Real Profit, Real Perspective Podcast

Sometimes, running a business is like taking a nice leisurely trip down a relaxing river. The current pulls you forward, there's not an obstacle in sight, and everything seems to be going your way and you can do no wrong.And sometimes running a business is like going down that same river except now there's a category 5 hurricane in the area and as you desperately hold on for dear life you become pretty certain that you're going to die in a horrible canoe accident.

In this week's episode, Ryan and Connor discuss the current government shutdown and what that means for both small business owners and individuals. They also discuss the difference between the purpose of government and business, taxes versus revenue, and the different ways the government can hit a shutdown.

Running a small business is hard, don't let these mistakes make your life even harder.

This week's episode is all about the Fed. Recorded before we knew for certain that the Fed would cut rates yet with the certainty that the markets felt about the rate cut, Ryan and Connor discuss what it actually means that the Fed cut rates, what the Fed actually is, and also how Robinhood futures contracts work.

Why do smart companies make chaotic brand moves—and why do some “investors” treat markets like a casino? In this episode, Connor Malatesta and Ryan Bannister break down the Cracker Barrel branding dust-up, the consultant hamster wheel, and how quarterly pressure turns strategy into… a bet. Then we follow the thread to Robinhood and the rise of “push-button” gambling, asking what long-term thinking actually looks like in 2025.

In tis episode, Connor and Ryan discuss the challenges and importance of implementing change in business. They reflect on their experiences with guests, the value of learning from others, and the dynamics of change in small teams. There is no perfect time to make changes, and that fear of change can often hold business owners back. They explore the importance of identifying real problems, the iterative process of change, and the role of accountability in following through on decisions. Ultimately, this episode serves as a call to action for you to take ownership of your business and not wait for the perfect moment.

This week's episode is an interview with Nick Dowgul, licensed attorney in North Carolina and the owner of North State Law. We always want to get the perspective of other business owners so we thought we'd bring in another licensed professional to share his story of starting his firm from scratch.

Once your business is up, running, and successful, many entrepreneurs feel the call to start on their next endeavor. In this week's episode, Ryan and Connor discuss what they have seen their clients do, their perspective on internal versus external investment, and their plans for the future.

What is sales but a negotiation? What is international diplomacy but negotiation? What is life but a negotiation with God?This episode is anything but the negotiation "tactics" we all hear incessantly. Connor and Ryan give their (unconventional) takes on negotiations in business, international law & economics, and everyday life.

With Ryan out of commission sick, Connor takes it upon himself to rant about AI.

In this week’s episode Connor Malatesta, CPA, and Ryan Bannister, CPA, break down the headline‑grabbing tariff moves against the EU, decode how subsidies differ, and map out who actually pays when politics reshapes global supply chains.Then they dive into Congress’s freshly minted One Big Beautiful Bill: new tip‑income exclusions, overtime deductions, and a kinder 1099 reporting threshold ($2 k). Who wins, who loses, and how should creators and small‑biz owners pivot?Have a question or want to chat directly? Email us at [email protected] us out and what we do here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.com Connor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

We wanted to break up the lectures with something a little different. Now that our year is halfway over, we wanted to take some time and see where we are at compared to last year as well as go over our plans for the future.

There's nothing easier than spending money, especially as you make more and more until suddenly, even though you're making more than ever, it never feels like there's enough cash to go around. Join Ryan and Connor as they discuss ways they work with clients to understand expenses for both businesses and individuals, as well as common mistakes they have seen their clients make and how you can avoid them.

When things feel chaotic, your best move is to zoom in on what you can control.In this episode of Real Profit, Real Perspective, Ryan Bannister and Connor Malatesta break down what it means to “control the controllable”—in business, finances, and life. From goal-setting to fear-setting, they share how focusing on inputs (not outcomes) builds confidence and momentum.Whether you’re facing a tough season or just trying to stay focused in a noisy world, this episode will help you take action, reduce overwhelm, and reclaim your mental bandwidth.Have a question or want to chat directly? Email us at [email protected] us out and what we do here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.com Connor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

Without clear cashflow forecasting, your business (and personal finances) are flying blind.In this episode of Real Profit, Real Perspective, Ryan Bannister and Connor Malatesta break down how to forecast cash flow the right way, why budgeting isn’t just for spreadsheets, and the mindset shifts that can make or break your financial plan.From emotional spending triggers to common misconceptions like “I can’t afford that,” they share real-world insights and actionable steps for anyone ready to take control of their money.Have a question or want to chat directly? Email us at [email protected] us out and what we do here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.com Connor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

The best business owners aren’t the ones who know it all—they’re the ones who keep learning.In this episode of Real Profit, Real Perspective, Connor Malatesta and Ryan Bannister dive into what it means to be a lifelong learner. From peer conversations to parenting, marketing mistakes to client wins, they explore how staying curious and reflective helps you grow—not just as a professional, but as a human.Whether you're an advisor, a business owner, or just trying to get better at what you do, this one’s a reminder that every experience is a chance to level up.Have a question or want to chat directly? Email us at [email protected] us out and what we do here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.com Connor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

Tired of grinding away at your business alone? Wondering when it's the correct time to hire more help? Join Hosts Ryan and Connor as they share their experiences building out their teams, when they realized they needed more help, and the factors that are important when making that first step to become a Real Business.

Anyone who has ever tried to accomplish something knows that sometimes progress...doesn't actually feel like progress. In this week's episode, Hosts Ryan and Connor share their experiences starting their businesses and what it has really felt like to try and create a business from nothing. Spoilers: It isn't as grand as social media makes it look.

You don’t build a successful business by just being good at what you do—you build it by learning to sell. In this episode, we unpack what it really means to develop sales skills as a business owner.From identifying weaknesses to systematizing your sales calls, we share how our sales skills have evolved—and what we wish we knew sooner.Whether you have zero sales experience like we did, or you're an established business owner still winging each call, this episode's for you.Have a question or want to chat directly? Email us at [email protected] us out and what we do here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.com Connor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

Poor communication kills productivity, breaks trust, and tanks teams. In this episode, Ryan Bannister and Connor Malatesta dig into why communication is the skill that most people neglect—and what it actually looks like to get it right.From client updates to internal Slack threads, we unpack the tools, habits, and frameworks that have helped us level up our communication game (and where we still mess it up sometimes). If you work with clients, run a team, or even just want fewer “what did they mean by that?” moments in your life—this one's for you.Have a question or want to chat directly? Email us at [email protected] us out and what we do here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.com Connor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

If you’ve ever ghosted your bank account or made a panic decision during a market dip… this one’s for you. In this episode, Ryan Bannister and Connor Malatesta break down the biggest money mistakes they’ve seen—and made. From emotional spending to “management by abdication,” we’re diving into the patterns that quietly sabotage financial growth and how to build guardrails that actually work.Whether you're a content creator, business owner, or just tired of winging it with your wallet, this episode is your wake-up call to stop making money harder than it needs to be.Have a question or want to chat directly? Email us at [email protected] us out and what we do here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.com Connor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

Why does "owning it" play such a crucial part in leadership? Today we pull back the curtain on accountability and how radical self-honesty fuels better decisions, keeps cash moving, and builds teams that actually execute. From solo-entrepreneur hurdles, to "extreme ownership" leadership lessons, we share real wins, hard-learned misses, and strategies you can put into play today. Have a question or want to chat directly? Email us at [email protected] us out and what we do here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.com Connor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

If you've ever gotten stuck wondering what to do next, this episode's for you.We're breaking down what really goes into making business decisions - especially when there's no obvious "right" answer.We talk about: Why overthinking can stall your progress, How to take action without having it all figured out, What to do when a decision doesn't go as planned, and How to stay accountable once the choice is made.We share real (and personal) examples, as always - from marketing missteps to tough client calls. Have a question or want to chat directly? Email us at [email protected] us out and what we do here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.comConnor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

The moment you realize... “Papa, I’m a real business now.” 🎉In this episode of Real Profit, Real Perspective, Connor and Ryan talk about what it's really like making the leap from solo entrepreneur to running a business with a team. From the growing pains of delegation, to building processes that actually work (instead of duct taping things together), to why sales never stop mattering — we’re sharing the real stories behind scaling up.If you're building something bigger than yourself, this one's for you.Check us out here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.comConnor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

Running the whole show by yourself? We see you.In this episode, we’re digging into the real (and often messy) realities of being a solo entrepreneur—from the weight of every decision falling on your shoulders to the never-ending juggle of time, money, and mental energy.We talk through the most common struggles solos face, what they don’t teach you in business school, and how to build something sustainable without burning out.This one’s for the freelancers, consultants, creators, and solo operators out there doing all the things.Check us out here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.comConnor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

In our first full episode, we dive into the big question behind every smart business decision: Where are you right now?We break down our goals for this podcast, our philosophy on business life cycles, and why blanket advice just doesn’t cut it. From early-stage hustle to established creative businesses, we explore how different types of financial and strategic advice apply depending on where you're really at.Oh—and if you're tired of TikTok money hacks and noisy “finfluencer” takes? So are we.This is real talk, tailored to real stages of growth. Let’s get into it.Check us out here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.comConnor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa

Welcome to the kickoff episode! Before we dive into the deep stuff, we're taking a moment to introduce ourselves - no fluff, just real talk. We're pulling back the curtain on our backgrounds, career pivots, wild client stories, and why we decided to start this show in the first place. It's part interview, part origin story, part "why you should care."If you're a business owner, whether you're a solo entrepreneur or employ 100 people, you're in the right place. Let's get acquainted!Check us out here:Ryan Bannister, CPA - www.1upadvisors.comConnor Malatesta, CPA - www.markoff.cpa