Traversing Entrepreneurship

Natasha E. Davis, affectionately known as “The Chief Visionary” is the CEO and founder of Impact Branding Consulting, Inc. and the CRM software platform The Profit Enhancer Analysis. Natasha specializes in positioning the daily operations of corporations and government agencies to perform in alignment with the vision of the leader through strategic planning and branding. Her specialty is helping entrepreneurs, companies and government create brands that have a sustainable & profitable impact. She believes that every business owner and leader should Think Big; Build Momentum and Scale Fast.

In this episode Derek is joined by Dr. Tonya Robertson, founder of Focus Training Solutions, as she shares her journey from teen mom to entrepreneur and her expertise helping businesses streamline onboarding and training. Tonya discusses overcoming obstacles through perseverance and education. She shares tips for CEOs on letting go of control, auditing company needs, and hiring for culture fit over skills. Tonya also emphasizes the importance of developing employees long-term through clear career paths, continuous learning, and making work enjoyable. 

“You can't go that extra level, you can't scale without delegating. And let me tell you, people don't realize how hard it is, it's not as easy as we think. You think you're gonna delegate, you're not, it's not that easy." - Natasha E. Davis

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Delegating tasks and entrepreneurship. (0:05)
• Transferring skills from trauma nursing to business ownership. (2:11)
• Career transition from nursing to business. (8:14)
• Business growth and strategy with a nurse-turned-consultant. (11:35)
• Developing a software tool for consultants. (17:50)
• Scaling a business through delegation and diversification. (20:13)
• Entrepreneurship, business growth, and overcoming obstacles. (26:32)

Our Favorite Quotes:

“My goal within the first 12 months is to create a 10 10 10 experience and as 10% increase in revenue 10% decrease in waste and 10% increase in productivity.” - Natasha E. Davis

“It took me about seven or eight years when I realized you need to get it together girlfriend because if this is what you're really doing, once you get a taste of true independence as a business woman and this is what you love, it is very hard to go back to work for people.”  - Natasha E. Davis

Connect with Natasha:

• Website: www.ImpactBrandingConsulting.org
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/NatashaDavisVisionary

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

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

Dr. Tonya Robertson, the learning and strategy specialist is the Founder and CEO of Focused Training Solutions, a company that is committed to curating instructional learning tools designed to optimize performance in the workplace. Dr. Robertson has worked with numerous C-Suite Executives of well-known companies to create training materials that will guide their team to success and establish good retention among their employees. Alongside working tirelessly to help others be productive in the workplace, Tonya also devotes her time to organizations such as the Association of Talent Development and Dell’s Women Entrepreneur Network. She has also received a Doctorate Degree in Education and eLearning. To learn more about Tonya and her work, visit www.focusedtrainingsolutions.com

In this episode Derek is joined by Dr. Tonya Robertson, founder of Focus Training Solutions, as she shares her journey from teen mom to entrepreneur and her expertise helping businesses streamline onboarding and training. Tonya discusses overcoming obstacles through perseverance and education. She shares tips for CEOs on letting go of control, auditing company needs, and hiring for culture fit over skills. Tonya also emphasizes the importance of developing employees long-term through clear career paths, continuous learning, and making work enjoyable. 

"You've got to continue developing your people. You can never stop developing your people."  - Dr. Tonya Robertson 

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Entrepreneurship, onboarding, and control.
• Overcoming obstacles and pursuing entrepreneurship despite naysayers.
• Education, and training solutions.
• Streamlining business operations through onboarding and training programs.
• Delegating tasks and hiring for a business.
• Leadership, retention, and employee onboarding.
• Business growth and technology adoption.
• Team building strategies.
• Hiring and retaining employees with a focus on culture and career growth.

Our Favorite Quotes:

"This is your baby, you built this thing from the ground up. And you know, it's like hey, how dare you come here and mess up what I built, you're not going to do that." - Dr. Tonya Robertson

"I just had to completely fire myself, because I just had to fire myself from the process."   - Dr. Tonya Robertson 

Connect with Dr. Robertson:

• Website: www.focusedtrainingsolutions.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focused-training-solutions

Nolan Miracle is the founder and owner of The Property Miracle, LLC, a raw land investment company.  Since founding the business in January of 2021, Nolan and his team have acquired nearly 40 properties and have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits.  With a national remote business model, they've bought and sold land all over the country from the comforts of their desks.

Nolan Miracle joins us to discuss his unconventional path from corporate tech job to founding a successful land investment company, Property Miracle LLC. He details his journey of learning the business through education programs, closing his first deal after six months of hard work, and pivoting his marketing strategy to rapidly scale his pipeline. Nolan also shares tactics for funding deals through private investors, overcoming headaches like unknown property issues, and his vision for incorporating new technologies like blockchain and AI assistants into the future of land investing. 

“I'm always looking to partner with additional folks, it is very much a relationship based thing, right? You want to do business with people that you like, and that you trust. And that's super important.” - Nolan Miracle

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Introducing Nolan Miracle
• Raw land investment vs traditional real estate.
• Real estate investing and the first deal.
• Building a real estate investing business with a team.
• Funding real estate deals using other people's money.
• Real estate investing and building relationships.
• Land real estate investing and its future.
• Entrepreneurship, finance, and technology.

Our Favorite Quotes:

“If you've got the entrepreneurial bug, and you're gonna start something, do not treat it like a hobby. Especially if it's going to be your bread and butter, and you want to do this full time. Be persistent, is the point, I don't care if you're sick, I don't care if you have a headache, get to your desk and get some work done, move the needle forward, every single day, especially in the beginning, as a solo entrepreneur” - Nolan Miracle

“You do business with people you know, like and trust – that trust portion takes time to build, I don't care what business you're in, it takes time to do what you say you're going to do, by the time you said you're going to do it.” - Derek Dall’Olmo

“I think the biggest thing was probably learning how to have the conversation with the seller to actually get it across the finish line” - Nolan Miracle

“I feel like I’ve made every mistake possible I can make this year. But the one positive thing that I feel like I've done with starting a team.” - Nolan Miracle

Connect with Nolan:

• Website: www.propertymiracle.com
• Email: Nolan@propertymiracle.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-miracle-49278351/

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

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

Matt Lesser started his career leading his family’s struggling business. It quickly failed, and Matt experienced a suicidal depression. Out of the ashes, a new business emerged and grew from three people to nearly two hundred while experiencing a twenty-fold increase in revenue, before selling to trusted competitors. Matt then served in a C-Suite role in private equity for 12 years, before serving transitional C-Suite roles in banking and commercial uniforms.

Matt founded Uniquely Normal, LLC in 2021 to equip leaders to solve their costly people-related challenges by building flourishing organizations on the pillars of Empathy, Empowerment, and Excellence, which is the focus of Matt’s second book, "unEngaged: Building Flourishing Organizations" (released 24 OCT 2023). Matt is the best-selling author of "unSatisfied: When Less is More" and has served as a keynote speaker as well as a facilitator of rooms packed with leaders around the world for more than twenty years now. In addition, Matt is a certified executive coach as well as certified in nearly twenty personality, preference, and leadership assessments. Matt married his elementary school sweetheart in 1996 and lives in northeast Indiana with his family.

Derek Dall'Olmo welcomes Matt Lesser back to the podcast to discuss Matt's new book on building flourishing organizations. Matt provides an overview of the three pillars of empathy, empowerment, and excellence that are the focus of his book. He explains each pillar in detail and how they contribute to developing engaged team members. Derek digs into how leaders can implement these concepts within their own organizations.

"Organizations do not become flourishing by accident. People do not become flourishing by accident. It requires intentionality." - Matt Lesser

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Building a successful business and overcoming challenges.
• Leadership book with three pillars of empathy, empowerment, and excellence.
• Leadership, empathy, and effective communication in business.
• Empathy in leadership and its impact on employee retention.
• Empowering employees with clear expectations and authority.
• Leadership, empathy, and excellence in an organization.
• Organizational excellence and team member motivation.
• Identifying and developing top performers in an organization.
• Acquisition strategies and addressing core fears and insecurities.

Our Favorite Quotes:

"Empathy really boils down to two things, two practices, understanding and listening." - Matt Lesser

"Empowerment is all about letting people do the job that you hired them to do." - Matt Lesser

"Excellence is having a compelling vision that is aligned, supported, and communicated." - Matt Lesser

Connect with Matt:

• Website: www.uniquelynormal.com
• Email: Matt@uniquelynormal.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-lesser

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

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

For over a decade Martin Salama, The Architect of The Warrior's L.I.F.E. Code has been helping entrepreneurs shift from worry and lack to abundance and being a L.I.F.E. Warrior! Why spend your time worrying when you can be Living Incredibly Full Everyday!

In this episode Martin Salama shares his journey of overcoming bankruptcy and divorce to become a successful life coach and author. He discusses tools like stopping reactions and starting responses, focusing on strengths over weaknesses, and leveraging others' expertise. Martin also provides business advice around emotional intelligence, leadership, and finding one's zone of genius rather than trying to do everything oneself. Listen to this episode to understand how facing adversity can cultivate important skills and mindsets for running a resilient company.

"Are you truly being a leader in your business? No matter what kind of management position you’re in, you’re a leader.” - Martin Salama

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Introducing Martin Salama
• Develop self-awareness over self-consciousness by focusing inward on strengths rather than outward on others' opinions.
• Practice stopping reactions and starting thoughtful responses to difficult situations and conversations.
• Identify your zone of genius and stay within it, leveraging others' expertise rather than trying to do everything yourself.
• Build emotional strength through habits like self-coaching with tools like the 1-3-5 scorecard.
• Lead from a place of serving others rather than expecting to be served as the sole decision-maker.
• Face hardships with a growth mindset, knowing adversity can cultivate important leadership skills for business success.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "I was always an entrepreneur, even when I was 11- 12 years old.” - Martin Salama
• “If I charge $350 or $500 an hour for professional services, that's kind of where I draw the line. But if I can go out and create revenue at this rate, why would I be doing something at a lower rate over here? It's way more beneficial for me to find the WHO to do XYZ. So I can do the how over here.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
•  "Are you acting as a boss? Are you barking out orders? Or are you being inclusive in the conversations?" - Martin Salama

Connect with Martin:

• Website: https://thewarriorslifecode.com
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/martin-salama-cpc-eli-mp/

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

Michael Begg is the Co-Founder and CEO of AMZ Advisers, a global digital marketing agency with locations in North America, Asia and Europe that provides Amazon services for brands and manufacturers looking to maximize their growth. Services include Amazon SEO, Advertising, Inventory Management, Marketing Strategy and Performance Reporting.

This episode features Michael Begg, an expert in e-commerce and digital marketing. He shares his journey from real estate to building a successful Amazon agency, AMZ Advisors. This episode dives into topics such as understanding business motivations, scaling brands on Amazon, and the challenges and strategies involved in establishing a presence in Latin America.

"We have clients that are already doing TikTok shops and they're going from doing $7,000 per day on Amazon to doing like $55,000 a day just from starting to publish content." - Michael Begg

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Introducing Michael Begg
• Transition into selling products on amazon.
• How do you scale a brand?
• Steps to start a business in Mexico.
• Strategic partnerships to grow their business.
• How to scale on amazon.
• Perceptions of e-commerce in Mexico.
• Advice for people who are starting their own business.
• How to build trust with clients.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "Within about five months of being in Mexico, we were making enough money to support ourselves." - Michael Begg
  
  
• “I always tell clients exactly what's going on throughout the process, whether or not you think it affects you, or whether or not you like what's going on? Here's what's going to happen. So you understand why, you know, the what, why, how, etc. Because it builds trust. Really, in any business, there is a trust element.” - Derek Dall’Ollmo
  
  
• "Investing in Amazon gives you a sales lift across all of your sales channels." - Michael Begg
• "There's plenty of platforms that make it a lot more doable now, the fees are a lot more reasonable."  - Michael Begg
  
  
• "Essentially because we have a foreign business, a foreign controlled entity, we have to do our filing in Mexico first and then we have to translate it to English."  - Michael Begg
  
  

Connect with Michael Begg:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Website: https://amzadvisers.com/

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

Marshall White, is CEO and founder of Unity Performing Arts Foundation and Director/Life Coach for the Voices of Unity Youth Choir. Marshall has three children Markeyta, Kamia, and Evan White and a stepson Chad Blackmon. He is married to Cynthia White. Mr. White has been shaping and molding young lives for more than 30 years. He is an accomplished musician, music and vocal coach, choral director specializing in teaching the soulful choral singing style and inspiring choir members to reach their ultimate potential by striving for excellence.

In today’s conversation, Derek sits down with Marshall White to discuss his journey from church pews to classrooms. Marshall shares his unique journey in the music industry, starting at a young age in his father's church. Initially self-taught, he went on to receive formal training but found it lacking in cultural relevance. In response, Marshall took on roles in educational settings like Northrop High School and Purdue University to teach soulful choral music and other styles that resonate with communities of color. This led to the foundation of Unity Performing Arts Foundation, aimed at educating young people in various soulful genres while equipping them with life skills. Marshall shares his insight on the significance of preparation and resilience, citing the likes of Michael Jordan to underline that achieving greatness comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices.

"If you're not conditioned, and I say this skillful, knowledgeable, equipped, conditioned, prepared, if you don't go through that process, before you get in the realm of great things, you will be conquered." - Marshall White

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• How Marshall got started in the music industry.
• Minority children in the music community.
• Setting the standard of excellence for the choir.
• Singing at Carnegie Hall and the Lion King musical.
• Creating a multi-faceted platform.
• The philosophy behind the unity model.
• What is a success plan?
• The responsibility of being the target.
• Three things to do to do nothing.
• The importance of prioritizing your priorities.
• The heart of the effort and effort.
• Advice for people looking at starting a nonprofit.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “This could end up becoming a replicable model across the country, as an artistic and youth development platform, that it will be its first of its kind. And that will catch on, like the Boys and Girls Club and the Big Brothers Big Sisters in the YMCA of the 20th century. This will be the 21st century replicator.” - Marshall White
  
  
• “That is inherently the line that we walk as entrepreneurs, to say, where is that line of, am I being consumed by the business? Or am I not spending enough time on that? You know, it's a very fine line that you can go down a rabbit hole both ways.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
  
  
• "I started in my father's church around the age of 9-10 years old was when I actually had a desire to, to learn the instrument and the piano." - Marshall White
  
  
• "I think there, that was a unique situation, because most people who go into music, for a degree usually have an educational focus for music." - Marshall White

Connect with Marshall White:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Website: https://upaf.com/

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

Mike Zaccardi, CFA, CMT, provides expertise on analyzing investments and writing on personal finance, in addition to occasionally teaching at the University of North Florida. He loves to communicate financial information in a down-to-earth, easy-to-understand way. While he enjoys crunching the numbers and analyzing portfolios, Mike always keeps a focus on what it means for clients.

In this episode, Mike Zaccardi shares his unique journey, from breaking into the financial sector to managing power generation during tumultuous times such as the Texas energy snafu. As he dives into his transition from teaching and trading to full-time freelance writing, Mike highlights the importance of balancing work and life. Storytelling emerges as a recurring theme, underpinning his teaching methods and adding depth to financial narratives. Through captivating tales, he underscores the power of narrative in finance and its potential to influence investors. Personal experiences, including a life-changing stroke in 2020, add a layer of introspection, emphasizing the true value of life beyond just money. 

“My advice would be, do what you can to identify what your passions are. What is it that when you're doing it, you lose all track of time? It doesn't have to be the most fun thing ever. But if it's something that really motivates you, and drives you, that'll be kind of a clue.” - Mike Zaccardi

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Managing power generation for a power company.

• How Mike broke into the financial industry.

• Behavioral aspects of trading.

• Transitioning from the working world to the retired world.

• Using stories to humanize teaching.

• The power of storytelling and how it helps investors.

• Advice to someone who wants to start their own business

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “The fact that who we are today is shaped by our experiences. But our future, we own our futures, and those things can certainly be changed.” - Mike Zaccardi

• “I had a stroke back in 2020. That changed my perspective on life very quickly, I became mortal. I'm not gonna worry about whether I have my full emergency fund, – I'm still going to keep an emergency fund. But I'm not worried if I go 10 grand under my emergency fund, because we wanted to do something that is an experience.” - Derek Dall’Olmo

• “Storytelling is certainly powerful. Everything that we're wired for is, is geared towards stories.” - Mike Zaccardi

• “You don't want to be married to a job and you don't want your identity necessarily to be your job. Those are very hard things to negotiate as an individual.” - Derek Dall’Olmo

Connect with Mike Zaccardi:

• Email: Mike@tremontefinancial.com

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

Matt Hodges is the Managing Broker and Owner of Kultura Real Estate. With over 16 years of experience, he specializes in residential listings and purchases in the greater Grand Traverse region. Matt is an industry leader, currently serving as a Director on the Michigan Association of Realtors Board of Directors. Matt has also served on Aspire North Realtors Board of Directors, the local association for over 4 years and was honored as board president in 2022. In addition to his work at Kultura Real Estate, Matt is a US Navy veteran who is passionate about helping his community.  

In this podcast transcript, real estate professionals Matt Hodges and Derek Dall'Olmo discuss the current state of the housing market and offer insights into how buyers and sellers can navigate this challenging environment. They touch upon the impact of rising interest rates, the lack of inventory, and the evolution of the housing market over the past few years. Matt discusses the similarity between the national and Michigan real estate markets, emphasizing the impact of rising interest rates and the persistent issue of low inventory. He draws a comparison to the housing market crash of 2008, explaining how the lack of construction during that time has led to a significant gap in new construction units today.

"If you're going to buy your largest investment of your life, your first home or your move-up home, you want to be a student of that industry before you buy or before you sell, understand what's going on." - Matt Hodges

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• The current state of the housing market.
• The unique challenges facing the Michigan housing market.
• How has the housing market evolved over the years?
• Leadership in times of fear.
• Pricing properly and getting offers.
• How to get the most out of your house?
• How can buyers and sellers manage expectations?
• Check out our favorite newsletter.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "We're not even touching the surface on the 1000s of units that we need, almost 10,000 units in this area that we need for housing, whether it's rental or single family." - Matt Hodges
• “Everything is predicated on supply and demand, right? It seems that there's not an overabundance of supply, at least here in northern Michigan. It's like a house comes on the market and you're gonna have 10 to 15 offers, because there are lots of people willing to buy, but not a lot of supply” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• "This is the time where you take advantage, find the deals where you can do something in this market because you're gonna make money 5 to 10 years from now." - Matt Hodges
• “With the younger generation of buyers of let's say the, you know, low to mid 30 Somethings right now, who are looking at maybe it's their first house. But oh, well, I want to wait until interest rates go back down. And to me, that's a mistake.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• "If it's a competitive home, make sure you've got some things. And then from a listing agent standpoint, a lot of times from the seller standpoint they're looking at, if it's a Florida buyer using a Florida lender." - Matt Hodges
• "Just prepare to be disappointed, whether you're going to lose a multiple offer bid, whether your terms from a seller standpoint aren't exactly what you were hoping for." - Matt Hodges

Connect with Matt Hodges :

• Kultura Group
• Email: Matt@KulturaGroup.com
• Kultura Group on Instagram
• Kultura Group on Facebook
• Kultura Group on Twitter
• Kultura Group on YouTube
• Matt Hodges  on LinkedIn
  

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

In this episode we welcome Alex Repo, the newest member of the TreMonte team! Hear Alex’s story about how he went from working in a factory, to eventually serving as Derek’s caddy and ultimately joining the TreMonte family. We discuss the impact of NIL deals in college, highlighting the newfound opportunities for athletes to monetize their personal brand. We keep the conversation fun and lighthearted while we discuss the varying implications for athletes at different stages of their careers, from highly touted prospects to lesser-known talents.

