Episodes

  • Beyond 8 Figures Special: 2024's Most Powerful Lessons for Scaling Your Business

    Beyond 8 Figures Special: 2024's Most Powerful Lessons for Scaling Your Business

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    In this special year-end episode, I share the most transformative insights from my conversations with entrepreneurs who've successfully navigated the journey from 7 to 8 figures. Rather than just chasing growth, we're diving deep into how today's most successful entrepreneurs leverage AI, build legacy-focused teams, and redefine sustainable success in today's business landscape.

    Throughout 2024, we've explored how entrepreneurs find innovative ways to scale their businesses while maintaining work-life balance. From implementing AI-powered decision-making to creating strong team cultures, these lessons provide a blueprint for smarter growth in 2025.

    Key Themes & Insights:

    1. Leveraging AI and Technology Strategically: The landscape of scaling businesses has fundamentally changed. Our guests shared powerful insights about using AI not just as a tool but as a strategic partner in decision-making:

    Building "digital twins" of your business to test strategies risk-free (Hamza Mudassir)Using AI for enhanced decision-making and strategic planningImplementing AI in content creation and business operations (Steve Maly)Finding the balance between automation and the human touch

    2. Building Legacy-Driven Teams: A recurring theme throughout our conversations was the importance of building teams aligned with your values and vision:

    Creating a unified organizational language for clearer communication (Devan Kline)Defining your legacy as a foundation for team culture (Paula Telfer)Developing systems that scale without sacrificing company valuesFostering a culture that attracts and retains top talent

    3. Redefining Success and Scale: Perhaps the most surprising insight from our guests was their perspective on what true success looks like:

    Why a $3M business at 15-20% profit might serve you better than a $20M business at 10% (Eric Bandholz)Understanding the point of diminishing returns in business growthCreating sustainable systems for long-term successBuilding a business that serves your life, not consumes it


    Actionable Takeaways for 2025:

    1. Implement Strategic AI Integration

    - Start with clear objectives and well-defined prompts

    - Test strategies using AI-powered simulations before real-world implementation

    - Focus on areas where AI can enhance rather than replace human decision-making

    2. Build Value-Aligned Teams

    - Define your legacy and core values first

    - Create a common organizational language

    - Develop systems that scale while maintaining culture

    3. Design for Sustainable Growth

    - Identify your optimal scale point

    - Focus on profit margins over pure revenue

    - Build systems that support work-life balance

    Featured Insights From:

    Hamza Mudassir: AI strategy and digital business transformationSteve Maly: Marketing automation and AI implementationPaola Telfer: Legacy-driven team buildingDevan Kline: Organizational communication and scalingEric Bandholz: Sustainable growth strategiesJon Matzner: Building leveraged systemsAustin Linney: Entrepreneurial mindset and development


    Connect with Beyond 8 Figures:

    Website: https://beyond8figures.comTwitter: @beyond8figuresLinkedIn: Beyond 8 Figures


    Work with A.J.:

    Are you ready to implement these strategies in your business? I help entrepreneurs integrate cutting-edge AI solutions, build strong teams, and create sustainable growth systems. Let's create your roadmap for success in 2025.

    Learn more at https://beyond8figures.com/work-with-a-j/

    Resource Links:

    Redefining Strategy and Decision-Making with AI with Hamza Mudassir, Strategize.incFrom Freelance Gigs to a Thriving Agency with Steve Maly, Maly MarketingRewire Your Mind, Revamp Your Business With Paola Telfer of Sens.aiA Fitness Phenomenon: How Ex-Minor Leaguer Created a Franchise Empire with Devan Kline of Burn Boot CampGrowing Your Niche: Unlocking Explosive Business with Eric Bandholz, BeardbrandUnlock Global Talent to Win Locally with Jon Matzner of Lazy LeverageMastering Strategic Adaptability in Business with Austin Linney, Crementum Capital Holdings
  • Custom Apps in 45 Minutes? AI Makes It Possible with Kevin Ashcroft

    Custom Apps in 45 Minutes? AI Makes It Possible with Kevin Ashcroft

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    You know me—I’m all about breaking things down and finding the best ways to get stuff done. But this time? We’re going way beyond theory. In this episode, my good friend and collaborator, Kevin Ashcroft, jumped in and showed me how to actually build TWO apps—live. Step by step, no fluff, just straight-up action. Watching it happen blew my mind, and trust me, you’re gonna want to see this for yourself. It’s a total game-changer for anyone who’s ever thought about creating their tools.

    You might know Kevin from previous episodes, but if this is your first time listening to Beyond 8 Figures, let me catch you up. Kevin, CEO of WP Support Specialists and author of Outsourcing for Success, is the kind of entrepreneur who takes ideas and runs with them fast. Using tools like Claude AI and Replit, he’s built custom apps, like a meal and exercise tracker tailored to his specific health needs, in just 45 minutes. Yep, you read that right—45 minutes. And in this episode, he’s showing us exactly how it’s done.


    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    How Kevin built a functional personal app to manage his health using AI tools in under an hour.The benefits and challenges of creating tailored solutions versus using off-the-shelf apps.Insights into Kevin’s process for launching the "Content Refresh Manager" WordPress plugin.Why personal software is the next frontier for entrepreneurs.How AI can democratize app development, empowering non-technical founders.

    Key Takeaways:

    AI is Your Brainstorming Buddy: Watching Kevin work with AI tools felt like seeing someone brainstorm with the ultimate creative partner. Sure, there were a few frustrating moments, but the payoff? Totally worth it.Keep It Simple: Kevin’s approach to app-building is a great reminder that you don’t need flashy features to make a big impact. Sometimes, the cleanest, simplest solutions are the ones that truly deliver.Make It Work for You: One thing that stood out was how customizable Kevin’s tools were. It’s a great example of how entrepreneurs can align their productivity tools with their specific goals instead of settling for one-size-fits-all solutions.From Idea to Marketplace: Kevin didn’t just stop at personal apps—he showed us how to take that same energy and use it to create a WordPress plugin that’s already live and making waves.

    Building exactly what you need is more accessible and game-changing than ever. Watching Kevin create tailored apps in real time was a powerful reminder that innovation doesn’t have to be expensive, flashy, or overly complex—it’s about solving real problems with simple, practical tools that work for you.


    Why This Matters

    Running a business is hard enough without wasting time on tools that don’t fit or waiting for someone else to solve your problems.

    I’ve been in those moments where nothing quite fits—whether it’s a process that feels clunky or a tool that almost does the job but leaves you frustrated. What I love about what we dive into here is the idea that you don’t have to wait around or settle anymore. You can actually build something that fits your needs, and it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

    For me, it was a reminder that we don’t have to play by the old rules. We can create what we need, when we need it. If you’re trying to get over a bottleneck or just make your business run smoother, trust me, this episode is worth your time. It’s one of those conversations that sticks with you and makes you rethink what’s possible.


    Let’s Work Together
    If you’re ready to stop relying on cookie-cutter solutions and start building tools that work for your business, let’s talk. Whether refining your strategy, streamlining your operations, or scaling smarter, I can help you create a roadmap that fits your goals—and makes the most of your time and resources.

    👉 Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me today: calendly.com/ajlawrence/30min

    Together, we’ll figure out how to take your business to the next level—no fluff, just real, actionable steps.

    Kevin's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "Instead of using something and kind of fitting into it, you can quite easily create your own software that fits into you."


    Resources mentioned:

    Claude AIReplitWordPressContent Refresh Manager Google AnalyticsGoogle Search ConsoleOpenAI Pro CursorMonday.comClickUp

    Connect with Kevin Ashcroft:

    LinkedInWebsiteWP Support Specialists

    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite

  • Missing episodes?

    Click here to refresh the feed.

  • From Spreadsheet Chaos to Financial Freedom with Tyson Koska, OnTrajectory

    From Spreadsheet Chaos to Financial Freedom with Tyson Koska, OnTrajectory

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Let’s face it: entrepreneurs are great at making money but often terrible at managing it. I’m talking endless spreadsheets, vague budgets, and a lot of stress that kept me up at night. If you’ve been there ( I know I have), you need to hear this week’s episode with Tyson Koska, founder of OnTrajectory.

    He’s solved a problem many of us face but rarely talk about: how to create a clear, actionable plan for financial success.

    After years as an engineer and analyst, Tyson realized there wasn’t a tool that could help him plan his financial future without the noise of industry agendas. So, he built one. OnTrajectory started as a passion project and has grown into a powerful platform that helps entrepreneurs and individuals create 50-year financial models, make smarter decisions, and find clarity in their financial lives.

    As someone who’s built and sold companies, I know the juggling act of balancing business growth with personal finances, and Tyson’s insights on bridging that gap are game-changing.

    What’s In It For You

    1. Facing Financial Truths as an Entrepreneur
    I’ll be the first to admit that for years, my financial strategy was to grow my businesses as quickly as possible and then “figure it out later.” Tyson shares how dangerous this mindset can be and why having a clear financial plan is not just about the money—it’s about giving yourself the freedom to make the best choices for your life and your business.

    For any of us who’ve had sleepless nights over cash flow or the uncertainty of “what’s next,” Tyson’s approach is a game-changer. He’s all about simplifying the process, which was music to my ears—I’ve always believed that complexity is the enemy of clarity, whether in business or in life.

    2. Learning to Market Beyond the Product
    Tyson’s journey wasn’t just about building a great tool. He had to learn how to market OnTrajectory effectively—and that shift from being a builder to being a marketer is something I know many of us struggle with. Tyson talks about stepping out of his comfort zone to reach new customers, including joining podcasts like mine to spread the word. His transparency around facing these challenges is a powerful reminder that, as entrepreneurs, we have to evolve continually. It’s not enough to have a great product; we need to get it in front of the right people.

    3. Simplify to Scale
    One of the biggest takeaways for me from this episode is Tyson’s philosophy on simplifying to scale. In my own experience, it’s easy to fall into the trap of adding more features, more services, and more complexity—thinking that more is better. Tyson did the opposite: he recognized that growth often comes from stripping back to what really works and making it even better. I’ve seen this firsthand—whether in building a business or managing a team, the clearer and more focused you can make things, the easier it is to grow.

    Here’s what stood out most to me in this chat:

    Clarity Drives Confidence: The more you understand where your money is going, the easier it is to make big decisions—whether that’s investing in a new venture or taking a well-deserved break.Community Engagement Fuels Growth: Tyson emphasized how listening to his users helped shape OnTrajectory into what it is today. I’ve seen this time and again—your community will guide you if you let them.Focus on What Matters: Growth doesn’t mean doing everything; it means doing the right things better. Tyson’s shift to simplifying OnTrajectory is a reminder to all of us that sometimes, less is truly more.

    Build a Business That Works for You

    What if you could work fewer hours, grow your revenue, and feel completely confident about your financial future? That’s not just a dream—it’s a plan we can create together. Drawing on my experience scaling businesses and helping entrepreneurs like you eliminate bottlenecks, I’ll guide you toward building a business that truly works for you.

    Here’s how I can help you:

    Streamline Your Operations: Identify bottlenecks and build systems that save time and increase profitability.Achieve Financial Clarity: Learn how to model your personal and business finances for smarter decision-making.Scale Strategically: Shift your focus to high-impact opportunities that drive long-term growth.

    Let’s map out a strategy tailored to your needs so you can focus on what matters most. Book your complimentary 30-minute consulting session now, and take the first step toward transforming your business and your life.

    Book your complimentary 30-minute strategy session today: calendly.com/ajlawrence/30min

    Tyson's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "If you build it, they won’t necessarily come. You need a way to show yourself off in the marketplace."


    Connect with Tyson Koska:

    LinkedInXWebsite


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • What Happens When You Stop Chasing Profits and Start Building Value with Gabe Galvez, Verde Holdings

    What Happens When You Stop Chasing Profits and Start Building Value with Gabe Galvez, Verde Holdings

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    We often celebrate fast exits and quick wins, but Gabe Galvez flipped the script. In our chat, he shared why lasting value—not speed—is the ultimate entrepreneurial goal. His focus on capital preservation over chasing trends resonated deeply, reminding me that the best businesses aren’t built overnight but for the ages.


    About Gabe Galvez

    Gabe Galvez is an entrepreneur and private equity expert who focuses on building lasting businesses. He founded Captarget and Merger Labs, which help companies thrive in the M&A space, and is a partner at Verde Holdings, a multifamily office.

    Gabe advocates for creating long-term value over quick wins. He believes that you can achieve sustainable success by combining smart strategies with a focus on people and purpose. With years of experience in scaling businesses and managing investments, Gabe brings practical insights for entrepreneurs looking to build a lasting impact.

    Key Insights:

    Stop trading time for money. Focus on building assets, systems, or businesses that generate long-term value, rather than relying solely on hourly or transactional income.Only chase opportunities that create real value. Avoid falling victim to “FOMO.” Instead, focus on preserving your resources and reinvesting in areas that align with your long-term goals.Let your team own their work. Nurture a workplace culture where employees are trusted to take ownership of their work, make mistakes, and learn from them—leading to innovation and growth.Have a framework for decisions. Create a decision-making process that prioritizes expertise, aligns with your vision, and focuses on long-term impact. This keeps you on track and avoids distractions.Define success on your terms. Success isn’t just about meeting short-term revenue goals—it’s about creating something sustainable, meaningful, and aligned with your broader vision. By focusing on the long-term, you can create a foundation that supports growth, resilience, and purpose, ensuring your business thrives well into the future.

    Gabe's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    Move beyond the need to deploy capital and into a conversation about how do you make sure this capital or some appreciated version of this capital exists a hundred years from now.


    Let’s work together

    As an entrepreneur, I know the challenge of balancing immediate goals with long-term growth. That’s why I’m passionate about helping entrepreneurs like you build businesses that last. Let’s work together to implement strategies that align with Gabe’s approach. Schedule a 15-minute chat today.

    Resources mentioned:

    Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't


    Connect with Gabe Galvez:

    LinkedInCAPTARGETMerger Labs


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Transform Your Hiring System, Go Global for Talent with Kevin Ashcroft

    Transform Your Hiring System, Go Global for Talent with Kevin Ashcroft

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Let’s get real—hiring shouldn’t feel like a leap of faith. We’ve all been there. You’ve got a role to fill, and suddenly, you’re staring at a pile of resumes that all look the same or scrolling through job platforms, wondering how to separate the rockstars from the rest. It feels like a gamble—like you’re rolling the dice and hoping the chosen person can deliver.

    But what if hiring wasn’t a game of chance? What if you could approach it with the same clarity and confidence you bring to other areas of your business?

    In this follow-up episode with my great friend and mentor, Kevin Ashcroft, CEO of WP Support Specialists and author of Outsourcing for Success, we’ll answer these questions and more. If you didn’t listen to the first half of this episode, “What is Global Talent and How Can You Hire Them for Your Business?” check it out.

    Kevin’s been in the hiring trenches for over 15 years, refining a system that takes the guesswork out of finding the right talent. It’s not just about skills (though those matter, of course)—it’s about identifying the why behind the role, aligning it with your company’s goals, and ensuring the person you bring on shares your values.

    Because here’s the thing: hiring is one of the most critical investments you’ll make as a business owner. And when you approach it strategically, the payoff isn’t just a good hire—it’s a stronger, more cohesive team that helps your business thrive.


    Kevin’s Results Speak for Themselves

    From a single hire to a global team: Kevin scaled WP Support Specialists by outsourcing everything from admin to advanced development, proving that global talent isn’t just cost-effective—it’s transformative.Efficiency that pays off: His approach slashes hiring time while improving the quality of hires, giving entrepreneurs more time to focus on growth.Navigating AI-driven changes: Kevin’s insights on sifting through AI-generated job applications are necessary for anyone hiring in today’s tech-saturated landscape.

    Key Insights from the Episode:

    Hiring Starts with the “Why”
    Too many of us rush into hiring because we feel the pressure of an empty seat. Kevin’s process begins with asking: Do we really need this role? If you don’t know the answer, you’re setting yourself up for a mismatch.Cultural Fit Is a Game-Changer
    Skills can be trained, but shared values can’t. Kevin’s emphasis on cultural alignment as a non-negotiable for hiring resonated deeply with me. It’s saved me from making some big mistakes in the past.Think Beyond Borders
    Kevin and I geeked out about the beauty of global talent. It’s not just a cost-saving move—it’s about finding the right person, no matter where they’re based. Forget the stereotypes; talent is talent.AI Is Changing the Game
    Platforms are flooded with AI-generated responses that make sorting through candidates more challenging. Kevin shared some tricks to separate the real deal from the fluff. (Hint: Generic job posts don’t cut it anymore.)


    Why This Matters
    Here’s the deal—Kevin’s approach isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about creating systems that work for your business, not just today but as you grow. I know firsthand how tempting it is to just “fill the gap,” but every hire should bring you closer to your long-term vision.

    This episode is for you if:

    You’re tired of wasting time on the wrong candidates.You want to build a team that shares your values and drives results.You’re ready to stop putting out fires and start hiring strategically.

    Whether you’re just starting or scaling your team globally, Kevin’s insights are a masterclass in strategic hiring. I walked away with some new ideas to refine my own process, and I know you will, too.

    Resources Mentioned:

    Outsourcing for Success by Kevin AshcroftUpworkFreeUpClickMinded SOP Library


    Work With Me
    If you’re ready to scale your business, having the right team is just the start. To succeed, you need a strategic framework aligning your talent with your goals. That’s where I come in.

    As a fractional CMO, I specialize in:

    Strategic business guidance tailored to your growth phase.Building marketing systems that drive measurable results.Leading teams to execute effectively on your vision.

    👉 Let’s discuss how to take your business to the next level: calendly.com/ajlawrence/30min

  • Build an 8-Figure Business That Runs Without You with Reg Zeller, CaneKast

    Build an 8-Figure Business That Runs Without You with Reg Zeller, CaneKast

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    There’s nothing quite like watching a team take full ownership of their roles. Empowering employees means letting them make decisions, sometimes mistakes, and supporting their growth every step of the way. Talking with Reg Zeller, it was clear how he values giving his team real autonomy and stepping back to allow others to lead and learn. In this episode, he explains how this approach has led to a stronger, more resilient company culture, and it’s inspiring to see how much he trusts his team.

    About Reg Zeller

    Reg Zeller transitioned from a successful corporate career to building a thriving portfolio of small manufacturing businesses. Growing up in a one-stoplight town with friends in blue-collar trades, he knew early on that he wanted to own a business. After earning a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MBA, he spent 17 years with Fortune 500 companies like Honeywell and General Electric, gaining hands-on experience in nearly every corporate function. But his entrepreneurial drive never faded.

    In 2017, he acquired his first foundry and quickly saw how well the industry aligned with his values of resilience, hard work, and community impact. Today, through his holding company, CaneKast, Reg has acquired five foundries with plans to expand further. Known for empowering his team and building a strong culture, he’s on track to grow CaneKast into a $100M business while staying true to his small-town roots.

    Have you ever noticed that the most challenging part of growing a business isn't the strategy or the market—it's getting out of your way?

    My recent conversation with Reg Zeller blew me away because he's mastered something I struggled with in my entrepreneurial journey: building a thriving business without constant intervention.

    After years in the Fortune 500 world, Reg has done what many dream of but few achieve. In just five years, he's built CaneKast from a single $2.7M foundry into a $15M powerhouse. But here's what caught my attention—he did it by systematically removing himself from the business. He even jokes about his "8-hour work month," but the results speak for themselves.

    What fascinates me most is how Reg flipped the traditional entrepreneurial playbook. Instead of being the driving force behind every decision (a trap I've fallen into myself), he's focused on creating systems and teams that perform better without him. Having built and sold companies myself, this is pure gold for any entrepreneur feeling chained to their business.

    Here's why this matters if you're building a bootstrapped company:

    Your business value multiplies when it doesn't depend on you (something I learned the hard way)Teams innovate faster when given real autonomy to make and learn from mistakesYou create genuine scale through systems, not heroics You free yourself to focus on strategic opportunitiesYour stress levels drop dramatically (trust me on this one)


    What makes Reg's story particularly valuable is his brutal honesty. He openly admits to being a "terrible operator" and shares how he built a team that runs the business better than he ever could. As someone who's been there, this level of self-awareness is rare and invaluable.

    The practical takeaway? Start identifying where you're the bottleneck and systematically work to make yourself unnecessary. I know it sounds counterintuitive - I had to wrestle with this myself - but the less the business needs you for daily operations, the more valuable it becomes.

    Want to hear the entire conversation and learn precisely how Reg removed himself from operations while growing his company's value 5X? Listen to the complete episode at Beyond8Figures.com. I dig deep into his strategies for building self-running systems and how he's creating a business designed to outlast him.

    If you're wrestling with stepping back from daily operations or looking to build more value in your business, you should take advantage of this. As someone who's built and sold companies, I can tell you - Reg's insights are pure gold for any entrepreneur ready to scale beyond their limitations.

    Having built and sold multiple companies, I understand the delicate balance of stepping back strategically while maintaining business momentum - it's why I now help other entrepreneurs create systems and teams that can thrive without constant owner involvement. Through Beyond8Figures and my consulting practice, I guide business owners in identifying critical operational bottlenecks, implementing the right metrics and processes, and transforming their role from operator to strategic leader - all while protecting and enhancing current business value. So, if you're ready to build a more valuable business that doesn't depend on your daily presence, book a call with me or DM me on X to explore how we can systematically increase your company's value while reducing its dependence on you.

    Key Insights:

    Set clear, scalable processes. Develop systems that work for both small and large operations. Make sure all tasks—from onboarding to project management—have clear, repeatable steps. Document these processes and adjust them as you grow.Create a culture of learning from mistakes. Encourage employees to take initiative, even if it means they’ll sometimes make mistakes. Letting them learn from errors strengthens their skills and builds resilience. Make it clear that setbacks are part of growth, and support them in finding solutions.Diversify revenue streams. Relying on one source of revenue can be risky. Explore additional income sources that complement your main business, like offering add-on products, subscription services, or digital courses. Build strategic partnerships. Partner with businesses that complement yours. For example, if you offer products, partner with a service provider to create value bundles, enhancing your reach without additional resources.Hire for cultural fit and trust. When hiring, look beyond skills. Choose people who genuinely share your company’s values and are committed to its goals. By building a team you trust, you won’t need to micromanage, and you’ll create a positive, aligned work environment.

    Reg's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “I need to make decisions that maximize the value of the company and maximize the most impact to our folks that work for us.”


    Connect with Reg Zeller:

    LinkedInXWebsite

    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Redefining Strategy and Decision-Making with AI with Hamza Mudassir, Strategize.inc

    Redefining Strategy and Decision-Making with AI with Hamza Mudassir, Strategize.inc

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    A.J. here. My recent conversation with Cambridge Professor Hamza Mudassir completely changed how I think about business strategy in the age of AI. Hamza isn't just another academic—he's led three $650M+ exits and has uniquely positioned himself at the intersection of practical business success and cutting-edge AI research.


    About Hamza Mudassir

    Hamza Mudassir is a Strategy Lecturer at Cambridge University, where he brings digital disruption to life for his MBA, EMBA, and MPhil students. He’s also the founder of two ventures—Platypodes.io and Strategize.inc—where he helps businesses navigate big changes in AI and corporate strategy. With an MBA from the Cambridge Judge Business School, advanced AI strategy training at MIT, and M&A at INSEAD, Hamza combines deep expertise with hands-on experience.

    Over the years, Hamza has held top roles at companies like Amazon, Jagex, and Adstream, leading them through significant growth and successful sales—three in the past six years! His insights on strategy and AI frequently appear in Harvard Business Review and Fast Company, bringing his unique take on the future of business to a broad audience. Outside work, he’s a die-hard gamer with every console imaginable, often joined by his two Ragdoll cats for gaming marathons while helping his daughter reach her dream of being a KPop star.

    What struck me most was his insight that the era of rigid business frameworks is ending. These frameworks were created when we had limited data and needed simple models to understand complex business environments. But now, AI can simulate millions of scenarios, incorporating centuries of business wisdom, market dynamics, and competitive responses.

    During our conversation, I shared how I recently helped increase an acquisition price by $150K simply by using AI to analyze negotiation patterns. This isn't theoretical, and Hamza explained how it's happening now, and entrepreneurs who need to pay attention risk being left behind.

    What fascinated me was Hamza's prediction that within 5-10 years, AI will assist in things like negotiating and making most routine business decisions, leaving entrepreneurs free to focus on big-picture innovation and exceptional situations. He compared where we are now to "the Wild West of AI" - a time of incredible opportunity for those willing to embrace it.

    Also, what resonated with me was that the best businesses aren't the ones with the fanciest strategies—they're the ones that consistently execute the basics well. But as entrepreneurs, we all know how hard it is to maintain that consistency while juggling fires, opportunities, and daily chaos.

    This is where AI becomes your secret weapon - not for replacing your judgment, but for:

    - Testing decisions against millions of scenarios before committing resources

    - Identifying blind spots in your thinking (we all have them)

    - Keeping you focused on proven growth drivers when shiny objects appear

    - Providing pattern-matching insights from centuries of business history

    - Challenging your assumptions with data-driven perspectives

    In this episode, we dive deep into practical steps entrepreneurs can take to leverage AI for better strategic decisions, including:

    - How to ensure your business data is clean and properly structured

    - Ways to experiment with current AI tools to analyze patterns in your business decisions

    - Focusing on using AI to maintain consistency in your core business processes

    - Identifying areas where AI can help you stick to proven strategies instead of chasing every new opportunity

    If you're building a business that needs to thrive in the AI age (and that's all of us), this is an episode you can't miss.


    Key Insights:

    Use AI to test your ideas. With AI, you can create a “digital twin” of your business and try out different ideas without taking real-world risks. The AI will learn your decision-making style and help you see what works.Make time for deep reflection. Running a business can be isolating, especially when making big decisions. Find ways to reflect safely, like using unbiased feedback or finding a space where you can think freely about your direction.Get comfortable with uncertainty. The entrepreneurial journey often involves unexpected twists and turns. Embrace flexibility and be ready to adapt as new information or challenges come up. Sometimes, having a mindset that allows for uncertainty is a key strength.Plan for “What ifs” with AI. Use AI to run many “what if” scenarios, including rare but impactful situations. This can prepare you for surprises and keep your business steady through unexpected changes.Model your business ecosystem. Simulate how competitors, customers, and policies affect your business. This will help you make smarter choices by showing how different moves might play out in the market and how all players are connected.

    Hamza's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "You could have an AI that can effectively not just navigate a digital twin of your company and make great decisions and do it in a variety of scenarios that you can learn from. But over time, if you interact with it enough, you are effectively creating a digital twin of your own self."


    From Chaos to Clarity: Let’s Work Together for AI to Help You Grow

    After this fascinating conversation with Hamza, I want to help you implement these insights for your business. As someone who's worked with many companies over the years, I understand the challenges of implementing new strategies while maintaining daily operations. Through Beyond8Figures and my consulting practice, I help entrepreneurs set up the right analytics infrastructure and identify which decisions will benefit most from AI assistance - without disrupting their current operations. We start with the basics: ensuring your data is clean and your metrics are meaningful. Then, we build toward more sophisticated AI applications that enhance your decision-making process. Small, strategic steps in the right direction can significantly improve how you run your business. Connect with me on LinkedIn or through Beyond8Figures.com to explore how we can help your business thrive in the AI age.
    Schedule a chat to turn these AI insights into practical tools for your business.

    Connect with Hamza Mudassir:

    LinkedInWebsite

    Resources Mentioned:
    ‱ Harvard Business Review article: "AI Can (Mostly) Outperform Human CEOs

    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Why Buying a Business Beats Building One with Walker Deibel, Acquisition Lab

    Why Buying a Business Beats Building One with Walker Deibel, Acquisition Lab

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    When I first got into entrepreneurship, I thought starting from scratch was the only way. I built my agency from the ground up, but after learning from people like Walker Deibel, I see that business acquisition often makes way more sense. Imagine taking over a business that already has customers, revenue, and operations. You can scale faster without all the initial growing pains—it’s a smarter, quicker way to grow compared to starting fresh every time.


    About Walker Deibel

    Walker Deibel is an outstanding entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience buying and scaling businesses, having successfully acquired 7 companies and co-founded several startups along the way. He’s the author of the best-seller Buy Then Build, a must-read for anyone looking to grow through business acquisition. As an M&A advisor with Quiet Light, Walker helps online businesses navigate their exits. Through his program, Acquisition Lab, he shares his personal journey and practical strategies to teach entrepreneurs why buying an existing company can be the smartest path to growth—and how to do it right.

    Key Insights:

    Focus on recurring revenue models. When buying a business, prioritize those with recurring revenue, like subscription models. This gives you a reliable income stream and makes the business more stable, allowing you to plan and scale with greater confidence.Look for underperforming businesses. Find companies that aren’t doing well because of bad management or outdated systems. After buying them, improve operations, marketing, or customer service to increase profits and grow the business.Combine resources. If you buy multiple businesses, find ways for them to share resources, like employees or marketing efforts. This saves money and helps all the businesses grow more efficiently.Plan for the future sale. From the start, think about how to make the business more valuable when you want to sell it. Improve profits and streamline operations so you can sell it at a higher price later.Modernize traditional businesses. Find older businesses that could benefit from modern updates like better online marketing or e-commerce. You can increase their value by bringing them up to date.

    Walker's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "If you can bridge the old economy and the new economy, that's actually the very unique opportunity that we have in our lifetime."


    Connect with Walker Deibel:

    LinkedInYouTubeXBuy Then BuildAcquisition Lab

    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Build a Business That Grows Without Burning You Out with Bruce Eckfeldt

    Build a Business That Grows Without Burning You Out with Bruce Eckfeldt

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    When I think about a business roadmap, I see it as the strategy that turns your vision into reality. Looking back, I wish I had one from the start. Entrepreneurs like myself often get lost in the hustle—focused on putting out fires and chasing growth without a real plan. And that’s where things fall apart. After my conversation with Bruce Eckfeldt, I wish I had a well-crafted roadmap that could have saved me from unnecessary stress and reactive decisions. In this episode, he explains the difference between controlled growth and chaos and how it can help your business grow.


    About Bruce Eckfeldt

    Bruce Eckfeldt is an experienced entrepreneur and business coach who specializes in helping companies grow and prepare for successful exits. Over the years, he has led multiple businesses through big growth phases, building strong leadership teams and creating clear roadmaps for sustainable success. As a 5X Inc. 500 CEO Award Winner, Bruce knows firsthand what it takes to scale a business effectively.


    He’s certified in Scaling Up, 3HAG/Metronomics, and Predictive Index, using these proven methods to guide businesses through challenges and unlock their full potential. Bruce is also passionate about personal growth and leadership development, which he incorporates into his coaching.

    Whether you're looking to grow, build a high-performing team, or plan for an eventual exit, Bruce offers the experience and strategies needed to make it happen. His focus is on helping entrepreneurs create businesses that are strong, scalable, and ready for whatever comes next.

    Key Insights:

    Think like a CEO, not a founder. As your business grows, you need to stop doing everything yourself. Trust your team to handle the day-to-day so you can focus on leading and growing the company.Focus on sustainable growth, not hustle. Entrepreneurs often prioritize busy work over structure, but Bruce believes that without the right processes and leadership team, growth can lead to chaos. Set up scalable systems early on for sustainable, controlled growth.Reduce business risks. Whenever possible, try to reduce reliance on key clients or single revenue streams. Not only does it make your business vulnerable if something goes wrong, but it also limits your growth potential. Start identifying areas where you can expand, whether by attracting new types of customers, offering additional services, or developing new products. Create clear roles and responsibilities. Make sure everyone on your team knows exactly what they are responsible for. This helps avoid confusion and keeps the business running smoothly as you grow.Review your strategy. After developing a strategy, expect it to evolve. The initial roadmap will be wrong in many ways, but the important part is identifying gaps and continuously improving the strategy based on new insights.

    Bruce's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "Most businesses think growth is about hustle, but if you don’t have the right structure or leadership team in place, you’re going to run into chaos. You need to build a foundation that can handle scaling without falling apart."


    Connect with Bruce Eckfeldt:

    LinkedInWebsiteInstagramXYouTubeInc.com columnPodcast


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Build a Business That Supports Your Lifestyle with Brian Keane, Brian Keane Fitness LLC

    Build a Business That Supports Your Lifestyle with Brian Keane, Brian Keane Fitness LLC

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Balancing business growth with family life has been a challenge for me for years. As a husband and father of three wonderful children, everything I do is with my family in mind. I’ve often found myself grinding, trying to scale, but feeling stuck in the day-to-day operations. When I heard Brian Keane, fitness entrepreneur and ultra-endurance athlete, talk about how scalable business models can automate growth, it really struck a chord. He talks about how automating repetitive tasks, delegating what doesn’t need your personal attention, and setting up systems can free up time and energy - and that’s the real win.


    About Brian Keane

    Brian Keane, a fitness entrepreneur and the CEO of Brian Keane Fitness LLC, has built a thriving business by combining his passion for health with smart, scalable strategies. A former elementary school teacher, Brian transitioned into the fitness world in 2012, becoming a professional fitness model and setting up his own business. He has since become a 3-time bestselling author and the host of one of the top health podcasts globally.

    His journey includes incredible endurance feats, like running six back-to-back marathons through the Sahara Desert, 230km through the Arctic Circle, and finishing in the top 10 of the Jackpot 100-mile ultra marathon in 2020. Over the years, Brian has grown his business by offering high-ticket coaching, bestselling books, and evergreen online courses that run on autopilot. His approach has allowed him to create a lifestyle of freedom, where he focuses on his passions while the business grows.


    Key Insights:

    Optimize with data and feedback. Regularly review what’s working by using tools like customer feedback, analytics, and automation metrics to continually improve and optimize business processes.Develop evergreen products. Create products or courses that you build once and sell repeatedly. Brian’s evergreen fitness courses generate passive income with minimal ongoing work.Automate key processes. Identify repetitive tasks in your business like customer onboarding, email marketing, or payments, and use software to automate them. Tools like Zapier, automated emails, or CRMs can help you streamline these tasks efficiently.Focus on niche markets. Narrow your target audience to a specific niche where you can offer specialized products or services. This can help you stand out from competitors and better meet the unique needs of your audience.Build a strong personal brand. Invest time in building your personal brand through content creation, public speaking, and appearances. Establish yourself as an authority in your field, which will naturally attract more clients and opportunities.

    Brian's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “Create a business you never want to retire from; longevity is the secret to wealth creation.”


    Connect with Brian Keane:

    InstagramFacebookYouTube


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Business Growth through Strategic Acquisitions with Lisa Forrest, Live Oak Bank

    Business Growth through Strategic Acquisitions with Lisa Forrest, Live Oak Bank

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Entrepreneurship is a risky game, but you can significantly reduce that risk with strategic acquisitions. This method allows you to take over existing businesses that already have proven cash flows and established customer bases. Being particularly interested in acquiring a company, I talked to Lisa Forrest, an expert at Live Oak Bank, about facilitating these types of smart business moves through SBA financing. In this episode, she explains how to use these loans effectively to secure successful acquisitions and create more prosperous entrepreneurial journeys.


    About Lisa Forrest

    Lisa Forrest is the Co-Director of Sponsor Finance/Searchfund Lending at Live Oak Bank with over 30 years of experience in banking. She focuses on helping small business owners with both SBA and Conventional lending. Lisa is well-known across the country for her expertise in M&A deal structuring, especially within the Searchfund community. She helps entrepreneurs buy established companies and reduce risks by finding the right financing solutions.

    Lisa is particularly passionate about educating and supporting the next generation of business leaders, providing resources like cash flow models and executive summaries to simplify the acquisition process. Her hands-on, approachable style makes her a trusted partner in the acquisition space.

    Key Insights:

    Develop your own acquisition criteria. Define what type of business fits your goals before looking for companies. Consider industry, size, location, and cash flow. This helps you target businesses that align with your long-term vision and reduces wasted time looking at the wrong opportunities.Use cash flow models to evaluate deals. Before committing to an acquisition, use cash flow models to assess a company's financial health. By running scenarios, you can ensure the business will generate enough income to cover debt and other expenses after purchase.Take advantage of the “Silver Wave.” Many baby boomer business owners are retiring and looking to sell. Explore industries where this is happening to find well-established businesses available at reasonable prices.Maintain financial discipline. It’s important not to overpay or over-leverage when acquiring a business. Ensure the acquisition makes financial sense by carefully analyzing the business’s cash flow and ensuring there is room for market shifts or operational challenges.Prepare for post-acquisition integration. You need a plan for integrating the acquired business, including merging teams, operations, and cultures. Having a clear integration strategy minimizes disruption and improves operational efficiency.

    Lisa's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “Cash flow is gonna be king and making sure you're not overpaying for a company, and you're not overleveraging it.”


    Connect with Lisa Forrest:

    LinkedInX


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Playing with AI to Grow with A.J. Lawrence

    Playing with AI to Grow with A.J. Lawrence

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Over the summer, my team and I dove deep into experimenting with AI. AI in business has been a game changer - from automating tasks to uncovering hidden opportunities; it is reshaping how entrepreneurs like us work smarter, not harder. I’ve tried some incredible tools; this episode is all about what I’ve learned.


    About A.J. Lawrence
    A.J. Lawrence is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning JAR Group, a global growth strategy agency and host of Beyond 8 Figures. With multiple 7-figure exits and leading his agency to the INC. 500 twice, A.J. is a seasoned growth strategist, mentor, and angel investor. Passionate about experimenting with AI and innovative business strategies, he helps entrepreneurs streamline their operations and uncover hidden opportunities. A true “journeyman entrepreneur,” A.J. loves learning from experts and applying those insights to drive success in business and life.

    Key Insights:

    Use AI to simplify work. I’ve been using Google’s Notebook LLM to upload documents, emails, and notes, and it automatically creates summaries, FAQs, and key takeaways. This has saved me much time, especially when working with clients on their business strategies. It’s a great way to get instant insights from your notes. Build a solid marketing and sales foundation. One of the first things I advise entrepreneurs to focus on is creating a robust and long-term marketing and sales structure. You need this foundation to hit the ground running and ensure sustained growth. Customize AI inputs. When I use AI tools, I fine-tune the inputs by feeding them references from key business books or industry data. This helps generate more accurate, personalized insights for the specific project I’m working on. Don’t rely on default settings; get the AI to work for your needs.Position your business like a pro. Positioning is everything. You're missing out on opportunities if you’re not showing up in the right light. It’s not just about having a website—crafting a professional presence that attracts the right people. Outsource due diligence to experts. I’m a big believer in working with specialists for due diligence. While AI is great for evaluating marketing and sales, there are areas where I always bring in an expert. It lets me focus on the bigger picture—growth, strategy, and execution while the pros handle the technical details of the acquisition.

    A.J.'s best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "Sometimes what looks like an overpriced deal could be undervalued if you realize you can create more value than is being seen on paper."


    Tools mentioned:

    Notebook LLM from GoogleGoogle's Voice APISynthesia*Perplexity


    Connect with A.J. Lawrence:

    LinkedInX

    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite


    *Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.

  • Strategic Moves to Secure a Large Exit with Mac Lackey, ExitDNA

    Strategic Moves to Secure a Large Exit with Mac Lackey, ExitDNA

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    When is the best time to sell your business? According to Mac Lackey, it’s never too early to prepare. Drawing from his six successful exits, Mac believes in the power of a strategic exit—selling based on unique value rather than financials. It’s all about thinking ahead and identifying what makes your company special. Whether you sell in one year or five, being ready allows you to seize opportunities and maximize your business's worth.


    About Mac Lackey

    Mac Lackey has been building and selling businesses for over 25 years. He’s launched six companies across industries like tech, media, and apparel, with each one successfully exiting for seven or eight figures. Mac’s entrepreneurial journey has been defined by smart decision-making, from launching his first web-based company during the early days of the internet to consistently recognizing market opportunities. Known for his knack for spotting early trends and creating strategic value, Mac helps other entrepreneurs prepare for lucrative exits through his program, ExitDNA, where he helps founders prepare for profitable exits.

    Key Insights:

    Prepare for your exit early. Don’t wait until you’re ready to sell. Begin planning your exit as soon as possible by organizing finances, improving operations, and creating value.Sell when the market is right. Timing is crucial. Monitor market trends and industry shifts so you can sell at a time when your business is most valuable.Focus on product-market fit. Instead of worrying about building a massive company right away, focus on finding the right product-market fit. Once you get that right, you can grow faster.Tell a compelling story. Create a clear narrative that explains why your business is valuable. Tailor this story to appeal to potential buyers, highlighting benefits of your business.Stay curious and adaptable. Mac attributes his success to his intellectual curiosity and willingness to adapt. Ask questions about what’s changing in the world, and be ready to pivot your business model or strategy as necessary.

    Mac's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “The early exit is the easier exit.”


    Connect with Mac Lackey:

    WebsiteLinkedInInstagramX


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Building a Sellable Business from Day One with Rachel Murphy, The Grafter

    Building a Sellable Business from Day One with Rachel Murphy, The Grafter

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    When I sold my last business, I struggled because I wasn't prepared from the beginning. Having a clear exit plan, knowing my business's value, and keeping important documents organized would have made a major difference. I wish I met Rachel Murphy back then because she had a solid strategy from day one. She built relationships with potential buyers early, focused on revenue growth, and understood the importance of brand strength.But now you can learn from her and make your future exit as smooth as possible!


    About Rachel Murphy

    Rachel Murphy is a successful entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the digital and health sectors. She has founded and exited two companies, including Difrent, an award-winning digital services company that delivered transformational projects for the NHS and other public sector clients. Her expertise in user-centered design and digital solutions has made a significant impact in these fields.

    Currently, she leads The Grafter, a consultancy helping professional services businesses grow, scale, and exit, maximizing their value. Rachel is also a public speaker and health tech advisor. Her strategic approach focuses on early exit planning, understanding business valuation, and organized documentation.

    Key Insights:

    Understand your valuation. Understand the factors that contribute to your business's value, such as revenue growth, profitability, intellectual property, and brand strength.Diversify offerings. Explore opportunities to expand into related sectors. For instance, if your business is in healthcare, consider entering private healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences to diversify and increase market presence.Document important processes. Develop detailed documentation of your business processes. This includes creating a playbook that outlines how your business operates, which is essential for scaling and for potential buyers.Develop a strong brand. A recognizable and trusted brand can significantly enhance your business’s valuation and appeal to buyers.Be honest. Be upfront about the strengths and weaknesses of your business. Buyers appreciate transparency and it builds trust, which can lead to smoother negotiations and a more realistic valuation.

    Rachel's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “I always encourage founders to do is be honest about what's working and what isn't in their business.”


    Connect with Rachel Murphy:

    LinkedInInstagramX


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Match Your Strengths with Profitable Business Opportunities with Ray Titus, United Franchise Group

    Match Your Strengths with Profitable Business Opportunities with Ray Titus, United Franchise Group

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Ever wonder why some businesses thrive while others struggle? The key is strategic alignment. Ray Titus’s experience shows that aligning your company’s mission, goals, and decisions ensures everyone is working towards the same vision. For Ray, this alignment has been crucial in growing his franchise empire over 37 years, proving that when your team is strategically aligned, success follows.


    About Ray Titus

    Ray Titus is a visionary entrepreneur with a rich legacy in the franchise world. Growing up in a family where entrepreneurship was the norm, Ray absorbed the principles of hard work, innovation, and strategic thinking from a young age. As the CEO and founder of United Franchise Group (UFG), he transformed a single Signarama store into a global network of 10 brands spanning over 80 countries.

    Ray’s approach is rooted in the power of strategic alignment—ensuring that every business decision supports a clear, unified vision. His leadership has not only expanded UFG’s global footprint but also empowered thousands of entrepreneurs to achieve their own business success. Passionate about education, Ray founded the Titus Franchise Center at Palm Beach Atlantic University, nurturing the next generation of franchise innovators. With nearly four decades of experience, Ray continues to drive growth, inspire others, and leave a lasting impact on the franchise industry.

    Key Insights:

    Stand out in the market. Identify what makes your business unique and focus on that to differentiate yourself from competitors. Whether it’s a unique product, exceptional customer service, or a novel business model, make sure your uniqueness is clear to your customers.Simplify your mission statement. A mission statement should be clear, concise, and actionable. Ray advises that it should be one sentence long and known by every employee. This keeps everyone aligned and focused on the primary goal of the business.Delegate your weaknesses. Recognize areas where you are not strong and hire people who can fill those gaps. This helps your business stay well-rounded and capable of addressing all aspects necessary for success.Adapt quickly. When unexpected challenges arise, be ready to pivot your business model. Identify new needs in the market and adjust your products or services to meet them. Quick adaptation can turn a crisis into a growth opportunity.Set and achieve key milestones. Identify the three most important goals for your business at any given time. Focus your energy and resources on achieving these goals before tackling less critical tasks.

    Ray's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “You gotta know the mission statement. You gotta live the mission statement. It's one sentence.”


    Get Ray’s books: “YOU’RE NOT LISTENING TO ME,” “The Challenge,” “Selling Today,” “Round the Clock,” “Laws of Inevitability,” and “Put a Little JJ In Your Life.”

    Resources Mentioned:

    SignaramaFully PromotedTransworld Business AdvisorsAccurate Franchising IncorporatedExit FactorTitus Center for FranchisingProfit FirstStraight-Line LeadershipLincoln on LeadershipThe 6 Types of Working Genius Death by MeetingThe Five Dysfunctions of a TeamBuy then BuildGritThe Founder


    Connect with Ray Titus:

    LinkedInWebsite


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite

    Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.

  • The Strategic Use of Content for Business Growth with John Hall, Relevance

    The Strategic Use of Content for Business Growth with John Hall, Relevance

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    We often talk about strategy—growth strategy, sales strategy, marketing strategy. When it comes to content, strategic content is a game-changer. Aligning content with clear goals builds trust and credibility, leading to sustainable growth. This strategy (pun intended) can work for any business, and today, John Hall, an entrepreneur and growth architect, is telling us how to make the most out of it.


    About John Hall

    John Hall is a co-founder of Influence, which he grew to 100 employees and sold in 2018. Now, as the Chief Strategist at Relevance.com and co-founder of Calendar.com, he helps people manage their time and relationships better. He’s also the author of the best-selling book “Top of Mind” and has won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

    John shares his entrepreneurial insights in weekly columns for Forbes and Inc. and writes for over 50 publications, including CNBC, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company. Known for his straight talk in PR, SEO, and thought leadership, he’s invested in many successful businesses. When he's not working, John loves spending time with his family. He’s passionate about helping great companies and people thrive.

    Key Insights:

    Target the right audience. Use specific, detailed keywords to attract the right people for your business to reach those who are most likely to convert into clients.Measure, measure, measure. Regularly evaluate how well your content is performing against your business goals. Use these insights to tweak your strategies and improve your results.Invest in sustainable growth. Focus on investments and clients who are committed to ethical, sustainable practices. This not only ensures long-term success but also aligns with your values.Leverage AI for content creation. AI tools can help you create, repurpose, and optimize content more efficiently. Incorporate AI to streamline your content process and keep the quality high.Focus on quality over quantity. Producing high-quality, impactful content is more beneficial than churning out large volumes of mediocre material. Quality content builds credibility and engages your audience more effectively.

    John's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “There are so many things you can do with content, but you have to start with the goal and then back into what strategy will be the most effective to accomplish that goal.”


    Get John’s book “Top of Mind”

    Connect with John Hall:

    LinkedInInstagramXWebsite


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite


    Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.

  • Think Smart, Go global, Build Your Life with Bakari Akil, Nomad Noir

    Think Smart, Go global, Build Your Life with Bakari Akil, Nomad Noir

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Being adaptable isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for any entrepreneur who wants to see their business thrive for years to come. Flexibility in business helps you to navigate unexpected challenges, seize new opportunities, and pivot when necessary. My interview with Bakari Akil reminded me of just how important it is to build your business with that flexibility at the core, so that you can effectively address any changes in the market without having to reinvent your operations every single time.


    About Bakari Akil

    Bakari Akil is an experienced entrepreneur and investor with a strong background in acquisitions and business development. As the Managing Director of Graves Hall Capital, Bakari has successfully led the acquisition of several companies, demonstrating a keen eye for identifying valuable opportunities. His approach to entrepreneurship is rooted in flexibility and adaptability, allowing him to navigate complex deals and build a diverse portfolio of businesses.

    Other than his work in acquisitions, Bakari loves sharing his knowledge and experiences in digital nomadism. He has traveled extensively while managing his ventures, proving that with the right strategy, business can be conducted from anywhere in the world.


    Key Insights:

    Diversify your investments. I’ve always believed in spreading your business interests across different industries. This way, if one area faces challenges, others can keep your overall business stable.teDelegate to experts. Hire experienced professionals to handle daily operations. This frees you up to focus on strategic decisions and big-picture growth instead of wasting your time on small tasks. Prioritize recurring revenue. Look for businesses with steady, recurring revenue. This ensures a reliable cash flow and helps your business stay resilient.Do your homework. Always visit and verify business operations in person before making any big decisions. This ensures you’re getting exactly what you expect.Avoid depending on key individuals. Structure your business so that its success isn’t tied to one person. This makes transitions smoother and reduces risk of making your operations stuck because someone isn’t there.

    Bakari's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "As an investor, it's important to be on location to see the business and evaluate it. [...] You really need to come there and make sure that the operations actually exist, that somebody's not selling you a business that actually is not there."


    Connect with Bakari Akil:

    LinkedInInstagramYouTube


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Balancing Profit and Social Impact with Dominnique Karetsos, The Healthy Pleasure Group

    Balancing Profit and Social Impact with Dominnique Karetsos, The Healthy Pleasure Group

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Contrary to the belief that focusing on purpose detracts from profitability, many purpose-driven companies experience robust financial performance. A strong focus on creating a positive impact can differentiate a company in a crowded marketplace, attract loyal customers, and drive sustainable growth. As Dominnique Karetsos has seen with Healthy Pleasure Group, profit with purpose is not just possible - it can open up new revenue streams and market opportunities, put companies at the forefront of innovation, and help them attract like-minded partners and investors.


    About Dominnique Karetsos

    Dominnique Karetsos is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in more than 40 markets. She founded Healthy Pleasure Group and co-founded Minthub, focusing on building a global ecosystem for sexual health and technology. Dominnique is also a General Partner at Amboy Street Ventures, the first fund dedicated to investing in sexual health and women's health technology.

    Known for her knack for spotting trends and reshaping brand strategies, she helps startups and established brands grow and thrive. With degrees in international marketing, management, and advanced supply chain management, Dominnique blends her diverse skills to lead with vision and purpose. She's passionate about driving social change and innovation in the sexual health industry, making a real difference in people's lives.


    Key Insights:

    Stay consumer-centric. Always focus on your customers' real needs. Listening to them and adapting your products or services accordingly is a sure way to set you apart from competitors.Create a culture of inclusivity. Make diversity a priority and ensure that all employees feel valued and respected, which can enhance creativity and innovation.Embrace compassionate leadership. Practice empathy in your interactions. Listen to your team’s concerns and show understanding. Higher employee morale, better collaboration, and lower turnover are likely to follow!Stay agile and adapt quickly. Be willing to pivot and adapt based on market trends and feedback. Use agile methodologies to manage projects. Your company is more likely to survive and thrive when it can swiftly respond to market changes.Leverage your unique story. A distinctive brand that resonates emotionally with your audience will set you apart from competitors. Use your personal and company story to build a unique brand identity. Share your journey and mission openly so that people know where you stand.

    Dominnique's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “People follow passion. People follow missions. People follow people, not just businesses.”


    Connect with Dominnique Karetsos:

    LinkedInWebsiteInstagramX

    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Leadership Tactics That Drive Sustainable Growth with Adam Sandman, Inflectra Corporation

    Leadership Tactics That Drive Sustainable Growth with Adam Sandman, Inflectra Corporation

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Sustainable growth hinges on leadership tactics that delegate authority and responsibility. Adam Sandman’s journey of bootstrapping, diversifying markets, and building a strong global team, demonstrated that smart, intentional decisions are what drive long-term success. His approach to leadership—decentralized, customer-focused, and growth-oriented—is what empowers teams to innovate and adapt, ensuring the company remains resilient and competitive in a global marketplace.


    About Adam Sandman

    Adam Sandman is the founder and CEO of Inflectra, a company that creates tools for software testing and automation. His journey with programming started when he was just ten, making computer games for fun. Later, he studied Physics at Oxford University but realized that working in labs wasn’t for him. So, he moved to the U.S. to follow his passion for technology.

    One of Adam’s first big roles was at Sapient, where he worked on projects for the U.S. Marine Corps. Eventually, he decided to start his own company, and that’s how Inflectra came to be. What began as a small business grew into a leader in the software industry. Adam’s focus has always been on creating innovative products and expanding the business. Today, Inflectra is known around the world for its top-notch software management tools.

    Key Insights:

    Start small, stay in control. Build your business without relying on outside funding so you can make decisions that align with your long-term goals. This way, you maintain control over your company’s direction and can grow at your own pace.Mix up your client base. Diversify your client portfolio by balancing startups with more established companies to provide stability and reduces the risk of losing significant revenue during market downturns.Build strong partnerships. Develop relationships with partners who can help you reach new customers and expand your business. These partnerships can act as a force multiplier, amplifying your sales and marketing efforts.Define your sales process. Before hiring salespeople, map out your sales process and understand the specific roles needed. Make sure you hire the right people for the right tasks and avoid costly mistakes.Focus on customer needs. Prioritize building products and services that truly meet your customers’ needs, even if it goes against industry trends. A customer-focused approach builds loyalty and drives long-term success.

    Adam's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “You need to define your sales process differently before you start hiring people because otherwise what you'll do is you hire people like you or you hire people who are call themselves salespeople, but that may or may not be what you need in your particular moment in that particular phase.”


    Connect with Adam Sandman:

    LinkedInXInstagram


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Crafting a Secure Financial Future with Mike Brown, Unbreakable Wealth

    Crafting a Secure Financial Future with Mike Brown, Unbreakable Wealth

    · Beyond 8 Figures

    Building wealth isn’t just about making money but managing it wisely. Mike Brown, entrepreneur, investor and wealth coach, found out post-exit from his company that without proper financial strategies, you can quickly lose it all. Luckily for him, Mike used his setbacks to build a comprehensive wealth-preserving strategy, which he now shares with other entrepreneurs to help them avoid his mistakes and build lasting financial stability.


    About Mike Brown

    Mike Brown is a successful entrepreneur and investor, who started his career as a Navy pilot flying F/A-18 Super Hornets. After leaving the military, Mike entered the oil and gas industry and built an eight-figure investment firm, which he sold in 2019. Facing financial challenges after the sale, Mike learned the importance of smart money management, which he now uses in his coaching program Unbreakable Wealth to help other entrepreneurs build and manage their finances.

    Key Insights:

    Diversify but don’t overdo it. Avoid putting too much of your money into high-risk investments. A balanced approach helps you grow wealth steadily without unnecessary stress.Examine your money habits. Take a hard look at your relationship with money and how it influences your decisions. Fixing any unhealthy habits can prevent future financial headaches.Set realistic financial goals. Figure out what you truly need to be happy. Clear, achievable goals give you direction and purpose. It’s not always about having more money, but about having enough to meet your needs and desires.Seek advice from experts. Their insights can help you adopt effective wealth management practices and avoid common mistakes. Learning from others’ experiences can save you time and money.Prioritize your core business. Your main business is your best investment. Focus on growing and strengthening it before spreading your resources too thin in unrelated ventures. This ensures sustainable growth and stability for the long haul.

    Mike’s best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “The fact is, most people don't need more. They need to optimize what they have to create the experiences in the life that they want to live. And that's actually a lot easier than just constant growth.”


    Building lasting wealth is not rocket science. Sign up for Unbreakable Wealth’s coaching program to learn exactly how you create a stable financial future, and don't forget to mention "Beyond 8 Figures" for a special bonus!

    Subscribe to Mike’s free weekly finance newsletter

    Connect with Mike Brown:

    LinkedInInstagramXWebsite

    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    LinkedInXWebsite
  • Show more