When Passion, Community, and Business Meet with Maggie Browning

In this episode of the Owner's Corner podcast, host Seth Whicker converses with Steve Gundy, a seasoned professional in behavioral health and owner of a coaching practice. Gundy shares his journey from his first job mowing lawns to establishing a practice that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, leveraging his personal and professional experiences to build a successful business. He emphasizes the importance of aligning with state regulations, the challenges of service delivery, and the personal fulfillment derived from genuinely helping others. Looking ahead, Gundy aspires to expand his coaching to support parents and young adults navigating the complexities of independence and self-reliance.

About our guest, Steve Gundy:

Steve Gundy coaches parents to guide their special needs young adults to be self-supportive and free from the daily struggle. He is a life coach and President of Steve Gundy Coaching, LLC, a private practice in Granger, Indiana. Steve Gundy Coaching is a Bureau of Developmental Disabilities certified provider, Vocational Rehabilitation provider and private service supporting those living with Autism and ADHD. Steve is passionate about exhilarating experiences and all things different. Steve’s mantra is to live life intensely and persevere!

Summary and highlights from the show:

Journey in Behavioral Health:  Steve discusses the establishment of his private practice in Northern Indiana, which specializes in Medicaid behavior services for those with developmental disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, and private life coaching.

Lessons from Early Work: Reflecting on his first job, Gundy emphasizes the valuable work ethic he developed while mowing lawns, learning the importance of hard work, attention to detail, and integrity.

Path to Behavioral Sciences: Inspired by his mother's compassion, Steve was drawn to psychology, leading to a master’s degree in social work and a career dedicated to helping others in the behavioral health field.

Professional Progression: Gundy shares his professional evolution from addressing sexual abuse cases to supervising foster care programs, and eventually providing home and community-based services.

Regulatory Alignment Challenges: The conversation sheds light on the complexities of adhering to state regulations and the necessity of balancing administrative tasks with client services in the behavioral health sector.

Vision for Coaching Practice: Steve outlines his future for his coaching practice, aiming to assist parents and young adults in the transition towards independent living and self-sufficiency.

Navigating Developmental Disability Services: He offers guidance on accessing services for developmental disabilities, stressing the importance of early intervention and persistent advocacy.

Business Leadership Advice: Gundy encourages business owners to embrace their individual leadership styles, recognizing that success comes from authenticity and understanding one's personal approach to business.

Connect with Steve Gundy:
Email
Website

About SYM Financial and the Owner’s Corner Podcast:

Welcome to the Owner’s Corner Podcast hosted by Principal and Senior Financial Advisor Seth Whicker from SYM Financial Advisors. In this show, we dive into the dynamic world of business ownership. Whether you're just starting out or are deep into your entrepreneurial journey, this podcast is designed to be your go-to source for insights and inspiration. Each episode, Seth connects with business owners and industry experts, bringing you their stories of triumphs, the lessons they've learned from their mistakes, and their strategies for success. We’ll discuss everything from the initial stages of launching a business to the intricate details of exit planning. Whether it's succession, retirement preparation, or exploring buy-sell agreements and growth tactics, our goal is to spark your imagination about what's possible — for you, your team, and your family. Remember, while I share my insights and those of my guests, these are our personal opinions and not reflective of SYM Financial Advisors. This podcast is here to provide general information, not specific financial advice.

Disclosure: Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

In this episode of the Owner's Corner, host Seth Whicker welcomes Tim Early, CEO of DreamOn Group, for a deep dive into his entrepreneurial journey. Tim's story begins with a move from upstate New York to Florida, marking the start of his career in the medical device industry. His narrative is not just about career choices but also highlights his entrepreneurial spirit. Tim shares candid insights into his early attempts at starting several businesses, discussing the challenges and setbacks he faced along the way. These experiences, though not immediately successful, were instrumental in shaping his approach to business. The conversation culminates in the story of his eventual success with Network Partners, a testament to his perseverance and the valuable lessons learned from previous endeavors. This episode offers a unique perspective on the realities of entrepreneurship, illustrating how resilience and learning from failures can lead to significant achievements in the business world.

