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What happens when professional success requires you to become someone you no longer want to be? Charlene Wheeless, MA, MBA, ICF-ACC, spent more than 30 years rising through corporate America, ultimately reaching the C-suite and leading communications for major global organizations. But after being diagnosed with cancer twice, she stepped away from the corporate treadmill and confronted a difficult truth: she had invested enormous energy in becoming the person others expected her to be. In this candid conversation with Gary Heldt, Charlene shares how pivotal moments of choice shaped her journey from an abusive childhood to corporate leadership, bestselling authorship, and entrepreneurship. She explains why organizations often reward conformity instead of contribution, how leaders unknowingly surrender their agency, and why every business outcome begins with a decision that was made, delayed, or avoided. Charlene also discusses the inspiration behind her book, You Are Enough!, and challenges professionals to stop chasing validation disguised as ambition. She reminds leaders that words carry lasting power, people must be led rather than managed, and authentic success should never require trading away who you are. For entrepreneurs, Charlene offers another important shift: stop thinking like a consultant and begin operating like the CEO of your business. Sometimes all it takes to move forward is seven seconds of courage and the willingness to do the thing you have been avoiding. What You’ll LearnWhy choice is one of a leader’s most powerful toolsHow professionals surrender their agency without realizing itThe difference between contributing to a culture and conforming to itWhy leaders manage work but lead peopleHow delayed or defaulted decisions create organizational bottlenecksWhy chasing validation can look deceptively like ambitionHow to develop a CEO mindset as an entrepreneurWhat seven seconds of courage can help you accomplish Learn more about Charlene, her coaching, speaking, and bestselling book at CharleneWheeless.com. Listen to Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts. Visit https://www.sbadvisors.cc/

The Winning Playbook for Business Reinvention What happens when the career you worked years to build suddenly ends? Jack Oujo spent eight years pursuing his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball umpire, advancing to Triple-A before an unexpected setback forced him to reinvent his future. He went on to become a CPA, build Oujo Wealth Strategies into one of the nation’s largest tax-focused wealth management firms, and oversee approximately $900 million in assets under management. In this episode, Jack joins Gary to share how the discipline, pressure, teamwork, and resilience he learned in professional baseball helped him build an extraordinarily successful financial services business. He explains why business owners need a Plan B, how numbers can remove emotion from major decisions, and why developing strong processes and people is essential for sustainable growth. Jack also discusses the difficulty of letting go, the importance of preparing employees to lead, and how business owners can create a meaningful life after selling the company that once defined them. What You’ll LearnHow Jack rebuilt his life after his baseball career endedWhy every entrepreneur should prepare for worst-case scenariosHow financial projections can make difficult decisions less emotionalWhy business owners must stop doing everything themselvesHow documented processes support business growthWhy coaching employees is one of a leader’s most important responsibilitiesHow exceptional service creates loyal clients and valuable referralsWhat Jack learned from building and eventually selling his firmWhy gratitude matters when transitioning into the next chapter of lifeFeatured Quote “You only get respect by giving respect.” — Jack Oujo About Jack Oujo Jack Oujo is the founder of Oujo Wealth Strategies, one of the nation’s largest tax-focused wealth management firms, and the bestselling author of Too Smart to Be an Umpire. Before becoming one of the country’s top financial advisors, Jack spent eight years pursuing his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball umpire, advancing to Triple-A before an unexpected setback changed his life. His journey from career disappointment to extraordinary business success offers a powerful lesson in resilience, reinvention, leadership, and building a meaningful legacy. Learn more about Jack and purchase Too Smart to Be an Umpire: https://toosmarttobeanumpire.com/ Listen, follow, and subscribe to Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grow-your-business-and-grow-your-wealth/id1521874291 This episode is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, investment, or legal advice. Please consult an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Growing revenue does not necessarily mean you are building wealth. A business can appear successful while its owner’s assets, financial security, and long-term options remain stagnant. In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Sandy of Sandy Financial Solutions speaks with Paul Etzler, CPA, CGMA, GACP, founder and president of BobBear Services LLC. Paul brings more than 30 years of experience in accounting, tax strategy, financial consulting, due diligence, compliance, forecasting, and entrepreneurship. Paul explains why business owners must look beyond income and consider the complete financial picture, including business assets, personal assets, liabilities, taxes, succession, and family goals. He also shares an important distinction: business and personal finances should remain separate for accounting and tax purposes, but they must be considered together when developing a long-term wealth strategy. The conversation explores why tax planning should happen throughout the year, how CPAs and financial advisors can work together, and why succession planning should begin long before an owner intends to leave or sell the business. In this episode, you will learn: Why increasing revenue does not always increase wealth.How to balance saving, investing, business growth, and enjoying life.Why tax planning should happen throughout the entire year.How business and personal assets fit into one larger financial picture.Why your CPA, financial advisor, attorney, banker, and insurance professional should communicate.When business owners should begin succession and exit planning.The three questions that can reveal weaknesses in your current financial plan.Why professional guidance still matters in an AI-driven world. Paul also challenges business owners to remain flexible, listen to informed outside perspectives, and accept that a plan may need to change. A business may be the owner’s baby, but sometimes that baby needs an honest checkup. About Paul Etzler Paul Etzler, CPA, CGMA, GACP, is the founder and president of BobBear Services LLC. He has more than 30 years of experience in financial consulting, accounting, tax, due diligence, compliance, forecasting, and business advisory services. Paul is also involved in entrepreneurial ventures spanning healthcare, real estate, sustainability, financial wellness, art, and entertainment. Connect with Paul: https://bobbearllc.com Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, accounting, investment, or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.

When most people hear the word franchise, they picture fast food. But some of today’s most compelling franchise opportunities are found in less glamorous industries such as home services, senior care, pet care, youth programs, property services, and business-to-business solutions. In this episode, Gary Heldt speaks with Jon Ostenson, CEO of FranBridge Consulting, about why entrepreneurs and investors are increasingly exploring non-food franchises. Jon explains how franchise buyers can evaluate opportunities based on their finances, experience, desired level of involvement, local market, and long-term goals. Jon also challenges the idea that a franchise can be completely passive. He explains why “semi-involved” is more realistic, what separates successful franchisees from struggling owners, and why following the franchisor’s proven system matters. Gary and Jon also discuss franchise funding, support systems, due diligence, franchise stacking, and how essential service businesses may be better positioned to withstand economic uncertainty and technological disruption. What You’ll LearnWhy non-food franchises are attracting entrepreneurs and investorsWhich service-based franchise categories are growingHow to determine whether a franchise fits your skills and lifestyleWhy a franchise should never be considered completely passiveWhat successful franchisees do differentlyHow franchise owners learn from one another without directly competingThe difference between a franchise consultant and a business brokerHow SBA loans and retirement rollovers may be used for franchise fundingWhy reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document is only one part of due diligenceHow franchise stacking can help owners expand and diversifyGuest Bio Jon Ostenson is the CEO of FranBridge Consulting, a top 1% franchise broker, investor, author, and Forbes contributor. After serving as President of a national Inc. 500 franchise system with more than 200 locations, Jon has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and investors explore franchise ownership. He specializes in non-food franchising, helping people identify scalable business opportunities that fit their goals, finances, experience, and lifestyle. Heldt Connect With Jon OstensonWebsite: FranBridgeConsulting.comLinkedIn: Jon OstensonEmail: [email protected] book: Visit FranBridge Consulting to request a complimentary copy of Jon’s book, Non-Food Franchising. Looking to learn more about Gary Heldt? Visit Small Business Advisors for more information. Home | Small Business Advisors

