The Staying Power Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Staying Power Collective
The Staying Power Podcast is a podcast that explores the challenges business owners face as they grow. Together Brandon Hall and Thomas Castelli ask the tough questions to show you that running a business is not for the faint at heart, but if you have staying power, you'll overcome your challenges and achieve lasting success! To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
David Wood is a former Consulting Actuary to Fortune 100 companies including Sony Music, Chanel, and Exxon. David left his cushy Park Avenue job 20 years ago to build the world’s largest coaching business. He understands the balancing act of life and business.
https://focus.ceo/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- How do we implement everything we know we need to do?
- Layers of supporting goals: yearly, monthly, weekly, daily
- Email and other distraction addictions
- Accountability
- How to focus only on the items that truly move the needle
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Don Riddell is an executive coach and the Master Chair of Vistage Peer Advisor Groups. Vistage Worldwide is a global organization that assembles and facilitates private advisory boards for CEOs, senior executives, and business owners.
Vistage and its affiliates have over 23,000 members in 20 countries, representing the world's leading chief executive coaching organization. Their members grow at an average of 2.2 times the rate of average US companies.
https://www.vistage.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Don's philosophy
- Emotional intelligence
- Self-awareness
- Overcoming limiting beliefs
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Mike Pinkus is the founder of ConnectCPA, a Canadian 'plug and play' virtual accounting and bookkeeping firm that solves the finance pain point for scaling companies.
https://www.connectcpa.ca/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- 6 years of growth for ConnectCPA - 40 team members
- Value/fixed pricing philosophy and when to bill hourly
- Sales process in technical services
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Darryl Lyons is the CEO of PAX Financial Group and the author of several books. Darryl is also a member of the advisory council for Dave Ramsey solutions.
https://paxfinancialgroup.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Founding PAX Financial Group
- Secrets to internet marketing and providing value to many with different needs and goals
- Financial planning mistakes
- Challenges at the intersection of business and life
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Nate Bailey is a bestselling author of three books and an entrepreneur. He has built multiple successful businesses in areas such as insurance and real estate. He recently sold his insurance agency to become a full-time leadership coach.
https://natebailey.org/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Challenges of leadership roles
- Extreme ownership
- Consistency
- Embrace learning opportunities
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Brannon Poe is the founder of Poe Group Advisors where he and his team take a consulting-based approach to transition accounting firms from one owner to another through their unique process - The Seamless Succession.
https://poegroupadvisors.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Unique challenges for both buyers and sellers of small businesses
- Valuation of CPA firms
- Pricing
- The value ladder
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Cody Johnson is the President and studio manager of Chapel Hill Training, a fitness studio that provides individualized training programs to members, both in person and through their newly-launched virtual fitness platform. Cody shares his experience starting as an Intern through today, managing during COVID as a co-owner.
https://www.chapelhilltraining.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Mindset shift from staff to President and co-owner
- Juggling responsibilities and "wearing many hats"
- Uncovering staff goals and aspirations to avoid burn out and work for a purpose
- Managing a gym during the Coronavirus crisis
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Tony Chiappetta is the founder and CEO of AMC Solutions, an IT company that helps businesses build modern IT systems that make every employee more productive and help grow their business. Tony now has 17 employees after redesigning his entire business and dropping from 24 employees down to 8.
https://amcsolutions.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Restructuring your business - entirely new processes and systems, trimming staff and clients
- Taking care of employees and work-life harmony
- The blueprint of business planning - principles from Traction
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Mitchell Simonson is the founder of Simonson Appraisals, a virtual firm providing commercial real estate valuation services in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Since 2019 he has grown his business to include four staff appraisers and two admin staff.
https://www.simonsonappraisals.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- The difficulties of hiring entry-level staff including training
- Working in the business vs. working on the business
- Over-commitment and taking control of your time
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Blake Wyatt is a Facebook and YouTube Ads specialist and Leader at SalesMentor, a Traffic and Funnels company. Blake has been a media buyer and has worked as a profit manager. A media buyer, in this sense, is a digital media buyer purchasing ads for Facebook, Google, YouTube, Twitter, and Snapchat.