About our guest, Tim Early: 

Tim Early, the CEO of DreamOn Group is known by many as the Founder and former CEO of Network Partners Group and a visionary in the life sciences industry. Tim brings with him a rich history of innovation, evidenced by his contributions to medical technology and packaging. He holds patents for advancements in laparoscopic packaging. His leadership in companies like Network Partners, Zimmer, and Johnson & Johnson has centered around building teams of passionate professionals and developing solutions that emphasize client and colleague needs. With a Master's in Packaging from RIT, Tim continues to shape the industry with forward-thinking approaches and a commitment to excellence. 

Summary and highlights from the show:

• Tim Early's Early Career and Move to Florida: The episode begins with Tim recounting his move from upstate New York to Florida post-college, which marked the start of his professional journey in the medical device industry.

• Initial Steps in the Medical Device Industry: Tim shares his experience of starting his career with Cordis Corporation, a pacemaker company, illustrating how opportunities sometimes arise from unexpected places.

• Educational Background and Its Influence: Tim highlights how his education influenced his career trajectory.

• Entrepreneurial Ventures and Challenges: Tim opens up about his attempts at starting several businesses, sharing the challenges and setbacks he faced, and the lessons learned from these early entrepreneurial endeavors.

• Founding of Network Packaging Partners: A significant focus of the discussion is on Tim's founding of Network Packaging Partners. He details the journey and the strategies that led to the success of this venture, offering insights into what it takes to build a successful business after previous attempts.

• Growth and Challenges of Network Packaging Partners: Tim talks about the growth of Network Packaging Partners, the hurdles of self-funding, and the journey to becoming cashflow positive.

• Selling Network Packaging Partners to Private Equity: Tim discusses the decision to sell Network Packaging Partners to private equity, the cultural changes post-sale, and his continued role in the company.

• Starting DreamOn Group: Tim concludes by sharing his current venture with DreamOn Group, focusing on the importance of adapting to new communication methods like video and building a team with complementary skills.

• Resilience and Learnings: Throughout the episode, the theme of resilience is prominent. Tim's story is a testament to the importance of persevering through career shifts and using these experiences as learning opportunities for future success.

Connect with Tim Early:

Email
LinkedIn

About SYM Financial Advisors and the Owner’s Corner Podcast:

Welcome to the Owner’s Corner Podcast hosted by Principal and Senior Financial Advisor Seth Whicker from SYM Financial Advisors. In this show, we dive into the dynamic world of business ownership. Whether you're just starting out or are deep into your entrepreneurial journey, this podcast is designed to be your go-to source for insights and inspiration. Each episode, Seth connects with business owners and industry experts, bringing you their stories of triumphs, the lessons they've learned from their mistakes, and their strategies for success. We’ll discuss everything from the initial stages of launching a business to the intricate details of exit planning. Whether it's succession, retirement preparation, or exploring buy-sell agreements and growth tactics, our goal is to spark your imagination about what's possible — for you, your team, and your family. Remember, while I share my insights and those of my guests, these are our personal opinions and not reflective of SYM Financial Advisors. This podcast is here to provide general information, not specific financial advice.

Disclosure: Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

Owner of Status Go Consulting, Matt Roskuski, has over two decades of executive-level sales and marketing experience. He has worked for organizations of all sizes, from small privately-owned companies to global giants. His experience spans a diverse collection of industries including technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, consumer products, ecommerce and healthcare. 

Matt’s a native of Ft. Wayne and has a degree in Management from Purdue - West Lafayette. Early in his career, he spent nine years in Colorado and Southern California before returning home for good.

Seth welcomes Matt Roskuski to discuss his background in sales, marketing and consulting. Matt explains how he helps small businesses align their sales and marketing efforts to achieve better results. He shares examples of challenges he has faced when bringing different departments together. Matt also discusses how he works with companies on developing strategic plans and processes to improve productivity. The conversation provides business owners with insights on optimizing operations from an expert consultant.

"So it's really about alignment, and making sure that everything we're doing from a marketing perspective is pointed at getting that person that we want to talk to, to notice us or to engage with us, or to be aware that we exist, again, depending on where they are in the funnel." - Matt Roskuski

This week on The Owner’s Corner:

• Entrepreneurship and business growth with Matt Roskuski.
• Career path and industry experience.
• Sales and marketing operations consulting.
• Aligning sales and marketing efforts for business success.
• Marketing strategy and execution.
• Aligning sales and marketing efforts for better results.
• Sales training and bridging gaps in organizations.
• The importance of customer service representatives in sales.
• Marketing alignment and strategy for small to medium-sized companies.
• Sales and marketing strategies with a consultant.

Our Favorite Quotes:

“From a marketing perspective, how do we find lots of that person? And that's what marketing does, right? They try to take a big group of people and find the few that are a fit potentially for what we're trying to sell them. Okay, marketing, go work your magic and get the message we agreed upon to those people that we want to talk to." - Matt Roskuski

“The individual that answers the phone at SYM is probably one of your best advocates for the company. Are they cheerful, because that's the first impression a lot of people are going to get, or even our customer service representatives, we couldn't grow and be who we are without really good people servicing the client.” - Seth Whicker

“Make sure that what everybody's doing, whether it's sales or marketing, but particularly sales and marketing is pointed toward a result and an action that you want to drive." - Matt Roskuski

Connect with Matt Roskuski:

Email: mattroskuski@gmail.com

Website: https://www.statusgoconsulting.com/

About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast

The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.

Email Seth at swhicker@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Seth on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify

Google Podcasts

TuneIn 

Amazon Music / Audible 

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Disclosure: Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

Gordon Bell is the Founder and CEO of The Midland Group, a business advisory firm based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Founded in 1991, The Midland Group has advised clients - both national and international with revenues ranging from $10 million to $5 billion - across a range of industries: manufacturing, distribution, service, and retail. The Midland Group, along with its strategic alliance partners, offers advisory services in Leadership Development, Succession Contingency Planning, Sales and Marketing, Business Development, Operational Excellence, Corporate Development, Mergers and Acquisition, Development of Multiple Exit Options, and Sell Side Preparedness / Sell Side Processes. 

Gordon has identified a holistic approach to help his clients build their business and prepare to exit gracefully. Midland's Advanced Value Enhancement Solutions is a program that guides clients in building, growing, and finishing strong. This forward-thinking approach has advised numerous business owners and corporate leaders to maximize their shareholder value at an accelerated rate; minimize business risk; and achieve personal, financial, and business goals. 

Whether it is a young business looking for growth, or established companies looking toward the future., Gordon starts by asking his clients three questions: What's your Vision? Your mission? Where are you in your journey? His approach is unique because of its accelerated focus, using 90-day plans to address both immediate and future goals, as well as proven successful development of strong leadership teams, both internally or by recruitment,

Seth welcomes Gordon to the podcast to discuss his journey to becoming CEO of the Midland Group. Gordon explains that he developed a passion for serving others from a young age. He talks about his experience owning an import/export business and doing corporate development work. Gordon also discusses the various consulting services he now provides to business owners, including exit planning, leadership development, and succession planning.

“Just build your best team. You build your best team, and they're a part of taking the risk with you, you're going to have a better plan. If you do that, then you're gonna have predictable financials.” - Gordon Bell

This week on The Owner’s Corner:

• Leadership, entrepreneurship, and consulting experiences.
• Exit strategies for business owners with a focus on preparation and communication.
• Business planning and strategy.
• Leadership, collaboration, and succession planning in business.
• Exit planning for businesses and families.
• Business valuation and sale strategies.
• Business transactions, legal advice, and exit planning.
• Financial planning and exit strategies for business owners.
  
  

Our Favorite Quotes:

“It's the due diligence that you're collecting, whether you're on the buy side, or the sell side. How can you use that information to have a successful close? No, a successful first 90 days. How do you use that information? Because most transactions fail a year from now.” - Gordon Bell

“Once you've discovered what's inside the soul, you discover what their journey is going to be." - Seth Whicker

“What's that mission that you've got? Where are you in the journey to accomplish that? And if I can understand and capture that, then I go through a seven step process. But if I jump to the process, I haven't captured their dreams, their heart aches, hurts. Because that's what you're trying to get at.” - Gordon Bell

Connect with Gordon Bell:

Email: gbell@themidlandgroup.net

Website: https://www.themidlandgroup.net

About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast

The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.

