Category Archives: Podcast

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/ 

GMB Ep #112: Deferring Taxes Using 1031 Exchanges & Delaware Statutory Trusts with Jamie & Patrick Furlong

 

1031 Exchanges and Delaware statutory trusts are both nifty instruments for financial planning. In today’s episode, we explore more about the deferring taxes using 1031 Exchanges and Delaware statutory trusts with Jamie & Patrick Furlong. Jamie & Patrick specialize in 1031 Exchanges with DST’s and other securitized real estate investments. They exclusively serve clients seeking to acquire replacement properties in a 1031 exchange, navigate the complexities and time restrictions in the ever-changing 1031 environment through their company, Legacy Investment Real Estate.

 

 

Show Notes

[04:05] Story of Jamie & Patrick – Patrick shares their origin story, what they do, and how they do it.

[11:32] Delaware Statutory Trust – Jamie and Patrick explain Delaware statutory trust in detail, sharing compressive real-life examples.

[19:37] Importance of DST – Jamie talks about the significance of Delaware statutory trust and why someone should invest a property into a Delaware statutory trust in the first place.

[33:15] Holding Period – Non-traded real estate investment trusts can bring you a vast misfortune. Jamie discusses the holding time you should consider when contemplating real estate investment trusts.

[37:46] Role of the Manager – Patrick talks about the manager’s role in Delaware statutory trusts.

[46:49] 1031 Exchange Tax Code – Jamie and Patrick talk about the predictable changes in the 1031 Exchange tax code.

 

Information provided today is for educational purposes only, does not constitute as individual investment advice, and should not be relied upon as tax or legal advice.

Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.

DST 1031 properties are only available to accredited investors (typically defined as having a $1 million net worth excluding primary residence or $200,000 income individually/$300,000 jointly of the last three years; or have an active Series 7, Series 82, or Series 65. Individuals holding a Series 66 do not fall under this definition) and accredited entities only. If you are unsure if you are an accredited investor and/or an accredited entity, please verify with your CPA and Attorney.

There are material risks associated with investing in DST properties and real estate securities including liquidity, tenant vacancies, general market conditions and competition, lack of operating history, interest rate risks, the risk of new supply coming to market and softening rental rates, general risks of owning/operating commercial and multifamily properties, short term leases associated with multi-family properties, financing risks, potential adverse tax consequences, general economic risks, development risks, long hold periods, and potential loss of the entire investment principal.

Securities offered through Concorde Investment Services, LLC (CIS), member FINRA/SIPC. Legacy Investment Real Estate is independent of CIS.

 

Resources

Connect with Jamie and Patrick:

Website: legacyire.com/

Jamie

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jamie-furlong-927b9658/

Email: jamie@legacy1031exchange.com

 Patrick

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/farmranch1031exchangennn/

Email: patrick@legacy1031exchange.com

GMB Ep #111: Diving Into Crypto With Tim Picciott

 

Cryptocurrency has been one of the most popular topics in the financial media in the last few years. It is a transferable digital asset or digital form of money exclusively available online based on blockchain technology. My guest today, Timothy Picciott CFP® CRPC®, Wealth Advisor in Innovative Advisory Group, is a pioneer in cryptocurrency wealth management solutions. He works with Bitcoin and cryptocurrency early adopters to give innovative financial planning solutions, enabling them to pay a minimum tax on their highly appreciated asset as legally possible, while also educating crypto fans on investing in “Crypto IRAs” through self-directed IRAs and 401(K)s.

 

 

Show Notes

[03:19] Tim’s story – Tim shares details about his career and how he came to be in his current position.

[10.48] Fiat Currency – Tim expresses his thoughts about the evolution of fiat currency.

[14:41] Bitcoin and Blockchain – Tim elaborates on his views on Bitcoin and blockchain technology.

[16:57] Opinions – Tim discusses the significance of studying Bitcoins properly and thoroughly.

[22:11] Double-Spend Problem – Tim explains Bitcoin’s potential of solving the double-spend problem.

[27:58] Tech Aspects – Tim goes into greater detail on the technical aspects and benefits of Bitcoin.

[31:00] Electricity – Another objection leveled with Bitcoin is the electricity required to mine them. Tim evaluates the effect of power on bitcoin mining and the resulting implications.

[34:43] Smart Contracts – Tim discusses how smart contracts enabled by blockchain technology have the potential to transform lives.

[36:00] Geopolitical Implications – Tim shares his insights on current world trends along with his take on the US and China’s movements on Bitcoin.

[46:59] Future of Bitcoins – Tim goes to great length on his predictions for Bitcoin’s future.

Resources

Connect with Tim: 

Website: thelibertyadvisor.com/

Website: innovativewealth.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothy-t-picciott-cfp%C2%AE-crpc%C2%AE-547b0b8/

Instagram: @the_liberty_advisor

Podcast: The Liberty Advisor Show W/ Tim Picciott: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liberty-advisor-show-w-tim-picciott/id1238430499

Mentioned in the episode: 

Ep #107 – Central Bank Digital Currency: Dangers & Possibilities with J Scott Christianson: growmoneybusiness.libsyn.com/website/ep-107-central-bank-digital-currency-dangers-possibilities-with-j-scott-christianson