The Friday Habit

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Ozzy Garner—founder of Advertis, angel investor, and entrepreneur with a passion for helping business owners reclaim their time and scale smarter.From cleaning bathrooms at White Castle to doubling revenue in his first sales job, Ozzy’s path to building a seven-figure agency is anything but typical. He shares candid insights into the grind of entrepreneurship, the lessons learned from angel investing, and how building a business rooted in core values (and powered by faith) has transformed his life.If you’ve ever struggled with focus, wondered when to quit versus push through, or dreamed of creating a company that runs without you—this conversation is packed with perspective.🧠 Takeaways:Why focus—not chasing every shiny object—is the key to sustainable growthThe power of perseverance and “outlasting” to find tractionHow taking a vacation exposes the cracks in your businessScaling by firing yourself from roles and empowering your teamBuilding with intention: serving clients, your team, and your familyWhy faith and entrepreneurship don’t have to be in conflictResources & Links: Connect with Ozzy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozzygarner Explore Advertis: https://advertis.com👉 Don’t forget—you can download the free Friday Habit system at https://thefridayhabit.com to learn how to dedicate one full day each week to working on your business instead of in your business.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Bernie Youngblood—a rule-breaking marketer, connector, and strategist who’s spent his career reshaping industries and helping businesses, nonprofits, and artists thrive.From a start in finance to building sales and marketing ventures, Bernie has seen firsthand what works (and what doesn’t) in business. He shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of innovation, and why authenticity—not advertising—is the new currency for brands.This conversation dives deep into big-picture topics: capitalism, faith, diversity, human trafficking, innovation, and the rise of AI. Bernie also offers practical wisdom for entrepreneurs about branding, building impact, and why moving slower may actually help you accomplish more.🧠 Takeaways:-Being good at something doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy it—follow what energizes you.-Diversity, creativity, and authenticity create stronger businesses than profit-driven spreadsheets.-Our culture often resists innovation—entrepreneurs must persist despite resistance.-AI will disrupt every industry, but it also levels the playing field for entrepreneurs.-Brands today aren’t built—they’re revealed. Authenticity is the new currency.-Long-term planning and intentional focus allow you to move slower but do more.-Success isn’t about accumulating marbles—it’s about creating meaningful impact.Resources & Links:Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn (search “Bernie Youngblood”)Learn more about Hot Logic at https://hotlogic.comFollow Bernie on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube👉 Don’t forget—you can download the free Friday Habit system at https://thefridayhabit.com to learn how to dedicate one full day each week to working on your business instead of in your business.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark welcomes leadership expert and coach Jennifer DiMotta, founder of Uprisers. Jennifer has spent over two decades in corporate leadership, eventually serving as Chief Marketing and Digital Officer of a $22 billion company before creating her own coaching practice.Through her structured and results-driven approach, Jennifer has transformed the often “soft” concept of leadership into an actionable framework that helps middle managers and emerging leaders rise to the next level. She shares her personal journey—navigating single parenthood, climbing the corporate ladder, and ultimately launching her business—and introduces her six-step system for becoming your own leadership coach.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your leadership journey or wondered how to break through to the next level in your career, this conversation is packed with practical insights, mindset shifts, and actionable steps you can take right now.🧠 Takeaways:-Leadership isn’t reserved for a certain personality type—anyone can develop into a strong leader.-Self-awareness is the #1 trait of great leaders; start with honest self-assessment.-Long-term vision paired with 90-day goals gives you a 95% better chance of success.-Accountability partners and reward systems help sustain motivation.-Coaching should be measurable and structured, not just “soft” conversations.-Financial acumen and company-level thinking are key for advancing in corporate leadership.-Sharing your learnings with others reinforces growth and builds stronger teams.Resources & Links:Connect with Jennifer at https://Uprisers.comReach out directly: jennifer@uprisers.comTake the StrengthsFinder AssessmentFollow Jennifer on LinkedIn👉 Don’t forget—you can download the free Friday Habit system at https://thefridayhabit.com to learn how to dedicate one full day each week to working on your business instead of in your business.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Bill Canady—CEO, author, and creator of the Profitable Growth Operating System (PGOS). Bill has managed billion-dollar businesses, led tens of thousands of employees, and written bestselling books like The 80/20 CEO. His newest book, From Panic to Profit, takes readers inside the process of turning struggling companies into thriving ones.From humble beginnings in a double-wide trailer to leading global enterprises, Bill shares how he applied focus, discipline, and the 80/20 principle to rise to the top. He also breaks down the practical framework leaders can use to take command of their business in just 100 days.Whether you’re an emerging leader, a small business owner, or a seasoned executive, Bill’s wisdom will help you simplify priorities, inspire your team, and build long-term success.🧠 Takeaways:-The harder you work, the luckier you get—opportunity comes from momentum.-Focus on the critical few: 80% of results come from 20% of effort.-To grow, leaders must learn to move, adapt, and sometimes sacrifice comfort.-True leadership means empowering your team to design and own the strategy.-Great leaders support their people by clearing obstacles, providing resources, and holding them accountable.-Change management is at the core of building a high-performing culture.-Emerging leaders should start acting like CEOs before they get the title by leading themselves first, then others.Resources & Links:Connect with Bill at https://BillCanady.comGrab his books: The 80/20 CEO and From Panic to Profit (available wherever books are sold)Explore the new 80/20 Institute for courses and leadership training👉 Don’t forget—you can download the free Friday Habit system at https://thefridayhabit.com to learn how to dedicate one full day each week to working on your business instead of in your business.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Steven Puri—film executive turned tech founder, productivity expert, and remote work evangelist. Steven’s career path has taken him from producing blockbuster hits like Die Hard and The Wolverine to raising millions in venture capital and building tools that help people focus better, work smarter, and reclaim their time.Steven shares fascinating behind-the-scenes lessons from Hollywood—how storytelling principles apply to business—and the practical strategies he’s developed for managing dopamine, achieving flow states, and structuring your day for maximum productivity. Whether you’re a leader managing a remote team or an entrepreneur trying to get more done without burning out, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.🧠 Takeaways:Great storytelling—on screen or in business—comes from understanding what’s really driving your characters (or customers).Your environment matters: create a dedicated space that triggers focus and productivity.Flow states require meaningful, challenging work matched to your skills, plus the right conditions (think music, timing, and feedback).Time boxing and knowing your chronotype help you tackle the right work at the right time of day.Limit distractions—just two hours of protected focus time can change your team’s output dramatically.Sometimes the key to momentum is starting small, not tackling the biggest task first.Decide if you’re serious—commitment comes before any productivity hack can work.You can find Steven at:Website: https://thesukha.coEmail: steven@thesukha.co📥 Download The Friday Habit Guide at https://thefridayhabit.com to learn how to set aside one full day each week to work on your business instead of in it.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Patrick Thean—international speaker, serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and former Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Patrick shares his journey from building a supply chain software company that landed on the Inc. 500 list to coaching CEOs on how to focus, execute, and scale with intention.From his “7 Key Practices for CEO Success” to practical tips on narrowing your niche, Patrick breaks down the habits, mindset shifts, and leadership skills that separate thriving companies from the ones that stall. He reveals why the best leaders are always learning, how to build a culture that becomes your competitive edge, and why knowing your “core customer” changes everything.🧠 Takeaways:Surround yourself with greatness early in your career to learn what “great” looks like.Be humble enough to seek mentors—and willing to “eat crow” to accelerate learning.Focus means saying “yes” to a few things and “no” to most.Keep growing yourself so your company never outgrows you.Build an early warning system to avoid being blindsided.Align your team not just on what to do, but how to do it.Treat culture as a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent.Be intentional about your “people ecosystem” (employees, advisors, customers, partners).Build your strategy around your core customer and resist chasing every opportunity.👋 Connect with Patrick:Website: https://rhythmsystems.comBook: The Journey to CEO Success — Available on Amazon👉 Want to start spending more time working on your business instead of in it?Download our free guide to The Friday Habit System at https://www.thefridayhabit.com

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Leslie Venetz—founder of the Sales Led GTM Agency, LinkedIn Top Voice, and 2024 Sales Innovator of the Year—to talk about building a profit-generating pipeline without burning out.Leslie shares her journey from the high-pressure world of corporate sales to designing a four-day workweek, practicing “deep work,” and creating a business rooted in integrity. She unpacks practical strategies for small business owners and solopreneurs to target the right customers, fix a messy pipeline, and scale sales without losing control—or sanity.From niching down your outreach to replacing yourself in the sales process, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you grow intentionally and sustainably.🧠 Takeaways:More activity isn’t a strategy—relevance wins over volume in sales outreach.Use firmographic filters and buying signals to target the right accounts.A healthy pipeline has mutually agreed next steps and active movement.Treat your go-to-market approach as a deliberate strategy, even if you’re small.Start replacing yourself in sales one part at a time—don’t disappear overnight.Protect time to work on your business, not just in it.📕 Order Leslie’s new book Profit Generating Pipeline: https://salesledgtm.com/book👉 Check her out on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslievenetz👉Want to start spending more time working on your business instead of in it?Download our free guide to The Friday Habit System at https://www.thefridayhabit.com

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark chats with Ryan Wimpey, founder of Tip Top K9 Dog Training—a nationwide franchise with over 20 locations and counting. Ryan shares his incredible journey from training dogs behind a Chick-fil-A in a beat-up van to running one of the top-ranked dog training brands in the U.S.From scrappy beginnings to building a tightly run operation with a full call center, franchise model, and national reputation, Ryan breaks down the real lessons behind building a scalable service business. He also shares why sales training was one of his first investments, how he trains non-salesy people to sell, and what most business owners get wrong when trying to grow.🧠 Takeaways:Start with the problem you love solving, then scale it with systems.Your sales style should reflect your personality—authenticity wins.The key to raising prices isn’t just packaging—it’s professionalism.Rapid follow-up is a huge differentiator—answer leads fast.Don’t bottom-feed: sell to people who value their time more than money.Obsess over product quality, then make the buying process frictionless.Hire a coach to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.👋 Connect with Ryan:Website: https://www.tiptopk9.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwimpey👉 Want to start spending more time working on your business instead of in it?Download our free guide to The Friday Habit system at https://www.thefridayhabit.com

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Emmy-nominated content creator, strategist, and international table tennis competitor Justin Bookey. As the author of Ping Pong Leadership: 18 Principles to Succeed at Any Table in Business, Sports, and Life, Justin shares how his lifelong passion for ping pong evolved into a leadership framework that blends sport, strategy, and self-awareness.From practicing with Olympians to advising Fortune 100 CEOs, Justin distills decades of insights into memorable “Pong Principles” that can help anyone become a more agile, authentic, and aware leader. Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or just trying to level up personally, this conversation is full of practical wisdom, unexpected metaphors, and even a few laughs.🧠 Takeaways:Leadership is like ping pong: fast, strategic, and deeply personal.“Embrace your quirks” is more than a feel-good mantra—it’s a path to authentic influence.Don’t try to solve internal problems with external solutions.“What’s your ready position?” means more than being prepared—it’s about knowing your natural strengths and tendencies.Elegant learners stay curious and open, even when it’s hard to hear feedback.Rhythm is everything—understand your own and know when to break it.👋 Connect with Justin:pingpongleadership.comJustin Bookey on LinkedIn👉 Want to start spending more time working on your business instead of in it?Download our free guide to The Friday Habit system at thefridayhabit.com.

In this episode of The Friday Habit, Mark sits down with Ellen Wood—CEO and co-founder of vcfo—to talk about the power of financial strategy, planning for exit, and how to build a more valuable business from day one. As a pioneer in the fractional CFO space, Ellen has helped hundreds of businesses scale, prepare for investment, and exit successfully. She shares practical advice for founders at every stage, from what entity structure to choose to how (and when) to think about your exit strategy.This episode is packed with down-to-earth insights on cash flow, culture, and planning for the long game—even if you’re just getting started.🧠 Takeaways:Every founder has a culture, whether they know it or not—it starts with you.Reverse vesting can protect equity early on in partnerships.A 13-week cash flow forecast is one of the most important tools for small businesses.Retainers and recurring revenue boost both predictability and business valuation.Customer concentration is a real risk—don't become hostage to one client.Even if you're small, you can benefit from planning—and Ellen’s free tools can help.🔧 Resources Mentioned:V360 Strategic Roadmap: vcfo’s signature planning frameworkFree Tools: Finance Pulse and HR PulseBook mention: Traction (EOS framework)🎯 For more insights like these, visit TheFridayHabit.com to download our free guide on how to spend one day a week working on your business instead of in it.