Get Off The Treadmill Podcast

Do you want freedom IN your business, not from it? We can get there using three Big Ideas for small business owners: The Four Building Blocks – the four essentials for getting started, and keeping it all going. Small Business Marketing and Sales – the radical difference between what giant corporations and guru books tell us to do, and what actually works for small business owners. The Emerging Work World of the Participation Age – moving past the tired Factory System hierarchy model 90%+ of business are still trapped in, and building a business that re-humanizes the workplace by giving everybody their brain back.  We need to move past the Random Hope Strategy of Business and understand how Clarity gives us Hope, which allows us to take the measured Risks we need to grow and build a business that gives us freedom. Let's stay disoriented, embrace things that are counter-logical, but highly intuitive, and be intentional about what we want.   Check our special offer for the Making Money is Killing Your Business: https://bit.ly/m/3to5Club

In the latest episode of the "Get Off The Treadmill" podcast, host Chuck Blakeman chats with Clayton Achen, founder of Achen Henderson, a cutting-edge virtual CPA firm. Clayton, a passionate advocate for small businesses, shares his unique journey from a sales career to becoming a significant force in accounting, focusing on tax, cloud accounting, and technology. The conversation explores the seven stages of business ownership from Blakeman’s book, “Making Money Is Killing Your Business:”   Startup: Excitement without practical challenges. Survival: Financial struggles and time constraints. Subsistence: Breaking even but with high risk. Stability: Profitability with a sense of incompleteness. Success: Balance of money and time, offering more freedom. Significance: Established leadership and systems for even more freedom. Succession: The business operates independently, providing maximum freedom.   Clayton discusses his personal transition from stage four (Stability) to stage five (Success), emphasizing the role of clarity and intentionality in achieving this shift. He highlights the importance of building the right team and realigning financial and operational strategies to strike a balance between time and money. Despite facing setbacks and revisiting earlier stages, Clayton remains committed to creating a business that supports freedom and sustainability. He invites listeners to connect with him for further insights or to join his mastermind group, the 3 to 5 Club. Listeners can reach out to Clayton at clayton@achenhenderson.ca or visit AchenHenderson.ca. Chuck Blakeman encourages subscribers to stay tuned for more valuable business growth tips and strategies.

There are Two Opposing Forces in Life and in Business we are faced with every morning before we even get out of bed; the Tyranny of the Urgent and the Priority of the Important. The Tyranny of the Urgent is like a three-year old, relentlessly pulling on us, demanding our attention, yelling at us to find clients, make the chairs, pay bills, hire people, do financials - it's all relentless and in our face. And it causes use to focus on present-day problems so that every year feels like Groundhog Year - just like last year.  And yet sitting quietly in the corner of our office, the Priority of the Important whispers, "Hey, I know you're really busy right now, but when you get a moment to talk, I can help you solve the Tyranny of the Urgent...permanently. Let's talk some time."   Check our special offer for the Making Money is Killing Your Business: https://bit.ly/m/3to5Club

In this episode of the “Get Off The Treadmill” podcast, Chuck Blakeman interviews Ben Kimball, co-owner of Kimball Productions, focusing on the shift from a "random hope" strategy to a deliberate, intention-driven approach in business. Key points discussed include: Initial Challenges: Kimball describes his early business strategy, which relied on hope—specifically hoping to cover expenses and manage mortgages—rather than structured planning. Turning Point: The discovery of Chuck Blakeman’s book, “Making Money Is Killing Your Business”, and involvement with the 3to5 Club marked a pivotal shift in Kimball’s approach. Strategic Shifts: Kimball implemented intentional strategies, including: a. Effective Hiring: Recruiting skilled employees to alleviate the workload and improve operational efficiency. b. Work-Life Balance: Developing a clearer vision for balancing business demands with personal time. Results: These changes led to significant business improvements, highlighting the benefits of a well-defined plan over mere hope. Broader Implications: The episode underscores the importance of setting clear intentions and taking actionable steps to achieve both business and personal goals, emphasizing that while the process is challenging, it is both straightforward and transformative. Check our special offer for the Making Money is Killing Your Business: https://bit.ly/m/3to5Club

Being wealthy or rich are vastly different things. Many, if not most people who are rich live in unimaginable poverty when it comes to free time. We pursue money because we think it will give us freedom, but freedom in our business is not a function of how much money the business is making. In this podcast we will talk about the difference between being rich and wealth, and how one can lead to being a hostage and to having a JOB, and the other leads us to FREEDOM in our business. We’ll give you the Significance Formula to show with Utter Clarity the very few resources we need to live a life of significance, get off the treadmill, and get back to the passion that brought us into business in the first place.

