Episode 1242: Build Your Business Fortress with Mark Willis and David C. Barnett

If your business disappeared from under you tomorrow, would your balance sheet, cash strategy, and exit plan keep you standing?In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Mark Willis, CFP®, and David Barnett, best-selling author and veteran buy/sell advisor. Together, they unpack their new book The Business Fortress: How to Grow, Protect, and Exit Your Business with Confidence. David shares what thousands of real-world transactions reveal about banker risk, valuation blind spots, and why owners too often discover their exit gap too late. Mark outlines liquidity-first strategies, “be your own line of credit” concepts, and how fortress-style cash design creates moats for growth, resilience in shocks, and negotiation power at exit.Key Takeaways:→ How scaling low-margin activities dilutes valuation. → Why you should build strength before deploying capital. → How golden-handcuff tools help keep key clients through growth and transition.→ Why internal, policy-style lending frameworks can shorten cycles and capture distressed opportunities. → Where you store your cash changes how you act and how stable stores enable decisive moves, acquisitions, and better terms across the table. Mark Willis, CFP® is a man on a mission to help you think differently about your money, your economy and your future. Mark is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, a three-time #1 Best Selling Author and the owner of Lake Growth Financial Services, a financial firm in Chicago, Illinois. As co-host of the Not Your Average Financial Podcast™, he shares some of his strategies for investing in real estate, paying for college without going broke, and creating an income in retirement you will not outlive. Mark works with people who want to grow their wealth in ways that are safe and predictable, to become their own source of financing, and create tax-free income in retirement.  International speaker, author, and consultant David C. Barnett has spent over two decades guiding small and medium-sized business owners through buying, selling, financing, and managing their companies. He is the author of ten books, including the best-selling How to Sell My Own Business, and creator of the Business Buyer Advantage program. Barnett’s YouTube channel and podcast reach a global audience, with over 2.9 million views and 667,000 podcast downloads. Recognized for making complex deal-making concepts accessible, David works with entrepreneurs worldwide to structure successful transactions and avoid common pitfalls. His engaging talks and workshops equip audiences with actionable insights for building and exiting businesses strategically.Connect With Mark:Website: https://lakegrowth.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notyouraveragefinancialX: https://x.com/lakegrowthLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklakegrowth/Connect With David:Website: https://www.davidcbarnett.com/ Website: https://www.davidcbarnettlist.com/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/dbarnettmoncton/X: https://twitter.com/DBarnettMonctonLinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/davidbarnettmoncton 

If your brand feels too small to matter, this blueprint shows why that might be your unfair advantage.In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Mark Rampolla, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner at GroundForce Capital, who unpacks how a niche idea became a global category. Mark shares the strategy that took ZICO from yoga studios in NYC to nationwide shelves, the discipline behind constant pitching and fundraising, and why exits aren’t the finish line. He also discusses his new book on putting freedom first, and his work at Ground Force Capital (backer of brands like Liquid Death and Beyond Meat), helping founders scale both their companies and their lives.Key Takeaways:→ Why “inch-wide, mile-deep” focus beats broad launches for breakthrough CPG growth.→ How pairing a product with a specific usage occasion (post-hot yoga) created early traction.→ The surprising first hurdle: taste—and how “preach to the choir” accelerates momentum.→ Fundraising reality: why you either get profitable fast or get great at raising—continuously.→ The nine-year “overnight success” mindset and the decade-long horizon most wins require.Mark Rampolla is Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner at GroundForce Capital (GFC), where he works closely with founders and teams to build impactful businesses. He has represented GFC on the boards of leading companies, including Vive Organic, OWYN, Liquid Death, Kinder Farms, Flying Embers, and ZICO Rising. Prior to GFC, Mark founded and served as CEO of ZICO Beverages, pioneering the coconut water category and growing the brand into a global leader before its acquisition by The Coca-Cola Company in 2013. Earlier in his career, he held senior management roles at International Paper, overseeing joint ventures across Latin America and the Caribbean. A Peace Corps alum, Mark has advised more than 100 CEOs, raised over $1B, and invested in 40+ social-impact startups. He is the author of High-Hanging Fruit and holds degrees from Marquette University and Duke University.Connect With Mark:Website: https://www.markrampolla.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markrampolla/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksrampolla/

