Why does it feel so hard to actually keep the money we earn?

In this episode, Bill is joined by bestselling author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz to explore the deeper patterns that shape our financial behavior. Mike shares insights from his upcoming book, The Money Habit, and offers an honest take on the emotional and psychological traps that sabotage even the most high-achieving business leaders. This conversation will change how you think about money.

Mike Michalowicz is the author of Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan, and Clockwork. His work has helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow healthier businesses, and his latest book, The Money Habit, dives into the behavioral finance side of entrepreneurship.

Topics explored in this episode:

(08:15) Why Smart People Still Struggle with Money

• Success doesn’t always equal financial security.
• Cutting your spending isn’t really the solution.

(12:40) The Lies We Tell Ourselves

• We will always find new ways to spend our ‘new money’.
• Mike explains Parkinson’s Law.

(20:30) Building Financial Habits That Stick

• Tiny habits are more powerful than massive overhauls.
• Mike shares how to “friction-proof” your financial systems.

(27:10) Different Life Stages Require Different Levels of Planning

• There are seasons to making money and spending money.
• No one wants to miss out on fun moments with their family because they're busy in the ‘earning’ stage.

(37:40) Relying on Will Power Does Not Work

• Mike wanted to exercise regularly; how did he make that happen?
• With money, find your daily practical pattern and then tact on a money-related action item on top of it.

Thanks to Mike Michalowicz for being on the show!

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/

Learn more about his work: Mikemichalowicz.com/

Preorder The Money Habit here: Mikemichalowicz.com/the-money-habit/

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

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Could your business survive a month without you or would it collapse the minute you left?

In this episode, Bill shares a personal story about stepping away from his company for a month-long family trip to Italy—and what it took to make that possible. It’s not just about systems and scorecards (though those matter), but about shifting your leadership style and truly empowering your team. This isn’t a fantasy. It’s a leadership strategy that can dramatically improve your life and business.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:26) The Real Question: Can You Leave?

*Taking a month off wasn’t convenient, but it was necessary—and Bill committed to making it happen.

(03:40) The Leadership Problem

*Even with systems in place, Bill realized he was still the bottleneck. His team couldn’t step up if he didn’t let go.

(04:29) Training the Team, Slowly and Steadily

*How he rewired his leadership by handing off responsibility and asking, “What will you do when I’m gone?”

(08:03) The Result: A Month in Italy

*His team performed beautifully during a critical growth phase. No fire drills. Just updates and momentum.

(09:30) Stop Being the Hero

*If you always need to save the day, you’ll always surround yourself with people who need saving.

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning, software, and summit. We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail. We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around people, strategy, execution, and cash so that they can scale up successfully and beat the odds of business growth.

Did you enjoy today’s episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover Scaling Up Business with Bill Gallagher so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3PGhWPJ

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PKe00u

Bill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billgall/

Bill on Twitter/X: https://x.com/billgall

How do you grow your business and your reputation without faking it?

In this episode, Bill sits down with Ramon Ray, entrepreneur, speaker, and author, to explore how authentic visibility fuels business growth. From meeting the President to selling three companies and pivoting during a pandemic, Ramon shares real stories about showing up, adding value, and becoming your own best brand asset. Whether you're building your first business or reinventing your voice, Ramon offers a masterclass in connection, resilience, and personal branding that actually works.

Ramon Ray is a five-time entrepreneur, best-selling author, and global keynote speaker known for his infectious energy and deeply human approach to business. He’s the founder of ZoneofGenius.com and has interviewed everyone from President Obama to the founders of major brands. Ramon’s mission? To help entrepreneurs build not just successful businesses, but joyful lives.

Topics explored in this episode:

(08:10) Meeting the President

• Meeting the President wasn’t a fluke, it was the result of years of showing up and serving with integrity.
• Visibility follows value. Recognition happens when you're focused on impact, not status.

(18:00) Lessons from Selling Three Companies

• An exit doesn’t have to be massive to be meaningful. Even modest acquisitions can be life-changing if they align with your goals.
• Reinvention is part of the entrepreneurial cycle. Each sale opened new creative and professional doors.

(29:45) The Power of Personal Brand

• How do you become a ‘celebrity’ CEO? Ramon shares his take on visibility, trust, and being the brand without being fake.
• Brand is resilience. Ramon’s reputation and authenticity made it easier to pivot to new avenues because people already trusted him.

(39:10) Nobody Wants Boring

• It’s okay to tweak your content depending on your audience. The key is to stay engaging.
• Show up where you’re wanted. Look for strategic opportunities that align with your voice and values.

(45:40) Best Way to Build Your Unique Voice

• Use social media as a low-stakes way to develop and express your personal brand.
• Don’t hide behind the company logo, add to it with your personality.

Thanks to Ramon Ray for being on the show!

Connect with Ramon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonraysmallbiz/

Learn more about his work: ZoneofGenius.com

Get his book: The Celebrity CEO: How Entrepreneurs Can Thrive by Building a Community and a Strong Personal Brand - https://a.co/d/aeJ0eQm

Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the Scaling Up Business podcast, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.

Join Bill in the Growth Navigator Coaching Program: https://ScalingCoach.com/workshop

Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/BillGall

Bill on YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@BillGallagherScalingCoach

Visit https://ScalingUp.com to learn more about Verne Harnish, our team of Scaling Up Coaches, and the Scaling Up Performance Platform, which includes coaching, learning,...