PODCAST · business
Above The Business
by Bradley Hamner
What if you could step out of the day-to-day and see your business from a whole new perspective? Welcome to Above The Business, where we empower you to rise above the daily grind and embrace a higher way of business ownership. It's time to build your business by design.www.abovethebusiness.co
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#565: Building Your Dream Team with David Peterson
In this episode, Bradley sits down with David Peterson, insurance agency owner and author of Building Your Dream Team. David shares how he grew his business from three employees to nearly 60 over 12 years by treating recruiting as a structured system rather than a reactive process.They cover multi-step recruiting funnels, why making a position hard to get increases candidate desire, how to hire for character over a specific role, what real onboarding looks like in the first 30 days, and how to read references for what isn't being said.This conversation moves beyond recruiting tactics and into the discipline of building a team for the long term. What would your business look like if every open position was treated as something worth competing for? Are you investing enough in the people on your team to keep them there? And how much of your time as a business owner is genuinely going to the team? If you are serious about building a business that runs on talented, committed people, this conversation is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Pick up David's book, Building Your Dream Team, on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0bR6N9XfLearn more about David Peterson and his consulting: https://www.coachpconsulting.comCheck out David's scaling seminars: https://www.scaleandprofitseminar.com/Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day, optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit and actionable recommendations.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale.
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#564: Production vs Potential (The Transfer Portal)
In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner applies the college sports transfer portal concept to one of the most consequential decisions a growing business faces: when recruiting, are you going after someone who has already done the work, or someone with the raw ingredients to develop? Most business owners never make that choice deliberately, and it costs them.Bradley walks through real hiring decisions from his own companies, including an office manager brought in specifically for her existing experience and a sales rep recruited directly from a competitor. He explains the reasoning behind both hires, why the next sales hire in that same business will target potential instead of production, and what signals to look for when making that call.This episode moves beyond hiring tactics and into recruiting mindset. Are you clear on what a role actually requires before you start looking? When you go after experience, is that a deliberate choice or a default? And how does the current stage of your business shape which approach makes more sense? If you are actively expanding your team and want a clearer framework for making smarter hiring decisions, this episode is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities.With their continuous recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks specializes in digital marketing solutions designed for business owners who want measurable results. Their team supports companies through paid advertising, SEO, and strategic marketing systems that help generate consistent leads.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, SEO, content, social media, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#563: The Four Forces of Growth with Kevin Lawrence
In this episode, Bradley sits down with Kevin Lawrence, entrepreneur, coach, and author of Your Oxygen Mask First and The Four Forces of Growth. Kevin shares how his path from early entrepreneurial hustles to decades of coaching business owners shaped the frameworks he now teaches around growth, leadership, and long-term business performance.They discuss what has not changed in business despite the rise of AI and new technology, and why the core principles of solving customer problems, hiring the right people, and building strong margins still matter most. Kevin also explains how many leaders unintentionally optimize their businesses for efficiency instead of growth, and why that shift can quietly flatten momentum over time.This conversation moves beyond tactics and into how leaders think. How do you know whether you are building for growth or simply fixing problems? What does it take to keep your business moving forward without burning yourself out? And how do you balance the operational demands of today with the strategic thinking required for the future?If you care about sustainable growth, sharper leadership, and building a business that can scale without draining you, this conversation is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Learn more about Kevin Lawrence and Lawrence & Co: https://www.lawrenceandco.com/Check out Kevin’s books: https://lawrenceandco.com/resources/books Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day, optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit and actionable recommendations.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale.
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#562: Good vs Great Business Owners
In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner unpacks a question he was recently asked at the BlueprintOS’ Beat the Odds retreat: what is the real difference between good business owners and great business owners? After reflecting on years of working with small business owners and building businesses himself, he shares the answer he has landed on.Bradley explains that the difference is not simply marketing skill, sales ability, or even hiring talent. Great business owners develop a ruthless ability to identify what actually matters in the business, then stay focused on it long enough to remove the bottleneck that is holding growth back.This conversation moves beyond tactics and into discernment. What is the real needle mover in your business right now? Are you solving the right problem, or just reacting to noise? And can you stay focused on the right thing long enough to create real progress? If you want to sharpen your ability to identify what matters and act on it, this episode is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Resources MentionedThe Goal by Eliyahu M Goldratt: https://a.co/d/04ccnE1JThanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities.With their continuous recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks specializes in digital marketing solutions designed for business owners who want measurable results. Their team supports companies through paid advertising, SEO, and strategic marketing systems that help generate consistent leads.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, SEO, content, social media, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#561: Building a Better Business in a Fragmented Industry with Michael Jacobson
In this episode, Bradley sits down with Michael Jacobson, founder of French Florist, to talk about what it looks like to spot opportunity in a struggling industry and build a modern business around it. Michael shares how he went from corporate consulting into the floral industry, first by trying to help his uncle sell a flower shop, then by realizing the entire industry faced the same structural problems.They discuss how Michael approached an old and fragmented category with a different lens, combining technology, supply chain, and marketing to transform unit economics and build a scalable model. The conversation also explores what it takes to turn a single underperforming location into a multi-location business with franchise ambitions, while still staying focused on the customer experience.This conversation moves beyond business turnaround tactics and into entrepreneurial thinking. How do you recognize real opportunity in an overlooked market? What does it take to challenge assumptions in a legacy industry? And how do you build a business that creates both financial upside and a platform for something bigger than yourself?If you care about finding opportunity where others see limitations, building better systems, and creating a business with long-term potential, this conversation is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Learn more about French Florist: https://www.frenchflorist.com/ Learn more about their franchise opportunity: https://www.frenchfloristfranchise.com/Reach out to Michael: [email protected] Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day, optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit and actionable recommendations.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale.
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#560: Why Business Owners Quit Right Before They Make $1,000,000
In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner speaks directly to the business owner who feels like everything is getting harder at the exact moment the business should be working. He shares a recent conversation with a founder who was ready to burn it all down, even though the business was actually performing well and tracking toward a strong year.Bradley unpacks the ceiling of complexity that often shows up between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in revenue. This is the stage where the team grows, systems need to mature, and the founder’s job begins to change. What feels like failure is often the pressure of leveling up.This conversation moves beyond tactics and into the emotional reality of building a business. What if the moment you want to quit is actually the moment right before the breakthrough? And what if the complexity you are facing is not proof that you are failing, but proof that the business is growing? If you have ever felt like a fraud while trying to lead a growing company, this episode is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities.With their continuous recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks specializes in digital marketing solutions designed for business owners who want measurable results. Their team supports companies through paid advertising, SEO, and strategic marketing systems that help generate consistent leads.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, SEO, content, social media, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#559: From Doing the Work to Leading the Business with Michael Zipursky
In this episode, Bradley sits down with Michael Zipursky, co-founder of Consulting Success, entrepreneur, and advisor to consultants building firms around their expertise. Michael shares his journey from starting businesses in high school to building and selling multiple companies, and explains why so many business owners stay stuck inside the work instead of designing the business they actually want.They discuss the difference between growth and scale, why many founders fail to define what success really looks like for them, and how that lack of clarity creates friction when it comes to team building, systems, and leadership. Michael also explains why documenting the nuance of how work gets done is critical if you want to transfer knowledge, build leverage, and reduce dependence on the founder.This conversation moves beyond tactics and into intentionality. What kind of business do you actually want to build? Are you hiring to relieve today’s pressure or to support the future you want? And how do you get the business out of your head and into systems that allow others to help carry it forward?If you care about building a business with more clarity, leverage, and long-term alignment, this conversation is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Learn more about Michael Zipursky and Consulting Success: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/Connect with Michael Zipursky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zipursky/ Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day, optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit and actionable recommendations.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale.