@blake.wyatt89 on Instagram, Blake Wyatt on Facebook
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Leadership including developing a vision and aligning a team
- Internal communication, transparent leadership, live accountability updates
- Paid social media advertising
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Neal Bawa is the founder and CEO of Grocapitus Investments, a real estate investment company that sources, negotiates, and acquires commercial properties across the United States. Grocpaitus has a remote component with heavy reliance on virtual assistants. Neal has a background in mathematics and computer science and he applies this knowledge to real estate investing.
https://www.grocapitus.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Risks of a W2 job vs. entrepreneurship and modern employment trends
- Outsourcing and a remote work component
- Training and managing virtual assistants including task management and accountability
- Transparency in communication with stakeholders
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Don Maranca is a certified EOS implementer and founder of JDSM Enterprises, a coaching company that helps entrepreneurs implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) model in order to create a holistic system for running their business
https://jdsmenterprises.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- The greatest challenges for small business owners
- The importance of a clear personal and professional vision
- The three key aspects of a business system
- Adopting processes and ensuring changes are successfully adopted into company culture
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Mark Wald founded Supporting Strategies | Los Angeles in 2013 and has grown the business to 40 W2 employees working virtually across 10 states in the US. They're providing exceptional finance and accounting support to hundreds of growing startups, small businesses, and nonprofits as a virtual firm.
https://www.supportingstrategies.com/la
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Growing with referral networks
- Pricing method with custom service packages and hourly billing
- Hiring experienced professionals
- Using teams to set staff up for success
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Matt Ryan has over ten years of experience in real estate and construction and founded his company, re-viv, to re-engineer residential and commercial real estate in underserved communities.
https://re-viv.com/team/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Letting go of ego to delegate and outsource
- Time management
- Finding qualified candidates
- Lessons for hiring and recruiting
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Cynthia Hackler Flynn, Esq. is the founder of Hackler Flynn and Associates, a California-based law firm specializing in employment law. Today, Cindy has seven employees and everyone is working fully remotely.
https://hacklerflynnlaw.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Common mistakes employers make with employees
- Creating an employee handbook
- Accountability and time logs for a remote workforce
- Hiring right to help avoid employee issues
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Joshua Driskell is the managing partner of Lagerlof, LLP, a law firm that has been involved in shaping the legal and business landscape in southern California for more than 100 years. Joshua has extensive experience in handling mergers and acquisitions and has recently taken action to enable remote work.
https://www.lagerlof.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Growing through mergers and acquisitions
- Identifying a potential acquisition
- Systems and software implementation and training
- Steps taken to enable remote work
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Caleb Guilliams is the founder and CEO of Better Wealth, a company committed to financial education and coaching. Caleb founded the company at 21 and is now 24 - he has added 13 team members and clients in almost every state during these three years.
https://betterwealth.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- How and why Caleb started Better Wealth
- Gaining clarity on the core desired results
- Self-awareness and confidence
- Learning from books, experts, mentors, and mastermind groups
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Gary Shamis assumed responsibility for his father’s accounting firm in 1981. Over the thirty-five years that followed, he took revenues from $225,000 to approaching $100 million and employees from a dozen to 600. He built the 37th largest independent accounting and consulting firm in the nation, before combining SS&G, Inc. with BDO USA, LLP in 2014.
Today, he is principal of Winding River Consulting, a business advisory services company.
https://windingriverconsulting.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Strategies vs. execution in growing to $100MM, including niches and service offerings
- Hiring and retaining top talent
- Creating a culture that resonates with your workforce, including working virtually
- Developing ancillary supporting business and service offerings
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Scott Choppin is the founder and CEO of the Urban Pacific group of companies. Urban Pacific develops multifamily workforce housing. Scott founded Urban Pacific over 20 years ago and has developed over 3,400 units with $900MM+ in exits. He has expanded and contracted the business over the years through market cycles and has changed his strategy along the way.
https://www.urbanpacific.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Building a trustworthy team and a reputation of professionalism
- Managing budgets and timelines
- Intentionally starting small to perfect systems and processes and avoid risk
- Recession resistance and actively monitoring the market
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Chris Evans and Taylor Welch are Co-Founders of Traffic and Funnels, a sales and marketing company. Chris and Taylor grew the company to over a million dollars in annual sales in five years and have been able to develop a leadership team that allows them to spend only 5 hours per week on the business.
https://trafficandfunnels.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- How to form a healthy partnership
- Scaling to the point to remove yourself including delegating
- Dealing with stress and burnout
- Maintaining confidence
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Jeff Russell is President of The Pango Group, a title and escrow company. Jeff has experience in building culture, managing people, and coaching others in business as he has helped The Pango Group grow to over 250 people since 2000.
https://pangogroup.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Being intentional with company culture and actively managing to the established values
- Clearly setting expectations then following up and offering specific feedback
- Making hard and quick decisions during a crisis
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Hugh Duffy is the founder and CEO of Build Your Firm, a marketing firm designed for small businesses in the accounting industry. For over 30 years, Hugh has helped small accounting firms leverage marketing as a vehicle to help them grow their practice in an efficient, cost-effective manner.
https://www.buildyourfirm.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Changing and adapting a business model over time
- Training employees and setting expectations
- Building custom technology solutions
- Requesting feedback and criticism and the importance of acting on those responses
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Sarah Johnson Dobek is president and founder of Inovautus Consulting, a national consulting firm that develops strategies, programs, and training designed to help accounting firms grow faster and in the right direction.
https://inovautus.com/
https://www.cpasnet.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Accountability and clear expectations
- Building culture
- Overcoming major doubts and challenges
- Guidance on how to pivot and reposition during the Coronavirus crisis
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Ryan Lazanis is a CPA who built a 100% online accounting firm, Xen Accounting, and later sold it to a large European corporate services firm after just 5 years. Today, Ryan teaches the lessons he learned along the way to help others shape their own modern firms.
https://futurefirm.co/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- Making your first hire and what questions to ask
- How to hold employees accountable and drive results
- How Ryan started and sold his firm, and why he thinks virtual firms can trade at a premium
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Spencer Hilligoss is an active syndicator, real estate investor and executive leader for two real estate businesses. His own company, Madison Investing, has co-sponsored deals totaling more than 4000 units for more than $500M.
He is also a former technology leader with a 13 year track record of building high-performing teams across five companies in Silicon Valley - three of them, software "unicorns" - valued at more than $1B.
https://www.madisoninvesting.co/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- The various challenges Spencer faced when building Madison Investing while working full-time as a tech leader in Silicon Valley.
- Taking ownership of building a growing team and having to lay multiple members off
- Partnering with his wife
- And much more!
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Nick Sinclair is Founder and President of TOA Global, the market leader in dedicated outsourcing solutions for Accounting firms in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and across the globe.
https://theoutsourcedaccountant.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss the various challenges Nick faced when scaling TOA Global including challenges with customer acquisition, managing rapidly growing teams and the need for a people plan, the importance of being mindful of client experience, Nick’s biggest challenge, how he reacted, and so much more!
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Mark Goldman CPA is CEO of MGR Recruiters, a company that helps employers hire for Accounting positions in the San Antonio area. He is also the host of the Where Accounts Go Podcast, a career podcast for Accountants, by Accountants!
https://mgrar.com/category/podcast/
In today's episode we discuss:
- Sticking through the challenges when first starting out
- Understanding the culture fit is often the most important aspect of hiring.
- How peer groups can keep you grounded, especially during periods of crisis.
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Robin Thieme is Founder and CEO of KBS CFO, a company that provides strategic guidance and system-based solutions for entrepreneurs. She has over 30 years of financial and accounting experience, a passion for the efficiencies that new technologies enable, and a dedication to small businesses.
https://www.kbscfo.com/
In today's episode we discuss:
- Understanding strengths and weaknesses
- How running a virtual firm means people need to learn technology and adapt.
- Robin's keys to success in hiring in a virtual environment
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
David Cristello is CEO & Founder of Jetpack Workflow, a software company built to help accounting firm owners manage deadlines without client work falling through the cracks. Since launch, Jetpack Workflow served thousands of firm owners in 17+ countries and helped them complete millions of tasks monthly.
https://jetpackworkflow.com/
In today’s episode, we discuss:
- The method David used to come up with the idea to start Jetpack Workflow.
- The various challenges he faced when scaling his business including sales.
- Building and managing a growing team, the importance of clear communication when setting goals.
- The secret that gives him the Staying Power to move forward despite all the obstacles in his way.
- And more!
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
Dan Handford has an extensive background in starting multiple seven-figure businesses from scratch including a large group of non-surgical orthopedic medical clinics located in South Carolina and now runs a real estate private equity company.
https://www.PassiveInvesting.com/
In today's episode, we discuss we discuss the various challenges Dan faced when building his business empire, how he was able to replace himself as CEO of his medical clinics, training staff, working with your spouse in business. Key highlights include:
- The importance of taking the entrepreneur out of the business and replacing yourself as CEO.
- Training is key in businesses such as medical clinics (and professional services firms) because mistakes can result in liabilities that can be costly!
- How Dan was able to step back in his business to focus on becoming a real estate professional.
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/
To read the show notes, guest contact information, and impactful quotes, visit
https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/blog
In the first episode of the Staying Power Podcast, we discuss what you can expect to learn as a listener of Staying Power podcast, and the Brandon Hall faced when building a virtual CPA firm from the ground up.
The Staying Power Podcast is now available all major podcast platforms including:
- Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
- Spotify
- Google Play
- Stitcher
- iHeart Radio
- and many others
To learn more about the Staying Power Collective, a group for aspiring and current virtual firm owners on a mission to grow their firms, visit https://www.stayingpowercollective.com/