Self-Employment Success Podcast: Recent Episodes
Leland Gross CFP®
This is a podcast about success for self-employed business owners who want to break through to the next level in their business and have a life in the process. We'll go behind the scenes with CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and small business owner Leland Gross to hear stories of other how other self-employed business owners navigated the inevitable challenges that arise on the path to success. And get insight from leading business consultants on how to break through to the next level in your business. Whether you own your own small business and want a community of like-minded people who can celebrate and commiserate with you, or you are thinking about making the leap into entrepreneurship, this podcast is for you!
In this episode of What Works Wednesday, Leland discusses how elections historically impact the stock market. Without diving into party politics, he explains the unpredictability of markets and shares insights on making informed investment decisions during election years, while emphasizing that no one can predict the future.
My guest on today’s podcast is Briar Baughman. Briar is the owner and founder of Off-Load Moving, a moving company based out of Hampton Roads, Virginia. What’s unique about Briar is the level of success he has achieved in such a short time, being only 24 at the time of this recording. In this episode Briar shares his story. He details how his family moved 19 times in the first 18 years of his life and how that deeply shaped him. He had developed a dread for moving and realized that this is typically a transition in one’s life that can be exciting but also very stressful. He explains how amidst growing his family, attending college, and being in the army national guard, he and his wife at the age of 19 decided to start Off Load Moving. In this episode we talk about the progression of business, from the early days of getting off the ground, to beginning to scale your business and how that can sometimes mean that as the business owner you have to take on less hats to prevent bottlenecking the business, which can in turn take you away from parts of the business you may have enjoyed or grown accustomed to. Briar is a family man, who loves investing in kids, and has a wisdom beyond his years. In this episode he talks about “being present where your feet are” when your life is filled with many hats, like being a husband, father, business owner, friend, and coach. He also talks about setting goals for the business that are bigger than yourself and are big enough to encompass the goals and lives of your team as well. And finally Briar shared his definition of success as not being money or achievements, but what you kids say about you when you are not in the room. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Briar Baughman.
https://offloadmoving.com/
Welcome back to What Works Wednesday! I’m Leland Gross, and today we're covering an often overlooked but crucial investing strategy: tax location. While asset allocation (diversifying investments) is well-known, tax location ensures you're maximizing after-tax returns by placing investments in the right accounts. It’s not just about what you make, but what you keep. So make sure your portfolio is optimized for both asset allocation and tax location to grow and keep more of your wealth!
My guest on today’s podcast is Melissa Broughton. Melissa is the founder of Busy Bee Advisors, a bookkeeping, accounting, and tax advisory firm for busy entrepreneurs and small businesses. What I love about Melissa is her own story of entrepreneurship. In this episode she shares about how she knew from a young age that she wanted to be an accountant and as an adult had a great career in accounting, but how eventually the long weeks and the requirement to ask for time off grew to be too much, so one day, while on vacation, she decided to quit her current job. She then shares a wild story, that I won’t ruin now, about how she was forced to take time to really dream about and build out what she wanted next and that was to launch her own business. Melissa and her husband now run a team of bookkeepers, accountants, and tax advisors and have found ways to save on average 30-40% in taxes for their clients. This episode is filled with great nuggets of wisdom for all entrepreneurs as well as practical bookkeeping tips. So with that introduction I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Melissa Broughton.
As a token of our appreciation I wanted to offer a FREE copy of my newest book THE 4-HOUR BOOKKEEPER to your listeners. No strings attached.
Please let listeners know that all they need to do to get their FREE copy is shoot me an email (melissa@busybeeadvisors.com) RE: name of your podcast - FREE BOOK *copies are being sent directly from Amazon so they'll need to provide their shipping address in the email.
https://busybeeadvisors.com/
Welcome to this weeks What Works Wednesday! Today, we're breaking down three common personal finance mistakes self-employed pros make—starting with the myth that you can deduct everything on your taxes. Tune in to avoid these costly mistakes!
My guest on today’s podcast is Garrett Delph. Garrett is the founder of Clarity Ops, a company that provides process and performance consulting and implementation for high impact organizations. What is unique about Garrett is his unique ability to help businesses navigate the complexities of expansion, due to his own experience running businesses and having his chairman of the board tell him that he was the issue due to his own micromanagement that was hindering the business’ growth. In this episode we talk in depth about business scaling, the pain points that arise for businesses, and how if your business is not growing it’s dying. And be sure to listen to the end as Garrett shares his own definition of success that doesn’t just cater to his own well being but the success and well being of the people around him. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the self-employment success podcast with Garrett Delph.
https://clarityops.co/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettdelph/
Welcome to What Works Wednesday! Today, we're highlighting a crucial concept: Information without implementation is useless. It’s not enough to have a solid financial plan or business strategy—what really matters is turning that knowledge into action. Without implementation, even the best advice or plan becomes wasted effort. Let’s focus on taking actionable steps to ensure that information drives real value in our lives.
My guest on today’s podcast is Kate Moore. Kate is the founder of Melted and Moved, a boutique, luxury travel advisor business that provides travelers with tailor-made travel itineraries that deliver both luxury and a local touch world-wide. In this episode Kate shares her entrepreneurial journey. She shares how building a staffing agency from the ground up gave her 10 years of business experience in a 4 year period, and how when they rolled the staffing agency up under a larger conglomerate, she realized that she doesn’t make for a good employee and needed to be her own boss. From there she decided to merge entrepreneurship with her passion for traveling and hospitality and launched Melted and Moved…. In January 2020. Kate shares how starting a travel advisory business during COVID was both incredibly hard and trial by fire that build knowledge, experience, and relationships that have allowed her to deliver even more value to her clients. In this episode we dive into what it means to deliver value in hard times for your clients, keys to balancing working in your business versus on your business, and the importance of being passionate about what you do, because that will get you through the days when work feels hard. Melted And Moved is the real deal for anyone looking to level up their travel experience and if you are interested, their links are in the show notes. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast, with Kate Moore.
Meltedandmoved.com
Instagram Meltedandmoved
Linkedin Meltedandmoved
Welcome back to What Works Wednesday! Today, I’m sharing why personal finance is more personal than just numbers. In my work with LLCs and other closely held businesses, I focus on how life’s transitions—like moving homes, starting a family, or managing aging parents—impact financial decisions. These personal moments shape our financial strategies and the freedom entrepreneurship offers. Let’s dive into how connecting with these personal aspects can enhance our financial planning.
