Is it possible to be a great Christian, a loving husband, and do really well in the marketplace?

In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Pete discuss:

• The ups and downs of faith after growing up in church.
• Understanding wealth and keeping your kids' feet on the ground.
• Pleasing the Lord in all you do.
• Avoiding complacency

Key Takeaways:

• Looking successful because of your dad, does not lead to happiness.
• Find a reason to tell your son they don’t need to prove anything and that you are proud of them.
• Intentionality is the only way to make it work - there is no easy road.
• There are 31 Proverbs - if you don’t know where to start in the Bible, start on the current day in Proverbs.
• It is never too late to make peace with those in your life.

"Life balance is not the key. Intentionality and integration are the keys. The only way you can get good at saying no is to know what you’re saying yes to." — Pete Chambers

Episode References:

• Halftime Institute: https://halftimeinstitute.org/

About Pete Chambers: Pete Chambers is an entrepreneur and businessman at heart, who has based his leadership on Biblical principles and on Robert Greenleaf’s statement, “Good leaders must first become good servants.” A graduate of Texas Christian University, Pete’s career started in plant operations, sales, and business development for Chemical Lime Company, now a Lhoist Group Company. He later went back to school to attend the University of Texas MBA program, where his entrepreneurial drive gained traction. Soon after moving back to his hometown of Fort Worth, he purchased Diamond H Recognition, an employee recognition company. Under Pete’s direction as CEO and Chairman, the business was transformed into an employee engagement software platform serving Fortune 1000 companies worldwide. The company re-branded as Inspirus in 2009 and sold to Sodexo in 2016.

Pete is currently living out his mission to serve, lead, and connect leaders in thriving organizations as Managing Partner at Chambers Interests, a single-family office. Constant learning and personal growth have been Pete’s hallmark, compelling him to complete seven Halftime Institute programs and seminars, the YPO Harvard Executive Program, YPO Mergers and Acquisitions Seminar, Wharton School of Wealth Management Program, and the Insead Executive Management Program in Europe. Pete has served as President of the West Texas Chapter of Young Presidents’ Organization(YPO) and has been an active member of his YPO forum for over 25 years. He serves as Chairman of the Board at Rivertree Academy, a private, Christian school serving under-resourced students in a low-income community in Fort Worth. Pete is also a partner with Lloyd Reeb leading men to finish well in life via the 100X Program. Pete and his wife Raney have been married 30 years and have three daughters and one granddaughter.

Connect with Pete Chambers:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-chambers-7059995/

Connect with Jeff Thomas:

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

How are you keeping ego at bay and focusing on fearing God?

In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Mike discuss:

• Building a company by failing your way to success.
• Leaning into your area of expertise.
• Leveraging the energy of forward momentum, no matter how small.
• The important aspects to consider in your exit (especially for those in a family business).

Key Takeaways:

• Building a relationship with Christ is not about your ego….ego is just Edging God Out of your life.
• Slow down and be intentional about your quiet time with God, your prayer, your scripture study, and your mentorship of others and for yourself.
• If you want to sell or exit your business in the future, you have to delegate yourself out of the business.
• Consider joining a peer group for accountability in accomplishing your goals. Peers can be your most powerful tool.

"Be intentional about a balanced life. Keep God at the center." — Mike Mitchell

Episode References:

• Halftime Institute: https://halftimeinstitute.org/
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
• The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Values by Patrick M. Lencioni
• Men of Iron: https://menofiron.org/

About Mike Mitchell: Mike Mitchell is the Executive Director of The High Center at Elizabethtown College. Prior to joining the High Center, he was an owner of Amelia’s Grocery Outlets and served as President and CEO of the company from 1997- 2012. He oversaw all aspects of the 15-store grocery chain with over 400 employees and a 100,000-square-foot warehouse. The business was sold to a private equity firm, Berkshire Partners and Grocery Outlet Inc., a 442-store chain based in Berkley, California, in January 2012. Mitchell is a graduate of Elizabethtown College and has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. Prior to joining Amelia’s, he worked as a Marketing Manager for several packaged goods companies including Heinz, General Mills, and Unilever. He has served in several board positions with Herr Foods, Irex Corporation, the Boys and Girls Club, and several other for-profit and non-profit organizations. Michael was the 2010 Lancaster Chamber Small Business Person of the Year and a 2019 Central Penn Most Admired CEO. He currently attends Community Fellowship Church where he is Treasurer and serves on the Administrative Board.

Connect with Mike Mitchell:

Website: https://thehighcenter.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mitchell-86929b73/

Connect with Jeff Thomas:

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

How are you boldly incorporating scripture into your life and business?

In this episode, Jeff and Rick discuss:

• Incorporating scripture into our day-to-day lives from individual to business.
• Handling tough situations in the right way.
• Rick’s transition from a career in the multi-family residence business to working in the Middle East with SRG.
• The three impacts you can have.

Key Takeaways:

• Do the right thing because it’s the right thing. God will bless.
• Live your life after God’s manner and you will be making a statement that you will be running your business differently because it’s the right thing to do before the Lord.
• You don’t need to wait until you get older to be bolder. Get out there, be who God wants you to be, and get out there.

"All you have is Gods. The sooner you realize that, the more freeing that will become." — Rick Graf

Episode References:

• NCF: https://www.ncfgiving.com/
• Apartment Life: https://apartmentlife.org/home
• The Business Card by Dr. Steve O. Steff

About Rick Graf: Rick serves as a resource partner, board member, and as the senior managing partner for SRG. As senior managing partner, he has responsibility for stewarding the overall organization, and reporting to the board of directors. He leads a gifted team of managing partners that oversee resource development, portfolio management, strategic initiatives, and strategic services.

Prior to retiring in late 2022, Rick served as president of multi-family asset services at Cushman & Wakefield, a global leader in commercial real estate. In this role, he focused on strategic oversight for the vision and growth of the multi-family asset services platform, while managing a spectrum of real estate assets for major institutional housing clients across multiple states. This culminated in a 45-year career in the real estate industry.

Rick and his wife, Linda, live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and have four married children and seven grandchildren.

Connect with Rick Graf:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rigraf/

Connect with Jeff Thomas:

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw