Inside the Flow State: The Shortcut to Peak Performance | 867

In this candid and insightful conversation, Dave Lorenzo sits down with litigator Brian Haussmann to unpack the emotional and financial landmines business owners face when disagreements turn into disputes. Whether it's a clash with a partner, vendor, or client, Brian brings years of experience in business divorce and partnership litigation to offer strategies that reduce damage, de-escalate conflict, and protect enterprise value. They dive into real stories, including the infamous garbage can tale, to illustrate just how irrational business conflicts can get, and what smart operators do to stay above the fray.Key Topics Discussed:Why litigation is a massive distraction for business ownersThe emotional traps in partnership disputes (and how to avoid them)The importance of removing “matters of principle” from business decision-makingWhat makes a good litigator (hint: it’s not who yells the loudest)The role of personal trust and objectivity in legal counselReal-life stories of business breakups and how emotions cloud judgmentHow to defuse high-stakes situations with calm, clear strategyWhy good partnership agreements are essential—especially between spousesWhen and how to use mediation effectivelyHow to spot a stubborn client headed for disaster (and what to do about it)Three Takeaways:Plan for the breakup before you ever fight: Every business relationship needs a clear dispute resolution process and aligned incentives from the beginning. Don’t wait until emotions are high to figure it out.Structure drives harmony: Compensation, governance, and responsibilities need to be explicitly spelled out and updated as the business grows or evolves.Get the right lawyer early: A seasoned litigator who understands the cost and chaos of going to court can help you evaluate options before things spiral.Connect with Brian Haussmann: 📞 312-762-9471 Host: Dave Lorenzo, Founder of Exit Success LabClosing Thought: Disagreements are inevitable. Destroying your business over them isn’t. This episode shows you how to navigate conflict with clarity, composure, and strategic foresight.

Dave Lorenzo sits down with employment law expert Susan Lorenc to break down the legal landmines every business owner needs to avoid when managing employees. Whether you’re running a startup or managing a growing enterprise, this is a masterclass in staying compliant, avoiding lawsuits, and building a healthy, productive workplace.Susan shares clear, practical advice on everything from handbooks to harassment claims, remote work risks, classification confusion, and the fine print of background checks. This is not theoretical legal talk. These are real-world solutions to real problems.What You’ll Discover Today:Why most employee handbooks cause more problems than they solveThe legal difference between “fun” and “harassment” in the workplaceHow to safely fire someone in today’s ultra-sensitive environmentWhy hiring independent contractors can blow up your businessThe truth about managing remote workers (and what you can legally do)How one background check can lead to a lawsuit if you don’t follow protocolKey Topics Discussed:Common employer mistakes that trigger legal actionQuid pro quo vs. hostile work environment harassmentWhy “off the clock” behavior still exposes you legallyThe hidden risks of hiring someone as a “contractor”Legal limitations of background and credit checksHow to vet employees without violating privacy lawsHow remote work has shifted employer responsibilitiesIllinois-specific regulations (relevant nationwide in principle)Links and Resources:Contact Susan Lorenc: [email protected] Coburn LLP: https://www.thompsoncoburn.comRevenue Roadmap Guide (Free Download): www.RevenueRoadmapGuide.comCall Cendrowski Corporate Advisors: (866) 717-1607Call to Action: If you're a business owner or professional dealing with employee issues, don’t wait for a crisis. Connect with Susan Lorenc to get your employment practices in order. And download the Revenue Roadmap Guide for a proven strategy to build your professional services business the right way.

In this episode of The Inside BS Show, Dave Lorenzo sits down with Emmy Award-winning journalist turned entrepreneur Rafer Weigel to explore how professionals can harness the power of media to build trust, establish authority, and attract more business. Rafer shares his deeply personal journey from TV anchor to business owner, and the hard-won lessons he learned about storytelling, vulnerability, and purpose. Whether you’re a lawyer, CPA, or CEO, Rafer explains why becoming your own media company is no longer optional—and how doing so can transform your business and your life.What You’ll Discover Today:Why storytelling—not selling—is the key to building a magnetic brandHow vulnerability builds trust and breaks through the noiseThe one mindset shift every professional needs to succeed on cameraWhy polished perfection hurts your message (and what to do instead)How to use media to serve your audience—and grow your revenueKey Topics Discussed:Rafer's transition from journalism to entrepreneurshipThe emotional toll of chasing status and ignoring purposeBuilding trust through consistent content creationROI resistance: Why some professionals hesitate to invest in mediaHow to structure client testimonials that actually workThe real threat to traditional media—and how you can benefit from itWhy you’re not the hero of your story (and who really is)Call to Action:If you're a business owner, attorney, or advisor who wants to build trust and credibility, start by thinking like a media company. Visit Rafer at WeigelMediaGroup.com and download your free business development plan at RevenueRoadmapGuide.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Inside BS Show for more strategies that help you make a great living and live a great life.