Explore how strategic leadership, global legal expertise, and a forward-thinking mindset help companies navigate expansion, talent acquisition, and innovation in today’s fast-moving markets.In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Dean Fealk, Northern California Co-Managing Partner at DLA Piper and WSJ Best-Selling Author, who has decades of experience guiding technology companies through global expansion, talent strategy, and market growth. A former international practitioner with work spanning East Asia and Northern California, Dean has advised top-tier clients like IBM, McDonald’s, and Pfizer, as well as contributing to civic organizations and three U.S. presidential campaigns. In this episode, he shares lessons on scaling businesses, leading diverse teams, and applying strategic legal and operational insight to real-world challenges.Key Takeaways:→ Strategies for helping companies expand into new markets with minimal friction.→ Balancing global corporate standards with local flexibility for success.→ The importance of hiring and empowering top talent in different regions.→ Lessons from advising major multinational clients and navigating complex business environments.→ Dean’s experience contributing to civic organizations and U.S. presidential campaigns.Dean Fealk is the Northern California co-managing partner at global law firm DLA Piper and a recognized citizen statesperson tackling international issues at the intersection of business, politics, and security. With 25+ years advising multinational companies on over $40 billion in cross-border transactions, Dean brings unparalleled expertise on how geopolitics impacts business and economy. A Wall Street Journal bestselling author and Chief Influencer, his insights appear in Forbes, Fast Company, and The Atlantic. Dean serves on numerous international security organizations including the Halifax International Security Forum and co-founded Transatlantic West to strengthen Silicon Valley-Europe relations. His leadership in global diplomacy has earned him designations as a Fulbright Scholar, Eisenhower Fellow, and Council on Foreign Relations life member.Connect With Dean:Website: https://www.dlapiper.com/en-usInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlapiper/X: https://x.com/DLA_PiperFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DLAPiperGlobal/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dla-piper/

Discover the strategies, mindset shifts, and leadership lessons that help business owners turn complex tech challenges into scalable growth opportunities.In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Ephraim Ebstein, CEO and Co-Founder of FIT Solutions, who has built two national companies from the ground up and now guides business leaders in leveraging technology for growth. Ephraim shares how he scaled his business to over 100 team members, integrated AI into operations, and maintained a culture across a geographically diverse organization. Listeners will learn actionable insights on leadership, scaling, and transforming tech headaches into powerful growth engines.Key Takeaways:→Strategies for integrating AI into business processes while keeping humans in the loop.→ The inspiration behind founding Fit Solutions and building a world-class team.→ Understanding the core services of Fit Solutions: IT, cybersecurity, and AI integration.→ Lessons learned from key growth inflection points and overcoming personal limitations.→ Why owners must step out of operational roles to scale effectively.Ephraim Ebstein is a seasoned IT professional and entrepreneur based in San Diego, California, with a strong focus on cybersecurity and managed IT services. As the CEO and co-founder of both Socbox and FIT Solutions, he has led teams to deliver innovative, effective technology solutions that enhance productivity and security for businesses. Ephraim's extensive expertise encompasses a wide range of IT disciplines, including cloud computing, network security, and virtualization. His commitment to client satisfaction is evident in the high-quality, white-glove service approach he advocates. With a Bachelor's Degree in Management Information Systems from ITT Technical Institute, he combines technical knowledge with strategic leadership. Ephraim's vision centers on leveraging technology to make a significant impact on businesses, aiming to help 6,000 organizations achieve their goals. He is passionate about continuous learning and adapting to the ever-evolving tech landscape, ensuring his companies stay at the forefront of the industry.Connect With Ephraim:Website: https://fitsolutions.biz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitsolutionsllc/X: https://x.com/fitsolutionsITFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FITSolutionsIT/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fit-solutions.biz/

