Playing with AI to Grow with A.J. Lawrence

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.comClickUpConnect with Kevin Ashcroft:LinkedInWebsiteWP Support SpecialistsFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

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 You1. Facing Financial Truths as an EntrepreneurI’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 ProductTyson’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 ScaleOne 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 YouWhat 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/30minTyson'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:LinkedInXWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

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 GalvezGabe 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 togetherAs 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'tConnect with Gabe Galvez:LinkedInCAPTARGETMerger LabsFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

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 ThemselvesFrom 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-ChangerSkills 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 BordersKevin 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 GamePlatforms 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 MattersHere’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 LibraryWork With MeIf 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

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 ZellerReg 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:LinkedInXWebsiteFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

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 MudassirHamza 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 perspectivesIn 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 opportunityIf 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 GrowAfter 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:LinkedInWebsiteResources Mentioned: • Harvard Business Review article: "AI Can (Mostly) Outperform Human CEOs Follow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

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 DeibelWalker 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 LabFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

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 EckfeldtBruce 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 columnPodcastFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

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 KeaneBrian 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:InstagramFacebookYouTubeFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite

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 ForrestLisa 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:LinkedInXFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedInXWebsite