconditional acceptance of yourself.”We explored:Why many popular healing modalities “put band-aids on broken bones”The 5 steps of lasting change: awareness, acceptance, expression, support, integrationHow unhealed childhood experiences impact physical health and lifespanThe myth of trying to “get rid of” your inner critic—and what to do insteadReal-world results, including a 35% reduction in medical visits using Dr. Alman's toolsKey takeaways:You can’t skip the inner work. Outer success without inner resolution leads to emotional bankruptcy.Healing is holistic. “You have to resolve things bio-psycho-socially.”There is no one-size-fits-all. Effective change must be individualized—“tailored like a suit to your story.”Your deepest wisdom lives inside you. “The best answers are going to come from inside yourself.”Whether you're an entrepreneur, healer, or someone simply looking for more meaning, Dr. Alman's message is clear: healing isn’t a detour from success—it’s the path.

Anders Hansen is a former professional illusionist turned transformational mentor, and we spoke about how the same assumptions that shape our view of a magic trick also shape the limitations we place on our lives. From cruise ships to quantum leaps, Anders now helps conscious entrepreneurs shed internal illusions and step into results that actually stick — without the burnout or bravado.What begins as a conversation about mindset quickly opens into something deeper: a redefinition of identity, perception, and possibility. Anders shares how working with Bob Proctor catalyzed his transition from broke entertainer to founder of a global organization that’s served over 10,000 clients and generated $12M+ in results — not by working harder, but by thinking differently.We explored his “Illusion to Integration” framework, how the brain manufactures assumptions, and why awareness is the real magic that unlocks exponential change. There’s also a live mental illusion demonstration in the episode you’ll want to catch on YouTube — showing how we don’t see reality with our eyes, but with “assumptions our mind makes on our behalf.”Key themes:Why "time is money" is the most expensive illusion entrepreneurs believeThe power of self-image and why changing it changes everythingWhy we attract what we try to get rid of (“Debt-free is still zero”)How belief comes before evidence — not the other way aroundWhat Real Magic actually is and how his seminar fuses magic, neuroscience, and personal transformationQuotes worth repeating:“It’s not who you are that holds you back. It’s the illusions of who you think you’re not.” “We don’t see the world with our eyes. We see through them — with assumptions.” “If I lose weight, I will find it again. That’s how the subconscious works.”Takeaways:The illusion isn’t the trick. It’s your mind’s interpretation of it — in business and life.Belief isn’t a result of seeing. Seeing is a result of belief.Most entrepreneurs set needs-based goals (“I want to get out of debt”) — but lasting transformation only happens when you shift into want-based creation.Anders' story is a living case study in inner leadership, radical honesty, and designing a life where impact is fueled by clarity — not hustle. If you’ve ever wondered why things aren’t clicking despite how hard you're working, this episode will likely show you where the real magic begins.

Jack Landry is a former Division 1 athlete turned Amazon engineer turned transformational men's coach — and we spoke about how real change starts not in your career or bank account, but in your body, mind, and spirit.With a story that moves from six-figure burnout to deep personal discipline, Jack opens up about his own journey from partying and porn to purpose and presence. He shares how leaving behind the “old versions” of himself led to discovering the version that could truly lead others — especially men stuck in success without fulfillment.“The person we become is best positioned to serve the person we once were.”We explored the three-tier foundation Jack uses in his coaching work:Physical: the body as the “frame of the car”Mental: the mind as the “engine”Spiritual: the source of direction, connection, and depthJack walks us through his morning routine (no fluff, all fuel), stories of clients who transformed not by doing more, but by becoming more, and the root causes behind self-sabotage and burnout — often hidden in plain sight.“We tell ourselves we want work to support our life. But when we look at our life, the only thing we’re spending time and energy on is our actual work.”Whether you're feeling stuck in your habits, unsure of your next move, or just craving a reset, this conversation delivers high-performance insight grounded in lived experience and spiritual purpose.Takeaways:True freedom begins by leaving behind the old version of yourself — even if that version looks "successful."Health is not a bonus — it’s the foundation for everything: “If the frame isn’t healthy… nothing else can happen.”Discipline doesn’t limit freedom — it creates it.External success without internal alignment will always leave you empty.You are already a leader — even if you're just 1% ahead.“Figure out ways for you to pour into other people around you… even if it’s just a phone call to a friend.”This one’s for anyone who knows they’re capable of more — and is ready to take the first honest step toward it.

Jared Smithson is the COO of RJM Tax Exemption, and we spoke about the hidden traps, costly assumptions, and overlooked opportunities around U.S. sales tax compliance—especially for ecommerce entrepreneurs and those selling across multiple states.What began as an ecommerce side hustle gone wrong turned into a mission: help businesses avoid the legal and financial disasters he once faced. “We were looking for gold and we ended up finding a problem—and started selling the shovels to the solution.” Today, Jared’s team has helped over 5,000 businesses stay compliant, protect profits, and scale without fear of audits or shutdowns.We discussed:Why relying on your regular accountant for sales tax is a dangerous assumptionHow clicking a single button in your AI tax software can cost you $200,000What “nexus” really means and how to know if you’ve triggered itHow international sellers break into the U.S. legally and smartlyWhy failing to handle tax issues can derail a business sale—or destroy a thriving companyQuotes to remember: 💬 “One mouse slip—$200,000. That’s all it took.” 💬 “You’ve basically got 50 countries in one in the U.S. when it comes to sales tax.” 💬 “The worst thing that I could think would happen is… you start having to let people go because of your oversight when it came to tax in the beginning.”Takeaways:Sales tax ≠ income tax: Most accountants don’t specialize in sales tax, and it varies dramatically by state.Software ≠ solution: Tech tools are helpful, but human expertise is essential to avoid expensive mistakes.Exemptions matter: Paying sales tax twice—on both inventory and customer orders—is a profit killer many don’t even notice.Compliance protects exit value: Non-compliance can cost you your sale—and your dream payout.Early awareness saves pain: Don’t wait for success to start thinking about risk. Prepare before you're audited.Whether you're just launching or eyeing a business sale, this episode is your wake-up call: sales tax is boring—until it breaks your business.