Bonus: From Actor to CPA: Smarter Financial Decisions for Business Owners

Bonus: From Actor to CPA: Smarter Financial Decisions for Business Owners

0 views · October 8th, 2026

Joshua Kreitzman, CPA and owner of Kreitzman & Company, brings more than 20 years of experience spanning financial management, nonprofit leadership, entertainment production, and business advisory work. His firm serves hundreds of businesses and individuals, with particular experience working with contractors, construction companies, and family-owned businesses. In this episode, Joshua joins guest host Peter Florio to discuss his unconventional journey from theater to accounting and how skills like active listening, communication, and collaboration shape his approach to advising business owners. They also explore the changing accounting profession, the impact of AI and virtual work, and why strong professional relationships go far beyond preparing tax returns. Key Takeaways: ● Listening Is a Business Skill: Joshua explains how his theater background taught him to listen closely, understand what clients really need, and communicate financial information more effectively. ● Keep Financial Decisions Simple: Breaking complex financial concepts into understandable terms helps business owners make more informed decisions and avoid unnecessary confusion. ● Collaboration Creates Better Outcomes: Accountants, financial advisors, insurance professionals, and other specialists can provide greater value when they work together around the client. ● Technology Is Changing Accounting: Virtual meetings, cloud-based tools, and AI are helping smaller accounting firms become more efficient and access sophisticated research capabilities. ● Great Advisors Go Beyond Transactions: Building trust, understanding a client's goals, and supporting long-term growth can turn an accountant into a true business advisor. Connect with Josh: Website: www.kreitzmancpas.com With Guest Host Peter Florio: Peter F. Florio, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CExP, CLTC is a well-respected financial educator, author, speaker and wealth, tax and financial planner. For nearly 40 years, his advice and expertise have been sought out by high net worth individuals and small business owners to manage their wealth and protect their families and businesses from life’s unforeseen pratfalls. Peter regularly shares his knowledge of innovative ideas and concepts with CPA’s and attorneys. He serves the needs of over 500 clients located throughout the country with a concentration in the Long Island/New York City area. Peter is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Florio Wealth Management Group, a financial planning and wealth management firm located in Westbury, NY. He is a lifelong resident of Baldwin, New York, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Baldwin and an active supporter of the Long Island Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Website: https://www.floriowmg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/florio-wealth-management-group/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floriowmg Calendly: https://calendly.com/floriowmg

Episode 269: The Hidden Benefits of Private Placement Life Insurance

0 views · October 7th, 2026

What if there was a wealth strategy designed to help high-net-worth individuals grow assets more efficiently, reduce taxes, and create a more powerful legacy plan? In this episode of the Registered Investment Advisor Podcast, Seth Greene interviews Michael Malloy, CLU, TEP, RFC, Founder & Chief Advisor of EWP Financial, who explains how private placement life insurance (PPLI) works and why it has become an advanced planning strategy for high-net-worth individuals and families. He shares how PPLI combines tax planning, estate planning, and investment strategies to help clients pursue tax-efficient growth and generational wealth transfer. Michael also discusses who PPLI is designed for, why clients should understand the strategy before implementing it, and how educated clients can determine whether it aligns with their financial goals. Key Takeaways: → What private placement life insurance (PPLI) is and why many successful entrepreneurs have never heard of it. → How PPLI can combine advanced tax planning and estate planning strategies into one structure. → Why PPLI is often compared to an “unlimited Roth IRA” for certain high-net-worth clients. → Who may be an ideal candidate for PPLI and who may not benefit from the strategy. → How investor control rules and diversification requirements impact PPLI structures. With more than 40 years of experience, Michael advises ultra-high-net-worth families on international tax planning, asset protection, risk management, and cross-border wealth strategies. Connect With Michael: Website: https://www.ewp-financial.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-malloy-clu-tep-rfc7331a744/ X: https://x.com/EwPfinancial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EWP-Financial

Episode 1326: The New Rules of Legal Marketing

1 views · October 7th, 2026

Law firms can spend heavily on marketing and still not know what is actually generating new cases. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Nick Cohen, Esq., COO at Matador Solutions, who explains why law firms should focus less on vanity metrics and more on lead tracking, cases generated, and measurable return on investment. He explains how Google reviews, referrals, high-intent search, and emerging AI platforms such as ChatGPT are reshaping how potential clients find and choose attorneys. Nick also discusses the shift from traditional SEO rankings toward AI citations and mentions, and outlines the three areas he believes smaller law firms should prioritize over the next year. Key Takeaways: → Law schools generally do not teach attorneys how to market, manage, or grow a law firm, leaving many lawyers with a major business knowledge gap. → Traffic and impressions can become vanity metrics if they do not translate into qualified leads and new cases. → High-intent searches are more valuable than broad traffic because they come from people actively seeking legal help. → AI search is beginning to influence how consumers find attorneys, with some users moving directly to tools like ChatGPT rather than starting with Google. → Referrals remain highly valuable because they typically convert at a higher rate than cold internet leads do. Nick Cohen, Esq., is Matador’s Chief Operating Officer and a licensed California attorney. He began in legal marketing at 12, learning to code and generate business online. After earning his business degree from USC’s Marshall School, he managed more than $10M in digital ad spend at a Los Angeles e-commerce company. He then attended Loyola Law School on a merit scholarship in the evenings while working at Matador during the day. He now brings both legal expertise and performance marketing experience to Matador’s 160+ law firm partners. Connect With Nick: Website: https://www.matadorsolutions.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matadorsolutionsllc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matador.solutions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/matador-solutions-llc/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickecohen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@matadorsolutions809

Bonus: IRS Tax Problems: Resolve Tax Debt & Avoid Costly Mistakes

0 views · October 1st, 2026

Marcelino Dodge is an Enrolled Agent, Certified Tax Representation Consultant, and founder of Cash Tracks Financial and Panther Tax Resolution, helping individuals and business owners resolve tax problems and plan more effectively. In this episode, Marcelino breaks down common tax mistakes, from choosing the wrong business structure and relying on questionable tax advice to mishandling retirement withdrawals and waiting too long to address IRS problems. He also explains how tax resolution works, why planning ahead matters, and how tax and investment professionals can work together to help clients make better-informed financial decisions. Key Takeaways: ● Choose the Right Business Structure: The wrong entity or tax election can lead business owners to pay more in taxes than necessary. ● Plan Before Major Financial Moves: Retirement withdrawals, business decisions, and other significant transactions can create unexpected tax consequences without advance planning. ● Understand Tax Resolution: Offers in compromise, installment agreements, and other IRS solutions have specific qualification requirements and are not automatic. ● Stay Current With the IRS: Filing required tax returns and maintaining compliance can be critical when trying to resolve an existing tax problem. ● Coordinate Financial and Tax Planning: Collaboration between tax and investment professionals can help clients anticipate tax consequences and Connect with Marcelino: Website: www.taxreliefcall.com Website: www.cashtracksfinancial.com Calendly: Select a Date & Time - Calendly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CashTracksCOS/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC9HIcpd8lTskcc2lwlGPZMA With your Guest Host Dana Gibson: Dana Gibson is a Retirement Diagnostician and Certified Financial Fiduciary known as The Roth Doctor™. His approach was shaped by a life-changing 1995 assault and subsequent financial devastation, which taught him how quickly health, wealth, and financial security can change. Today, Dana helps pre-retirees identify hidden risks involving taxes, RMDs, Social Security, retirement income, longevity, and wealth preservation. He also developed the Self-Completing Roth Conversion Strategy to help families reduce lifetime retirement taxes. Dana’s philosophy is simple: every retirement deserves a thorough diagnosis before a financial prescription. Website: https://taxmitigation.net/tax-readiness-score.html

Episode 268: From Small Startup to Global Financial Platform

1 views · September 30th, 2026

What does it take to transform a small startup into a global financial services company while building a culture that can scale through constant change? In this episode of the Registered Investment Advisor Podcast, Seth Greene interviews David Johnson, CEO & Founder of Vervent, who shares how he built Vervent from a small loan servicing company into a global financial services platform serving lenders, lessors, and credit providers. He explains the leadership principles that guided the company’s growth, including embracing discomfort, building strong teams, integrating acquisitions successfully, and evolving as an organization. David also discusses the future of financial services, including Vervent’s enterprise-wide AI transformation and how technology can create new efficiencies, opportunities, and better client outcomes. Key Takeaways: → Starting a company during challenging economic conditions can reveal whether a business idea has true market demand. → Great leaders must evolve as their companies grow by shifting from having all the answers to building teams of capable people who can contribute expertise and perspective. → “Comfort with discomfort” can become a powerful cultural principle that helps organizations handle difficult conversations and challenging situations. → Successful acquisitions require more than cost-cutting. Companies create value by integrating people, culture, and capabilities to move the organization forward. → The hardest part of acquisitions is often the people integration, not the technology. David Johnson spearheads the bold leadership that Vervent brings to clients and the industry. He drives our business and people forward with a penchant for innovation, a talent for developing expert teams, and a passion for creating impactful results. Connect With David: Website: https://www.vervent.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vervent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VerventSD/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verventsd/ X: https://x.com/verventSD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR5iV1H4bK4FNp-5JbAmz2Q

