Empowering Entrepreneurs

Shawn Parikh is the Founder-Chairman of Entigrity Offshore Staffing. A Chartered Accountant by qualification, he has over 15 years of experience of being a problem solver for small to mid-size firms and over time he has given consultation to thousands of CPAs, accountants and tax pros. What does he feel is his role is in the entrepreneurs' journey?What I've realized is accountants are big enablers in the journey of entrepreneurs. I am a big, big believer in small businesses and entrepreneurship. And accountants play a very big role there. And I'm happy that in some small way I'm helping that community, although I'm not an accountant myself. But I consider myself fortunate that I have been an accountant where I have enabled those entrepreneurs who have been either starting the business or wanted to grow the business.What are the challenges in being an entrepreneur with businesses in two countries?I think it's tough to leave sometimes family back and travel for months together. I used to stay in the US. I stayed there for about 5 to 6 years. But, you know, leaving family behind and traveling without them is the tough part personally.When did it become evident you had the entrepreneurial spirit?So my journey is a little reverse. So it's not coming from corporates and Big Four and getting into public accounting. It was first public accounting and then I thought that I would, I imagine myself building a corporate going forward. So that let me get the big exposure of how large teams are managed. So being in entrepreneurship was never something from the very beginning.How quickly were you able to figure out that it wasn't about you? It was about your team and what you were able to build and aspire around you.About two years. I went to a housewarming party for one of our team members. And I saw the happiness on the face of the parents of that child. And I realized that in some small way we are trying to contribute to the social upliftment of people around us. So that's where I realized that this is not this journey, is now not just economic prosperity. It's about making a larger impact we are making.What impact did your mentor have on you?He had a tremendous amount of impact on my life. My professional learnings and the way I approach and the way I deal with people. Let me tell you, I never had the vision of building this kind of company. You know, my thinking was small. My exposure was small. I would have not built this company unless I would have gotten that exposure that I had.After losing 50% of his savings after one of his early businesses didn't work out, you couldn't look at it as a "failure." You had to come back stronger, right? Was there a choice? I think a lot of things have happened to me because of destiny. I mean, I went to another country, started all over again. All of this is took some good decisions, got some great people by my side. I met some great people in the U.S. who supported me through all of this. So people often ask would you like to live life the same way that has come to you? Well, I always think that it has to I made a lot of mistakes, but if I wouldn't have made that, this wouldn't have come through. But I was not the guy who took that pressure that much. I live in a joint family in India. So the culture is a little different there and I would have been easily tagged as a failure.As we like to ask all of our guests, "If I just knew that, that would have been key, what would that have been?"So I thought initially when we started working with and started Entegrity, I needed to have to visit every accounting firm and close them. So I used to travel a lot, go to all conferences for year. But then I met Michael Dell, another CPA. He proposed that I let him sell for me for x% commission. I said why not? It was a big mindset shift. So if I would have known that three or four years back, probably we would have been probably 2x what we are right now.Just another example of getting out of your own way.Shawn's WebsiteMyCPERunning 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

In 2003, Rebekah Scott used her curtains to make handbags for holiday presents. That's a humble beginning.Now, their team of 20 seamstresses hand sews bags and accessories for people across the nation! Every stitch and cut is done right here in the upper Midwest by mostly work-from-home women.They exist to help women realize their creativity and to feel more self-confident in their ability to tackle all of their roles. They know women gain confidence and positivity when they create, and can then love themselves and others better.Encourager Academy Rebekah Scott Rebekah's Website Rebekah's Facebook page @shoprsd on Instagram Rebekah on YouTube 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 Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): http://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/into-the-sunshine License code: NWWDFO0WV5WE4VAZ

What a great story behind the changes that have occurred over the last few years at Shelton & Associates!We have transitioned from a full-service accounting firm where we have historically considered ourselves as a tax factory, and we now specialize in being advisors and relationships with our clients and working with them to just establish their best practices, build a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship where they can reach their financial goals through our expertise, to our advice and through our building with them over time.Wayne knew he had to change his business model for the company. But he didn't have the right person in place to do that - until Ryan. He was able to take his background in Law Enforcement to drive the company.We wanted to empower our staff. And so that was a big part of it. They take ownership of their situation. They take ownership of their clients. They get excited. Like, I get to do the bigger work, the bigger stuff, and I'm also getting to see the results as well. The clients love it more because they're doing it's not just Wayne, it's not just Ryan that they can talk to get their answers from.Wayne talks about how the culture changed in just a short amount of time with the proper leadership and direction.My office was a train wreck. We had people going 18 different directions. But we've changed all that and we've got a totally different culture, and it pretty much turned over the whole staff in a three year period.What is it that you actually do that makes you money?The planning advisory. When we bring somebody on board, they have a situation in their business possibly various disasters going on. And a lot of this impacts their tactical situations. So we come in and we apply that advisory service.What is your dream now? What what do you see happening now that you look forward?We've also really branched out into a couple of areas like this business leadership we are doing. We actually look at that as a separate advisory product as well. And we're going up to Minnesota, Wisconsin to teach a firm for two days. They've engaged us to teach for two days on-site at their annual meeting. We're going there to try to get them to put in place a foundation set so they can grow in a similar fashion. And grow better for learning from our mistakes along the way.Wayne is a Paducah, Kentucky native and has practiced public accounting for 42 years. Wayne is the founder of Shelton & Associates, CPA, PLLC. Wayne specializes in auditing, tax planning and preparation and business consulting. He has also consulted on over 40 forensic cases. He received BS in Accounting from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas in 1974 and his CPA certificate in 1976. Wayne received the Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) designation in 1997 from the Medical Group Management Association. He also received the CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics) credential from the AICPA, the CFA (Certified in Financial Forensics) and the CVA (Certified in Financial Forensics) credentials. When he is not working in the office, he can be found hunting, playing golf, tending to his farm and spending time with his family. Ryan is from Ann Arbor, Michigan and moved to Paducah, Kentucky in 2006. He partnered with Wayne at Shelton & Associates, CPA, PLLC in 2018. Ryan specializes in high level customized Business Advisory, including leadership, business best practices, and Forensic Accounting. He graduated from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas in 2006 where he obtained his BS in Criminal Justice. Ryan spent just shy of 12 years serving his community as a Paducah Police Officer. He spent over 10 years on the SWAT Team and was the Team Leader. Ryan leads the Forensic Accounting division of Shelton & Associates, CPA, PLLC, and works closely with clients providing consultation to help them improve and achieve their financial goals. Ryan spends his free time with his family and friends playing games and enjoying the outdoors. 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

Our guest is Don Ross from Ross Wealth Advisors.As Don explains, they believe everyone should be able to live the retirement they’ve always wanted. Their team of professionals can help their clients create a well-thought-out strategy, using a variety of investments and insurance products and services, to help them address their financial needs and concerns.But how did he get here, offering the sage advice he gives his clients?OJT - on-the-job training. Thirty-three years. That's the unique thing of what we do. We are an independent fiduciary. So it's our job to build you the best plan. We work with a lot of singles, widows, widowers, everybody situation's unique.Don talk about how he has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Just jump in and do it.I was about 12 years old, and I started cutting the neighbor's yard. And then I did the following neighbor the next neighbor down. I had a trailer behind my bike, going down the street to the neighborhood.Being an entrepreneur means you have to believe in yourself, your product or service, and make your clients a top priority.When I watched Shark Tank, I see some people up there plugging stuff like, Are you kidding me? But if you believe in it, it doesn't matter. And that's all that matters, whether they go bankrupt or they make millions of dollars. That's the beauty of being an entrepreneur because you did it.Don's take on the importance of how he grows his business.I know I could step back from day to day, but my clients know they can call or text me. That's important to me, you know. Doing paperwork? I mean, I'll screw it up. I don't go into the database. I never touch that. So I just like being with people.Entrepreneurs love the opportunity to grow their businesses. But many don't think about how to say it's time to move on. That's why I have a succession plan in place, which I think every small business owner should have. So you don't leave your clients hanging.A lot of business owners are scared to talk to their competitors. But are entrepreneur competitors really in competition?Two of my best friends, one of them is a fairly big car dealer here in town, a Ford guy, and another friend of mine, the Chevy Guy, both behemoths and what they do, their best friends. They share ideas. They're not competitors. You'd think that, but they're really not. But the mindset of most people is, Oh yeah, they're competitors.Don Ross, RFC®, founder and president of Ross Wealth Advisors, has over 30 years of experience in the financial planning industry. Don is a Registered Financial Consultant who has been advising individuals and families within Central Ohio since 1987. Don’s experience with securities, income planning, tax strategies, and retirement investment planning, allows him to deliver truly valuable advice and service to his clients. Don was raised in Upper Arlington, OH, and has a long history of service to his community and country; including twenty-plus years as a pilot in the Ohio National Guard. Don earned his BS in Finance from Franklin University. In Don’s free time he and his wife Joni enjoy playing pickleball in the summer, platform tennis in the winter, traveling and visiting with their three children Judith, Ryan, and Lance. Don's Website Don's Facebook page Don on YouTube 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

Our guest hasn't always been the CEO of multiple companies with students from all over the world and properties in various states. Back in 2015, Paul was working a corporate job… the long hours, the commute… and was tired of it. He wanted out. And real estate investing became his escape plan. And in just over a year’s time, he quit that corporate job and hasn’t looked back since!I wanted to do things that were interesting and learn what it takes to make those interesting decisions. I wanted to make things that are interesting. And I found that growing and building businesses are really interesting and really complicated.Why real estate?I could get really low-interest rates at the time. Six percent or less. And that, I feel like, was a very measured and careful approach and not at all throwing caution to the wind. But I was not afraid to make mistakes. My mistake was not trying for 15 years.Paul talks about his unique experience finding and working with his mentor....here's what you got to do first. You have to go by the book The Richest Man in Babylon. I want you to get a physical copy. I want you to read it, highlight it and write a three-page handwritten essay. And then I want you to mail it to my P.O. box. And after you do that, I'll talk to you. So it was his way of testing people if they're serious and if they're coachable and teachable. So I did it, and over the next two years, I probably wrote like six seven eight handwritten, three-page essays on different books that he sent me.What advantages has Paul seen in working with a CPA that also offers business strategy?You need that business strategist. It's really handy when they're an accountant and or an attorney as well, so they can give you advice on those aspects of any business that you're in because you have to solve for both of those.How does Paul see businesses being able to survive over the years?I knew very early on from being in business for other people that the reality of the world in the business world, is adapt or die. You have to adjust.Are there any other relationships that have really been imperative to your success throughout your journey?I did not go into real estate or entrepreneurship for relationships. But I realized that, oh, that's why you go into business in the first place. It's about relationships, it's about service, about creating value to other people. And you're going to need other people in the industry or any other other professionals that you're working with.Paul helps busy professionals design a real estate investment strategy that fits their needs. Whether that's taking control of investments, reducing taxes, accelerating debt paydown, or leveling up in their investing game. He's guided numerous beginners through the process of doing their first real estate deal. He works with investors from California to New Zealand. The best part of his life is helping others build extra sources of income so they can lead a life of their design. As a full-time real estate investor, he no longer depends on a day job. He shows busy professionals how they can follow a simple plan to build wealth with real estate. If you're looking to get started with real estate investing or an investor who is looking for support, feel free to join his free Facebook group. Paul's Facebook group Paul's Website 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

Brett Johnson is the founder and owner of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants. He consults with businesses on developing, launching, and optimizing podcasts into their marketing strategy.Realizing that radio was on the downturn and that podcasts were always being included in marketing strategy meetings, he pivoted careers.As a 35-year radio veteran, he leverages his years of content creation, marketing skills, and sales to provide customized consulting. As a result, his clients now focus on the 'why' they are podcasting, not on the 'how' to create a podcast.Brett talks about how his career transition happened from radio to podcast consultant...All these advertisers were asking me about podcasting. I started doing homework. I started going to what I called "night school" and just plowing through bunches of podcasts, reading all about this stuff. And became pretty good at understanding what to do with podcasting pretty quickly. Over about six or seven months of every night reading about and listening to podcasts. So I started working with clients doing this on the side outside of the station. And then there came a point, very quickly, where doing this as a side hustle interfered with my regular work.Accountability is scary to a lot of people. Once you speak it, it becomes real. And you have to have action. Who are those centers that are your influencers? Who are those mentors?I try to make it a variety of people. I went to my old sales manager. He was the one that hired me initially at the radio station. I trust his advice and I am very lucky to have him there for me. I also try to make that circle of people different as well, too. That (circle) would hold me accountable and people I could go to.Making podcasting easier for the client is the key, right?There are a lot of details to it. And I think that's what does stop a lot of podcasters from either doing it and or not doing it very well. Because it's detail-oriented. As with any content-generating opportunity, it just takes time. My goal is to make it fun. Let's create that episode. But what else are you going to do with it? What else do you want to do with it?Did you have it all figured out when you started?I had no clue what I was doing. I had people around me, though, helping me figure this and giving me the confidence to do it. It took me about two or three years to really know that, "Yeah, Brett, you know what you're doing."Find out more about what Brett does by scheduling a time with him, or more on his website. And don't miss his podcast Note To Future Me.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.

Janel Sykora is on a mission to help accounting firms grow profitably. She works with a lot of accounting firms. She builds sales funnels and helps them tell their brand story.She teaches firms how to create and implement marketing and sales strategies that drive profitable growth without adding resources.Business leaders can choose to grow or be comfortable, but not both. Comfort leads to falling behind, and growth requires change. Janel works with accounting firms that have a vision for growth and are willing to embrace change to achieve it.So you're basically helping your clients evolve?100 percent. For a while, I worked for a large software company. What we were selling wasn't necessarily solving the biggest problems those accounting firms had. So, I found myself talking to these firms about, where is your pain? Where are your bottlenecks? I realized this is a profession in a middle of a massive transition right now.How long were you in that stage before you said, "Wait a minute, I've got to branch out and talk to people because I just need to get different perspectives?"I never hesitate to get second opinions. Not only with businesses that I've owned and been involved with, but really my entire professional journey. But I'm also a doer, so I'll get an idea, and then I run with it. If I fall down and scrape my knee, I get back up and I'm going to look at people around me and say, "OK, what did I do? Help me figure out what I did wrong or what I did right?"Have you been able to have a mentor throughout this entire process? Or maybe during that pivoting time?I've had a lot of mentors throughout my career. I had a mentor throughout that particular pivotal time who was just a fantastic person. He was very high up at another software company that was very successful and kind of took me under his wing. He was brutally honest and just was there for me. He provided a completely "no judgment zone" and really did help me. But part of it was I had to get over myself and get out of my own way,What is your superpower?I believe my superpower is being able to take a company's vision and be able to translate that into their brand story and the message that attracts the clients that they want. I want to be the part that helps communicate the brand story of these firms who are ready and willing to make that shift.You will want to find out more about Janel on her website. Want to learn more about working with Janel? Fill out the quick form on her website, and she'll be in touch!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.

We welcome Stephen E. Palmer, Columbus criminal defense attorney, and owner and partner at Palmer Legal Defense: Columbus Criminal Defense AttorneyGraduating from college in 1992 with a degree in history with a liberal arts background, he soon found that the job openings were slim to none. He then decided to apply to law school. After graduation, he soon started learning from small law practices. That propelled his journey to starting his own defense attorney practice with his partner Eric Yavitch.How Steve differentiates himself from other defense attorneys...I've always been able to objectively evaluate truth, and then I can reiterate that. I can do that with confidence. once it's in my head, that it's true in my soul, that it's true, then I can explain it to anybody.The importance of mentors in Steve's career...My mentor always said it. And this is probably not only true in law, but probably everything. If you're a good trial lawyer, everything else will tend to fall into place. And the depth of that is really, really sort of incredible.Why having a strong network around you helps you build your business...My dad actually used to say this. You need, as a professional, you need a good accountant. You need a good doctor, you need a good lawyer, you need a good barber, you need a good suit guy. You need a good banker. You need all these things. And it's not because you need them. It's because it's you need to round out your network.You can learn more about Steve's practice on his website.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

As a fellow business owner, our team works with clients who want to be self-employed and be an entrepreneur. And there's a decision that has to be made at some point. Am I doing business doing the work? Or do I want to build a business?For most clients, that transition is that "aha" moment. What does that mean? We help them navigate that path. That "aha" moment is when they realize they could build something that's not just them, it involves a whole team. It's a little intimidating. And when it's intimidating, entrepreneurs get scared of success. We want to be able to tell them it's OK to be successful. Everybody else is doing it. Why can't you? Our role is to help that business owner to make that transition. From doing business to building a business. And achieving the greatness they didn't even know they had. I'm Glenn Harper. My co-host Julie Smith and I are producing this podcast because we believe that entrepreneurs are stuck in their own quantum of solace. They need to hear from other fellow entrepreneurs that it's possible to exceed their expectations, grow their business, and be the best they can be.We don’t just care about numbers. We care about helping you tap into greatness on your entrepreneurial journey.You deserve a partner who has helped hundreds of businesses go from paying the bills to building the business and lifestyle of their dreams. Contact us by visiting our website.