Category Archives: Podcast

GMB Ep #123: Tax Efficient Crypto Gifting With Pat Duffy

 

The world of cryptocurrency is innovative and ever-expanding. In today’s episode of Grow Money Business, we are joined by Pat Duffy, a cofounder of The Giving Block. The Giving Block is a platform that enables non-profit organizations to receive cryptocurrency donations. Throughout the episode, Pat and Grant dive deep into the tax benefits related to crypto donations, and discuss how The Giving Block is changing the future of charitable giving.

 

 

Show Notes

[03:14] The Giving Block – We start the conversation with a brief look at what The Giving Block does and how it helps donors and non-profit organizations.

[07:10] The Process – Pat walks us through the process of what happens when someone interested in crypto gifting signs up with The Giving Block.

[10:00] Donor Advised Funds – Pat explains the process of donating via a Donor Advised Fund.

[16:33] Why Crypto? – Pat shares his take on some of the reasons why non-profit organizations may want to take crypto donations.

[19:05] Barriers – Pat discusses some of the challenges non-profit organizations face when starting to accept crypto donations.

[27:30] Getting Traction – Pat shares with us what it was like at the beginning of his service and what it took to get enough traction for the service.

[31:30] Business Model – Pat shares with us how the business model of the Giving Block works and some of the areas the platform will be expanding into in the near future.

[36:52] Managing Growth – Pat dives into their strategy of managing their growth.

[42:54] Shift4 – The Giving Block was recently acquired by the payment processing solutions company, Shift4. Pat shares what opportunities and possibilities this acquisition will open up.

[49:10] Tips for Donating – Pat shares some advice for those who own crypto assets and want to make a crypto donation.

 

Resources

GMB Ep #122: How to Retain Top Employees Amid the Great Resignation With Jeff Kortes

 

In today’s day and age, it takes more than just money to keep top performing employees from moving on to better opportunities. Jeff Kortes joins us today to discuss employee retention amid the Great Resignation. Jeff possesses a wealth of experience in this subject, and spent ten years in human resources before resigning and establishing his consulting practice. Throughout the episode Jeff shares the importance of workplace culture, as well as tips for hiring and retaining the right people for your business.

 

Show Notes

[02:51] Great Resignation – Jeff describes the Great Resignation and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the workforce.

[05:41] Shifts in the Workforce– Jeff explores the implications of younger workers seeking other opportunities or relocating within an industry.

[06:36] Give Your Employees C.R.A.P – Jeff discusses the correlation between workplace culture and employee retention, and shares a few ways that businesses can kill employee loyalty.

[13:33] Jeff’s Work – Jeff describes how his practice helps companies diagnose the underlying cause of their issues.

[17:52] Employee Retention Problems-  Jeff describes how he determines whether a business has undetected or misdiagnosed staff retention issues.

[20:30] Strategy and Correction – Jeff shares their top strategies for correcting issues they find along the way.

[27:35] Finding the Right People – Jeff provides his perspective on how to know that you are hiring the right type of individual for your company.

[34:19] The Future of Work – Jeff discusses the recent shift in the workplace, and how this will affect future generations’ work habits.

[36:17] Virtual Connection – Jeff and Grant discuss how to develop and sustain culture in the day and age of remote work.

[44:04] Jeff’s plans – Jeff shares his future plans and how people can connect with him.

 

Resources

GMB Ep #120: A CFO’s Perspective on Managing Cash, M&A, ESOPs, & the Changing Business Environment

 

Have you ever heard the saying that revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, and cash is reality? Today’s guest, Robert E. Bendetti, is the CFO at Life Cycle Engineering. He holds a master’s degree in accounting and financial management and an MBA specializing in small business management and entrepreneurship, as well as being a certified public accountant. Throughout the episode, we cover several key concepts that help business owners grow their businesses and adapt to ever changing markets.

 

 

Show Notes

[03:21] Background – Robert shares his background and the company’s operations.

[05:20] Cash Flow Management – Robert emphasizes the importance of cash flow management and gives his perspective as a CFO on appropriate cash management for small enterprises.

[08:48] Cash Conversion Cycle – Robert discusses approaches to optimize the cash conversion cycle, emphasizing the importance of timely invoicing, collection challenges, and the smoothness of the payment process.

[11:50] Tips – Robert shares an approach for reducing turnaround time and illustrates a simple mechanism to increase collection rates.

[20:29] Profitability – Robert points out how to convert cash to profit, describing what balance sheet and income statement items need to be monitored.

[23:25] Paying Yourself vs. Reinvesting – Robert outlines how to decide whether to invest additional funds to boost profitability and future growth or pay yourself.

[31:41] Transition – Robert addresses what individuals approaching retirement or transition should consider 18 months before leaving a firm.

[40:25] Employee Stock Ownership Plan – Robert dives deep into ESOP and related topics.

[51:31] Global CFO Council – As President and Founder of Global CFO Council, Robert mentions what he hopes to accomplish through the organization.

 

Resources

GMB EP #119: Lessons on Fraud Prevention From the Former Iowa Lottery CEO

 

Ever wonder what it takes to scam the state lottery? Terry Rich joins us on the podcast this week to discuss fraud and how to prevent it in small businesses & other organizations. Terry is the former CEO of the Iowa lottery, and helped uncover a multi-million-dollar fraud before it was paid out. 

 

 

Show Notes

[02:35] Terry’s Story – Terry begins the conversation by sharing his backstory.

[09:46] Underlying Reason –Terry dives deep into three key reasons why people commit fraud.

[13:19] Remedies – Terry shares his thoughts on how to identify fraudulent activities and deal with scammers, and ultimately avoid becoming victims.

[17:02] Iowa Lottery Fraud – Terry tells the fascinating story of resolving the largest lottery fraud in the United States.

[38:48] Adjustments – Terry discusses the improvements made after the fraud was discovered and addressed.

[48:25] Entrepreneurial Spirit and Creativity – Terry explains how he preserves entrepreneurial spirit and creativity.

 

Resources

Connect with Terry:

Website: terryspeaks.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/terich/

 

Mentioned in the Episode:

Ep #117 – A Top Economist’s Take on Personal Finance With Dr. Laurence Kotlikoff:

The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life: Before 8AM:

Iowa Lottery Fraud:

GMB Ep #118: DeFi State of Affairs With Matteo Binfarè

 

Decentralized finance (DeFi) is an emerging system of financial products and services built on blockchain technology. It utilizes secure distributed ledgers similar to those used by cryptocurrencies. In today’s episode of Grow Money Business, we have an insightful conversation with Matteo Binfarè, a professor at the University of Missouri. He teaches his students about investments, pensions, endowments, and decentralized finance. Throughout the conversation, Matteo imparts his insight and years of experience in decentralized finance and cryptocurrency.

 

 

Show Notes

[02:33] Decentralized Finance – To kick off the conversation, Matteo defines decentralized finance and discusses its current state.

[07:13] Cryptocurrency – Matteo shares his thoughts on the impact of cryptocurrency.

[10:34] Asset Class – Matteo shares his thoughts on whether cryptocurrency deserves its own asset class.

[13:28] Web 3.0 – Web 3.0, the next avatar of the internet’s world, is a technology capable of understanding and interpreting the concept of data on its own. Matteo explains Web 3.0 is and how it works.

[19:11] Governments and Bitcoin – Matteo discusses a variety of government viewpoints and regulations surrounding bitcoins.

[23:49] Smart Contracts – Matteo defines a smart contract and outlines its potential applications and benefits.

[26:25] Matteo’s Story – Matteo shares his background and journey thus far.

[32:03] Asset Allocation – Matteo expresses his thoughts on whether or not cryptocurrency deserves a place in most people’s portfolios, as well as how much an individual should consider allocating to it.

[43:47] Institutions – Matteo explores how institutions are approaching cryptocurrency and allocating resources.

[47:43] Research and Studies – Matteo discusses his research studies and plans to study cryptocurrencies and DeFi formally.

[24:59] Hazards – Matteo points out some key risks to consider while investing in cryptocurrencies.

 

Resources

GMB Ep #117: A Top Economist’s Take on Personal Finance With Dr. Laurence Kotlikoff

 

Economics applies to every industry at the individual, national, and global level. In this week’s episode, we have a distinguished guest who is on a mission to make economics useful at all levels. Dr. Laurence Kotlikoff is an economics professor at Boston University. He is also the author of Money Magic, a personal finance book written from an economist’s standpoint. Today’s podcast examines his book and financial outlook, which frequently counters conventional economic theories. Throughout the podcast, he shares his experience in handling personal financial decisions while also discussing some insightful observations about the state of our country.

 

 

Show Notes

[03:38] Introduction – Laurence introduces himself and discusses his current career emphasis.

[06:22] Personal Financial Decision Making – We must see individual financial decisions through the prism of consumption smoothing. Laurence explains what this is and why it is essential.

[12:42] IRA and Mortgage – Laurence outlines why under certain circumstances, it makes sense to withdraw funds from the IRA to pay off the mortgage.

[18:43] Investments – Laurence discusses investments, stocks, and the importance of making sound investment decisions. Furthermore, he evaluates the risk associated with each sort of investment.

[32:06] Social Security – Laurence discusses how individuals can navigate the complex social security web.

[34:10] Viability – Laurence discusses the Social Security system’s viability and what individuals may do to prop it up.

[42:54] Massive Deficits – Whether it is the aggregate federal deficit, unfunded liabilities, or Social Security, taxing one’s way out of some deficits is politically unappealing. Laurence discusses his approach to enormous deficits.

[48:28] Politics and Economics – Laurence discusses the causes of present crises, relating them to a lack of synergy between politics and economics.

[51:33] Campaign Trail – Laurence reflects on his 2016 presidential campaign experience, and shares what he would do differently in 2024 if he was running with an unlimited campaign budget.

 

Resources

Connect with Laurence:

Website: kotlikoff.net/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurencekotlikoff/

 

Mentioned in the episode:

Maxifi: maxifiplanner.com/

Economic Security Planning: economicsecurityplanning.com/

Money Magic: An Economist’s Secrets to More Money, Less Risk, and a Better Life: goodreads.com/book/show/56620849-money-magic

GMB EP #116: A Top M&A Advisor’s Perspective on Growing & Selling Your Business

 

An exit strategy is a key aspect in a business owner’s journey. However, the majority of business owners do not consider their exit strategy until it is too late. On today’s episode of Grow Money Business, our guest is Michelle Seiler Tucker, a mergers and acquisitions specialist. She has over two decades of experience in the industry, and in that time, has assisted in selling over 500 businesses. Michelle not only aids business owners in the sale of their companies but also helps entrepreneurs and investors in acquiring businesses. Throughout the episode, Michelle imparts some of her wisdom she has accumulated over the years on growing and selling businesses.

 

 

Show Notes

[02:34] Introduction – Michelle introduces herself and discusses her career.

[07:18] Exiting a Business – Michelle shares key points and considerations when exiting a business.

[19:34] EBIT – Michelle explains why technology trades on multiple sales rather than EBIT.

[20:51] Additional Key Points – Michelle continues to provide her perspectives on a number of crucial elements that influence the sale of a business.

[31:48] Databases – Michelle describes the challenges and concerns regarding databases.

[34:08] Exit Rich – Michelle presents an overview of why she wrote her book, what it is about, and its target demographic.

[37:20] Interest Rates – Michelle shares her views on how interest rates affect the market for business acquisitions and sales.

[43:11] Biggest Mistakes – Michelle covers several of the most common errors she sees sellers make throughout the process.

[45:01] Confidentiality – Michelle emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality when selling your business.

[50:19] Private Equity – Michelle outlines when it makes sense to start a private equity firm.

[56:15] Network of The Professional – Michelle describes the value of a professional network and how that impacts locating future opportunities.

[56:55] More on Mistakes – Michelle shares more insight on common mistakes people make when selling their business.

 

Resources

Connect with Michelle: 

Website: seilertucker.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michelleseiler/

 

Mentioned in the episode: 

Exit Rich – Website: exitrichbook.com/

Exit Rich: The 6 P Method to Sell Your Business for Huge Profit:

amazon.com/Exit-Rich-Method-Business-Profit/dp/1732510288

The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results: goodreads.com/book/show/the-one-thing

Behavioral Economics With Professor John Howe:

growmoneybusiness.com/podcast/behavioral-economics-with-professor-john-howe

GMB EP #115: How to Keep You & Your Business Safe Online With Amir Tarighat

 

Protecting assets and data from digital threats is crucial for the integrity and reputation of any business. In today’s episode of Grow Money Business, we have a fascinating conversation with Amir Tarighat. Amir is the founder and CEO at Agency, a firm that provides enterprise-level cybersecurity solutions for growing companies. Throughout the episode, he delves deeper into enlightening aspects of cybersecurity, including why it is vital to have a plan in place for your business.

 

 

Show Notes

[03:34] Background – Amir talks about his background, how he entered the field of cybersecurity, and why he decided to build his own company.

[05:16] Cybersecurity – Amir explains the necessity of cybersecurity as more firms migrate from on-premises to cloud-based services.

[07:38] Vulnerabilities – The list of online vulnerabilities is extensive and ever-changing. Amir discusses the vulnerabilities through applications such as Amazon and Google.

[10:12] Dark Web Monitoring – Amir explains how his company helps its clients through dark web monitoring.

[12:54] Malware – Amir describes types of malware, how malware can get into a business’s computer systems, and the consequences once that occurs.

[16:23] Remedies – Amir walks us through the process of recovering from a ransomware attack.

[19:43] Stay Safe – Amir highlights the procedures that must be taken to remain safe online, both as an individual and as a business.

[22:44] VPN – Amir discusses VPNs and their relevance to online safety.

[26:02] Password Managers – Amir emphasizes the need for password managers, as well as two-factor authentication, and shares his preferred password manager software.

[30:36] Mobile Applications – Amir explains why it is critical to be cautious about the apps downloaded onto phones.

[33:12] Updates – Amir discusses the importance of keeping all the devices and software up to date.

[35:36] More on Agency – Amir shares about his company and the numerous ways in which they assist people.

[40:47] Debit Card vs. Credit Card – Grant offers sound advice on the usage of debit and credit cards.

 

Resources

Connect with Amir:

Website: getagency.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/atarighat/

Twitter: twitter.com/atarighat

GMB Ep #114: Behavioral Economics With Professor John Howe

 

When confronted with significant decisions, our thoughts frequently stand in the way of rational decision-making. Today’s episode of Grow Money Business features John Howe, a finance professor at the University of Missouri. He is an award-winning educator and researcher with expertise in investments, behavioral economics, household finance, corporate finance, and corporate governance. He is also the author of the book The Foolish Corner: Avoiding Mind Traps in Personal Financial Decisions. Throughout this episode, he shares his expertise and wisdom on behavioral economics, focusing specifically on the behavioral biases we all have regarding investing.

 

 

Show Notes

[03:36] Behavioral Economics – Prof. Howe discusses his background, career, and current activities.

[07:23] Kahneman’s Nobel Prize – Behavioral economics is a field of study that lies at the nexus of economics and psychology. Prof. Howe discusses how the Nobel laureate’s teaching of behavioral economics impacts his teachings.

[10:53] Diversified Portfolios – Prof. Howe highlights the importance of diversifying one’s investments.

[15:00] Confirmation Bias – Confirmation bias is a term that refers to our natural predisposition to be receptive to new information that confirms our existing beliefs. Prof. Howe explains how confirmation bias affects the decisions we make on a day to day basis.

[20:19] Transitions – Individuals frequently undergo transitions, such as selling a business they have built over the years or acquiring another. Prof. Howe shares his insights on what should be considered during such a transition.

[26:43] More on Biases – Prof. Howe explains the reason behind biases by presenting examples from evolutionary psychology.

[30:00] Reproducibility – One of the trademarks of the scientific method is the ability to replicate an experiment and obtain the same results. Prof. Howe broadly discusses the reproducibility issue in psychological research.

[40:49] Better Decisions – Prof. Howe explains how being well informed on biases can help us making better decisions in the future.

[49:31] The Future – Prof. Howe discusses the current research going in the field, as well as the future of behavioral economics.

[57:59] Research – Prof. Howe shares the current scientific issues that pique his interest.

[01:02:29] Mental Health – Prof. Howe shares his observations concerning the state of mental health in the United States and the way it affects people’s financial decisions.

[01:06:28] Gamblers – Prof. Howe outlines his view on gambling and how this relates to the human capacity for pattern recognition

[01:08:52] Books – Prof. Howe shares several books that are worth reading.

 

Resources

Connect with Professor John Howe:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-howe-1013498/

Newsletter: johnhowe.substack.com/welcome

 

Mentioned in the episode: 

Your body language may shape who you are | Amy Cuddy:

youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc

The Foolish Corner: Avoiding Mind Traps in Personal Financial Decisions:

amazon.com/Foolish-Corner-Avoiding-Financial-Decisions/dp/099851070X

Science Fictions: How Fraud, Bias, Negligence, and Hype Undermine the Search for Truth:

amazon.com/Science-Fictions-Negligence-Undermine-Search/dp/1250222699

Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters:

amazon.com/Rationality-What-Seems-Scarce-Matters/dp/0525561994

Misbehaving: The Making of Behavioral Economics:

amazon.com/Misbehaving-Behavioral-Economics-Richard-Thaler/dp/039335279X

Thinking, Fast and Slow:

amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555

The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness:

amazon.com/Psychology-Money-Timeless-lessons-happiness/dp/0857197681

GMB Ep #113: Leveraging Mindset to Build & Sell Businesses With Dominic Rubino

 

Regardless of what profession or industry we’re in, our mindset is a crucial factor that defines growth. Today’s podcast deviates slightly from the norm in terms of technical content and delves deeper into the philosophical domain. Our guest, Dominic Rubino, is an entrepreneur with a unique background. Dominic has worked in various enterprises and is now a coach, supporting employees in the construction industry in developing a positive attitude and increasing profits. Throughout the episode, he shares his expertise and experience on aligning your business activities with your personal life and creating the life you desire through your business operations. 

 

 

Show Notes

[02:55] Dominic’s Background – Dominic explains his background, his current endeavors, and how he got to where he is today.  

[05:58] Mindset – Dominic discusses how our success or failure is determined by unique perspective, and the lens through which we view the world.  

[10:35] Business Coach – Dominic discusses the importance and role of a business coach.  

[12:47] Success – Dominic shares his thoughts on defining success and suggests ways for individuals to plan strategically toward it.  

[17:49] Circle of Friends – Dominic emphasizes the importance of having a supportive community of friends. 

[20:42] Strategic Planning Process – Dominic discusses the strategic planning process, and highlights simple exercises and reading material to help you along the way.  

[26:21] Personal Experience – Dominic shares personal experience gained from his entrepreneurial endeavors. 

[38:21] Mindset in Coaching Business – Dominic discusses how he maintains his mindset as a coach. 

[41:28] Dominic’s Podcast – Dominic talks about his podcasts and what inspired him to start them. 

 

 

Resources

Connect with Dominic: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dominicrubino 

Website: profittoolbelt.com/ 

 

Mentioned in the episode: 

Traction: 

goodreads.com/book/show/8549192-traction?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=L77ID7gyYk&rank=2 

Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Growing Firm: 

goodreads.com/book/show/16120.Mastering_the_Rockefeller_Habits?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=wctFOxvrHH&rank=1 

The Ultimate Playbook On Building A Profitable Construction Business: 

constructionmillionairesecrets.com/