What happens when your retirement plan looks solid on paper, but life does not follow the plan? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Alan Lee Porter, a nationally certified financial fiduciary, founder of Strategic Wealth Strategies, and former U.S. Army Black Hawk instructor pilot. Alan shares how serious medical crises within his own family changed the direction of his career and taught him that financial planning must account for more than investment returns. Illness, disability, long-term care, taxes, market downturns, and outdated beneficiary forms can quickly expose gaps in even a well-funded retirement plan. Gary and Alan discuss why retirement planning should focus on the distribution of assets, tax-efficient income, healthcare expenses, long-term-care risks, and protecting a family’s financial legacy. Alan also explains why individuals and business owners benefit from having CPAs, attorneys, financial advisors, insurance professionals, and other specialists working together rather than relying on one person to handle every part of the plan. The conversation is an important reminder that financial confidence does not come from predicting the future. It comes from preparing for the possibilities before they become emergencies. What You Will LearnWhy retirement planning changes when you move from saving money to creating incomeHow taxes and required distributions can affect retirement savingsWhy beneficiary designations should be reviewed regularlyHow illness, disability, and long-term care can disrupt a financial planWhy business owners need coordinated exit, tax, estate, and retirement planningThe importance of verifying credentials before using complex financial or tax strategiesAbout Alan Lee Porter Alan Lee Porter is a nationally certified financial fiduciary and founder of Strategic Wealth Strategies in Fayetteville, North Carolina. A former U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter instructor pilot, Alan helps individuals, families, and business owners explore tax-efficient retirement strategies, lifetime income planning, asset protection, and financial risk reduction. Connect With Alan Website: Strategic Wealth Strategies LinkedIn: Alan Lee Porter Email: [email protected] Important Financial Disclaimer This podcast is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal, accounting, or insurance advice. The opinions expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of Gary Heldt, Small Business Advisors, or Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth.Financial products and strategies involve risks and may not be appropriate for every individual or business. References to potential tax savings, income, insurance benefits, or financial results are illustrative only and are not guarantees. Insurance and annuity guarantees are subject to the terms of the applicable contract and the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.Listeners should consult qualified and properly licensed financial, tax, legal, and insurance professionals before making decisions based on their individual circumstances.

Could your business operate for three weeks without anyone calling you? If the honest answer is no, you may have created a demanding job for yourself rather than a transferable business buyers will want. In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Daniel Scherotter, business broker, M&A advisor, entrepreneur, and Partner at Filament Business Advisors. Daniel explains why preparing a company for sale must begin long before an owner contacts a broker. Buyers want more than revenue. They want reliable financial records, predictable profitability, documented systems, a capable management team, transferable customer relationships, and a company that does not depend entirely on its founder. Gary and Daniel discuss how minimizing reported profits to reduce taxes can damage a company’s valuation, why owner dependence shrinks the pool of potential buyers, and how unrealistic expectations can prevent an otherwise successful business from ever selling. Daniel also shares how strategic buyers evaluate companies differently, why owners must separate personal attachment from market value, and how building the right team can allow an owner to exit without years of difficult transition. What You Will Learn ➔ Why waiting until you are ready to sell is one of the biggest exit-planning mistakes ➔ How owner dependence reduces buyer interest and business value ➔ Why weak accounting and unclear financial statements create red flags ➔ How management teams and documented systems make a company more transferable ➔ Why the market determines what a business is worth, regardless of the owner’s emotional investment ➔ How strategic buyers can see greater value than individual owner-operators ➔ Why every entrepreneur should build the company as an asset, not simply as a job About Daniel Scherotter Daniel Scherotter is a business broker, M&A advisor, entrepreneur, and Partner at Filament Business Advisors. Having owned and sold businesses himself, Daniel understands the sale process from both the owner’s and the advisor’s perspective. He helps business owners increase profitability, strengthen company value, improve organizational structure, and prepare for a successful sale before going to market. His work focuses on identifying the factors that attract serious buyers and helping owners avoid the operational, financial, and emotional mistakes that can weaken a transaction. Connect With Daniel Scherotter Filament Business Advisors: https://filamentbusinessadvisors.com/ Daniel’s Profile: https://filamentbusinessadvisors.com/team/dan-scherotter/ Email: [email protected] Phone: 804-728-1553 Connect With Gary Heldt Visit: https://www.sbadvisors.cc/ Connect with Gary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-d-heldt-jr/ Schedule a follow-up conversation with Gary: https://calendly.com/gheldt21054/podcast-follow-up-conversation Listen and Subscribe Follow Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth for practical conversations that help business owners grow smarter, build stronger companies, and create lasting wealth. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grow-your-business-and-grow-your-wealth/id1521874291

Most business owners assume stalled growth means they need more leads, more clients, or a new marketing tactic. Dr. Jon Randall argues that this is often exactly the wrong diagnosis. When an owner is buried in delivery, carrying too many non-ideal clients, and measuring the wrong numbers, adding more business can deepen the bottleneck instead of solving it. Jon joins host Gary Heldt to explain why capacity is one of the most common constraints in growing advisory firms and why the same problem appears across professional-service businesses. Drawing on more than 25 years in the financial-services industry, his experience as a top-producing advisor, and his work with some of the country's fastest-growing RIAs, Jon shows how benchmarking can expose the gap between a busy practice and a healthy, scalable business. The conversation explores why owners cling to unprofitable clients, how revenue per client and revenue per team member reveal hidden problems, and why delivering exceptional service to a smaller group of ideal clients can generate stronger referrals than chasing the latest marketing tactic. Jon also explains how narrowing a target market makes delivery easier, positioning clearer, and growth more repeatable. Gary and Jon also dig into the difference between owning a business and owning a demanding job. They discuss what founders must remove from their plates, why delegation should begin with administrative work and delivery, and how profit margin affects both current income and the future value of the company. The goal is not simply a bigger business. It is a business that can grow without consuming the owner. Key Takeaways Capacity comes before acquisition. If the owner and team are already overloaded, more clients will magnify the existing weakness.Not every client is helping the business. A large client roster can hide a bottom half that produces very little revenue while consuming valuable service capacity.A few numbers expose the real constraint. Revenue per client, revenue per team member, annual growth rate, and team retention show where attention belongs.Specificity creates stronger referrals. A clear, narrow ideal-client profile helps clients understand exactly whom to introduce and makes service delivery easier to scale.Profitable growth creates freedom and value. Wider profit margins can fund the next hire, reduce the owner's workload, and make the enterprise more attractive to a future buyer. Dr. Jon Randall is the Founder and Chief Coach of eXtraordinary Financial Advisors, where he helps overwhelmed financial advisors remove capacity constraints, improve client mix, and scale from $1 million to $10 million and beyond. A former top-producing advisor with more than 25 years of industry experience and a doctorate focused on performance psychology, Jon has worked with Barron's Top 100 advisors and some of the fastest-growing RIAs in the country. His work helps advisors eliminate bottlenecks, build scalable teams, increase profitability, and make the shift from technician to CEO. Ready to identify the constraint holding your advisory firm back? Visit www.xfa.coach to access free resources, explore upcoming workshops, and learn how Jon and his team help financial advisors scale more profitably. Learn more about Gary Heldt on his website Home | Small Business Advisors

What happens when the success you worked so hard to achieve no longer feels like success? Becca Pearce had built an impressive executive career in healthcare and public service when two major events changed her direction. First, she experienced a highly public professional setback. Then, just 14 months later, she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor that required major surgery and an extensive recovery. After returning to work, Becca faced a deceptively simple decision: attend an important executive meeting or put her daughter on the school bus. That moment forced her to confront what she truly valued and whether the life she had built still reflected those priorities. Today, Becca is the President of Extend Coaching & Consulting, an executive coach, growth strategist, and author of You Don’t Have to Achieve to Be Loved. She helps business owners and leaders step out of the weeds, make confident decisions, navigate change, and build businesses that support meaningful lives. Gary and Becca discuss why vulnerability creates trust, how founders become bottlenecks in their own companies, when to outsource or delegate, why overwhelm must be examined rather than accepted, and how coaching gives business owners an unbiased place to think strategically. In This Episode, You Will LearnWhy professional achievement does not automatically create personal fulfillmentHow vulnerability can make leaders more trustworthy and relatableWhy business owners must promote themselves into the CEO roleHow to decide which responsibilities should be delegated or outsourcedWhy overwhelm is usually several different emotions competing for attentionHow coaching can reduce indecision and save business owners timeWhy work-life integration is more realistic than perfect balanceHow to align today’s priorities with the legacy you want to leaveGuest Bio Becca Pearce is the President of Extend Coaching & Consulting, an executive coach, growth strategist, inspirational speaker, and author of You Don’t Have to Achieve to Be Loved. A former CEO and healthcare executive, Becca was appointed to lead Maryland’s Health Benefit Exchange during the O’Malley administration. Following a highly public professional setback and a life-changing brain tumor diagnosis, she began reconsidering everything she believed about success, leadership, and happiness. Today, Becca helps business owners, executives, and professionals navigate change, strengthen their leadership, make confident decisions, and create businesses and lives that reflect what truly matters to them. Guest LinksLearn more about Becca’s personal executive coaching, speaking, and book: MoreBeccaPearce.comYou Don’t Have to Achieve to Be LovedExtend Coaching & ConsultingConnect with Becca on LinkedInEmail: [email protected] Listen to Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth: Connect with Gary on LinkedIn: Gary D. Heldt, Jr., CPA | LinkedIn Apple Podcasts

A property may look like the perfect investment, but unexpected repairs, poor tenants, weak planning, or the wrong financing can quickly turn an opportunity into an expensive lesson. In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Sandra Bempah of Sandy Financial Solutions speaks with Jeremy Rodriguez, Broker and Owner of D.A.R.E. Realty. Jeremy explains why investors must stop looking at property as an emotional purchase and start managing it as a business. They discuss deal evaluation, financing options, cash-flow planning, collaboration, mentorship, legacy planning, and why a good real estate professional should sometimes tell an investor no. In This Episode Why every investment property should be treated like a businessHow emotion can interfere with sound real estate decisionsWhy there is no such thing as the perfect real estate dealThe importance of budgeting for unexpected repairs and expensesHow education, collaboration, and mentorship can help investors avoid costly mistakes About Jeremy Rodriguez Jeremy Rodriguez is the Broker and Owner of D.A.R.E. Realty, which stands for Dream Achievers Real Estate. Based in Northeast Ohio, Jeremy works with real estate investors, buyers, and sellers, with a particular focus on investment properties, mentorship, and long-term wealth building. Jeremy is also President of the Lake Erie Landlord Association, also known as the Lake Erie Real Estate Investors Association, where investors at every experience level come together for education, collaboration, and professional development. Connect With Jeremy Rodriguez Website: https://darerealtyneo.com/ Email: [email protected] Phone: 216-287-1766 Lake Erie Real Estate Investors Association: https://www.lelaohio.com/ Connect With Guest Host Sandra Bempah Sandy Financial Solutions Email: [email protected] Listen to Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grow-your-business-and-grow-your-wealth/id1521874291 If you found value in this episode, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to make smarter real estate and financial decisions. Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute real estate, legal, tax, lending, or investment advice. Consult qualified professionals before acting on any strategy discussed.

What happens when the bank suddenly eliminates your line of credit and you still have profitable real estate deals waiting to close? Jay Conner, known as The Private Money Authority, joins Gary Heldt to explain how losing his bank funding during the 2009 financial crisis led him to discover private money. Within 90 days, Jay raised more than $2.1 million without relying on banks, mortgage companies, or hard money lenders. Jay shares how real estate investors can educate potential private lenders, structure secured lending opportunities, and fund both property purchases and renovations. He also explains why investors should never lead with a desperate pitch for money and how private funding can provide greater confidence when making offers. Listeners will learn: How private money differs from banks and hard money lendersWhy investors should offer an opportunity instead of pitching a dealHow promissory notes and real estate collateral protect private lendersWhy Jay limits borrowing to 75% of the property’s after-repaired valueHow self-directed retirement accounts may be used to fund real estate deals About Jay Conner Jay Conner is known as The Private Money Authority. Since 2003, he has flipped and rehabbed more than 500 homes in Eastern North Carolina, completed over $118 million in real estate transactions, and helped more than 2,000 investors learn how to fund deals using private money. After losing his bank line of credit in 2009, Jay raised more than $2.1 million in private money in just 90 days. He has since developed a repeatable funding system that allows him to operate a seven-figure real estate business while working fewer than 10 hours a week. Gifts and Resources From Jay Ready to learn more about funding real estate deals without depending on traditional lenders? Jay is offering three resources to Gary’s listeners: Download Jay’s Curiosity Opener ScriptLearn how to begin conversations with potential private lenders:https://jayconner.com/scriptsRequest Jay’s Book, Where to Get the Money NowReceive the book at no cost, with shipping and handling required:https://jayconner.com/bookAttend the Private Money ConferenceLearn how to raise private money, locate real estate deals, and tour active rehabilitation projects. Gary’s listeners can attend with a $97 seat-registration fee:https://jayconner.com/event Website: https://jayconner.com Phone: 252-808-2927

