Success isn’t just about strategy—it’s about how you communicate it. And when the message isn’t landing, it’s probably not your offer. It’s your story.

In this episode, storytelling expert Karen Eber joins A.J. to explore how to build trust with storytelling—whether you're pitching, leading, or aligning your team. You’ll learn how to craft stories that connect, convert, and evolve with your business.

🎧 Inside this episode:

• Why origin stories can actually hold you back
• How to find your customer’s pain—and tell the story they need
• The storytelling structure that works across leadership, sales, and culture
• How to plan a full year of strategic story content
• Why systems beat charisma every time

If you're tired of messaging that doesn’t stick or storytelling that never quite clicks, let’s change that. 👉Work with A.J.

🔗 Resources + Guest Links:

• Karen Eber: Website, LinkedIn, X
• Book mentioned: The Perfect Story by Karen Eber
  
  

Success isn’t just about hustle—it’s about smart ownership. In this episode, I sit down with Ben Kelly, an acquisition entrepreneur who’s scaled five businesses with little to no upfront cash. We talk about how you can skip the startup chaos and buy a business that’s already thriving.

🔥 You’ll learn:

• The “aha” moment that made Ben leave JPMorgan
• Why you don’t need to be an expert to scale a company
• How to spot the right business to buy—and actually fund the deal
• What mindset separates great acquisition entrepreneurs from wannabes
• How Ben built real wealth while staying present for his family

This one’s for the builders who want more control, faster success, and a business that doesn’t burn them out.

🔗 Connect with Ben:

• LinkedIn
• X
• YouTube
• Book a call

Growth doesn’t come from hustle. It comes from clarity.

Sean Si hit the wall most founders do — trying to do everything, lead everyone, and fix all the things. Then he blew it up and started fresh.

In this episode, he walks us through how he scaled SEO Hacker by simplifying, delegating, and focusing on what actually matters.
✅ What burnout taught him about leadership
✅ Why most marketing teams misfire — and how to fix it
✅ How to rebuild culture without being the bottleneck

If you’ve ever said "I don’t know what’s working anymore," this one’s for you.

🔗 Resources + Guest Links:

• Sean Si: LinkedIn, Twitter, SEO Hacker
• Book mentioned: Developing the Leader Within You by John Maxwell

You built the business. You cashed out. Now what?

Most founders think they need to “reinvest everything” or go chase the next big thing. But in this episode of Beyond 8 Figures, I sit down with Ben Fraser of Aspen Funds to break down how to invest after selling a business — the right way.

Ben’s been inside this game since the last recession. He watched his father build Aspen Funds from scratch after the 2008 crash, and he’s since helped scale it into a multi-million-dollar platform that helps entrepreneurs invest passively (and intelligently).

We talk about why entrepreneurs make terrible investors, how billionaires actually diversify, and the overlooked tax strategy that could save you six figures. If you’re still betting everything on your business — or worse, sitting on cash and hoping for the best — this episode will shift your mindset.

Guest Introduction:
Ben Fraser is the Chief Investment Officer at Aspen Funds and co-host of the Invest Like a Billionaire podcast, where he helps high-performing entrepreneurs grow and protect their wealth through smarter, passive investments. With a background in commercial lending and institutional asset management, Ben has overseen $125M+ in real estate and business loans. Today, he specializes in guiding business owners toward alternative investment strategies that prioritize stability, cash flow, and long-term growth—without adding complexity to their lives.

Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

• [05:37] The One-Liner That Changes Everything – “Wealth is created through concentration, but preserved through diversification.”
• [06:38] How Billionaires Really Diversify – Ben reveals the Tiger 21 portfolio breakdown and how to use it.
• [14:35] Unlocking Tax Loopholes Most Entrepreneurs Miss – What happens when your spouse qualifies as a real estate professional.
• [15:36] Why One Founder Quit a 6-Figure Job to Save More – Ben shares a story that’ll make you rethink W-2s.
• [19:47] Where the Smart Money Is Moving in 2025 – Ben’s macro-driven view of real estate (and what KKR just did).

The next big move in your business might start with a conversation.
If you’ve been thinking about leveling up, shifting directions, or preparing for a future exit, A.J. offers strategic support for entrepreneurs at a crossroads. No pitch—just a chance to explore what’s possible.

👉 Start here

Episode Highlights:

• Don’t just reinvest everything into your business — you’re exposed.
• Real diversification starts when you stop chasing control.
• Use tax law to your advantage (especially with a strategic spouse).
• Billionaires don’t try to time the market — they plan across decades.

Key Quotes:

• “Wealth is created through concentration. But it’s preserved through diversification.”
• “Entrepreneurs make terrible investors… because we’re wired to take risk, not preserve what we’ve built.
• “You don’t need to earn more. You need to invest smarter.”

Resources & Links:

• Invest Like a Billionaire Podcast
• Tiger21
• KKR’s Multifamily Acquisition Article

Connect with Ben Fraser:

• LinkedIn
• Aspen Funds Website

Most founders wait too long to adapt. Ray Deck says that’s a mistake—and shows how to scale smarter using the tools you already have.

What if the biggest leverage in your business isn’t new funding or a bigger team—but the knowledge and trust you’ve already built?

This week, I’m joined by Ray Deck, founder of State Change, to break down how AI, no-code, and personal reputation are changing the game for founders ready to scale—without burning out.

Ray’s seen it all—from the dot-com bust to the rise of SaaS—and now he’s helping entrepreneurs build smarter by tapping into tools that amplify what they already know.

We get into:

• 🔍 The power of domain expertise (and why it matters more than ever)
• 🛠️ How to turn your ideas into real tools—without writing cod
• 📈 Using content to build trust and drive scalable growth
• 🧪 Why experimentation is your most valuable growth strategy

If you’re a mid-journey founder running a 7-figure business—or eyeing your next move—this episode is full of real-world tactics to help you scale with less stress and more leverage.

🎧 Listen now—then go build what only you can create.

🔗 Resources + Guest Links:

• Ray Deck → LinkedIn, YouTube, State Change
• Tools mentioned: ChatGPT, Zapier
• Books referenced: Innovation & Entrepreneurship by Peter Drucker, Win Without Pitching by Blair Enns

🎙️ What if your biggest business breakthrough came from TikTok… in a language you barely spoke anymore?

This week, I sat down with Kanessa Muluneh, the powerhouse behind the fashion brand MULU. She built a thriving clothing company in Africa—not through Shopify or ads—but through Telegram, WhatsApp, and a loyal audience she nurtured with blunt honesty and smart storytelling.

We get into:

• Launching a brand in Africa (and why it’s not like the West)
• Using NFTs to educate and engage a new market
• Owning her own factory in Pakistan
• Scaling by mentoring women in the U.S. and Africa

This episode is raw, real, and full of insights for any founder looking to build across borders.

Don’t miss it!

Hiring global talent is no longer just for massive corporations—it’s a game-changer for small and mid-sized businesses, too. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Ashcroft, a veteran in outsourcing and remote work, to break down the exact strategies you can use to hire, manage, and scale a global team efficiently.

💡 Learn how to avoid common outsourcing mistakes, find top-tier talent without overpaying, and build a hiring system that works. Whether you’re just starting with VAs or looking to scale an entire remote team, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

🎧 Listen now and transform how you build your business! 🚀

🚀 Want to scale your business smarter with the right hires? Let’s talk. 👉 Work with A.J.

Get a copy of Kevin's book: Outsourcing For Success

Connect with Kevin Ashcroft:

• LinkedIn
• Website

💡 Think hiring global talent means outsourcing to low-level VAs? Think again. Jon Matzner shares a game-changing approach to hiring and automation that can actually help you scale.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✅ The biggest mistake founders make when hiring global talent
✅ How to structure your team for high-leverage growth
✅ Why media leverage (like Twitter & newsletters) is an untapped goldmine
✅ Jon’s personal journey from government work to business ownership
✅ The first step you should take TODAY to buy back your time

🎙️ Listen now and start scaling smarter!

📩 Get Jon’s newsletter → Lazy Leverage
🐦 Follow Jon on Twitter → @MatznerJon