Ever Upward Podcast

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.TakeawaysBranding is about creating a reputation and connecting with the right audience.Authenticity is key in branding and aligning the brand with the founder's vision.Companies like Yeti and Patagonia are examples of successful branding.Entrepreneurs should get clear on their unique value and find someone to help present it to the world.You can connect with Charles by clicking HERE. You can connect with Jarrod by clicking HERE. This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website HERE.

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.TakeawaysElam 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.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.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.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.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.You can connect with Elam on LinkedIn and check out OJAS Partners here. You can connect with Jarrod on LinkedIn. This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website HERE.

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 Ryan.Connect with Jarrod. This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website HERE.

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.TakeawaysBuilding relationships and creating a team of professionals is crucial in providing value to clients.Effective communication, both internally and with clients, is essential in resolving issues and managing egos.Staying ahead of the competition requires constant innovation and staying up-to-date with technology.Bet on yourself and take calculated risks as an entrepreneur.Connect with Thad here. Connect with Jarrod here. This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website HERE.

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.TakeawaysThe traditional healthcare insurance model is designed with misaligned incentives and is not focused on putting the patient first.By aligning incentives, educating employees, and providing access to healthcare advocates, individuals can become better healthcare consumers.The future of healthcare insurance lies in transparency, cost savings, and quality care.Business owners can take steps to lower healthcare costs and provide better healthcare options for their employees.Connect with Lester here. You can also view see the healthcare documentary teaser featuring Lester Morales here. Connect with Jarrod here. This Episode is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website HERE.

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 Jarrod Connect with Paul This podcast is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website HERE.

In this conversation, Jarrod Arnold interviews Joe Edmonds about his background and his work in the blockchain industry. They discuss the concept of blockchain and its potential impact on various industries, including real estate. Joe provides an overview of his firm, Blockchange Ventures, and how they invest in blockchain projects. They also talk about the importance of taking risks early in one's career and the process of evaluating risk. The conversation highlights the significance of concentration, both in terms of risk and focus, in achieving success. In this conversation, Joe Edmonds discusses the importance of investing in blockchain technology and the criteria his firm uses to evaluate potential investments. He emphasizes the need for businesses to have a genuine need for blockchain and the potential risks of investing in industries outside of one's expertise. Joe also shares insights on the value of mentorship and the role it has played in his career. He highlights the importance of finding mentors at different stages of one's career and the responsibility of paying it forward. Additionally, Joe discusses the challenges and benefits of running a lean operation and the need for a solid foundation when moving fast and taking risks. Finally, he expresses his excitement about the future of blockchain technology and its potential to disrupt various industries.TakeawaysBlockchain is a technology stack that enables efficient value transfer and has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including real estate.Taking risks early in one's career, especially in industries with high growth potential, can lead to valuable learning experiences and career opportunities.Concentration, both in terms of risk and focus, is important for success. It involves putting all your eggs in one basket and being solely focused on a specific industry or topic.Evaluating risk involves considering factors such as the difficulty of returning to the alternative option and potential regrets.Having a mentor and being in the right industry at the right time can greatly contribute to career growth and success.The process of evaluating risk should involve availability, affability, and ability, with availability being the most important factor.Concentration in personal life, such as in relationships, can also be a form of risk and focus.The blockchain industry has seen both experienced investors and newcomers, and the latter group often faces challenges due to lack of concentration and experience. Investing in blockchain requires a genuine need for the technology and a deep understanding of the industry.Mentorship is crucial for personal and professional growth, and it is important to find mentors at different stages of one's career.Running a lean operation requires balancing operational logistics and maintaining a solid foundation.Moving fast and taking risks is essential for success, but it is crucial to have a strong foundation to minimize potential negative consequences.Blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt various industries and become an integral part of everyday life.Connect with JarrodConnect with JoeThis podcast is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website HERE.

In this solo episode, Jarrod Arnold provides a general update and recaps the last nine episodes of the Ever Upward Podcast. He shares personal updates about his wedding, honeymoon, and some very big announcements you won't want to miss. Jarrod also discusses the theme of life coming at you fast and reflects on the major events and accomplishments in his life. He then goes on to summarize each of the nine previous episodes, highlighting the main topics and takeaways.TakeawaysInvesting in a support group can have a significant impact on personal growth and success.Finding passion within your career is possible, even if it wasn't your initial choice.Overcoming imposter syndrome and stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to personal growth.Understanding the insurance market and mitigating risk is crucial for businesses.Providing a great customer experience is essential for business success.Connect with JarrodThis podcast is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website HERE.

In this episode Lindsey Major, Chief Experience Officer for the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), discusses her unique journey into the music industry and the role of the MLC in collecting and distributing royalties to rights holders. She explains that the MLC was created as a result of the Music Modernization Act and is responsible for administering the blanket license for digital audio mechanical royalties. Lindsey emphasizes the importance of customer experience in the music industry and highlights the difference between customer experience and customer service. She also discusses the challenges of balancing the diverse desires of the customer base and the importance of understanding customer mindsets. In this conversation, Lindsey Major discusses the importance of customer experience and how it impacts business success. She emphasizes the need for businesses to understand their customers' needs and motivations in order to create personalized and meaningful experiences. Lindsey also highlights the role of automation in customer service and the importance of balancing automation with human interaction. She shares insights on how small businesses can prioritize customer experience and offers advice on keeping teams motivated and focused on delivering exceptional service. Lastly, she discusses the concept of continuous improvement and the importance of evaluating and evolving customer experience strategies.Connect with Jarrod Connect with LindseyThis podcast is sponsored by Excelsior Capital. To learn more about the firm please visit our website HERE.