What do you do when a client says “no”? Most people walk away. Smart professionals see it as the start of a different conversation.In this episode of The Inside BS Show, Dave Lorenzo breaks down six proven, real-world responses you can use the next time you hear a “no.” These aren’t generic tips , they’re specific phrases and strategies you can apply immediately to salvage the opportunity, build a relationship, or even win the business later.Dave shares stories from his own client interactions, including how he won a six-figure engagement by turning a rejection into a head-to-head performance challenge and how he turned a lost deal into a consulting gig that paid off long-term.This episode is for business owners, consultants, advisors, and sales professionals who refuse to let rejection be the end of the conversation.You’ll walk away with practical tools to reframe “no” into a stepping stone toward “yes.”

On this powerful episode of The Inside BS Show, Dave Lorenzo sits down with communication expert Lynne Franklin. They unpack the neuroscience of persuasion, explore how to defuse high-stakes conversations, and share practical strategies that can instantly improve your ability to lead, listen, and influence.Lynne opens up about the formative experience that launched her career: a literal life-or-death encounter with a machete-wielding teenager. From that moment forward, she dedicated herself to understanding how to reach people when it matters most—whether it’s a resistant employee, a controlling boss, or a frustrated spouse.Dave and Lynne also cover the hidden science behind remembering names, how to sync brains through storytelling, and why you should never introduce yourself in the first seven seconds of a meeting.Whether you're leading a team, preparing for a tough client conversation, or just trying to avoid bringing work stress into your living room, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.What You’ll Discover Today:The real reason tough conversations feel impossible—and how to fix itHow a near-violent incident turned Lynne into a communication expertThe “seven second rule” that makes names stick in your brainOne powerful question that can turn a company president into a chairmanWhy storytelling isn't about entertainment—it's about brain chemistryA breathing technique to reset before walking into your next roomHow to quickly identify if someone is a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic communicatorThe science-backed method to command attention on ZoomKey Topics Discussed:The power of connection in leadership and conflict resolutionNeuroscience principles behind persuasion and memoryTransformational coaching success storiesVirtual communication best practicesStorytelling strategies that align brainwavesStress management tips for high-pressure roles

What if the key to elite performance wasn’t more effort, but more flow? On this episode of The Inside BS Show, Dave Lorenzo sits down with peak performance coach Chris King to explore the science behind the flow state, a neurochemical and psychological condition that helps you feel your best and perform at your best. Chris explains how anyone, from surgeons to comedians to small business owners, can tap into flow using proven triggers like risk, novelty, and focus.The conversation covers everything from mountain biking and stand-up comedy to neuroscience and business resilience during the pandemic. If you've ever wanted to work faster, create more impact, or unlock your full potential without burning out, this episode is your blueprint.What You’ll Discover Today:What the flow state is and how it supercharges performanceWhy fear is a required ingredient for high-level executionThe 22 “flow triggers” that help you enter this state on demandWhy burnout often follows flow and how to avoid itHow to renegotiate your existence and change your realityThe true cost of peak performance and the dark side of flow

Sarah Finch, a former Second City improv pro turned leadership consultant, explains how techniques like “yes and,” scene framing, and self-deprecating humor translate into stronger executive presence, sharper listening, and teams that trust each other to take risks. She and host Dave Lorenzo discuss why normalizing failure accelerates growth, how CEOs can reset their mindset when stepping into the big chair, and practical ways to read a room whether you are on Zoom or a live stage. The conversation is packed with mini case studies, quick-hit exercises, and clear takeaways any leader can apply today.Show Notes“Normalize failure. There is no way you will be perfectly funny all the time.” — Sarah Finch What You’ll Discover Today• Why “yes and” is a power tool for collaboration and sales • How improv’s scene framework helps leaders prepare without scripting every word • Three traits Sarah looks for in ideal coaching clients: self-awareness, openness to growth, and a willingness to laugh at themselves • Tactics for staying composed when the unexpected happens in a meeting or on stage • Practical ways to build a culture that treats small failures as raw material for the next win Key Topics DiscussedFrom Second City to C-Suite coaching“Yes and” versus the reflex to say noSlowing down to speed up – preparation and presence Reading audiences in person and virtually Vulnerability, humor, and relationship capitalCall Us: 305-692-5531Connect with Sarah Finch: 773-799-4571 Call to ActionReady to lead with more agility and fun? Listen, take one improv tip into your next meeting, and let us know how it works. Then share the episode with a colleague who could use a dose of “yes and.”

Brett Hickey shares how the discipline he gained as a national-level speed skater fuels his success leading Star Mountain Capital. He explains the firm’s flexible capital model that provides loans, minority stakes, or majority buyouts for companies with 20 to 200 million dollars in annual revenue. Data-driven planning, strict risk management, and broad employee ownership underpin Star Mountain’s strategy. Brett details the sectors they favor (business services, healthcare, education, and niche logistics) and why they avoid highly cyclical or vice-related industries. He closes with practical steps owners should take years before seeking private-equity money.What You’ll Discover TodayHow athletic grit translates into private-equity resilienceThe three capital structures Star Mountain offers and when each fitsWhy lower-middle-market firms can out-perform bigger dealsKey filters the firm uses to pick industries and reject othersThe role of data, technology, and alignment in protecting investor capitalActionable advice for founders on de-risking and succession planningKey Topics DiscussedBuilding a flexible capital solution for growth, recapitalization, or buyoutsAligning incentives by giving every employee equity participationCreating a dynamic business plan that balances short-, mid-, and long-term goalsImportance of diversified revenue, long-term contracts, and low customer concentrationSystematic sourcing: local deal teams in more than 20 U.S. cities and centralized underwritingUsing acquisitions to turn fragmented sectors into higher-valued platformsRisk categories you can control versus those you cannot (commodity prices, etc.)Preparing for private equity: robust systems, clear succession, and documented processesCall to ActionReady to position your company for transformative growth? Call us at (305) 692-5531 to discuss how the Inside BS team can help you craft a compelling plan and connect with the right capital partners.

In this episode, Dave Lorenzo reveals the secret to getting powerful client testimonials without the cringe. From when to ask to exactly what to say, Dave breaks down the process so it feels natural and authentic. If you want more referrals, better credibility, and a stronger reputation, it starts with mastering the testimonial ask.Key Topics Discussed:Why professionals struggle to ask for testimonialsThe connection between asking for testimonials and referralsA simple, effective script to request testimonialsWhen to ask clients for testimonials (timing is everything)Why video testimonials are more powerful than written onesHow to follow up if a client delays sending the testimonialThree perfect times to use testimonials in your sales processHow to showcase testimonials on your personal website and LinkedInCall Us: (305) 692-5531

In this powerful episode of the Inside BS Show, Dave Lorenzo sits down with entrepreneur and author Brittany Anderson to explore how personal adversity can become a driving force behind a life of impact and fulfillment. Brittany shares a pivotal story from her childhood that shaped her entrepreneurial journey and her commitment to building a life of abundance and meaning. Together, Dave and Brittany dive deep into the importance of niche marketing for financial advisors, the true meaning of value creation, and how to transform retirement into a vibrant new chapter of purpose and passion. Brittany also introduces the “Dream Architect” process—a revolutionary approach to legacy planning and living fully beyond traditional retirement. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking clarity in their personal or professional path.Key Topics Discussed:How childhood adversity fueled Brittany’s drive for successThe difference between chasing money and creating valueWhy niche marketing creates deeper client relationshipsThe “Dream Architect” process for meaningful life transitionsHow to redefine retirement as a new beginning, not an endCreating a scalable coaching business by living your brand valuesCall to Action: To connect with Brittany Anderson and learn more about the Dream Architect, call 507-235-5587 or email her at [email protected]. Visit SweetFinancial.com to explore their approach to helping professionals live with intention and impact.📞 Call Us: (305) 692-5531