One mindset shift can turn your biggest loss into your greatest comeback. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Rod Khleif, Multifamily Real Estate, Expert Podcast Host, Best-Selling Author, and Philanthropist, built a real estate empire and then rebuilt it after losing $50 million in the 2008 crash. Rod breaks down why mindset drives 80–90% of success, shares lessons from owning 800 single-family homes, and explains what’s happening in multifamily right now as debt comes due and opportunity rises. He also shares how his decades of work with Tony Robbins shaped his philosophy and why giving back through the Tiny Hands Foundation became a core part of his definition of fulfillment. Key Takeaways: → Mindset beats mechanics: Rod argues that psychology drives the majority of success; tactics only work when you act on them consistently. → Single-family risk is underestimated: One vacancy can mean 100% vacancy, plus turnover costs can wipe out a year of profit. → Multifamily scales faster than people think: Buying one 20-unit property can be simpler than buying 20 separate houses, with fewer moving parts. → Avoid cross-collateralization traps: Rod’s crash was worsened by tying stronger assets to weaker ones, creating a domino effect. → Education first, then action: Don’t “dabble.” Commit to learning the business and getting around serious operators and frameworks. Rod Khleif is a Sarasota-based multifamily investor, best-selling author, and top-ranked podcast host who rebuilt a real estate empire after losing $50M in the 2008 crash. Today, he leads one of the most successful real estate investing coaching communities with 260,000 student-owned units. He supports his mission of abundance through the Tiny Hands Foundation, which has fed more than 160,000 children. Rod combines his market knowledge with a strong personal comeback story. He offers clear, honest advice on building wealth that can withstand recessions. He also shares insights on setting goals and running purpose-driven businesses. This makes him a trusted voice in the community. Connect With Rod: Website: https://rodkhleif.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rod_khleif/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodkhleifofficial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodkhleif/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One mindset shift can turn your biggest loss into your greatest comeback. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Rod Khleif, Multifamily Real Estate, Expert Podcast Host, Best-Selling Author, and Philanthropist, built a real estate empire and then rebuilt it after losing $50 million in the 2008 crash. Rod breaks down why mindset drives 80–90% of success, shares lessons from owning 800 single-family homes, and explains what’s happening in multifamily right now as debt comes due and opportunity rises. He also shares how his decades of work with Tony Robbins shaped his philosophy and why giving back through the Tiny Hands Foundation became a core part of his definition of fulfillment. Key Takeaways: → Mindset beats mechanics: Rod argues that psychology drives the majority of success; tactics only work when you act on them consistently. → Single-family risk is underestimated: One vacancy can mean 100% vacancy, plus turnover costs can wipe out a year of profit. → Multifamily scales faster than people think: Buying one 20-unit property can be simpler than buying 20 separate houses, with fewer moving parts. → Avoid cross-collateralization traps: Rod’s crash was worsened by tying stronger assets to weaker ones, creating a domino effect. → Education first, then action: Don’t “dabble.” Commit to learning the business and getting around serious operators and frameworks. Rod Khleif is a Sarasota-based multifamily investor, best-selling author, and top-ranked podcast host who rebuilt a real estate empire after losing $50M in the 2008 crash. Today, he leads one of the most successful real estate investing coaching communities with 260,000 student-owned units. He supports his mission of abundance through the Tiny Hands Foundation, which has fed more than 160,000 children. Rod combines his market knowledge with a strong personal comeback story. He offers clear, honest advice on building wealth that can withstand recessions. He also shares insights on setting goals and running purpose-driven businesses. This makes him a trusted voice in the community. Connect With Rod: Website: https://rodkhleif.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rod_khleif/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodkhleifofficial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodkhleif/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the key to unlocking true business success by shifting your mindset and implementing a strategic plan that supports freedom and growth. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Trevor McGregor, CEO of Trevor McGregor International, who has guided countless individuals to unlock their potential and achieve success. After experiencing financial failure and a life-changing transformation, Trevor went on to mentor high performers and build a coaching business that helps entrepreneurs scale their businesses while maintaining balance in life. In this episode, Trevor shares his unique insights into the five freedoms: financial, time, location, impact, and relationship freedom, and how anyone can achieve them with the right mindset and strategic planning. Key Takeaways: → The Power of Identity: Your identity determines your success. You’ll never outperform the person you believe you are. → Real Estate as a Gateway to Freedom: Trevor's shift to real estate investing helped him recover from financial loss and build a profitable portfolio. → Tony Robbins' Coaching Legacy: Trevor’s time working with Tony Robbins gave him unparalleled insight into coaching and human behavior. → Strategic Planning is Key: Most people fail to scale because they don’t have a strategic plan or vision for the future. → Limiting Beliefs Hold Us Back: To grow, you must challenge and eliminate limiting beliefs that restrict your progress. Trevor McGregor is a world-class Real Estate Investor and High-Performance Master Coach who has spent more than two decades transforming the lives, and businesses of clients around the globe. With over 45,000 one-to-one coaching sessions to his name, Trevor is recognized as one of the most trusted and sought-after strategic advisors in the industry. He has coached and mentored Fortune 500 Executives, Doctors, Attorneys, Elite Real Estate Investors, Entrepreneurs, and even Olympic Athletes. Trevor’s mission is simple: to help people Scale Their Business, Make More Money and Achieve Unparalleled Levels of Success and Time Freedom, faster than they ever thought possible.  His unique blend of real-world investing experience, elite coaching methodologies, and deep mindset mastery has positioned him as a transformational catalyst for high performers who are committed to taking their business and their lives to a whole new level. Connect With Trevor: Website:https://trevormcgregor.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/iamcoachtrevor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-mcgregor-93375862 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the key to unlocking true business success by shifting your mindset and implementing a strategic plan that supports freedom and growth. In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Trevor McGregor, CEO of Trevor McGregor International, who has guided countless individuals to unlock their potential and achieve success. After experiencing financial failure and a life-changing transformation, Trevor went on to mentor high performers and build a coaching business that helps entrepreneurs scale their businesses while maintaining balance in life. In this episode, Trevor shares his unique insights into the five freedoms: financial, time, location, impact, and relationship freedom, and how anyone can achieve them with the right mindset and strategic planning. Key Takeaways: → The Power of Identity: Your identity determines your success. You’ll never outperform the person you believe you are. → Real Estate as a Gateway to Freedom: Trevor's shift to real estate investing helped him recover from financial loss and build a profitable portfolio. → Tony Robbins' Coaching Legacy: Trevor’s time working with Tony Robbins gave him unparalleled insight into coaching and human behavior. → Strategic Planning is Key: Most people fail to scale because they don’t have a strategic plan or vision for the future. → Limiting Beliefs Hold Us Back: To grow, you must challenge and eliminate limiting beliefs that restrict your progress. Trevor McGregor is a world-class Real Estate Investor and High-Performance Master Coach who has spent more than two decades transforming the lives, and businesses of clients around the globe. With over 45,000 one-to-one coaching sessions to his name, Trevor is recognized as one of the most trusted and sought-after strategic advisors in the industry. He has coached and mentored Fortune 500 Executives, Doctors, Attorneys, Elite Real Estate Investors, Entrepreneurs, and even Olympic Athletes. Trevor’s mission is simple: to help people Scale Their Business, Make More Money and Achieve Unparalleled Levels of Success and Time Freedom, faster than they ever thought possible.  His unique blend of real-world investing experience, elite coaching methodologies, and deep mindset mastery has positioned him as a transformational catalyst for high performers who are committed to taking their business and their lives to a whole new level. Connect With Trevor: Website:https://trevormcgregor.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/iamcoachtrevor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-mcgregor-93375862 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the year you lost your job and your mother lost her home became the same year you helped build a $70 million breakthrough in medicine? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Rome Madison, 3X Best-Selling Author and Keynote Speaker, who shares how growing up with a single mother battling severe mental illness and later homelessness fueled his “no excuses” mindset, and how hand-copying medical textbooks at Barnes & Noble helped him break into precision medicine just as the Human Genome Project was completed. He walks through launching a consulting firm, co-creating the Precision Medicine Podcast that contributed to a $70 million acquisition, and his current work as a confidence coach and host of the global show Genetics for Healthcare, helping high achievers stop second-guessing themselves and expand their impact.   