Welcome back to The Entrepreneur’s Journey. In this episode, Jason Gabrieli sits down with John Cavanaugh, CPA and tax attorney at Firenze Advisors, to discuss the foundational role that legal entity structure plays throughout the life of a business—from launch to scale to exit. They explore common pitfalls, how to adjust structures as businesses grow, and key planning considerations for exits, succession, and estate transitions. If you’re a business owner thinking about growth or preparing for a future sale, this episode is packed with practical knowledge.

● Why your legal entity structure isn’t just paperwork—but the core of your business.

● How and when to shift from LLC to S-Corp or C-Corp status.

● The role of installment sales, trust planning, and QSBS in reducing tax liability.

● What business owners often overlook when preparing for a sale or succession.

● [00:01:36] Why entity structure is foundational—and what most owners overlook.

● [00:03:16] How and why business structures should evolve over time.

● [00:05:06] The niche John fills: strategic planning across legal and tax.

● [00:06:54] Real estate and multi-entity structures: liability and tax traps to avoid.

● [00:09:01] Debt, partners, and why cross-collateralization needs careful planning.

● [00:10:40] Transitioning a business: selling to outsiders vs. keeping it in the family.

● [00:13:03] What surprises owners during due diligence and how to be prepared.

● [00:16:45] Why planning ahead matters: using trusts and state residency smartly.

● [00:18:11] Charitable trust and life insurance planning to reduce estate tax.

● [00:20:31] Holding company structures: when and why to consider one.

● [00:24:31] What clients usually miss: books, documentation, and cleanup.

● [00:26:24] Installment sale example that saved significant taxes.

● [00:30:07] Managing wealth post-sale and preserving it for future generations.

● [00:32:06] The power of looking at your structure every 2–3 years.

1. Your legal and tax entity structure should evolve as your business grows.
2. Planning for sale or succession starts years in advance—don’t wait.
3. Holding companies, trusts, and installment strategies can drastically reduce taxes and protect assets.

Connect with Jason Gabrieli: jgabrieli@HFMadvisors.com | LinkedIn

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In this episode of the Entrepreneurs Journey, Michael Pallozzi speaks with Shawn Calkins, owner of Universal Service Solutions in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania. Shawn shares how he went from being unemployed during the 2008 housing crisis to owning a successful full-service pavement maintenance company. The conversation highlights the importance of grit, financial discipline, mentorship, and building a team culture rooted in values. Listeners will hear about Shawn’s “profit-first” approach, how he supports his crew's financial growth, and why relationship-building is at the core of his business strategy.

● Why cash flow management and profit-first thinking transformed Shawn’s business.

● How mentorship and one break led to long-term entrepreneurial success.

● The mindset shift needed to scale while staying grounded in values.

● What qualities Shawn prioritizes when hiring and developing his team.

● [00:01:12] Shawn shares how he stumbled into entrepreneurship out of necessity.

● [00:03:22] Overview of services offered by Universal Service Solutions.

● [00:04:12] Shawn recalls his first big break and the value proposition that earned him a client.

● [00:08:12] Dealing with unpredictable weather and job delays in outdoor contracting.

● [00:10:45] The systems Shawn uses to manage cash flow and build long-term business resilience.

● [00:15:39] What Shawn looks for in team members beyond experience.

● [00:18:49] Building long-lasting client relationships through authenticity and connection.

● [00:21:41] Vision for future growth and scaling the business responsibly.

● [00:23:24] How Shawn mentors his team financially and supports their goals.

● [00:24:54] Shawn’s view on retirement and what legacy means to him.

1. Profit-first strategies can give small business owners confidence, control, and financial security.
2. Culture fit and positive attitude often matter more than technical skills when hiring.
3. Building real relationships—whether with clients or employees—can lead to lasting success.

Connect with Michael Pallozzi: mpallozzi@hfmadvisors.com | LinkedIn

Welcome back to The Entrepreneur’s Journey. In this episode, Michael Pelosi speaks with Kevin Brenner, founder of Healthy Home Energy & Consulting. Kevin shares his unexpected journey from podiatry school to building luxury homes for billionaires, and ultimately to pioneering sustainable construction practices as a “building scientist.” He discusses his transition from Brenner Builders to Healthy Home, and how energy efficiency, education, and environmental stewardship have shaped his mission. Kevin’s story is a masterclass in evolving your career with purpose and principle.

Tune into this episode to also learn:

● How Kevin transitioned from medical school to multi-million-dollar homebuilding.

● What it means to be a “building scientist” and how that knowledge impacts home performance.

● Why Healthy Home focuses on education, not sales, to stand apart in the HVAC industry.

● How to approach energy efficiency and net-zero building practically and affordably.

What we discussed

● [00:01:12] Kevin shares how podiatry school led to carpentry, and eventually to starting Brenner Builders.

● [00:04:06] Why he left high-end homebuilding despite success: stress, pressure, and client dynamics.

● [00:07:26] The significance of building his first spec house and how it sparked exponential growth.

● [00:08:58] Most ambitious build: a 30,000 sq ft mansion for a hedge fund manager with extravagant amenities.

● [00:12:56] How passion for energy performance led to the founding of Healthy Home.

● [00:15:15] Kevin defines building science and how he teaches it across his company.

● [00:20:06] The ethos behind Healthy Home: "We give a shit." And how they train to that level.

● [00:22:17] Why 95% of HVAC installs are wrong — and how Healthy Home does it differently.

● [00:24:32] The importance of testing outcomes and guaranteeing measurable results in energy performance.

● [00:25:54] What “net-zero” really means and how Kevin achieved it in his own home.

● [00:28:17] Converting an existing home to net-zero — is it possible and practical?

● [00:29:41] Kevin's future plans: growing Healthy Home and focusing on education to fight climate change.

3 Things To Remember

1. Career paths don’t need to be linear — following your passion can lead to greater purpose and innovation.
2. Teaching employees the science behind their work results in better service and industry transformation.
3. Sustainable building isn’t just idealistic — it’s practical, measurable, and critical for future generations.

Useful Links

Connect with Michael Pallozzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpallozzihfm/

Like what you’ve heard…

Learn more about HFM HERE

Schedule time to speak with us HERE