❓What happens when you ignore the IRS—or worse—hire the wrong help?Spoiler alert: It doesn't magically disappear… but your bank account might.This week, Gary sits down with Candice Miller, a nationally recognized tax attorney, to break down the biggest missteps business owners make when dealing with the IRS. From penalties and passport revocations to payroll tax nightmares, Candice shares powerful insights on how to stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and why being proactive could literally s...
Jun 25, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 273
Thinking about owning a franchise—but not sure if it’s the right move? This episode breaks down what you really need to know before diving into the world of franchising. Gary Heldt sits down with James Hilovsky, franchise consultant and CEO of FranDream, to discuss how aspiring business owners can confidently enter the franchise world. James shares his journey from restaurant executive to multi-concept founder and now mentor to franchise seekers. He outlines the real work behind franchise owners...
Jun 18, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 272
What happens when you start your company after 14 jobs in 17 years? And how do you turn that into $40 billion raised? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt interviews Gui Costin, the energetic founder and CEO of Dakota. Gui opens up about the winding path that led him to success, the leadership missteps he corrected, and how he built a culture of mentorship, kindness, and high performance. You’ll also hear his take on the future of investment sales, the im...
Jun 11, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 271
Are you still handing over your hard-earned money to Wall Street and hoping it works out?This week, Gary is joined by M.C. Laubscher, wealth strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of Producers Wealth. M.C. shares how business owners can take back control of their finances using proven wealth-building systems that banks have used for generations. They explore the critical difference between saving and speculating, how to build your own family banking system, and why most entrepreneurs are starved ...
Jun 04, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 270
From Debt to Seven Figures: How Jeanne Omlor Built a Thriving Online Business Without Ads How does a single parent go from deep debt to a seven-figure business in less than two years without spending on advertising? In this compelling episode, host Gary Heldt welcomes Jeanne Omlor, a Business Strategist, Seven-Figure Online Business Coach, and Certified Servant Leadership Executive Coach who shares her remarkable transformation. Jeanne Omlor shares her journey from struggling offline coach to su...
May 28, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 269
What’s the real legacy of your business—just profits, or a thriving family and future-ready wealth? In this powerful episode, Gary Heldt welcomes Lori Van Dusen, founder of LVW Advisors and a trailblazer in fiduciary financial planning. Lori shares her extraordinary path from working in the South Tower of the World Trade Center with Lehman Brothers to leading a $6 billion independent advisory practice. She reveals the challenges and triumphs of creating a business that aligns with her values, me...
May 21, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 268
Are you prepared to weather unexpected financial storms while building lasting wealth for retirement? In this enlightening episode, Gary Heldt sits down with Harry Abrahamsen, a leading financial strategist specializing in personal financial economics and retirement planning. Harry shares his journey from building a family business to founding the Abrahamsen Financial Group, inspired by the life-changing events of September 11, 2001. Drawing from his extensive experience working with clients at ...
May 14, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 267
How Do Operating Environments Impact Business Risk and Investment Decisions? In this insightful episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt speaks with Ryan Zabrowski, Director of Arbitrage at Krilogy. Ryan shares valuable wisdom from his decades of financial experience, as outlined in his book "Time Ahead: The Investor's Guide to Prosperity and Impact," and explains why understanding operating environments is crucial for achieving business success. Key Takeaways: → The...
May 13, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 265
🛑 80% of businesses don’t sell—they dissolve. Are you prepared to avoid that fate? In this episode of the Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth Podcast, Gary Heldt welcomes Adam Koós, a highly credentialed financial planner, portfolio manager, and exit planning advisor. Adam dives into his journey from pursuing a medical career to building his award-winning financial practice, Libertas Wealth Management Group. Adam shares actionable strategies for business owners, executives, and investors ...
May 07, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 266
How do you create a financial plan that withstands market volatility and economic fears? Gary Heldt speaks with Melissa Bouchillon, Managing Partner at Sound View Wealth Advisors in this episode. With 21 years in wealth management and a background in psychology and education, Melissa shares insights on creating cohesive financial plans that connect all aspects of wealth management. She emphasizes the importance of having trusted professionals who communicate with each other to ensure your financ...
