Choosing the Right Business Entity - "So you always have to work with your CPA to make sure that you have the right entity type so you can take advantage of the tax code with those different things." - Glenn Harper Glenn and Julie talk about the practical side of tax savings. Whether you’re a business owner or an individual with a “real job.” Drawing from the latest tax law updates, they break down essential tax hacks: from maximizing your 401 (k) contributions and health savings accounts to mak...
Jul 23, 2025•14 min•Season 4Ep. 100
The Hidden Danger in Letting Invoices Slide - "It's not fair for you to spend all your money to deliver the product or service. And then the customer drags you out for 30 days, 90, 60, 120 a year, and you're not getting money on that." Glenn Harper Glenn Harper and Julie Smith discuss a topic every business owner dreads but can’t afford to ignore: money leaks. Have you ever wondered where your hard-earned profits are slipping away? Glenn and Julie break down the sneaky ways businesses lose money...
Jul 16, 2025•8 min•Season 4Ep. 99
Have you ever wondered how the grit of Midwest farm life translates into game-changing leadership and a bold approach to scaling businesses in today’s evolving world? We sit down with the dynamic Julie Bonness to explore her remarkable journey from managing a hobby farm in Wisconsin to pioneering global talent solutions in the accounting industry. Julie shares candid stories about her early experiences, the values instilled by family, navigating career-defining choices, and the seismic shifts sh...
Jul 09, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 98
The Power of Personal Branding - "A personal brand opens the doors you didn't even knock on. It goes ahead of you, it generates referrals, opportunities, invitations. It's the currency for influence, isn't it? And that's what accelerates your program." - Rob Brown We have a truly special guest. Rob Brown is a global authority in the accounting industry and someone whose journey is as inspiring as it is unconventional. Rob went from being a high school math teacher in Yorkshire, England, to becom...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 97
Learn from a real, honest (and pretty funny) conversation about how couples—specifically the “chicks” and “dudes”—spend money, especially when you throw entrepreneurship into the mix. Glenn breaks down his go-to strategy for keeping household finances in check when your income is anything but steady, while Julie questions whether “bare minimum” budgets really let anyone thrive. They get into the nitty-gritty of why joint accounts seem to mysteriously drain themselves, how guys tend to drop big b...
Jun 18, 2025•13 min•Season 4Ep. 96
Founder Mindset vs. Entrepreneur Mindset: "If you have that founder mindset that you could make that step from entrepreneur to founder, you are. You are now taking that mindset that you're betting on yourself and you have the ability to do it."- Steve Gelly We sit down with Steve Gelley—entrepreneur, CEO of Blueprint Ventures, managing partner of multiple ventures, and host of the Next Exit podcast. Steve shares his journey from a rebellious student on Long Island to a business leader known for ...
Jun 11, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 95
How would you approach building generosity and responsibility in a family with new wealth? We welcome Jim Sheils. Jim is the co-owner of Southern Impression Homes , founder of 18 Summers , and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller “The Family Board Meeting.” He’s made it his life’s mission to help entrepreneurs blend their passion for business with a thriving, intentional family life. Drawing from personal experience—like lending a kidney to his own father and designing a curriculum for h...
May 21, 2025•54 min•Season 4Ep. 94
Building a Support Network for Growth: "We finally got to a place where we have a trusted team, and, that's helped so much. And I think that that kind of gave us the, sigh of relief to say, okay. We can do this now. We we have the right people." - Maura Giannobile We’re beyond excited to bring you the latest updates from our recent episode featuring the wonderful Maura Giannobile—a powerhouse entrepreneur, interior design visionary, and the driving force behind The Everwoods Cabins and soon, Eve...
May 07, 2025•43 min•Season 4Ep. 93
Embracing Discomfort for Growth: "in order to live a life you haven't lived, you have to do things you haven't done." - Marc Scheff This is a fun one. Our guest, Marc Scheff , joins us for a conversation that bridges the worlds of tech, art, and self-transformation. Marc, who began his journey in computer science, found his calling through a remarkable pivot to coaching and illustration. He'll share with us the life-altering moments that propelled him from a traditional tech job to embracing the...
Apr 16, 2025•57 min•Season 4Ep. 92
So I think that shaped me in the path of understanding the, like, the obstacles that any entrepreneur can face when they have a business and they are not ready for this bad, times. Let's call it that way, because in Colombia we call it the vacas flacas. So it's like the skinny cows. When the skinny cows come, you have to be prepared for that, and we wear it. - Olga Hurtago We sit down with the incredible Olga Hurtado, founder and CEO of NeatBooks LLC . We talk to Olga about her inspiring journey...
Apr 02, 2025•46 min•Season 4Ep. 91
Invest in Yourself: Your Business Can Outperform the Market: "Plus, if you're doing it correctly, the returns that people can get in their own business you know, the ten years that we've been in business, I have not seen any return outside of their of their own business that could beat it." - M.C. Laubscher As a passionate entrepreneur and the founder of Producers Wealth, M.C. Laubsher has dedicated himself to sharing alternative wealth strategies that challenge the conventional norms of financi...
Mar 19, 2025•56 min•Season 4Ep. 90
Transitioning from Israel to the US, Dani Beit-Or found an abundance of opportunities. Sometimes, the biggest changes bring the most rewarding experiences. Your environment can shape your journey—find where you thrive. We bring you an inspiring and wisdom-packed episode featuring the remarkable Dani Beit-Or, a real estate entrepreneur with a wealth of experience and insight to share. This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need ...
Mar 05, 2025•57 min•Season 4Ep. 89
We have an engaging conversation with Kyle Morris, the entrepreneurial force behind The Golf Room and The Golf Room Everywhere. His journey from a professional golfer to a mentor and business owner is nothing short of inspiring, and we're thrilled to share some of his insights with you. From Golf Pro to Entrepreneur Extraordinaire Kyle Morris has taken the fundamental lessons of golf—patience, practice, and perseverance—and applied them to his thriving business ventures. After spending years on ...
Feb 19, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 88
Have you ever wondered what it takes to make the leap from a conventional career to a fulfilling entrepreneurial journey? Glenn Harper and Julie Smith sit down with Matt Ruttenberg, co-owner of Business Development of Life Inc. Retirement Services , to unravel his path from Ohio to Hawaii. You'll hear about his transition from the traditional financial services industry to creating meaningful retirement solutions for clients. Discover how Matt managed to blend his passion for helping others with...
Feb 12, 2025•46 min•Season 4Ep. 87
The Hidden Struggle of Stay-at-Home Moms: "I was giving all of myself to my children, but there was nothing left for me. And my very creative, active brain had no outlet. Right? I had no intellectual stimulation outside of my children, and I suffered, I think, because of that and I think a lot of women, you know, do too." - Ashley Jordan Julie Smith and Glenn Harper are joined by the insightful and relatable Ashley Jordan. An attorney, public speaker, journalist, and author of "Unhappy Achiever,...
Jan 29, 2025•59 min•Season 4Ep. 86
The Path to Success: "You just have to be open to all different kinds of experiences and choices that you make, because you don't know how those puzzle pieces come together in the end to paint you a really beautiful picture." Julie Smith and Glenn Harper welcome the multifaceted entrepreneur Kerim Kfuri. From his family's immigrant background to navigating and excelling in various fields, Kfuri shares his extraordinary story of adaptability, cultural exchange, and relentless pursuit of success. ...
Jan 22, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 85
Entrepreneur Isolation: "There's what people think it (entrepreneurship) looks like, and then there's the brutal reality of what it really is." We talk about the stark realities of entrepreneurship, addressing the often overlooked yet omnipresent challenges faced by solo business trailblazers. Key Takeaways The Reality Behind the Glamour: While social media often paints a perfect picture of entrepreneurship, the truth is far from it. Entrepreneurs frequently navigate a lonely and isolated journe...
Jan 15, 2025•6 min•Season 4Ep. 84
What are some essential steps for leaders to take when developing a strong company culture and ensuring effective team dynamics? We're thrilled to bring you the latest episode of "Empowering Entrepreneurs," where we hear about the inspiring journey of Scott Fleszar , a seasoned leader in the B2B Vertical SaaS sector and a senior adviser for SafeSend. **Choosing the Right Path:** Scott shares his decision-making process for attending Eastern Michigan University, influenced by proximity, affordabi...
Jan 08, 2025•52 min•Season 4Ep. 83
Is scaling up always the best option? Or is refining and improving your existing operations the way forward? Do you wanna be bigger and better? Do you wanna be better and better? How do you wanna spend your time in the new year and really create your intentions around your business?" Key Takeaways: Opportunity Cost Understand the sacrifices entailed in the pursuit of business growth. Time, family, personal interests—all could be impacted. Control vs. Delegation Giving up control can be daunting,...
Jan 01, 2025•6 min•Season 4Ep. 82
The Regrets of a Busy Parent: "I don't even remember giving my son a bath his 1st year of his life." — Leslie Alvarez Glenn Harper and Julie Smith sit down with the remarkable Leslie Alvarez, a powerhouse mompreneur and the president and founder of Community Association Consulting Experts Inc. Glenn and Julie talk with Leslie Alvarez, the president and founder of Community Association Consulting Experts Inc., about her journey of juggling the demanding roles of motherhood and entrepreneurship. L...
Dec 25, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 81
Setting Intentions: "If you can break it down into 30 day, 60 day, 90 day increments with those intentions of what you're going to do to achieve the said goal, it becomes really attainable." As we approach the end of the year, it's the perfect time for us, as entrepreneurs, to take a moment and reflect on our journey. We talk about setting meaningful intentions for the new year. Key Takeaways Set Clear Intentions Over Broad Goals: Rather than just having vague goals, define clear intentions and ...
Dec 18, 2024•6 min•Season 2Ep. 80
Have you ever faced a major career transition? How did you manage the challenges that came with it? Glenn and Julie welcome Doug Motley, an accomplished real estate developer and the principal of Jackalingo Asset Management. Doug's journey from the banking sector to real estate development is nothing short of inspirational. Growing up in Delaware, Doug has always been surrounded by a close-knit community, which played a role in shaping his career and entrepreneurial spirit. Doug shares his appre...
Dec 11, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 79
How important is it for entrepreneurs to embrace unpredictability, and what role does seeking help play in personal and business growth? Glenn Harper and Julie Smith sit down with Blake Oliver, the mastermind behind Earmark CPE and host of The Accounting Podcast , to dive into his unique entrepreneurial journey. From his unconventional childhood steeped in music to navigating the challenges of serial entrepreneurship, Blake shares how his ADHD and initial career in music shaped his path in the b...
Nov 27, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 78
We have the pleasure of hosting Kristin Taylor, Vice President of Legacy Retirement Group and co-host of " Winning Retirement Radio ". Kristin joins us to discuss her multifaceted journey as a business leader, mother, wife, and part-time teacher to her youngest son. Kristin shares the importance of people in her life—her children, faith, husband, and clients—emphasizing how supporting her team is pivotal to achieving both business success and personal fulfillment. She opens up about discovering ...
Nov 13, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 77
What strategies can entrepreneurs implement to support their nervous system amidst their busy schedules? We welcome back Dr. Indigo (Indie) Vasquez! We're thrilled to continue our conversation with the remarkable Dr. Indigo Vasquez in this highly anticipated Part 2 of our series. Dr. Vasquez, a board-certified Doctor of Natural Medicine and best-selling author of "Optimize Your Gut," brings her wealth of knowledge on gut health and holistic healing to our discussion. In this episode, we explore ...
Oct 30, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 76
What strategies can be employed to effectively identify potential key employees? We discuss the crucial process of identifying talent, setting guardrails, and effectively communicating your vision to elevate your business. Invest in the Right Person - Finding an employee who matches your dedication is challenging but possible. When you do find them, invest in their development. Recognize that your strengths may be their weaknesses and vice versa. This can create a balanced and cohesive team. Set...
Oct 23, 2024•4 min•Season 2Ep. 75
How does Dr. Vasquez’s approach blend entrepreneurial mindset with effective health management? We are thrilled to sit down with the remarkable Dr. Indigo Vasquez. Dr. Vasquez (or Dr. Indie, as she likes to be called) is a board-certified doctor of natural medicine with a wealth of expertise in hormone health, sports performance, and gut healing. She shares her lifelong commitment to patient care, emphasizing the importance of partnership and communication in the healing journey. We explore fund...
Oct 16, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 74
How do personal and professional commitments impact an entrepreneur's ability to plan for the following year? It's time to talk about the importance of forward planning to make the most out of the upcoming year. Carve Out Time for Strategic Planning Major organizations set aside dedicated time for strategic meetings and retreats. As entrepreneurs, we too need to step back from day-to-day operations to focus on the big picture. Schedule these sessions now, earmark them on your calendar, and hold ...
Oct 09, 2024•7 min•Season 2Ep. 73
The Power of Listening to Your Gut: "I've always kept asking, like, what brings me joy? What do I like? And I've been willing to have the courage to pivot and do that." Welcome to another inspiring episode of *Empowering Entrepreneurs*! Today, your Glenn Harper and Julie Smith sit down with Amber De La Garza, a remarkable productivity specialist, coach, and host of the * Small Business Straight Talk * podcast. Amber shares her incredible journey—from quitting her job after starting a family and ...
Oct 02, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 72
What are the benefits of having "No! People" - individuals who challenge ideas, provide constructive criticism, and ultimately contribute to more refined and well-thought-out decisions - in your entrepreneurial team? Living Fast Forward - Building a Team that Challenges You Living Fast Forward Takeaways Surround Yourself with Challengers: Build a team that isn't afraid to question and push back on your ideas. Create Safe Spaces: Foster an environment where employees feel safe to provide honest f...
Sep 25, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 71