Episode 1324: Building Real Connection in a Digital World

1 views · September 30th, 2026

What if the key to growing online is not attracting the largest audience but creating a place where people genuinely feel connected and want to return? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Lea Rosenberry, Head of Community at Chatter Social, who explains how the platform evolved from a content-focused social network into a community-first environment centered on live interaction and meaningful connection. She explains why community can be more valuable than audience size, how data helps identify the behaviors that keep people engaged, and why making newcomers feel welcome is critical to long-term retention. Lea also explores live podcasting, virtual events, creator monetization, personalized onboarding, and how Chatter Social hopes to foster more authentic human connection in an increasingly AI-driven digital world. Key Takeaways: → Strong online communities are built on connection and belonging, not on simply producing more content. → Features such as video, live rooms, screen sharing, and groups can help users find and connect with people who share their interests. → Community platforms can become more effective by using real user behavior and engagement data to guide product decisions. → Podcasts can become more interactive when hosts bring live audiences into the experience and invite listeners to join the conversation. → Creator monetization tools, such as peer-to-peer tips, can help increase both engagement and platform retention. Lea Rosenberry is the Head of Community at Chatter Social, an interactive streaming platform that brings people together in real time. A lifelong educator and IT trainer, she has spent her career helping others adapt to new technologies and build confidence in the digital world. She now applies those skills to cultivate vibrant, supportive communities where people feel connected and empowered to thrive. Connect With Lea: Website: https://chattersocial.io/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatter_us/ X: https://x.com/chatter_us BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/chattersocial.io

Episode 1323: Grow Your Brand With Ice-T and the OG Network

0 views · September 28th, 2026

Creating great content can build an audience, but owning the rights, distribution, and the business behind that content can create far greater long-term value. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Rachel Renee, Founder and CEO of GOAT MOVES INC., who explains how the OG Network is building a streaming platform that gives independent creators greater access to distribution, clearer agreements, and more control over their intellectual property. She explains why ownership matters in the creator economy, how licensing and distribution can turn content into a long-term asset, and why millions of views alone do not necessarily translate into sustainable wealth. Rachel also explores brand integration, programmatic marketing, international content, and how businesses can participate in original productions to reach audiences across multiple media channels. Key Takeaways: → Independent creators can benefit from understanding not only how to produce content but also how licensing, distribution, and ownership work. → Owning intellectual property lets creators continue benefiting if a piece of content becomes popular months or even years after its original release. → Streaming platforms can differentiate themselves by creating simpler processes and more accessible pathways for independent productions to reach audiences. → Strong distribution requires reaching audiences across multiple channels, not just uploading content and hoping viewers will discover it. → Inclusive media platforms can create opportunities for creators from diverse cultures, countries, and content categories rather than focusing on a single, narrow audience. Rachel Renee is a CEO, investor, entrepreneur, media executive, and business strategist whose work spans technology, media, consulting, commerce, and cultural innovation. As CEO of Chameleon Holdings, she oversees a growing portfolio of businesses that connect people, ideas, and opportunities through entrepreneurship, storytelling, and emerging technologies. Her career reflects a unique blend of creative vision, operational excellence, and long-term ecosystem building, enabling her to bridge business, entertainment, and community development. Connect With Rachel: Website: https://linktr.ee/Rchl_Renee https://rachelrenee.me/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rchlrenee/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rchl_renee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rchlrenee/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4F-PjLgjAAWtsl-riCfxSQ

