Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth

What happens when professional success requires you to become someone you no longer want to be?Charlene Wheeless, MA, MBA, ICF-ACC, spent more than 30 years rising through corporate America, ultimately reaching the C-suite and leading communications for major global organizations. But after being diagnosed with cancer twice, she stepped away from the corporate treadmill and confronted a difficult truth: she had invested enormous energy in becoming the person others expected her to be.In this candid conversation with Gary Heldt, Charlene shares how pivotal moments of choice shaped her journey from an abusive childhood to corporate leadership, bestselling authorship, and entrepreneurship. She explains why organizations often reward conformity instead of contribution, how leaders unknowingly surrender their agency, and why every business outcome begins with a decision that was made, delayed, or avoided.Charlene also discusses the inspiration behind her book, You Are Enough!, and challenges professionals to stop chasing validation disguised as ambition. She reminds leaders that words carry lasting power, people must be led rather than managed, and authentic success should never require trading away who you are.For entrepreneurs, Charlene offers another important shift: stop thinking like a consultant and begin operating like the CEO of your business. Sometimes all it takes to move forward is seven seconds of courage and the willingness to do the thing you have been avoiding.What You’ll LearnWhy choice is one of a leader’s most powerful toolsHow professionals surrender their agency without realizing itThe difference between contributing to a culture and conforming to itWhy leaders manage work but lead peopleHow delayed or defaulted decisions create organizational bottlenecksWhy chasing validation can look deceptively like ambitionHow to develop a CEO mindset as an entrepreneurWhat seven seconds of courage can help you accomplishLearn more about Charlene, her coaching, speaking, and bestselling book at CharleneWheeless.com.Listen to Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts.Visit https://www.sbadvisors.cc/

The Winning Playbook for Business ReinventionWhat happens when the career you worked years to build suddenly ends?Jack Oujo spent eight years pursuing his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball umpire, advancing to Triple-A before an unexpected setback forced him to reinvent his future. He went on to become a CPA, build Oujo Wealth Strategies into one of the nation’s largest tax-focused wealth management firms, and oversee approximately $900 million in assets under management.In this episode, Jack joins Gary to share how the discipline, pressure, teamwork, and resilience he learned in professional baseball helped him build an extraordinarily successful financial services business. He explains why business owners need a Plan B, how numbers can remove emotion from major decisions, and why developing strong processes and people is essential for sustainable growth.Jack also discusses the difficulty of letting go, the importance of preparing employees to lead, and how business owners can create a meaningful life after selling the company that once defined them.What You’ll LearnHow Jack rebuilt his life after his baseball career endedWhy every entrepreneur should prepare for worst-case scenariosHow financial projections can make difficult decisions less emotionalWhy business owners must stop doing everything themselvesHow documented processes support business growthWhy coaching employees is one of a leader’s most important responsibilitiesHow exceptional service creates loyal clients and valuable referralsWhat Jack learned from building and eventually selling his firmWhy gratitude matters when transitioning into the next chapter of lifeFeatured Quote“You only get respect by giving respect.”— Jack OujoAbout Jack OujoJack Oujo is the founder of Oujo Wealth Strategies, one of the nation’s largest tax-focused wealth management firms, and the bestselling author of Too Smart to Be an Umpire. Before becoming one of the country’s top financial advisors, Jack spent eight years pursuing his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball umpire, advancing to Triple-A before an unexpected setback changed his life.His journey from career disappointment to extraordinary business success offers a powerful lesson in resilience, reinvention, leadership, and building a meaningful legacy.Learn more about Jack and purchase Too Smart to Be an Umpire:https://toosmarttobeanumpire.com/Listen, follow, and subscribe to Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grow-your-business-and-grow-your-wealth/id1521874291This episode is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, investment, or legal advice. Please consult an appropriately qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Growing revenue does not necessarily mean you are building wealth. A business can appear successful while its owner’s assets, financial security, and long-term options remain stagnant.In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Sandy of Sandy Financial Solutions speaks with Paul Etzler, CPA, CGMA, GACP, founder and president of BobBear Services LLC. Paul brings more than 30 years of experience in accounting, tax strategy, financial consulting, due diligence, compliance, forecasting, and entrepreneurship.Paul explains why business owners must look beyond income and consider the complete financial picture, including business assets, personal assets, liabilities, taxes, succession, and family goals. He also shares an important distinction: business and personal finances should remain separate for accounting and tax purposes, but they must be considered together when developing a long-term wealth strategy.The conversation explores why tax planning should happen throughout the year, how CPAs and financial advisors can work together, and why succession planning should begin long before an owner intends to leave or sell the business.In this episode, you will learn:Why increasing revenue does not always increase wealth.How to balance saving, investing, business growth, and enjoying life.Why tax planning should happen throughout the entire year.How business and personal assets fit into one larger financial picture.Why your CPA, financial advisor, attorney, banker, and insurance professional should communicate.When business owners should begin succession and exit planning.The three questions that can reveal weaknesses in your current financial plan.Why professional guidance still matters in an AI-driven world.Paul also challenges business owners to remain flexible, listen to informed outside perspectives, and accept that a plan may need to change. A business may be the owner’s baby, but sometimes that baby needs an honest checkup.About Paul EtzlerPaul Etzler, CPA, CGMA, GACP, is the founder and president of BobBear Services LLC. He has more than 30 years of experience in financial consulting, accounting, tax, due diligence, compliance, forecasting, and business advisory services. Paul is also involved in entrepreneurial ventures spanning healthcare, real estate, sustainability, financial wellness, art, and entertainment.Connect with Paul:https://bobbearllc.comDisclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, accounting, investment, or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.

When most people hear the word franchise, they picture fast food. But some of today’s most compelling franchise opportunities are found in less glamorous industries such as home services, senior care, pet care, youth programs, property services, and business-to-business solutions.In this episode, Gary Heldt speaks with Jon Ostenson, CEO of FranBridge Consulting, about why entrepreneurs and investors are increasingly exploring non-food franchises. Jon explains how franchise buyers can evaluate opportunities based on their finances, experience, desired level of involvement, local market, and long-term goals.Jon also challenges the idea that a franchise can be completely passive. He explains why “semi-involved” is more realistic, what separates successful franchisees from struggling owners, and why following the franchisor’s proven system matters.Gary and Jon also discuss franchise funding, support systems, due diligence, franchise stacking, and how essential service businesses may be better positioned to withstand economic uncertainty and technological disruption.What You’ll LearnWhy non-food franchises are attracting entrepreneurs and investorsWhich service-based franchise categories are growingHow to determine whether a franchise fits your skills and lifestyleWhy a franchise should never be considered completely passiveWhat successful franchisees do differentlyHow franchise owners learn from one another without directly competingThe difference between a franchise consultant and a business brokerHow SBA loans and retirement rollovers may be used for franchise fundingWhy reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document is only one part of due diligenceHow franchise stacking can help owners expand and diversifyGuest BioJon Ostenson is the CEO of FranBridge Consulting, a top 1% franchise broker, investor, author, and Forbes contributor. After serving as President of a national Inc. 500 franchise system with more than 200 locations, Jon has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and investors explore franchise ownership. He specializes in non-food franchising, helping people identify scalable business opportunities that fit their goals, finances, experience, and lifestyle.HeldtConnect With Jon OstensonWebsite: FranBridgeConsulting.comLinkedIn: Jon OstensonEmail: [email protected] book: Visit FranBridge Consulting to request a complimentary copy of Jon’s book, Non-Food Franchising.Looking to learn more about Gary Heldt? Visit Small Business Advisors for more information.Home | Small Business Advisors

What happens when your retirement plan looks solid on paper, but life does not follow the plan?In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Alan Lee Porter, a nationally certified financial fiduciary, founder of Strategic Wealth Strategies, and former U.S. Army Black Hawk instructor pilot.Alan shares how serious medical crises within his own family changed the direction of his career and taught him that financial planning must account for more than investment returns. Illness, disability, long-term care, taxes, market downturns, and outdated beneficiary forms can quickly expose gaps in even a well-funded retirement plan.Gary and Alan discuss why retirement planning should focus on the distribution of assets, tax-efficient income, healthcare expenses, long-term-care risks, and protecting a family’s financial legacy. Alan also explains why individuals and business owners benefit from having CPAs, attorneys, financial advisors, insurance professionals, and other specialists working together rather than relying on one person to handle every part of the plan.The conversation is an important reminder that financial confidence does not come from predicting the future. It comes from preparing for the possibilities before they become emergencies.What You Will LearnWhy retirement planning changes when you move from saving money to creating incomeHow taxes and required distributions can affect retirement savingsWhy beneficiary designations should be reviewed regularlyHow illness, disability, and long-term care can disrupt a financial planWhy business owners need coordinated exit, tax, estate, and retirement planningThe importance of verifying credentials before using complex financial or tax strategiesAbout Alan Lee PorterAlan Lee Porter is a nationally certified financial fiduciary and founder of Strategic Wealth Strategies in Fayetteville, North Carolina. A former U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter instructor pilot, Alan helps individuals, families, and business owners explore tax-efficient retirement strategies, lifetime income planning, asset protection, and financial risk reduction.Connect With AlanWebsite: Strategic Wealth StrategiesLinkedIn: Alan Lee PorterEmail: [email protected] Financial DisclaimerThis podcast is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal, accounting, or insurance advice. The opinions expressed are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of Gary Heldt, Small Business Advisors, or Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth.Financial products and strategies involve risks and may not be appropriate for every individual or business. References to potential tax savings, income, insurance benefits, or financial results are illustrative only and are not guarantees. Insurance and annuity guarantees are subject to the terms of the applicable contract and the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.Listeners should consult qualified and properly licensed financial, tax, legal, and insurance professionals before making decisions based on their individual circumstances.