Apr 23, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 264
Are you protecting your business and your people, or are you one complaint away from chaos? 📌In this episode, Gary Heldt sits down with Desmond McIlwain, a seasoned management-side labor and employment attorney with over 30 years of experience. Desmond shares invaluable insights into how small business owners can avoid costly legal pitfalls, build workplace trust, and create environments where employees thrive. From the importance of proactive workplace policies to how to handle harassment alle...
Apr 16, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 263
How Can Marketing Automation and AI Transform Your Small Business? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt interviews Chris Troka, founder of Focused-Biz, a marketing and automation agency helping small businesses access the same powerful tools and resources as large corporations. Chris Troka shares his entrepreneurial journey from running an award-winning wedding DJ business to pivoting during COVID-19 to launch Focused-Biz, a marketing and automation agency. Wi...
Apr 09, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 262
Could Your Business Benefit From Crowdfunding Beyond Kickstarter? In this episode of "Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth," Gary Heldt interviews Paul Jossey, principal attorney at Jossey, PLLC, who specializes in investment crowdfunding. Unlike traditional crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe, Paul focuses on securities crowdfunding (Regulation CF), which allows businesses to raise capital by offering investors actual securities - whether equity, debt, or revenue share oppo...
Apr 02, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 261
Are you overwhelmed by tax debt and unsure where to turn? Stephen A. Weisberg, a dedicated tax attorney, joins the podcast to share expert strategies for resolving tax debt, avoiding IRS pitfalls, and confidently navigating audits. In this episode, Gary Heldt speaks with tax resolution attorney Stephen A. Weisberg, founder of The W Tax Group. With over a decade of experience in IRS tax debt resolution, Stephen provides invaluable insight into the myths surrounding tax settlements, the realities ...
Mar 26, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 260
What inspired a former Cincinnati Bengals employee to become an independent wealth manager and how did he build a successful practice focused on helping business owners? Peter Hiltz shares his journey from corporate finance to independent wealth management, highlighting how his early exposure to finance through his father's stock market interests shaped his career path. He discusses the challenges and rewards of transitioning to business ownership, the importance of building strong professional ...
Mar 19, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 259
Are you a high-income earner, high-net-worth individual, or successful business owner looking to reduce your tax burden, protect your assets, and build a lasting legacy? In this episode, Terry DuPont, founder of DuPont Advisory Group, discusses the concept of a virtual family office and how it can benefit Main Street clients. He shares common financial mistakes, emphasizes the importance of tax reduction strategies, and explains how his firm's unique approach helps clients achieve financial succ...
Mar 12, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 258
Are You Ready to Transform Your Business with Tech-Enabled Accounting Solutions? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Eli Mizrahi speaks with Lucas Matson, founder of LDC Financial and former Deloitte Tax professional. Lucas shares his journey from corporate accounting to entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights into modern accounting practices, the cannabis industry, and how technology reshapes financial services. Drawing from his extensive experience wit...
Mar 10, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 258
Are you struggling to talk about money, even with your financial advisor? In this episode, Nick Garofalo, founder and chief compliance officer of Openhanded Wealth LLC, discusses the importance of open communication in financial planning, common financial mistakes, and how to empower clients to make informed decisions. He emphasizes a faith-based approach, integrating Biblical wisdom into financial planning to help clients align their life goals and vision with their faith. 5 Key Takeaways: The ...
Mar 05, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 257
Ever wondered how to build a successful business empire? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with John Hewitt, a serial entrepreneur and franchising expert who has founded two of the top 100 retail brands in the country, including Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax. John shares his journey from building his first tax software for an Apple computer in 1981 to creating Loyalty Brands, a company with eight franchises in various industries. He discusses the co...
Feb 28, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 256
In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Eli Mizrahi, President of Pacific Group Advisors and a seasoned fiduciary with over 40 years of experience in financial planning. Eli shares his personal journey into the world of finance, inspired by his parents' retirement challenges, and the lessons he's learned helping families navigate complex financial decisions. He provides valuable insights on retirement planning, investment strategies, wealth preservati...
Feb 26, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 255
Ever wondered why some financial advisors insist everyone needs a trust, even if you're not wealthy? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Katherine Sheehan, Managing Director and Wealth Strategist at Crestwood Advisors LLC. With nearly 30 years of experience in estate planning, Katie shares her expertise on why everyone needs an estate plan, regardless of their wealth level, and breaks down common misconceptions about trusts and estate planning. Ke...
Feb 21, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 254
In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Kevin Quinn, Founder and President of Legacy Counsellors, P.C., an estate and business planning law firm. Kevin discusses the importance of estate planning and generational wealth, explaining his unique "My Family, My Wealth" process, which helps families understand and plan for their wealth. Key Takeaways: → Estate planning is not just about taxes but also about the impact of wealth on a family. → The "My Famil...
Feb 19, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 253
Are you maximizing efficiency and user adoption in your IT projects? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with David Luria, author of "The Failure of I.T. Project Management: Why It's Broken and How to Fix It With 11 Ironclad Requirements You Have Never Heard Of." David shares his expertise on how to avoid costly IT project failures and ensure successful implementation. Key Takeaways: → The biggest mistake in IT projects is misalignment between business...
Feb 14, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 252
Are you paying too much for healthcare? This episode will change how you think about employee benefits! Summary: In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt speaks with Louis Bernardi, founder of Bright Path Benefits and known as The Benefits Whisperer. Louis shares his decades of experience in the healthcare benefits industry, helping business owners navigate high costs, complex regulations, and alternative healthcare solutions. From debunking myths about the A...
Feb 12, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 251
Want to learn how to turn debt into wealth and achieve financial freedom? Discover alternative financial solutions and tax-efficient strategies with CFP, Mark Willis. In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt sits down with Mark Willis, CFP and owner of Lake Growth Financial Services. Mark shares his incredible journey from struggling with student loan debt to becoming a financial expert who helps clients find more predictable and secure ways to reach their financi...
Feb 07, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 250
Are you a professional or small business owner feeling overwhelmed by your finances? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA, Managing Partner of District Capital, a fee-only financial planning firm. They discuss the importance of a holistic approach to financial planning, focusing on tax efficiency, retirement planning, and debt management. Key Takeaways: → Financial planning is not just about investments; it's about aligning ...
Feb 05, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 249
Are you ready to revolutionize your retirement planning? This episode dives into actionable strategies business owners can use to optimize benefits and ensure a secure future. Intro: In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt speaks with James LaFleur, a senior plan advisor with Sentinel Group. James brings over 20 years of expertise in retirement planning, offering insights into innovative financial solutions and critical strategies for business owners to maxi...
Jan 31, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 248
Divorce can be a complex and emotionally charged process, especially when it comes to finances. In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Melissa Murphy Pavone, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. They discuss the common financial pitfalls of divorce, how to protect yourself financially, and the importance of financial communication in a relationship. Key Takeaways: → Understand the tax implications of dividing differe...
Jan 29, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 247
Are you ready to legally safeguard your business and avoid costly mistakes? In this episode, we dive into the legal essentials for entrepreneurs with Amira Irfan, founder of A Self Guru. Amira shares her inspiring journey from helping her father through a devastating lawsuit to becoming an internationally recognized business lawyer and coach. Learn how to avoid common legal pitfalls, protect your business, and set yourself up for long-term success with practical, accessible solutions. ✅ 5 Key Ta...
Jan 24, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 246
What if transforming your financial mindset could unlock your path to wealth and a more fulfilling life? In today’s episode, we’re joined by Thomas Blottenberger, CFP, ChFC, ABFP, and Co-founder of Paradigm Shift Financial. Thomas is also an American Dream Experience Leader, and he’s here to share his journey of shifting from the impersonal, commission-driven world of traditional financial advising to a mindset-focused approach that helps individuals and families achieve their greater purpose th...
Jan 22, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 245