Episode 52: IRS Tax Problems: Audits, Tax Debt & Settlements

0 views · September 24th, 2026

Jason Wiggam is the founding partner of Wiggam Law, an Atlanta-based tax controversy firm representing individuals, business owners, executives, and investors in disputes with the IRS and state tax authorities. His firm serves clients nationwide and has grown from a two-person operation to a team of 50. In this episode, Jason explains what business owners should know when facing IRS audits, tax debt, collection notices, and settlement options. He breaks down common misconceptions about the IRS, why ignoring notices can be costly, how offers in compromise really work, and why taxpayers should understand their options before making decisions based on fear. Key Takeaways: ● Respond to IRS Notices Quickly: Ignoring an IRS letter can cause taxpayers to miss important deadlines and lose valuable rights. ● Understand Your Settlement Options: Offers in compromise, penalty abatements, collection statutes, and bankruptcy may provide solutions depending on the circumstances. ● Beware of “Pennies on the Dollar” Claims: IRS tax settlements are possible, but aggressive advertising often makes these outcomes appear far more common than they are. ● Get Representation During an Audit: Business owners should consider having an experienced tax professional communicate with the IRS rather than handling an audit themselves. ● File Even If You Can’t Pay: Delaying a tax return because you cannot afford the balance can create additional penalties and make the problem more expensive. Connect with Jason: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwiggam/ Website: https://wiggamlaw.com

Episode 267: The Exit Planning Mistakes Owners Make Too Late

0 views · September 23rd, 2026

Selling a business can create life-changing wealth, but without the right planning, the transaction itself may be the easiest part of the transition. In this episode of the Registered Investment Advisor Podcast, Seth Greene interviews Michael “Mic” Lundon, CEPA®, J.D., Founder and Managing Director of Evertern Wealth, who shares what business owners should consider years before a potential sale, including financial planning, tax strategy, estate planning, succession, and reducing the company’s dependence on the founder. He explains why a successful exit requires more than getting the highest offer and how owners can determine whether a sale will actually support the life they want afterward. Michael also explores how to manage wealth after a liquidity event, build the right advisory team, prepare for the emotional transition out of the business, and plan for future generations. Key Takeaways: → Business owners should begin preparing for an eventual exit several years before they expect to sell, rather than waiting until a transaction is already approaching. → Exit planning should coordinate financial, business, tax, and estate planning so major decisions are not made under time pressure. → Entrepreneurs often have much of their wealth concentrated in their businesses and may need to relearn investing, tax planning, and estate planning after a liquidity event. → A successful exit depends on thoughtful planning, not simply completing the sale of the company. → Reducing dependence on the founder can make a business more transferable by creating strong management, documented processes, and broader organizational responsibility. Michael “Mic” Lundon is the Founder and Managing Director of Evertern Wealth, where he provides portfolio management, financial planning, and guidance on estate, trust, and business transition matters. He works closely with business owners, senior executives, and multigenerational families, delivering personalized advice for clients with complex financial needs. Connect With Michael: Website: https://www.everternwealth.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/everternwealth/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lundon-661b681/

Episode 1322: The Business Behind a Profitable Bar

0 views · September 23rd, 2026

A packed bar can look wildly successful from the outside while quietly losing money behind the scenes. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Chris Schneider, Bar Business Coach, who shares why many bars struggle not because they lack customers, but because owners often lack the financial systems, pricing discipline, labor management, and business acumen needed to protect margins. He explains the importance of prime cost, hiring for attitude rather than experience, creating a memorable guest experience, and making dozens of small operational improvements that collectively improve the bottom line. Chris also explores how AI can support back-office operations, why owners need to rely on data instead of instinct alone, and what he would change first when turning around a struggling neighborhood bar. Key Takeaways: → A bar can be packed with customers and still lose money if pricing, labor, entertainment, and other operating costs are not properly managed. → Hospitality businesses often struggle when passion and operational experience are not paired with strong business and financial skills. → Prime cost, which combines labor and the cost of goods sold, is one of the most important metrics bar and restaurant owners need to monitor. → A clean, well-maintained restroom can strongly influence how guests perceive the overall cleanliness and quality of the entire establishment. → Delivering an exceptional guest experience can generate more valuable word-of-mouth marketing than many traditional advertising methods. Chris Schneider bridges three critical areas in hospitality: operations, financial systems, and education. A former bar owner, he learned firsthand how to be profitable by managing neighborhood bars where every decision impacts the bottom line. His experience at Intuit as a QuickBooks Live Manager exposed him to patterns across thousands of small businesses, revealing that success comes from better systems and smarter use of financial data. Chris later taught hospitality at Ivy Tech, where he refined his ability to turn complex challenges into repeatable systems. He now coaches bar owners using his MCC Framework—Mindset, Concept, Culture—to improve profitability and operations. He hosts The Bar Business Podcast, reaching listeners in 100+ countries, and is the author of multiple industry books. Chris helps independent bar owners build profitable, system-driven businesses that align with their vision. Connect With Chris: Website: http://barbusinesscoach.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbusinesscoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbusinesscoach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-schneider-74732021/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsyvnkceZSVsRMTJdnB4SuQ

