Beyond 8 Figures

When I think about a business roadmap, I see it as the strategy that turns your vision into reality. Looking back, I wish I had one from the start. Entrepreneurs like myself often get lost in the hustle—focused on putting out fires and chasing growth without a real plan. And that’s where things fall apart. After my conversation with Bruce Eckfeldt, I wish I had a well-crafted roadmap that could have saved me from unnecessary stress and reactive decisions. In this episode, he explains the difference between controlled growth and chaos and how it can help your business grow.  About Bruce EckfeldtBruce Eckfeldt is an experienced entrepreneur and business coach who specializes in helping companies grow and prepare for successful exits. Over the years, he has led multiple businesses through big growth phases, building strong leadership teams and creating clear roadmaps for sustainable success. As a 5X Inc. 500 CEO Award Winner, Bruce knows firsthand what it takes to scale a business effectively.He’s certified in Scaling Up, 3HAG/Metronomics, and Predictive Index, using these proven methods to guide businesses through challenges and unlock their full potential. Bruce is also passionate about personal growth and leadership development, which he incorporates into his coaching.Whether you're looking to grow, build a high-performing team, or plan for an eventual exit, Bruce offers the experience and strategies needed to make it happen. His focus is on helping entrepreneurs create businesses that are strong, scalable, and ready for whatever comes next.Key Insights:Think like a CEO, not a founder. As your business grows, you need to stop doing everything yourself. Trust your team to handle the day-to-day so you can focus on leading and growing the company.Focus on sustainable growth, not hustle. Entrepreneurs often prioritize busy work over structure, but Bruce believes that without the right processes and leadership team, growth can lead to chaos. Set up scalable systems early on for sustainable, controlled growth.Reduce business risks. Whenever possible, try to reduce reliance on key clients or single revenue streams. Not only does it make your business vulnerable if something goes wrong, but it also limits your growth potential. Start identifying areas where you can expand, whether by attracting new types of customers, offering additional services, or developing new products. Create clear roles and responsibilities. Make sure everyone on your team knows exactly what they are responsible for. This helps avoid confusion and keeps the business running smoothly as you grow.Review your strategy. After developing a strategy, expect it to evolve. The initial roadmap will be wrong in many ways, but the important part is identifying gaps and continuously improving the strategy based on new insights.Bruce's best advice for entrepreneurs:"Most businesses think growth is about hustle, but if you don’t have the right structure or leadership team in place, you’re going to run into chaos. You need to build a foundation that can handle scaling without falling apart."Connect with Bruce Eckfeldt:LinkedInWebsiteInstagramXYouTubeInc.com columnPodcastFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

Balancing business growth with family life has been a challenge for me for years. As a husband and father of three wonderful children, everything I do is with my family in mind. I’ve often found myself grinding, trying to scale, but feeling stuck in the day-to-day operations. When I heard Brian Keane, fitness entrepreneur and ultra-endurance athlete, talk about how scalable business models can automate growth, it really struck a chord. He talks about how automating repetitive tasks, delegating what doesn’t need your personal attention, and setting up systems can free up time and energy - and that’s the real win.About Brian KeaneBrian Keane, a fitness entrepreneur and the CEO of Brian Keane Fitness LLC,  has built a thriving business by combining his passion for health with smart, scalable strategies. A former elementary school teacher, Brian transitioned into the fitness world in 2012, becoming a professional fitness model and setting up his own business. He has since become a 3-time bestselling author and the host of one of the top health podcasts globally. His journey includes incredible endurance feats, like running six back-to-back marathons through the Sahara Desert, 230km through the Arctic Circle, and finishing in the top 10 of the Jackpot 100-mile ultra marathon in 2020. Over the years, Brian has grown his business by offering high-ticket coaching, bestselling books, and evergreen online courses that run on autopilot. His approach has allowed him to create a lifestyle of freedom, where he focuses on his passions while the business grows.Key Insights:Optimize with data and feedback. Regularly review what’s working by using tools like customer feedback, analytics, and automation metrics to continually improve and optimize business processes.Develop evergreen products. Create products or courses that you build once and sell repeatedly. Brian’s evergreen fitness courses generate passive income with minimal ongoing work.Automate key processes. Identify repetitive tasks in your business like customer onboarding, email marketing, or payments, and use software to automate them. Tools like Zapier, automated emails, or CRMs can help you streamline these tasks efficiently.Focus on niche markets. Narrow your target audience to a specific niche where you can offer specialized products or services. This can help you stand out from competitors and better meet the unique needs of your audience.Build a strong personal brand. Invest time in building your personal brand through content creation, public speaking, and appearances. Establish yourself as an authority in your field, which will naturally attract more clients and opportunities.Brian's best advice for entrepreneurs:“Create a business you never want to retire from; longevity is the secret to wealth creation.”Connect with Brian Keane:InstagramFacebookYouTubeFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

Entrepreneurship is a risky game, but you can significantly reduce that risk with strategic acquisitions. This method allows you to take over existing businesses that already have proven cash flows and established customer bases. Being particularly interested in acquiring a company, I talked to Lisa Forrest, an expert at Live Oak Bank, about facilitating these types of smart business moves through SBA financing. In this episode, she explains how to use these loans effectively to secure successful acquisitions and create more prosperous entrepreneurial journeys.About Lisa ForrestLisa Forrest is the Co-Director of Sponsor Finance/Searchfund Lending at Live Oak Bank with over 30 years of experience in banking. She focuses on helping small business owners with both SBA and Conventional lending. Lisa is well-known across the country for her expertise in M&A deal structuring, especially within the Searchfund community. She helps entrepreneurs buy established companies and reduce risks by finding the right financing solutions.Lisa is particularly passionate about educating and supporting the next generation of business leaders, providing resources like cash flow models and executive summaries to simplify the acquisition process. Her hands-on, approachable style makes her a trusted partner in the acquisition space.Key Insights:Develop your own acquisition criteria. Define what type of business fits your goals before looking for companies. Consider industry, size, location, and cash flow. This helps you target businesses that align with your long-term vision and reduces wasted time looking at the wrong opportunities.Use cash flow models to evaluate deals. Before committing to an acquisition, use cash flow models to assess a company's financial health. By running scenarios, you can ensure the business will generate enough income to cover debt and other expenses after purchase.Take advantage of the “Silver Wave.” Many baby boomer business owners are retiring and looking to sell. Explore industries where this is happening to find well-established businesses available at reasonable prices.Maintain financial discipline. It’s important not to overpay or over-leverage when acquiring a business. Ensure the acquisition makes financial sense by carefully analyzing the business’s cash flow and ensuring there is room for market shifts or operational challenges.Prepare for post-acquisition integration. You need a plan for integrating the acquired business, including merging teams, operations, and cultures. Having a clear integration strategy minimizes disruption and improves operational efficiency.Lisa's best advice for entrepreneurs:“Cash flow is gonna be king and making sure you're not overpaying for a company, and you're not overleveraging it.”Connect with Lisa Forrest:LinkedInXFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

