21st Century Entrepreneurship

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is the “bastardization of capitalism” and how it harms innovationThe urgent need to modernize the arts world’s outdated systems and payment structuresMichael also draws striking parallels between flying high-performance aircraft and leading in business: when the stakes are high,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.

Terry Ross is a powerhouse in the medical aesthetics business—and we spoke about what it really takes to turn a beauty-based practice into a multi-million-dollar machine. With 20 years of experience helping medical spas, wellness clinics, and aesthetic practices scale into high-performing, sellable businesses, Terry brings a refreshingly analytical, strategic lens to an industry often seen through an emotional or purely visual lens.We talked about the business of beauty—why most highly trained medical professionals struggle with running a practice, and what they can do to finally bridge the gap between their clinical skills and business performance. From understanding gross profit margins to training your front desk team to convert calls into paid visits, Terry reveals why ignoring the backend systems is the most expensive mistake a practitioner can make.“Whether you run a med spa or you run a tech company, the fundamentals are the same. Knowing your numbers, training your people, building something scalable.”She breaks down three of the seven strategic pillars in her consulting framework:Revenue Optimization: “If we're not hitting those target benchmarks… we're losing money.”Staff Training & Development: “You're spending money in marketing to acquire a patient… If you're not converting those patients at a 70% ratio, you're losing them.”Patient Acquisition & Retention: “There’s riches in the niches. You don’t need to be everything to everybody.”What stood out most is her laser-focus on accountability and systems—not just for doctors, but for every single team member. In a cash-based business, she says, you’re not selling products—you’re selling time, outcomes, and trust.Key takeaways:Most aesthetic practices hemorrhage money because they don’t understand the true cost structure of their services.Sales training isn't optional—it's the highest ROI investment in a service-based business.Marketing isn't just spend—it’s strategy. Know your niche, tailor your message, and focus on lifetime value, not just clicks.Data is your best friend: “Understanding KPIs and analytics… that is the navigation point that tells the story.”If you're in wellness, aesthetics, or any cash-based business, this episode is your blueprint to sustainable, scalable success.

Daryl Black is a crisis-tested leadership coach, emergency response veteran, and creator of the Order to Chaos framework—and we spoke about what building startups, leading high-growth teams, and surviving natural disasters have in common.With three decades of experience in both emergency management and corporate project leadership, Daryl brings frameworks forged in fire—literally. From tornadoes and wildfires to multimillion-dollar business projects, he’s learned that leading in uncertainty requires more than grit—it demands clarity, structure, and emotional mastery.“What got you here won’t get you there… It’s no longer about doing the stuff anymore. It’s about the people part of the business.”We unpacked his Order to Chaos model, including how to go from frantic startup hustle to focused leadership, and why so many founders stall when they can’t make the leap from expert to people leader.“I’ve coached thousands of leaders and so many of them say: ‘I love my job. It’s the people part that’s hard.’ And I get it.”You’ll also hear how he builds high-performing autonomous teams—sometimes from scratch in the middle of an evacuation zone—and what leaders of leaders must do to scale influence across organizational layers.Topics we explored:How crisis leadership principles apply to business growthWhat entrepreneurs get wrong about scalingWhy frameworks beat improvisation under pressureThe 1-3-1 method for decision-making and ownershipHow to coach your top performers and manage your weakest linksMoving from command-and-control to a support model“We’re not building the bus as we’re driving it anymore. We’ve got the brights on now.”Key Takeaways:Self-mastery comes first: “Leadership always started with me… am I managing my sleep well? My nervous system?”Productivity is non-negotiable: Learn about “time fencing” and how to stay focused in the eye of the storm.Influence without micromanaging: “Come to me with one problem, three options, and one recommendation.”From chaos to clarity: Frameworks like OTC and 1-3-1 aren’t just tools—they’re lifelines.Whether you’re leading a startup, scaling a team, or managing through the unknown, Daryl’s stories and systems offer an essential blueprint for staying calm, focused, and effective—even when the metaphorical tornado hits.

Brian Truman is an experienced entrepreneur based in Nashville, Tennessee, and we spoke about the hidden power of collaborative entrepreneurship, the mindset shift from corporate comfort to building your own business, and how to create a life — and legacy — by design.From leaving a secure 22-year corporate career to launching multiple successful companies in real estate, business brokerage, and property management, Brian shares the moments that shaped his journey — and the mindset that sustained it. But perhaps most striking is his belief that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely.“Too many people go into it thinking they have to do it all by themselves when they don’t — and it’s best that they don’t.”We discussed the role of mentorship, spousal alignment, and what it really takes to transition from a paycheck to passion. Brian’s story is filled with practical insight — like how a single cold call to a Florida-based broker turned into a life-changing 90-minute call and a lasting friendship.“I asked him if I could have 10 or 15 minutes. We talked for an hour and a half.”He breaks down how his companies help clients build generational wealth by using business exits to fund real estate strategies, and why “a life by design” is more than a motivational phrase — it’s a step-by-step plan he creates with his clients over six to eight years.And when it comes to leadership and legacy, Brian makes it clear:“We’re here to help you create your standard of living so you can create your standard of giving.”Key themes we discussed:Why mentorship isn’t weakness — it’s your shortcutNavigating the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurshipBalancing ambition with a partner’s sense of securityBuilding long-term financial freedom through strategic business exitsThe underestimated ROI of community service in company cultureTakeaways:Ask boldly. The right conversation can change your career.Plan backward. Map your vision year by year — income, ownership, freedom.Don’t build alone. Collaboration is not a risk — it’s your edge.Legacy isn’t abstract. It’s built through systems, service, and structure.If you’ve ever wondered whether you have to figure out entrepreneurship alone — or if your success can fuel more than just income — this episode will shift your perspective.

Stela Roznovan is a former concert pianist turned multimillion-dollar agency director — and we spoke about how mastering sales isn’t about hustling harder or memorizing 15-page scripts, but about tapping into clarity, connection, and confidence.Stela leads a $3M remote sales organization with over 100 reps and has mentored hundreds of young, driven individuals — former athletes, recent grads, and ambitious go-getters — who come to her burnt out and discouraged. Why? Because they’re “doing everything right by the book,” but nothing’s clicking. Her response? Throw out the script.Instead, Stela teaches a refreshingly practical 3-step framework built around authenticity, exclusivity, and urgency. It’s not theory — it’s what she uses live, every day, with her team watching in real-time.“Authenticity is why the client buys from you. Urgency is why they should buy today. And exclusivity is why they should buy this product.”Her approach is shaped by real-world grit. She recalls spending 10.5 hours driving to her first appointment in month two of her sales career — only to still close five deals. That kind of resilience — not polished scripts — is what she believes sets true closers apart.We also talked about:Why being liked isn’t optional in a sales conversation — “If you can't mirror someone’s behavior, they simply don’t like you.”How she turned a failed 15-page script into a simple, high-converting frameworkWhy “sales is the highest paid profession in the world” — if you master itHer team’s secret weapon: live observation rooms where reps watch real closings happen — “not theoretical stuff… real stuff they can implement on their next call”Building a high-performing culture 100% virtually — and how it’s scaling fast across all 50 statesShe also explains how applying discipline from her life as a pianist shaped her sales success:“You become a top performer in the practice room, not on stage.”Key takeaways:Don’t sell. Qualify. Your role is to guide, not push — “You’re helping somebody qualify for something versus selling them something.”Stop over-explaining. “As long as the client feels like they’re getting the best end of the deal, they will want to make a buying decision.”Burnout isn’t the problem — misalignment is. Most people quit “at the 350th call, when the 351st would have been their $4,000 deal.”Purpose matters: Her agency links performance to impact — saving dogs, helping kids, and giving reps something bigger than a paycheck to work toward.Whether you're in sales, building a team, or just tired of the hustle-without-results grind, this episode delivers both mindset shifts and hard-earned tactics to help you close — and lead — with clarity.

Christine Healey is CEO of Healey Pre IPO and an expert in private tech investments with nearly a decade of experience brokering deals in unicorns like SpaceX and OpenAI, and we spoke about the fragmented world of pre-IPO investing, why high-net-worth individuals are drawn to it, and how her concierge service simplifies access to these elusive opportunities. We discussed the challenges of navigating shady platforms, unreliable deals, and the lack of a centralized exchange for private shares, contrasting it with the ease of public markets where "you can go onto an exchange and type in a ticker and it's very simple and centralized." Christine shared her journey from investment banking to leading a pre-IPO fund and launching her own business, emphasizing the shift in company lifecycles: "Today these large private tech companies are choosing to delay their IPOs and stay private, sometimes up to billions, tens of billions, hundreds of billions of dollars in valuation," which shuts out public investors from massive growth. From my perspective, the most important insight is the democratization of access—pre-IPO shouldn't be reserved for venture capitalists or the ultra-connected, as it allows everyday accredited investors to own stakes in "futuristic pioneering companies that are changing our world." Listeners can learn strategies for managing risks in this high-reward market, like adopting a "flight to quality" by focusing on high-conviction companies, and the value of a personal broker to avoid "analysis paralysis" from false starts and impersonal platforms. A clever highlight: Christine calls out the "proliferation of mediocrity" in brokers and platforms that promise access but often lead to frustration, noting, "They want to talk to a human. It's almost like an old school, human approach to a market that is very new school." Key takeaways include: Accreditation requirements (e.g., $200K income or $1M net worth) gatekeep entry but open doors to potentially larger upsides than public IPOs; building a global network—from California employees to Middle Eastern family offices—yields better deals; and while successes like SpaceX inspire, failures like FTX remind us it's "a high risk market and it's a certain niche of investor that will really be drawn to the type of opportunities at play here." Overall, this conversation demystifies pre-IPO as a viable diversification tool for savvy investors passionate about tech innovation.