Key Takeaways: → The pivotal year when unemployment and a family crisis collided, and why that moment became the catalyst for entering precision medicine. → The unconventional way he prepared for a highly technical role by hand-copying medical and molecular biology content from bookstore shelves. → A plain-language breakdown of what precision medicine actually is, and how it first transformed cancer care through surgical specimens. → Why so many venture-backed precision medicine companies burned through billions, and how that opened the door for his consulting firm. → Behind-the-scenes insights into the $70 million acquisition that included the podcast, and the powerful lessons it taught him about ownership, equity, and value creation.   Rome Madison is a dynamic speaker, author, and podcaster who helps people boost self-confidence, face fears, embrace uncertainty, and cut through chaos to achieve bold, ambitious goals. Known for his high-energy delivery and inspiring message, he empowers audiences to take risks and pursue success with fearless determination. A pioneer in the precision medicine industry, Rome draws from extensive sales management and executive leadership experience, sharing powerful lessons from leading massively successful start-ups to navigating the challenges of corporate collapse and restructuring. A futurist with a Specialty in Business Strategy from Harvard Business School Online, he blends forward-thinking insight with real-world expertise. Featured on more than 50 TV and radio programs nationwide, Rome has spoken on global stages, including the Consumer Electronics Show, where he shared his expertise on the Future of Healthcare. His mission is simple yet profound: inspire people to crush their goals, no matter the obstacles. Connect With Rome : Website: https://romemadison.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romemadisoneverydaysuperstar/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RomeMadison X: https://x.com/RomeMadison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEverydaySuperstar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genomicsellingsolutions/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the year you lost your job and your mother lost her home became the same year you helped build a $70 million breakthrough in medicine? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Rome Madison, 3X Best-Selling Author and Keynote Speaker, who shares how growing up with a single mother battling severe mental illness and later homelessness fueled his “no excuses” mindset, and how hand-copying medical textbooks at Barnes & Noble helped him break into precision medicine just as the Human Genome Project was completed. He walks through launching a consulting firm, co-creating the Precision Medicine Podcast that contributed to a $70 million acquisition, and his current work as a confidence coach and host of the global show Genetics for Healthcare, helping high achievers stop second-guessing themselves and expand their impact.   Key Takeaways: → The pivotal year when unemployment and a family crisis collided, and why that moment became the catalyst for entering precision medicine. → The unconventional way he prepared for a highly technical role by hand-copying medical and molecular biology content from bookstore shelves. → A plain-language breakdown of what precision medicine actually is, and how it first transformed cancer care through surgical specimens. → Why so many venture-backed precision medicine companies burned through billions, and how that opened the door for his consulting firm. → Behind-the-scenes insights into the $70 million acquisition that included the podcast, and the powerful lessons it taught him about ownership, equity, and value creation.   Rome Madison is a dynamic speaker, author, and podcaster who helps people boost self-confidence, face fears, embrace uncertainty, and cut through chaos to achieve bold, ambitious goals. Known for his high-energy delivery and inspiring message, he empowers audiences to take risks and pursue success with fearless determination. A pioneer in the precision medicine industry, Rome draws from extensive sales management and executive leadership experience, sharing powerful lessons from leading massively successful start-ups to navigating the challenges of corporate collapse and restructuring. A futurist with a Specialty in Business Strategy from Harvard Business School Online, he blends forward-thinking insight with real-world expertise. Featured on more than 50 TV and radio programs nationwide, Rome has spoken on global stages, including the Consumer Electronics Show, where he shared his expertise on the Future of Healthcare. His mission is simple yet profound: inspire people to crush their goals, no matter the obstacles. Connect With Rome : Website: https://romemadison.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romemadisoneverydaysuperstar/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RomeMadison X: https://x.com/RomeMadison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEverydaySuperstar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genomicsellingsolutions/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices