Your Wealth & Beyond

When entrepreneurs launch their businesses, their branding and website often leave little to be desired. Creating a website that is functional and is both pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate takes a lot of time and resources that many business owners don’t have when they first get started.  And after a few years, the website can start to feel stale and dated. That’s when it’s time for a refresh and to reach out to a professional, like today’s guest. Jamie Windell  is the Founder of KHULA™ & Fractional Design PM & Consultant. A self-taught brand and web designer, Jamie has successfully guided over 100 business owners worldwide in transforming their brand image and online presence into something they can be proud of. His goal is to impact and assist 1000 small business owners in their transformation and thrive.  In our conversation, you’ll learn the steps that KHULA walks their clients through when it’s time for a brand transformation, some do’s and don’ts for anyone who attempts to create or manag

In today's episode, I'm thrilled to be joined by Michael Spangenberg, CEO and co-founder of State Forty Eight–one of Arizona's most recognizable local apparel brands. Since 2013, Michael and his partners have been sharing clothing for all, inspired by Arizona, through collaborations, screen printing, embroidery, art & branding, and their work.  In our conversation, Mike and I dig into the "why" behind his brand, his love for Arizona, and how this side gig turned into a full-time pursuit with fans in Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals, the Diamondbacks, and the Suns organizations.  You'll also hear what he's doing now with the State Forty Eight Foundation to empower everyday people with dreams like his. Enjoy! In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:  How Michael and his friends turned business partners envisioned their brand, quickly learned how to tell their story, and used unconventional methods to quickly build momentum.  The moment Mike realized this side hustle could become a full-time career. 

When building a brand, everyone talks about the power of storytelling. These days, however, it’s not as simple as starting a blog and expecting your audience to explode overnight. That’s why people turn to today’s guest, Dan Curran. Dan is a founding partner at Chapters.io, where he works to eliminate the anxieties of book writing through a process that helps people finish manuscripts in 100 days or less, connect with amazing editors, and preserve their wisdom for generations to come.  Dan has over a decade of experience working with editorial teams for large financial institutions, especially with financial advisors, and has a deep understanding of how to bring new life to so-called unsexy topics in this complex field.  In today’s episode, Dan and I discuss the chaotic state of modern content marketing, how to stand out in a world where everyone has 10,000 notifications and zero attention span, and the technology–including AI–he’s using to help people share their stories and grow audiences right now.  In thi

Today, I’m talking to Megan Greenwood, founder of Greenwood Brewing, where she’s making woman-owned, woman-inspired real beer for all.  Megan was an enthusiast and a homebrewer before venturing on her own as an entrepreneur. So, how did she get from Boston to Phoenix and from 8 taps in a garage to 14 taps downtown?  In this episode, Megan shares the story of her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges she faced along the way, and why beer has to be better than good to succeed in an ever-crowded industry.     Key takeaways: How homebrewing went from a hobby to a profession for Megan–and why her backgrounds in industrial engineering and manufacturing proved hugely helpful.   The steps Megan took to get her product into bars and to customers when she didn’t have her own facility.  How Megan found power in telling her business’s unique story in a male-dominated industry.  What happened when Megan was finally ready to open at the height of the COVID pandemic.  How Megan navigated growing pains as her business gre

Please enjoy this relaunch of one of our favorite episodes with Terri Sjodin. Whether you’re an executive speaking in front of your colleagues, an entrepreneur leading a sales presentation, or even just talking with your friends, at some point or another, you’re going to have to speak in public. If you’re like a lot of people, it might terrify you. Fortunately, there are self-proclaimed speech geeks like Terri Sjodin out there in the world to help us improve. Terri has spent the last 30 years working to help people and businesses build and deliver more polished, persuasive, and effective presentations – and, since March, has focused her work on the tools and technologies you can use right now to forge more authentic connections. Today, Terri and I are talking about the shocking mistakes that tons of professionals make when they speak in public, as well as sharing some techniques you can use right now to become a better speaker, no matter where or how you’re meeting.  In this episode you’ll learn:  Everyone c

When celebrities, musicians, and the ultra-wealthy want toget their time back and become more productive, they call Tarra Stubbins. Tarra made a career providing concierge services and assistance to artists like the Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, Kiss, and Drake–and now supports a wide range of business owners at the highest level at Take It Easy Personal Concierge.  In our conversation, Tarra and I dig into how her pursuit of success as an artist helped her find her lane behind the scenes and what she’s learned about time management and routines from her time around the world’s biggest superstars.  You’ll also hear how the most successful people in the world are laser-focused on their goals, projects, and pursuits and how having the right people in executive assistant roles make huge contributions to the success of both CEOs and rock stars, even remotely or virtually. Interview resources, including show notes and links to resources mentioned, can be found on the episode page: https://www.bayntree.com/91 Key Tak

Today's guest is none other than Bayntree's Director of Corporate Development, Brian Hartstein. If you're a business owner looking for advice and strategies on tax planning or creating pensions, Roth IRAs and 401(k) plans, you've come to the right place.  In our conversation, Brian and I are exploring different ways business owners can start preparing–especially with our pretax dollars–to create the best possible financial outcomes not just for themselves but also for their employees.  We'll cover some of the big mistakes business owners make when it comes to pretax spending, how Brian analyzes a prospective client's business to recommend solutions, and why it's so important for entrepreneurs to have a solid financial education of their own.  Interview resources, including show notes and links to resources mentioned, can be found on the episode page: https://www.bayntree.com/90 Key takeaways The common issues business owners face when it comes to paying themselves out, creating a great company culture, and a

Life as a business owner doesn't come without daily challenges to overcome. The marketplace is constantly changing with new competition and technology, in addition to managing your team, inbox, and voicemail. So, today's episode is all about the obstacles that most entrepreneurs face in 2024 and the strategies I've used to overcome them. I'll focus on navigating the relentless bombardment of information overload, overcoming perfectionism, and preventing the fear of failure from limiting growth in your business and stunting progress. You'll learn how confronting challenges and being adaptable and resilient are critical to entrepreneurial success in today's fast-paced economy.  Key takeaways Stay focused and organized when dealing with information overload with emails and social media. Overcome perfectionism and embrace progress. Waiting for perfection limits business growth. Resist the temptation to chase new technologies like AI and ensure new tech is a fit for your business. Never be afraid to fail. Embrace

Today's guest is Derrick Kinney. For over 20 years, Derrick has been helping people build wealth and find purpose in life by being better with money.  He's the author of the bestseller Good Money Revolution, host of the Good Money Podcast, and creator of the Good Money Framework, where he shares seven easy steps to help people earn more, save more, and give more money to the causes they care deeply about. In the conversation, Derrick shares his story of starting his own financial planning business at the age of 26, the hard lessons he's learned over the 20+ years he's been in the financial industry, and what's changed since shifting his focus to coaching other financial advisors over the last four years.  Key Takeaways The difference between scarcity and abundance mindset – and why there’s no reason to reinvent the wheel when something works.  Why it’s good to be misunderstood as an innovator or entrepreneur. How Tik-Tok, LinkedIn, and Instagram influencers are misleading us when it comes to how hard it is

Today, I’m talking to my good friend and serial entrepreneur Aaron Chamberlin. Aaron is a well known chef here in the Phoenix area who has owned a number of restaurants, including Saint Francis, Taco Chelo, and Phoenix Public Market, diversified across industries, and achieved success in a field notorious for its extraordinary challenges.  In our conversation, Aaron shares lessons from his 37 years in the restaurant business. You’ll hear the story of how he honed his skills under Jean-Georges Vongerichten, why it’s so common for “successful” restaurants to barely turn a profit, and the hard lessons he learned that helped him experience remarkable growth, personally and professionally, since 2018.  Key takeaways: How Aaron discovered his passion for cooking and survived 70+ hour weeks while earning very little money in New York City. What inspired Aaron to open Saint Francis in his home state of Arizona, why the business was an immediate public success, and what drove him to sell it.  How Aaron shifted his mi

Today, I’m talking to Ryan Madrid, co-founder of Bison Ventures and host of the Into The Storm Podcast.  After leaving corporate America, he joined VIP Mortgage as the Director of Business Development. Before long he was bringing in one billion in mortgage loan sales on his way to being in the area's top 1% of mortgage lending. In this conversation, Ryan talks about his entrepreneurial journey with deep family roots, how Bison Ventures’ corporate culture has helped them become one of Phoenix’s leading mortgage companies, and the power of building a culture to create great client experiences.    Key takeaways: Why incredible customer service is key to weathering tough times in any industry. The advice Ryan’s uncle gave him to help him leave corporate America and find his true calling.  How Ryan survived tough personal times, left the corporate world, found his business partner, and got on a new track to success. What differentiates Bison Ventures from other mortgage firms. The humbling business challenges Rya

If you’re growing a business and a family, you’re probably more than a little familiar with moments of chaos. And if you’re listening to this podcast, you probably know how it feels to have too much on your plate and perhaps wondered how to make positive, powerful shifts in the face of big challenges.  Today, I’m excited to introduce you to my friend and mentor Elizabeth Winkler. Elizabeth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Meditation Teacher, and her work has helped thousands of people all over the world. In today’s episode, we dig into the power of mindfulness, how to start (and stick to) a meditation practice of your own, and how to use these incredible tools to declutter your mind, tap into your superpowers, and approach everything in your life in flow.    Key takeaways: What it means to practice mindfulness and live with intention.  What stops people from having a meditation practice. How to help unwind the Type-A mind to harness your energy more effectively.  Why fear is at the r

For many people, election years bring a lot of stress. That’s especially true in the most recent elections. Media coverage is 24/7, and there are new polls and promises in the headlines, which can cause uncertainty among investors. So today, I’m jumping on the mic with John Gengle, a Financial Advisor at Bayntree Wealth, to discuss what history has taught us about previous election years and what to expect from this one.  In our conversation, you’ll hear how changes to which party is in power rarely lead to a significant impact on the economy, how fixed-income investments have been undervalued, and how Congress plays a more critical role in our tax laws and economy than a new President. Key takeaways: What to expect if a Democrat or Republican President is elected. Why campaign promises don’t always lead to sweeping economic changes. The benefits that a divided congress has on economic policy. How fixed income investments have been undervalued in recent years.  

Building a successful career in an incredibly competitive real estate market doesn’t happen by accident, especially when your area of expertise is luxury residential real estate. Today’s guest has climbed to the top and is recognized as one of Arizona’s top real estate advisors. As you’ll hear, tremendous success doesn’t happen without developing great partnerships and long-term relationships. Adrian Heyman is a Real Estate Advisor at The Agency, a luxury real estate firm in Scottsdale, AZ. Adrian was The Agency’s top-producing agent from 2018-2021 and reclaimed the title in 2023. In addition to succeeding in Arizona’s real estate markets, he’s also passionate about the Surfrider Foundation and has built a thriving 25-year partnership with his wife. In this conversation, Adrian shares the story of how he came from Australia’s fitness industry to American real estate, how he achieved success in an incredibly competitive industry with a very high failure rate, and what lies ahead in Arizona’s hot luxury real es

Making the entrepreneurial leap and leaving Corporate America to create your own business is more than a leap of faith. Most new business owners face trials and tribulations along the way. But those who stick with it and believe in themselves can achieve the growth that makes them a success story worth celebrating.  Today’s guest is Shannon Breen, and he has a success story that is definitely worth celebrating. Shannon is the Co-CEO and founder of FreightVana, a digital logistics partner powered by technology and built on trust and transparency.  In this conversation, Shannon tells the story of how he fell in love with logistics, the two core components that have led to rapid and exponential business growth, and the power of building a great culture with employees who are empowered to be authentic on social media.   Key takeaways What makes the logistics industry so uniquely fragmented and complicated. Why Shannon took the entrepreneurial leap and left corporate America. The importance of trust, transparency

It’s very easy to rack up credit card debt. It’s much more difficult to pay it off and considerably tougher to set yourself up for long-term financial success, to make good long-term decisions, or to avoid falling into classic pitfalls managing debt–especially for younger generations entering the workforce.  I’m thrilled to share this conversation with Anne Lester. Anne is a retirement expert, speaker, media commentator, and author of a new book titled How to Save Smart Now for the Future You Want. Anne was the Head of Retirement Solutions for JPMorgan Asset Management for 20 years, where she traveled the country and spoke to tens of thousands of investors. In this episode, Anne shares how she fell in love with the world of finance, why poor financial decisions are often made, and the importance of automating your savings with a 401(k) and creating an emergency savings plan. Key takeaways: How we’re programmed to spend, spend, spend–even when we already have debt we need to pay off and don’t need more stuff.

Today, I’m joined by Joe Apfelbaum. Spoiler alert! This episode is jam-packed with energy and passion. If you’re interested in how AI, ChatGPT and LinkedIn can be used to its full potential to grow your businesses, this episode is for you.. Joe Apfelbaum is an accomplished author, speaker, Certified Google Trainer, and the Founder and CEO of Ajax Union. Joe is a B2B marketing and LinkedIn Expert who has helped over 1,100 clients with digital marketing and getting the most out of LinkedIn.  In our conversation, you’ll hear why Joe believes all business owners should get to know how to use AI to their advantage, as well as the free tool he’s developed to increase your exposure and connections on LinkedIn. Above all else, you’ll also hear how passionate Joe is about why it’s important to show up with energy and enthusiasm and how the first step to making a positive change, personally and professionally, is making the commitment to yourself and finding ways to hold yourself accountable.   Key takeaways: The powe

Anyone living in Arizona, Nevada, or Utah has likely seen the TV commercials and the billboards for Andrew The Home Buyer. Today, you’ll get a glimpse of the man who created the company that keeps growing year after year. Kyle Wyloge is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder of Andrew the Home Buyer. After several years of grinding in real estate and building his sales team, he decided to create a TV commercial in 2019. This became a pivotal moment in their growth and marketing strategy with more leads coming to them versus the outbound sales model. Fast forward to today, Kyle has scaled the business to where he could purchase 318 properties last year without speaking to a single seller.  In our conversation, you’ll hear how valuable it was to get started before the recession in 2008, how they use CRM to forecast future sales with a scoreboard for sales results in real-time, and why saunas and cold plunges have elevated the culture they’ve built, reduced stress and fosters a healthier and happier lifestyle.  K

It’s fair to say that our education system is flawed, but that’s especially true when it comes to educating kids about money. Financial literacy still isn’t being taught in schools no matter how much we talk about it–and what you do learn is the same stuff that was being taught 20 or 30 years ago.  Today’s guest, Vince Shorb, is on a mission to change that. He’s the CEO of the National Financial Educators Council. After spending 15 years in financial services, he’s developed over 2500 financial education programs and is empowering students through financial literacy.  Vince’s work has been featured in publications on USA Today, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Forbes, CNN Money, MarketWatch, Fox Business, Huffington Post, NASDAQ, and Business Insider. In today’s episode, we explore why we have this problem with our education system, how families can teach financial literacy before their kids make major mistakes later in life, and why financial education is so much more than management and budgeting.    Key Takeaways: Wh

Building online businesses is tough–and closing that first deal can make or break your business. So many of us have been there, but today’s guest found a way through–and he’s here to talk about how he did it.  Brian is the co-founder of Rotive, a Salesforce partner that helps small businesses automate their processes through the power of Sales Cloud & Pardot. Brian started with Salesforce in his college days, working in sales and eventually becoming an account executive.  In today’s episode, we get into how Brian positioned himself, with a unique focus on YouTube, to become an expert in the Salesforce space–and how you can use the same tactics to become an online expert in your field as you grow (or scale) your business.     Key takeaways: What Brian learned from Salesforce’s sales-forward corporate culture.  How Brian broke through the noise to find his first clients after launching Rotive. How to incorporate YouTube into a marketing funnel to reach prospects. The tools Brian used to help Rotive cultiva