Rob Hong isn’t just building a consultancy - he’s building a leadership model rooted in discernment, trust, and long-term thinking.
As the Founder of Sapling Financial Consultants, Rob leads a 30-person firm specializing in financial modeling, data analytics, digital transformation, and due diligence.
But this conversation goes far beyond spreadsheets. It’s about building a company - and life - that reflects your values, even when the market isn’t on your side.
Rob shares what it really means to lead with clarity, scale responsibly, and bet on the future when the reward isn’t immediate.
We cover bold moves, quiet discipline, and the gritty nuance of leadership that doesn’t chase status - it builds substance.
In this episode, we unpack:
🌱 The decision that changed everything - and the realities of scaling a high-performing consulting team
🌱 How Rob and his partner (in business and life) manage boundaries, tech habits, and "leaving work at work"
🌱 The 3 pillars of a sustainable consulting business - and why building ahead of demand is an act of faith
🌱 The overlooked difference between profitability and cash flow - and what often befalls leaders who miss this nuance
🌱 Building a sales engine from scratch in a relationship-based industry - and teaching upsell and long-term value creation inside your team
🌱 The internal work required to grow with your company - and how advisory boards and peer groups helped Rob evolve
🌱 The hidden risks of avoiding hard conversations - and why upholding standards protects your entire culture
🌱 Why success (for Rob) is about having the freedom to walk away from any deal, any time, on principle
🌱 Why leadership isn’t about perfection - it’s about integration, iteration, and owning your growth
This is a grounded, high-impact conversation with one of the most quietly intentional leaders we’ve had on the show. Rob proves that sustainable success doesn’t come from hustle or hype - it comes from clear thinking, deliberate moves, and values you actually live by.
🎧 You’ll leave this episode with new insight into how to scale, lead, and stay aligned in seasons of big growth.
Connect with Rob:
Official website: https://saplingfinancial.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sapling-financial-consultants
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If you’re new here, I’m Alex—Strategic Growth Architect, keynote speaker, podcast host and creator of The CEO Recode.
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