Alina Lee, founder of Aspire Law Group, discusses her business journey.

Key Takeaways

- Alina grew her law firm from solo practice to 9 attorneys and 4 staff in 4 years

- Focuses on enterprise clients (20) and small businesses (100+) as outside general counsel

- Emphasizes work-life balance, allowing flexible schedules (15-25 hrs/week) for most staff

- Leverages mentorship, coaching, and entrepreneurial groups like EO for continued growth

Topics

Alina's Background and Firm Overview

- Previously worked at law firms and as in-house counsel (Southern Company Gas, Mailchimp)

- Started firm 4 years ago, now has 9 attorneys and 4 staff

- Provides outside general counsel services to 20 large enterprise clients and 100+ small businesses

- Handles overflow transactional work for large clients, day-to-day legal needs for small businesses

Early Business Growth

- Wrote comprehensive 50-page business plan before launch

- Hired business coach Tim Fulton at 3-4 month mark

- Secured two large clients early on, but still faced financial challenges

- Joined Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) for support and networking

Hiring and Team Building

- First hire: Virtual assistant in Philippines through Pineapple Staffing ($8/hr, 15 hrs/week)

- Hired first lawyer after one year

- Now has 9 attorneys, most working 15-25 hours/week for work-life balance

- Uses Clifton Strengths assessments and paid test assignments in hiring process

Financial Management

- Experienced cash flow challenges when rapidly hiring attorneys

- Hired fractional CFO after 2 years to help with financial projections

- Implemented Profit First principles to focus on profitability over revenue

Business Pivots and Focus

- Initially targeted all business sizes, now focuses on enterprise clients for higher margins

- Rebranding from "Your Ad Attorney" to "Aspire Law Group" to reflect broader service offerings

- Launching Net Promoter Score (NPS) system to improve client experience

Work-Life Balance

- Allows flexible schedules for most staff (15-25 hours/week)

- Personally struggles with workaholic tendencies, seeing therapist to address this

Advice for Entrepreneurs

- Don't get stuck in the preparation phase - choose a path and adjust as needed

- Focus on profit, not just revenue

- Leverage mentorship and entrepreneurial groups for support and growth

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

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Jeremy Pryor discusses family-focused living, parenting strategies, and multi-generational legacy building.

Key Takeaways

- Jeremy's paradigm shift on fatherhood came from observing Jewish and Arab families in Jerusalem, centered on Abraham as the archetype

- The Pryor family implements a weekly Shabbat dinner tradition to foster multi-generational connections and faith discussions

- Family Teams approach views family as a "multi-generational team on mission" rather than a "nest" for individual success

Topics

Jeremy's Background and Family Structure

- Has 5 children, 3 grandchildren, and 2 son-in-laws

- Four generations living on the same street in Fort Thomas, Kentucky

- Family integrates business, ministry, and daily life together

- Experienced paradigm shift on fatherhood during 1997 visit to Jerusalem

Redefining Family Purpose

- Western culture often views family as a "nest" for individual success

- Biblical model presents family as a "multi-generational team on mission"

- Family mission derived from Genesis 1:28 and Matthew 28 (Great Commission)

- Five-part mission: be fruitful, multiply, fill, subdue, and rule

Practical Implementation: Shabbat Dinner Tradition

- Weekly family dinner with 15+ attendees, including extended family

- Structured elements: candle lighting, blessings, gospel reflection

- Fosters multi-generational connections and faith discussions

- Creates a "sacred" time separate from regular weekly activities

Father as Coach Concept

- Emphasizes intentional engagement and character development

- Balances high support with high expectations

- Seeks arenas for family-wide activities (e.g., tennis, Taekwondo, pickleball)

- Focuses on developing qualities that serve the family's mission, not just individual success

Avoiding Over-emphasis on Children's Performance

- Address underlying meaning/purpose gaps in fathers' lives

- Clearly define and emphasize the family's mission beyond sports or individual achievements

- Focus on character development that serves future generations

Identifying Individual Family Member "Assignments"

- Recognize unique gifts and interests of each family member

- Connect individual strengths to aspects of the overall family mission

- Examples: language skills for ministry, construction abilities for stewardship, artistic talents for beauty/creativity

Next Steps

- Explore resources at FamilyTeams.com for deeper understanding of the paradigm

- Consider reading Jeremy's book "Family Revision" for comprehensive overview

- Investigate coaching options: Family Teams Accelerator or Family Inc. for business integration

- Visit 1kh.org for resources on household-based disciple-making

- Implement a weekly family dinner tradition to foster multi-generational connections

- Reflect on current family mission and how individual members' gifts contribute to it

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Tom Muccio discusses his business experience and insights for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Key Takeaways

- Foster entrepreneurial thinking by encouraging employees to work on breakthrough ideas alongside daily responsibilities

- Test new ideas on a small scale to de-risk implementation and prove ROI before full rollout

- Focus on both "Friday's payroll" (core business) and "inventing the future" to balance short-term needs and innovation

- Understand and address the "5 dragons" that resist change in organizations to drive transformation

- Cultivate a strong culture through co-design of values, servant leadership, and recognition systems

Topics

Fostering Entrepreneurship Within Organizations

- Encourage employees to have "breakthrough" objectives alongside core responsibilities

- Use whiteboards to track top objectives and breakthroughs in progress

- Leader's role: Ask "What does help look like?" to support employee initiatives

- Balance "Friday's payroll" (core business) with "inventing the future" (innovation)

- Aim for 8-10 breakthrough ideas in progress across the organization at any time

Testing and Implementing New Ideas

- Use a "test and learn" budget to trial ideas without broad financial impact

- Example: Testing dedicated cosmetics manager at Walmart stores for 6 months

- Establish clear success criteria upfront for both parties (e.g. P&G and Walmart)

- Evaluate execution vs. idea if test fails; potentially retest with adjustments

- For small businesses: Consider prototyping, sampling, or limited-time offers to test concepts

Overcoming Resistance to Change

Tom's "5 Dragons" that resist organizational change:

1. Corporate fog - Disconnect between leadership and customer/supplier realities

2. Deep state - Satisfied incumbents resisting change

3. Swamp - Outdated bureaucratic processes

4. Flat Earth Society - Those fixed in outdated beliefs

5. Loyal opposition - Passive-aggressive resistance to progress

Key Business Lessons

- Understand cash flow, not just profitability, especially for small businesses

- Avoid making incorrect assumptions - "What you know that isn't so" can be more dangerous than what you don't know

- Prioritize clear communication throughout the organization

- For new managers, "The One Minute Manager" provides simple, effective leadership principles

Next Steps

- Read Tom Muccio's book "Collaborative Disruption" for insights on customer-supplier relationships

- Consider implementing a "pilots checklist" approach to core responsibilities

- Evaluate current culture and recognition systems for alignment with goals

- Assess cash flow management practices, especially for small businesses

- Connect with Tom via LinkedIn or email (tom@tommuccio.com) for potential coaching/consulting

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

David Marlow discusses his book "The Ikigai Way" and explores the concept of living with purpose.

Key Takeaways

- Ikigai is about expressing one's deepest essence and purpose in harmony with all aspects of life

- The Ikigai process involves 3 key steps: reducing noise, uncovering purpose, and implementation

- Crafting an "Ikigai verse" using 3 verbs, a core value, and a memorable statement can provide clarity and direction

- Small, incremental changes (Kaizen) can lead to significant life improvements when aligned with purpose

Topics

Introduction to Ikigai

- Literal translation: Japanese term meaning "life purpose"

- Not just the popular 4-circle Venn diagram, but deeper expression of one's essence

- David's Ikigai verse: "I encourage, empower and enable people to be all they were created to be"

- Applies to all aspects of life, not just career

The Three Invitations of Ikigai

1. Reducing noise: Quieting distractions to hear one's inner voice

- Practical tips: Turn off notifications, move email icon, send "think about Monday" emails on Friday

- Incorporate calming practices: Morning meditation, poetry reading, watching coffee beans

2. Uncovering purpose: Revealing one's deepest self and gifts

- Reflect on activities you love so much you "forget to eat"

- Share insights with trusted friends/family for refinement

3. Implementation: Living out one's purpose

- Use Ikigai as a lens for decision-making (e.g., job choices)

- Continual refinement through exploration and feedback

Crafting an Ikigai Verse

- Use 3 V's: Verbs, Value, Verse

- Start with 6-7 verbs, narrow down to 3 most resonant

- Incorporate a core personal value (e.g., David's is "integrity")

- Create a memorable statement that guides decision-making

- Embrace imperfection: Start with a "terrible version" and refine

Real-World Impact (Case Study: "Tom")

- Executive with multiple coaches still feeling unfulfilled

- Applied Ikigai principles:

- Reduced noise: Cut back on perfectionist lawn care, created time for family

- Uncovered desires: Realized "exciting travel" meant Paris, not Amazon expeditions

- Implemented changes: Restructured work responsibilities, improved relationships

- Results: Weight loss, better family connections, increased job satisfaction

Next Steps

- Purchase "The Ikigai Way" book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or local bookstores

- Subscribe to David's newsletter at ekequest.substack.com for ongoing insights

- Visit davidmarlow.com for free Ikigai verse templates and resources

- Consider one-on-one coaching with David for personalized guidance

- Implement small, purposeful changes aligned with your Ikigai verse

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

Aaron Havens discusses his business experiences and leadership insights.

Key Takeaways

- Aaron runs Sky Service Pros (window cleaning, janitorial services) and Growth Instigators (business coaching)

- Pivoted during COVID to add disinfecting/janitorial services, doubling revenue

- Emphasizes employee development and creating a path for growth within the company

- Advocates for mastermind groups and surrounding yourself with wise counsel

- Advises entrepreneurs to consider decisions carefully and not rush into everything

Topics

Business Background and Pivot

- Started Sky Service Pros 12 years ago as a window washing company

- Pivoted during COVID to add disinfecting and janitorial services

- Now 50/50 split between original services and new services

- Serves Northern Colorado area, expanding based on client relationships

- Recently added large contracts for schools and office cleaning

Leadership Philosophy

- Focuses on developing employees, viewing the company as a leadership development organization

- Creates clear growth paths for employees within the company

- Encourages employees to be "better humans" when they leave the company

- Implements a culture of feedback and accountability

- Celebrates successes with team events (e.g., dinner theater outing)

Family Integration in Business

- Involved daughters in the business from a young age (13+)

- Used business as a way to spend time with family and teach work ethic

- Advises bringing family into the business to balance work and home life

Growth Instigators Coaching

- Started about 5 years ago, focusing on personal and professional development

- Offers one-on-one coaching and business ecosystem consulting

- Planning to launch official mastermind groups

- Provides daily 3-minute leadership lessons via phone hotline

Mentorship and Personal Growth

- Part of a mastermind group for 15 years

- Emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with wise counsel

- Recommends the book "Falling Upward" by Richard Roar for personal development

Business Partnership

- Brought on April as a business partner in Sky Service Pros

- Partnership evolved organically as April consistently added value to the company

- Add "Falling Upward" by Richard Rohr to reading list

- Call Aaron's Growth Instigator hotline (970-306-6432) for 3-min leadership lesson

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

Benjamin Davis of Noble Clay Fitness discusses integrating fitness into parenting and family life.

Key Takeaways

- Fitness can be an act of worship and stewardship of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit

- Consistency and sustainable motivations (e.g. feeling good, connection) are key for long-term fitness success

- Basic lifestyle guidelines like quality sleep, hydration, nutrition, and daily movement are foundational for health

- Fathers have a responsibility to protect their families' health by modeling and prioritizing fitness

Topics

Benjamin's Background and Noble Clay Fitness

- Founded Noble Clay Fitness in 2018 after running for-profit fitness businesses since 2008

- Calling to use fitness as ministry discovered after becoming a believer at age 25

- Moved family to rough Atlanta neighborhood in 2014 to live out calling

- Noble Clay aims to build healthy fitness communities in underserved areas

Integrating Fitness into Family Life

- Model fitness habits and make it a family value

- Start with basic activities like family walks with weighted backpacks

- Use fitness to teach kids perseverance, grit, and character

- Frame fitness as protecting and providing for your family's health

Sustainable Fitness Motivations

- Focus on immediate benefits like feeling good, mood lift, energy boost

- Connect fitness to social relationships and fun activities

- Avoid unsustainable motivations like weight loss or "shoulds"

- Consistency is key - attach positive meanings to make it a gift, not a chore

Basic Lifestyle Guidelines for Health

- Prioritize 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly

- Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily

- Eat whole, nutrient-dense foods; stop at 80% full

- Practice diaphragmatic breathing for stress management

- Get daily non-exercise movement and outdoor time

- Take time for reflection, mindfulness, prayer

Calisthenics for Beginners

- Focus on six primal movement patterns: squat, hinge, push, pull, core, carry

- Start with static holds, then progress to repetitions

- Example: Hold bottom squat position, build to 10 minutes

- Gradually increase difficulty while staying within your abilities

Next Steps

- Visit NobleClayFitness.com to learn more about their programs and remote coaching

- Implement basic lifestyle guidelines shared to improve overall health

- Look for opportunities to integrate fitness activities as a family

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

Dr. Randy Ross discusses his books, career journey, and insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.

Key Takeaways

- Dr. Ross transitioned from non-profit to for-profit sectors, applying lessons on purpose and passion to corporate leadership

- His books and speaking focus on creating engaging cultures, building resilience, and inspiring remarkable performance

- Key principles include staying true to values, expressing gratitude, and creatively managing work-life imbalance

- Entrepreneurs should focus on character development and connecting others, not just networking for personal gain

Topics

Career Transition and Book Writing

- Spent first two decades in non-profit sector before moving to for-profit

- Applied lessons on tapping into purpose and passion from non-profit to corporate world

- Wrote first book "Remarkable" in 2014, followed by "Relationomics", "Fireproof Happiness", and "Make Life Good"

- Books codify principles on leadership, culture-building, and resilience

Axiology and Leadership Philosophy

- Focuses on axiology - study of values, value constructs, and value creation

- Applies axiological principles to business for powerful impact

- Emphasizes ethical values (what's right), aesthetic values (what's beautiful), and functional values (what works)

- Aims to create "movements of good" in organizational life

Entrepreneurial Advice

- Stay focused on personal mission and purpose statement during difficult times

- Be willing to pivot but discern when to persevere vs change direction

- Invest in people's growth - view business as a "leadership development academy"

- Focus on character development, not just achieving goals

Work-Life Integration

- Strive for creative management of imbalance rather than perfect work-life balance

- Make clear priority decisions (e.g. attending child's game vs work commitment)

- Find ways to blend work travel with family time

- Be comfortable with periods of imbalance toward work or family

Building Relationships and Gratitude

- Practice "net weaving" instead of networking - focus on connecting others

- Express genuine, personal gratitude to mentors, colleagues, family and clients

- 95% of business comes through word-of-mouth referrals - leverage existing relationships

- Choose a character trait to develop each year (e.g. gratitude for 2025)

Next Steps

- Readers can access Dr. Ross's digital training content at drrandyross.com

- Consider reading "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl and "Fireproof Happiness" by Dr. Ross

- Develop a personal purpose/leadership legacy statement

- Choose a character trait to focus on developing this year

- Express more genuine, personal gratitude to others

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ

Dr. Barry Ham discusses faith, family, and purpose.

Key Takeaways

- Dr. Ham emphasizes the importance of integrating faith into daily life, not just relegating it to Sundays

- He advises parents to build strong relationships with kids early on, not waiting until just before college

- Dr. Ham's book "Living on Purpose" explores finding God's broader purpose for one's life beyond specific decisions

Topics

Dr. Ham's Background and Faith Journey

- Has two master's degrees (psychology, marriage/family counseling) and doctorate in clinical psychology

- Taught psychology/sociology at University of Colorado Springs and Colorado Christian University for 25 years

- Came to deeper personal faith in his 30s after period of questioning and study

Advice for Families

- Prioritize staying connected as a couple during child-rearing years (e.g. daily 15-min check-ins, date nights)

- Build relationships with kids through shared activities and giving them your "best stuff", not just leftovers

- Allow teens safe opportunities to try things while still under parental influence at home

Integrating Faith into Daily Life

- Make quiet time with God a priority, but vary the approach (e.g. prayer walks, gratitude practices)

- Weigh decisions in light of scripture and God's leading

- Let your life and actions speak to others, not just words

Passing Faith to Next Generation

- For grandparents: Be understanding of limitations if adult children aren't believers

- For parents: Focus on building strong relationships and trust to have spiritual influence

- Do fun, connecting activities regularly to establish open communication

Book: "Living on Purpose"

- Explores God's broader purpose beyond specific life decisions

- Stemmed from Dr. Ham's intensive 30-day Bible study during faith crisis

- Available on Amazon and through Dr. Ham's website

You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com.

Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round?

You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com

Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com

Looking for the best AI Notetaker? Check out my link to FathomAI and get a month of premium for free! https://fathom.video/invite/UT2ZaQ