My guest on today’s podcast is Daniel Shear. Daniel and his wife are the founders of Seasons Yield Farm, a Bakery & Farm in the Heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia that offers organic, wood-fired, wild-leavened sourdough breads and pastries, whose mission is to connect their community with nourishing products, wonderful people, and the crafts of talented local artisans. In this episode Daniel shares his journey from being in special operations in the army to making a stark transition and moving to rural America to start a farm with his wife, after making the decision to be more present as a husband and father. Daniel shares how they started Bread Days every other week that now bring hundreds (sometimes a thousand) people together around bread, coffee, wood fired pizza, and community. This community and hospitality piece of their business has been pivotal to their success. And listen to the end as Daniel shares the 5 ways he defines success in the different areas of his life. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Daniel Shear.
https://seasonsyieldfarm.com/
Welcome to this week's What Works Wednesday! Today, we're diving into passive income. Despite the hype, there's a lot to unpack about what it truly means. We'll explore the definitions, pros and cons, and the differences between passive and active income. From real estate rentals to selling courses, we'll clarify misconceptions and highlight the real work involved. Join us to understand how passive income can fit into your financial strategy.
My guest on today’s podcast is Nic Johnson. Nic is the founder of Listwise, a business designed to help home owners sell their home for the highest price possible, by creating incentive compensation for the real estate agent beyond the typical flat 3% model that has been in place for the last 100 years. They do this by aligning incentives, encouraging competition among agents, and therefore fostering a win win for both parties, because as the agent delivers more value, they make more money. In this episode we talk about value, because all businesses (especially service businesses) should be paid in accordance to the value they deliver. If you deliver massive value, you should be paid accordingly over someone who delivers standard value. What I love about Nic is his vision and thoughtfulness. He is really passionate about doing what is best for the seller, and you can tell that by the way he has created Listwise and how the mechanics of it work to the betterment of the seller and agent before the benefit of Listwise. And be sure to listen to the end as Nic shares his definition of success as the pursuit of gratitude over the pursuit of chasing external things. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Nic Johnson.
Welcome back to What Works Wednesday with your host,Leland Gross, and today we’re simplifying how investments make money.
Investments typically generate returns in three ways:
- Dividends: Companies share profits with shareholders.
- Interest: Earned from lending money through bonds or savings accounts.
- Appreciation: Increase in the value of assets over time.
Understanding these can help you make smarter investment choices and grow your wealth effectively. Tune in to learn more!
My guest on today’s podcast is JB Anderson. JB is the founder of Taxus Street Coffee, a local coffee shop and roastery located in Chesapeake Virginia. In this episode JB shares his story of entrepreneurship. Straight out of high school he started working as a personal trainer. After moving to Chesapeake Virginia to start a job with a ministry called Young Life, JB lived with some guys who taught him that “not all coffee is made the same”. It was there that he fell in love with coffee and decided to purchase a coffee roaster and teach himself how to roast coffee out of his garage. JB uses his coffee shop as a platform to care for high school kids in his area- including some who don’t have stable housing situations. In this episode we talk in depth about the power of being able to speak into someone’s life and believe in them. From people who did that in our lives, to how as a leader you can do that in your own spheres. And be sure to listen to the end as JB shares his definition of success, as being humble enough to ask for forgiveness. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with JB Anderson.
Welcome back to another episode of "What Works Wednesday" with your host, Leland Gross. This week, we're diving into a crucial topic for many parents: saving and planning for your kids' future. Whether it's college, trade school, or just ensuring they have a solid financial foundation, the options can be overwhelming. Leland breaks down three main methods to set up savings, highlighting the pros and cons of each and touches on tax implications and the importance of maximizing your investments. Tune in for practical tips and strategies to ensure a financially secure future for your children.
What does financial planning and photography have in common? More than I thought before this episode. Welcome to the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is William Leaton. William is the founder of William Sumner Photography, a wedding photography business located in Virginia. What’s unique about William is that he is only 3 months into running his business full time. In this episode you can sense the freshness, vibrance, and vitality that William has for his business, along with his honesty in the challenges and what he is learning. William shares how he thinks about wedding photography as more than merely cute pictures for instagram, but as a way to capture this incredibly powerful moment in a couple’s life where they start their life together and how that isn’t a one and done thing. He talks about how they will see these photos for the rest of their lives and even beyond their lives, their kids and grandkids will see them. Photographs are a way to transport us back to our heritage and remind us of what we’re doing in our family and with our spouse. We talk alot about vision and legacy in this episode and how if you can get clear on that, and can communicate the deep value you provide, then what you do is priceless for people. So with that introduction I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with William Leaton.
https://williamsumnerphoto.com/
Instagram williamsumnerphoto
Welcome to What Works Wednesday. Today, we're exploring health savings accounts (HSAs)—what they are, why they're important, how to qualify, and how to maximize their benefits. HSAs are powerful yet underutilized tools that offer triple tax advantages: tax-deductible contributions, tax-deferred growth, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses. Let's dive into how to make the most of your HSA.
My guest on today’s podcast is Hannah Johnson. Hannah is the founder of Delightful Deliveries, a business providing personalized pop-by services to businesses trying to stay top of mind with their clients, prospects, and referral partners. In this episode Hannah shares her journey of Self-Employment. She started by helping her husband create and deliver pop-by’s and in doing so found that other services over charge to just drop off raw supplies that you then had to assemble and deliver yourself. She explains how that inspired her to do it differently and how after doing it well for her husband and his team, it grew and expanded into a full blown success. Hannah shares how impactful this business has been and not just for her own family. She has had the opportunity to retire her mother from a job she hated, helped local businesses thrive by using their products (shout out to Farmer John), and gotten to see the businesses she works with succeed by staying top of mind with their clients through her services. Hannah is a joy to be around and her business truly is catching fire. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Hannah Johnson.
Welcome to What Works Wednesday! Today, we're tackling a common question: what to do with that old 401k or 403b from a previous job? Job-hopping is common, but managing old retirement accounts can be tricky. Join me as we explore your options and make the most of your savings. Let's dive in!
My guest on today’s podcast is Heather Fischer. Heather is a life and leadership coach and the founder of MTL Coaching. Heather helps individuals and couples foster growth and purpose in their life through helping them develop a life vision statement. In this episode Heather shares her story of working in HR and employee development and how seeing the incredible results of doing vision work in companies with their employees led her to begin doing it on the side for people in their personal lives. She shares how that took off, realizing there is a need because fostering a sense of purpose in life is a need that is stitched into us and a part of what it means to be human. She shares how she took the jump to doing this as her main job and how she aligns this work with all areas of her life through developing her own life vision statement with her husband. In this episode we talk in depth about growth, the stories we tell ourselves, and how to move from fancy words to powerful action that fuels the vision we have in our life. This episode is jam packed with powerful, valuable, nuggets of wisdom for all people, not just entrepreneurs (but it’s incredibly applicable to self-employed professionals too). So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Heather Fischer.
