Dr. Anna Pleet discusses a comprehensive and compassionate approach to tackling obesity and improving overall health. Anna emphasizes that weight loss is far more complex than the simple "calories in, calories out" mantra. She explains her patient-centered method, which begins with listening and understanding an individual's mindset, motivations, and the emotional barriers, like shame, that can prevent progress. She argues that without addressing the underlying mental and emotional components, any dietary changes are unlikely to be sustainable, pointing to the common yo-yo effect seen in many popular weight-loss journeys.
Anna introduces her "Perfect Meal Formula," a sustainable eating strategy inspired by traditional diets like the Mediterranean. The formula focuses on building balanced meals with three key nutrients, protein, fiber, and healthy fats, to optimize metabolism, regulate appetite, and prevent overeating. The conversation also covers practical advice on calculating protein needs based on goal weight rather than current weight and offers compassionate strategies for discussing health concerns with aging family members. Anna leaves listeners with a powerful reminder to proactively commit to physical activities they love, especially as technology makes our lives increasingly sedentary.
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Hugh Massie, the Founder and Executive Chairman of DNA Behavior, a globally recognized behavioral AI solutions architect, shares his guiding principle for entrepreneurs: "dream big, start small, and finish big." He encourages founders to think beyond financial metrics and focus on the human impact their business can have, even setting goals as audacious as impacting a billion people. He emphasizes the importance of identifying and dominating a niche market channel to become a "category king."
The conversation also delves into the critical, yet often overlooked, topic of wealth management for entrepreneurs, especially pre-exit. Hugh offers practical advice on selecting the right wealth manager, stressing the importance of aligning values and ensuring a personalized approach over chasing the highest returns. He and Steven discuss the common pitfalls entrepreneurs face after a liquidity event, advising a "decision-free zone" for at least six to twelve months to avoid hasty investment mistakes. Finally, Hugh provides a clear framework for founders looking to integrate AI into their current business models, suggesting they focus on both immediate task automation and a complete reimagining of their business for the future.
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Miles Spencer is no stranger to risk, resilience, and reinvention. A multi-exit entrepreneur, investor, and adventurer, Miles has spent decades building companies in digital media, mentoring founders, and even chasing adrenaline in places like Pamplona and the deserts of the Middle East. Now, he’s channeling that same spirit into his most personal venture yet: Reflekta, a platform that allows families to preserve and interact with the voices, likenesses, and stories of loved ones.
In this episode, Miles shares hard-earned wisdom on raising capital, managing leadership transitions, and creating optionality in business deals. He also opens up about the emotional journey of digitally reconnecting with his late father, how storytelling drives meaning, and why entrepreneurship is as much about courage and preparation as it is about innovation.
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Adam Vernon, the Founder and Managing Director of Colorado Ski Furniture, shares his incredible story of how he turned a pile of old skis into a thriving and easily recognized business. With nearly two decades of experience, Adam discusses the evolution of his company, from a weekend stress reliever to a full-time venture that exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. He details his hands-on leadership style and his philosophy of treating employees like family to foster a culture of low turnover and high motivation.
The conversation explores Adam's practical strategies for longevity and growth, including his aggressive approach to product development, where he knows many ideas will fail but the winners will stick. Adam also dives into his marketing tactics, emphasizing the importance of meeting customers on various social media platforms—from Facebook to LinkedIn—and not being afraid to test new channels. He shares how exceptional customer service, especially turning a problem into a positive experience, is key to creating lifelong, loyal customers
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In this special bonus episode for National Podcast Day episode, our very own, Steven Pivnik, gets interviewed about his experiences so far hosting the Built to Finish podcast. Steven describes his show as informational, motivational, and entertaining, aimed at audacious goal setters, including founders looking to grow, scale, and exit their businesses. He discusses how the podcast extends his brand and allows him to share motivational stories from others. Steven shares that his biggest initial challenge was simply starting, followed by overcoming a "robotic" interview style. He reveals that preparing fewer questions and encouraging a conversational back-and-forth has led to his best episodes. Offering advice to new B2B podcasters, Steven stresses the importance of starting without waiting for perfection and making the listener feel like a "fly on the wall" to a great conversation.
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Ismael Larrosa, Founder and CEO of the UX-led development company Capicua, joins the show to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, from defying his father's wishes to attend design school to leading one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas. Ismael shares his philosophy on the significant role luck plays in success, the importance of choosing the harder, more sustainable path, and how founders can manage the emotional highs and lows of the startup world. The conversation also explores practical strategies for stabilizing revenue, the transformative power of generative AI as a tool for both developers and designers, and why the future of the office depends on fostering creativity, not just offering perks.