Jeff's journey is a compelling one. After a decade in the insurance industry with Century Insurance, he followed his passion by purchasing an independent insurance agency in Littleton, Colorado, creating Security-First Insurance. Jeff’s story is a testament to the highs and lows of entrepreneurship—the thrilling startup phase, the grueling early years, and the eventual realization that ownership wasn't all he had hoped for. In this episode, Jeff and I delve into the concept of Business Maturity Date (BMD)—a goal for achieving a business that provides both financial rewards and personal freedom. Jeff shares his experience of transitioning from a hands-on operator to a leader who could step back and enjoy life more fully. We discuss the importance of setting a BMD, overcoming self-doubt, and creating a supportive business culture.  

Instead of separating the "strategic" and the "tactical", or the "long-term" vs. the "short-term", we need to see how to use every activity in our business to do both, and the better we get at this, the faster our business will grow up and make money when we're not there.   This podcast gives multiple examples of business owners who weren't dual tracking, started doing it, and saw their businesses not only grow, but give them freedom while they were growing. Business owners who are buried in the day-to-day and think strategic "stuff" is something you do once a month (or less), will stay on the treadmill. Those that learn to apply Dual Tracking will thrive, grow, and gain freedom IN their businesses. 

Today’s guest is Liz Daeninck, Founder of Valentis Wellness, which focuses on creating customized nutrition plans tailored to individual health challenges and life circumstances. Liz's expertise lies in understanding the body's responses to movement and diet, particularly for those dealing with obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome, and other chronic issues. She also works with individuals who have undergone or are planning weight loss surgery, aiming to support their health improvements. In our conversation, Liz shares insights from a class she took called Fast Track, which helps business owners step away from the traditional sales approach. Instead of pushing sales, the course emphasizes building meaningful connections. Liz discusses the "Three Cs" approach: Connections, Conversations, and Clients. Connections: Liz highlights the importance of making initial connections with potential referral sources, such as physicians and therapists. She notes that while starting with doctors seemed logical, it was often more effective to connect with other office staff or related professionals who spend more time with patients. This approach also led her to other valuable referral sources like physical therapists and psychologists. Conversations: Liz explains that having meaningful conversations with potential clients is crucial. In her field, it's essential to determine if someone is ready to make a change before engaging deeply. She emphasizes asking questions and letting clients share their stories, which not only helps understand their needs but also significantly improves the likelihood of closing deals. Clients: Once clients are onboard, Liz focuses on converting them into advocates who can refer others. She underscores the value of asking clients for referrals, especially after a successful engagement. She also notes that current clients who refer others are often motivated by a desire to affirm their own decisions. Liz’s advice is to be proactive in reaching out and to keep refining your connections strategy based on what works best for your business. She stresses that persistence and flexibility are key, and the process of trial and error can lead to discovering effective new referral sources and strategies.

The SBA tells us 50% of businesses fail in five years, but my experience is only about 1% (or less) actually fail due to outside circumstances. The other 49% experience something that was entirely avoidable. If you ask small business owners why they might go out of business, they will tell you they need a loan, or the market is just collapsing, the economy sucks, they can't find good people, or the competition is burying them. We'll show you owners who have thrived in the face of all these obstacles because they avoided the one thing that actually will put you out of business. Circumstances don't make me who I am. How I respond to them does. This one response makes all the difference.

In this episode of the Get Off The Treadmill podcast, host Chuck Blakeman sits down with Scott Graves, co-founder and CEO of Alignment Financial Advisors, to dive deep into Chapter 3 of Chuck’s acclaimed book, Making Money Is Killing Your Business. This chapter, "The Way Off the Business Treadmill," offers a transformative blueprint for shifting from business overwhelm to a life of balance and fulfillment. Scott Graves, whose journey from public school band teacher to successful financial advisor serving over 1,500 households, reveals how Chuck’s insights have reshaped his approach to business.  Key Takeaways: Structured Approach: Learn how Scott used the chapter’s strategies to streamline his decision-making process, easing the strain of managing his business. Growth Stages: Scott highlights how understanding the outlined business growth stages gave him clarity on his current position and future aspirations. Mindset Shift: Hear about Scott’s epiphany regarding the importance of intentional planning and setting clear goals to ensure the business serves him, rather than the other way around. Balancing Act: Scott shares practical advice on achieving a harmonious balance between financial success and personal time, emphasizing that it’s indeed possible with persistence and a solid support network.  

How did one business owner move from working 55 hours a week to working 16 hours a week and make exponentially more personal income? 95% of business owners find out at some point that they have built themselves a job and are hostages to their businesses. How do we build a Mature Business that regularly produced both money AND time for us, not just money? It's not for the smart or the lucky, but for the intentional. You get what you intend, not what you hope for. What result are you intending from your business - this year? Five years from now? When you're done. Learn the power and Clarity of being intentional about what YOU want not what your customers, the market your business wants. 

Welcome to a transformative episode where we explore the powerful concept of “starting with the end in mind.” Inspired by the teachings of Stephen Covey, who once quoted our guest, we dive deep into the question: What does your business look like when it’s done?   Join us as we introduce Allison Harvey, founded Benediction Counseling in 2014 and serves as the clinical director and the therapist. Mark Ballestri, a skilled facilitator and business advisor, who has been working closely with Allison.  Together, they discuss how envisioning the final outcome can open doors to new opportunities and help avoid the common pitfalls of operating without direction.   Key Points:   Visioning the End Goal: Discover how starting with the end in mind can reshape your business strategy, leading to clearer objectives and better decision-making. The Power of Clarity: Allison shares her journey from overwhelm to empowerment, revealing how clarity about her desired business outcome transformed her approach to planning and execution. Delegation and Freedom: Learn about the importance of delegating tasks to free up time and energy for higher-level strategic thinking—crucial for any business owner. Practical Tools for Success: Mark and Allison discuss the effective use of a two-page strategic plan, breaking down annual goals into quarterly and monthly actionable steps, ensuring consistent progress. Overcoming Roadblocks: Explore the challenges Allison faced, from feelings of overwhelm to maintaining focus, and how she navigated these obstacles to achieve her goals. Creating Momentum: Understand how small wins lead to bigger successes and how momentum can drastically reduce your to-do list while increasing overall productivity.   If you’ve ever felt bogged down by the daily grind of business, this episode is a must-listen. Gain insights into reclaiming your time, prioritizing what truly matters, and building a business that aligns with your ideal lifestyle.    Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will inspire you to rethink your approach and empower you to take actionable steps toward your vision!

It's easy to spend thirty years of ups and downs, peaks and valleys, scarcity and abundance, always reacting to the good or bad times that seem to be happening to us, not because of us.  Because we feel dragged along by our business, we can't wait to sell it some fool who will do it all over again for another thirty years. Is it any wonder we're tired? This podcast shares examples of people who learned how to be proactive about the right things, ignore others, make decisions based on the long-term gain, and get off the business treadmill. It's the difference between laying bricks, making a wall, or building a cathedral. Which one are you doing? Let's get off the Roller Coaster Treadmill of Business, and find Freedom IN our business, not FROM it.  

In this episode of the Get Off The Treadmill podcast, Chuck Blakeman sits down with Josh Allan Dykstra, a leading expert on human energy and the future of work. Josh, a dynamic keynote speaker and author, reveals why human energy—not employee engagement—is the secret to skyrocketing productivity, creativity, and retention in today’s workplace.  While most companies focus on engagement to boost performance, Josh argues that it’s actually human energy that drives success. When organizations learn to harness and optimize energy levels, they can transform their teams, foster innovation, and create a culture that thrives.  Key Takeaways from the Episode: Energy Fuels Success: It’s not just about feeling engaged—employees must be energized by their work. Energy drives motivation, performance, and creativity, which leads to measurable success. Engagement vs. Energy: Engagement focuses on how connected employees are to their tasks. However, it’s human energy—the internal drive—that keeps employees productive and fulfilled. Josh explains why energy should be the new focus for organizations. Track and Optimize Energy: Discover how a simple ""energy journal"" can help employees and leaders track their daily energy highs and lows. Understanding energy patterns helps optimize work for sustainable productivity. Hiring for Energy: Hiring the right people isn't just about skills—it's about matching individuals' energy levels with the tasks they’ll be performing. This alignment reduces burnout and increases job satisfaction. The Future of Work: The future of work is shifting towards energy-driven workplaces. Josh shares how companies that prioritize human energy over traditional metrics will lead the way in building innovative, successful, and engaged teams. Josh’s insights will challenge the way you think about productivity, leadership, and workplace culture. He provides actionable strategies to help organizations stop draining their employees and start fueling them for success.

On average, business owners work 55 hours per week, take very few vacations and do business while there. Most of us are working relentlessly, always hoping that we'll some how get to a new level next year and begin to reap some personal rewards from our business. But we don't even know what "level" we're on, let alone what it would take to get to the next one. In this podcast we discuss the Seven Stages of Business Ownership, and how the first four of these got us on the treadmill, and specifically what we need to do at every stage to get to the next one. Stage Four is the "American Dream". Or is it? We'll find out that it's not what we all cracked it up to be, and why Stage Five is the minimum we want to shoot for. Get the free resource here.

In the latest episode of the Get Off The Treadmill podcast, Chuck Blakeman sits down with The Evolving Expert founder, Vanessa Emerson, to dive deep into the powerful connection between business success and personal fulfillment. Vanessa shares her journey as a business strategist and wellness educator, explaining why getting clear on lifetime goals and life vision is the secret to both thriving in business and truly living. 🙌 Vanessa reveals how reading Chuck’s book, Making Money is Killing Your Business, has been a game-changer in helping her clients find clarity, set intentional goals, and avoid the trap of becoming a “hostage” to their own business. She talks about how important it is for entrepreneurs to start with the end in mind—and not just chase the money. 💰 Key Takeaways: Why setting a lifetime goal or life vision is crucial to building a business you love 🎯 How to create clarity in your life’s purpose and use it to guide every business decision 🧭 The 3 principles that turn business success into meaningful success 🌱 If you’ve ever felt stuck on the treadmill of your business, this episode is a must-listen! Vanessa and Chuck get real about how to stop just chasing paychecks and start living with intention. ✨  

Last episode, we discussed the first four stages of the Seven Stages of Business Ownership and the treadmill effect that traps many entrepreneurs. Today, we’re exploring Stages Four through Seven, which give you real freedom IN your business, not from it. Will also reveal why almost all business owners get stuck in Stage Four and won't take the small, measured risks to get that freedom. Everything rests on "The Big Mindset Shift", and when business owners make this shift, they invariably build a business that regularly gives them both time and money, and a life of significance. Stage Five: Success is the first Stage the produces time for the owner, not just money. It is the first Stage where we experience true freedom IN our businesses, by moving from producing to building simple processes that let others produce for us. Stage Six: Significance gives us abundant time and money from our businesses by focusing on training others to lead, and then leading THROUGH them. Stage Six is the second most dangerous Stage behind Stage Four, because we have a tendency to want to go play golf before our leaders are fully in trained and in charge. Stage Seven: Succession isn't about selling, but about becoming "The Myth", where your business runs smoothly under capable leaders, with you providing vision and occasional guidance, many times without any day to day involvement. When people build Stage Seven businesses, they never want to sell them. Moving from Stage Four to Seven is all about The Big Mindset Shift, and a simple principle, "You get what you intend, not what you hope for."   Check our special offer for the Making Money is Killing Your Business: https://bit.ly/m/3to5Club

What if you could make more money in less time—and finally escape the daily grind of running your business?   In this episode, Chuck Blakeman sits down with Bryan Farley, a seasoned entrepreneur and expert in creating scalable, self-sustaining businesses. Together, they dive into the transformative strategy of Freedom Mapping, a practical framework to help you simplify your operations and reclaim your time.   💡 Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ How to map your business processes step by step for clarity and efficiency.   ✅ Why assigning value to your time is a game-changer for delegation.   ✅ The 5-step Freedom Mapping framework to simplify your operations and scale your business.   ✅ Real-life success stories of entrepreneurs who broke free from the grind.     🎙️ About Our Guest:   Bryan Farley has helped hundreds of business owners streamline their processes and create systems that work for them—not the other way around. Through actionable strategies like Freedom Mapping, they’ve helped entrepreneurs transform their businesses into well-oiled machines that thrive, even without their daily involvement.   Why This Episode Matters:   Whether you’re a solopreneur drowning in tasks or a seasoned entrepreneur looking to scale smarter, this episode delivers the blueprint to reclaim your time and build a business that supports your ideal lifestyle. It’s not just inspiring—it’s your ticket to freedom.     Host’s Takeaway:   “I loved this conversation because it challenged how I think about time and delegation—and I know it’ll do the same for you.”      👉 Don’t just listen—take action. Click play now and start your journey to more freedom, better systems, and a thriving business today!     Visit www.reservestudy.com for more on strategic reserves and Freedom Mapping.  Check out Making Money Is Killing Your Business for an in-depth look at the framework.  Click here: https://bit.ly/specialoffer-mmikyb    Stay tuned for future episodes where we share more real-life success stories and actionable tips to help you achieve your business goals.  

What if you could transform your business into a tool for building your ideal lifestyle and achieving a life of significance? In this episode, Chuck dives deep into the Important Realities in Seven Stages of Business Ownership, uncovering the critical lessons and strategies that thousands of business owners have used to navigate these stages successfully.   💡 Here’s what you’ll learn:   ✅ Why there’s no set timeline for reaching business maturity—and how intentionality accelerates progress. ✅ The importance of defining your vision for success and aligning your business with your life goals. ✅ How to manage setbacks, cycles, and risk-taking with clarity and confidence. ✅ A new mindset shift that can help you move from survival mode to creating a business that works for you.   🎧 About This Episode:   Unlike discussions on the lifecycle of a business, this episode focuses on the stages of business ownership and how to use your business as a platform for freedom, impact, and fulfillment. Whether you’re in the early stages or aiming for succession, these insights will equip you to make intentional, long-term decisions for your business and your life.   Why This Episode Matters:   Too many business owners get stuck in "stability" or "survival" mode, held back by fear of risk or the comfort of the status quo. This episode breaks down how to escape that trap, push through the stages, and embrace the mindset shifts necessary to build a business that serves you, not the other way around.   Host’s Takeaway:   I’ve seen firsthand how the seven stages of business ownership transform not just companies, but lives. It’s not always easy, but when you commit to the process with clarity and intentionality, the rewards—freedom, purpose, and significance—are worth it.     👉 Ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building a business that supports your best life? Click play now and take the first step toward clarity, hope, and measured risk-taking.   Links & Resources Mentioned: [Freedom Mapping Framework] for creating a simple, strategic plan. [Previous Podcast Episodes] on the seven stages and freedom mapping. Visit www.3to5Club.com for tools to fast-track your journey.   Stay tuned for future episodes on defining your "Big Why" and creating a clear vision for your life of significance. Don’t miss it!

What if you could break free from being tied to your business and start building one that works for you? In this episode of Get Off The Treadmill, Chuck Blakeman sits down with Paul Romig-Leavitt, a creative powerhouse and entrepreneur, to discuss the shift from being an income producer to a true business owner.   💡 Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ The difference between an income producer and a business owner ✅ How to identify and focus on the highest and best use of your time ✅ Why letting go can unlock the potential of your team and business ✅ The surprising impact of an abundance mindset on leadership and growth   🎧 About Our Guest: Paul Romig-Leavitt is a multi-talented creative leader in music, film, theater, and ministry. As the founder of Torn Curtain Arts and the executive director of Backstory Theater, Paul has brought his expertise to live events, nonprofits, and youth programs across the country. He’s also an author, filmmaker, and owner of RL Creative, offering audiovisual solutions for businesses and events.   Why This Episode Matters: Paul’s journey highlights a transformation many entrepreneurs strive for—stepping out of the tactical grind and into strategic leadership. If you’ve ever felt stuck or indispensable in your business, this episode provides practical steps to change that and gain the freedom to focus on what truly matters.   Host’s Takeaway: "I loved hearing Paul’s perspective on creativity and leadership—it’s a reminder that even the most capable among us need to let go to grow. His story is a powerful example of how shifting your mindset can transform your life and business." 👉 Don’t just listen—take action. Click play now and start building a business that works for you!   Links & Resources Mentioned: 👉 Visit Backstory Theater for inspiring youth programs and performances. 👉 Explore Paul’s creative consulting and audiovisual services at RL Creative. 👉 Learn about Torn Curtain Arts at Greenroom Leaders. 👉 Making Money is Killing Your Business: https://bit.ly/specialoffer-mmikyb    Stay tuned for future episodes where we explore more strategies to help you grow your business, reclaim your time, and experience a life of significance!