The Truth About Buying a Business (Most People Won’t Tell You) — with Richard Parker, Diomo Corporation

Success isn’t just surviving chaos—it’s building toward your exit.In this episode, I talk with Philip Blackett, founder of Dream Business Makeover and LifeAfter40.com. He’s been through the fire—literally rebuilding a cemetery business during COVID while pulling double shifts at Chick-fil-A to make payroll.We talk exit strategy, leadership, and what really works when you’ve got to grow through chaos.🎯 You’ll Learn:Why most “busy” CEOs miss the pointHow to plan your exit (even if it’s years away)The 4 levers that grow revenue and valueWhat it looks like to lead when everything’s on fireReady to grow your business with a future? Let’s build your exit-ready roadmap. 👉 Work with A.J.🔗 Resources & Guest Links:Philip Blackett: LinkedIn, LifeAfter40.comRich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Buying a business sounds like a shortcut—but most people never make it to the finish line. Why? Because they chase the wrong deals.In this episode, I talk with Richard Parker, founder of Diomo Corporation, about what really works when you're looking to acquire a business that fits you—and what most people get completely wrong.🎯 You’ll Learn:Richard’s “4-4-4-1-1” process for staying focused during your searchWhy experience doesn’t always translate to ownership successThe 5 filters that’ll save you from a bad acquisitionHow to tell if a business is a spaghetti mess—or ready to scaleThe one shift you must make before even reaching out to a sellerIf you’re even thinking about buying a business, start with this episode.🔗 Guest Links:Richard Parker: https://richardparker.com/

Your business is growing—but is your personal wealth strategy keeping up?In this episode, I sit down with Mark Cecchini, a wealth advisor who works with high-growth founders, to break down what it really means to build a personal capital stack.🎧 We cover:Why “just invest in Vanguard” isn’t a real planHow to make decisions when income’s unevenWhat to do with cash that’s sitting idleWhen to stop DIY’ing and bring in a proIf you’ve ever felt behind on your own wealth strategy, this one’s a must-listen. Want help finding clarity, control, and momentum in your business? Let's grow beyond the plateau together. ⟶ Chat with A.J. 🔗 Resources + Guest Links:Mark Cecchini: X, LinkedInQuadrant Capital

Growth doesn’t always mean profit.In this episode, I’m joined by ProfitHive founder Kevin Bees to talk about how growing businesses leak money—and how to stop it. Kevin shares the 7 hidden areas where founders lose margin, plus a tactical framework for getting your financial house in order without becoming an accountant.🎧 What you’ll learn:How to spot and fix your biggest profit leaksWhy scaling doesn’t fix your financial blind spotsThe mental shift that separates busy founders from wealthy onesThe simplest way to improve profit this quarter—no new clients requiredLet’s make sure your growth is actually profitable. 👉 Work with A.J.🔗 Resources + Guest Links:Kevin Bees: LinkedIn, TwitterProfitHive

Success isn’t just about scale—it’s about control. And sometimes that means cutting through the chaos you created.In this episode, I sit down with Mikael Dia, founder of Funnelytics, to talk about how simplifying your operations, offers, and mindset can unlock the growth you’ve been chasing. We get into the real stuff: what happens after the VC check clears, how complexity creeps in, and how to rebuild with clarity.🎧 You’ll Learn:How to simplify your business at any stageWhat entrepreneurs get wrong about growthWhy churn was killing Mikael’s momentum—and how he fought backThe 4 pillars that keep you fulfilled while scalingHow Funnelytics can help you fix your funnel without the guessworkWant to scale with more control? 👉 Work with A.J.🔗 Resources + Guest Links:Mikael Dia: LinkedIn, Facebook, Funnelytics 

Ever feel like the business you built is running you?In this episode, I sit down with John F. Kettley, founder of Sales Masters Guild, to talk about how entrepreneurs lose their way as their company grows—and what it really takes to regain control of your business.We talk mindset, sales systems, burnout, and the moment most founders realize they’re not leading anymore—they’re just reacting.🎧 Inside this episode:How to shift from doing the work to leading the companyWhy most founders plateau at six figuresHow to reconnect with your original business visionThe “helicopter view” strategy for finding clarityWhy sales + delivery alignment matters more than you thinkIf your business feels heavier than it should, it’s time for a reset. 👉 Work with A.J.🔗 Resources + Guest Links:John F. Kettley: Website, LinkedInSales Masters Guild 

Let’s be honest—most founders are chasing traction without stopping to ask: Is this still what I want to build?In this episode, I talk with Amit Garg, Managing Partner at Tau Ventures, about what it means to build a purpose-aligned business from the ground up. From launching a hospital in India to raising $86M for a venture fund, Amit shares what real alignment looks like.🎧 You’ll learn:How to know if your business is actually venture-backableWhat founders get wrong about raising capitalWhy your pitch deck could be building a business you don’t want to runHow to use purpose as your operating systemWhy public thinking is the new investor filterIf your business looks successful but doesn’t feel right, it’s time to reset. 👉 Work with A.J.🔗 Resources + Guest Links:Amit Garg: LinkedIn, XHospital For HopeTau VenturesData Driven

Success isn’t always what it looks like on the outside.In this episode, I talk with Justin Breen about what it really means to lead a visionary business—with clarity, intention, and zero fluff. We unpack Kolbe scores, mindset patterns, and the four traits that set true visionaries apart from the pack.🔥 Inside this episode:How to measure your life with two daily questionsWhy “more” often leads to misery—not meaningHow Justin uses pattern recognition to build rituals that scaleThe flywheel every founder needs: Mindset → Network → OpportunityWhat most founders get dead wrong about leadershipLet’s build better, not just bigger.  👉 Work with A.J.🔗 Resources + Guest Links:Justin Breen: LinkedIn, X, InstagramJoin BrEpic NetworkJustin’s Map of EQ and IQKolbeGallup Clifton StrengthfindersThe EnneagramWorking GeniusRead Epic Life by Justin BreenGood to Great by Jim CollinsBuilt to Last by Jim CollinsThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

What if everything you know about “value-driven copy” is wrong?In this episode, I talk to Will Green, Founder of Copy Road, about what actually makes copy convert. We dive into the difference between trust and tricks, and why the best copy doesn’t need a sales funnel—it needs a promise, proof, and process.🔥 What you’ll learn:Why most copywriting fails (and what to do instead)The dead-simple rule that drives Will’s 7-figure campaignsHow his offshore team is helping founders scale video at 80% less costWhy he thinks “free value” is overrated—and what to do insteadWhat founders get wrong when hiring copywritersWant to grow with less noise and more clarity? 👉 Work with A.J.🔗 Resources + Guest Links:Will Green: Website, LinkedIn, X

Success isn’t just about strategy—it’s about how you communicate it. And when the message isn’t landing, it’s probably not your offer. It’s your story.In this episode, storytelling expert Karen Eber joins A.J. to explore how to build trust with storytelling—whether you're pitching, leading, or aligning your team. You’ll learn how to craft stories that connect, convert, and evolve with your business.🎧 Inside this episode:Why origin stories can actually hold you backHow to find your customer’s pain—and tell the story they needThe storytelling structure that works across leadership, sales, and cultureHow to plan a full year of strategic story contentWhy systems beat charisma every timeIf you're tired of messaging that doesn’t stick or storytelling that never quite clicks, let’s change that. 👉Work with A.J.🔗 Resources + Guest Links:Karen Eber: Website, LinkedIn, XBook mentioned: The Perfect Story by Karen Eber