"A lot of athletic departments have boosters, very wealthy people who donate money to an athletic department. Now they're forming these collectives." - Derek Dall'Olmo

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Alex’s background.
• What is NIL and what does it mean? 
• What is the impact of NIL on the college athletics landscape?
• Looking at the female college athletes.
• Advice for college athletes who need financial help.
• Is there a runway for women’s basketball?
• Derek’s introduction.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "They are forming these things called collectives and IO collectives, where they pool a bunch of money together for a specific school." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "I guess in theory, NIL was supposed to give every school an equal chance at convincing an athlete to attend. In practice, the field is far from level." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "One of the big names, LeBron James, his son is now going to be attending USC next fall. He has inked an NIL deal worth almost $7 million." - Derek Dall'Olmo
• "I got an instapot this weekend, haggled on the marketplace, threatened in front of everything. Hashtag his is 30" - Melissa

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast:

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

Kellie Sergent is a realtor based in Northern Michigan. Before becoming a realtor, Kellie worked in parks and recreation where she found the opportunity to combine three of her passions: people, community, and making an impact. Today, as a realtor for CENTURY 21, Kellie remains passionate about creating community by helping people find their perfect home, dream vacation retreat, or business venture. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University.

Kellie joins us today to share her passion for the real estate industry. She describes her professional background and how she pivoted from parks and recreation to real estate. She explains how she built her career in real estate after the 2008 financial crisis and highlights how being in a community of realty professionals helped her grow her business. Kellie also underscores why being humble and a good listener is essential to being a great realtor and offers advice to people who want to start a career in real estate.

“Remain level-headed and professional. Don’t let other people’s emotions influence how you represent them, because they’re counting on you to be the intermediary looking out for their best interest.” - Kellie Sergent

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Kellie’s background and career path to real estate
• Her process for real estate marketing
• Why Kellie decided that real estate was a great career path for her
• Building a business during an economic crisis
• How a network and community of real estate professionals helped Kellie’s career
• The value of integrating 3D house plans, videography, and photography into a realty business
• Establishing concrete boundaries as a self-employed person
• My experience buying our first house
• How the real estate market has evolved over the years
• What keeps Kellie motivated to work in the real estate industry
• Kellie’s fairy hair and how she manages her wellbeing amid the stresses of being in business
• Her advice to people who want to get into the real estate industry

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “All of us in business struggle with our egos to some degree.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “For the last 12 plus years, my mantra has always been ‘It’s not about me. It’s always about the client.’ If you make it about the client, none of the other stuff matters.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “Our industry is constantly evolving; stay up-to-date, committed, passionate, and show up every day.” - Kellie Sergent

Connect with Kellie Sergent:

• Century 21
• Kellie Sergent | Century 21
• Kellie Sergent on LinkedIn
• Kellie Sergent on Facebook

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

John Smiddy is the founder and a managing partner of LeadPlan Marketing, a firm dedicated to guiding clients toward business success by helping them reach a larger audience. As a marketing consultant, John has helped market and scale over 200 companies in various industries over the past decade. He is the author of STOP Guessing, START Marketing and the creator of the 5 Pillars of Sales Conversions formula at LeadPlan Marketing. He is also the host of The Marketing Fundamentals Podcast and founder of NutraMarketers.

John joins us today to share his passion for marketing and outline LeadPlan Marketing’s P5 Marketing Strategy. He differentiates marketing from strategy and reveals common misconceptions about them. He describes the customer’s journey and why businesses need to put themselves in the minds of their target customers. He reveals the quickest way to lose money in marketing. John also explains why podcasts and books are powerful assets to build credibility and trust and highlights why doing a pre-launch is a powerful way to turn leads into customers.

“Most businesses don’t have marketing plans. Be intentional, plan out your marketing, and stick to it.” - John Smiddy 

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Common misconceptions about and struggles with marketing
• The four P’s of marketing
• Strategies for calls-to-action and understanding the traditional buyer’s journey
• Using effective keywords on ads to attract traffic to your website
• Common mistakes and weak points of businesses when it comes to marketing and advertising
• The important role of KPIs and plans in marketing
• LeadPlan Marketing’s five pillars of marketing and marketing plans
• Building a connection with your target customers and creating a web landing page
• The art of brand scripting
• Selecting assets to build trust with customers and running retargeting ads
• Mapping out value ladders and limited time offers
• Using email lists as marketing tools
• Turning customers into advocates for your business
• Leveraging social media for marketing

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “Advertising is like putting the cart before the horse—you have to first come up with product, pricing, and placement.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “Ordering is a skill a lot of people don’t have.” - Melissa Niedzielski
• “It’s important to get your brand strategy in line before you get your marketing in line.” - John Smiddy 

Connect with John Smiddy :

• LeadPlan Marketing
• NutraMarketers
• P5Strategy
• Book: STOP Guessing START Marketing: The Simple 5-Step Formula to Highly Effective Marketing Strategy
• LeadPlan Marketing on LinkedIn
• LeadPlan Marketing on Instagram
• LeadPlan Marketing on Facebook
• LeadPlan Marketing on Twitter
• NutraMarketers on LinkedIn
• John Smiddy  on LinkedIn

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

Matt Lesser joins us to discuss the ups and downs entrepreneurs can face and the importance of resilience and support when navigating the unpredictable world of business. Matt is the Founder/CEO of Uniquely Normal, LLC, which exists to equip leaders to build flourishing organizations through empathy.  Prior to launching Uniquely Normal, Matt owned and operated businesses, and served in several C-Suite roles across various industries.

Our conversation takes a deep dive into Matt's entrepreneurial journey, detailing the challenges he faced when taking over his family's oil business. From discovering over a million dollars in unpaid trade debt to dealing with the EPA and IRS, Matt shares how these obstacles led him to a dark place, both personally and professionally. With support from his family and a local businessman, Matt was able to rebuild the company and eventually pivot into the heavy oil industry, finding success and growth along the way. 

"It's okay to ask for help; nobody is meant to face everything alone." - Matt Lessor

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• What’s the biggest contribution to GDP that family businesses make?
• Growing up in a family business and learning9 the business.
• The three biggest challenges Matt faced in his life.
• How business is different from business school.
• Working with leaders and developing healthy leaders.
• How do you build empathy, excellence, and excellence into the culture of your organization?
• What is it about family business that draws Matt to it?
• How do you create an environment where people can lean into what they’re passionate about and contribute value?
• When you talk about flourishing, do you see any commonalities between people who thrive and those who don’t?
• What’s the difference between employee achievement vs employee development?

Our Favorite Quotes:

"You can't always control the hand you're dealt, but you can choose how to play it." - Matt Lessor

"Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that lead to the most growth." - Matt Lessor

"My darkest moments eventually became the catalyst for my greatest achievements." - Matt Lessor

"Adapting to change is a key component of success in business and life." - Matt Lessor

"Don't be afraid to take a step back and reevaluate your goals and strategy." - Matt Lessor

"In entrepreneurship, resilience is often more important than the initial idea." - Derek Dall’Olmo

"There's a lesson to be learned in every failure, if we're willing to look for it." - Derek Dall’Olmo

Connect with Matt Lessor:

• Uniquely Normal Website
• Matt Lesser on LinkedIN
• Email: matt@uniquelynormal.com

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

Stewart Townsend is the co-owner and Chief Revenue Officer of Podcast Hawk, a SaaS company created to automatically help people get booked as podcast guests. Stewart is also the founder of Channel as a Service, a consultancy firm that helps businesses accelerate B2B SaaS sales growth through every stage of the channel life-cycle. Before starting his career as an entrepreneur, Stewart worked in several tech and software development companies at varying capacities, including serving as the Director for Channel Development at ZenDesk and working with Oracle’s EMEA Business Development & Startup Essentials. He holds a BSC Hons in Business & Information Systems and an MA in Social Media from the University of Salford.

Stewart joins us today to share his journey from working in the corporate world to being a start-up entrepreneur, as well as the lessons he learned from the successes and failures he encountered along the way. He describes the ethos he strives to instill in his business and explains why running a business unit in a company is simpler and easier than running your own business. He discusses the inner workings of Podcast Hawk and how it helps people get booked as podcast guests on autopilot. Stewart also highlights why it’s important for guests to deliver value and insight to a podcast’s audience and underscores what small businesses should focus on as they reach the million-dollar mark in revenue.

“Through growing up and being a human being, you learn by failing—that’s how we’re designed.” - Stewart Townsend

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• What life was like for Stewart before PodcastHawk
• The challenges he faced in the corporate world that helped him get to where he is today
• Disconnecting from the grind and taking time out to think and evaluate your plans
• Stewart’s beginnings as an entrepreneur and forays into investing
• Why it’s difficult for British people to talk about challenges and failure
• Building Channel as a Service and what kept Stewart motivated despite previous investment failures
• What Podcast Hawk is and how it works
• Using Podcast Hawk to achieve your podcast guesting goals this 2023
• The importance of delivering value and insight to a podcast’s audience
• Why it’s critical to get to know someone personally before getting into business with them
• Building for contingency and other things small companies should focus on as they approach $1 million in revenue

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “Spend the time to get to know somebody you’re going to get into business with personally; their personality is the one you’re going to deal with not only in good but also tough times.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “You have to be cognizant about who you’re employing, how you’re treating them, and what your competitors are looking for.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “Ensure that you have tight operational procedures in place. It’s all about operational processes, looking at the dependencies of your business, and de-risking it.” - Stewart Townsend

Connect with Stewart Townsend:

• Stewart Townsend Website
• Podcast Hawk
• Channel as a Service
• Big Data Week
• Podcast Hawk on LinkedIn
• Podcast Hawk on Facebook
• Podcast Hawk on Twitter
• Stewart Townsend on LinkedIn
• Stewart Townsend on Twitter
• Email: Stewart@StewartTownsend.com

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

Subscribe:

Apple Podcast  |  Google Podcasts  |  Amazon Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Spotify  |  Deezer  |  TuneIn 

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

Join Derek Dall'Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski on the latest episode of the Traversing Entrepreneurship podcast as they delve into the reasons why businesses fail and provide practical advice to avoid common pitfalls. Discover the importance of market research, self-management, and leadership, as well as the benefits of having a solid business plan in place. They also explore the notion that starting a business doesn't necessarily require a pile of cash, as there are numerous businesses that can be started with little to no capital. 

