Ever wonder why some business leaders seem stuck while others scale effortlessly? The secret might be in the questions they ask.

The journey from startup to scalable business follows a predictable evolution of questions. When we begin, we're trapped in the "How can I?" mindset - trying to accomplish everything through personal effort. As we mature, our questions evolve: "How can we do this?" acknowledges the power of teamwork. Then comes "Who can help me?" followed by "Who's the best person for this task?" - representing the critical shift toward delegation. True scaling begins with "Who can I hire?" and culminates in the ultimate question: "What company can I buy to accomplish this goal?"

This question evolution reveals your position on the business growth spectrum. Are you stuck doing everything yourself when you should be delegating?

The upcoming Asheville Business Summit in September offers a perfect opportunity to connect with other business leaders, gain new perspectives, and potentially find mentors who can help elevate your question quality. Whether you're struggling with specific challenges or seeking new growth opportunities, sometimes the most valuable thing isn't an answer - it's a better question. Reach out for a coffee chat if you'd like to discuss how to evolve your business questions and scale your company more effectively.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill

Have you ever watched someone effortlessly extract a person's life story within minutes of meeting them? That special ability to connect deeply and quickly with others isn't just a social superpower—it's a business advantage that can transform your professional relationships and opportunities.

After observing my wife's remarkable gift for human connection over four decades, I've identified the key components that make her so exceptional at forming meaningful relationships instantly. Whether she's chatting with our server during our recent client retreat in Curaçao or navigating complex organizational dynamics, her approach reveals powerful insights about genuine connection.

As a business owner, these connection skills translate directly to growth opportunities.

Want to develop these connection skills yourself? Start by approaching your next interaction with curiosity rather than an agenda. Bring positive energy, smile genuinely, listen actively, and care about what you're hearing. Life happens between people—not in isolation—and mastering the art of human connection might be the most valuable business skill you'll ever develop.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill

Lifelong learning starts with being a sponge – absorbing knowledge from every experience, job, and interaction around you. This mindset transforms everyday moments into valuable lessons that compound over time and fuel meaningful personal and professional growth.

• Asheville Business Summit coming in September with early bird tickets available July 4th
• Consider purchasing tickets for clients and prospects as a relationship-building opportunity
• Career advice to be a "learning sponge" in every job, even temporary positions
• Story about working at Greenwood Mop Factory at age 16 and learning about management styles
• Henry Bonds' memorable desk sign: "Let's compromise and do it my way"
• Daily habit recommendation: document what you learned each day to make lessons stick
• Observation of different management styles and employee engagement as a teenager
• Invitation to chat about scaling your business with no obligation

Reach out if you're interested in scaling your business – my contact info is available online, and I'd be happy to sit down for coffee to share a few growth ideas with no obligation.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill

Are your teams falling short of expectations? Before pointing fingers at your staff, it might be time to look in the mirror. In this revealing episode, we tackle the uncomfortable truth that team performance often reflects leadership systems—or lack thereof.

Many leaders claim to dislike meetings, dismissing them as unproductive time-wasters. But what if the right meeting framework could transform your team's accountability and results? We unpack the concept of a "team meeting rhythm" that automatically builds responsibility into your workflow without creating needless bureaucracy.

Want to dive deeper into building effective accountability systems? Our Management Masterclass provides comprehensive training on implementing these frameworks. It offers the structure you need to create the structure your team needs. Reach out today to learn how you can join our next cohort and start seeing the team performance you've always wanted.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill

What if the question wasn't "What skills do I have?" but rather "Who do I need to become?" This transformative mindset shift forms the foundation of our enlightening conversation with Jason De Los Santos, founder of Pixelated Stories, who shares how this approach has fueled his entrepreneurial journey.

Jason reveals how he transformed from a self-described "recovering introvert" into a successful marketing entrepreneur by reframing his natural curiosity as a superpower rather than a limitation. "I used to think that was seen negatively," he explains, "and so I just turned that sort of negative thing into what now is something that helps me in my day-to-day life and job." This authenticity allows him to connect deeply with local business clients who need help telling their stories and finding their ideal customers.

ABOUT JASON:
Jason is the founder of Pixelated Stories, where he helps small and medium-sized businesses turn their websites into 24/7 sales machines. With a focus on long-term digital strategies like SEO, email marketing, and CRM automation, he’s passionate about simplifying tech for business owners who feel overwhelmed by it all. Based in Asheville, NC, Jason lives with his wife and two kids and spends his free time songwriting, lifting weights, and taking photos.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill

What happens when disaster destroys a successful business? For Sherrye Coggiola, Hurricane Helene's devastation of her 15-year restaurant venture became an unexpected doorway to a new entrepreneurial chapter as a business broker with Transworld of Western North Carolina.

Sherrye unveils the true mechanics of business valuation, explaining why most businesses sell for 1.5 to 3.5 times earnings and how owners can dramatically increase their exit value with proper planning.

The episode delivers practical knowledge about SBA financing for business acquisitions, showing how accessible business ownership can be with the right approach. Sherry's explanation of financial recasting demonstrates why tax returns don't tell the full story of a business's worth. Her real-world example of an electrician who planned to simply walk away from his business but instead received over $500,000 illustrates the life-changing impact of proper exit planning.

Whether you're a current business owner thinking about your eventual exit, someone contemplating entrepreneurship through acquisition, or simply fascinated by how businesses change hands, this episode delivers valuable insights from someone who bridges both worlds. Listen now to discover how proper business transition planning can transform endings into powerful new beginnings.

ABOUT SHERRYE

Sherrye Coggiola resides in the Mountains of the Carolinas with her Husband, Anthony. As a 3rd generation Native of Asheville, Sherrye is looking forward to being a part of the rebuild of the region along with her Husband, who has worked in disaster areas across the world, specifically focused on rebuilding agriculture after tragedy. He is now working with the Episcopal Diocese to assist with the Communities Active in Disaster (COAD) to provide sustainable long-term recovery plans.

Because of her background and connections in the area she would be honored to serve as a board member for Homeward Bound and believes she can assist in bridging the gap in public and private coordination to maximize the good works being done in this area.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill

Meet Calvin Denny, the founder of Atlas Mountain Contractors, who took an unconventional path from mental health professional to successful contractor. Calvin's refreshingly candid account of his entrepreneurial journey reveals both the challenges and unexpected simplicities of launching a business in the trades.

"I wish I would have done it sooner," Calvin confesses when reflecting on his first year in business.

Calvin dispels the common myth that owning a business means more freedom and leisure time. "When you run your own business, it's not that you don't have a boss, it's that you have a million bosses," he explains.

Calvin's journey offers practical wisdom and encouragement. His final message? The trades offer tremendous opportunity, AI isn't replacing skilled craftspeople anytime soon. Reach out to Calvin directly at 828-284-1925 to discuss your contracting needs or to get advice on starting your own venture.

ABOUT CALVIN

Calvin still conducts home inspections, but his primary focus is now on growing the contracting business. He is currently specializing in carpentry, metal roofing, and interior remodeling.

His goal from the exposure on this podcast is to encourage others to take the dive into starting a small, low-overhead business.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill

Erik Fabian transforms everyday sourdough challenges into innovative kitchen solutions with Sourhouse, born from his own bread-baking frustrations during the pandemic.

What makes this entrepreneurial story particularly compelling is Eric's thoughtful approach to business building. Rather than rushing to market during the initial COVID sourdough craze, he spent two years perfecting his product. This patience positioned Sourhouse to capture sustainable growth rather than riding a temporary trend.

Eric shares valuable insights about bootstrapping versus venture funding, explaining how staying lean and focusing on brand-building has allowed his small team to grow profitably while maintaining creative control.

The conversation tackles the delicate balance between entrepreneurship and family life, with Eric revealing how he incorporates his children into the business while setting boundaries that protect family time.

For anyone considering starting a specialty brand or pursuing crowdfunding, this episode delivers practical wisdom about market timing, building community around your products, and creating a category where none previously existed. Eric's story proves that even in established industries like kitchenware, innovation opportunities await those willing to notice overlooked problems and craft thoughtful solutions.

ABOUT ERIC:
Erik Fabian is a homebaker, dad and co-founder of Sourhouse. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Sourhouse envisions a world where people gather daily to share homemade sourdough bread and other fermented foods. So Erik and co-founder Jennifer Yoko Olson design tools that simplify sourdough baking and inspire people to make more bread.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me or our team at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!
Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com or at https://billgilliland.biz/

All the best!

Bill