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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.

Jenée Velasquez is the Executive Director of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, a prestigious organization dedicated to philanthropy and community development. Velasquez began her professional journey as the Chief Executive Officer of Midland County's Economic Development Corporation, Midland Tomorrow, where she played a pivotal role in driving economic growth and prosperity. Prior to that, she served as the Manager of Economic Development Services and the first Downtown Development Authority Coordinator in Midland. She also worked for the Manhattan, Kansas Convention, and Visitors Bureau, gaining valuable experience in promoting tourism and enhancing the local economy. Jenée is active in her community and serves on the Huntington Bank Community Advisory Board, the MidMichigan Health Board, the Midland City and County Joint Building Authority, the Council of Michigan Foundations Board, the Michigan Municipal League Foundation Board, and the Greater Midland Community Center’s Trustees Board. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Kansas State University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University, and completion of an executive education course at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Today Jenée and I discuss her career and how she’s been able to give back to her community. She explains how she blazed trails and opened doors for other women to serve in leadership positions, and how it’s both a pressure and an honor to be the first. She recounts her experiences as a leader of Midland Tomorrow, the unique challenges in representing the opinions of the other women in the room, and how the relationships she formed supported her. She details her involvement in the Senior Olympics and her love for volleyball. Jenée also describes being the first in her family to go to college, reveals how her husband helped her achieve her educational goals, and highlights the importance of having a sense of humor. 

“Its looking for people that inspire you to be better and learn new things.” - Jenée Velasquez

This week on Executive Decisions:

• The mission of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation
• Jenée’s accomplishments as a first-time leader 
• How Jenée broke ground for women in leadership 
• The challenges of being a first-generation college student 
• Jenée’s journey to leadership
• How networking paved the way for Jenée’s career path 
• The importance of learning to accept help from others
• How to balance work and life as a parent 
• The importance of integrity, kindness, and humility in leadership
• The necessity of taking risks in your personal and professional lives 
• How philanthropy affects communities

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “It’s about accepting help from others, learning from others, and reaching back to make sure that all the things that were given to you, you’re sharing with others too.” - Jenée Velasquez
• “Be thankful for the little things. Sometimes, those other things, they can wait.” - Sarah Delahanty
• “When you are in a leadership role, be easy to follow.” - Jenée Velasquez

Connect with Jenée Velasquez:

• Jenée Velasquez’s Website
• Jenée Velasquez on LinkedIn

About SYM Financial and Executive Decisions Podcast

Executive Decisions is a show for business leaders. In each episode, host and financial advisor Sarah Delahanty sits down with executives and local experts who serve them. Together, they tackle some of the harder questions that business leaders face today. From inspiring creativity in the workplace, to managing company politics, to making the best choices with executive compensation, taxes, and lifestyle — our show delivers stories and lessons learned across many industries and lifetimes. 

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

Follow Sarah on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Amazon Music/Audible

Spotify

Stitcher

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review 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.

Jenée Velasquez is the Executive Director of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, a prestigious organization dedicated to philanthropy and community development. Velasquez began her professional journey as the Chief Executive Officer of Midland County's Economic Development Corporation, Midland Tomorrow, where she played a pivotal role in driving economic growth and prosperity. Prior to that, she served as the Manager of Economic Development Services and the first Downtown Development Authority Coordinator in Midland. She also worked for the Manhattan, Kansas Convention, and Visitors Bureau, gaining valuable experience in promoting tourism and enhancing the local economy. Jenée is active in her community and serves on the Huntington Bank Community Advisory Board, the MidMichigan Health Board, the Midland City and County Joint Building Authority, the Council of Michigan Foundations Board, the Michigan Municipal League Foundation Board, and the Greater Midland Community Center’s Trustees Board. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Kansas State University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University, and completion of an executive education course at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Today Jenée and I discuss her career and how she’s been able to give back to her community. She explains how she blazed trails and opened doors for other women to serve in leadership positions, and how it’s both a pressure and an honor to be the first. She recounts her experiences as a leader of Midland Tomorrow, the unique challenges in representing the opinions of the other women in the room, and how the relationships she formed supported her. She details her involvement in the Senior Olympics and her love for volleyball. Jenée also describes being the first in her family to go to college, reveals how her husband helped her achieve her educational goals, and highlights the importance of having a sense of humor. 

“Its looking for people that inspire you to be better and learn new things.” - Jenée Velasquez

This week on Executive Decisions:

• The mission of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation
• Jenée’s accomplishments as a first-time leader 
• How Jenée broke ground for women in leadership 
• The challenges of being a first-generation college student 
• Jenée’s journey to leadership
• How networking paved the way for Jenée’s career path 
• The importance of learning to accept help from others
• How to balance work and life as a parent 
• The importance of integrity, kindness, and humility in leadership
• The necessity of taking risks in your personal and professional lives 
• How philanthropy affects communities

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “It’s about accepting help from others, learning from others, and reaching back to make sure that all the things that were given to you, you’re sharing with others too.” - Jenée Velasquez
• “Be thankful for the little things. Sometimes, those other things, they can wait.” - Sarah Delahanty
• “When you are in a leadership role, be easy to follow.” - Jenée Velasquez

Connect with Jenée Velasquez:

• Jenée Velasquez’s Website
• Jenée Velasquez on LinkedIn

About SYM Financial and Executive Decisions Podcast

Executive Decisions is a show for business leaders. In each episode, host and financial advisor Sarah Delahanty sits down with executives and local experts who serve them. Together, they tackle some of the harder questions that business leaders face today. From inspiring creativity in the workplace, to managing company politics, to making the best choices with executive compensation, taxes, and lifestyle — our show delivers stories and lessons learned across many industries and lifetimes. 

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

Follow Sarah on LinkedIn

Follow SYM Financial on Facebook

Subscribe here:

Apple Podcasts 

Amazon Music/Audible

Spotify

Stitcher

And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review 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.

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.

SOMETIMES, IT’S THE UNFAIR THINGS IN LIFE THAT LEADS YOU TO YOUR BREAKTHROUGH

In this episode, Andre shares his story about seeing his parents work so hard but earn so little, which leads him to have the mindset of having his own business someday. He also discusses his first breakthrough in entrepreneurship and how he developed his win-win philosophy in business. Tune in and get inspired by Andre’s story in this latest episode of the Modern Financial podcast.

HIGHLIGHT QUOTES

FINDING THE MINDSET TO OWN A BUSINESS SOMEDAY

“I saw the difference really fast, and that's what I associated owning a business with, is these people had freedom of money, they had freedom of time, freedom of choice, all of the things that we didn't have, and so I think that was when I just realized I didn't even know what an entrepreneur was at that time. Because all I knew is that I wanted to own my own business.”

Pornhub is destroying humanity, the largest porn website in the world accountable for enabling and profiting off of the mass sex trafficking, rape, and exploitation of women and minors is destructive to humanity. Many groups are working together to shut down the website and hold it accountable for damaging the lives of countless individuals, particularly women and minors.

We could ponder how a single person might compete with powerful technology. One person stands in front of such a large company and is confident that they should be held accountable for taking the dignity and worth of many women and children and turning them into something to be exploited for their own enjoyment and profiting off of them.

In this episode, we are joined by Rafaela Diaz Byers. She is fighting to hold Pornhub accountable after seeing how horrifying what Pornhub was doing in terms of posting endless footage of people being raped and minors having sex.

Listen to Episode 147 to learn more.

• What it’s like to be on the front line of the battle against power? [8:14]
• Why Pornhub is destructive [13:45]
• The movement to take down Pornhub [16:40]
• The problem with age verification on Pornhub’s website [18:33]
• The Blessed Couple Podcast  [22:21]
• God is in control of everything [25:54]
• The most important lesson about humanity [31:31]

Today we have with us, Kim Humphries Putland who has written a remarkable treatise on Alfred Hitchcock’s spy and espionage genre movies, integrating the current world events into the treatment and unfolding stories in these special movies - history affects the Hitchcock spy movies!

You can find Kim's thesis here.

Kim's podcast is called As Told By Hollywood.

Let's go!

Ideas/Questions: info@SpyMovieNavigator.com

Website episode page: https://bit.ly/3MuQP7B

Be sure to check out our other episodes on our website.