Are you overwhelmed by the financial side of your business? In this episode, Patti Mara speaks with Colin Sanburg, founder of FinElevate, about the rise of fractional CFOs and how they empower entrepreneurs to focus on their strengths. Discover how these experts streamline financial operations and drive profitability, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode:The key criteria that FinElevate looks for in an ideal client.Why some entrepreneurs don’t want to give up signing authority.The importance of identifying your dashboard KPIs.The entrepreneur motivation for freeing yourself up.What inspires Colin the most about being an entrepreneur.How to overcome analysis paralysis. Show Notes: If an entrepreneur isn’t closely monitoring their financials, they’re likely just wasting time. No matter how skilled you are in a specific area, you need outside perspective. Not every aspect of business suits every entrepreneur. People are happy to offload parts of their businesses that they don’t like working in. A better understanding of your metrics can help you structure your business for increased productivity. The right players want the metrics of success because they want to win. Taking action does tremendous things for your psyche. Top team members are unlikely to stay if they can’t access accurate metrics to evaluate their performance. You can’t be your own sounding board. The only sustainable way to build an entrepreneurial business is to base it on the entrepreneur's strengths and weaknesses. Much of the financial aspect of your business relies on discipline. People are more likely to engage with a clear reflection of their hard work. If you measure it, you can manage it. If you can manage it, you can improve it. If a team member sees a disconnect between lead measures and lag measures, they’ll disengage completely. Once you focus on a small set of key metrics, you'll be surprised at how much more efficient you become. Resources: We Choose Local FinElevate Unique Ability® Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday The Gap And The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne

In this episode, Kary Oberbrunner reveals essential strategies for entrepreneurs on publishing their first book and protecting intellectual property. Recorded at the inaugural CoachCon event in May 2024, Kary discusses his innovative IP-protection app with business coach Chad Johnson. Listen now to discover how these tools can streamline your processes and empower your entrepreneurial journey. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode:What made Kary feel like he’d found his place in his first hour at Strategic Coach®.How and why Kary’s original IP protection idea was rejected by Coach co-founder Dan Sullivan.Why you don’t need a traditional publisher anymore.The key mindset shifts Kary has experienced since joining Strategic Coach.The biggest dangers Kary sees entrepreneurs facing right now.Why most entrepreneurs come to The Strategic Coach® Program as frustrated visionaries. Show Notes:Suing someone costs you time, money, and aggravation.If you’re afraid someone’s going to steal what you’ve created, at a certain point, you’ll stop creating.Getting your creations protected isn’t a cost—it’s an investment in your creativity.More than 90% of the value of S&P 500 companies lies in their intellectual property.All of the obstacles you see are actually the raw material for achieving your vision.All IP is based on timing.Being a hero is more fulfilling than being the messenger.Not all money is good money, and not all clients are good clients.Visionaries don’t need their brains filled with all kinds of to-dos.Entrepreneurs can’t do it all themselves.You can operate so well that your competitors become your collaborators. Resources: Blockchain Extraordinary Impact Filter by Dan Sullivan Igniting Souls What Is A Self-Managing Company®?Kolbe A™ IndexUnique Ability® Entrepreneurial Operating System® Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy What Free Days™ Are And How To Know When You Need Them How to Win a Heart: One Man’s Adventure in Finding and Winning His Life-Long Love by Chad Johnson

Molly Thompson, an entrepreneur focused on creating simple solutions for complex clean energy challenges, shares her journey of discovery after being diagnosed with ADHD. She reveals how she transformed her traits into superpowers, emphasizing the unique experiences of women with ADHD. Molly discusses her mission-driven company’s shift from transactional to transformational business models and the importance of community support in fostering creativity. She reflects on her fear of medication and how being part of a supportive network completely altered her perspective on success.

Stacey Hanke, an executive mentor and sales influence expert, shares insights from her dairy farm upbringing that shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She discusses how familial passion and drive have impacted her and her team. Stacey highlights the importance of authentic communication, self-awareness, and learning from feedback. Her experiences in large corporations provided a foundation for her own business, emphasizing that strategic coaching and effective relationship-building are essential for both personal growth and business success.

Dave Sanderson, an international speaker and author, shares his life-altering experience as the last passenger off the 'Miracle on the Hudson' plane. He discusses how that traumatic event reshaped his understanding of purpose and self-worth beyond corporate identity. Dave emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty to discover growth opportunities and the four entrepreneurial freedoms—time, money, relationships, and purpose—that lead to fulfillment. His insights on mentorship and community highlight the transformative power of helping others.

Nicholas Schwarz, an Austrian entrepreneur, helps clients achieve the Four Freedoms: time, money, relationships, and purpose. He shares his transformation from an unhappy employee to a fulfilled entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of time freedom. Nicholas explains his journey through The Strategic Coach® Program, advocating for 'relaxed entrepreneurship' where delegation is key. He discusses embracing uncertainty, the power of community support among entrepreneurs, and how his multifamily office aids in creating transgenerational wealth.

Joe Stolte, CEO of Daily.ai, blends marketing and AI to revolutionize email newsletters for thought leaders. He shares insights on his early entrepreneurial spirit and how his company curates the best content for clients. Stolte emphasizes the balance of short-term pessimism with long-term optimism in business. He discusses the evolution of AI in enhancing newsletter quality and the importance of focusing on positive content to foster a growth mindset. Collaboration with diverse thinkers is also highlighted as key to innovative success.

Lisa Larter, the owner of a strategic marketing firm, shares her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the value of a clear vision. She discusses the crucial role of cash flow understanding in business success and the importance of having a financial safety net. Drawing from her retail background, Lisa highlights how it shaped her marketing strategies. She also stresses the benefits of mentorship and community support for entrepreneurs, showcasing how collaboration can drive significant growth.

Judi Paré, a real estate developer focused on affordable housing, shares her entrepreneurial journey filled with valuable lessons. She discusses the importance of setting boundaries to enhance productivity and the positive changes brought about by The Strategic Coach® Program. Judi emphasizes the necessity of taking time off to recharge, leading to clearer thinking and better business outcomes. Additionally, she highlights innovative solutions for tackling the affordable housing crisis and underscores the significance of community impact in her work.

Join marketing mavericks Joe Polish, Dean Jackson, and Mark Young as they dive into what marketing truly entails. They discuss the shift from cold calls to innovative approaches like direct mail, emphasizing that anything presented to an audience is a form of marketing. The trio explores the crucial difference between marketing and sales while challenging perfectionism in entrepreneurial ventures. Insights about building genuine relationships and the ethical responsibilities of advertising set the stage for smarter, more effective strategies.