In this episode of the Ever Upward Podcast, I reflects on the previous nine episodes, highlighting key discussions on topics such as blockchain, health insurance, and entrepreneurship. The episode transitions into a personal life update, providing a heartfelt insight into the challenges of parenthood and the emotional journey that follows. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support during difficult times and the personal growth that can arise from hardships. Takeaways<ul><li>The podcast serves as a platform for sharing valuable insights from various industries.</li><li>Blockchain and cryptocurrency discussions are timely and relevant for investors.</li><li>Health insurance is a complex and evolving topic that requires attention from business owners.</li><li>Entrepreneurship involves navigating challenges and seeking process efficiencies.</li><li>Parenting involves preparing children for healthy struggles to foster independence.</li><li>The accounting industry is slow to change, but there are passionate individuals pushing for progress.</li><li>Personal experiences can deeply impact professional perspectives and decisions.</li><li>Grief and loss are significant experiences that shape our understanding of joy and life.</li></ul> Connect with Jarrod HERE. This podcast is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website <a href="https://www.excelsiorgp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE.</a>

Recap of the Last 9 Episodes

In this conversation, John Hanning from STG discusses the intricacies of cost segregation and its benefits for real estate investors. He explains how his engineering background plays a crucial role in maximizing tax deductions through accelerated depreciation. The discussion also covers the importance of specialized knowledge in navigating the tax code, the diverse asset classes that affect tax implications, and the consultative approach STG takes with clients. John shares insights from his career journey, the challenges of transitioning from a technical expert to a business owner, and the value of having advisors in the entrepreneurial landscape. The conversation concludes with John's future plans for STG and reflections on the growth of their services. Takeaways<ul><li>Cost segregation allows for accelerated depreciation deductions.</li><li>Understanding the tax code is crucial for maximizing deductions.</li><li>Specialists can provide deeper insights than general accountants.</li><li>Different asset classes yield different tax implications.</li><li>Consultative approaches can uncover additional opportunities for clients.</li><li>Building relationships is key to business success.</li><li>Transitioning to business ownership involves new challenges and responsibilities.</li><li>Advisors play a critical role in navigating business complexities.</li><li>Progress in business is often messy and nonlinear.</li><li>Future growth may involve mergers and acquisitions.</li></ul> Connect with John <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-w-hanning/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a> Connect with Jarrod <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-arnold-a3904a40/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a> You can find more on Specialty Tax Group or get in touch for more info <a href="https://www.specialtytaxgroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE </a> This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website <a href="https://www.excelsiorgp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE.</a>

Beyond the Tax Code: How John Hanning and STG Approach Tax Incentive Programs

In this conversation, I sit down with Scott Donnell, serial entrepreneur, father, author, financial literacy expert and founder of Dinner Table. We discuss the importance of healthy struggles in parenting, the value creation cycle, and how to prepare children for the real world. He emphasizes the need for parents to create a safe environment for their kids to learn and grow through challenges. Scott also shares insights on building a supportive community, navigating information overload, and his entrepreneurial journey focused on helping families succeed. He encourages parents that it's never too late to start implementing these strategies for their children's development. Takeaways<ul><li>Healthy struggles are essential for children's growth.</li><li>Entitlement arises when parents solve all their children's problems.</li><li>Practical skills cannot be learned solely through reading.</li><li>Legacy is about raising children who surpass their parents.</li><li>Creating value should be prioritized over financial gain.</li><li>Community plays a crucial role in parenting success.</li><li>Parents should be intentional about their children's influences.</li><li>Simplicity in parenting strategies is key to implementation.</li><li>Entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for personal growth.</li><li>It's never too late to start improving parenting practices.</li></ul> You can connect with Scott <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnell-scott/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE.</a> You can learn more about the Dinner Table <a href="https://dinnertable.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE. </a> You can connect with Jarrod<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-arnold-a3904a40/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> HERE.</a> This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website <a href="https://www.excelsiorgp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE.</a>

Empowering Families: Strategies for Success

On this episode of the Ever Upward podcast I have a special guest Charles Miller, who is creative director at Platoon creative studio based in Nashville, TN. Charles is a designer and brand strategist. We discusses the importance of branding and how it helps entrepreneurs articulate their value. He explains that branding is about creating a reputation and connecting with the right audience. Charles emphasizes the need for authenticity and aligning the brand with the founder's vision. Miller also shares his experience as an entrepreneur and advises others to get clear on their unique value and find someone to help present it to the world. Takeaways<ul><li>Branding is about creating a reputation and connecting with the right audience.</li><li>Authenticity is key in branding and aligning the brand with the founder's vision.</li><li>Companies like Yeti and Patagonia are examples of successful branding.</li><li>Entrepreneurs should get clear on their unique value and find someone to help present it to the world.</li></ul> You can connect with Charles by clicking <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-miller-49b54988/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE. </a> You can connect with Jarrod by clicking <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-arnold-a3904a40/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE. </a> This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website <a href="https://www.excelsiorgp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE.</a>

The Importance of Branding and Articulating Value

In this episode Elam Freeman, founder of OJAS Partners, shares her origin story and the growth of her commercial real estate firm in Nashville. She discusses how she entered the industry and why she chose real estate over other fields. Elam also talks about the challenges she faced in starting her own firm and how she overcame imposter syndrome. She highlights the growth of Nashville and its appeal to brands and businesses, and her role in bringing retail brands to the city. Takeaways<ul><li>Elam Freeman entered the commercial real estate industry after working in the nonprofit and government sectors. She chose real estate because of its entrepreneurial nature and her passion for urban core development.</li><li>Starting her own firm, OJAS Partners, was a leap of faith for Elam, but she saw it as an opportunity to align her work with her passions and create a more authentic environment.</li><li>Elam experienced imposter syndrome throughout her entrepreneurial journey, but she saw it as a sign that she was challenging herself and learning new things. She continues to push herself and pave the way for other women in the industry.</li><li>Nashville has experienced significant growth in the past decade, attracting national brands and businesses. Elam played a role in bringing retail brands to Nashville by building relationships and showcasing the city's potential.</li><li>The growth of Nashville is not just in population, but also in tourism and foot traffic. The city's vibrant arts and culture scene, along with its appeal to influencers, has made it an attractive destination for brands.</li></ul> You can connect with Elam on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elammangumfreeman/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> and check out OJAS Partners <a href="https://www.ojaspartners.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a> You can connect with Jarrod on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-arnold-a3904a40/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn. </a> This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website <a href="https://www.excelsiorgp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE.</a>

Nashville's Growth and the Role of OJAS Partners

Ryan Myers, managing partner of Aprio's Nashville office, discusses the challenges and responsibilities of leadership in the accounting industry. He shares his experience transitioning from a technical role to a strategic and operational role, emphasizing the importance of balancing different responsibilities. Myers also highlights the significance of people management and the growth of his team. He discusses the evolving regulatory environment and the need for accountants to stay updated on changes. Additionally, he addresses staffing trends in the industry, including the shortage of CPAs and the factors contributing to it. The conversation explores various aspects of the accounting industry, including the impact of technology, the changing mindset of younger professionals, and the need for work-life balance. We discuss the fear of devaluing the CPA designation and the importance of finding a balance between financial rewards and other benefits like flexible work arrangements. Also touching on the issue of long hours in the industry and the need to set realistic expectations for clients. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of technology in the industry and its potential to attract and retain talent. Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-myers-cpa-cfe-cgma-4140963b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ryan.</a> Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-arnold-a3904a40/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jarrod. </a> This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website <a href="https://www.excelsiorgp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE.</a>

Prioritizing People Management in the Accounting Industry: The Impact of Technology and Shifting Priorities

Thad Miller, a dental and veterinary business broker, discusses his journey in the industry and the process of buying and selling dental and veterinary practices. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and creating a team of professionals to provide value to clients. Thad also shares insights on scaling a business and the challenges of staying ahead of the competition. He highlights the significance of effective communication, both internally and with clients, in resolving issues and managing egos. Thad's key advice for entrepreneurs is to bet on themselves and take calculated risks. Takeaways<ul><li>Building relationships and creating a team of professionals is crucial in providing value to clients.</li><li>Effective communication, both internally and with clients, is essential in resolving issues and managing egos.</li><li>Staying ahead of the competition requires constant innovation and staying up-to-date with technology.</li><li>Bet on yourself and take calculated risks as an entrepreneur.</li></ul> Connect with Thad<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thadmiller/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>. Connect with Jarrod <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-arnold-a3904a40/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here. </a> This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website <a href="https://www.excelsiorgp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE.</a>

Scaling a Business and Staying Ahead of the Competition

Lester Morales, CEO of Next Impact, shares his personal why for revolutionizing the healthcare insurance industry. He experienced firsthand the financial burden of high healthcare costs when his parents battled cancer. This motivated him to create a new model that puts the patient first and helps them navigate the healthcare system. By aligning incentives, educating employees, and providing access to healthcare advocates, Morales aims to empower individuals to become better healthcare consumers. He believes that the future of healthcare insurance lies in transparency, cost savings, and quality care. Takeaways<ul><li>The traditional healthcare insurance model is designed with misaligned incentives and is not focused on putting the patient first.</li><li>By aligning incentives, educating employees, and providing access to healthcare advocates, individuals can become better healthcare consumers.</li><li>The future of healthcare insurance lies in transparency, cost savings, and quality care.</li><li>Business owners can take steps to lower healthcare costs and provide better healthcare options for their employees.</li></ul> Connect with Lester <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lester-j-morales-5064b91/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here. </a>You can also view see the healthcare documentary teaser featuring Lester Morales <a href="https://thbhealth.com/documentary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a> Connect with Jarrod <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-arnold-a3904a40/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a> This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website <a href="https://www.excelsiorgp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE. </a>

Revolutionizing Healthcare Insurance: Putting the Customer First

In this episode, Paul Poppert Head of Engineering at Faire shares his background and experiences in building and managing world-class engineering teams. He emphasizes the importance of hiring the right people and outlines a hiring framework called the Mock (Mission, Outcome, Competencies) method. He also discusses the significance of tracking hiring statistics and making data-driven decisions. Paul highlights the importance of a growth mindset, gratitude, and earning opportunities. He shares insights on building a strong culture, leadership, and servant leadership. He also shares his approach to the interview process, which includes take-home tests and onsite coding exercises. Paul highlights the need for feedback loops and the use of the DMAIC framework to define, measure, analyze, improve, and control performance. He also discusses the different motivations that drive employees, such as enjoying the work, making an impact, and personal growth. Paul emphasizes the importance of open feedback, setting clear expectations, and creating a culture of continuous improvement. Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-arnold-a3904a40/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jarrod </a> Connect with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-poppert-51b4491/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Paul </a> This podcast is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website <a href="https://www.excelsiorgp.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a>.

How to Make Data-Driven Decisions and Optimize the Hiring Process

Tune in weekly as we dive into conversation with leading experts in the fields of business, investing, and personal finance. In each episode, we unravel insights, share stories, and unlock secrets that will propel you ever upward in your journey. This podcast is sponsored by Excelsior Capital, a private equity firm that provides individuals access to highly vetted commercial real estate investments. To learn more about Excelsior, visit excelsiorgp.com.

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