Unrivaled Potential

Ryan showed up to record an hour late because of a dentist appointment. Mike has not let it go. But somehow between the jabs and the novocaine jokes, they actually got into something worth hearing.This episode is about mission and vision — not the framed-on-the-wall kind, but the kind that determines whether your business (and your people) have any shot at lasting. Mike gets real about working a decade with no direction, and what finally changed when he started putting his vision on paper and living it out. Ryan breaks down why skipping this step leads to one of two places: depressed and looking for an exit, or just... gone.If you're building something and you haven't answered "why" yet — this one's for you. Profanity included. Dental work optional.

You think you're killing it. You might actually just be killing your business.Mike and Ryan lay out the four things that quietly sink small businesses — and the brutal truth is that most owners are doing at least two of them right now without realizing it. No marketing strategy. Waiting too long to hire. Not budgeting. And the one that makes or breaks everything: not paying yourself.This isn't fluff. These are hard-won lessons from guys who've been through the fire — and who've watched plenty of others burn because of the same avoidable mistakes.If you're a small business owner who's working your ass off and not seeing it translate the way you expected, this one's for you. Practical, unfiltered, and as always — a little unhinged.Referenced in this episode: the "FU money" conversation, why referral-only businesses plateau, Mike's surprisingly chaotic work history, and the surprisingly spiritual case for putting yourself on payroll.

You're the expert. Act like it.Mike and Ryan tackle one of the most uncomfortable truths in service business ownership: letting your customers tell you what they want is one of the fastest ways to go broke. This isn't about being pushy or manipulative — it's about showing up as the professional, asking the right questions, and actually serving people well instead of just doing whatever they ask.From building rapport and presenting options the right way, to why "trust me" never works on its own and Amazon parts are basically a liability waiting to happen — this is a no-fluff breakdown of real-world sales for trade business owners. And honestly? Any business with customers.Mike breaks down the mindset shift that turned him from a guy chasing volume to a guy building real customers. Ryan explains why asking the right questions is more powerful than any sales script. And both of them agree: be the grown-up in the room.

"No one can do it the way I can do it."If you've said that — or thought it — this episode is going to sting a little. Mike and Ryan get into the martyr mentality that quietly kills most small businesses, and what it actually looks like to build a team that doesn't need you in every room.They break down Kiyosaki's three types of business owners, why the self-employed trap is so easy to fall into, and how to start documenting your way out of it — one position at a time. Plus, Mike has something of a live breakthrough about no longer needing to be the best plumber in the company. Ryan is unreasonably proud of him.If you've ever wished you could just clone yourself, this one's got a better answer.

Only suckers hire coaches. That's what they say, right?Mike and Ryan dig into why that mindset is keeping most business owners broke, burned out, and running on fumes. They talk through the real ROI of hiring a coach — including a $12,000 investment that returned three quarters of a million dollars — and why "I can't afford it" is usually just ego in disguise.They also get into the difference between doom scrolling Gary Vee at midnight and actually putting knowledge to work, how to find a coach that's actually worth your money (worldview alignment matters more than you'd think), and why the $20 book is still one of the best investments you can make.Mike also confesses to a weeks-long cat video spiral that derailed his entire self-improvement plan. He's fine. Mostly.Whether you're a brand-new business owner or you've been grinding for years and feel stuck — this one's for you. Stop waiting until you can "afford it." Start somewhere. Do it today.

"The customer is always right" is a lie that's killing your margins. 💀In this episode, Mike and Ryan sit down to strip away the "piss-poor" advice that keeps entrepreneurs broke, stressed, and driving "free candy" vans. From the trap of high-interest debt disguised as "growth funding" to the martyr syndrome of being a people-pleaser, we’re calling out the BS that sounds good on Google but fails in the real world.Taking business advice from someone who's never built anything is like taking marital advice from someone who's never been married. If you’re the smartest person in your friend group, you’re in the wrong room. It's time to shut up, listen, and upgrade your circle.Like, subscribe, and drop a comment: Who in our 50-mile radius should we grill next?Timestamps:00:36 – Identifying "Piss-Poor" business advice 01:08 – The predatory trap of "Easy Interest" loans 03:26 – Why driving a "broke down" van to save clients money is a trap 04:42 – Debunking the "Customer is Always Right" myth 05:20 – Martyr Syndrome: Why "dying on the sword" is just bad business 07:00 – The Dave Ramsey vs. Leverage debate 10:50 – Why Mike is glad he was banned from high school football 16:07 – If you’re the smartest person in the room, find a new room 18:44 – The science of listening: Why your 5 friends determine your net worth 20:01 – Pricing Psychology: Stop giving away the farm before the presentation

Stop trying to be a "visionary" and start being profitable. In this episode, we’re calling out the "Entrepreneur Ego"—that voice in your head telling you that you have to invent something completely new to be successful. Spoiler: You don’t. Mike breaks down how he built a multi-million dollar plumbing empire by effectively "stealing" proven systems, copying business models, and being humble enough to realize he didn't need to reinvent the wheel.From the "Bendy Broom" that almost made it to Shark Tank to why you should stop building your own Excel sheets and just pay the $10 for a system that actually works, we’re talking about standing on the shoulders of giants to scale your revenue.Key takeaways:Why "copy and paste" is a valid business strategy.The high cost of trying to be "clever" instead of effective.How moving from "winging it" to a CRM took Mike from $250k to $2M in two years.Why your "original idea" is probably already on a shelf at Home Depot.Stop wasting time on "originality" and start focusing on what produces revenue. Watch, listen, and go steal something (legally).

n this episode, Ryan and Mike get brutally honest about why your "crappy little business" isn't making money: You’re saying yes to everyone. If you’re trying to be the solution for the 90% of the population that wants the cheapest deal, you’re not a business owner—you’re just someone who owns a stressful job.We’re diving deep into the ICP (Ideal Client Profile), why "rich people problems" pay better than "poor people problems," and the "Priority Matrix" you need to stay profitable. It’s time to find your "Juan," fire your bad clients, and start charging for the high-value peace of mind you actually provide.Stop being selfish—leave the cheap jobs for the cheap guys.

Most "successful" people on your feed are total fakes—and Ryan and Mike are calling out the 99% of gurus who are just good at selling snake oil from their mom’s basement.In this episode, we’re breaking down the *4-Step Filter* to find the 1% of leaders actually worth your time. We talk about why the algorithm is designed to keep you comfortable (and stuck), why your childhood "poverty mentality" is a choice once you hit 21, and the trauma of living in a condemned $150 trailer with 64 "likable" cats. If you're tired of "hustle po*n" and want to actually grow, it’s time to get punched in the face with some hard truths.Inside this episode:Why 99% of influencers suck.The "Jeffrey Dahmer" rule of following people.How to stop blaming your parents and start fixing your business.Mike’s "Luxury" $150 Craigslist trailer story.

"It’s lonely at the top." We’ve all heard it, but nobody tells you exactly why until you’re the one staring at a mounting pile of stress, a dwindling 401k, and a family that feels a thousand miles away even when you’re sitting at the dinner table.In this episode, Mike and Ryan get brutally honest about the psychological "taxes" of entrepreneurship. They break down why your business stress is—quite literally—nobody else’s problem, and why the traditional idea of "work-life balance" might actually be a lie. From the terror of putting payroll on a personal credit card to the "hot take" that burnout might just be a lack of vision, this is a deep dive into the mental grit required to stay in the game.We Discuss:• The Employee vs. Owner Mindset: Why your old friends won't understand your new obsession with "the numbers".• The "Invisible" Stress: How to stop wearing your business problems on your face before you walk through your front door.• Presence over Balance: A tactical guide to being 100% "there" for your kids, even if you only have 10 minutes to spare.• The Burnout Debate: Is it actually exhaustion, or are you just bored and stuck?In This Episode:00:34 – The Golden Handcuffs: Leaving the 401k and insurance behind.01:26 – Personal Credit Cards & Payroll: The stress of "feeding the team".03:09 – The Harsh Reality: Why even the people who love you can't help you carry the load.06:02 – The Loneliness Epidemic: Why surrounded leaders still feel isolated.08:59 – The "Resting Business Face": Learning to mask stress for your team and family.14:03 – HOT TAKE: Why "Burnout" is often just a weak mindset or lack of motivation.22:56 – Scheduling Sanity: Using intentional "appointments" to save your relationships.26:09 – The Jamie Dimon Method: Over-communicating your vision to your inner circle.28:15 – Quality vs. Quantity: Why 10 minutes of focus beats 10 hours of distraction.

In this episode, Mike and Ryan get real about the dark side of customer service: the "psychosis" of bad reviews, empty threats, and when to officially fire a client. They break down the "Britney Spears era" of Google ads and why modern businesses must obsess over Google Business Profiles to survive in an AI-driven search world.From surviving physical threats in the office to dealing with "victim mentality" customers who complain about $2.50 tater tots, this is a masterclass in protecting your business culture, maintaining your sanity, and knowing when to stand firm on your value.

This episode dives deep into the "controlled chaos" of scaling a business. Mike and Ryan get raw about the moments that nearly broke their company—from the stress of hitting multi-million dollar milestones to the literal "refinement by fire" that comes with leadership. They discuss why working harder isn't always the answer, how to fire "baggage" to save your culture, and the undeniable link between your personal growth and your profit margins. Whether you’re drowning in growth or feeling stagnant, this conversation is a wake-up call to stop "rolling with the punches" and start leading with intentionality.Inside The Episode:01:00:20 – The "Visionary" Trap: When rapid growth creates absolute chaos.01:01:37 – Personal Records: Surviving a 119-hour work week.01:02:37 – The Price of Growth: Why $10,000 problems become $100,000 nightmares.01:03:45 – Cutting the Dead Weight: Firing employees to save company morale.01:08:32 – The Overlap: Why your personal life is a mirror of your business.01:11:18 – Refined by Fire: Turning personal trials into leadership strengths.01:16:39 – Unrivaled Bootcamp: Rebuilding employees from the ground up.01:23:10 – The Hardest Pivot: Ryan’s journey from self-destruction to intentionality.01:28:36 – Grow or Decay: The brutal law of business nature.

Making millions but still broke? You’re not alone—over a third of small businesses are just borrowing to keep the lights on. Mike gets raw about sleeping in his shop, eating rice and eggs, and the gray hairs that come from payroll stress. We’re tearing down the "hourly rate" myth and showing you how to automate your finances so the business works for you, not the other way around.Price for growth, or prepare to fail.

Are you a "nice" boss or a pushover? Most business owners wait until they’re screaming to hold people accountable. Ryan and Mike break down why "common sense" isn't a strategy and how to systemize your culture so you can stop being a "douche" and start winning. If you're tired of cowering employees and burned bridges, this masterclass on intentional growth is for you.Stop floating. Start leading.

One bad hire can screw up everything. 📉 From wrecking the culture to costing you tens of thousands in mistakes, "shitheads" are expensive. Mike and Ryan get raw about the "cancer" they recently surgically removed from the business and the lessons learned from firing too slowly.We discuss the "Victim Mentality" often found in the trades , why you can’t "save" every employee , and how to spot red flags in the first 48 hours. If you want to protect your high-performers and build a culture of trust, you have to be willing to have the hard conversations man-to-man.

Is your business playing the "accordion"? 🪗 If you’re growing your production but your systems are snapping back and causing chaos, you’re missing the "backbone" of the business: the CSR.In this episode, Mike and Ryan talk about the "Time Machine" realization: Mike would have raised his prices much sooner to afford a dedicated customer service team before hiring more techs. We break down why a human voice beats an AI bot every time in the trades and how delegating the "small stuff" allows the owner to finally be the "Golden Goose" the company needs.

Are you actually successful, or just addicted to the grind?Mike and Ryan break down why "busy" is often just a mask for ego and poor strategy. Learn why the best plumber might be the one heading home at 2 PM, and why saying "No" to the wrong customer is the fastest way to a "Yes" for your family.

Working 120 hours a week while still being broke? You’re doing it wrong. Mike recounts the "insane" season of breaking records but losing his mind. This episode covers the tactical shift from daily panic to quarterly goals, and why the most important system you’ll ever build is your own morning routine.

Stop being the "Subject Matter Expert" and start being the Owner. Mike and Ryan get real about why your ego is keeping your business small. From microwave coffee to tripling revenue by hiring a secretary, learn how to stop "turning the wrench" so you can actually scale.

Nothing can fully prepare you for all the roles that you can be put in as a business owner, but some valuable, timeless principles can help you move from employee to business owner to success more quickly and less painfully!@ashleymckeephotography@hummingbirdtreecare

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Bouns Episode!Website for Branson's Bin Store:https://bransonsbinstore.comFollow us on our social mediahttps://linktr.ee/UnrivaledSnBsocialhttps://linktr.ee/unrivaledsocialhttps://linktr.ee/FrontlineMarketingUnrivaled Plumbing & Heating YT:‪@UnrivaledPlumbingAndHeating‬

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In this episode of the “Unrivaled Potential Podcast,” the hosts engage in a lively conversation that touches on aging, personal experiences, business challenges, health trends, and the podcasting landscape. Additionally, they dive into the realities of running a business, particularly the inevitability of customer complaints and the importance of remaining steadfast in policies and procedures despite external pressures.

In this episode of the Unrivaled Potential podcast, we dive into various life experiences and challenges, particularly around stress management and maintaining a positive mindset during tough times. They also highlight the significance of planning, maintaining disciplines, and creating effective routines to navigate periods of hardship in both personal life and business.

The podcast episode covers a range of topics, from the fictional Umbrella Corporation from the Resident Evil franchise to humorous stories about Mike’s experiences as a plumber. The main focus is on Mike’s journey as a young plumber, including his time working for a boss who was obsessed with aliens and the challenges he faced while fixing a sewage leak in a Ukrainian client’s home. The episode showcases Mike’s growth and the lessons he learned from these early experiences in the plumbing industry.

If you love coffee, crazy stories, and learning a thing or two about plumbing, this is the perfect conversation for you!

Let's discuss the emotional rollercoaster of starting and running a business.