After building and selling a successful business, Andreas Dankelmann decided to share his experiences with other entrepreneurs and business owners in growth mode.

Today, Andreas is a Vistage Chair at Vistage Worldwide, Inc., the world's largest executive coaching organization for small and midsize business leaders. Andreas facilitates confidential peer advisory groups and provides one-on-one coaching to help CEOs and executives make better decisions to achieve better outcomes.

With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in Fortune 500 and privately held companies, Andreas also serves as an EOS Implementer, guiding leadership teams to gain clarity and traction.

Most business owners and executives of larger organizations will periodically find themselves stuck, burned out, overwhelmed, or frustrated by slow-moving progress. Even the best-run organizations periodically experience stalling growth and loss of momentum. So what's really holding back growth?

According to Andreas Dankelmann, a seasoned coach and former entrepreneur, businesses plateau because the leaders stall. Andreas firmly believes that an organization cannot outgrow its leadership, and the first step toward transformation begins with personal growth.

When leaders become clearer on their long-term vision and step out of the day-to-day operations to gain a better perspective, their entire organization benefits. Andreas shares how making time for deep reflection, asking the right questions, and co-creating alignment with teams can dramatically shift business outcomes.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Andreas Dankelmann, Vistage Chair at Vistage Worldwide, Inc., to talk about how transforming the leader first leads to sustainable business growth. They discuss the leadership mindset shift required for scaling, the importance of clarity and team alignment, and why business debt can silently slow momentum. Andreas also gives advice on creating space to think strategically.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Andreas Dankelmann on LinkedIn
• Vistage Worldwide, Inc.
• Fifth Ascent
• Sync'd Up
• Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

Jason France is a retired Chief Master Sergeant from the US Air Force, an avid outdoorsman, author of Five Million Steps, and the Owner of Elevate Leadership Solutions. Having spent 31 years in the US Air Force, Jason experienced invaluable lessons in leadership, team-building, and strategic alignment. Since launching Elevate Leadership Solutions, Jason has partnered with business leaders to help them navigate complex challenges and foster high-performing cultures in their respective organizations.

In this episode, Jason shares personal and professional experiences that resulted in the most transformative and valuable realizations.

Is the strength you've built through years of leadership quietly holding you back? Many high performers push forward, driven by success, structure, and service, but rarely pause to unpack the pain they carry. How can slowing down lead to breakthroughs, deeper clarity, higher growth, and deeper successes?

According to Jason France, a decorated military leader, author, and leadership coach, transformation begins when we allow ourselves to be fully present even in our most difficult moments. Compartmentalizing trauma during military service disconnected Jason from his real life and his family, but eventually asking for help marked the start of personal healing and greater growth. That moment of vulnerability became a gateway to becoming a stronger father, husband, and leader. Upon retiring, Jason solo hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail that led to his memoir titled Five Million Steps, where he shares meaningful moments of reflection, discoveries, and gratitude that inspired him and many of his readers.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar and Tove Hansen sit down with Jason France, Owner of Elevate Leadership Solutions, to talk about how presence and pain shape more powerful leaders. Jason shares why asking for help is a sign of strength, how his long-distance hike rewired his perspective, and why being in the moment matters more than chasing what's next. Jason also shares how leaders can support others through quiet, empathetic connection.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Tove Hansen on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Jason France: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
• Elevate Leadership Solutions
• Five Million Steps: Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail after Three Decades of Service to Our Nation by Jason France
• Enough: Climbing Toward a True Self on Mount Everest by Melissa Arnot Reid

Roman Polnar is the Founder and Managing Partner of Pillar6 Advisors, a multifaceted financial planning and wealth management firm geared toward serving successful individuals and families with active lifestyles. Roman is also a Partner at Pillar6 College Planning, where he helps families unlock debt-free money from the financial aid system so they can avoid loans and navigate the system with ease.

Roman has over 18 years of experience in the financial services profession, working for some of the nation's most recognized names. After 10 years in the corporate world, he left to build an independent firm that would do things differently, and that's when Pillar6 Advisors was born.