Over the summer, my team and I dove deep into experimenting with AI. AI in business has been a game changer - from automating tasks to uncovering hidden opportunities; it is reshaping how entrepreneurs like us work smarter, not harder. I’ve tried some incredible tools; this episode is all about what I’ve learned.About A.J. LawrenceA.J. Lawrence is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning JAR Group, a global growth strategy agency and host of Beyond 8 Figures. With multiple 7-figure exits and leading his agency to the INC. 500 twice, A.J. is a seasoned growth strategist, mentor, and angel investor. Passionate about experimenting with AI and innovative business strategies, he helps entrepreneurs streamline their operations and uncover hidden opportunities. A true “journeyman entrepreneur,” A.J. loves learning from experts and applying those insights to drive success in business and life.Key Insights:Use AI to simplify work. I’ve been using Google’s Notebook LLM to upload documents, emails, and notes, and it automatically creates summaries, FAQs, and key takeaways. This has saved me much time, especially when working with clients on their business strategies. It’s a great way to get instant insights from your notes. Build a solid marketing and sales foundation. One of the first things I advise entrepreneurs to focus on is creating a robust and long-term marketing and sales structure. You need this foundation to hit the ground running and ensure sustained growth. Customize AI inputs. When I use AI tools, I fine-tune the inputs by feeding them references from key business books or industry data. This helps generate more accurate, personalized insights for the specific project I’m working on. Don’t rely on default settings; get the AI to work for your needs.Position your business like a pro. Positioning is everything. You're missing out on opportunities if you’re not showing up in the right light. It’s not just about having a website—crafting a professional presence that attracts the right people. Outsource due diligence to experts. I’m a big believer in working with specialists for due diligence. While AI is great for evaluating marketing and sales, there are areas where I always bring in an expert. It lets me focus on the bigger picture—growth, strategy, and execution while the pros handle the technical details of the acquisition.A.J.'s best advice for entrepreneurs:"Sometimes what looks like an overpriced deal could be undervalued if you realize you can create more value than is being seen on paper."Tools mentioned:Notebook LLM from GoogleGoogle's Voice APISynthesia*PerplexityConnect with A.J. Lawrence:LinkedInXFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite*Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.

When is the best time to sell your business? According to Mac Lackey, it’s never too early to prepare. Drawing from his six successful exits, Mac believes in the power of a strategic exit—selling based on unique value rather than financials. It’s all about thinking ahead and identifying what makes your company special. Whether you sell in one year or five, being ready allows you to seize opportunities and maximize your business's worth.About Mac LackeyMac Lackey has been building and selling businesses for over 25 years. He’s launched six companies across industries like tech, media, and apparel, with each one successfully exiting for seven or eight figures. Mac’s entrepreneurial journey has been defined by smart decision-making, from launching his first web-based company during the early days of the internet to consistently recognizing market opportunities. Known for his knack for spotting early trends and creating strategic value, Mac helps other entrepreneurs prepare for lucrative exits through his program, ExitDNA, where he helps founders prepare for profitable exits.  Key Insights:Prepare for your exit early. Don’t wait until you’re ready to sell. Begin planning your exit as soon as possible by organizing finances, improving operations, and creating value.Sell when the market is right. Timing is crucial. Monitor market trends and industry shifts so you can sell at a time when your business is most valuable.Focus on product-market fit. Instead of worrying about building a massive company right away, focus on finding the right product-market fit. Once you get that right, you can grow faster.Tell a compelling story. Create a clear narrative that explains why your business is valuable. Tailor this story to appeal to potential buyers, highlighting benefits of your business.Stay curious and adaptable. Mac attributes his success to his intellectual curiosity and willingness to adapt. Ask questions about what’s changing in the world, and be ready to pivot your business model or strategy as necessary.Mac's best advice for entrepreneurs:“The early exit is the easier exit.”Connect with Mac Lackey:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramXFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

When I sold my last business, I struggled because I wasn't prepared from the beginning. Having a clear exit plan, knowing my business's value, and keeping important documents organized would have made a major difference. I wish I met Rachel Murphy back then because she had a solid strategy from day one. She built relationships with potential buyers early, focused on revenue growth, and understood the importance of brand strength.But now you can learn from her and make your future exit as smooth as possible!  About Rachel MurphyRachel Murphy is a successful entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the digital and health sectors. She has founded and exited two companies, including Difrent, an award-winning digital services company that delivered transformational projects for the NHS and other public sector clients. Her expertise in user-centered design and digital solutions has made a significant impact in these fields.Currently, she leads The Grafter, a consultancy helping professional services businesses grow, scale, and exit, maximizing their value. Rachel is also a public speaker and health tech advisor. Her strategic approach focuses on early exit planning, understanding business valuation, and organized documentation.Key Insights:Understand your valuation. Understand the factors that contribute to your business's value, such as revenue growth, profitability, intellectual property, and brand strength.Diversify offerings. Explore opportunities to expand into related sectors. For instance, if your business is in healthcare, consider entering private healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences to diversify and increase market presence.Document important processes. Develop detailed documentation of your business processes. This includes creating a playbook that outlines how your business operates, which is essential for scaling and for potential buyers.Develop a strong brand. A recognizable and trusted brand can significantly enhance your business’s valuation and appeal to buyers.Be honest. Be upfront about the strengths and weaknesses of your business. Buyers appreciate transparency and it builds trust, which can lead to smoother negotiations and a more realistic valuation.Rachel's best advice for entrepreneurs:“I always encourage founders to do is be honest about what's working and what isn't in their business.” Connect with Rachel Murphy:LinkedInInstagramXFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

Ever wonder why some businesses thrive while others struggle? The key is strategic alignment. Ray Titus’s experience shows that aligning your company’s mission, goals, and decisions ensures everyone is working towards the same vision. For Ray, this alignment has been crucial in growing his franchise empire over 37 years, proving that when your team is strategically aligned, success follows.About Ray TitusRay Titus is a visionary entrepreneur with a rich legacy in the franchise world. Growing up in a family where entrepreneurship was the norm, Ray absorbed the principles of hard work, innovation, and strategic thinking from a young age. As the CEO and founder of United Franchise Group (UFG), he transformed a single Signarama store into a global network of 10 brands spanning over 80 countries. Ray’s approach is rooted in the power of strategic alignment—ensuring that every business decision supports a clear, unified vision. His leadership has not only expanded UFG’s global footprint but also empowered thousands of entrepreneurs to achieve their own business success. Passionate about education, Ray founded the Titus Franchise Center at Palm Beach Atlantic University, nurturing the next generation of franchise innovators. With nearly four decades of experience, Ray continues to drive growth, inspire others, and leave a lasting impact on the franchise industry.Key Insights:Stand out in the market. Identify what makes your business unique and focus on that to differentiate yourself from competitors. Whether it’s a unique product, exceptional customer service, or a novel business model, make sure your uniqueness is clear to your customers.Simplify your mission statement. A mission statement should be clear, concise, and actionable. Ray advises that it should be one sentence long and known by every employee. This keeps everyone aligned and focused on the primary goal of the business.Delegate your weaknesses. Recognize areas where you are not strong and hire people who can fill those gaps. This helps your business stay well-rounded and capable of addressing all aspects necessary for success.Adapt quickly. When unexpected challenges arise, be ready to pivot your business model. Identify new needs in the market and adjust your products or services to meet them. Quick adaptation can turn a crisis into a growth opportunity.Set and achieve key milestones. Identify the three most important goals for your business at any given time. Focus your energy and resources on achieving these goals before tackling less critical tasks. Ray's best advice for entrepreneurs:“You gotta know the mission statement. You gotta live the mission statement. It's one sentence.”Get Ray’s books: “YOU’RE NOT LISTENING TO ME,” “The Challenge,” “Selling Today,” “Round the Clock,” “Laws of Inevitability,” and “Put a Little JJ In Your Life.” Resources Mentioned:SignaramaFully PromotedTransworld Business AdvisorsAccurate Franchising IncorporatedExit FactorTitus Center for FranchisingProfit FirstStraight-Line LeadershipLincoln on LeadershipThe 6 Types of Working Genius Death by MeetingThe Five Dysfunctions of a TeamBuy then BuildGritThe FounderConnect with Ray Titus:LinkedInWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsiteAffiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.

We often talk about strategy—growth strategy, sales strategy, marketing strategy. When it comes to content, strategic content is a game-changer. Aligning content with clear goals builds trust and credibility, leading to sustainable growth. This strategy (pun intended) can work for any business, and today, John Hall, an entrepreneur and growth architect, is telling us how to make the most out of it. About John HallJohn Hall is a co-founder of Influence, which he grew to 100 employees and sold in 2018. Now, as the Chief Strategist at Relevance.com and co-founder of Calendar.com, he helps people manage their time and relationships better. He’s also the author of the best-selling book “Top of Mind” and has won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award.John shares his entrepreneurial insights in weekly columns for Forbes and Inc. and writes for over 50 publications, including CNBC, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company. Known for his straight talk in PR, SEO, and thought leadership, he’s invested in many successful businesses. When he's not working, John loves spending time with his family. He’s passionate about helping great companies and people thrive.Key Insights:Target the right audience. Use specific, detailed keywords to attract the right people for your business to reach those who are most likely to convert into clients.Measure, measure, measure. Regularly evaluate how well your content is performing against your business goals. Use these insights to tweak your strategies and improve your results.Invest in sustainable growth. Focus on investments and clients who are committed to ethical, sustainable practices. This not only ensures long-term success but also aligns with your values.Leverage AI for content creation. AI tools can help you create, repurpose, and optimize content more efficiently. Incorporate AI to streamline your content process and keep the quality high.Focus on quality over quantity. Producing high-quality, impactful content is more beneficial than churning out large volumes of mediocre material. Quality content builds credibility and engages your audience more effectively.John's best advice for entrepreneurs:“There are so many things you can do with content, but you have to start with the goal and then back into what strategy will be the most effective to accomplish that goal.”Get John’s book “Top of Mind”Connect with John Hall:LinkedInInstagramXWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsiteAffiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey. 

In this engaging conversation, Bakari Akil, an experienced entrepreneur, shares his journey as the Managing Director of Graves Hall Capital and a proponent of digital nomadism. He discusses the necessity of adaptability in business, highlighting how flexibility can help entrepreneurs navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Bakari also reflects on his experiences with Remote Year, the significance of representation for Black digital nomads, and the insights gained from a year of global travel, emphasizing the balance between work and cultural exploration.

Contrary to the belief that focusing on purpose detracts from profitability, many purpose-driven companies experience robust financial performance. A strong focus on creating a positive impact can differentiate a company in a crowded marketplace, attract loyal customers, and drive sustainable growth. As Dominnique Karetsos has seen with Healthy Pleasure Group, profit with purpose is not just possible - it can open up new revenue streams and market opportunities, put companies at the forefront of innovation, and help them attract like-minded partners and investors.  About Dominnique KaretsosDominnique Karetsos is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in more than 40 markets. She founded Healthy Pleasure Group and co-founded Minthub, focusing on building a global ecosystem for sexual health and technology. Dominnique is also a General Partner at Amboy Street Ventures, the first fund dedicated to investing in sexual health and women's health technology. Known for her knack for spotting trends and reshaping brand strategies, she helps startups and established brands grow and thrive. With degrees in international marketing, management, and advanced supply chain management, Dominnique blends her diverse skills to lead with vision and purpose. She's passionate about driving social change and innovation in the sexual health industry, making a real difference in people's lives.Key Insights:Stay consumer-centric. Always focus on your customers' real needs. Listening to them and adapting your products or services accordingly is a sure way to set you apart from competitors.Create a culture of inclusivity. Make diversity a priority and ensure that all employees feel valued and respected, which can enhance creativity and innovation.Embrace compassionate leadership. Practice empathy in your interactions. Listen to your team’s concerns and show understanding. Higher employee morale, better collaboration, and lower turnover are likely to follow!Stay agile and adapt quickly. Be willing to pivot and adapt based on market trends and feedback. Use agile methodologies to manage projects. Your company is more likely to survive and thrive when it can swiftly respond to market changes.Leverage your unique story. A distinctive brand that resonates emotionally with your audience will set you apart from competitors. Use your personal and company story to build a unique brand identity. Share your journey and mission openly so that people know where you stand. Dominnique's best advice for entrepreneurs:“People follow passion. People follow missions. People follow people, not just businesses.”Connect with Dominnique Karetsos:LinkedInWebsiteInstagramXFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite