Class of Business

If you’ve ever wondered why some business strategies work in theory but fall flat in real life, this episode is for you. Brad Smith, founder and CEO of Stellar Insight, Inc., draws on his varied career—analytical chemist, business manager, executive coach—to reveal how self-awareness, trust, and intuition shape business outcomes. You’ll pick up why company “blind spots” hold leaders back, how to turn intuition into a practical decision tool, and actionable steps for building sustainable growth. We also get into repeatable systems, employee relationship dynamics, and the difference between gut instinct and true intuition. Plus, Brad shares a step-by-step exercise for focusing your growth over the next decade. Tune in and learn from a leader who’s coached CEOs for over 25 years.Connect With Brad SmithWebsite: https://stellarinsightinc.comIf Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Brad Smith’s Unconventional Journey00:50 Lessons From a Chemist’s Beaker01:49 Escaping the Leadership Bubble02:22 Business Is a Human System03:35 Why Trust Drives Business Growth04:15 Building Rapport—Listening vs. Talking05:12 The “Leader Has All Ideas” Fallacy06:20 Founder’s Dilemma and Growth Limits07:41 Why Time Is Every CEO’s Cap08:06 Turning Awareness Into Better Decisions08:48 Mapping the “Missing Puzzle Pieces”09:31 Epiphanies, Intuition, and Subconscious Solutions10:49 Internal Employees—Listening and Results11:16 Coaching Case: $3M to $13M Growth12:48 Company, Process, and Self Awareness13:14 Making Intuition Practical14:07 Training the Intuitive Mind15:08 Gut Instinct vs. Deep Intuition16:11 How to Actually Train Intuition16:47 Brainwaves, Presence, and Meditation17:37 Managing the Presence Muscle18:16 The 10-Year Compounding Growth Exercise18:51 Where to Connect With Brad19:22 Applying One Idea From the Show

If you’ve ever wondered why your business growth stalls despite knowing exactly what to do, this episode is for you. Dr. Joseph Drolshagen, a rapid growth specialist and coach for founders and sales pros, unpacks how our subconscious programming can sabotage even the best strategies. You’ll pick up why clarity of vision matters, how to bridge the knowing-doing gap, and what happens when you align mindset, habits, and execution. We also get into why “fixing problems” can make things worse and hear stories of transformation unlocked by shifting one internal pattern. Plus, Dr. Drolshagen shares practical steps to notice your own limiting thoughts and habits. Tune in for a conversation that just might shift how you approach growth.Connect With Dr. Joseph DrolshagenWebsite: https://coachwithjoey.comIf Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Why Founders Plateau—And How to Break Through00:43 Misdiagnosing Business Growth Problems01:44 Building a Dynamic Vision that Sticks02:16 Seeing Obstacles as Vision Unfolding02:32 Settling for Less Than You Want03:05 How Subconscious Programming Sets Your Ceiling04:04 The Real First Sign of Being Stuck04:27 Perception vs. Reality in Business Challenges05:15 Patterns Before a Growth Collapse05:55 What Happens When You Only Fix Problems06:14 Turning Businesses Around—Focusing on What’s Working07:11 Actions and Results Depend on Mindset07:39 The Knowing-Doing Gap Explained08:38 How Alignment Closes the Execution Gap09:14 Why Even Smart Owners Self-Sabotage10:09 Creating Growth That’s “Unrealistic”10:43 Why Shifting Your Programming Is Essential11:13 What Is the SMT Method?12:01 Tailoring Vision and Systems to Individuals13:18 Why Habit Systems Alone Don’t Work14:13 Real Story—Changing One Pattern, Huge Results15:47 Noticing Your Thoughts—A Daily Exercise16:27 Spotting Mindset Problems Disguised as Habit Issues17:01 Beating Overwhelm by Slowing Down17:31 First Steps to Close Your Knowing-Doing Gap18:12 Wrapping Up and Staying Connected

If you've ever wondered why you keep grinding but don’t feel like you’re making progress, this episode is for you. I’m sitting down with Rob Tracz, high performance coach and creator of the Prime Performance process, to break down why entrepreneurs get stuck and how to move forward without burning out. You’ll pick up clear strategies for building momentum with less stress, uncover the principles behind lasting resilience, and hear exactly how Rob tracks his growth—down to the number of conversations, podcasts, and speaking gigs. We also get into creating your own luck, the habits that silently undermine productivity, and why reflection might be the real edge you need. Plus, lightning round takeaways you can use right away. Tune in for an honest, practical look at what real performance and growth actually mean.Connect With Rob TraczWebsite: https://survivingthesidehustle.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/robtracz/If Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 The “Luck” Framework Explained00:35 Capturing Content and Consistency00:50 Welcome—Building Real Businesses01:12 Meet Rob Tracz and Prime Performance01:35 The Real Signs of Being Stuck02:40 Burnout—What It Looks Like03:10 Rob’s Own Rock Bottom Moment04:46 Why Entrepreneurs Miss Burnout05:56 What Is the Prime Performance Process?06:33 The Six Principles Unpacked07:39 Why Principles Over Tactics?09:45 Breaking Down Each Principle10:15 Optimization and Efficiency11:19 Look Good, Feel Good, Do Great Things12:20 What “Looking Good” Really Means13:34 Defining “Great Things”14:36 Strategic Steps to Create “Luck”15:44 Finding Your Unique Edge17:21 Understanding Your Audience18:36 Collaboration in Practice19:39 The Keys to Staying Consistent21:25 Maximizing Podcast Impact22:58 Tracking, Numbers, and Momentum24:00 The Power of Measurable Goals25:10 Rob’s Surprising Podcast Stats27:09 Expanding Connections With Numbers28:28 Daily Conversations That Compound29:37 Networking and Exposure Insights30:41 The Secret Value of Guesting31:41 Stories, Skills, and Audience Impact33:39 How Reflection Fuels Growth34:15 Storytelling and Skill Building36:22 Why Pushing Limits Matters37:05 Tracking Progress in Real Life38:07 Lightning Round—Productivity and Recovery40:22 Where to Take This Deeper41:28 Wrap-Up and Invitation to Apply an Idea

If you’ve ever wondered how writers go from part-time gigs to running a creative business, this one’s for you. Teri M. Brown, an author and podcast host, shares her path from writing for small businesses to building a multi-book career. You’ll pick up practical lessons on monetizing writing, the long game of marketing, and how to realistically support yourself as an author. We also get into taking business risks, juggling fulfillment with bills, and the nuts and bolts of growing an audience. Plus, hear why consistency trumps overnight success. Tune in for honest, actionable insights about making a living with words.Connect With Teri M. BrownWebsite: https://terimbrown.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TeriMBrownIf Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 The First Paid Writing Gig00:15 Welcome—The Realities of Building00:43 Teri's Writing Journey—Genres and Pivots01:21 Monetization and Becoming a Full-Time Author02:14 Nonfiction Versus Fiction: The Fear Factor03:08 The True Timeline for Author Income04:17 Authorship: Persistence and Putting Yourself Out There05:08 Transitioning From Client Work to Real Money06:09 How Nonfiction Writing Opened Doors07:25 Saying Yes to Unexpected Opportunities08:23 Starting Over With Fiction08:43 Taking the Leap—From Safe Work to Novelist09:14 Power of Belief and Big Goals09:56 Why Writing a Book Isn’t Enough10:51 Building the Daily Marketing Machine11:25 What Consistency Actually Looks Like12:20 Playing the Long Game—Appearing Everywhere13:17 The Hidden Work Behind Every 'Success'13:48 The Relentlessness of Self-Promotion14:26 Breaking Down the Author Business Model15:08 How Everything Works Together16:47 Book Sales, Podcasting, and Revenue Streams17:12 Is Six-Figure Authorship Possible?18:09 Case Study—A Friend’s Author Income18:44 What Makes the Difference: Effort Over Time19:20 Honest Breakdown: What Pays Versus What Fulfills21:12 Getting Traction With Marketing22:27 The Power of a Newsletter List23:26 Building From Scratch: Where to Begin24:20 Finding Your Best Marketing Channel25:25 How to Connect With Teri M. Brown

If you've ever wondered how personal struggles and questions can shape a business, this episode is for you. Len May, CEO and co-founder of Endodna, opens up about turning his ADHD diagnosis and lifelong curiosity into a successful precision medicine company. You'll pick up practical ways to reframe what makes you different, hear about the messy path from music to genetics, and learn how leaning into discomfort can spark innovation. We also get into the realities of building through confusion and why giving up control may be the real secret to progress. Plus, Len shares actionable insights about personalization in both health and life decisions. Tune in for a conversation about finding your edge by understanding yourself.Connect With Len MayWebsite: https://endodna.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenmayYouTube: [Len May’s podcast “Everything is Personal” found on YouTube, as mentioned]Instagram: [Len May or Len May DNA, as mentioned in the episode]If Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable00:21 From ADHD to Business Builder00:49 Early Lessons in Self-Understanding01:31 Turning Struggle Into a Thesis02:12 Young Len’s Search for Answers02:46 Living With an ADD Label03:12 Medication’s Double-Edged Sword03:55 Discovering Cannabis as Medicine05:33 System-Building and Self-Discovery05:47 Experimenting With Career Paths06:29 From Music to Internet Startups07:00 Learning Through Real Estate07:27 Cannabis, Dispensaries, and Genetics07:57 Personalizing Plant and Human DNA08:28 Curiosity Becomes Conviction09:17 Embracing the Polymath Mindset10:28 Hyperfocus and Structure With ADHD12:11 Building a Product People Need12:43 From Test Results to Action13:58 How Doctors Shaped the Platform14:52 Building Around Curiosity and Trust15:27 Making Genetics Actionable16:22 Personalization as a Life Principle17:17 The Ongoing Journey of Self-Knowledge18:56 Purpose, Perspective, and Business19:59 Why Knowing Yourself Matters20:38 Helping Others as Self-Work21:16 Rethinking Focus and Success22:19 Pattern Recognition as Superpower23:08 Letting Go of Control24:08 Best Lesson for Builders24:33 "This Too Shall Pass"25:25 Where to Find Len May26:39 Closing Thoughts for Listeners

If you’ve ever wondered why you get stuck making decisions—even when you “should” know what to do—this conversation is for you. Leadership and sales coach Debra Bowers of Exagon Media joins to share her firsthand experience with functional freeze, that sneaky state where your clarity goes offline. You’ll pick up signs and solutions for when you’re operating in survival mode, ways to rebuild trust in your own judgment, plus honest talk on how real business growth starts with small, personal steps—not just strategy. We also get into team dynamics, practical grounding exercises, and why you don’t have to abandon yourself to see progress. Tune in for a truly human take on moving forward.Connect With Debra BowersWebsite: https://thegrowthvanguard.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-bowersIf Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Procrastination or Something Else?01:12 What Really Happens to Leaders02:27 The Invisible State—Functional Freeze03:16 How Functional Freeze Feels04:49 Stuck Versus Confused05:07 Burnout, Indecision, and Freeze06:27 Survival Mode in Business07:57 Why Connection Suffers08:32 Recognizing When You’re Frozen09:37 The Counseling Breakthrough10:22 Grounding for Decision Making11:23 Replacing Guilt With Clarity12:13 Everyday Stuck—Business Edition13:31 The No-Sell Sales Problem14:47 Leaders and Fear of Action15:44 Why Emotion Beats Strategy16:09 Clarity Before Strategy17:00 Sales Is Transfer of Enthusiasm17:40 The First Non-Obvious Step18:48 Clearing Out the Noise19:49 Sitting With Your Own Thoughts20:35 Humanity and Grounding21:46 Growth Without Self-Abandonment22:22 Your Voice, Your Purpose22:59 Clarity Offline—Now What?23:14 Subconscious Is in the Driver’s Seat24:17 How to Connect With Debra25:33 Try One Idea—Next Steps

If you’ve ever wondered how to reclaim your time as a founder without slowing business growth, this episode is for you. Buyback Time strategist George Rivera shares how a family regret became his business mission, and the specific frameworks he uses to help 7, 8, and 9 figure founders step out of daily chaos. You’ll pick up the 10k/hour filter for prioritizing what matters, learn the dangers of key person dependency, and hear how the two-week vacation test can reset your definition of success. We also get into what truly moves the needle (and what doesn’t), and some simple ways to use automation and AI for instant relief. Tune in for frameworks you can act on this week.Connect With George RiveraWebsite: https://buybacktimeformula.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-rivera-53b3296If Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Only Do What Moves the Needle00:27 Real Lessons From Basketball Games Missed01:01 George Rivera’s Turning Point02:22 Chasing Paper Success—What’s Missing?03:41 The Lie Founders Tell Themselves04:43 Delegating to Grow—Letting Go Is Hard05:26 The 10k/Hour Time Audit06:07 Buying Back 40 Hours a Week06:48 What Most Founders Refuse to Delegate07:24 Delegating Outcomes, Not Just Tasks08:11 How to Transfer Real Ownership08:36 Outcome vs. Task—Examples09:46 Why Founders Keep Taking Work Back10:27 Personal Boundaries and Non-Negotiables11:05 The Founder’s Real Job—Revenue and Relationships12:25 Where Key Person Dependency Hides13:40 Infrastructure for Growth—Chaos or Freedom?14:07 The Freedom Audit—First Steps14:38 Eliminate, Automate, and Delegate15:16 The Two-Week Vacation Test16:03 Practice Runs—Fixing Weak Points17:06 The Second-in-Command17:20 Automating With AI—Simple Wins18:42 AI for Customer Support and Meetings19:49 Deciding What to Eliminate, Automate, Delegate21:29 The Real Cost of Founder Dependency22:18 Mindset Shift for Cash-Rich, Time-Poor Founders23:19 How to Connect With George Rivera24:35 Take Action—Apply One Idea Today

If you’ve ever wondered how to escape the endless hustle of running your business and find real freedom, this episode is for you. Jeremy B. Shapiro, serial entrepreneur and author of Your Business Growth Playbook, shares the difference between being self-employed and truly owning your business. You’ll pick up practical ways to spot and break through business plateaus, real stories of going from burnout to scaling with systems, and how to buy back your own time—step by step. We also get into actionable ways to document and delegate the repeatable parts of your work, no matter your industry or budget. Plus, why systemizing even creative businesses like podcasting is not just possible, but liberating. Listen in to start building a business that serves you—not the other way around.Connect With Jeremy B. ShapiroWebsite: https://yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyshapiro/If Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Working In vs. On the Business00:26 Meet Jeremy B. Shapiro01:24 The Self-Employed Trap02:12 Can Your Business Run Without You?03:05 Burnout vs. True Business Freedom03:43 What Freedom in Business Looks Like04:06 Spotting a True Plateau04:50 Business Growth Isn’t Linear05:51 The Trap of Diminishing Returns06:16 When Doubling Down Backfires07:28 Recognizing When a System Stops Working08:08 In vs. On—How It Affects Plateaus09:03 The Power of Strategic Time09:18 Buying Back Your Time10:12 The Mountain Biker’s Story10:39 You Don’t Need to Do It All11:37 Is “Working On” Just for Big Businesses?12:18 One Accident Changes Everything13:34 Creating Systems from Crisis14:23 Calculating Your Real ROI15:33 Building to Owner—Not Operator16:11 The Perfectionism Trap17:02 Finding What’s Repeatable18:02 Systemizing Creative and Lifestyle Businesses18:39 SOPs for Consistency20:02 Fixing and Updating Systems21:20 Affording to Hire—Start Small22:18 Growing Toward a Business Network23:09 Spend Your Time Where It Pays24:09 Your Action Plan—Start with a Time Diary26:10 Document and Refine27:01 Take Action—Every Chapter Matters27:20 Where to Find Jeremy28:10 One More Reason to Take Action28:19 Where to Get the Book29:02 Take One Step This Week

If you’ve ever wondered what really changes after decades in business, this episode will hit home. Chris Shurian, founder of Bootstraps and Battle Scars, opens up about nearly forty years of entrepreneurship—including leading a $15 million construction company, surviving cancer, and finishing two Ironmans. You’ll pick up what "bootstrapping" means at a gut level, how Chris actually uses hard-won lessons ("battle scars"), and what truly makes a business sustainable in a world that keeps changing. We also get into why founders struggle to drop their armor, building teams that can step up when you need to step away, and how setbacks can be blessings in disguise. Tune in for the wisdom you earn the hard way, delivered with honesty and perspective.Connect With Chris ShurianWebsite: https://bootstrapsandbattlescars.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisshurian/If Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Lessons in Battle Scars00:26 Meet Chris Shurian—Entrepreneur and Survivor01:15 The Meaning Behind Bootstraps and Battle Scars02:45 Why “Bootstrapping” Resonates With Founders03:50 Business Lessons and Battle Scars04:34 Old Chris vs. New Chris—A Founder’s Evolution05:37 How Wisdom, Not Just Youth, Shapes Entrepreneurs06:34 Deliberately Facing Fear and Past Mistakes07:00 Dropping the Armor—The Leader’s Dilemma08:09 Why It’s So Hard to Be Vulnerable at the Top09:14 Loneliness and Isolation in Entrepreneurship10:00 Creating Safe Spaces for Honest Founder Conversations11:58 What Makes Businesses Truly Sustainable12:43 Lessons From Adapting to Technology and Disruption14:05 Staying Ahead of Change—Ignore AI at Your Peril14:57 Surviving Cancer—How It Changed Chris’s Business Approach16:13 Building Teams That Can Run Without You17:27 Don’t Wait to Enjoy Life Along the Way18:18 How Ironman Training Helped During Tough Times19:36 Seeing Setbacks as Blessings21:00 E + R = O—Choosing Your Response22:22 The Ups & Downs—An Uncomfortable Truth for Entrepreneurs23:09 Where to Find Chris and Connect23:39 Endnotes and How to Stay Connected

If you've ever wondered what it really takes to turn a trade skill into a thriving business, this episode is for you. Chris McManus shares his journey from mowing lawns fresh out of high school to running a multi-seven-figure landscaping, pools, and real estate business by age 26. You'll pick up candid advice on hiring, discipline, using AI for systems, and managing cash flow as you grow. We also get into when to delegate, stacking related businesses, and building long-term wealth with real estate. Plus, Chris opens up about the tough lessons learned along the way. Tune in for an honest window into scaling a service company from scratch.Connect With Chris McManusWebsite: https://gclandscapinginc.com/TikTok: GC Landscaping IncInstagram: GC Landscaping Inc / ChrisMcManus151Facebook: GC Landscaping IncIf Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Chris McManus: From High School Hustle to Scale00:40 Why Landscaping Right After Graduation01:15 No Plan B—Making It Work01:36 Early Projects and Mistakes02:14 Learning Customer Service the Hard Way03:14 Grind, Discipline, and Building a Name04:13 Breaking the Seven-Figure Barrier05:23 Delegation vs. Micromanagement05:34 Systems, SOPs, and Avoiding Overwhelm06:13 Using AI for Quick SOPs06:48 Real-World Systems: Morning Dispatch07:24 Addressing Service Quality with SOPs07:57 Start Small, Let It Snowball08:32 Evolving Systems as You Grow09:23 Implementation, Repetition, Creating Habit10:22 Focus on 1% Progress, Not Perfection11:03 Team Ownership and Upgrading SOPs12:06 Training Management to Think for Themselves13:27 Fostering a Culture Where It’s OK to Fail14:06 Cash Flow Pain as Revenue Grows15:17 Projecting Cash Flow and Payment Timelines17:22 Why You Need Access to Capital18:12 Expanding into Pools and Real Estate19:25 Real Estate for Long-Term Wealth20:58 Deciding When to Add Services22:01 Pools and Landscaping—Perfect Integration23:25 Vertical Integration and Owning the Pipeline23:31 Key Lessons and Your Next Steps24:48 Where to Follow Chris McManus25:46 Episode Wrap and Newsletter Invite

If you've ever wondered how top podcasters make the leap from content creation to real business growth, this episode is for you. CEO Alan Lazaros of Next Level University sits down to unpack the frameworks and lessons that've shaped his seven-figure education business and global podcast. You'll pick up tactical approaches like the “delete, delegate, double down” productivity method, learn how your client relationships shape your company culture, and hear what really turns visibility into revenue. We also get into fulfilling work, the balance between achievement and meaning, and how Alan thinks about building a community around actionable improvement. Tune in for insights you can apply in your own journey.Connect With Alan LazarosWebsite: https://nextleveluniverse.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelUniversityPodcast: Next Level University (available on all major platforms)If Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Meet Alan Lazaros—Scaling Education and Coaching00:30 What You Pay Attention to Shapes Your Future00:50 The First Business Lesson Alan Learned01:08 Who Are Your “Absolutely” People?01:30 High Humility, Work Ethic, Improvement Orientation01:59 The "Unmedzai" Framework for Fit02:41 Productivity Without Founder Burnout02:47 Alan’s Time Audit and Whiteboard Exercise03:29 The Scaling Formula—112 Waking Hours03:54 Invest in Your Primary Skill04:23 Delegate, Buy Back Time, and ROI05:05 When Delegation Doesn't Move the Company Forward05:49 Delete, Delegate, Double Down in Practice06:34 Making Sacrifices for Business Success07:03 From Labor to Leadership to Ownership07:16 What’s Your Venn Diagram for Meaningful Work?08:03 Are You Actually Good at It?08:30 Alan’s Content Business Model Breakdown09:13 Visibility vs. Revenue—Systems That Work09:32 Why Next Level University Isn’t Chasing Trends10:25 Facing Hard Truths, Not Just Affirmation11:02 The Three “4K TVs” for Growth12:04 Education and Outgrowing Old Patterns12:18 The Chessboard of Life—Awareness as Power13:03 Tying Together Story and Self-Discovery13:15 Honest Breakdown of the Podcast Business Model14:24 The Five-Layer Funnel to Revenue15:12 Book Club, Meetups, and Community Building16:11 From Free Value to Paid Clients17:53 The Importance of Mastery and Repetition18:47 Achievement vs. Fulfillment in Business19:21 The Mastery–Impact–Profitability Sequence20:21 Why Profit Comes Last20:53 Finding Your Passion, Purpose, and Profit21:05 Where to Find Alan and Next Level University21:40 Daily Improvement and Consistency22:33 Everyday Habits—Get Better, Not Just Affirmed23:05 Wrap Up—Take Action and Stay Connected

If you've ever wondered how to hand over your small business without worrying it'll fall apart, this episode is for you. Serial entrepreneur and author Rich Ashton shares his journey of developing leadership talent inside his companies—including the struggles and lessons that shaped his approach. You'll pick up practical ways to create a values-driven culture, why promoting employees too soon can backfire, and how to truly train people for leadership roles. We also get into the nuts and bolts of accountability, employee empowerment, and the real differences between running a small business versus a big one. Plus, Rich walks through his process for writing and teaching the principles in his book. Don’t miss it if you want real-world insight on building teams that last.Connect With Rich AshtonWebsite: https://growingyourown.netLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-ashton-397a2b10/If Class of Business speaks to you, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, leaving a review helps more people discover the conversations shared here. Your support truly means a lot.There's more to every story than what you hear on the episode. Join the Class of Business newsletter to receive thoughtful takeaways, episode extras, and personal notes that don't make it into the show. It's a quiet way to stay sharp between listens.Sign up here: https://classofbusiness.com/joinChapters00:00 Meet Rich Ashton—Entrepreneurial Beginnings00:42 Early Inspiration and Father’s Influence01:01 Lessons in Integrity and Customer Service01:33 Leaving to Start a Business01:58 Turning Around a Company on the Brink02:47 The Heart of Healthy Business Culture03:27 Empowering Employees for Retention04:34 Solving the Leadership Dilemma in Small Business05:11 Why Promoting Too Soon Fails06:14 Second Generation Business Challenges06:37 The Origin of “Breaking Through” Leadership Training07:08 Building Confidence in Blue Collar Leaders07:41 Accelerating Growth with Leadership Blogs08:44 Company Culture Takes Off—and a Book Is Born09:38 Turning Blogs into a Legacy Book10:37 Core Principles—Accountability and Extreme Ownership11:23 Proactivity and Intellectual Curiosity12:24 Leading Different People, Different Ways13:13 The Dangers of Promoting Unready Leaders13:47 Universal Leadership Lessons for Small Business14:47 How Owners Can Work on Their Leadership15:16 Making Culture Intentional and Actionable16:06 Connecting With Every Employee—Why It Matters17:58 Small vs. Big Business Leadership—What’s Different18:31 Managing Culture Drift in Larger Teams19:45 Small Business Means Wearing Many Hats20:33 Embracing Delegation and Letting Go21:05 The Realities of Delegating Projects22:53 “You Can’t Expect What You Don’t Inspect”23:45 Final Thoughts and Where to Connect24:27 Thanks for Listening and Next Steps

This episode breaks down exactly what Class of Business is, why it was created, and why it might be the most useful (and funniest) business podcast you’ve ever added to your playlist.No fluff. No guru energy. No unrealistic “wake up at 4 a.m.” expectations.Just clear, relatable explanations of how business actually works and why so many people feel lost when trying to build something.You’ll learn who the podcast is for, how it’s different from every other business show out there, and what to expect from every episode moving forward.If you’ve ever wished someone would just tell you the truth about entrepreneurship — plainly, honestly, and with a little humor — this is the episode that welcomes you home.9WpMBz21z2B8K4OzkPo1

Class of Business is the podcast that finally makes business make sense. No jargon, no pressure, no “rise and grind” guilt — just real lessons, funny stories, and practical insights for anyone building something from scratch.In this trailer, you’ll learn what the show is about, who it’s for, why it matters, and how it’s different from every stiff, corporate, overly-polished business podcast you’ve heard before.If you’re trying to grow a business, start a brand, launch an idea, or simply understand how the game really works… this is your class.Grab a seat. The semester is about to begin.