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Dr. Stephen Timme, Founder of FinListics and Author of “Insights Led Selling”, shares his unique journey from academia to entrepreneurship and details the critical shift modern sales organizations must make: moving from outdated feature-and-function pitching to sophisticated, insight-led conversations. He explains why today's executives are under immense pressure to deliver business results and how salespeople can become trusted partners by demonstrating clear financial and operational value. This conversation is packed with actionable advice on how to understand your customer's goals, tailor your message to different stakeholders, and ultimately transform your sales approach to increase deal size, shorten sales cycles, and boost closure rates.
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Stan Sher, a respected writer, speaker, and president of Dealer eTraining, shares his personal journey from starting as a car salesman at 20 years old to founding his own company, overcoming going broke three times along the way. The conversation dives into why the car-buying process is often unpleasant, which Stan attributes to undertrained, transaction-focused salespeople and a lack of genuine communication.
He champions a "guest experience" mindset, urging a shift towards treating customers like people rather than dollar figures. The discussion also covers the importance of a consultative communication style, the power of personal discipline through challenges like 75 Hard, and the need for self-awareness, inspired by Mel Robbins' book.
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Brant McNaughton, the Founder and Managing Director of the web development consultancy Ecce. Brant shares his journey of transitioning from a 15-year career in global finance to becoming a tech entrepreneur in the late '90s. For over 26 years, he has built his agency on a foundation of strong relationships and reputation, growing organically through word-of-mouth referrals. Brant discusses the evolution of his business, the temptation to turn bespoke projects into products, and how his team uses "5% Fridays" to innovate with AI. He also provides invaluable insight into building a resilient, non-hierarchical company culture and navigating entrepreneurial challenges like the "feast or famine" cycle and the departure of a key employee. Brant connects the grit required in business to his passion for endurance sports, including his incredible story of swimming from Alcatraz.
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Mike Hogan, CEO of Insights7, is a seasoned business leader with over 25 years of global experience. Hogan shares his journey from providing advisory services to developing a software-as-a-service platform designed to help organizations align their execution with strategic goals through his "work to value management system." He discusses the common challenge of ensuring entire teams are "rowing in the right direction" and introduces the concept of overlaying a value chain structure on top of the traditional organizational chart to create a single value creation system. Hogan explains how this approach empowers employees, fosters a culture of accountability, and provides leaders with the objective data needed to make difficult decisions. The conversation also touches on the parallels between entrepreneurship and endurance sports, the role of AI in their platform, and the ideal company profile for implementing their system.
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Evan Dash, the co-founder and CEO of the billion-dollar kitchenware brand, Dash, shares his remarkable journey from being a firefighter to a corporate executive at Macy's, and ultimately, an acclaimed entrepreneur. He details the initial struggles of launching a business, the relentless challenges of managing cash flow in a rapidly growing company, and the unique experience of navigating a partial exit to a strategic partner, Groupe SEB. Evan provides a masterclass on building a brand from the ground up by focusing on being a "content company" first, fostering a positive team culture, and leading with values. He also discusses his partnership with his wife, Rachel, and offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on the importance of gaining corporate experience before launching their own ventures.
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Robert Paylor, a former standout rugby player for UC Berkeley, shares his incredible journey of resilience and recovery. During a national championship game, a catastrophic injury left Robert paralyzed from the neck down, with doctors telling him he would never walk or use his hands again. Robert recounts the harrowing moments on the field, the devastating prognosis, and the immense physical and emotional challenges he faced in the aftermath. He details how the principles of mental toughness learned in rugby, the unwavering support of his family and teammates, and a profound shift in mindset helped him to defy the odds. From being unable to move to eventually walking again, Robert’s story is a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome, find purpose in tragedy, and inspire millions.
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Naomi Kent, the founder and CEO of The Boardroom Company, discusses the intricate dynamics between founders and boards of directors. Naomi shares her 22 years of experience, outlining when founders should formalize an advisory board, what key roles board members play, and how to navigate the challenging transition when outside investors bring in a more formal board structure. The conversation also explores the powerful parallels between the discipline required for endurance sports, like the Ironman triathlons she has completed, and the focus needed to run a successful business. Naomi provides actionable advice for founders on leveraging their boards, for professionals seeking board positions, and for anyone looking to achieve big goals by harnessing discipline, transparency, and the power of their network.
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Donnie Tuttle, a passionate coach, author of "Sell Anywhere," and professor at the School of Professional Design, shares his transformative journey of relearning sales while living a nomadic life with his family, moving from one Airbnb to another for over two years. He discusses how to move from "the grind to working from your design" by infusing sales with genuine curiosity, joy, and purpose. Donnie explains how he overcame the sting of rejection by adopting an alter ego—the "Joyful Farmer"—and focusing on ulterior motives like having fun and making someone's day better. The conversation explores the importance of authenticity, the power of unconventional follow-ups to create curiosity, and why our smartphones can act as "pacifiers" that kill the boredom necessary for creativity and human connection.
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Adam Hill, a professional EOS implementer, international keynote speaker, and CEO of the nine-figure family business, Hill Brothers Chemical Company, shares his incredible journey from a decade-long struggle with alcoholism and anxiety to becoming a world-championship qualifying Ironman triathlete. He details the turning point that led him to sobriety in 2012 and how the principles of community and mentorship in Alcoholics Anonymous became a blueprint for his success in endurance sports and business. Adam explains how he applied the same resilience and systematic approach to revitalize his century-old family company, implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to overcome a period of decline and lead it to unprecedented growth and profitability.
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William Bell, Chief Sales Officer at Chief Outsiders and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Accelerate Consulting, discusses the critical strategies for successfully selling a business. He shares his expert advice for founders, covering everything from maximizing valuation to navigating the intense due diligence process. Discover the common "tricks" sellers attempt, such as manipulating pipelines with non-binding letters of intent, and why honesty is always the best policy to avoid derailing a deal. William and Steven also share their personal experiences as members of the CEO Project, highlighting how an advisory board of peers can help leaders brainstorm solutions and accelerate success.
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Joanna Lohman is a globally recognized keynote speaker, sports diplomat, mental performance coach, and a former professional soccer player for the Washington Spirit. Joanna shares her powerful journey from the pitch to the podium, offering insights into her transition from elite athlete to transformational speaker and coach.
Joanna dives deep into the pursuit of potential, the power of authenticity, and the dangers of early sports specialization for kids. She reflects on the mentors and meaningful moments that shaped her path, while challenging conventional definitions of success by championing process over outcome and values over validation.
Drawing from her acclaimed book Raising Tomorrow’s Champions, Joanna shares inspiring stories from the world of women’s soccer, offering lessons for athletes, parents, and anyone striving to live with purpose. The episode wraps with heartfelt advice on how to find joy, stay grounded, and raise the next generation to be boldly and unapologetically themselves.
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What does it take, not just financially, but emotionally and strategically, to sell the company you built from the ground up?
Kelly Stratton, President and Founder of Quire, a cloud-based platform transforming technical report writing. As a seasoned environmental engineer and advocate for Agile development, Kelly shares her journey through the successful sale of her company and the lessons learned along the way.
She emphasizes the value of assembling a specialized M&A team—accountants, legal advisors, and investment bankers—who can guide founders through complex decisions. Initially skeptical of private equity, Kelly explains how the experience ultimately shifted her perspective and resulted in a better outcome for her business.
From the importance of clean financial records to navigating equity issues and planning for wealth management, Kelly offers actionable insights for any entrepreneur considering a sale. She also explores how to maintain company culture post-acquisition and how her role evolved under new ownership.
With candid reflections on valuation, financial metrics like the Rule of 40, and the indispensable role of a good investment banker, this conversation shines a light on the strategic and emotional realities of exiting a company—and what it means to finish well.
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In this episode of Built To Finish, host Steven sits down with James Hall, CEO of Enate, to explore his impressive track record in the advanced technology sector and his strategic approach to successful business exits. James takes us through his entrepreneurial journey—starting with the founding of Gen Four in 2012, its acquisition by Accenture in 2017, and his current leadership role at Innate.
He dives into the critical components of building a business with a clear exit in mind, including the importance of knowing your business model, identifying your target buyers, and setting a defined exit number. James also offers expert insights into automation and orchestration technology, navigating due diligence, structuring earnouts, and the key distinctions between founding a startup and running a mature company. Throughout the conversation, he shares the personal motivations that drive him—and the satisfaction that comes from guiding a company to a meaningful and rewarding conclusion.
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Damon Lembi, a two-time bestselling author, podcast host, and the founder and CEO of Learnit, shares his perspective on leadership and decision-making. He discusses the central concept from his book, "The Learn It All Leader," which contrasts "learn-it-alls" who are humble and open to new ideas, with "know-it-alls" who are stuck in their ways. A key decision highlighted in his career was the acquisition of a local competitor right before COVID, a move that proved to be highly successful.
The conversation also explores common decision-making pitfalls for leaders, such as making rash, emotional choices, not involving the right stakeholders, and waiting too long for complete information. Lembi emphasizes that creating a culture of learning starts with leadership and involves giving and receiving feedback effectively to foster psychological safety. He shares personal anecdotes about mistakes made in his entrepreneurial journey, including over-expanding the business and making a poor hiring choice for a COO. The discussion also touches on the impact of AI on business and the motivations behind both Lembi and Pivnik writing their respective books.
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