Is your accountant preparing your taxes or actively helping you reduce them? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Boris Musheyev, CPA, Certified Tax Strategist, and founder of BORISMTAX, about why profitable business owners often pay more in taxes than necessary. Boris explains the critical difference between tax preparation and proactive tax planning, when a growing business should begin working with a tax advisor, and why the advisor who helped when you launched may not have the experience required for your current income level. They also discuss how business owners can evaluate a tax advisor, why professional designations alone do not guarantee strategic expertise, and how year-round planning can uncover legal tax-saving opportunities before it is too late to use them. Key Takeaways✓ Why tax preparation and tax planning are two entirely different services. ✓ When reaching approximately $100,000 in net profit should trigger a tax-strategy conversation. ✓ How business owners can outgrow the accountant who served them during their early years. ✓ What to examine before trusting a tax advisor with advanced strategies. ✓ Why midyear planning and year-end projections are essential for reducing taxes legally. About Boris Musheyev Boris Musheyev is a CPA, Certified Tax Strategist, and founder of BORISMTAX, a tax planning and advisory firm serving entrepreneurs and business owners across the United States. His firm specializes in helping profitable businesses use proactive, legal tax strategies to reduce their tax liability and retain more of what they earn. Boris is also the host of the Tax Reduction Podcast, and BORISMTAX has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for two consecutive years. Connect With Boris Musheyev Website: https://borismtax.com Free Tax Strategy Training: https://save100k.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 212-430-6881 Podcast: Tax Reduction Podcast LinkedIn: Boris Musheyev, CPA

Where Real Estate Investors Lose Money Real estate investors often focus on purchase price, rental income, and appreciation while overlooking the expenses that quietly reduce their returns. Guest host Ken May talks with Sam Yang, owner of Overline IQ, about cost segregation, insurance expenses, ownership structures, excessive leverage, and the importance of planning before purchasing a property. Sam explains how investors can identify financial inefficiencies, protect their cash flow, and make decisions based on real numbers rather than emotion. 5 Key Takeaways Taxes and insurance are two of the most overlooked expenses affecting real estate returns.Cost segregation may allow qualifying property components to be depreciated more quickly.Renovations and partial asset disposition can create tax opportunities investors frequently miss.Proper ownership structures may help separate liability between properties and protect other assets.Successful investors forecast cash flow, prepare for unexpected expenses, and avoid becoming overleveraged. Connect With Sam Yang Website: https://overlineiq.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 401-339-7930 Connect with Ken May on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmaymoney/ This episode is for educational purposes and does not constitute individualized tax, legal, insurance, or investment advice.