Leadership, business growth, and personal well-being often intersect in ways that require leaders to balance values, adapt to change, and prepare for the unexpected. From building mission-driven organizations and embracing emotional complexity to leveraging digital marketing and creating essential estate plans, today's leaders are navigating challenges that demand both heart and strategy. So what can we learn from professionals who are blending integrity, adaptability, and forward-thinking planning?

Brad Stroh shares how his company's culture of integrity, care, and advocacy empowers 3,000 team members to create meaningful impact for families facing financial hardship. Michael Koehler explores the emotional reality that all change comes with both gains and losses, encouraging leaders to approach transitions with empathy and awareness. Lael Sturm emphasizes the increasing importance of digital marketing in a world where in-person interactions are limited, urging businesses to make online engagement a central part of their growth strategy. Andy Cahill dives into the importance of expanding one's emotional capacity to handle complexity and uncertainty without falling into reactive patterns. Finally, Rachel Dodson highlights the critical role of estate planning — especially healthcare directives — in ensuring individuals and families are prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar reflects on these conversations with Brad Stroh, Michael Koehler, Lael Sturm, Andy Cahill, and Rachel Dodson. Their insights offer valuable guidance for leaders striving to align their business, personal, and financial lives with their values, even amidst an ever-changing world.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Brad Stroh on LinkedIn
• Michael Koehler on LinkedIn
• Lael Sturm on LinkedIn
• Andy Cahill on LinkedIn
• Rachel Dodson on LinkedIn

Matt Cohen is a Partner at Synesis Advisors, a San Francisco-based firm specializing in the sale of privately held businesses. Matt has successfully closed over 100 transactions across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and distribution, and other services-based businesses. Known for his mastery of the sales process, meticulous attention to detail, and client-focused approach, Matt ensures his clients are correctly positioned to get their businesses sold. Matt is a Certified Business Broker (CBB) and a member of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) and the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA).

Selling a business is one of the most significant and emotional decisions a business owner will make. While most owners are confident operators, navigating a successful sale requires a very different mindset and a specific playbook. So what does it really take to move from wanting to sell to a closed deal?

According to Matt Cohen, a business broker with over two decades of experience, the process starts with viewing the business through the buyer's lens. He highlights that many deals fall apart because sellers underestimate the importance of terms, deal structure, valuation, and risk mitigation from the buyer's side. Simply having a profitable business isn't enough to maximize its sale price; it needs to be transferable and justifiable in the eyes of a cautious buyer. Matt explains how everything from handshake contracts to overreliance on the owner to mispricings can derail a deal and why the real work begins before a business is listed for sale.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Matt Cohen, Partner at Synesis Advisors, to discuss how business owners can prepare for a successful sale. They cover the biggest misconceptions about pricing and terms, how to structure your company for buyer confidence, and what to expect during due diligence. Matt also shares tips for assembling a trusted advisory team to guide the process.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Matt Cohen on LinkedIn
• Synesis Advisors
• My Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me by Caleb Carr

Ilya Vinogradsky is the Co-founder, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Information Officer of Astound Digital, a global digital consultancy that helps brands grow revenue by enhancing their online relationships with consumers. Founded in 2000, Astound Digital delivers personalized digital commerce experiences by combining technological expertise with creative talent. Ilya leads the company's technical teams, ensuring the quality, scalability, and cohesion necessary to provide flexible, innovative solutions that maximize customer value. With over three decades of experience, he has been instrumental in establishing Astound as a trusted partner for iconic and innovative brands worldwide.

Scaling a business from a small startup to a global enterprise is no easy feat, especially in the fast-paced world of e-commerce. How do entrepreneurs navigate market shifts, manage growing teams, and make the tough calls that lead to lasting success? And when the time comes, what does it take to prepare for a high-stakes private equity exit?

According to Ilya Vinogradsky, a seasoned entrepreneur who grew a company from a living-room operation to over 1,000 employees, the key lies in continuous learning and adaptability. He emphasizes the importance of embracing risk while building a strong foundation of trust with co-founders and employees. By codifying company values and leading by example, he cultivated a resilient culture that can weather crises and scale sustainably. This intentional approach allowed the company to survive economic downturns, grow internationally, and ultimately attract private equity investment.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with Ilya Vinogradsky, Co-founder, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Information Officer of Astound Digital, to discuss how to scale e-commerce services companies from startup to private equity exit. They explore building a values-driven culture, navigating inflection points, and evolving leadership for growth. Ilya also shares lessons from surviving the Great Recession and preparing for an acquisition.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Ilya Vinogradsky on LinkedIn
• Astound Digital
• Igor Gorin on LinkedIn
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
• Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Arash Shokouh is the Founder and Managing Principal of Ophtek LLC, a company specializing in cybersecurity, managed IT security and support for small- and medium-sized businesses. With over 18 years of experience in computer technology, his background includes roles at several startups and a tenure at IBM, where he contributed to developing some of the world's fastest computer processors and holds patents in computer architecture. Beyond his professional endeavors, Arash has served as a small business development commissioner for the City of San Jose and teaches computer engineering at his alma mater, San Jose State University.

Cyberattacks are no longer just a risk for large corporations — they're an everyday threat to individuals and small businesses alike. With phishing emails, AI-powered scams, and persistent system intrusions growing more sophisticated, what can the average person do to protect our data and avoid becoming the next target?

Cybersecurity expert and IT professional Arash Shokouh outlines the essentials for fortifying digital systems, drawing from over two decades of experience. Arash emphasizes adopting a Zero Trust mindset, which means verifying every request — even those from familiar contacts — and avoiding convenience at the cost of security.

With riveting anecdotes, including his recruitment by the CIA, he demonstrates the increasingly sophisticated nature of cyber adversaries and why individuals should migrate to secure platforms like Gmail and install trusted tools such as Malwarebytes. For businesses, he advocates consolidating services under platforms like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 and hiring professionals to strengthen account security, monitor systems, and ensure compliance with best practices.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, Roman Polnar interviews Arash Shokouh, Founder and Managing Principal of Ophtek, on IT security essentials for businesses and individuals. Arash shares insights into persistent cybersecurity threats, the critical shift toward Zero Trust, practical steps to secure communications, and how to vet managed service providers.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• Arash Shokouh: LinkedIn | Email | Phone no.: (650) 731-7154
• Ophtek: Website | Blog | LinkedIn
• Malwarebytes
• Check if Your Email Was Part of a Breach: Have I Been Pwned?
• 1Password
• The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

David Goldman is the Founder of Ruby Peak Recruiting, a firm specializing in direct-hire recruiting for top level executive assistants nationwide. After moving to San Francisco from Colorado in 2001, he began his recruiting career and established Ruby Peak Recruiting in 2008. With over two decades of experience, David has been instrumental in connecting companies with exceptional talent, particularly in administrative and executive assistant roles. His dedication to building long-standing relationships and reducing friction points at every step of the process has made him a respected figure in the recruiting industry.

Starting and running a business doesn't have to follow a rigid script, especially in industries built on human connection. Often, doing what simply makes sense can lead to better outcomes and better engagement from all sides. So what happens when you ditch the conventional playbook and trust your instincts instead?

According to David Goldman, a recruiter with over two decades of experience, having genuine curiosity, trusting his intuition, and being adaptable have been his biggest business advantages.

David highlights how traditional recruiting methods, especially ones focused on control, convention, and rigid processes, can stifle connections, slow the rate of progress, and produce subpar outcomes.

David also explains why being present, letting go of "the way it's always been done," and truly understanding each person's unique working style has shaped his unconventional but highly successful approach.

In this episode of the Pillar6 Podcast, host Roman Polnar sits down with David Goldman, Founder of Ruby Peak Recruiting, to talk about building a business by breaking away from convention. David explains why trusting intuition can create stronger client relationships, how curiosity unlocks better hiring decisions, and why rigid interview processes often backfire. David also shares his take on post-pandemic hiring trends and how to work best with recruiters.

• Roman M. Polnar on LinkedIn
• Pillar6 Advisors
• David Goldman on LinkedIn
• Ruby Peak Recruiting
• Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell