Ep444: Winning the Battle Before It Begins — Santiago Cueto on Legal Strategy for Entrepreneurs

David Meltzer is Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute, former CEO of the agency behind Jerry Maguire, and a globally recognized entrepreneur, coach, and author. His mission: empower 1 billion people to be happy through gratitude, service, and consistent action. Connect with David Meltzer: Instagram: @davidmeltzer Facebook: David Meltzer LinkedIn: David Meltzer YouTube: David Meltzer Twitter/X: @davidmeltzer Website: dmeltzer.com

Santiago Cueto is not your typical attorney—he’s the legal strategist CEOs and entrepreneurs call when everything is on the line. A board-certified expert in international business law, Santiago has spent nearly three decades representing Fortune 100 companies, foreign governments, and fast-growing startups in high-stakes disputes around the world. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fox Business, and Forbes, and recognized by both the White House and U.S. Congress, his expertise goes far beyond winning cases. Santiago’s mission is to teach business owners how to win before lawsuits even happen. His bestselling book, Winning Lawsuits in Florida, lays out a practical playbook for entrepreneurs—showing them how to spot contract traps, protect their companies from hidden risks, and outmaneuver larger competitors in and out of the courtroom. With a philosophy shaped by both victories and early losses, Santiago blends humility with hard-won insight. His message is clear: you don’t need to be a lawyer to win—you just need to think like one. Connect with Santiago: Website: cuetolawgroup.com Instagram: @cuetolawgroup YouTube: @cuetolaw X (Twitter): @CuetoLawGroup

Kim Daly is a franchise expert, business coach, motivational speaker, and one of America’s most sought-after franchise consultants. For over two decades, she has empowered thousands of individuals to create wealth and freedom through franchising. She began her career as a fitness entrepreneur and consultant for brands like Gold’s Gym and eDiets.com before discovering her true calling in franchising. By combining her business acumen with her unique mindset system, The Daly Plan, Kim built the largest franchise consulting business in history. Today, she is the host of KimDaly.tv and the Create Wealth Through Franchising podcast, where she debunks myths and reveals why franchising is one of the most overlooked paths to entrepreneurship. Kim is also the founder of The Zee Suite™, a platform designed to elevate high-performing franchisees with tools, coaching, and community. Her mission is clear: help people move beyond fear, align their businesses with the life they truly want, and step confidently into their role as “Franchisepreneurs.” Connect with Kim Daly Website: TheDalyCoach.com Instagram: @TheDalyCoach LinkedIn: in/DalyKim Facebook: CreateWealthThruFranchising YouTube: @TheDalyCoach

Andrea Cole is the founder and CEO of dbandrea® | Flower Preservation Firm, the world’s leading flower preservation company. What began with a Valentine’s Day bouquet from her now-husband blossomed into a global brand creating tens of millions of personalized, heirloom-quality keepsakes. With a unique blend of artistry and precision, Andrea has elevated flower preservation into a fine art, giving people a way to carry their most meaningful moments forward for generations. Beyond her role as an entrepreneur, Andrea is also a leader in the wedding industry, serving as Director of Marketing and Communications for WIPA Dallas-Fort Worth, where she fosters connection and community among wedding professionals. Passionate about innovation and legacy, Andrea’s mission is to help people preserve not just flowers, but the stories and emotions they represent. Connect with Andrea Website: dbandrea.com Instagram: @designs.by.andrea  

Christian Ray Flores went from child refugee to global pop star, and now to entrepreneur and high-performance coach. Through his Xponential Edge framework, podcast, and newsletter, he helps leaders cut through noise, sharpen their strengths, and build brands that thrive. Connect with Christian Website: xponential.life Instagram: @christianrayflores Podcast: The Xponential Edge Newsletter: Christian’s Substack  

Kelsey Garlock is the founder of Movemama Apparel, a breastfeeding and pumping clothing line designed for comfort, confidence, and style. A mom of three, she turned her own nursing challenges into a brand that empowers moms through functional, long-lasting designs. Connect with Kelsey: Website: movemamaapparel.com Instagram: @movemamaapparel Amazon Store: Move Mama

Terry Tateossian is a serial entrepreneur and wellness coach who transformed her health in her 40s, losing over 80 pounds and launching THOR Retreats. A former tech founder, she now helps women over 40 reverse aging, balance hormones, and reclaim their vitality. Connect with Terry: Website: www.thehouseofrose.com Instagram: @how.good.can.it.get Podcast: How Good Can It Get on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Michael Walsh is a visionary leader, speaker, and author known for igniting passion in the business owners and senior leaders he works with by helping them to drive their established businesses to growth levels beyond their expectations. Michael has quietly served the owners and leaders of small to medium sized businesses for 30 years. He has supported hundreds of company owners in their quest for business growth and 3 core freedoms: Freedom in their business, from their business and because of their business. Connect with Michael Website: walshbusinessgrowth.com Book: Freedom by Design – available on Amazon Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Michael Walsh  

Joseph Shalaby is a nationally recognized mortgage entrepreneur, investor, and the founder and CEO of eMortgage Capital (EMC)—one of the fastest-growing mortgage platforms in the United States. With a footprint in 47 states and a team of over 1,200, EMC is ranked the #1 non-delegated lender in the country and a top 5 mortgage brokerage nationally. An immigrant and self-made business leader, Joseph is known for his systems-driven approach to leadership, blending cutting-edge technology with top-tier support to empower loan officers and elevate the home financing experience. He is also the bestselling author of Rising from the Sand: An Immigrant’s Path to Wealth & Influence, a personal and professional memoir that chronicles his journey from humble beginnings to leading a multi-state mortgage empire. Beyond business, Joseph is a devoted father of four, a dedicated Christian, a fitness enthusiast, and a podcast host. His show, Coffees for Closers, features unfiltered conversations with entrepreneurs and creators navigating the realities of business leadership. Joseph’s philosophy is rooted in consistency, discipline, and parallel growth—building a life where success in business, family, faith, and personal development are not just possible but mutually reinforcing. Connect with Joseph: Website: https://www.emortgagecapital.com/who-we-are Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephshalaby Podcast: Coffees for Closers Book: Rising from the Sand: An Immigrant’s Path to Wealth & Influence

Erik Hatterscheidt is the founder of Freshline Moto Club, the world’s only brotherhood that unites entrepreneurial men through extreme motorcycle expeditions and humanitarian missions. Raised by an ex-Commando father, Erik developed a disciplined, high-performance mindset that he now channels into leading men on life-altering adventures across some of the world’s most challenging terrains—from the Sahara to the Andes. Through Freshline, Erik has built a global community of over 239 vetted members who support each other through rugged expeditions, real-world service, and campfire conversations that forge deep accountability. His mission is to help successful but unfulfilled men rediscover purpose, embrace challenge, and build legacy—not by offering retreats, but by delivering rites of passage that blend adventure with responsibility. Erik’s expertise spans leadership under pressure, building trust in high-stakes environments, and guiding teams through adversity. He has also scaled an international marketing consultancy serving over 600 clients worldwide and has led humanitarian logistics campaigns across continents. Connect with Erik Hatterscheidt: Website: https://www.freshlineclub.com/ Instagram: @freshlinemotoclub