Do you ever wonder if your business could run without you?

In this episode of The TrustBuilt Podcast, host Alan Bennett interviews Steven Schmitt of Willow Financial, about building a trust-driven business that thrives even when the owner steps away.

Steven shares his real-world experience of going from sleepless nights as a solo founder to creating a team and systems that allow his firm to grow without constant oversight. From how to trust your team, to creating business systems that work, to succession planning and exit strategies, this episode is packed with insights for business owners who want freedom from the daily grind.

Whether you’re looking to scale your company, prepare it for sale, or simply take a real vacation without everything falling apart—this conversation will give you practical strategies to build a self-sufficient, owner-independent business.

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations on how to build a business that runs without you.

📌 Chapters:

00:00 – Radical Trust: Why Willow Shares a Company Inbox

02:42 – From Solo Founder to Building a Scalable Firm

05:22 – Creating “Light Bulb” Moments for Clients

09:41 – Sleepless Nights and Entrepreneur Pressure

11:26 – Hiring Your First Team Member (and Lessons Learned)

13:05 – Planning for Succession & Exit Strategy

15:02 – Building Trust with Clients and Teams

17:17 – Why Transparency Builds Business Value

21:27 – Onboarding Clients with Clarity

23:24 – Helping Owners Face Estate & Succession Planning

27:21 – What the “Right Client” Looks Like

29:31 – Passion, Purpose & Trust Beyond Yourself

31:17 – What Steven Would Do Differently

32:10 – How Willow Uses AI as a Business Thought Partner

34:53 – How to Connect with Steven

Are you a business owner who is ready to break free from the day-to-day grind & build a self-sustaining company? 

👉 Set up a time to talk to Alan 

🔗 https://www.trustbuiltsolutions.com/contact

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