Episode 1321: How to Make a Billion in Nine Steps

0 views · September 21st, 2026

What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't the market, but how you are leading it? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Sir Richard Harpin, Founder and Former CEO of HomeServe and Sunday Times Bestselling Author, who shares the lessons he learned building HomeServe from a £50,000 startup into a global company that ultimately sold for more than $4.1 billion. He explains why copying proven models can be smarter than chasing originality, how founders become bottlenecks, and why hiring the right leadership is essential when a company reaches its next stage of growth. Richard also explores the difference between real growth opportunities and shiny-object distractions, the importance of acting quickly on talent decisions, and the traits he looks for when investing in entrepreneurs and scaling companies. Key Takeaways: → Testing a business model at small scale before expanding can reveal whether the economics are strong enough to support growth. → Entrepreneurs can lose momentum when they keep adding ideas instead of staying focused on the opportunity already working. → Businesses often get stuck around the $10 million to $15 million revenue range when owners become distracted and stop fully developing their strongest business. → One of the hardest growth decisions for a founder is hiring someone better suited to run the day-to-day business. → International expansion often requires local leadership because credibility, relationships, and buying behavior differ by market. Sir Richard Harpin is an entrepreneur, investor, and business leader who co-founded HomeServe in 1993 with a £50,000 investment. HomeServe was built to make home repairs easier and more reliable. It grew from a fragile startup into a multinational FTSE 100 company serving millions of customers before being sold in 2023 for £4.1 billion. Raised in Yorkshire, Richard began trading as a child and, as a teenager, built and sold his first business. His leadership philosophy emphasizes focus, disciplined execution, persistence, and close listening to customers. Today, Richard helps mid-sized companies scale into enduring businesses by investing, writing, and advising founders and leadership teams. A regular columnist for The Sunday Times, he shares lessons shaped by decades of growth, setbacks, and hands-on experience building successful companies. Connect With Sir Richard: Website: https://www.richardharpin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richard_harpin/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rharpin/ TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/richard_harpin/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessleaderUk

Bonus: Beyond Taxes: Accounting & Cash Flow for Business Growth

0 views · September 17th, 2026

Armine Alajian is a CPA, entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of the Alajian Group, a full-service accounting and advisory firm serving startups, growing businesses, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals. With more than 20 years of experience spanning public accounting, corporate finance, fintech, tax strategy, and fractional CFO services, she helps business owners turn financial data into better decisions. In this episode, Armine joins guest host Peter Florio to explain why accounting should go far beyond preparing tax returns. They discuss the importance of accurate financial reporting, cash flow management, fractional CFO support, AI and automation, and building the financial infrastructure businesses need to grow, raise capital, and prepare for future opportunities. Key Takeaways: ● Accounting Goes Beyond Taxes: Strong accounting gives business owners the financial information they need to make informed decisions throughout the year. ● Cash Flow Is Critical: Understanding when money actually comes in and goes out helps businesses anticipate needs and avoid costly surprises. ● Financial Infrastructure Supports Growth: Reliable reporting, internal controls, and clean financial data become increasingly important as a company scales. ● Fractional CFOs Fill a Strategic Gap: Growing businesses can access projections, analytics, fundraising support, and higher-level financial guidance without building a full internal finance department. ● AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement: AI and automation can make accounting more efficient, but professional expertise remains essential for evaluating information and applying it correctly. Connect with Armine: Website: www.alajiangroup.com With Guest Host Peter Florio: Peter F. Florio, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CExP, CLTC is a well-respected financial educator, author, speaker and wealth, tax and financial planner. For nearly 40 years, his advice and expertise have been sought out by high net worth individuals and small business owners to manage their wealth and protect their families and businesses from life’s unforeseen pratfalls. Peter regularly shares his knowledge of innovative ideas and concepts with CPA’s and attorneys. He serves the needs of over 500 clients located throughout the country with a concentration in the Long Island/New York City area. Peter is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Florio Wealth Management Group, a financial planning and wealth management firm located in Westbury, NY. He is a lifelong resident of Baldwin, New York, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Baldwin and an active supporter of the Long Island Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Website: https://www.floriowmg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/florio-wealth-management-group/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floriowmg Calendly: https://calendly.com/floriowmg

Episode 1320: The Hidden Constraint Behind Your Business

0 views · September 16th, 2026

What if the biggest constraint in your business is not your strategy, team, or marketing, but the underlying beliefs that shape how you experience them all? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Brian D. Ridgway and Abigail Morgan, who present the Level Five Mentoring framework for examining deeper patterns that can contribute to recurring business struggles, including financial volatility, overwork, difficult clients, hiring challenges, and persistent stress. Brian explains his concept of 100% personal responsibility, the theory of constraints, and the five paradigms he uses to describe how people relate to themselves, their business, and the world around them. Abigail translates the framework into practical business terms, sharing her own experience with financial instability and explaining how greater awareness of underlying patterns can help entrepreneurs approach money, leadership, teams, and growth differently. Key Takeaways: → Financial volatility, overwork, and team issues can signal deeper business patterns. → Entrepreneurs may fear success because growth creates new responsibilities. → Fixing the core constraint can make other strategies more effective. → The Level 5 framework outlines five different paradigms for viewing life and business. → Awareness is the first step toward changing recurring business patterns. Beyond outdated self-help, endlessly rehashed, superficial “positive thinking” approaches, and incomplete, airy-fairy spiritual approaches lies the next level: The Level 5 Paradigm and “Spellbreak” Technology. Based on years of personal research, Brian D. Ridgway has unlocked the door to immediate, deep, and lasting transformation. After an abusive childhood, Brian dove into self-help and personal development to improve his life. As program after program failed to deliver the promised transformation, Brian became a self-proclaimed “Self-Help Junkie,” eventually investing more than $300,000 and tens of thousands of hours in his desperate quest for a life that “worked.” At his lowest, most hopeless point, homeless and suicidal, Brian experienced what he calls his “Miracle Moment,” a single blast of infinite awareness and insight in which he discovered “The Level 5 Paradigm.” His entire life transformed. He went from homeless to living in paradise in Hawaii and has dedicated his life to spreading the “LEVEL 5 TECHNOLOGY” and helping others attain true, lasting personal freedom. If you’re looking for rehashed, new-age jargon, that’s not what you’ll find with Brian. But if you’re seeking an expert who has “been there, done that” and helps people eliminate the illusion of problems to access their Infinite Intelligence, Brian is the one to call. Abigail Morgan is the founder of the OCM Method and a soul-led business consultant who helps coaches, therapists, and healers build profitable businesses that align with who they are and how they want to work. As a single mom, dog mom, violinist, intuitive Celtic Seer, and passionate practitioner of embodiment and mind-body-soul work, she brings a deeply holistic perspective to business growth and personal transformation. She also partners with Maxine Haller, the creator of the MAP Whole Brain Balance Method, to help clients integrate embodiment, mindset, and alignment into how they live, work, market, and grow their businesses. Connect With Brian: Website: https://briandridgway.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianDRidgwaySpellbreaker/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/level5mentor/ https://www.instagram.com/briandridgway/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandridgway/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/brian-d-ridgway YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BrianDRidgway/videos Connect with Abigail: Website: https://www.abigailmorgancoaching.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abigailsteidley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slackermagicsystem/

Episode 266: Why Financial Planning Must Go Beyond Taxes

1 views · September 16th, 2026

A strong financial life is not just about what you earn today, but whether your family has a clear plan for what happens next. In this episode of the Registered Investment Advisor Podcast, Seth Greene interviews Vishaw Sondhi, Founder and President of Vishaw Sondhi, CPA P.C., who shares why financial planning should extend far beyond tax preparation to include retirement income, family preparedness, business succession, and long-term tax strategy. He explains why business owners need an exit plan, why families should regularly evaluate their financial readiness, and how starting earlier gives people more options when preparing for retirement and unexpected life events. Vishaw also discusses the importance of coordinating tax, retirement, and financial decisions around each family’s unique situation rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. Key Takeaways: → Financial planning should address more than annual taxes by considering retirement, family needs, and long-term financial security. → Families can benefit from planning well before a crisis occurs so spouses and children understand what to do if something unexpected happens. → Starting retirement planning earlier gives time a greater opportunity to work in your favor, but it is still valuable to begin even if you feel behind. → A periodic “financial checkup” can help people identify whether they are still on the right path as laws, products, and personal circumstances change. → One of the biggest financial risks for business owners is not having a clear exit or succession plan. Vishaw Sondhi is the founder and president of Vishaw Sondhi, CPA P.C., a firm that provides comprehensive wealth management, tax planning, and accounting services for business owners and individuals. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) a Retired Income Certified Professional (RICP®), and a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) with over 35 years of experience in the financial industry. Connect With Vishaw: Website: https://www.vsondhicpa.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vsondhicpa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishaw-sondhi-cpa-pfs-ricp%C2%AE-ab717b26/

Episode 1319: College Hunks Hauling Junk: From Beat-Up Van to $300 Million Brand

2 views · September 14th, 2026

What does it really take to turn a borrowed cargo van and a catchy name into a $300 million franchise? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Kevin Harrington and Seth Greene interview Nick Friedman, Co-Founder and Chairman of College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, who shares how a college side hustle grew into a nationwide franchise system with roughly 200 franchisees and nearly $300 million in annual sales. He explains why the company expanded from junk removal into moving, what entrepreneurs often misunderstand about franchising, and how strong franchisee relationships helped the brand navigate challenges such as COVID and shifting housing conditions. Nick also discusses bringing in private equity, avoiding entrepreneurial distractions, building an investment thesis, and using books and podcasting to share what he has learned with the next generation of business owners. Key Takeaways: → A simple business idea can become a major brand when entrepreneurs pair a memorable concept with consistent execution over time. → Franchising is not passive income because franchise owners rely heavily on ongoing support, coaching, training, systems, and leadership from the franchisor. → Businesses considering franchising should ideally demonstrate the economics of multiple locations before attempting to scale through franchisees. → Private equity has become increasingly interested in home-service businesses because many essential physical services remain difficult to disrupt with technology. → A clear investment thesis helps entrepreneurs evaluate opportunities based on their skills, values, experience, and capacity to contribute more than capital. Nick Friedman is the co-founder of College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, an award-winning franchise he launched with his high school friend, Omar Soliman, in a beat-up cargo van. Today, the company has more than 200 franchises worldwide and generates over $300 million in annual sales. Nick is a two-time Emmy Award-winning producer for Hunks vs. The Hurricanes, which documented the company’s hurricane recovery efforts. He has appeared on Shark Tank and Undercover Boss, and the brand has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Hoarders, and Hoarding. He is also an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner and the 2024 International Franchise Association Entrepreneur of the Year. Through the company, Nick supports domestic violence survivors with free moves and has helped donate more than six million meals through US Hunger. Connect With Nick: Website: https://www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeHunksHaulingJunkandMoving/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegehunks/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-hunks-hauling-junk/ X: https://x.com/CollegeHunks YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-zo_ofBvBf5jTrjpvit_ow

Episode 51: Smarter Pricing for Financial AdvisorsBIns Ep 51 Agbonlahor

1 views · September 10th, 2026

Behavioral economics may be the missing piece in how RIAs price and position their advice. Etinosa Agbonlahor is a behavioral economist and CEO of Decision Alpha, where she applies behavioral economics to pricing, decision-making, product design, and growth. Her experience includes working with major banks in Australia and a large U.S. investment firm. In this episode, Etinosa explores why RIAs and business owners often underprice their services, how clients perceive value, and why pricing requires both math and psychology. She also explains how anchoring, pricing options, client segmentation, and positioning can help advisors structure fees more effectively. Key Takeaways: ● Underpricing Can Undermine Value: RIAs often price based on what feels fair to them rather than what their expertise is worth to clients. ● Pricing Is Both Art and Science: Sustainable pricing requires understanding margins and profitability while accounting for how clients make decisions. ● Give Clients Meaningful Choices: Offering structured pricing options gives prospects reference points and can make decisions easier than presenting one price or too many choices. ● Positioning Shapes Perceived Value: How and where an advisory service is presented can significantly influence what clients believe that service is worth. ● Use Anchoring Strategically: Advisors can establish relevant comparison points that help clients evaluate the value of their advice and pricing. Connect with Etinosa: Website: www.etinosaa.com