Most investors focus on chasing returns. Chris Belchamber believes they're asking the wrong question. With more than 40 years in global finance, including leadership at JPMorgan Chase and as founder of CB Investment Management, Chris explains why protecting your money is the first step toward growing it. He shares why compounding matters more than short-term gains, how emotional investing destroys long-term wealth, and why business owners should treat investing differently from running their companies. If you've ever wondered whether you're taking unnecessary investment risk or simply reacting to headlines, this conversation offers a practical framework for making smarter financial decisions. In this episode, you'll learn:• Why protecting wealth should always come before growing it • The hidden math behind compounding that many investors overlook • How large investment losses can permanently damage long-term returns • Why successful investing requires a system instead of emotions • How business owners can separate operating cash from investment capital • The importance of minimizing drawdowns during volatile markets • Why informed investors make better financial decisions About Chris Belchamber Chris Belchamber is an investment strategist, wealth manager, author, and founder of CB Investment Management. A mathematics graduate from the University of Oxford, he spent more than four decades in global finance, including serving as Managing Director of Proprietary Trading at JPMorgan Chase. He is the author of Invest Like The Best and helps investors build wealth through disciplined, risk-conscious investment strategies. Connect with Chris Website: https://chris-belchamber.com/ CB Investment Management: https://www.cbinvestmentmanagement.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbelchamber Here is the link to Amazon: https://geni.us/InvestLiketheBest https://calendly.com/chriscbim/meeting 301-335-8587 Connect with Gary Heldt 🌐 https://garyheldt.com 🎙️ Subscribe to Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grow-your-business-and-grow-your-wealth/id1521874291

If you asked most business owners what makes their company valuable, they'd probably answer revenue or profit. But according to business exit strategist Joseph LoPresti, that's only part of the story. In this episode of Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt sits down with Joseph to discuss the hidden factors that determine whether a business attracts premium buyers or struggles to sell at all. Joseph explains why transferable value is the true driver of enterprise value, why exit planning should begin years before a sale, and how owners can build a business that creates both financial freedom and a lasting legacy. Whether you expect to sell in three years or thirty, this episode offers practical strategies every entrepreneur should begin implementing today. In this episode you'll learn:Why transferable value matters more than revenue aloneThe biggest mistake business owners make when preparing to sellWhy the ideal exit planning window is three to five yearsThe surprising reason many owners regret selling their businessHow to discover your personal Freedom PointWhy business value and personal wealth planning should work togetherThe importance of preparing for the unexpected "5 Ds"Why only a small percentage of businesses sell for their expected valueHow coordinated advisors help owners achieve better outcomesPractical ways to increase your company's long-term valueAbout Joseph LoPresti Joseph LoPresti is the Founder and CEO of Clearpoint Family Office and founder of The LoPresti Advisory Group. He helps entrepreneurs build transferable business value, reduce taxes, coordinate financial and exit planning, and create successful business transitions that preserve both wealth and legacy. Connect with Joseph Website: https://clearpointfamilyoffice.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephlopresti Connect with Gary Heldt 🎙 Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grow-your-business-and-grow-your-wealth/id1521874291

Most business owners spend too much time looking for ways to avoid taxes and not enough time building lasting wealth. In this episode of Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt sits down with veteran CPA Sam Miles, founder of Guardian CPA Group, to discuss the difference between smart tax planning and risky tax schemes. With nearly 30 years of experience, Sam shares why the best financial decisions are built on documentation, ethical planning, and long-term strategy instead of social media shortcuts. They discuss why a great CPA should challenge you rather than simply tell you what you want to hear, how to prepare for an IRS audit before one ever happens, and why growing your balance sheet is more important than reducing this year's tax bill. If you're a business owner who wants greater confidence in your finances and fewer surprises from the IRS, this episode is packed with practical advice you can use immediately. In This EpisodeThe biggest mistake small business owners makeWhat separates a great CPA from an average oneWhy many viral tax strategies can create unnecessary riskThe importance of documentation for every tax deductionHow to prepare for an IRS audit before it happensThe Augusta Rule and when it may applyPaying your children through your business legallyWhy buying equipment simply to save taxes can hurt your wealthThe difference between lowering taxes and building real wealthCreating financial systems that support long-term growth Connect with Sam Miles Guardian CPA Group 🌐 Website: http://www.guardiancpa.com 📧 Email: [email protected] 📞 Phone: (702) 303-0510 Connect with Gary Heldt Learn more about Gary Heldt and how he helps business owners grow both their companies and their wealth by subscribing to Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth on your favorite podcast platform. Visit Small Business Advisors' website: https://www.sbadvisors.cc/