Email Seth at swhicker@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Seth on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify

Google Podcasts

TuneIn 

Amazon Music / Audible 

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Disclosure: Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

In this episode Matt Schrock discusses the journey that led him to joining the family construction business, DJ Construction. He talks about how DJ Construction was started by his grandfather and uncle in 1954 and has grown over the decades to include an office in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Matt describes DJ Construction's leadership structure and how they ensure the right people are in the right roles. He also discusses DJ Construction's focus on their core values of integrity, commitment, relationships, and excellence. Additionally, Matt explains how DJ Construction is putting a dent in the fatherless epidemic in their communities through strategic giving that aligns with their community impact purpose.

Matt Schrock has been involved full-time in the construction industry since 2012, all with DJ Construction. He has been in his current role as Vice President since 2019. As Vice President, Matt is responsible for Business Development efforts, Client-Relationship Management, and Community Engagement.

"I had to learn and I think:  I had to have a teachable spirit, which sometimes I'm better at than other times, but I think that definitely buys some favor from the team showing you'll do whatever is asked." - Matt Schrock

This week on The Owner’s Corner:

• Introducing Matt Schrock
• Career path and growth in the family business
• Succession planning for a family-owned business
• Succession planning and contingency measures for a family-owned business
• Leadership structure and roles in a construction company
• Company culture and values in the construction industry
• Entrepreneurship, business, and family
• Opening a new office in Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Business growth and client relationships
• Family business dynamics and legacy planning

Our Favorite Quotes:

“We like to be very, very collaborative. And I've learned that in some sales opportunities that we've missed on or over the past number of years, some clients don't want that level of interaction, they just want us to bring them a solution.” - Matt Schrock

“My goal is to find what you're passionate about, and then put you in that position where you can use that passion. Because then, it's not a job that you come to every day, you look forward to showing it's a career, it's something that you really want.” - Seth Whicker

“The relational side of it is more of a factor to us than the exact size or scope of the project. We look for somebody that sees value in us as a partner." - Matt Schrock

“I tell people during the hiring process, it might be a little laborious, it might take a while. But it's just important for us, because we want to find employees who are going to retire from here. Yeah, we're not looking just to fill seats. We want to make sure it's cultural.” - Seth Whicker

Connect with Matt:

Email: matt@djconstruction.com

Website: https://djconstruction.com/

About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast

The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.

Email Seth at swhicker@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Seth on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify

Google Podcasts

TuneIn 

Amazon Music / Audible 

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Disclosure: Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

Melissa Wolf, CPA joined Baden Gage & Schroeder, LLC in 2012 with over seven years of tax experience specializing in gift, trust and estate planning. She directs tax engagements for clients with personal income, fiduciary income and gift tax service needs. Melissa has extensive experience in assisting clients with the formulation of retirement and estate plans.

Melissa joins me for a powerful conversation spanning various topics, from Melissa's diverse journey to becoming a CPA, to nuanced aspects of charitable giving, donor-advised funds, and the utilization of various trusts. We discuss the mechanics of revocable and irrevocable trusts, as well as family and personal residence trusts, and how they can be effectively used in estate planning. Indiana's unique charitable credits, gift tax return protocols, and strategies to maximize tax benefits for charitable donations were also highlighted. This conversation shines a light on the legalities of gifting and the importance of collaboration among financial advisors, accountants, and attorneys for optimum planning.

This week on The Owner’s Corner:

• How to use donor advised funds for charitable giving.
• Do you need a check before giving?
• What is a revocable trust?
• How long will a family trust last?
• What if the beneficiary is not ready to handle the assets?
• How to use a trust in estate planning?
• The purpose of the gift tax return.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “So one that I've seen that I really do like is matching their earned income. Yes, a lot of times when someone's setting up a trust, they want to make sure there's still a work ethic out there for the kids and the grandkids. So one that I love is matching their earned income or matching two times their earned income. That's a great one.” - Melissa Wolf
• “We review all of our beneficiaries every year with each client, to try to make sure along with their estate plan that everything's still aligning, because things do change, circumstances change.” - Seth Whicker
• “You would want to put something in that is going to grow, not something that already has grown. You don't want to put your lake home that already has $400,000 for the appreciation because you're not gonna get a step up on your basis.” - Melissa Wolf

Connect with Melissa Wolf:

• Email: mwolf@badencpa.com
• LinkedIn Baden Gagen & Schroeder, LLC.

About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast

The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.

Email Seth at swhicker@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Seth on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify

Google Podcasts

TuneIn 

Amazon Music / Audible 

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Disclosure: This material is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any product and does not constitute as investment, legal, or tax advice and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional legal or tax advisor. The opinions expressed herein are those of SYM and are subject to change without notice. SYM recommends you engage your CPA/tax preparer to for tax strategies specific to your circumstances. Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about SYM, including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

Maggie Browning is the Franchise Partner of the Burn Boot Camp locations at Fishers and Zionsville, Indiana. Burn Boot Camp is a network of fitness facilities that envisions a world where women love themselves today and are inspired by who they’ll be tomorrow. Before working with Burn Boot Camp, Maggie worked as the Deltek Systems Analyst at Walker Consultants and the Project Administrator at McShane Construction Company. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Administration from Bradley University.

Maggie joins me today to discuss the advantages and challenges of being a franchise owner. She explains how she knew it was time to expand to another location and why the integration of family and work is critical to the success of any business owner. She describes how her most successful employees are former members of the gym and how her background in entrepreneurship helped her navigate the challenges of purchasing a gym franchise amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maggie also highlights how getting involved in local communities empowers Burn Boot Camp’s messaging and marketing and underscores why passion and purpose are essential foundations of any business.

“Go into business doing something you’re passionate about because it’s going to come into every crevice of your life in ways that you don’t expect.” - Maggie Browning

This week on The Owner’s Corner:

• Maggie’s background and Burn Boot Camp’s history and mission
• Creating an economy of scale and the different factors Maggie considered in choosing a new location for a franchise
• Finding the right leaders and team members for your company
• The importance of using your passion as the foundation of your business
• The difference between work-life balance and work-life integration
• The challenges Maggie encountered at the beginning stages of being a franchise owner
• How being a part of a franchise helps with expanding to other locations
• Why owning and running a business is a family affair
• How the Burn Boot Camp community relied on each other during the pandemic
• Maggie’s marketing principles for Burn Boot Camp
• A day in the life of Maggie Browning and how she balances her time between family and business

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “Find something you’re passionate about that you’re going to love and it will feel not like coming into work, but like an extension of who you are.” - Seth Whicker
• “When I say that a business is a family affair, I don’t mean all family members work in the business. It means you need to have the support of the entire family to make the business work.” - Seth Whicker
• “The number one tip to business owners is to surround yourself with people better than you and you will always be alright.” - Maggie Browning

Connect with Maggie Browning:

• Burn Boot Camp
• Burn Boot Camp on LinkedIn
• Burn Boot Camp Fishers, IN on Instagram
• Burn Boot Camp Zionsville, IN on Instagram
• Maggie Browning on LinkedIn

About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast

The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.

Email Seth at swhicker@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Seth on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify

Google Podcasts

TuneIn 

Amazon Music / Audible 

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Disclosure: Certain links above are to third-party sites and are not affiliated with SYM Financial Corporation (“SYM”). SYM is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

Reid Arnold is the owner of Arnold Mechanical LLC. Reid began his journey in the HVAC industry at the young age of 10 in his family’s small heating and air company. He became more involved in the family business and learned more about the trade as he got older until, at age 21, he started a career in law enforcement. In 2021, Reid left the police department and began providing heating, remodeling, electrical, and plumbing services before focusing his work on HVAC and founding Arnold Mechanical.

Reid joins me today to share what it takes to grow a one-man HVAC and home maintenance company. He describes what it was like to leave the family business, get into law enforcement, and later start his own small business. He explains why he decided to niche down to HVAC after years of providing heating, remodeling, electrical, and plumbing services. Reid also reveals how he’s grown his small business without advertising and underscores the importance of taking the time to improve your skills and understand your trade.

“Be willing to take the time to familiarize yourself with whatever line of work you do. Put in the time to make yourself better and you’ll be unstoppable.” - Reid Arnold

This week on The Owner’s Corner:

• Reid’s background and what it was like to be part of a small, family-owned business
• His thought process behind niching down his business to HVAC services
• What led Reid back to HVAC work after serving in law enforcement
• The first steps Reid took toward making the leap and starting his own business 
• Doing what’s right and Reid’s secrets to growing a business through word of mouth
• Donating time and skills to help people in need
• How Reid learned to manage cash flow and other business matters in his services
• Thinking about protecting your business

Resources Mentioned:

• Neighborlink

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “If you’re doing no advertising or the like, getting people’s trust is invaluable. Taking the time to explain things to people with honesty goes so far.” - Reid Arnold 
• “For people starting a business, everybody sees the successes—but sometimes there’s more failures than successes.” - Seth Whicker
• “You can have the greatest idea in the world, but if you can't have cash flow, it’s never going to work.” - Seth Whicker

Connect with Reid Arnold:

• Arnold Mechanical LLC on Facebook

About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast

The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.

Email Seth at swhicker@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Seth on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify

Google Podcasts

TuneIn 

Amazon Music / Audible 

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Disclosure: The information contained in this message (including any attachments) is confidential and may be privileged. It is intended only for the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify SYM Financial Advisors (“SYM”) immediately and destroy the material in its entirety. All communications requiring immediate attention or action, such as trade requests or other time sensitive matters should not be sent to SYM via email. Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information may arrive later than intended, be intercepted, be corrupted, or contain viruses. This material is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any product. The opinions expressed herein are those of SYM and are subject to change without notice. To the extent that performance information is contained in this email, past performance is not indicative of future results. SYM is an independent registered investment adviser. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

In this episode of the Owner's Corner podcast, host Seth Whicker, a certified financial planner, stresses the importance of having a Buy-Sell agreement for any business owner. He explains that while a robust estate plan covers some aspects, a Buy-Sell agreement outlines how other people may become owners within the company, how shares will be valued and transferred, and what will happen to shares in the event of a shareholder's death or disability. The agreement also ensures the continuation of the business and outlines a plan for the interim period when the founder is no longer there to run the company. Seth recommends reviewing the agreement annually and ensuring continuity between the Buy-Sell agreement and estate plan.

"A Buy-Sell agreement helps dictate how other people can become owners in the company, whether family members, employees, or potential buyers." - Seth Whicker

This week on The Owner’s Corner:

• What causes probate to be a nightmare?
• How much of what he does has to do with tax law?
• The difference between a power of attorney and a durable Power of attorney.
• How to choose an attorney.
• The importance of having a power of attorney.
• Using a trust to avoid probate.
• How long-term care can eat up your estate?
• Joint titling accounts for seniors.
• The pros and cons of having a power of attorney.
• Advice for people who don’t have their finances in order.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "A robust estate plan may not cover all aspects of protecting your business interests; a Buy-Sell agreement is equally important." - Seth Whicker
• "Pricing for the transfer of shares within the corporation is spelled out in the Buy Sell agreement, including how voting or non-voting shares are valued." - Seth Whicker
• "A Buy-Sell agreement ensures continuity in the event of a shareholder's death, disability, or sale of the company, preventing a fire sale." - Seth Whicker
• "Buy Sell agreements often include provisions for funding via life insurance in the event of a shareholder's death." - Seth Whicker
• "Regular review of the Buy-Sell agreement is crucial to ensure the valuation measurement has not changed since its implementation." - Seth Whicker
• "Provisions in the Buy Sell agreement for disability of a shareholder should be clearly spelled out to ensure fair treatment." - Seth Whicker
• "Buy Sell agreements provide peace of mind to shareholders, especially for founders who want to leave a legacy for the company." - Seth Whicker
• "It's recommended to have the person drafting the Buy-Sell agreement work in coordination with the estate plan to ensure continuity and meet the owner's needs." - Seth Whicker
• "Don't let anything fall through the cracks; review your Buy Sell agreement at least once a year to ensure it aligns with your business interests." - Seth Whicker

About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast

The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.

Email Seth at swhicker@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Seth on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify

Google Podcasts

TuneIn 

Amazon Music / Audible 

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Disclosure: The information contained in this message (including any attachments) is confidential and may be privileged. It is intended only for the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify SYM Financial Advisors (“SYM”) immediately and destroy the material in its entirety. All communications requiring immediate attention or action, such as trade requests or other time sensitive matters should not be sent to SYM via email. Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information may arrive later than intended, be intercepted, be corrupted, or contain viruses. This material is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any product. The opinions expressed herein are those of SYM and are subject to change without notice. To the extent that performance information is contained in this email, past performance is not indicative of future results. SYM is an independent registered investment adviser. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.

Jill Young is the Head Coach and Expert EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide. Having been an EOS implementer since 2014, Jill has implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System with over 80 companies and has held over 900 EOS consultations with entrepreneurs. She formerly managed the growth and health of Williams & Company CPAs as its President. She is the author of The Advantage book series, which includes The Courage Advantage, The Learning Advantage, and The Thinking Advantage. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Weber State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.

Jill joins me today to discuss the core principles of the Entrepreneurial Operating System and why business owners should consider implementing them. She explains the importance and difficulty of enacting change in leadership teams. She outlines how implementing EOS tools can help employees connect with an organization’s vision and build discipline and accountability. She describes what it looks like when an employee is aligned with a company’s core values and is assigned to the right role. Jill also underscores why it’s a gift to the entire company when an organization takes the time to hire around their core values and highlights why willingness to grow is critical to successfully implementing EOS.

“At the core of a company that attracts great talent is a leadership team tightly aligned with vision, discipline, and accountability.” - Jill Young

This week on The Owner’s Corner:

• Jill’s background and career path to EOS Worldwide
• What Entrepreneurial Operating Systems are
• Jill’s experience reading Gino Wickman’s Traction
• The disadvantage of being too nice and why leadership teams need to be truthful
• The People Analyzer and evaluating an individual’s core value fitness
• The “Delegate and Elevate” tool and finding the right person for the right seat
• The power of hiring around your company’s core values
• Fear, courage, and the founder behavior
• What it takes to implement EOS successfully
• The accountability aspect of EOS

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
• Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
• The People Analyzer

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “Find the right people to supplement what you’re not good at and design your leadership teams to be complementary to each other.” - Seth Whicker
• “You’ll find that when you hire around your company’s core values, employee turnovers drop down to nothing.” - Seth Whicker
• “The Entrepreneurial Operating System is a way to manage all the human energy within your company—it’s a set of tools you can use in your company at specific times throughout the year.” - Jill Young

Connect with Jill Young:

• Jill Young Website
• EOS Worldwide
• Book: The Courage Advantage: 3 Mindsets Your Team Needs to Cultivate Fierce Discipline, Incredible Fun, and a Culture of Experimentation
• Book: The Earning Advantage: 8 Tools You Need to Get Paid the Money You Want
• Book: The Thinking Advantage: 4 Essential Steps Your Team Needs to Cultivate Collaboration, Leverage Creative Problem-Solving, and Enjoy Exponential Growth
• EOS Worldwide on LinkedIn
• EOS Worldwide on Instagram
• EOS Worldwide on Facebook
• EOS Worldwide on Twitter
• EOS Worldwide on YouTube
• Jill Young on LinkedIn
• Jill Young on Twitter
• Email: Jill@JillYoung.com

About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast

The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.

Email Seth at swhicker@sym.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Seth on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Spotify

Google Podcasts

TuneIn 

Amazon Music / Audible 

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Disclosure: The information contained in this message (including any attachments) is confidential and may be privileged. It is intended only for the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify SYM Financial Advisors (“SYM”) immediately and destroy the material in its entirety. All communications requiring immediate attention or action, such as trade requests or other time sensitive matters should not be sent to SYM via email. Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information may arrive later than intended, be intercepted, be corrupted, or contain viruses. This material is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any product. The opinions expressed herein are those of SYM and are subject to change without notice. To the extent that performance information is contained in this email, past performance is not indicative of future results. SYM is an independent registered investment adviser. More information about SYM including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.