Finding the Right Path Forward: Building Value Through Private Equity

In this inspiring episode of Portfolio Pulse, host Steven Huskey sits down with Dr. Eric Block—a practicing dentist, author, entrepreneur, investor, podcaster, and co‑founder of the International Academy of Dental Life Coaches. Dr. Block opens up about his unconventional journey into dentistry, sparked by a broken tooth in college, and the intense burnout and anxiety he later faced mid‑career. Through therapy, self‑discovery, and strategic practice changes, he rebuilt not only his professional joy but also his overall well‑being. He shares how transforming his mindset, embracing technology, and guiding his practice out of network led to higher revenue quality, renewed energy, and stronger patient relationships. Dr. Block also discusses his mission to support dental professionals through the IA DLC, his writing of both nonfiction and children’s books, and his approach to balancing multiple ventures with family life. This episode is packed with insights on mental health in dentistry, practice leadership, personal reinvention, and creating a fulfilling career on your own terms. 

In this episode of Portfolio Pulse, host Steven Huskey welcomes Mark Osborne—founder of Modern Revenue Strategies, marketing technology trailblazer, best‑selling author, and one of the few marketing and sales experts who is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. Mark shares his unexpected journey from promoting college bands to advising major brands, and ultimately to helping mid‑sized businesses grow revenue and maximize enterprise value. Mark explains why traditional marketing agencies often miss the mark when companies are preparing for an exit, and how shifting focus from “big, sexy strategy projects” to improving processes, systems, and recurring revenue can dramatically increase a company’s valuation. With real examples—including how a roofing company doubled its exit multiple—Mark breaks down the practical steps entrepreneurs can take to strengthen EBITDA, enhance transferability, and position their business for a more profitable sale. 

In this episode of Portfolio Pulse, host Steven Huskey, CFP®, welcomes Dr. John Oberg—human behavior strategist, healthcare innovator, and co‑founder of Priscina Health. With a mission to transform the lives of one billion people with chronic disease, Dr. Oberg shares how a near‑death experience inspired him to pursue his doctorate and tackle one of healthcare’s biggest challenges: type 2 diabetes. He walks us through the groundbreaking STARTS methodology—Systemic Therapeutic Alignment and Rapid Titration Strategy—that has helped patients achieve dramatic improvements, including a 98% reversal rate in his first study. Dr. Oberg explains the power of “radically incremental change,” how behavior and medicine must work hand‑in‑hand, and why small, patient‑driven steps can lead to massive health breakthroughs. 

In this inspiring episode of Portfolio Pulse, host Steven Huskey sits down with Melissa Monte—creator of the top‑ranked Mind Love podcast with over 5 million downloads and 500+ episodes. Melissa shares her powerful journey from personal trauma and a wrongful felony conviction to becoming an award‑winning podcaster featured in Forbes and Harper’s Bazaar. She opens up about rebuilding her identity, diving into neuroscience, psychology, and ancient wisdom, and discovering how aligning passion with purpose fueled her entrepreneurial success. Melissa also discusses how business owners can use curiosity, personal alignment, and the power of the mind to grow sustainably—without burnout. 

In this episode of Portfolio Pulse, host Steven Huskey sits down with Mark Young, Acting CEO of Zona Health, to explore an entrepreneurial journey that took an unexpected turn into cardiovascular innovation. What began as a short-term consulting role evolved into a seven-year mission leading FDA clinical trials and reshaping how we think about heart health. Mark shares how his background in marketing, education, and entrepreneurship uniquely positioned him to lead a health technology company, why entrepreneurs often neglect their health, and how focusing on root causes—both in business and wellness—can prevent crises before they happen. A candid conversation on saying yes, figuring it out, and building success without sacrificing health along the way.

In this episode of Portfolio Pulse, host Steven Huskey sits down with Ariez Dustoor, experienced investor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of NB Group. Ariez shares his journey from consulting at McKinsey and investing at Audax to founding a private equity firm focused on family- and founder-owned businesses across the U.S. and Canada. The conversation explores why private equity has become a compelling path for business owners, how NB Group identifies and partners with the right companies, and what successful transition planning looks like. Listeners gain valuable insight into aligning long-term business goals with the right investment partner and building sustainable value beyond a single exit.

In this episode of Portfolio Pulse, host Steven Huskey sits down with Jennifer Q. Williams, founder of Saint Louis Closet Company, to explore her inspiring entrepreneurial journey from graduate student to industry trailblazer. Jennifer shares how a simple idea—helping people get organized—evolved into a thriving 30,000-square-foot business employing 40 people. She reveals the marketing mindset that helped her transform “closet design” into a lifestyle brand and discusses how organization impacts not only our homes, but also our mental clarity and productivity. Her story is a testament to perseverance, purpose, and finding opportunity in unexpected places.

In this episode of Portfolio Pulse, host Steven Huskey welcomes Roger Chen—financial advisor, CFA, and fractional CFO at My eCFO. With a background in risk and capital management for major institutions, Roger now helps entrepreneurs and business owners accelerate profits and scale smarter through tailored CFO services. He shares lessons from shifting from corporate giants to small and mid-sized businesses, the importance of assembling the right team, and the three key questions every business owner should ask before tackling finances on their own.

In this episode of Portfolio Pulse, Steven Huskey sits down with Tim Smith, CFP®, founder and CEO of Aurora Private Wealth. With over 40 years of experience navigating market cycles, Tim shares how he helps high-net-worth clients and advisors prepare for volatility through customized strategies, downside protection, and advanced planning. From separating politics from investment decisions to tailoring portfolios for both risk tolerance and emotional resilience, Tim reveals why true personalization—not scalability—is key to building lasting financial confidence.

Entrepreneur, author, and founder of multiple seven- and eight-figure businesses, Kasim Aslam joins Portfolio Pulse to share his unconventional journey from college dropout to building the world’s #1 Google Ads agency. In this episode, Kasim breaks down the “Hourglass of Niching” framework, explains how we've all received the same piece of bad advice on niche marketing, and reveals how to choose the right opportunities that align with your values—not just profits. A must-listen for entrepreneurs ready to refine their focus and scale smarter.