Hosts Kyle Bullock and Jimmy DeGroot discuss why money alone is a weak motivator, why incentives work best when they are equitable and shared, and why you can’t solve low pay problems with bonuses. They recommend auditing pay using tools like the MIT Living Wage calculator and ensuring base wages meet basic cost-of-living needs before adding incentives.

The episode shares stories about team incentives (like a trip to Hawaii), the importance of celebration and tradition, and practical steps owners can take to grow profitability so they can afford fair pay.

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Not every conflict is caused by bad people — often, it’s caused by bad communication. In this episode, Jimmy and Kyle break down Dr. John Gottman’s “Four Horsemen” — criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling — plus one bonus culprit: sarcasm. They explain how each one poisons relationships and team culture, and why even well-meaning conversations can go sideways.

More importantly, they show you how to stop them in their tracks. You’ll learn practical, real-world strategies for building trust, leading with vulnerability, and creating a healthier workplace — even on the days when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

Feeling overwhelmed by holiday retail chaos? This episode shows jewelry store owners and leaders how to find relief by simplifying priorities, protecting team culture, and eliminating time-draining products or services that cost more than they earn.

Hosts Jimmy DeGroot and Kyle Bullock offer practical steps: narrow daily focus to one or two essential tasks, support and listen to your people, and radically remove non-essential work to preserve excellence during the busiest season.