
Empowering Entrepreneurs
Join Glenn Harper and Julie Smith as they help you build your brand and gain confidence as an entrepreneur. Explore key topics like business growth, mentorship, and overcoming challenges. Their guests bring intriguing and entertaining clarity to help you increase your confidence in building your business (and enjoy your journey doing it). Drive your passion, grow your business, and empower your journey today!
Latest episodes

Oct 16, 2024 • 34min
Dr. Vasquez's Tips for Entrepreneurs on Prioritizing Wellness
How does Dr. Vasquez’s approach blend entrepreneurial mindset with effective health management?We are thrilled to sit down with the remarkable Dr. Indigo Vasquez. Dr. Vasquez (or Dr. Indie, as she likes to be called) is a board-certified doctor of natural medicine with a wealth of expertise in hormone health, sports performance, and gut healing. She shares her lifelong commitment to patient care, emphasizing the importance of partnership and communication in the healing journey. We explore fundamental health habits like fresh air, sunlight, and movement, and how self-worth often becomes a barrier to adopting these practices. Indie sheds light on the self-discovery and empowerment aspects of healing, moving beyond mere scientific advice.We talk about how to transition from unhealthy to healthy food choices, gut-brain reconditioning, and how products are chemically designed to make us crave more. Dr. Indie also talks about her entrepreneurial journey, inspired by her military family's resilience and her father's business endeavors. We discuss her challenges and motivations in choosing naturopathy over traditional medicine, her impressive educational background, and her efforts in building a successful integrative health practice. Julie even shares her personal success story under Dr. Indie's care.Learn about her latest book, "Optimize Your Gut," her tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and her journey from personal trainer to a sought-after naturopathic doctor. Follow Dr. Indie on IGEmpowering Moments03:49 Entrepreneurial mindset inspired by dad and career.08:44 Initially challenging to convince others of ancient medicine.11:47 Transitioned from trainer to holistic health consultant.15:29 Doctor Indie's explanations and education are invaluable.19:39 Unique skills and personalized care ensure success.23:00 People wait for crisis before seeking help.25:37 Healing gut promotes clear mind-body communication.26:46 Doritos are designed to suppress fullness signals.30:23 Multitasking with accuracy is my superpower.Empowering TakeawaysDr. Indigo Vasquez highlights the importance of ongoing partnership and communication in the healing process. This consistent, personal approach is essential for effective patient care.Emphasizing foundational health practices like getting fresh air, sunlight, and regular movement. These simple practices are vital, yet often hindered by low self-worth.Healing is about more than following medical advice; it involves a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, guiding individuals to take control of their health.Many people only seek medical help during a crisis. Dr. Vasquez advocates for prioritizing personal health before issues become severe, highlighting a preventive approach.The transition from unhealthy to healthy eating habits typically takes around 6 weeks of commitment, leading to a lasting change in taste preferences and improved overall health.Improving gut health significantly affects brain function and food responses, showcasing the deep connection between the gut and brain in overall wellness.Foods like Doritos are designed to bypass the body's natural discomfort signals, making them harder to resist. Understanding this can help individuals make healthier choices.Dr. Vasquez’s path includes extensive education and a focus on root cause medicine, moving beyond symptom treatment to more holistic healing methods.Recognizing the vital role of diet and well-being in an entrepreneur’s success, Dr. Vasquez encourages business professionals to prioritize their health for greater business efficiency.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year. An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast. Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper

Oct 9, 2024 • 7min
Strategic Planning: Why October is Crucial for Next Year's Success
How do personal and professional commitments impact an entrepreneur's ability to plan for the following year?It's time to talk about the importance of forward planning to make the most out of the upcoming year. Carve Out Time for Strategic PlanningMajor organizations set aside dedicated time for strategic meetings and retreats. As entrepreneurs, we too need to step back from day-to-day operations to focus on the big picture. Schedule these sessions now, earmark them on your calendar, and hold yourself accountable.Define Clear, Measurable GoalsIt’s not enough to just aim for growth; you need specific, attainable targets. Break down larger goals into actionable items—like acquiring a set number of new clients or implementing a new software. This helps your team understand their role in achieving the company’s success.Communicate and Get Buy-In From Your TeamYour team should be in sync with your plans and goals. By providing clear, understandable objectives and the "why" behind them, you ensure everyone is working towards a common goal. This collaborative approach can transform your business by getting everyone pulling in the same direction.An entrepreneur's success is heavily dependent on clear, well-communicated goals and team buy-in. Planning now, rather than waiting until January, sets a strong foundation for the upcoming year. Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Oct 2, 2024 • 51min
High Risks, High Rewards: The Power of Grit and Vision
The Power of Listening to Your Gut: "I've always kept asking, like, what brings me joy? What do I like? And I've been willing to have the courage to pivot and do that."Welcome to another inspiring episode of *Empowering Entrepreneurs*! Today, your Glenn Harper and Julie Smith sit down with Amber De La Garza, a remarkable productivity specialist, coach, and host of the *Small Business Straight Talk* podcast. Amber shares her incredible journey—from quitting her job after starting a family and buying a new home, to building a thriving business by leveraging a loan off her whole life insurance. Amber spotlights the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the importance of setting goals, and the art of making tough decisions by trusting her gut. We explore her unique coaching approach, tailored to understanding individual personalities and motivations, and hear about her insights gained from personality tests like the Enneagram.Empowering Moments00:00 Amber De La Garza: Productivity Specialist and Coach05:38 Early work experience influences parenting of son.07:59 Selling real estate was challenging due to age.09:25 Coaching sales executives, then resigned after son's birth.14:46 Unexpectedly offered consultant role after quitting career.17:08 Entrepreneur's knowledge and courage in real estate.19:24 Entrepreneurs thrive in chaos, dig deep.24:17 Acknowledging faith, growth, and vision in business.29:14 Focused on coaching real estate agents, balanced motherhood.33:34 Mentors and peers provide vital business support.37:30 Emphasize simple business model to maximize value.42:21 Understanding clients and adaptability are key.44:46 Encouragement for entrepreneurs to embrace discomfort for confidence.Empowering TakeawaysFrom quitting her job to buying a home and taking a loan against her life insurance, Amber embraced high risks to pursue her dreams.Amber's story emphasizes the importance of supportive relationships, particularly with her husband, who made significant sacrifices by working on the road to enable her business growth and later quit his job to be there for her when she needed it most.Amber underscores that it's essential to have a roadmap to keep you focused and driven.Prioritizing their marriage and leaning on faith was critical to Amber and her husband's resilience and ultimate success, showing that personal support networks can be as vital as professional ones.Amber leverages personality tests like the Enneagram to tailor her coaching approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual client motivations and personalities to produce effective results.Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth can enhance resilience and lead to personal and professional development.Amber’s business strategy involves managing a lean team that takes care of most aspects of her business except for the direct interactions she values most. Aligned Business and Values. It is crucial for entrepreneurs to align their business models with what they truly value and enjoy. PureTax, LLC Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Sep 25, 2024 • 9min
Building a Team that Challenges You
What are the benefits of having "No! People" - individuals who challenge ideas, provide constructive criticism, and ultimately contribute to more refined and well-thought-out decisions - in your entrepreneurial team?Living Fast Forward - Building a Team that Challenges YouLiving Fast Forward TakeawaysSurround Yourself with Challengers: Build a team that isn't afraid to question and push back on your ideas.Create Safe Spaces: Foster an environment where employees feel safe to provide honest feedback without fear of repercussions.Focus on Execution: Avoid the trap of the "shiny object syndrome" by focusing on completing current projects before starting new ones.Consult Advisors: Make it a habit to consult your CPA and legal advisors early in the decision-making process to ensure sound strategies.Embrace Discomfort: Growth often comes from uncomfortable situations—get comfortable being uncomfortable.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Sep 18, 2024 • 48min
The Power of Mentorship and Creativity in Business
How do mentors contribute to an entrepreneur's journey, and what qualities should one look for in a mentor?Glenn Harper and Julie Smith welcome Aaron Marcum, who shares his incredible story filled with challenges, growth, and invaluable lessons. From his early days as a top sales rep to founding a successful home care agency and Home Care PULSE, Aaron's journey is one of resilience and creativity.You will learn more about the parallels between cycling and entrepreneurship, exploring how this passion has helped him improve business systems, delegate effectively, and achieve mental clarity. Plus, the vital pillars of building a successful company culture, fostering autonomy, high-quality connections, and competence among team members.Empowering TakeawaysDrafting in Business: Just like in cycling, find mentors who will guide you through the journey and share the load.Creativity as a Superpower: Harness your creativity to empower others and drive innovation within your business.Company Culture Essentials: Focus on autonomy, relatedness, and competence to build a motivated, resilient team.Work-Life Balance: Maintaining physical and mental health is crucial for sustained entrepreneurial success.Never-Ending Journey: As Aaron’s end game reveals, entrepreneurship is about constant reinvention and achieving the four freedoms of time, relationships, money, and purpose.Empowering Moments08:21 Delivered two newspaper routes for a couple years.12:34 Entrepreneurship, accounting, psychology: an unusual path.15:49 Researched Martin Seligman, positive psychology program at UPenn.19:40 Encouraging entrepreneurship, empowering team members to prosper.22:33 Building high-quality connection and rapport for retention.26:32 Overcame burnout through cycling, changed lifestyle.28:28 Entrepreneurs need balance beyond work for success.31:44 Cycling meditation sharpens focus, generates new ideas.36:43 Founder shares sacrifices and emotional challenges faced.38:10 Focus on yourself, not others' opinions or achievements.41:31 Creativity is my superpower; I empower others.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Sep 11, 2024 • 10min
Back-to-School Strategies for Entrepreneurs
How do you balance entrepreneurial responsibilities with personal life, especially during the summer months when kids are back in school?Living Fast Forward, An Entrepreneur's JourneyWe're starting something a little different with this episode. We're exploring what's it like living in 'fast forward' mode—not just in business, but in real life. As the summer winds down and kids head back to school, we'll discuss how this annual transition impacts entrepreneurs, particularly those juggling the demanding roles of parenthood and business ownership. We share personal anecdotes, tips on maintaining routines, and strategies for balancing work, family, and personal growth. Living Fast Forward TakeawaysBalancing Personal and Professional Life - Entrepreneurs often struggle to balance their personal responsibilities with professional ones. Especially for parents, managing the diverse demands can be overwhelming but is crucial for sanity.Importance of Routine and Schedule - Routine and schedules can provide a sense of stability and organization, especially during the school year. Entrepreneurs can leverage this structure for better productivity.The Challenge of Summer for Working Parents - The summer months can present significant challenges for working parents. Without the structure of school, managing children’s schedules and maintaining work productivity can become difficult.Teaching Kids by Example - Immersing children in a parent's entrepreneurial world can be educational. It can inspire them and provide early lessons in business and work ethic.Effective Time Management - For entrepreneurs, effective time management is critical. Utilizing every available moment productively, even waiting times during kids' activities, can help in managing a busy schedule.Gender Differences in Parenting Roles - Traditional gender roles can influence the division of responsibilities between men and women in entrepreneurial families.Kids’ Extracurricular Activities - Engaging children in sports and other extracurricular activities can foster discipline, confidence, and reduce idle time that might lead to trouble.Seasonal Adjustments in Work-Life Balance - Different seasons (like the school year vs. summer) require different approaches to managing work and personal life. Flexibility and adaptability are essential traits for entrepreneurs.Self-Care and Stress Management - Entrepreneurs need to prioritize their health and well-being by slotting time for exercise, hobbies, or downtime to manage stress effectively.Utilization of Education Savings Plans - Entrepreneurs should leverage education savings plans like 529 and Coverdale accounts to maximize tax benefits and support their children’s educational expenses.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Sep 4, 2024 • 41min
Unlocking Entrepreneurial Success with Your Subconscious Mind and Spirituality
The Impact of Discipline on Personal Success**: "The discipline and kind of the consistency around my morning routine and my daily routines has stuck and I think contributed to a lot of the success that I've had as a, father and a husband and an entrepreneur." — Troy Lavinia Julie Smith and Glenn Harper sit down with Troy Lavinia, the visionary founder of Daily SOS and Mosaic Research Management.Troy shares his remarkable journey from the corporate hustle to successful entrepreneurship, emphasizing the critical role of understanding one's subconscious mind and spirituality. Discover how a blend of business strategies, yoga, meditation, and visualization led Troy to unimaginable success, including the sale of his company for $50 million. Along the way, he realized the limitations of traditional business education and decided to help others tap into their inner potential through his 42-day program.Learn how his personal evolution has not only transformed his own life but also aims to bring peace, balance, and fulfillment to entrepreneurs everywhere. Stay tuned for a conversation that promises to enlighten and empower your entrepreneurial journey.Empowering Moments05:32 Broad business degree, little relevance to career.08:14 Team sports teach resilience, discipline, and perseverance.11:48 Gradual awareness, consistent acknowledgment, and productive approach.15:44 Struggling in employment, yearning to be entrepreneur.18:11 Struggles with work and personal life balance.20:33 Success linked to spirituality and subconscious mind.26:25 Intuition led to focus on spirituality and manifestation.29:03 Writing a book isn't a sustainable business.31:07 Teaching spirituality, inner success, and entrepreneurship daily.34:37 Prioritizing spirituality leads to sustained success and happiness.Empowering TakeawaysTroy Lavinia stresses that addressing subconscious beliefs and spiritual aspects is crucial for long-term entrepreneurial success, beyond simply focusing on strategies and tactics.Troy shares his transformation from a corporate employee to an entrepreneur, driven by the realization that he needed to work on his unconscious mind and spirituality.By blending business strategy, yoga, meditation, and spirituality, Troy illustrates how visualization and manifestation can boost success in entrepreneurship.To extend his knowledge and methods beyond his book, Troy created a community and a 42-day program to help others tap into their spirituality and subconscious mind, starting outreach through LinkedIn.In his mid-twenties, Troy developed discipline and consistency which positively impacted his roles as a father, husband, and entrepreneur, highlighting the importance of these traits.Troy critiques traditional business education for not emphasizing spirituality and subconscious mind work, which he finds fundamental to achieving true success and fulfillment.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Aug 21, 2024 • 51min
Listening Skills, Assertiveness, and Entrepreneurship Strategies
How important is quick decision-making and confronting uncomfortable situations for personal and professional growth?From her beginnings in athletics at the University of Washington to earning a Ph.D. in adult learning and leadership development, Dr. Carrie Graham's journey is both inspiring and instructive. She opens up about her transition from a shy individual to an assertive professional in elite athletics, and how those experiences shaped her ability to make quick decisions and confront challenges head-on. Dr. Graham delves into the disconnect between company missions and practices, stressing the importance of validated research in training programs. She also shares her personal and professional growth, the empowering realization of not needing external validation, and her pivot to entrepreneurship amid the COVID pandemic. Plus, hear practical advice for small business owners looking to improve their training programs and employee onboarding. The Disconnect Between Mission Statements and Reality: "It's a business who, in their mission statement, they say that they value their employees, and they talk about how great their employees are to their business the success of their business. But when you look inside of that business, the employees don't feel that way." — Dr. Carrie Graham This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Empowering Moments05:44 University professor and Division 1 athletics experience.07:15 Education, athletics, family, teaching, motivation, PhD pursuit13:05 Enduring adversity shapes the strength to endure.17:48 Black woman asserts autonomy in professional decisions.25:19 Learned from many, put it together yourself.29:26 Business claims to value employees, but doesn't.33:30 Businesses lack knowledge of effective training practices.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Aug 7, 2024 • 46min
Overcoming Challenges in the Cannabis Industry
"Shaping an Industry and Advocating for Change": "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build and shape one of the largest industries in the country. And it has far-reaching aspects beyond just the plant and, you know, rescheduling the plant, de-scheduling the plant, but there's a social equity component tied to it."Today’s episode is going to be a blast because we’ve got the amazing Naomi Granger with us. Naomi is a total rockstar in the world of cannabis accounting and taxation. She’s the brains behind the National Association of Cannabis Accounting and Tax Professionals and Green Leaf CFO, and she’s super passionate about helping tax pros navigate the tricky waters of the cannabis industry.We’re diving deep into Naomi’s story—from growing up in the wild casino world of Las Vegas to crushing it as a top accountant. She’ll share her transition from the corporate grind to becoming a go-to expert in cannabis tax codes. Plus, she'll give us the lowdown on her game-changing training program, "Calculating Cannabis," and why mentorship and self-growth are key to making it big in your career.Naomi’s got some fascinating insights into the future of accounting, her push for social equity in the cannabis world, and how she wants to leave a legacy of financial literacy and successful businesses. This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Empowering Moments00:00 Introducing Naomi Granger, a powerhouse in cannabis accounting.06:30 First job at Deloitte, dream come true.08:05 Internships, graduation, long career in public accounting.15:25 Initial struggle led to a successful breakthrough.23:32 Moved to Las Vegas, saw cannabis industry growing.30:31 Deciding to teach and share industry secrets.33:08 Program "Calculating Cannabis" trains professionals in industry.37:42 Confidence and self-reflection crucial for success.41:25 Advocacy for cannabis industry and social equity.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Jul 17, 2024 • 54min
How Emotional Intelligence Transforms Leaders and Teams
Staying Calm Under Pressure: "Because when you're able to stay calm, calm your mind, you see things, and you can counter, and you can do those things."We sit down with an inspiring guest, Steve Gavatorta. Steve, a certified behavior analyst, emotional intelligence coach, and author, shares his incredible journey from a hard-working childhood in Burgottstown, Pennsylvania, to becoming a successful entrepreneur.Steve dives into his early entrepreneurial ventures, academic struggles, and the pivotal role of mentors in shaping his career. He emphasizes the importance of understanding behavioral styles and emotional intelligence in building effective teams and achieving business success. Glenn, Julie, and Steve explore essential tools like DISC assessments and the significance of structured processes for sustainable growth. Steve also reveals his passion for training and development, leading him to leave a flourishing corporate career for empowerment and consulting.We discover Steve's insights on rational decision-making, his new book "Thrive in the Face of Adversity."PureTax, LLC Empowering Moments06:45 Parental reluctance, varied jobs, and entrepreneurial aptitude.10:25 Struggling with studies, but improved through writing.14:14 Experienced professional with 21 years in CPG.18:55 Spent $800 on DISC survey, led to business opportunity.21:46 Overcoming challenges through action and commitment.23:36 Passion for teaching skills for success.26:04 Helping smaller companies with structure and skills.29:57 Embracing chaos at work improves personal life.34:26 Improve leadership by understanding self and team.36:10 Inquiring about the effectiveness of the Enneagram personality test.43:44 Assessing team dynamics for better performance.47:02 Adding business structure and vision for entrepreneurs.49:43 Understanding limbic and rational thinking, advocating control.51:33 Book compiles responses to 6 questions.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper