Beyond Fulfillment Podcast

In this episode of Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, hosts David Gulas sits down with Lane Kawaoka, founder of The Wealth Elevator and a former civil engineer who shares his practical journey from climbing the corporate ladder to building financial freedom through real estate investing. Lane reveals the strategies he used to transition from a regular paycheck to owning multiple income-generating properties, all while holding a demanding full-time job.If you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or startup founder searching for actionable business strategies and real estate investing tips, Lane’s story is filled with real-world advice about saving, investing, and scaling side income without complicated risk. Learn how Lane methodically scaled from his first rental property to managing a portfolio of rentals and eventually graduated to more advanced, passive investing as an accredited investor.Lane also breaks down his concept of “floors of the wealth elevator,” demystifying the path to financial growth for business owners who want to multiply their earnings beyond their day-to-day operations. Hear about pivotal decisions, lessons learned, and techniques for wealth building outside Wall Street.For founders aiming to grow their businesses and personal net worth, this episode covers investment mindsets, cash flow strategies, and practical steps to build passive income streams grounded in Lane’s experience. Don’t miss these insights to fuel your own entrepreneurial financial journey!Connect with Lane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanekawaoka/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#wealthbuilding #sidehustle #financialfreedom #realestateinvesting #wealthmanagement #wealthmindset

In this episode, Rachel Burr shares her journey from nearly becoming a clinical psychologist to discovering her passion as an executive and team coach. You'll hear Rachel open up about the struggles of realizing she was on the wrong career path, how she made the difficult decision to leave her PhD program, and what happened when her personal life was turned upside down. She discusses the powerful lessons she learned about self-awareness, navigating uncertainty, and dealing with fear—key experiences every entrepreneur, small business owner, and founder can relate to.Rachel breaks down the realities of building a coaching practice from scratch, moving through the messy middle of starting over, and finding true alignment between your talents and your work. She reveals how her setbacks became the foundation for her successful business, and why listening, adaptability, and genuine connection matter more than ever in entrepreneurship. Rachel also talks about her book, “Butterfly Goo,” which is packed with practical exercises for business owners going through big transitions.If you’re searching for real-world strategies from successful entrepreneurs, stories of resilience, and actionable insights to apply to your own business, this episode will inspire and guide your next steps. Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmburr/Or find her book at butterflygoobook.netRate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#careerchange #leadershipdevelopment #personalgrowth #findingyourpath #careeradvice #leadership #coaching

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas sits down with Ana Juneja, founder of Ana Law, to talk about entrepreneurship, modern law firm strategies, and scaling a business in today’s fast-changing market. Ana shares her personal journey from science graduate to intellectual property attorney, revealing how she leveraged social media and innovative business models to grow her firm while working fewer hours. She covers the pitfalls of traditional law firm structures, explaining why results-driven and flat fee models better serve clients and create long-term business sustainability.Ana discusses the biggest mistakes she sees among entrepreneurs and small business owners, including the dangers of skipping business plans and neglecting core legal protections like LLC formation, contracts, trademarks, and copyrights. She unpacks how AI has fundamentally changed her own daily work, offering practical insight into using technology and automation to streamline repeatable business processes. For business owners trying to build something that stands out and stands the test of time, Ana’s story offers real, actionable takeaways.Subscribe for more episodes on business growth, innovation, and the realities of modern entrepreneurship.Connect with Ana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anajuneja/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#solopreneur #legaltech #ailawyer #entrepreneurship #startupjourney #lawyerlife #legalinsights

In this episode, Jim Tompkins and Dave Gulas dive deep into global trade shifts and digital supply chain command centers. Jim breaks down how recent U.S. tariffs on Brazil, the evolving USMCA with Canada and Mexico, and India’s delicate position between Russia and China are directly impacting supply chains, costs, and opportunities for American businesses.The conversation then explores the real-world impact of AI-driven supply chain technology, moving from basic logistics control towers to full-scale digital supply chain command centers. Learn how understanding end-to-end flow orchestration and real-time supply chain management can give your business the edge, especially in today’s ever-changing landscape. Jim explains the key differences between logistics visibility and true command capabilities, drawing practical connections to what entrepreneurs should be doing now to adapt.Packed with insights into tariffs, global trade, and actionable supply chain strategies, this episode is essential for founders wanting to stay ahead. If you’re ready to apply forward-thinking ideas and AI solutions to your operations, don’t miss these expert perspectives.Download Jim’s exclusive white paper at Tompkins Ventures for a deeper dive! - https://22397439.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22397439/From%20Gateway%20to%20Guiding%20Light%20%E2%80%93%20the%20Future%20of%20Trade%20in%20Panama.pdfConnect with Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimtompkins1/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#supplychain #globaltrade #ai #tariffs #logistics #Reglobalization #panamacanal #brics #usmca

In this episode, we dive into the gripping entrepreneurial journey of Justin Lund, founder and CEO of Propel. Justin shares a raw, behind-the-scenes look at how he went from early career success and addiction to building a nearly nine-figure business, only to face financial betrayal and years of federal litigation. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup founders will find real-world lessons as Justin reveals how a trusted partner siphoned millions through shell companies, nearly costing him his freedom, and how he rebuilt from scratch with a family to support.We explore the evolution of Propel, a company dedicated to helping founders successfully scale after hitting growth ceilings. Justin provides practical guidance on navigating financial oversight, hiring the right team at the right stage, and creating systems to increase both profit and personal freedom. If you’re searching for strategies to grow your business while avoiding costly mistakes that trap many founders, this episode offers insightful, actionable advice drawn directly from real experience.Tune in for honest conversations about business resilience, founder burnout, and what it really takes to overcome setbacks on the road to sustainable success. Subscribe for more interviews with inspiring entrepreneurs who are willing to share the lessons they learned the hard way.Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-lund-propel/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#entrepreneurship #founders #startuplessons #businessgrowth #startups #leadership #entrepreneurs #scaling #beyondfulfillment

In this episode, we sit down with Ken Miller, author, speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of multiple thriving businesses, to dive deep into his dramatic journey from addiction and homelessness to building a multimillion-dollar enterprise with operations in multiple countries. Ken's candid conversation shares his real-life strategies for business success, from starting over after prison to launching consulting, property, and AI-driven companies. This is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup founders who want practical insights on resilience, reinventing yourself, and sustaining growth amidst adversity.Ken discusses actionable steps for rebuilding your life and entrepreneurial career, the importance of mentorship, paying off debt, expanding time horizons, and harnessing hard-won discipline. He highlights the critical mindsets that helped him grow beyond setbacks, the tools he used to recover cognitively and emotionally, and actionable advice any entrepreneur can apply immediately. If you’re searching for real stories of business transformation, innovative fundraising, pragmatic leadership, and authentic guidance in today’s challenging landscape, this interview delivers.Watch now to discover Ken’s honest approach to overcoming challenges, cultivating business acumen, and creating multiple streams of income—perfect for ambitious founders determined to succeed, no matter the obstacles. Don’t forget to check the links below for Ken’s book, “Becoming Ken,” and more resources to fuel your entrepreneurial journey.Connect with Ken on LinkedIn In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmiller84/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#entrepreneurship #resilience #secondchances #inspiration #lifelessons #businessowner

In this episode of the Beyond Fulfillment Podcast, host Dave Gulas sits down with Brian Herriot, founder of Herriot Financial and financial advisor to entrepreneurs. Brian shares his unique journey from engineering and management consulting to building a business that empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners to gain real time freedom without needing to retire early or sell their company. Drawing from his personal experience, Brian dives into the real-life challenges and mindset shifts required to create a business that serves both your ambitions and your lifestyle, from managing seasonal schedules to balancing growth with well-being.Brian reveals the practical steps he took to design a flexible yearly work schedule—spending most of the year in the Bay Area and summers with his family in Wisconsin—by restructuring his business around his personal priorities. He discusses his approach to integrating personal finance, business operations, and life design, and shares actionable strategies for entrepreneurs who want to avoid burnout and create a sustainable, fulfilling career.Discover Brian’s advice on financial planning, team structure, and his Time Freedom Forecast tool, which helps entrepreneurs model their ideal work-life blend. If you’re searching for honest, hands-on inspiration and actionable insights from a fellow founder, this episode is packed with thoughtful advice tailored for small business owners, founders, and ambitious entrepreneurs.Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianherriot/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#Entrepreneurship #TimeFreedom #BeyondFulfillment #FinancialPlanning #WorkLifeDesign

In this episode, host Dave Gulas sits down with Van Tucker, a seasoned entrepreneur and founding team member of Harbor Locker. Van introduces Harbor Locker as a nationwide public marketplace locker network designed to provide flexible solutions for package delivery, returns, storage, and even unique uses like bag storage at nightclubs. Unlike proprietary locker systems like Amazon’s, Harbor Locker is open to any merchant or company, allowing for diverse integrations. Currently, the network boasts over 500 locations across 80 cities in the United States.Van traces the origins of Harbor Locker to his background in technology startups and logistics, explaining how the company rapidly prototyped and deployed their initial lockers in Chico, California during the pandemic. This lean approach, focused on launching quickly to gather real-world feedback, was instrumental in their growth. Van shares how early experimentation, such as giving away Red Bulls from lockers and partnering with nightclubs for bag storage—inspired unexpected opportunities, like creating Drop Locker for sports venues, and even enabled other entrepreneurs to build businesses using their locker technology.Throughout the episode, Van and Dave discuss the challenges and surprises of scaling an innovative company in the last-mile logistics space. Van emphasizes the importance of agility, optimism, and balancing visionary ideas with practical execution. He highlights how locker adoption in the U.S. still requires education, and how new use cases, such as secure deliveries for healthcare and innovative local businesses, continue to arise. Looking ahead, Van sees the future of Harbor Locker in further expanding their network, deepening partnerships with carriers, and playing a key role in reducing package theft through convenient, community-based solutions.Connect with Van on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vantucker/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#startups #logistics #productdev #hardware #entrepreneurship #delivery #innovation

In this episode of Beyond Fulfillment, host Dave sits down with Kevin Thompson, entrepreneur, connector, and host of the Million Dollar Relationships podcast. Kevin shares his real-world business journey, from saving up as a fisherman in Alaska to launching a cleaning and restoration company, and eventually building a multi-million dollar publishing business through strategic partnerships and authentic relationships.Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and start-up founders will find practical inspiration in Kevin’s transparent account of facing early setbacks, blowing through his first $300,000, and how a crucial connection with Joe Polish transformed his approach to business growth and networking. The discussion dives into using relationships to power meaningful partnerships, creating value through impact, and building a business model that matches your strengths and lifestyle.Kevin opens up about mental health struggles, why comparing yourself to others can be draining, and the lessons he learned about showing up authentically in business circles. He also shares how he built the Impact and Legacy Collective—a high-level community connecting entrepreneurs for million-dollar deals—and the pivotal role of hosting live events.If you’re searching for honest stories about entrepreneurship, lessons on leveraging professional relationships, and ways to grow through connection rather than hustle, this episode can help guide your path. Don’t miss Kevin’s insights on business mindset, networking, and building long-term business success.Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-thompson-11725511/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#entrepreneurship #relationships #networking #podcastinsights #businessrelationships #networking

In this episode, Dave Gulas sits down with Jason Hennessey, founder and CEO of Hennessey Digital, to dive into the real journey of entrepreneurship, from humble beginnings as a mobile DJ to building and selling multiple digital agencies. Jason reveals how he taught himself SEO in the early 2000s, and how this skill evolved from a need into a passion that led him to start, scale, and sell successful companies over the last two decades.This conversation is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup founders looking for honest strategies around business growth, learning from mistakes, and navigating company transitions. Jason shares lessons from building remote teams, the importance of delegating tasks, and hiring top talent even when budgets are tight. He also discusses the impact of taking a sabbatical, recognizing your “zone of genius,” and how to set up a company for acquisition, citing his personal experience moving from a scrappy lifestyle business to a multimillion-dollar agency.If you’re interested in actionable advice around digital marketing, SEO, remote team building, scaling small businesses, leadership, and transitioning from entrepreneur to CEO, you’ll find immense value in Jason’s story and approach. Don’t forget to connect with Jason on LinkedIn for more entrepreneurial insights!Connect with Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhennessey/Rate this podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/beyondfulfillment#entrepreneurship #FounderLessons #seo #businessgrowth #agencylife