Welcome to What Works Wednesday! Last time, we talked about the crucial difference between tax preparers and tax planners. Tax planning isn't just for tax season—it's a year-round necessity, especially for self-employed professionals. Tax preparers focus on the past, while tax planners look ahead to minimize liabilities and align with long-term goals. Join us as we explore this vital topic further, empowering you to make informed financial decisions.
My guest on today’s podcast is TJ Van Gerven. TJ is the founder of Modern Wealth Builders, a financial planning and wealth management firm for high-earning millennial couples. In this episode TJ shares his story of entrepreneurship from starting off in a corporate setting to taking the leap of starting his own firm in the hopes of providing deeper value to the people he serves, at a lower cost, while still being able to provide a great living for himself. He discusses how he made some moves that weren’t the “right financial planning” move, but were the right entrepreneurial move and how sometimes financial planning strategies and entrepreneurial strategies can be different. I loved this episode because TJ’s story is very similar to my own, and we think very similarly in how to provide value to the people we serve in the financial planning space. And be sure to listen to the end as TJ explains how he defines success to include constant improvement- not from a comparison to others perspective, but a comparison to his former self. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with TJ Van Gerven.
Welcome to What Works Wednesday! Today, we're sharing last-minute tax tips for self-employed professionals. Learn how to leverage the tax code's incentives, plan strategically, and organize your finances effectively. Plus, discover the power of contributing to a self-employed retirement account before the filing deadline. Tune in for actionable strategies to optimize your taxes and secure your financial future, even in the final stretch of tax season.
My guest on today’s podcast is Zach Carlin. Zach is the owner of Summit Chasers Network, a business designed to help businesses lay the groundwork for enduring success, both personally and professionally. In this episode we talk about their SUMMIT system which stands for Start with you, Unify your team on a collective vision, Map your path, Make a clock, Increase talent density, and Time to scale. In this episode we talk in length about the importance of starting with working on your own growth, especially when you are a founder and leader. We discuss victim mindsets, and the need to take intentional and radical responsibility for every aspect of our lives. And be sure to listen to the end when Zach shares how he defines success, which is making a lasting positive impact on as many lives as possible. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Zach Carlin.
My guest on today’s podcast is Evan Curtis. Evan is the Executive Director of Investments at Vanamor Investments, a real estate investment company that acquires middle market multifamily properties that are in need of rehabilitation with a long term investment horizon to obtain consistent cash flow and strong annual returns for their investors. In this episode Curtis shares his story from working at PIMCO in their fixed income and real estate investment business, to transitioning to working in multi-family real estate investing in a large corporate environment, to eventually making the jump to start Vanamor with its founder when the real estate market began to cool down in late 2022/early 2023. Evan explains the stark difference moving from working in a large corporate environment into an entrepreneurial start up environment and how he has experienced an abundance of support from other entrepreneurs, along with the challenges that come from wearing new hats in the business as they grow their small team. In this episode we also talk in depth about the real estate market and how real estate investing can be an incredible opportunity for many people as both an investment and tax tool. Evan shares how now is a unique time when folks should be paying attention to real estate as it has become a great time for buyers and investors. And be sure to listen to the end as Evan explains how he defines success to include caring for his investors and providing them with an above average experience. So with that introduction I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Evan Curtis.
Welcome to What Works Wednesday! Today, we're tackling estate planning and what happens to your money after you're gone. This episode breaks down the four primary ways money passes after death. From avoiding the risks of intestacy to ensuring your loved ones are cared for, Leland provides actionable insights to empower listeners. Join us as we confront the uncomfortable yet essential conversation about death and financial planning. Tune in now to start securing your family's future.
Welcome to this weeks “What Works Wednesday” episode as Leland tackles credit scores—essential for financial success. Join us as we decode their significance, unravel how they're calculated, and empower you to take control of your financial future. Tune in to What Works Wednesday and embark on a journey towards financial empowerment.
My guest on today’s podcast is Steve Coughran. Steve is the founder or Coltivar and Boosting Your Financial IQ. Coltivar is a business consulting and CFO service company that helps business owners get strategic and financial support to grow, turnaround, or sell their businesses. Boosting Your Financial IQ is a course and community that empowers people worldwide with the knowledge and skills to enhance their financial IQ, thereby fostering a global community of financially free individuals, by teaching principles of finance and strategic thinking. What’s unique about Steve is his vulnerable authenticity in his leadership. He leads not from his accolades, but from his story which entails high highs as well as low lows, that he owns in this episode. Steve shares his story starting back in high school building a landscaping business, and how he built that business into an empire before having to close its doors because of his own lack of financial acumen at the time. Steve shares how that led him to going back to school, getting his masters in accounting, becoming a CPA, working at a big four company, while also consulting other businesses on how to build their financial engine and strategy for success. Steve then shares how he found himself making more consulting than working as a corporate accountant which led him to launch Coltivar. Steve also shares how he realized many entrepreneurs don’t understand finances which led him to do a convention to boost their financial literacy, and how that blew up into Boosting Your Financial IQ which is bigger than Steve ever imagined it would be. Steve is incredibly smart, driven, and articulate and that makes for an incredibly interesting conversation. And be sure to listen to the end when Steve shares his definition of success which is finding his purpose in life, and how for him that entails helping people build better lives through better business. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Steve Coughran.
https://www.coltivar.com/
https://www.byfiq.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevecoughran/
Welcome to this week's "What Works Wednesday" with Leland Gross. Today, amidst tax season, we're delving into the intricate world of taxes. Join us as we unravel the progressive tax system, exploring the importance of ongoing quarterly payments and the nuanced differences between marginal and effective tax rates. Discover why working with tax professionals is crucial for navigating this complex terrain and gain valuable insights to empower your financial journey. Tune in for a deeper understanding and unlock the path to financial clarity.
Links:
PeaceLink Financial Planning LLC
Welcome to the 39th episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is Bailey Feldman. Bailey is the founder of Fount and Flourish, a business whose mission is to redefine the female experience through a combination of their two pillars: Fount and Flourish. Through Fount they gather at events and their dedicated coworking space to build connections, share stories and skills, and enjoy and embrace the community of women. And through Flourish they grow through a combination of leadership training, consulting, and coaching that supports the development of a path forward towards a purpose driven life. In this episode Bailey shares how she came to experience such an intense passion (and frustration) with the lack of support for women in different stages of their life and career that led her to the realization that if she isn’t going to do something about it, no one will. She shares how her background in customer experience, consulting, and coaching equipped her to be able to foster this community for women. And how she is passionate about disruption and how Fount and Flourish is more than a business for women, but a business that is designed to change the mindset that women have with themselves, and society has around womanhood. In this episode we discuss the challenges of starting a business, including the loss of income, the head trash, and experience of an ever changing and growing business. Bailey’s passion is contagious. Whether you are woman or not, everyone can benefit from the wisdom and experience contained this episode (but if you are a woman, or know one, you should go check out Fount and Flourish). So with that introduction I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Bailey Feldman.
Welcome to this week's "What Works Wednesday" episode as Leland delves into the intricacies of debt management. Join us as we explore efficient repayment strategies, including the debt avalanche and debt snowball methods. Then, discover how to make informed decisions about allocating extra funds between debt repayment and investments. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion that could reshape your financial future. Tune in and take the first step towards financial freedom.
Links:
PeaceLink Financial Planning LLC
Welcome to the 37th episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is Jenna Epperly. Jenna is the founder of Jeneppfit, a personal training business for women in all stages of their life and body, that focuses not on before and after photos, or extreme all consuming strategies, but rather focuses on stewarding their bodies, honoring and cherishing them, so they can break free from body shame and diet culture, and embrace the truth that our bodies are good bodies in all phases of the journey. In this episode Jenna shares her story of becoming a personal trainer and how she eventually came to the experience that when she and her clients hit their goals, there was still something unsatisfying and missing. Jenna shares that she has gone through her own process of holistic physical and mental health around her body. Jenna leads women from her own experience and has created offerings for all women, everywhere, including her Good Body App with workouts, trainings, recipes and more. One-on-one personalized training online through the app, and pregnant and postpartum training that comes to you if you live locally here in Virginia Beach. And be sure to listen to the end as Jenna shares the highs and lows of imposter syndrome as well as how she defines success not through weight goals, or before and after photos, but through seeing clients minds and hearts change around their bodies and how they feel in them. So with that introduction I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Jenna Epperly.
Links:
https://jeneppfit.com/https://peacelinkfp.com/
Welcome to this weeks “What Works Wednesday” episode as Leland discusses the Three-Bucket Account Structuring System. We dive into the short-term, middle-term, and long-term bucket system to understand how each can play a unique and pivotal role in optimizing your finances. Don't miss the chance to embrace this valuable tool, guiding you towards not just financial soundness but also a purpose-driven life where every dollar serves its intended purpose, grows efficiently, and contributes to your overall well-being. Tune in and embark on a journey to unlock true financial freedom.
Links:
PeaceLink Financial Planning LLC
Welcome to the 35th episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is Wes Barefoot. Wes is the founder of Path to Freedom, a business that helps people find freedom and take control of their lives through business ownership, specifically franchise ownership. Wes walks people through a tailored process to help them figure out what they truly want out of their life and career, and then matches them and walks with them through finding the right business that would allow them to experience that. In today’s episode we talk about franchise and business ownership. We discuss the pros and cons of franchising, from the ability to achieve success quicker because there is a tailored process and pre-built resources for a franchisee to use, to the fact that not all franchises are created or operate equally and can have more or less freedom based on the model. With that being said we explore the fact that there really is an option for every type of entrepreneur. Wes is passionate about helping people foster the life they long for through business ownership and that is evident all throughout this conversation. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy today’s episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Wes Barefoot.
Links:Path To Freedom's Website
Path To Freedom's YouTube ChannelPeaceLink Financial Planning LLC
Welcome back to another episode of The Self-Employment Success Podcast. In today's What Works Wednesday installment, our host, Leland Gross, explores a crucial and often overlooked aspect of personal finances – your net worth. Join us as we unravel the significance of tracking your net worth, understanding its calculation, and how it serves as a vital metric for making informed financial decisions.
PeaceLink Financial Planning LLC
Welcome back to the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is John Hewitt. John is the founder and owner of Loyalty Brands, a company that developed a business system that drives customer loyalty, repeat business, and financial stability for franchise owners. In John’s words the Loyalty Brand family of companies help build happy, successful, franchisees. You may recognize John’s name though from his previous business ventures including Jackson Hewitt Tax Services and Liberty Tax. John founded both of those companies, which are two of the most successful franchise businesses in the country, with locations in almost every town. They are at this point common name brands. In this episode John shares his story and it is fascinating. From building the first digital tax preparation software in the early 80s that was so far before its time that H&R Block wouldn’t use it because “they will never use computers”. To acquiring a small tax business with 6 locations in Virginia Beach, Virginia and turning it into Jackson Hewitt, which he then grew and sold. To then starting Liberty Tax where he had to compete with Jackson Hewitt- his own prior company, that had his own name on the brand. How he grew Liberty tax and now is building Loyalty Brands. John calls himself the great grandfather of taxes and I think I call him that too at this point. And be sure to listen to the end, as John shares his heart for faith, family, and impacting others. How among all of the business success he has achieved, he defines his success more by the amount of lives he has been able to change and how he is passionate about making a difference in the world, leaving it better than he found it. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with John Hewitt.
Links:
PeaceLink Financial Planning
Loyalty Brands
In the 7th installment of What Works Wednesday episode, our host Leland Gross delves into the intricacies of goal setting in finances and business. Exploring the pitfalls of generic resolutions, he emphasizes the importance of understanding the 'why' behind your goals. By drilling down to the core motivations, Leland guides listeners on creating realistic, sustainable, and meaningful objectives. Learn how to transform vague financial aspirations into a concrete plan, complete with actionable steps and milestones. Tune in for valuable insights on building a life of financial abundance and prosperity.
Links:
PeaceLink Financial Planning LLChttps://peacelinkfp.com/
Welcome to the 31st episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is Steven Huskey. Steven is the founder of Huskey Financial, an independent financial planning firm, as well as Blue Water Dental Advisors, another financial planning firm designed to help Dentists in all stages of their business. Steven is also the host of the Portfolio Pulse Podcast: The Money Podcast for Medical Professionals & Entrepreneurs. In this conversation, Steven shares how to build your business to sell, and how to treat your business as an asset. Steven shares the three options of how to exit or sell your business and how not choosing an option, is an option in and of itself. In this episode we talk a lot about scaling your business and how it is easier to 10x your business than 2x it. Seeing as how he and I work in the same industry, both serve business owners, and both graduated from College of Charleston (go Cougars) this was a really fun conversation, and it is chalk full of great nuggets for entrepreneurs in all stages of their business. So with that introduction I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Steven Huskey.
LINKSPortfolio Podcasts- Apple Podcasts
Huskeyfinancial.com
Bluewaterdentaladvisors.com/media
PeaceLink Financial Planning
Join host Leland Gross on our 6th episode of "What Works Wednesday" as he introduces a game-changing approach to cash flow planning – the 50-30-20 method. Say goodbye to restrictive budgeting and embrace a plan that prioritizes abundance, automation, and financial clarity.
Learn how to keep fixed expenses under 50%, and enjoy a flexible 30% for discretionary spending, and automate your savings at 20% of your income! This episode unveils a practical and liberating cash flow plan, providing a clear roadmap to financial freedom. Take charge of your finances and build the life you desire. Prosper with the 50-30-20 cash flow plan!
Links:PeaceLink Financial Planning
Welcome to the 29th episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is Mark Yegge. Mark is the founder of Light Circle, an exclusive mastermind community dedicated to illuminating lives and fostering deep connections among growth-minded individuals. Light Circle is a space where people come together to cultivate personal growth, abundant living, and a sense of profound spirituality, through its foundational principles of Pure Relationships, Youthful Health, Magical Self-Connection, Balanced Abundance, Fulfilling Travel, and Profound Spirituality. In this episode Mark explains how he began his journey of understanding the intricacies of both wealth and personal development at a young age. As a testament to his growth mindset, he founded a Wall Street software company that later became instrumental in introducing after-hours trading. Mark's entrepreneurial spirit saw him gracefully retire at 39, turning his company into a $30-million enterprise. This venture was recognized with multiple accolades such as the Small Business of the Year, Florida 100, and the Inc Magazine Fast 500. His personal achievements didn't go unnoticed, being recognized twice by Deloitte as an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Yet, you won’t hear about all that in this episode necessarily. Because beyond the business realm, Mark delves deep into the art of living a balanced life. Today, as he manages several investment funds and educates 7- and 8-figure investors, he also emphasizes the significance of balanced abundance in all spheres of life through his community success and learning platform, Light Circle. Throughout this episode we talk in depth about the heart work it took for him to come to the realization that money alone would not buy his happiness. Mark explains how he got to a place where he sold all that he had in order to radically build the life he actually found fulfilling. How he had to navigate relationships in that season that thought he was crazy. And how he believes that if you want to go fast in life, you should go alone, but if you want to go far, go together- because quality relationships are the keys to a successful life. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Mark Yegge.
LINKS
PeaceLink Financial Planning
Light Circle
Welcome to another episode of What Works Wednesday with Leland! In this insightful podcast, Leland shares valuable tips and tricks to optimize your finances and build the life you desire. As December marks the charitable giving season, Leland delves into strategic ways to make your donations count. Learn about the benefits of donor-advised funds, donating appreciated investments, and utilizing qualified charitable distributions from IRAs or 401ks. Discover how these tactics not only maximize the impact of your giving but also provide unique financial advantages. Tune in and gain the knowledge to navigate the world of charitable giving while optimizing your financial well-being.
LINKS
PeaceLink Financial Planning
Welcome to the 27th episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is Nic Stevens. Nic is the owner of Atlas, a recruiting company designed to help connect valuable companies to the military community as they transition out of the military. They work with veterans and their spouses to craft a path forward by helping them discover options out there that might be beyond what they have envisioned for themselves, whether that be a job, education, connection, etc. What’s unique about Nic is that he himself was a military veteran who worked with a recruiting firm when he got out to get a job that ultimately was not a healthy fit for him or the company. He also worked in a business that used a military recruiting firm and realized it was hard to find the right talent as a business. Additionally he worked for a military recruiting firm before purchasing Atlas. So having seen this niche service from the side of the recruiter, the military vet, and the business, he has developed a passion for making this process smooth, affordable, and ultimately valuable for all parties. In this episode Nic tells his story and talks about what it was like to purchase a business, and the vision he has for Atlas long term as more than just a recruiting firm, but a place to demonstrate the value of our military veteran community. And be sure to listen to the end as Nic shares how he defines success both personally and professionally. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Nic Stevens.
Links:PeaceLink Financial Planning
Atlas
**In today's episode of "What Works Wednesday," we tackle the often-misunderstood realm of tax options for LLCs. Contrary to common belief, an LLC is not inherently tied to a specific tax status; rather, it offers flexibility in how it can be taxed. In this installment, we shed light on a savvy strategy—opting for S-Corporation taxation within your LLC—to unlock potential tax savings. While default LLC taxation involves a pass-through structure, where profits and losses flow to individual tax returns, electing S-Corporation status allows for a more nuanced approach. By receiving a portion of income as a salary and the rest as distributions, business owners can sidestep certain self-employment taxes, resulting in substantial financial advantages. Tune in to "What Works Wednesday" to gain valuable insights, demystify the tax landscape for your LLC, and embark on a journey to maximize your yearly tax savings.
LINKS**PeaceLink Financial Planning
Welcome to the 25th episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. I am excited to welcome back Joel Ankney to the podcast. Joel is the founder of Ankney Law- a successful law firm specializing in helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses, as well as commercial real estate transactions and small business support. He joined us back in episode 13 to share his success story and how he got to where he is today. Today I welcome him back to the podcast as an inside expert to discuss all things LLCs. In this episode we talk about the common questions and misconceptions that we come across working with business owners around LLCs from a legal and financial perspective. Joel wrote the book on most of these questions- literally he wrote a book about them, go check it out in the show notes. LLCs are incredibly important and powerful, and yet there is so much misinformation out there about them, so I am excited for us to provide some education and clarity to the topic. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Joel Ankney.
Links:PeaceLink Financial PlanningAnkney LawJoel's book on starting a business!
In today’s episode of What Works Wednesday I discuss how to successfully prepare for retirement as a self-employed professional. I go over three retirement vehicles that can be utilized when saving for retirement: a SEP IRA, Simple IRA, and Solo 401(k). Giving yourself the freedom to retire whenever you want is something that all Self-Employed professionals desire and utilizing the right tools and retirement accounts is a great way to do that. Tune in for valuable insights on effectively structuring your retirement savings on this self-employed journey. Join us for the third installment of "What Works Wednesday" and learn how to master the art of saving for retirement during self-employment.
Links:PeaceLink Financial Planning LLC
Welcome to the 23rd episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is Amber Hamilton. Amber is the owner of INTEN, a sales and branding company that helps start-up business owners create an intentional foundation in their business, to allow them to grow and scale effectively. Amber helps entrepreneurs create practical steps to get their businesses off the ground and foster real sales and growth. In this episode, Amber talks about her career path and how Covid impacted that path after going back to work full time after years of being a stay at home mom. She shares a lot of wisdom about the truth behind creating a business and the problems that a lot of entrepreneurs struggle with. We talk about what service her business provides to startup companies and how Amber helps business owners create processes for the steps they have to take to foster success. She shares about how she helps her clients prioritize the things that will impact their business. Amber is full of energy and life and that comes through in how much we laughed throughout this conversation. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Amber Hamilton.
Links:PeaceLink Financial PlanningAmber Hamilton TRANSCRIPT:
In the 22nd episode of our Self-Employment Success podcast, and the second segment of What Works Wednesday, we dive into the crucial topic of keeping personal and business finances separate. Host Leland discusses the vital role this separation plays in simplifying your life year-round, especially when tax season comes. By segregating your finances and channeling funds into dedicated business accounts, each bearing a unique Employer Identification Number (EIN), you not only streamline your financial processes but also bolster your protection against potential legal issues and financial threats. Tune in for valuable insights on effectively structuring your self-employed journey. Join us for the second installment of "What Works Wednesday" and learn how to master the art of self-employment and business structuring.
PeaceLink Financial Planning
Welcome to the 21st episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is Jeffrey Shaw. Jeffrey is an authority and advocate for self-employed business owners, valued for his actionable and “in the trenches” approach to achieving business and life success. Something that is unique about Jeffrey is that he has NEVER had a conventional job. His entire life has been self-employed. He started by selling eggs door-to-door at 14 years old. In his twenties, he built a portrait photography business and became one of the most sought-after portrait photographers for affluent families in the U.S. for more than three decades. His portraits have been on the Oprah Show, CBS News, featured in People and O Magazine and hang at Harvard University. Today, Jeffrey is the author of LINGO and The Self-Employed Life. He is the host of The Self-Employed Life podcast, and founder of the Self-Employed Business Institute. His TEDx Talk is featured on TED.com, he’s a LinkedIn Learning instructor,
contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine and speaks at association events,entrepreneurial groups, and conferences. In this episode he shares his story of self-employment and it is JAM PACKED with valuable wisdom and insight to any and every self-employed professional. We talk about the mindset, the heart, and the life of self-employment. No matter where you are in your journey, this episode is for you. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Jeffrey Shaw.
Links:
PeaceLink Financial Planning LLC
Jeffrey Shaw
Selfemployedbusinessinstitute.com
Welcome to the 20th episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. In this first installment of What Works Wednesday Leland delves into LLCs and some common misconceptions about them, specifically the misconception that an LLC is a tax status. If you are a self-employed professional and navigating the world of LLC’s and taxes, this episode will give you incredibly valuable education and insights that you can take with you. So with that introduction here is the first installment of What Works Wednesday with your host Leland Gross
**Welcome to the 19th episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. Boy do I have an episode for you! My guest on today’s podcast is Arlene Moss. Arlene is the Executive Business Coach at XY Planning Network, a business that supports the community of fee for service financial planners and entrepreneurs, by providing invaluable resources like technology, coaching, systems, processes, and most importantly community to over 1700 advisors- myself included! Arlene has an extensive background in coaching entrepreneurs in solo to small boutique businesses, and joins me today to share some of the keys to success she has seen in her years as a business coach. In this episode, she shares a lot of wisdom and nuggets from making the leap, to planning financially to start a business, to knowing who you serve- your niche- and not serving everyone under the sun. She shares about creating processes for your business but not getting caught up in making it perfect or chasing shiny objects and instead bringing customers and clients through your process to see what works and doesn’t work. Arlene is full of energy and life and that comes through in how much we laughed throughout this conversation. She has been instrumental in my business and I hope the same will be true for you. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Arlene Moss.
Links:*https://www.peacelinkfp.com/https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/advisor-blog/author/arlene-moss*
My guest on today’s podcast is Curtis Little. Curtis is the co-owner and partner of Mount Oak Capital, a prominent real estate development and investment company located in Charleston, South Carolina, that primarily works in the underwriting and development of real estate for national brand restaurants like Starbucks, or Chick-fil-A. In this episode, Curtis explains how, in the vast world of real estate, he found his way into the niche of commercial restaurant development. From starting in the DC area selling office building spaces to working in high street retail on King Street in downtown Charleston, to finding new opportunities in suburban areas, and eventually building relationships with brokers in the restaurant industry. Curtis speaks to the challenges of running a business, especially in his field. How he has to navigate factors that are out of his control, like rising interest rates and COVID-19. How projects in commercial development can take years to complete and they only get paid upon completion. And be sure to listen to the end as Curtis talks about building a balanced life, and how that is a measure of success. This episode is packed with principles of entrepreneurship that anybody can relate to. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Curtis Little.
Links:https://www.peacelinkfp.com/https://www.mountoakcapital.com/
Welcome to the 17th episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast. My guest on today’s podcast is Molly Rose Speed. Molly Rose is the owner and founder of Virtual Assistant Academy and Virtual Assistant Management, two companies created to train and place high quality, professional virtual assistants with business owners looking to make a hire. What is unique to Molly Rose is that she is both a small business owner and a virtual assistant herself, so she truly has the knowledge and experience to train VA’s in a way that can provide massive value to the employer, while creating a fulfilling, profitable, and flexible career for the VA’s themselves. In this episode Molly tells her story of building these businesses. She details how she was in unfulfilling jobs, in a constant state of dissatisfaction. How she had big dreams of traveling, living life to the fullest, and creating a career around her life, not a life around her career. And how being a military spouse and all that that demands led her to realize that she wouldn’t be able to do that in a traditional office or 9-5 position. Thus she became a virtual assistant. She also explains how others, having seen her flexibility and success, asked what her secret was, thus birthing these companies. And be sure to listen in as Molly Rose provides nuggets of wisdom and advice to anybody interested in becoming a Virtual Assistant, and anybody looking to hire help for their business. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Molly Rose Speed.
My guest on today’s podcast is Mallorie Terranova. Mallorie is the owner of Jars Of Dust, a pottery manufacturing studio located in Virginia Beach. What is unique about Mallorie is her bravery and “stubborness” to follow her dreams amidst the messaging that “artists cannot make money” and “You will lose your love for it if you make it a business”. In this episode Mallorie details her story of falling in love with the process of making clay and pottery, how she learned that she is not built to be an employee through an experience working in a pottery studio, and how that pushed her to take the leap and build Jars of Dust into a real business. She describes the emotions and experience of opening a storefront, even when the business wasn’t necessarily ready, and how that experience gave her the confidence to take other leaps in the future, including purchasing an entire warehouse to expand the studio. What I loved most about this episode was Mallorie’s wisdom and profoundness around the experience of owning a business- She speaks to fear, courage, contentment, and the fact that excellence can take many forms. She speaks to taking risks, delegating, and stumbling through the business side of things. She speaks to building something bigger than herself, that provides for others, and that is more beautiful than she had anticipated or dreamt of, and how that STILL comes with constant highs and lows constantly coinciding. This episode is a conversation about the heart of entrepreneurship and I can’t wait for you to hear it. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Mallorie Terranova.
My guests on today’s podcast are Doug and Polly White, the owners of Gather Coworking Space, a regional coworking business that offers incredible office space for everyone from individuals to large teams across Virginia. What is unique about Doug and Polly is the story of how they came to run Gather- from both losing their separate jobs in 2008, to starting their own consulting firm for small businesses, and then creating business space for small businesses. In this episode we talk about flexibility and learning. They had to pivot their marketing of their consulting business after 4 months, 250 prospect meetings, and zero clients. They had to keep learning when they launched their first gather and it wasn’t profitable, and they had to get creative when covid hit and put small businesses out of business, or sent people home- away from their office, because you cannot “Gather” during a global pandemic. Doug and Polly have a wonderful marriage and they speak to the fact that in business and marriage, challenges will either move you closer together or push you a part and how they moved closer and closer over the years. And be sure to listen to the end as they highlight how they define success as the journey of their faith, their marriage, and their ability to give more money away. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the self-employment success podcast with Doug and Polly White.
My guest on today’s podcast is Buddy Powers. Buddy and his wife Jill are the owners of Big Spring Farm. What’s unique about Buddy is that he doesn’t just own one business. Big Spring is not just a farm, but a farm, a wedding venue, a neighborhood, and a micro-resort! And on top of all of that they own a wedding photography business as well. In this episode Buddy shares his story in depth from growing up in the suburbs where farming was nonexistent, to growing a desire for farming, which led to having his own wedding on the farm he was managing, and how that spurred the vision for one day owning a farm that was a wedding venue as well. Buddy also shares how that “one day” came much sooner than either of them expected. And be sure to listen to the end as Buddy shares how he defines success as being in right relationship and leaving a legacy. So with that introduction I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Buddy Powers.
My guest on today’s podcast is Joel Ankney. Joel is the founder of Ankney Law- a successful law firm specializing in helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses, as well as commercial real estate transactions and small business support. What is unique about Joel is that he was elected Top Attorney in Coastal Virginia and even his peers selected him as a Virginia Legal Elite attorney multiple times. What is even more impressive though is his humility and honesty in this conversation as he discusses his highs and lows including anticipatory anxiety that comes from running a business even today. In this episode Joel speaks about what it was like making the jump to starting his own practice at a time in life when he and his wife had four boys ranging in age from one to thirteen. How he and his wife prepared and what it was like in those early days navigating client acquisition and marketing. We talk in depth about marketing including how Joel has self-published a few books and how that has propelled his law practice by positioning him as an authority in his niche field, while also allowing him to discover new pieces of himself and finding a passion for being an author. And be sure to listen to the end as Joel shares how he defines success today, and how his definition of success has been fluid and has changed throughout his career. So with that introduction I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Joel Ankney.
So for today’s episode we are going to do things a little differently. We have had 10 guests come on the podcast so far. They have gotten very real in sharing their stories of entrepreneurship- what they do, why their passionate about it, how they got started, what’s worked, what’s been hard, and how they define success. And that is what this podcast is about. This is a podcast about success and how we define it, and what we do to achieve it. So in today’s episode we are going to listen back at how each guest has answered the question- how do you define success?
My guest on today’s podcast is Julia Woods. Julia is the owner and founder of Beautiful Outcome, a transformational coaching business that specializes in helping couples communicate in a way that allows them to know and be known by one another so they can partner to build the life they ultimately desire. What’s unique about Julia is the story of how she came to building this business. In this episode Julia speaks to how she herself went through a season of realizing she was not happy with where her life was and where it was going. How she had everything she thought she wanted but wasn’t happy. And how in that season she began to learn the lessons and tools that allowed her to experience a major transformation inside herself and her family. She speaks to how the transformation she experienced and continues to experience birthed a passion for her to share this with the world. Julia explains how building Beautiful Outcome was a one step at a time process. How she and her husband would take the next right step and how that would lead to the next step and so on. These steps might I add were big “sell our business and move across the country” type steps. We talk a lot about growth and how we never outgrow growth. It is a daily choice and decision. And be sure to listen to the end when Julia describes how she defines success as who she is becoming, more than what she wants to achieve. This episode is jam packed with passion and nuggets of wisdom that anybody can apply to their life, relationships, and business. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Julia Woods.
My guest on today’s podcast is Broc Buckles. Broc is the co-founder and co-owner of BC- Brokerage- an independent insurance brokerage firm based out of indianapolis indiana, providing life insurance, as well as disability, long term care, and annuities to clients. What’s unique about BC-Brokerage is that they don’t market direct to consumer like most insurance agencies. Instead they have chosen to work directly with fee-only financial planners like myself to serve our clients and solve a very specific pain point in the fee-only space which is how to provide insurance solutions to clients when we aren’t salespeople. In this episode we talk about Broc and his business partner Peter’s journey of working in the insurance space and learning exactly what they don’t want to do which is upsell, call their friends and family for sales, and live transactionally. And how they came across the fee-only community and saw a real need that they could serve. We talk about how they navigated the early days of getting their name out there all the way until now when phone calls are no longer going out from their office but pouring into their office and how they have managed immense growth. Broc also spoke candidly and highly of his relationship with Peter- how starting a business together with a friend alters the relationship, but how they have successfully built a healthy partnership based on respect, genuine care for each other, and playing to each others’ strengths. And be sure to listen to the end as Broc shares how he defines success, and how it doesn’t have to do with the dollars in the bank, but rather the feeling of fulfillment and freedom he is working towards. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy this episode of the Self-employment Success podcast with Broc Buckles.
I have a very special guest on today’s episode, my sister-in-law and dear friend Emily Brown Levis. Emily owns her own therapy practice operating as a couples therapist and a supervisor for other therapists starting off in their careers. What is unique about Emily is how she left a flourishing practice she had with a business partner in Northern Virginia to move to a new city to marry her husband, and in doing so had to restart her business from scratch. Living in a new city, with a new husband, and starting her business over was a year filled with some of life’s largest transitions. Emily speaks to how she navigated that with immense grace for herself in the process. In this episode Emily shares honestly about her own journey through burnout and a depressive episode that led her to do some real and deep heart work, asking herself if being a therapist is really what is best for her and how she ultimately came to the decision that, yes, it is, but it has to be done in a way that provides balance and allows her to live her life to its fullest potential without burnout and without working with just anybody. And be sure to listen in, as Emily explains that a secret to her success this time around has been getting clear on who her ideal client is, and trusting the process to the point of turning away potential clients that didn’t fit that mold. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy today’s episode of the self-employment success podcast with Emily Brown Levis.
My guest on today’s podcast is Wills Francis. Wills is the founder and partner of Former Colleagues, a comprehensive and immersive multi-disciplinary brand experience, communication, and idea practice that partners with ambitious, established brands that want to explore ideas and creative concepts outside of their status quo. What’s unique about Wills is his innate desire and need to engage the creative aspects of his identity. In today’s episode Wills talks about his experience working in a job, not utilizing his creativity to its full potential, and how it was beginning to slowly dull his soul. He talks about how the support of his wife, and the need to feed his creativity led him to creating Former Colleagues with his business partner. He also shares about his journey to have confidence in himself, and to daily battle the head trash that inevitably comes for everyone on the journey of self-employment. In this episode Wills speaks to entrepreneurs directly and provides insight and wisdom in how to develop the identity of your organization, business, product, etc, and how that is critical to its success, but also involves play and exploration of self. And be sure to listen to the end as Wills explains what achieving success looks like for him, and I will give you a spoiler, it has nothing to do with income. I had a blast having this conversation and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. So with that introduction I hope you enjoy today’s episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Wills Francis.
My guest on today’s podcast is Will Fortanbary. Will is the owner of Fort Studios, a motion graphics design firm located in Atlanta Georgia creating graphic design projects for folks like the NFL, Chick Fil A, Dude Perfect, and other renowned artists and companies. What’s unique about Will is how early on in his career, when working as an employee, he learned that he could make multiples more income on the same types of projects if he just cut out the middle men and worked as a freelance agent and how that prompted him to build his own reputation in the industry, separate from the companies he worked for. In this episode we talk about how he worked nights and weekends on projects outside of his 9-5 motion graphics job to build his business. Will shares about the concern his wife, Joy expressed at the idea of him going full time and the fear of that becoming an all consuming thing in Will’s life, but how he was actually able to get more done in less than 8 hours a day by going full time on his own. And how it eliminated the need to work nights and weekends while still taking on bigger and more projects. We also talk about Will’s desire to stay a solopreneur, to maintain a lean business, and how that affords him the ability to choose the projects he works on and also foster the life he wants inside and outside of work. And be sure to listen to the end as Will expresses how he defines success and why he has already achieved success in his life. So, with that introduction I hope you enjoy today’s episode of the Self employment success podcast with Will Fortanbary.
My guest on today’s podcast is Maddie Alm. Maddie is the owner of Fueling Forward Nutrition, a sports nutrition consulting firm based out of Boulder Colorado, working alongside runners and endurance athletes to help them optimize their performance through proper nutrition. What’s unique about Maddie is that she is a professional runner herself. She walked on to her college team and through working with a dietician herself, went from one of the worst runners (those were her words not mine) to one of the best. Through her own story she came to realize that many athletes in endurance sports are underserved when it comes to things like sports nutrition counseling, so she decided to become a registered dietitian. In today’s episode we talk about how being a dietician affords lots of opportunities in the form of traditional jobs, but how she went out on her own, so that she could work with the specific types of athletes she wanted to work with, in the ways she wanted to, and how that also afforded her the freedom to continue to run and compete herself. We talk about how Maddie took her own advice, and hired a professional business coach to help her structure her business and in doing so doubled her income in a matter of months. This episode is jam packed with great thoughts and nuggets for all types of entrepreneurs. And be sure to listen to the end when Maddie shares some nutrition best practices and tips for busy entrepreneurs. So, with that introduction, I hope you enjoy today’s episode of the Self employment success podcast.
My guest on today’s podcast is Nat Browning. Nat is the owner of Of Great Value Jewelry, a handmade jewelry business that has experienced significant growth in the last year. What’s unique about Nat is how she never intended to be an entrepreneur. In this episode, we discuss her journey to figure out what she wanted from work. How she was working multiple side hustles and going to grad school to try and get a “stable job” that she thought she should get. How Of Great Value was consistent in her life throughout years of inconsistency. And how a conversation with another creative entrepreneur she was working for pushed her to take the leap, follow her passion, and go full-time with Of Great Value. We also talk about the immense community support and outpouring for her, and how that carried her not only through starting a business but also through an unfortunate situation where she lost 90% of her inventory. And be sure to listen to the end where Nat passionately describes the deeper meaning behind the name Of Great Value and how she is passionate about adorning people with valuable, intentional, and handmade jewelry in a way that reminds them that they are valuable, and intentionally made as well. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy today’s episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast.
My guest on today’s podcast is Brandon Kopp. Brandon is the owner of Tidewater Insurance Brokers. A booming insurance company offering personal insurance lines to customers. What’s unique about Brandon is how he never planned on being a business owner. How he was dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and how that led him to quickly launch his business. In this episode, we talk in length about Brandon’s focus on maintaining the right priorities. How he has worked hard to foster the culture and values of his business and his team just as much as fostering sales. And how he has intentionally created boundaries around his work to make sure he is investing just as heavily in his personal life, his family, and the things outside of work that matter. And be sure to listen to the end as Brandon talks about how his team has built-in client care measurables called Surprise and Delights, which don’t necessarily make any money, as a key measurable metric to the success of the business and each employee. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy today’s episode of the Self-Employment Success Podcast with Brandon Kopp.
My guests on today’s podcast are Blake Dozier and Cory Jessee. They are business partners and the owners of OnPoint Building Services, one of the largest janitorial services companies in coastal Virginia. What’s unique about Blake and Cory is their commitment to creating a “white-collar experience, in a blue-collar industry.” In this episode we talk in length about their focus on fostering the growth and development of the people that work for them at all levels of the business from the management team to the actual cleaners themselves. And how they desire to create an experience and pathway for all employees to grow and have an experience with their work that is beyond just getting paid but ultimately benefits their quality of life as a whole through their work. We talk about how this belief in caring for everyone on the inside of the business is the true secret sauce to success and growth on the outside. It is also what ultimately led them to be voted the best place to work in 2021, an award rarely given to blue-collar companies. And be sure to listen in as they talk about their relationship both inside and outside of work, what their partnership has looked like, and the keys to creating a partnership that is successful long term. So with that introduction, I hope you enjoy today’s episode of the self-employment success podcast with Blake Dozier and Cory Jessee.
On today's episode we hear from John Powers. John runs Powers Rawls Real Estate, a prominent residential real estate sales team located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. What is unique about John is that he runs his business alongside his wife Kaylee. They came into the business underneath Kaylee's grandmother, but were needed to take over the business quickly, in a season where they were still learning a lot themselves. In this episode we talk about how John and Kaylee left the security of both having secure, salaried incomes to going all in on commission income as a family. We discuss how they navigated a succession plan that happened faster than anybody planned both relationally as a family and professionally in the community. We also discuss John's desire to remain humble amidst all of the transition and growth in their business. And be sure to listen to the end as John discusses the dynamics of working and running a business with his Spouse- the challenges and how they made the decision to hire a coach to help them grow in their marriage, have hard conversations, and ultimately produce more connection.
Leland Gross CFP® introduces himself and his heart behind producing the Self-Employment Success Podcast, and what you can expect as a listener.