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#558: Creating a Marketing Dashboard
Many business owners invest in marketing without having a clear way to measure what is actually working. They know money is going out, but they do not always know which channels are producing leads, customers, and real returns.This episode is the third and final part of a three-part marketing series. After covering marketing plans and marketing metrics, Bradley Hamner now walks through how to build a simple marketing dashboard that gives visibility into performance over time. He explains how to track spending by channel, monitor leads and customer acquisition, and measure return on investment in a way that supports better business decisions.This conversation focuses on the discipline of measurement. What should go on a marketing dashboard? How do you know if a channel is working? And how can tracking trends over time help you invest more confidently? If you want a simple way to understand your marketing performance, this episode is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities.With their continuous recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks specializes in digital marketing solutions designed for business owners who want measurable results. Their team supports companies through paid advertising, SEO, and strategic marketing systems that help generate consistent leads.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, SEO, content, social media, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#557: Marketing That Actually Drives Growth with Matt Jonza
In this episode, Bradley sits down with Matt Jonza, co-owner of Direct Clicks and longtime digital marketing operator, to talk about what has changed in marketing for small business owners. From the rise of AI-driven ad platforms to shifts in search behavior and lead quality, Matt breaks down what business owners need to understand if they want their marketing to actually support growth.They discuss how digital advertising has evolved, why SEO and AEO still rely on many of the same fundamentals, and what owners should know about reviews, fresh content, and question-and-answer sections on their online profiles. Matt also explains why direct response and branding need to be approached differently depending on the stage of the business.This conversation moves beyond tactics and into decision-making. How much should you invest in marketing? What should early-stage businesses prioritize? And how do you balance quantity of leads with quality of leads while still building a business your team can actually support?If you want a clearer view of what digital marketing should look like for a growing small business, this conversation is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/insurancequotesmn/Learn more about Direct Clicks: https://www.directclicksinc.com/Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day, optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit and actionable recommendations.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale.
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#556: Understanding Marketing Metrics
Marketing plans provide direction, but without the right metrics, it becomes difficult to know whether your strategy is actually working.This episode is part two of a three-part marketing series. After covering marketing plans in part one, Bradley Hamner now focuses on the core marketing metrics every small business owner should understand. He explains how to measure cost per lead, customer acquisition cost, and lifetime value, and why these numbers are essential for making informed growth decisions.This conversation moves beyond planning and into measurement. How much should it cost to acquire a customer? What is the relationship between lifetime value and acquisition cost? And how do these metrics influence your ability to scale? If you want to make smarter marketing decisions backed by data, this episode is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities.With their continuous recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks specializes in digital marketing solutions designed for business owners who want measurable results. Their team supports companies through paid advertising, SEO, and strategic marketing systems that help generate consistent leads.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, SEO, content, social media, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#555: What Makes a Business Sellable with David Barnett
In this episode, Bradley sits down with David Barnett, consultant, author, and longtime advisor on buying and selling small businesses. David shares his path from early interest in business to working in Yellow Pages sales, business brokerage, banking, and eventually building a consulting practice focused on helping people buy and sell Main Street and lower middle market companies.They discuss how buyers think about business value, why multiples are only the first pass in evaluating a deal, and what separates a business that is merely profitable from one that is actually sellable. David also explains the difference between SDE and EBITDA, why systems matter so much in a sale, and how terms can be more important than headline price.This conversation moves beyond valuation and into ownership itself. What makes a business attractive to a buyer? How do systems and delegation increase both freedom and enterprise value? And why do so many owners build businesses that only a younger version of themselves could buy?If you care about building a company that is easier to run, easier to grow, and eventually easier to sell, this conversation is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Learn more about David Barnett: https://www.investlocalbook.com/ Listen to David Barnett’s Small Business podcast: https://www.investlocalbook.com/p/in-media.html Find David Barnett’s books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=David+C.+Barnett&i=audible&ref=dp_byline_sr_audible_1 Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day, optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit and actionable recommendations.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale.
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#554: Understanding Marketing Plans
Marketing is one of the most confusing areas for many small business owners. While sales may come naturally, deciding how much to invest in marketing and where to allocate those dollars often feels unclear.This episode kicks off a three-part series focused on helping business owners build a clearer marketing foundation. In part one, Bradley Hamner breaks down what a marketing plan actually is and how to build one in a simple, practical way. He explains how to determine your marketing budget based on revenue targets, why your budget should inform your strategy, and how to think about allocating dollars across different marketing channels.This conversation focuses on bringing clarity to marketing decisions. How much should you invest in marketing? Should you prioritize direct response or branding? And how do you create a plan that supports growth without overcomplicating the process? If you want a straightforward framework for building your marketing plan, this episode is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities.With their continuous recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks specializes in digital marketing solutions designed for business owners who want measurable results. Their team supports companies through paid advertising, SEO, and strategic marketing systems that help generate consistent leads.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, SEO, content, social media, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#553: Why Teams Stay Silent and What Leaders Can Do About It with Megan Reitz
In this episode, Bradley Hamner sits down with Megan Reitz, researcher, speaker, and author focused on dialogue in organizations. Megan shares insights from years of studying why people speak up, why they stay silent, and how leaders influence both through the way they show up.They explore how leadership presence affects team communication, why most leaders overestimate their listening skills, and how everyday signals can either invite ideas or shut them down. Megan also explains how habits, attention, and curiosity shape whether meaningful conversations actually happen inside organizations.This conversation looks at what prevents honest dialogue and how leaders can create space for it. How do you encourage feedback without intimidating your team? What signals are you sending in meetings? And how do you address the “elephant in the room” before silence turns into resentment?If you want to improve how your team communicates, invite better feedback, and create an environment where people feel safe to speak up, this conversation is for you.Visit https://workshop.blueprintos.com to register for the upcoming Above The Business workshop.Learn more about Megan Reitz: https://www.meganreitz.comConnect with Megan Reitz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganreitz/Check out her latest book – Speak Out, Listen Up: https://a.co/d/090esprLThanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day, optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit and actionable recommendations.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale.
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#552: Structure and Process vs. Freedom and Flexibility
Many people start a business because they want freedom and flexibility. The ability to decide what to work on, when to work on it, and who to work with is a powerful motivator for entrepreneurs.In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner explores a tension many small business owners experience as their company begins to grow. The same people who started a business to avoid being told what to do often find themselves responsible for building structure, systems, and processes inside the organization.Bradley explains why this tension becomes especially noticeable in the $300K to $1M stage of business growth. At this point, the business owner is no longer just selling and producing results. The team is growing, expectations increase, and the business begins asking for clarity, consistency, and routine.This episode offers a mindset shift for business owners who feel caught between the desire for freedom and the responsibility to build structure. The discipline to create systems and processes is not what limits freedom. It is what eventually makes it possible.Visit blueprintos.com/assets to register for the upcoming Above The Business Quarterly and access the Above The Business Toolkit.https://blueprintos.com/assetsResources MentionedBuy Back Your Time by Dan Martellhttps://www.amazon.com/Buy-Back-Your-Time-Unstuck/dp/059342297XThe E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerberhttps://www.amazon.com/E-Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280Traction by Gino Wickmanhttps://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities.With their continuous recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks specializes in digital marketing solutions designed for business owners who want measurable results. Their team supports companies through paid advertising, SEO, and strategic marketing systems that help generate consistent leads.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, SEO, content, social media, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#551: How to Give Better Feedback Without Losing Trust with Amy Sandler
In this episode, Bradley sits down with Amy Sandler, principal coach at Radical Candor, podcast host, and former chief marketing officer. The conversation explores how emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and communication shape leadership, especially for business owners who are trying to lead well under pressure.They discuss why feedback can feel threatening, why leaders often get defensive in the moment, and how asking for feedback can build trust before giving it. Amy also explains how mindfulness, curiosity, and emotional regulation help leaders show up more effectively in conversations with their teams.This conversation moves beyond communication techniques and into the awareness behind them. What does it mean to challenge directly without shutting people down? How can leaders create safety while still being clear? And how do you build a culture where feedback becomes part of growth instead of something people avoid?If you care about leading with more clarity, giving better feedback, and building a healthier culture inside your business, this conversation is for you.Visit blueprintos.com/assets to register for the upcoming Above The Business Quarterly.https://blueprintos.com/assets Learn more about Radical Candor here: https://www.radicalcandor.com/ Join the Radical Candor community: https://community.radicalcandor.com/ Connect with Amy Sandler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysandler/ Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. Optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. Save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying traditional hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#550: One Size Doesn't Fit All (The Bathrobe Theory)
In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner explores a powerful idea he first encountered in The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham: the Bathrobe Theory of Business. The concept is simple. One size does not fit all. What works for one business may not work for another, especially when companies are operating at different stages of growth.Bradley breaks down the four stages he commonly sees in small business growth, from startup through acceleration, and explains why the blueprint for running a business must evolve at each stage. The role of the owner, the structure of the team, and the systems that support the company all change as revenue grows.He also shares a real example from a conversation with a $100M exterior remodeling company and explains how smaller businesses can learn from much larger organizations without trying to copy their strategies directly.This episode is a reminder that the goal is not to replicate another company’s playbook. The goal is to extract the principles that apply to your stage of business and build a blueprint that fits your own organization.Visit blueprintos.com/assets to register for the upcoming Above The Business Quarterly.https://blueprintos.com/assetsResources MentionedThe Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunninghamhttps://a.co/d/0dP23yXZ Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. They optimize your applicant tracking system, post job listings, and source candidates through social media and local communities.With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, their team provides comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#549: Learning the Business End of Business with Brian Kiley
In this episode, Bradley sits down with Brian Kiley, an insurance agency owner and longtime business leader with more than three decades of experience across multiple industries. From running bike shops to founding a nonprofit ministry and now leading an insurance agency, Brian shares the winding path that shaped his perspective as a business owner.They discuss the realities of the early years in business and the lessons Brian wishes someone had shared with him sooner. The conversation explores topics like slowing down as a leader, stepping out of the day-to-day whirlwind to think strategically, and the importance of defining core values before a company begins to grow.This conversation also explores the practical systems that help businesses grow. Brian shares how building scorecards and tracking the right metrics can change how leaders manage performance and make decisions.If you are building a business and looking for practical insights from someone who has spent decades learning through experience, this conversation is for you.Visit blueprintos.com/assets to register for the upcoming Above The Business Quarterly.Learn more about Brian Kiley:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-w-kiley/Check out the book referenced in the conversation, The 4 Disciplines of Execution:https://www.amazon.com/4-Disciplines-Execution-Achieving-Wildly-Important/dp/145162705XCheck out the sales book Brian mentioned, SPIN Selling:https://www.amazon.com/SPIN-Selling-Neil-Rackham/dp/0070511136Referenced by Bradley: The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunninghamhttps://a.co/d/0g14dJCuThanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. Optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. Save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying traditional hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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#548: What Matters & What Are You Going to Do About It?
In this episode of Above The Business, Bradley Hamner reflects on a simple question he learned from mentor Sean Block that continues to influence how he approaches business and leadership.Bradley explains how two questions, “What matters?” and “What are you going to do about it?”, can guide strategic planning at every level of a company. Whether thinking about a three-year vision, annual objectives, or the next 90 days, these questions help business owners focus on the actions that move the organization forward.The episode also highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with other business owners who are committed to growth. With the right environment, leaders can reflect on past results, clarify their priorities, and create alignment for the next stage of their business.Visit blueprintos.com/assets to register for the upcoming Above The Business Quarterly.Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. Optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. Save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying traditional hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that allow the business to scale.
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#547: The Core Principles Behind Authentic Leadership with Dr. Matt Paden
In this episode, Bradley sits down with Dr. Matt Paden, founder of Great Days Leadership and former executive vice president at Lipscomb University. The conversation explores how leadership development actually happens inside organizations and why self-awareness plays a central role for business owners.They discuss the difference between leadership knowledge and leadership wisdom, and why leaders benefit from reflection, feedback, and strong leadership models. The conversation focuses on how entrepreneurs can turn leadership ideas into habits that influence culture, decision making, and team development.This conversation moves beyond leadership techniques and into the mindset behind them. What does it mean to lead with self-awareness? How does a business owner create a culture where honest feedback is welcomed? And how can leaders continue growing even when they are the ones at the top?If you care about becoming a better leader while building a stronger organization around you, this conversation is for you.Visit blueprintos.com/assets to register for the upcoming Above The Business Quarterly.Pre-order Dr. Paden’s new book, The Core: Eight Principles for Building Strong, Authentic Leadership here: https://greatdaysleadership.com/the-core/Learn more about Great Days Leadership: https://greatdaysleadership.com/Check out the referenced book by Kim Scott, Radical Candor: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Candor-Kick-Ass-Without-Humanity/dp/1250103509Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:https://www.coachpconsulting.comBe sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. Optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. Save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying traditional hiring fees or commissions.https://www.autopilotrecruiting.comMention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.Exclusive offer for listeners:https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusinessGet a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.About Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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Episode 546: Moving the Goalposts (The Gap & The Gain)
In this Friday solo episode, Bradley Hamner explores a powerful concept from the book The Gap and The Gain and how it applies to small business owners who constantly feel like success is always just out of reach. As goals get closer, the horizon seems to move. What once felt like progress suddenly feels like it’s not enough.Bradley explains how this mindset shows up in business and why many entrepreneurs unintentionally “move the goalposts” on themselves. Instead of recognizing real progress, they focus only on what still hasn’t been achieved.He shares a practical way to break that cycle by creating intentional moments to look back at progress. From weekly reflection to quarterly planning and annual review, Bradley explains how leaders can measure the gain without letting the target constantly shift.If you’ve ever felt like your success keeps moving further away the closer you get, this episode will give you a better framework to measure progress and lead with clarity.Visit blueprintos.com/assets to register for the upcoming Above The Business Quarterly.Thanks to our sponsorsCoach P ConsultingCoach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed through weekly training calls and mentoring. Be sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.Direct ClicksDirect Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners, offering custom marketing solutions including paid search, SEO, and social media management to drive real results. Take advantage of their exclusive listener offer: a free marketing campaign audit with actionable recommendations, and if you partner with them, all setup fees are waived.Autopilot RecruitingAutopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by handling hiring for you, from optimizing your applicant tracking system to posting jobs and sourcing candidates daily. Save time and reduce hiring costs while receiving pre-screened candidates, and mention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.Watch the full episode on YouTube: LinkAbout Above The BusinessAbove The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.
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Episode 545: Simple Numbers, Real Talk - What the Data Says About Your Business with Greg Crabtree
Bradley sits down with Greg Crabtree — CPA, author of Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits, and founder of a consulting practice that grew from a $1M local firm to a $7M national operation — for a candid, data-driven conversation about what it actually takes to build a profitable business in today's economy.Greg shares what 40+ years of working with entrepreneurs has taught him, why the old playbook no longer applies, and what the numbers say is separating thriving businesses from struggling ones right now.Key TakeawaysPay yourself a market-based wage. Greg's research is clear: every time a business owner raises their salary to a true market wage and builds profitability on top of it, they make more money — far exceeding the payroll tax cost. It's behavioral economics: you fight harder to protect payroll than you do to protect profit.Stop spending money to save on taxes. If you didn't need that piece of equipment for 52 weeks, you don't need it now. You can't spend a dollar to save 40 cents and come out ahead. Make more money and pay the tax — that's how you build wealth.The growth-gets-you-out-of-jail strategy is broken. In a no-growth economy, you can't count on revenue to bail you out of over-investing in people, technology, or overhead. The move: cut costs to get profitable with what you have, then grow.The black hole has expanded. Greg's 100-company model shows the toughest profitability squeeze is now hitting the $3M–$10M range — not just the $3M mark. Businesses in this zone are incurring enterprise-level costs without enterprise-level scale.Management efficiency is the separator. The businesses pulling ahead right now are lean on management labor. Many are early AI adopters — using software agents to do more with the same dollars and freeing up management bandwidth to actually use data rather than just collect it.Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.About Above The Business:Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 544: The GOATED Books
What books have had the biggest impact on how Bradley Hamner thinks about business? In this Friday solo episode, Bradley breaks down his top 10 "Goated Books" — the greatest books of all time — and shares the personal stories and key takeaways behind each one. Whether you're a first-time reader or looking to revisit a classic, this list is your shortcut to the books that have shaped Bradley's mindset and the entire BlueprintOS framework.Want the full list of 25 books? Head to blueprintos.com/assets to grab the complete Goated Books list plus a link to the Amazon store.Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.About Above The Business:Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 543: How to Build a Sales Team That Doesn't Depend on You with Nikki Rausch
Most small business owners are naturally great at sales — it's their business, their passion, and they've lived it from day one. The problem? What lives in their head is almost impossible to transfer to a team.In this episode, Bradley sits down with Nikki Rausch, founder of Sales Maven and author of The Selling Staircase, to talk about what it actually takes to build a sales team that performs without you. From structure and tonality to training, coaching, and the metrics that actually matter — this one is packed.About Nikki RauschNikki Rausch is the founder of Sales Maven and has spent over 25 years in professional sales — rising from her first job (landed via a college project) to becoming the top-producing rep in North America for one of the largest companies in the world. After discovering neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and its power to transform how we communicate, Nikki left the corporate world to teach relationship-based selling to entrepreneurs. She's now helped hundreds of business owners close more sales without feeling pushy or inauthentic. She's also the host of the Sales Maven podcast and the author of three books, including The Selling Staircase.Connect with Nikki RauschWebsite: yoursalesmaven.com.Free Training: yoursalesmaven.com/above.Podcast: Sales Maven (available wherever you listen to podcasts).Register Now! Lead Yourself First: February 24th - an Above The Business WorkshopFREE workshop for business owners who planned well but are running on fumes.You set the goals in January. You aligned the team. You built the plan.But six weeks in, you're exhausted.Here's the truth: Your business won't grow beyond you until you lead yourself first.Join Bradley for a FREE 2-hour workshop on February 24th at 10 AM CST.You'll build your Personal Operating System, Decision Framework, Energy Protection Plan, Role Clarity Matrix, and 90-Day Accountability Structure.Space is limited. https://blueprintos.com/assetsThanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.About Above The Business:Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 542: Time and Energy Audits
What if the reason you feel stretched thin has nothing to do with how much time you have — and everything to do with where you're putting it? In this episode, Bradley breaks down one of the most impactful exercises a small business owner can do: the time and energy audit. He traces the idea back to its roots, makes the case for why energy matters just as much as hours, and gives you a clear framework for getting started.Books & Resources MentionedBuy Back Your Time — Dan Martell. The Effective Executive — Peter Drucker. Alex Hormozi (time study concept). Alex Charfen / EPT (Entrepreneurial Personality Type).Register Now! Lead Yourself First: February 24th - an Above The Business WorkshopFREE workshop for business owners who planned well but are running on fumes.You set the goals in January. You aligned the team. You built the plan.But six weeks in, you're exhausted.Here's the truth: Your business won't grow beyond you until you lead yourself first.Join Bradley for a FREE 2-hour workshop on February 24th at 10 AM CST.You'll build your Personal Operating System, Decision Framework, Energy Protection Plan, Role Clarity Matrix, and 90-Day Accountability Structure.Space is limited. https://blueprintos.com/assetsThanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.About Above The Business:Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 541: Small Business Spotlight - How to Scale Without Burning Out with Dustin Booth
In this episode of the Above the Business podcast, Bradley sits down with Dustin Booth, a successful small business owner who's navigated the challenging journey from burnout to building a thriving, sustainable business. This conversation is part of our Small Business Blueprint series, where we unpack the real strategies that business owners use to grow from under $500K to over $2M in revenue.Dustin shares his honest blueprint for business owners who've experienced burnout or felt unfulfilled despite outward success. Discover how he's built a scalable business by focusing on team development, strategic recruiting, and the often-overlooked connection between personal wellness and business performance.Register Now! Lead Yourself First: February 24th - an Above The Business WorkshopFREE workshop for business owners who planned well but are running on fumes.You set the goals in January. You aligned the team. You built the plan.But six weeks in, you're exhausted.Here's the truth: Your business won't grow beyond you until you lead yourself first.Join Bradley for a FREE 2-hour workshop on February 24th at 10 AM CST.You'll build your Personal Operating System, Decision Framework, Energy Protection Plan, Role Clarity Matrix, and 90-Day Accountability Structure.Space is limited. https://blueprintos.com/assetsThanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.About Above The Business:Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 540: Personal Knowledge Management (PKM)
Ever feel like your notes, files, and ideas are scattered everywhere? You're not alone. In this episode, Bradley tackles one of the most common challenges for business owners: personal knowledge management. From books and podcasts to conference notes and client materials, learn where to put everything so you can actually find it when you need it. Bradley shares his proven three-system approach that will help you optimize for retrieval, not just organization.Register Now! Lead Yourself First: February 24th - an Above The Business WorkshopFREE workshop for business owners who planned well but are running on fumes.You set the goals in January. You aligned the team. You built the plan.But six weeks in, you're exhausted.Here's the truth: Your business won't grow beyond you until you lead yourself first.Join Bradley for a FREE 2-hour workshop on February 24th at 10 AM CST.You'll build your Personal Operating System, Decision Framework, Energy Protection Plan, Role Clarity Matrix, and 90-Day Accountability Structure.Space is limited. https://blueprintos.com/assetsThanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.About Above The Business:Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 539: Creating Exceptional Customer Experiences with Marc Haine
"At the very core of everything we do is about meeting and exceeding expectations."Marc Haine shares how theatrical principles can transform your small business's customer experience. Drawing from his unique journey from hospitality consultant to stage actor, Marc reveals why most businesses fail to meet basic customer expectations and provides practical strategies to elevate every customer touchpoint.Marc Haine is the author of Lights, Camera, Action and a former hospitality industry fixer with 25 years of experience working with hotels, casinos, and restaurants.Resources MentionedMarc Haine's website: markhaine.com (free touchpoint assessment available). Book: Lights, Camera, Action by Marc Haine. Register Now! Lead Yourself First: February 24th - an Above The Business WorkshopFREE workshop for business owners who planned well but are running on fumes.You set the goals in January. You aligned the team. You built the plan.But six weeks in, you're exhausted.Your best hours are going to fires. Decision fatigue is real. And your team senses it.Here's the truth: Your business won't grow beyond you until you lead yourself first.Join Bradley for a FREE 2-hour workshop on February 24th at 10 AM CST.You'll build your Personal Operating System, Decision Framework, Energy Protection Plan, Role Clarity Matrix, and 90-Day Accountability Structure.Space is limited. https://blueprintos.com/assetsThanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.About Above The Business:Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 538: Playing To Win
Bradley Hamner breaks down a powerful lesson from Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance" documentary about the fundamental difference between playing to win versus playing not to lose—and how this mindset shift can transform your business leadership.Register Now! Lead Yourself First: February 24th - an Above The Business WorkshopFREE workshop for business owners who planned well but are running on fumes.You set the goals in January. You aligned the team. You built the plan.But six weeks in, you're exhausted.Your best hours are going to fires. Decision fatigue is real. And your team senses it.Here's the truth: Your business won't grow beyond you until you lead yourself first.Join Bradley for a FREE 2-hour workshop on February 24th at 10 AM CST.You'll build your Personal Operating System, Decision Framework, Energy Protection Plan, Role Clarity Matrix, and 90-Day Accountability Structure.Space is limited. https://blueprintos.com/assetsThanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.About Above The Business:Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 537: Aligning Your Behavior with Business Objectives with Chris Papin
"Does your behavior match your stated objectives? If you claim you want to scale the business but you have no framework or capacity building plan in place, there's a disconnect." - Chris Papin. What if your business struggles aren't about working harder—but about whether your daily actions actually match what you say you want to achieve? In this conversation, Bradley sits down with Chris Papin, attorney and CPA, to explore the critical gap between stated objectives and actual behavior in business. Chris shares his framework for thinking about business decisions through three lenses: personal, community, and client impact. He unpacks why most business owners don't truly understand their financials (and why that's costing them), the business judgment rule that separates smart decisions from lucky ones, and why Tom Brady's success on offense came from his defensive genius. If you've ever felt out of alignment with your own goals or wondered why your numbers don't reflect your stated priorities, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on getting above your business. What Working Above the Business Means to Chris: "It's gonna shift during where I am in the life cycle of my business. But what it means to me is I go back to the original vision. I have kind of three components that are in my vision: There's a personal piece, there's a community piece, and then there's a client-side piece. The personal piece is the internal me, my team, the objectives there. The community is elevating others. Obviously we want to take care of our clients. If I focus on those three pieces and really recognize what's at stake and work my business to achieving those objectives, I'm above the business doing the right things I need to do as a business owner to steer people to those objectives. Fully knowing that I am also the licensed professional where I have to be in my business from time to time to do that too. I'm okay with that because that's what I signed up for, but that distinction matters because I do have to step out of my technician's role to get up into that entrepreneurial role." This episode of Above the Business is for business owners who are ready to stop reacting and start leading with clarity, intention, and alignment between what they say they want and what they actually do. Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch. Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast. Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The Business: Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 536: Quotas
Time to bring back a word you probably don't use enough in your business: quotas. In this solo episode, Bradley breaks down why setting specific, measurable, time-bound performance goals for your team isn't just a sales concept—it's a clarity tool that transforms how you coach, manage, and drive results across your entire organization.Key Takeaways"How did your sales team perform as a percent to quota in January? If they had to sell 50 widgets and they sold 55, they were over 100% to quota."Setting defined timeframes and defined outcomes creates the foundation for effective coaching and accountability. When your team knows exactly what's expected, you can coach them toward specific targets instead of vague goals like "do more."Visit BlueprintOS.com to learn about the 2026 Above The Business Workshops, our coaching programs, and resources designed specifically for small business owners who want to build systematic, scalable operations that don't require your constant presence. Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch. Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast. Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The Business: Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 535: Thinking Like an Acquirer with Cameron Bishop
"My best learning opportunities were the ones where I've ultimately failed or made huge mistakes. I basically got an MBA in acquisitions in that deal." - Cameron BishopWhat if you could see your business through the eyes of someone who's completed over 100 acquisitions? In this episode, Bradley sits down with investment banker Cameron Bishop to explore the mind of an acquirer and how thinking like an investor can transform your business—whether you're planning to sell tomorrow or a decade from now.Cameron shares hard-won lessons from his journey from advertising copywriter to CEO of a $400 million company, and now as a managing director helping business owners navigate successful exits. You'll discover why the strategies that make a business attractive to buyers also make it a better business to own and operate.Resources MentionedRain CatcherWebsite: raincatcher.com Email: [email protected] with Cameron on LinkedIn.Free consultations available (no cost, no obligation, no sales pitch).Visit BlueprintOS.com to learn about the 2026 Above The Business Workshops, our coaching programs, and resources designed specifically for small business owners who want to build systematic, scalable operations that don't require your constant presence. Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch. Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast. Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The Business: Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 534: Groundhog Day
Are you tired of feeling like you're living the same business year over and over again? In this episode, Bradley Hamner tackles the frustration many business owners feel when December rolls around and they're going through the same annual planning motions—setting objectives, hosting kickoffs, and wondering if anything will really change this time.Drawing inspiration from the classic movie Groundhog Day, Bradley explores the delicate balance between maintaining what works in your business while evolving to stay ahead of the curve. He challenges the common trap of either being an "arsonist" who burns down everything that's working or getting stuck in comfortable routines that no longer serve your growth.Key Question: How do you gain 20 years of real experience instead of repeating the same year 20 times?Visit BlueprintOS.com to learn about the 2026 Above The Business Workshops, our coaching programs, and resources designed specifically for small business owners who want to build systematic, scalable operations that don't require your constant presence. Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch. Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast. Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The Business: Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 533: Building a Business for the Long Haul with Chris Ducker
What does it actually look like to build a business you can run for the long haul—without burning out? In this episode, Bradley sits down with Chris Ducker, leadership speaker, serial entrepreneur, and bestselling author of The Long-Haul Leader, Rise of the Youpreneur, and Virtual Freedom.Chris shares his personal journey through two burnout experiences—including a 2021 diagnosis of phase three adrenal failure that forced him to completely rethink how he approached business and leadership. He reveals the lifestyle changes, mindset shifts, and practical strategies that helped him recover and build sustainable success.This conversation digs into the difference between hustle as a season versus hustle as a lifestyle, why "busy" is a trap, and how to design your business around the life you want rather than the other way around.Visit BlueprintOS.com to learn about the 2026 Above The Business Workshops, our coaching programs, and resources designed specifically for small business owners who want to build systematic, scalable operations that don't require your constant presence. Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch. Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast. Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The Business: Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 532: How to Win - The Curt Cignetti Blueprint
Have you seen what Curt Cignetti has done at Indiana? In just his second year, he's taken one of college football's historically worst programs to the number one ranking in the country. But here's what matters for business owners: he didn't figure it out alone.In this episode, Bradley breaks down the Curt Cignetti story and the four critical lessons every business owner needs to understand about following a proven blueprint versus trying to figure everything out yourself.Visit BlueprintOS.com to learn about the 2026 Above The Business Workshops, our coaching programs, and resources designed specifically for small business owners who want to build systematic, scalable operations that don't require your constant presence. Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch. Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast. Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The Business: Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 531: Designing the Five-Star Experience in Your Small Business
What if you treated your team with the same care and attention that Four Seasons gives its guests? In this episode, Bradley sits down with Melissa Fackler, small business coach at OneTeam Partners, to explore how hospitality principles can transform your company culture and customer experience.Melissa spent a decade in the hospitality industry working in hotels, banquets, venues, and country music entertainment before transitioning to business coaching in 2021. She shares the specific tactics and mindset shifts that helped her create world-class guest experiences and how business owners can deploy those same strategies internally with their teams.From eye contact and name recall to growth mindset coaching and behavioral assessments, this conversation gives you practical tools to make everyone in your business feel truly seen and valued.Ready to create more margin in your business?Visit BlueprintOS.com to learn about the 2026 Above The Business Workshops, our coaching programs, and resources designed specifically for small business owners who want to build systematic, scalable operations that don't require your constant presence. Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch. Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast. Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The Business: Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 530: Margin
In this episode, Bradley introduces his Word of the Year for 2026: Margin. Drawing on wisdom from his mentor and coach Sean Blanc, Bradley explores margin as "the difference between your load and your limit" and how this framework can transform the way business owners approach stress, overwhelm, and burnout. Whether you're struggling with time constraints, financial pressure, or emotional exhaustion, this episode offers a practical two-lever approach to creating more breathing room in your life and business.Ready to create more margin in your business?Visit BlueprintOS.com to learn about the 2026 Above The Business Workshops, our coaching programs, and resources designed specifically for small business owners who want to build systematic, scalable operations that don't require your constant presence. Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch. Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast. Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The Business: Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect. Each week, Bradley shares frameworks, interviews successful entrepreneurs, and provides actionable insights for building businesses that run without you. Whether you're doing $300K or $3M in revenue, this show will help you get above your business and design the systems you need to scale.
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Episode 529 Growing a Business with a Blueprint - Club Capital's 10 Year Journey
In this episode, Micah Cannon returns to Above The Business to share the blueprint Club Capital followed to grow and scale their bookkeeping and financial advisory firm over the past decade. Rather than covering his origin story, this conversation focuses on the strategic decisions, systems, and frameworks that enabled Club Capital to achieve sustained success since their founding in 2015. From navigating the early startup years to building a leadership team and establishing disciplined operational rhythms, Micah reveals the key milestones and lessons learned along their growth journey.Featured ResourcesClub CapitalGo to club.capital to book a no-obligation demo with the team and explore how they can help bring financials to your decision-making table with the right cadence and support.Recommended ReadingThe Effective Executive by Peter Drucker - Essential reading on conducting time studies and understanding where your time as a leader is actually being spent.Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions.More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.
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Episode 528: Read It. Realized It?
Welcome to 2026! In this episode, Bradley shares a powerful insight from a recent breakfast conversation that will transform how you approach reading business books this year. The question isn't just "Have you read it?" — it's "Have you realized it?"During a coffee meeting with an incredibly well-read business leader, Bradley heard a phrase he'd never forget. When discussing books they'd both read, his breakfast companion asked about The Fifth Discipline and whether leaders had actually "realized" the books on their shelves — not just read them.Reading vs. RealizingThere's a massive difference between consuming content and implementing it. Bradley reflects on books he's read where he could share the big idea but couldn't articulate how those concepts actually changed his business or personal life. Compare that to books like The Road Less Stupid, which he references at least once a year and has profoundly impacted his decision-making.Join Us at the 2026 Above The Business Event SeriesWant to experience more transformational content like this? Join us for the 2026 Above The Business event series where we'll dive deep into the strategies, systems, and mindset shifts that help you move from Rainmaker to Architect.Get above the daily grind and design a business that can run and grow without you.Learn more at https://blueprintos.com Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions.More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.
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Episode 527: Best of 2025
Join Bradley Hamner for a special year-end compilation featuring the most impactful moments from 2025's highest-performing episodes. This episode brings together five powerful conversations with industry leaders who've cracked the code on remote teams, meaningful work, accountability systems, and hiring excellence.Whether you're hearing these insights for the first time or revisiting wisdom that transformed your business, this Best of 2025 episode delivers actionable strategies to carry into 2026.Featured Episodes & Key TakeawaysEpisode 440: Jason Steffle - Building High-Performance Remote TeamsThe Challenge: Hiring in high-cost markets like Cupertino (median income $200k+) and managing teams you can't see,Episode 446: Wes Adams & Tamara Miles - Creating Meaningful WorkThe Research: The Three C's Framework for employee engagement.Episode 461: David Peterson (Coach P) - The Accountability System That WorksThe Problem: How do you hold people accountable without destroying relationships?The Solution: Make everything visible.Episode 463: Steve Suggs - The Science of Hiring Salespeople25 Years of Hiring Research CondensedKey Themes Across All EpisodesVisibility Creates Accountability - Whether it's remote teams or in-office staff, transparency eliminates difficult conversations.Intentionality Beats Systems - One weekly thank you outperforms complex recognition programs.People Are Assets, Not Expenses - This mindset shift changes everything from hiring to development to retention.Specialization Drives Growth - Separating sales from service can double production.Community Comes First - Before culture, before accountability, before growth—build real relationships.Join Us at the 2026 Above The Business Event SeriesWant to experience more transformational content like this? Join us for the 2026 Above The Business event series where we'll dive deep into the strategies, systems, and mindset shifts that help you move from Rainmaker to Architect.Get above the daily grind and design a business that can run and grow without you.Learn more at https://blueprintos.com Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions.More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.
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Episode 526: Systems Thinking
In this final solo episode, Bradley breaks down a transformative conversation with a long-term client that reveals the difference between task-oriented thinking and systems thinking. Learn why the shift from "developing your team" to "creating a team development system" is the key to scaling past $2-3 million in revenue.Bradley shares a coaching session with a client who grew from $750K to nearly $2M in revenue (after taking 18 years to cross the first million, then doubling in just three years). The breakthrough? Moving from individual development goals to creating scalable systems.Join Us at the 2026 Above The Business Event SeriesWant to experience more transformational content like this? Join us for the 2026 Above The Business event series where we'll dive deep into the strategies, systems, and mindset shifts that help you move from Rainmaker to Architect.Get above the daily grind and design a business that can run and grow without you.Learn more at blueprintos.comThanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions.More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.
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Episode 525: Punched in the Face - The Real Survival Guide for Entrepreneurs with Chad Cannon
Everyone's got a plan until they get punched in the face. In this episode, Chad Cannon joins Bradley to talk about the reality of entrepreneurial setbacks and what separates business owners who make it from those who don't. Chad shares frameworks from his 20+ year career working behind the scenes with companies like Michael Hyatt & Co. and StoryBrand, plus raw stories from his own recent challenges with clients.This episode is a recast from our 2 Day MBA virtual event held in August 2025, focused on the mindset pillar of building a sustainable business.About Chad CannonChad Cannon is a business growth strategist and co-founder of Zenith Labs, an innovation studio helping founder-led companies scale faster and smarter. He spent nearly a decade with Michael Hyatt & Co., where he helped scale the business from $1.5M to mid-8 figures as employee #3. He also worked with Donald Miller at StoryBrand before launching his consulting practice.Chad now works as a fractional CRO for 7- and 8-figure businesses, specializing in the intersection of marketing and sales. He's the creator of two proprietary frameworks - FOUNDER and FLIP - designed to help business owners sell more effectively and eventually step out of day-to-day sales.When he's not helping business owners scale, you'll find Chad on the golf course in Nashville with his two adopted kids.Join Us at the 2026 Above The Business Event SeriesWant to experience more transformational content like this? Join us for the 2026 Above The Business event series where we'll dive deep into the strategies, systems, and mindset shifts that help you move from Rainmaker to Architect.Get above the daily grind and design a business that can run and grow without you.Learn more at blueprintos.comThanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions.More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees.
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Episode 524: Mann Gulch
In August 1949, 15 smoke jumpers deployed to Mann Gulch, Montana for what seemed like a routine wildfire. The situation quickly deteriorated—the fire spread faster than expected, moved uphill, and surrounded them. 13 firefighters tragically lost their lives.The two survivors? They used an unconventional tactic that wasn't widely practiced: they started a controlled fire around themselves, allowing the main blaze to jump over them.The Business LessonSometimes we face situations far more challenging than anticipated—sudden team turnover, industry disruption, market shifts. The firefighters who clung to conventional methods didn't survive. The ones who embraced an unconventional approach did.Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The BusinessAbove The Business empowers business owners to rise above the daily grind and embrace a higher way of business ownership. Join us every Friday as we help you build your business by design.Subscribe & ConnectDon't miss an episode—subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and join us on YouTube for exclusive content. Your support means everything to our team.What Worked...Until It Didn'tRepeating successful actions works—until it stops working. Examples:Marketing channels that no longer deliver.Sales processes from 10 years ago that don't match how buyers purchase today.Team members who were once A-players but have slipped.Old ways of doing business that are now ineffective.Your 2026 Reflection QuestionsContinue: What worked in 2025 that you want to keep doing?Stop: What old methods do you need to release? What worked in the past but no longer serves you?Key TakeawayDon't fight inevitable changes—lean into the opportunities they create. Be willing to adapt, rethink assumptions, and embrace new approaches. You'll emerge stronger than before.The ReminderThis isn't about changing for change's sake. It's about having the wisdom to recognize what no longer works and the courage to try something new.
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Episode 523: Business Blueprint Spotlight - Dave Curry's Journey from Struggle to Success
In this powerful Business Blueprint Series episode, Bradley sits down with Dave Curry, a real-deal business owner who opens up about his journey—the victories, the struggles, and the moments he almost walked away from his business. If you've ever felt alone in your entrepreneurial journey or questioned whether you could make it work, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone and that transformation is possible.Dave shares the unfiltered truth about building a business, including:The gap between knowing and doing – Dave read the book but wasn't implementing it. Sound familiar? He breaks down what changed and how he finally made the shift from knowledge to action. The power of belief – Not just having someone believe in you, but having someone who believes for you when you can't believe in yourself. Dave reveals who played this role in his journey and why it matters. You are not your business – One of the most important mindset shifts for any business owner struggling with identity and burnout. Building the right team – How Dave learned to invest in people and create a team structure that allowed him to step out of the day-to-day operations. Mastering your numbers – Dave discusses how understanding and staying on top of his financials became a game-changer in his business growth.Connect with Bradley:1-1 Game Plan Call: Get Above The Business. Think Like an Architect. Design The Blueprint. Ready to Design, Systematize, and Grow a $1m-$3m Business? Begin building your business blueprint when you schedule your Game Plan Call at https://blueprintos.com.Bradley's company, BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming Workshop or book your Game Plan Call when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The BusinessAbove The Business empowers business owners to rise above the daily grind and embrace a higher way of business ownership. Join us every Friday as we help you build your business by design.Subscribe & ConnectDon't miss an episode—subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and join us on YouTube for exclusive content. Your support means everything to our team.
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Episode 522: Me In 10 Years
In this reflective episode, Bradley Hamner challenges listeners to step back from short-term thinking and consider their business and personal trajectory over the next decade. Inspired by MrBeast's viral "Me in 10 Years" video from 2015, Bradley explores why we tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in the short term while underestimating our long-term potential.Connect with Bradley:1-1 Game Plan Call: Get Above The Business. Think Like an Architect. Design The Blueprint. Ready to Design, Systematize, and Grow a $1m-$3m Business? Begin building your business blueprint when you schedule your Game Plan Call at https://blueprintos.com.Bradley's company, BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming Workshop or book your Game Plan Call when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About Above The BusinessAbove The Business empowers business owners to rise above the daily grind and embrace a higher way of business ownership. Join us every Friday as we help you build your business by design.Subscribe & ConnectDon't miss an episode—subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and join us on YouTube for exclusive content. Your support means everything to our team.What would your "Me in 10 Years" look like? Share your thoughts with us and let's continue the conversation.