Join our hosts as they discuss the interplay between brains and effort, emphasizing that starting a business requires both in order to be successful. Don't miss out on this informative and insightful episode!

"Starting a business can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, but it's important to be aware of the common pitfalls that can lead to failure." - Melissa Niedzielski

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• The most common reason businesses fail. 0:00
• There’s never a vacuum of competition. 2:03
• What does it mean to have a business plan? 3:48
• How to get started with your business. 6:14
• The importance of mentoring your employees along the way. 8:01
• Do the right thing and it’s going to pay off. 10:03
• How restaurants have had to adapt to the changes in the industry. 11:57
• How do you differentiate yourself from your competition? 14:09
• The key points of owning and operating a successful business. 15:46

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "Lack of market research is brains and effort, you have to put in the work to understand what your competition is and what you're doing differently." - Derek Dall’Olmo
• "If you're starting a business and you have an idea, there's already somebody else out there that knows your business and your customers, because they're already in the business more than you do." - Derek Dall’Olmo
• "Everybody thinks that you need a pile of cash to start a business, that's not true." - Derek Dall’Olmo

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan, and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.  

Derek Dall’Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. 

Email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Derek on LinkedIn. 

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Amazon Music

Stitcher

Spotify

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

Geoffrey Harris is the Vice President of Medicare Sales at Michigan Planners, a full-service insurance agency specializing in employer group benefits. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Business Administration and has been working in the insurance and financial services industry for over 40 years. Before joining Michigan Planners, Geoffrey worked as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual for over 25 years. He went on to found Harris Insurance Agency and operated it before its merger with Michigan Planners.

Traci George is an individual specialist at Michigan Planners and has been with the agency since 2021. She serves as the Lead Agent for the firm’s Individual Market team, under which she focuses on working with clients under 65. By going through their health profiles, lists of medications, household incomes, and budgets, Traci helps clients identify the best insurance for their needs.

Geoffrey and Traci join me today to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about personal and individual insurance and Medicare plans. They outline the enrollment periods and processes. They explain why it’s important for individuals to pay attention to Medicare’s enrollment window. They also offer advice on transitioning from employer-sponsored plans to Medicare and underscore the advantage of working with insurance specialists.

“With Boomers turning 65, there’s a big need for information to the public so they can better understand what Medicare is and how they can transition to it.” - Geoffrey Harris

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Traci and Geoffrey’s roles at Michigan Planners
• The main things to consider when enrolling for individual insurance for people under 65
• When to enroll for personal and individual insurance in 2023
• Enrollment periods and processes for Medicare plans in 2023
• Top reasons individuals make changes in their Medicare plans
• ACA, “non-qualified,” and short-term insurance plans
• Deciding factors in selecting individual insurance options
• Deciding whether you should stay in an employer-sponsored plan
• The COBRA law and its notice requirement timeline
• Common mistakes in enrolling in individual and Medicare coverage
• The importance and advantage of working with insurance specialists
• Making changes in Medicare Advantage or traditional Medicare plans in 2023
• The Inflation Reduction Act and how it impacted Medicare
• The federal government’s drug model and the expansion of eligibility for tax credits

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “I can’t think of a disadvantage to talking to insurance specialists annually and going through your options with them.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “Today, there are insurance specialists who are available at no costs to talk to about coverage and to go over the best options.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “Your budget will decide your decision; it’s important to talk to an insurance specialist and it’s the benefit of a client to take their time.” - Traci George

Connect with Michigan Planners:

• Michigan Planners
• Michigan Planners on LinkedIn

Connect with Geoffrey Harris:

• Geoffrey Harris on LinkedIn
• Email: gharris@miplanners.com

Connect with Traci George:

• Email: tgeorge@miplanners.com

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.  

Derek Dall’Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. 

Email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Derek on LinkedIn. 

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Amazon Music

Stitcher

Spotify

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

Jeffrey Libman is the General Manager of amical. Located in the heart of downtown Traverse City and overlooking the West Grand Traverse Bay, amical has been offering eclectic European cuisine since 1994. Jeffrey’s love for the restaurant industry began when he was 14 working at a hotdog stand in Illinois. He later worked at Maggiano’s, where he would manage the restaurant’s Virginia and Washington D.C. locations and increase sales by 18.5%. Before moving to Traverse City with his family, Jeffrey worked at a Chicago restaurant group where he regularly served celebrities such as John Cusack and Michael Jordan.

Jeffrey joins me today to share an inside look at the restaurant industry. He describes his background and how he fell in love with the restaurant industry. He walks through his introduction to the Chicago restaurant scene and his journey from serving in big city restaurants to becoming the General Manager of amical at Traverse City. He explains how he helped amical staff become more efficient and serve customers from the big city without losing their small-town charm. He also reveals how COVID-19 highlighted the importance of a restaurant staff’s well-being and underscores the passion and generosity of Traverse City’s restaurant professionals.

“We’re here for the guests—without them, we have no business. But without a well-rested, happy staff, we won’t be here anyway. You have to do the best for your staff.” - Jeffrey Libman

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Jeffrey’s background and how he fell in love with the restaurant industry
• His introduction to the Chicago restaurant scene
• Becoming amical’s General Manager and Jeff’s move to Traverse City
• Serving diverse customers without losing your identity
• How Jeff brought efficiency to amical’s kitchen
• The difference between serving in big city and small-town restaurants
• How COVID-19 has changed the restaurant industry in Traverse City
• Jeff’s advice to people who want to start a restaurant
• His thoughts on brunch service and why restaurants need to be consistent with their serving days and hours

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Secrets of the Red Lantern: Stories and Vietnamese Recipes from the Heart by Pauline Nguyen

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “Do what you do best and forget the rest.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “In a small town with dozens of top-tier restaurants, it has a lot to do with the people and not necessarily the product.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “The life goal of people who work in restaurants is to take care of people. These people are humans—when you leave unhappy, it stays with them for days.” - Jeffrey Libman

Connect with Jeffrey Libman:

• amical
• Email: info@amical
• amical on Instagram
• amical on Facebook
• amical on TikTok

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.  

Derek Dall’Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. 

Email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Derek on LinkedIn. 

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Amazon Music

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Spotify

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Frederic Heller is the President and owner of Northern Michigan Hospitality Management, a leading operator of destination, tourism, and transient properties. At the age of 25, Frederic became the General Manager of a hotel—he was an owner at 27. Under Frederic’s leadership, Northern Michigan Hospitality Management has become a Marriott-approved company with several hotels under its management. Frederic holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Grand Valley State University.

Frederic joins us today to describe his journey as an entrepreneur in the hospitality industry. He explains how he became interested in hospitality and how he learned about the impact of management principles and culture on a business. He outlines what makes management companies successful and explains NMHM’s “co-worker first” policy. He also highlights what it takes to create a healthy environment where employees feel happy to work and underscores the value of fair wages and paying workers above the market average.

“People aren’t necessarily loyal to organizations—they’re loyal to people. When people know that you care more than just their performance at work, that builds loyalty.” - Frederic Heller

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Frederic’s background and journey in the hospitality industry
• The greatest thing about being an entrepreneur
• Eliminating middle management and why budgets should be a realistic working document
• Developing people from within and NMHM’s “happy at home, happy at work” culture
• Creating a culture that makes people happy to be at work
• The divorce rates among restaurant and hospitality professionals
• How Frederic has grown as an entrepreneur over the years
• Line-level labor challenges in the current economic climate
• Why people should dive into entrepreneurship as early as they can

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “You’re only as good as your worst employee.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “Being friends with the employees is a relatively new train of thought. Other generations think there’s a line you don’t cross with your employees; work is work, life is life.” - Melissa Niedzielski
• “Fair market wages are appropriate; trying to be cheap is the first way to unhappiness.” - Frederic Heller

Connect with Frederic Heller:

• Northern Michigan Hospitality Management
• Northern Michigan Hospitality Management on LinkedIn
• Frederic Heller on LinkedIn

About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business.  

Derek Dall’Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. 

Email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. 

Follow Derek on LinkedIn. 

Subscribe here:

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

In previous episodes of the Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast, we asked our guests about their experiences with COVID-19—how they navigated it and how they adapted to the situation. At the height of the pandemic, the future was uncertain for business owners, who were without concrete guidance. But, despite the drastically different ways COVID-19 impacted businesses, there are common threads in how our podcast guests successfully navigated it.

In this episode, we summarize and discuss COVID-19’s impact on our guests’ businesses and how they adapted. We reveal the importance of keeping cash in your business and focusing on what you can control in times of crisis. We describe how the adoption of remote tech and nimble, flexible, and transparent leaders allowed companies to survive the pandemic. We also highlight how assessing your business’s finance, revenue, and expenses can help you weather a global pandemic and underscore the value of knowing when and how to adapt.

“The ability to adapt is what got a lot of people through COVID-19.” - Melissa Niedzielski

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• COVID-19’s impact on businesses in 2020
• The importance of keeping plenty of cash in your business
• Focusing on controlling what you can control
• Flexible leadership and the importance of communication among employers, employees, and customers
• How tech adoption became a critical component of businesses during COVID-19
• Understanding your business’s finance, revenue, and expenses

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “Employees are your number one asset. Companies who work with their employees to find solutions are the ones that came out of COVID-19 less scathed.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “Cash is an emotional matter—always. Getting your hands on it, spending it, or saving it are emotional.” - Melissa Niedzielski
• “Know how to adapt when the situation calls for it. Learn when to be flexible and nimble, both on the employee and employer side.” - Derek Dall’Olmo

About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast

Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. 

Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as "TreMonte"). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is our goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients.

This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn

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