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Episode 521: The Science of Communication and Leading Through Presence with Dr. Nick Morgan
In this conversation, Dr. Nick Morgan breaks down the science behind effective communication and explores why traditional public speaking advice often falls short. From the neuroscience of trust-building to the challenges of virtual communication, Nick shares decades of insights on what it really takes to move people to action through authentic, embodied communication.Great communication isn't about perfecting your technique or following traditional public speaking rules—it's about developing awareness of how you're being received and creating authentic connection through alignment between your words, body, and intent. As Nick emphasizes, the most powerful communicators are those who've learned to focus outward on their audience's experience rather than inward on their own performance.This episode is perfect for business leaders, executives, and anyone looking to improve their communication impact and lead more effectively through authentic presence.Nick is the author of multiple acclaimed books including Working the Room (Harvard, 2003), Trust Me (2009), Power Cues (2014), and Can You Hear Me? (2018) on virtual communication. His forthcoming book, The Embodied Voice, is planned for 2025. After earning his PhD in literature and rhetoric, Nick taught at UVA, Lehigh, and Princeton before founding his communications consulting firm, Public Words, in 1997.Connect with Bradley:1-1 Game Plan Call: Get Above The Business. Think Like an Architect. Design The Blueprint. Ready to Design, Systematize, and Grow a $1m-$3m Business? Begin building your business blueprint when you schedule your Game Plan Call at https://blueprintos.com.Bradley's company, BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass or book your Game Plan Call when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Join us at The Q1 Planning Workshop!Most business owners hit January with good intentions and a loose idea of what they want to accomplish. By March, they're back in reactive mode, wondering where the quarter went.Here's the thing: Q1 sets the tone for your entire year. If you don't have a clear plan going in, you're leaving your business growth to chance.That's why Bradley is hosting a live Q1 Planning Workshop on December 9th at 10 AM CST.This isn't another feel-good goal-setting session. We're going to roll up our sleeves and do the real work:Financial Analysis & Planning – Review where you actually stand (not where you think you stand) and set revenue targets that make sense for your business.90-Day Plan Design – Build a focused quarterly plan that moves the needle, not just keeps you busy.The Clarity Organizer – Use this framework to translate your vision into actionable steps your team can actually execute.You'll walk away with a concrete plan for Q1 that creates momentum for the rest of 2025.When: Monday, December 9th at 10 AM CSTInvestment: $25Who It's For: Business owners doing $300K-$3M in annual revenue who are serious about growthClick here to register: https://blueprintos.thrivecart.com/the-q1-planning-workshop/Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About the Above the Business PodcastThe Above the Business Podcast helps small business owners get above the business, start thinking like an architect, and design the business blueprint so they can grow their business. Join host Bradley Hamner for conversations about leadership, strategy, culture, and everything small business.Subscribe, rate, and review the Above the Business Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.Join the email newsletter and get Bradley's Friday email: https://www.blueprintos.com/newsletter/
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455
Episode 520: Signal vs. Noise
In this powerful year-end reflection, Bradley explores the critical distinction between signal and noise in business—and how clarifying this difference can transform your 2026 planning. Drawing inspiration from Stephen Bartlett's Diary of a CEO and Kevin O'Leary's wisdom from his time at Apple with Steve Jobs, Bradley challenges listeners to identify what truly moved the needle in 2025 versus what just created distraction and complexity.This episode bridges two complementary frameworks: the signal vs. noise concept and Dr. Ben Hardy's scaling principles from his latest book. Together, these ideas offer a powerful lens for simplifying your business and focusing on what actually drives results.Connect with Bradley:1-1 Game Plan Call: Get Above The Business. Think Like an Architect. Design The Blueprint. Ready to Design, Systematize, and Grow a $1m-$3m Business? Begin building your business blueprint when you schedule your Game Plan Call at https://blueprintos.com.Bradley's company, BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass or book your Game Plan Call when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Join us at The Q1 Planning Workshop!Most business owners hit January with good intentions and a loose idea of what they want to accomplish. By March, they're back in reactive mode, wondering where the quarter went.Here's the thing: Q1 sets the tone for your entire year. If you don't have a clear plan going in, you're leaving your business growth to chance.That's why Bradley is hosting a live Q1 Planning Workshop on December 9th at 10 AM CST.This isn't another feel-good goal-setting session. We're going to roll up our sleeves and do the real work:Financial Analysis & Planning – Review where you actually stand (not where you think you stand) and set revenue targets that make sense for your business.90-Day Plan Design – Build a focused quarterly plan that moves the needle, not just keeps you busy.The Clarity Organizer – Use this framework to translate your vision into actionable steps your team can actually execute.You'll walk away with a concrete plan for Q1 that creates momentum for the rest of 2025.When: Monday, December 9th at 10 AM CSTInvestment: $25Who It's For: Business owners doing $300K-$3M in annual revenue who are serious about growthClick here to register: https://blueprintos.thrivecart.com/the-q1-planning-workshop/Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About the Above the Business PodcastThe Above the Business Podcast helps small business owners get above the business, start thinking like an architect, and design the business blueprint so they can grow their business. Join host Bradley Hamner for conversations about leadership, strategy, culture, and everything small business.Subscribe, rate, and review the Above the Business Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.Join the email newsletter and get Bradley's Friday email: https://www.blueprintos.com/newsletter/
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454
Episode 519: Business Owner Spotlight: Graeme Barlow - Serial Entrepreneur & Founder of FounderLink
"I spend most days trying to figure out how to do as little as possible. That generally leads me to trying to find and convince the smartest people I can find to help me build the thing."In this business owner spotlight episode, Bradley sits down with serial entrepreneur Graeme Barlow to discuss the blueprint for scaling businesses from $3 million to $30 million and beyond. Graeme shares his unconventional journey from selling video game items on eBay as a kid to building multiple eight-figure companies, including Iversoft, one of Canada's largest custom software development firms.The conversation explores what it takes to transition through different business growth stages, why simplicity beats complexity in operations, and how the role of the founder must evolve as the company scales. Graeme offers candid insights on hiring smarter people than yourself, the "teenage years" of business growth, and his practical 3-1-90 vision-setting framework.Graeme Barlow is a serial entrepreneur who has been building companies since childhood. He is currently a partner at Iversoft, one of the largest custom software development companies in Canada, which he has helped grow from a team of 6 to eight-figure revenue. Graeme has built two companies into eight-figure businesses, co-founded ProPet Software (servicing 5 million customers annually), and runs FounderLink, a community for scaling founders. He has invested in over a dozen companies personally and dozens more through funds, bringing extensive experience in SaaS, venture capital, and high-growth technology companies.Connect with Graeme Barlow:Website: graemebarlow.com,Social Media: @GraemeBarlow (all platforms),Iversoft: iversoft.ca,FounderLink: Founder community for scaling entrepreneurs,Register for The 2026 Annual Planning Workshop: https://annual.blueprintos.comAs we approach the end of 2025, it's time to start thinking about annual planning for 2026. In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner shares his proven framework for creating an annual plan that actually works. Whether you had a killer year in 2025 or you're ready to completely flip the script, this episode will give you the tools and insights you need to set yourself up for success in 2026.When: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 10:00 AM Central TimeDuration: 3-4 hoursCost: Completely FREERegister Now: https://annual.blueprintos.comConnect with Bradley:1-1 Game Plan Call: Get Above The Business. Think Like an Architect. Design The Blueprint. Ready to Design, Systematize, and Grow a $1m-$3m Business? Begin building your business blueprint when you schedule your Game Plan Call at https://blueprintos.com.Bradley's company, BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass or book your Game Plan Call when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About the Above the Business PodcastThe Above the Business Podcast helps small business owners get above the business, start thinking like an architect, and design the business blueprint so they can grow their business. Join host Bradley Hamner for conversations about leadership, strategy, culture, and everything small business.Subscribe, rate, and review the Above the Business Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.Join the email newsletter and get Bradley's Friday email: https://www.blueprintos.com/newsletter/
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453
Episode 518: Build Once, Ship Twice
"He could build that system once, and he could ship it 2, 3, and 4 times. That is the value of not only systems and processes, but that's the value of stepping back for a second, getting above the business, thinking like an architect."In this episode, Bradley breaks down a powerful concept: build once, ship twice. It's not just a catchy phrase—it's the difference between running around like a chicken with your head cut off and actually designing systems that work for you over and over again.Through a real client conversation about marketing dollars and lead follow-up, Bradley reveals why most business owners are sitting on thousands of dollars worth of untapped opportunity. The problem? They're so focused on the next thing that they've completely forgotten about the leads they've already purchased.If you're feeling the cash flow squeeze heading into 2026, this episode is your wake-up call. You'll learn how to leverage what you already have instead of constantly chasing what's next.Action StepsIf this episode resonated with you, here's what to do:Take inventory. Go into your CRM right now and calculate how many leads you've purchased over the last 30 days, 90 days, or even the last year. You might be shocked at what you find. Choose your path. Are you going to keep telling your team to "work harder" without giving them a system? Or are you going to take a few hours to actually design the follow-up process? Think like an architect. Grab a pen and paper (think in ink), go to a coffee shop if you need to, and design the 12-month follow-up system you actually want in your business. What would you want that process to look like? Build it once. Create the system now so you can use it over and over again—not just for this batch of leads, but for every batch that comes through in the months and years ahead. Get above the business. As you head into 2026, start thinking in terms of systems. How can you make things simple? How can you make them systematic? And then, how can you scale them? Plan for a Great 2026A great year starts with a plan—and it starts when you put yourself in the right environment with other business owners trying to do the exact same thing.Join us for the 2026 Annual Planning Workshop—a completely free event where you'll design your business blueprint for the year ahead.Register here: blueprintOS.com/assets (scroll to the middle of the page)This is our fourth year hosting the Annual Planning Workshop, and it's going to be our best one yet.Referenced EpisodeLooking for more on this concept? Check out the episode: Make It Simple, Make It a System, Then Scale (released several weeks prior to this episode).Register for The 2026 Annual Planning Workshop: https://annual.blueprintos.comAs we approach the end of 2025, it's time to start thinking about annual planning for 2026. In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner shares his proven framework for creating an annual plan that actually works. Whether you had a killer year in 2025 or you're ready to completely flip the script, this episode will give you the tools and insights you need to set yourself up for success in 2026.When: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 10:00 AM Central TimeDuration: 3-4 hoursCost: Completely FREERegister Now: https://annual.blueprintos.comConnect with Bradley:1-1 Game Plan Call: Get Above The Business. Think Like an Architect. Design The Blueprint. Ready to Design, Systematize, and Grow a $1m-$3m Business? Begin building your business blueprint when you schedule your Game Plan Call at https://blueprintos.com.Bradley's company, BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass or book your Game Plan Call when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About the Above the Business PodcastThe Above the Business Podcast helps small business owners get above the business, start thinking like an architect, and design the business blueprint so they can grow their business. Join host Bradley Hamner for conversations about leadership, strategy, culture, and everything small business.Subscribe, rate, and review the Above the Business Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.Join the email newsletter and get Bradley's Friday email: https://www.blueprintos.com/newsletter/
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452
Episode 517: Anthony Iannarino on Sales Excellence in the AI Era
Anthony Iannarino returns to Above the Business for the first time in five years to discuss the evolution of sales, the impact of AI on the profession, and what truly matters in building high-performing sales teams. From his Sales Accelerator platform featuring 93 courses for salespeople to his perspectives on human connection in an increasingly automated world, Anthony shares hard-won wisdom on mastering the sales conversation and developing elite sales talent.Connect with Anthony IannarinoLinkedIn: Follow Anthony on LinkedIn for daily insights on sales excellenceWebsite: thesalesblog.com for articles, resources, and thought leadershipSales Accelerator: Access 93 courses for salespeople and 37 for sales managers at thesalesblog.comRegister for The 2026 Annual Planning Workshop: https://annual.blueprintos.comAs we approach the end of 2025, it's time to start thinking about annual planning for 2026. In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner shares his proven framework for creating an annual plan that actually works. Whether you had a killer year in 2025 or you're ready to completely flip the script, this episode will give you the tools and insights you need to set yourself up for success in 2026.When: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 10:00 AM Central TimeDuration: 3-4 hoursCost: Completely FREERegister Now: https://annual.blueprintos.comConnect with Bradley:1-1 Game Plan Call: Get Above The Business. Think Like an Architect. Design The Blueprint. Ready to Design, Systematize, and Grow a $1m-$3m Business? Begin building your business blueprint when you schedule your Game Plan Call at https://blueprintos.com.Bradley's company, BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass or book your Game Plan Call when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About the Above the Business PodcastThe Above the Business Podcast helps small business owners get above the business, start thinking like an architect, and design the business blueprint so they can grow their business. Join host Bradley Hamner for conversations about leadership, strategy, culture, and everything small business.Subscribe, rate, and review the Above the Business Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.Join the email newsletter and get Bradley's Friday email: https://www.blueprintos.com/newsletter/
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451
Episode 516: You Have Enough “Ideas” to Destroy Your Business in 2026
As annual planning season approaches, it's tempting to fill your 2026 strategy with every exciting idea that comes to mind. But here's the truth: if Jeff Bezos had enough ideas to kill Amazon, you have enough ideas to kill your business too.In this episode, Bradley breaks down why execution trumps ideation every single time, and how to build a 2026 plan that you'll actually implement—not just dream about.Register for The 2026 Annual Planning Workshop: https://annual.blueprintos.comAs we approach the end of 2025, it's time to start thinking about annual planning for 2026. In this solo episode, Bradley Hamner shares his proven framework for creating an annual plan that actually works. Whether you had a killer year in 2025 or you're ready to completely flip the script, this episode will give you the tools and insights you need to set yourself up for success in 2026.When: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 10:00 AM Central TimeDuration: 3-4 hoursCost: Completely FREERegister Now: https://annual.blueprintos.comConnect with Bradley:1-1 Game Plan Call: Get Above The Business. Think Like an Architect. Design The Blueprint. Ready to Design, Systematize, and Grow a $1m-$3m Business? Begin building your business blueprint when you schedule your Game Plan Call at https://blueprintos.com.Bradley's company, BlueprintOS equips business owners to design and install an operating system that runs like clockwork. Through BlueprintOS, you will grow and develop your leadership, clarify your culture and business game plan, align your operations with your KPIs, develop a team of A-Players, and execute your playbooks. Register to join us at an upcoming WebClass or book your Game Plan Call when you visit www.blueprintos.com!Thanks to our sponsors...Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner. He leads a large, stable team of professionals who are at the top of their game year after year. Now he shares the systems, processes, delegation, and specialization he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at www.coachpconsulting.com. Be sure to mention the Above The Business Podcast when you get in touch.Club Capital is the ultimate partner for financial management and marketing services, designed specifically for insurance agencies, fitness franchises, and youth soccer organizations. As the nation's largest accounting and financial advisory firm for insurance agencies, Club Capital proudly serves over 1,000 agency locations across the country—and we’re just getting started. With Club Capital, you get more than just services; you get a dedicated account manager backed by a team of specialists committed to your success. From monthly accounting and tax preparation to CFO services and innovative digital marketing, we’ve got you covered. Ready to experience the transformative power of Club Capital? Schedule your free demo today at club.capital and see the difference firsthand. Make sure you mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast to get 50% off your one time onboarding fee!Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve their staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every single business day - optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. With their continuous, hands-off recruiting approach, you can save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates, all without paying any hiring fees or commissions. More money & more freedom: that’s what Autopilot Recruiting help business owners achieve. Visit https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com/ and don't forget to mention you heard about us on the Above The Business podcast.Direct Clicks is built is by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that deliver real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide the comprehensive digital marketing your business needs to grow. Here’s an exclusive offer for Above The Business listeners: Visit directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness for a FREE marketing campaign audit. They’ll assess your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provide actionable recommendations. Plus, when you choose to partner with them, they’ll waive all setup fees. About the Above the Business PodcastThe Above the Business Podcast helps small business owners get above the business, start thinking like an architect, and design the business blueprint so they can grow their business. Join host Bradley Hamner for conversations about leadership, strategy, culture, and everything small business.Subscribe, rate, and review the Above the Business Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.Join the email newsletter and get Bradley's Friday email: https://www.blueprintos.com/newsletter/
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
What if you could step out of the day-to-day and see your business from a whole new perspective? Welcome to Above The Business, where we empower you to rise above the daily grind and embrace a higher way of business ownership. It's time to build your business by design.www.abovethebusiness.co
HOSTED BY
Bradley Hamner
CATEGORIES
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