Episodes

  • Build an 8-Figure Business That Runs Without You with Reg Zeller, CaneKast

    Build an 8-Figure Business That Runs Without You with Reg Zeller, CaneKast
    Nov 20 2024
    There’s nothing quite like watching a team take full ownership of their roles. Empowering employees means letting them make decisions, sometimes mistakes, and supporting their growth every step of the way. Talking with Reg Zeller, it was clear how he values giving his team real autonomy and stepping back to allow others to lead and learn. In this episode, he explains how this approach has led to a stronger, more resilient company culture, and it’s inspiring to see how much he trusts his team.About Reg ZellerReg Zeller transitioned from a successful corporate career to building a thriving portfolio of small manufacturing businesses. Growing up in a one-stoplight town with friends in blue-collar trades, he knew early on that he wanted to own a business. After earning a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MBA, he spent 17 years with Fortune 500 companies like Honeywell and General Electric, gaining hands-on experience in nearly every corporate function. But his entrepreneurial drive never faded.In 2017, he acquired his first foundry and quickly saw how well the industry aligned with his values of resilience, hard work, and community impact. Today, through his holding company, CaneKast, Reg has acquired five foundries with plans to expand further. Known for empowering his team and building a strong culture, he’s on track to grow CaneKast into a $100M business while staying true to his small-town roots.Have you ever noticed that the most challenging part of growing a business isn't the strategy or the market—it's getting out of your way? My recent conversation with Reg Zeller blew me away because he's mastered something I struggled with in my entrepreneurial journey: building a thriving business without constant intervention.After years in the Fortune 500 world, Reg has done what many dream of but few achieve. In just five years, he's built CaneKast from a single $2.7M foundry into a $15M powerhouse. But here's what caught my attention—he did it by systematically removing himself from the business. He even jokes about his "8-hour work month," but the results speak for themselves.What fascinates me most is how Reg flipped the traditional entrepreneurial playbook. Instead of being the driving force behind every decision (a trap I've fallen into myself), he's focused on creating systems and teams that perform better without him. Having built and sold companies myself, this is pure gold for any entrepreneur feeling chained to their business.Here's why this matters if you're building a bootstrapped company:Your business value multiplies when it doesn't depend on you (something I learned the hard way)Teams innovate faster when given real autonomy to make and learn from mistakesYou create genuine scale through systems, not heroics You free yourself to focus on strategic opportunitiesYour stress levels drop dramatically (trust me on this one)What makes Reg's story particularly valuable is his brutal honesty. He openly admits to being a "terrible operator" and shares how he built a team that runs the business better than he ever could. As someone who's been there, this level of self-awareness is rare and invaluable.The practical takeaway? Start identifying where you're the bottleneck and systematically work to make yourself unnecessary. I know it sounds counterintuitive - I had to wrestle with this myself - but the less the business needs you for daily operations, the more valuable it becomes.Want to hear the entire conversation and learn precisely how Reg removed himself from operations while growing his company's value 5X? Listen to the complete episode at Beyond8Figures.com. I dig deep into his strategies for building self-running systems and how he's creating a business designed to outlast him.If you're wrestling with stepping back from daily operations or looking to build more value in your business, you should take advantage of this. As someone who's built and sold companies, I can tell you - Reg's insights are pure gold for any entrepreneur ready to scale beyond their limitations.Having built and sold multiple companies, I understand the delicate balance of stepping back strategically while maintaining business momentum - it's why I now help other entrepreneurs create systems and teams that can thrive without constant owner involvement. Through Beyond8Figures and my consulting practice, I guide business owners in identifying critical operational bottlenecks, implementing the right metrics and processes, and transforming their role from operator to strategic leader - all while protecting and enhancing current business value. So, if you're ready to build a more valuable business that doesn't depend on your daily presence, book a call with me or DM me on X to explore how we can systematically increase your company's value while reducing its dependence on you.Key Insights:Set clear, scalable processes. Develop systems that work for both small and large operations. Make sure all tasks—from onboarding ...
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Redefining Strategy and Decision-Making with AI with Hamza Mudassir, Strategize.inc

    Redefining Strategy and Decision-Making with AI with Hamza Mudassir, Strategize.inc
    Nov 13 2024
    A.J. here. My recent conversation with Cambridge Professor Hamza Mudassir completely changed how I think about business strategy in the age of AI. Hamza isn't just another academic—he's led three $650M+ exits and has uniquely positioned himself at the intersection of practical business success and cutting-edge AI research.About Hamza MudassirHamza Mudassir is a Strategy Lecturer at Cambridge University, where he brings digital disruption to life for his MBA, EMBA, and MPhil students. He’s also the founder of two ventures—Platypodes.io and Strategize.inc—where he helps businesses navigate big changes in AI and corporate strategy. With an MBA from the Cambridge Judge Business School, advanced AI strategy training at MIT, and M&A at INSEAD, Hamza combines deep expertise with hands-on experience.Over the years, Hamza has held top roles at companies like Amazon, Jagex, and Adstream, leading them through significant growth and successful sales—three in the past six years! His insights on strategy and AI frequently appear in Harvard Business Review and Fast Company, bringing his unique take on the future of business to a broad audience. Outside work, he’s a die-hard gamer with every console imaginable, often joined by his two Ragdoll cats for gaming marathons while helping his daughter reach her dream of being a KPop star.What struck me most was his insight that the era of rigid business frameworks is ending. These frameworks were created when we had limited data and needed simple models to understand complex business environments. But now, AI can simulate millions of scenarios, incorporating centuries of business wisdom, market dynamics, and competitive responses.During our conversation, I shared how I recently helped increase an acquisition price by $150K simply by using AI to analyze negotiation patterns. This isn't theoretical, and Hamza explained how it's happening now, and entrepreneurs who need to pay attention risk being left behind.What fascinated me was Hamza's prediction that within 5-10 years, AI will assist in things like negotiating and making most routine business decisions, leaving entrepreneurs free to focus on big-picture innovation and exceptional situations. He compared where we are now to "the Wild West of AI" - a time of incredible opportunity for those willing to embrace it.Also, what resonated with me was that the best businesses aren't the ones with the fanciest strategies—they're the ones that consistently execute the basics well. But as entrepreneurs, we all know how hard it is to maintain that consistency while juggling fires, opportunities, and daily chaos. This is where AI becomes your secret weapon - not for replacing your judgment, but for:- Testing decisions against millions of scenarios before committing resources- Identifying blind spots in your thinking (we all have them)- Keeping you focused on proven growth drivers when shiny objects appear- Providing pattern-matching insights from centuries of business history- Challenging your assumptions with data-driven perspectivesIn this episode, we dive deep into practical steps entrepreneurs can take to leverage AI for better strategic decisions, including:- How to ensure your business data is clean and properly structured- Ways to experiment with current AI tools to analyze patterns in your business decisions- Focusing on using AI to maintain consistency in your core business processes- Identifying areas where AI can help you stick to proven strategies instead of chasing every new opportunityIf you're building a business that needs to thrive in the AI age (and that's all of us), this is an episode you can't miss.Key Insights:Use AI to test your ideas. With AI, you can create a “digital twin” of your business and try out different ideas without taking real-world risks. The AI will learn your decision-making style and help you see what works.Make time for deep reflection. Running a business can be isolating, especially when making big decisions. Find ways to reflect safely, like using unbiased feedback or finding a space where you can think freely about your direction.Get comfortable with uncertainty. The entrepreneurial journey often involves unexpected twists and turns. Embrace flexibility and be ready to adapt as new information or challenges come up. Sometimes, having a mindset that allows for uncertainty is a key strength.Plan for “What ifs” with AI. Use AI to run many “what if” scenarios, including rare but impactful situations. This can prepare you for surprises and keep your business steady through unexpected changes.Model your business ecosystem. Simulate how competitors, customers, and policies affect your business. This will help you make smarter choices by showing how different moves might play out in the market and how all players are connected.Hamza's best advice for entrepreneurs:"You could have an AI that can effectively not just navigate a digital twin of your company and make great ...
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    52 mins
  • Why Buying a Business Beats Building One with Walker Deibel, Acquisition Lab

    Why Buying a Business Beats Building One with Walker Deibel, Acquisition Lab
    Nov 6 2024

    When I first got into entrepreneurship, I thought starting from scratch was the only way. I built my agency from the ground up, but after learning from people like Walker Deibel, I see that business acquisition often makes way more sense. Imagine taking over a business that already has customers, revenue, and operations. You can scale faster without all the initial growing pains—it’s a smarter, quicker way to grow compared to starting fresh every time.


    About Walker Deibel

    Walker Deibel is an outstanding entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience buying and scaling businesses, having successfully acquired 7 companies and co-founded several startups along the way. He’s the author of the best-seller Buy Then Build, a must-read for anyone looking to grow through business acquisition. As an M&A advisor with Quiet Light, Walker helps online businesses navigate their exits. Through his program, Acquisition Lab, he shares his personal journey and practical strategies to teach entrepreneurs why buying an existing company can be the smartest path to growth—and how to do it right.

    Key Insights:

    • Focus on recurring revenue models. When buying a business, prioritize those with recurring revenue, like subscription models. This gives you a reliable income stream and makes the business more stable, allowing you to plan and scale with greater confidence.
    • Look for underperforming businesses. Find companies that aren’t doing well because of bad management or outdated systems. After buying them, improve operations, marketing, or customer service to increase profits and grow the business.
    • Combine resources. If you buy multiple businesses, find ways for them to share resources, like employees or marketing efforts. This saves money and helps all the businesses grow more efficiently.
    • Plan for the future sale. From the start, think about how to make the business more valuable when you want to sell it. Improve profits and streamline operations so you can sell it at a higher price later.
    • Modernize traditional businesses. Find older businesses that could benefit from modern updates like better online marketing or e-commerce. You can increase their value by bringing them up to date.


    Walker's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "If you can bridge the old economy and the new economy, that's actually the very unique opportunity that we have in our lifetime."


    Connect with Walker Deibel:

    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • X
    • Buy Then Build
    • Acquisition Lab


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    • LinkedIn
    • X
    • Website
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    42 mins
  • Build a Business That Grows Without Burning You Out with Bruce Eckfeldt

    Build a Business That Grows Without Burning You Out with Bruce Eckfeldt
    Oct 30 2024

    When I think about a business roadmap, I see it as the strategy that turns your vision into reality. Looking back, I wish I had one from the start. Entrepreneurs like myself often get lost in the hustle—focused on putting out fires and chasing growth without a real plan. And that’s where things fall apart. After my conversation with Bruce Eckfeldt, I wish I had a well-crafted roadmap that could have saved me from unnecessary stress and reactive decisions. In this episode, he explains the difference between controlled growth and chaos and how it can help your business grow.


    About Bruce Eckfeldt

    Bruce Eckfeldt is an experienced entrepreneur and business coach who specializes in helping companies grow and prepare for successful exits. Over the years, he has led multiple businesses through big growth phases, building strong leadership teams and creating clear roadmaps for sustainable success. As a 5X Inc. 500 CEO Award Winner, Bruce knows firsthand what it takes to scale a business effectively.


    He’s certified in Scaling Up, 3HAG/Metronomics, and Predictive Index, using these proven methods to guide businesses through challenges and unlock their full potential. Bruce is also passionate about personal growth and leadership development, which he incorporates into his coaching.

    Whether you're looking to grow, build a high-performing team, or plan for an eventual exit, Bruce offers the experience and strategies needed to make it happen. His focus is on helping entrepreneurs create businesses that are strong, scalable, and ready for whatever comes next.

    Key Insights:

    • Think like a CEO, not a founder. As your business grows, you need to stop doing everything yourself. Trust your team to handle the day-to-day so you can focus on leading and growing the company.
    • Focus on sustainable growth, not hustle. Entrepreneurs often prioritize busy work over structure, but Bruce believes that without the right processes and leadership team, growth can lead to chaos. Set up scalable systems early on for sustainable, controlled growth.
    • Reduce business risks. Whenever possible, try to reduce reliance on key clients or single revenue streams. Not only does it make your business vulnerable if something goes wrong, but it also limits your growth potential. Start identifying areas where you can expand, whether by attracting new types of customers, offering additional services, or developing new products.
    • Create clear roles and responsibilities. Make sure everyone on your team knows exactly what they are responsible for. This helps avoid confusion and keeps the business running smoothly as you grow.
    • Review your strategy. After developing a strategy, expect it to evolve. The initial roadmap will be wrong in many ways, but the important part is identifying gaps and continuously improving the strategy based on new insights.


    Bruce's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "Most businesses think growth is about hustle, but if you don’t have the right structure or leadership team in place, you’re going to run into chaos. You need to build a foundation that can handle scaling without falling apart."


    Connect with Bruce Eckfeldt:

    • LinkedIn
    • Website
    • X
    • YouTube
    • Inc.com column
    • Podcast


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    • LinkedIn
    • X
    • Website
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    36 mins
  • Build a Business That Supports Your Lifestyle with Brian Keane, Brian Keane Fitness LLC

    Build a Business That Supports Your Lifestyle with Brian Keane, Brian Keane Fitness LLC
    Oct 23 2024

    Balancing business growth with family life has been a challenge for me for years. As a husband and father of three wonderful children, everything I do is with my family in mind. I’ve often found myself grinding, trying to scale, but feeling stuck in the day-to-day operations. When I heard Brian Keane, fitness entrepreneur and ultra-endurance athlete, talk about how scalable business models can automate growth, it really struck a chord. He talks about how automating repetitive tasks, delegating what doesn’t need your personal attention, and setting up systems can free up time and energy - and that’s the real win.


    About Brian Keane

    Brian Keane, a fitness entrepreneur and the CEO of Brian Keane Fitness LLC, has built a thriving business by combining his passion for health with smart, scalable strategies. A former elementary school teacher, Brian transitioned into the fitness world in 2012, becoming a professional fitness model and setting up his own business. He has since become a 3-time bestselling author and the host of one of the top health podcasts globally.


    His journey includes incredible endurance feats, like running six back-to-back marathons through the Sahara Desert, 230km through the Arctic Circle, and finishing in the top 10 of the Jackpot 100-mile ultra marathon in 2020. Over the years, Brian has grown his business by offering high-ticket coaching, bestselling books, and evergreen online courses that run on autopilot. His approach has allowed him to create a lifestyle of freedom, where he focuses on his passions while the business grows.


    Key Insights:

    • Optimize with data and feedback. Regularly review what’s working by using tools like customer feedback, analytics, and automation metrics to continually improve and optimize business processes.
    • Develop evergreen products. Create products or courses that you build once and sell repeatedly. Brian’s evergreen fitness courses generate passive income with minimal ongoing work.
    • Automate key processes. Identify repetitive tasks in your business like customer onboarding, email marketing, or payments, and use software to automate them. Tools like Zapier, automated emails, or CRMs can help you streamline these tasks efficiently.
    • Focus on niche markets. Narrow your target audience to a specific niche where you can offer specialized products or services. This can help you stand out from competitors and better meet the unique needs of your audience.
    • Build a strong personal brand. Invest time in building your personal brand through content creation, public speaking, and appearances. Establish yourself as an authority in your field, which will naturally attract more clients and opportunities.


    Brian's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “Create a business you never want to retire from; longevity is the secret to wealth creation.”


    Connect with Brian Keane:

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    • LinkedIn
    • X
    • Website
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    53 mins
  • Business Growth through Strategic Acquisitions with Lisa Forrest, Live Oak Bank

    Business Growth through Strategic Acquisitions with Lisa Forrest, Live Oak Bank
    Oct 16 2024

    Entrepreneurship is a risky game, but you can significantly reduce that risk with strategic acquisitions. This method allows you to take over existing businesses that already have proven cash flows and established customer bases. Being particularly interested in acquiring a company, I talked to Lisa Forrest, an expert at Live Oak Bank, about facilitating these types of smart business moves through SBA financing. In this episode, she explains how to use these loans effectively to secure successful acquisitions and create more prosperous entrepreneurial journeys.


    About Lisa Forrest

    Lisa Forrest is the Co-Director of Sponsor Finance/Searchfund Lending at Live Oak Bank with over 30 years of experience in banking. She focuses on helping small business owners with both SBA and Conventional lending. Lisa is well-known across the country for her expertise in M&A deal structuring, especially within the Searchfund community. She helps entrepreneurs buy established companies and reduce risks by finding the right financing solutions.


    Lisa is particularly passionate about educating and supporting the next generation of business leaders, providing resources like cash flow models and executive summaries to simplify the acquisition process. Her hands-on, approachable style makes her a trusted partner in the acquisition space.

    Key Insights:

    • Develop your own acquisition criteria. Define what type of business fits your goals before looking for companies. Consider industry, size, location, and cash flow. This helps you target businesses that align with your long-term vision and reduces wasted time looking at the wrong opportunities.
    • Use cash flow models to evaluate deals. Before committing to an acquisition, use cash flow models to assess a company's financial health. By running scenarios, you can ensure the business will generate enough income to cover debt and other expenses after purchase.
    • Take advantage of the “Silver Wave.” Many baby boomer business owners are retiring and looking to sell. Explore industries where this is happening to find well-established businesses available at reasonable prices.
    • Maintain financial discipline. It’s important not to overpay or over-leverage when acquiring a business. Ensure the acquisition makes financial sense by carefully analyzing the business’s cash flow and ensuring there is room for market shifts or operational challenges.
    • Prepare for post-acquisition integration. You need a plan for integrating the acquired business, including merging teams, operations, and cultures. Having a clear integration strategy minimizes disruption and improves operational efficiency.


    Lisa's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “Cash flow is gonna be king and making sure you're not overpaying for a company, and you're not overleveraging it.”


    Connect with Lisa Forrest:

    • LinkedIn
    • X


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    • LinkedIn
    • X
    • Website
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    40 mins
  • Playing with AI to Grow with A.J. Lawrence

    Playing with AI to Grow with A.J. Lawrence
    Oct 9 2024

    Over the summer, my team and I dove deep into experimenting with AI. AI in business has been a game changer - from automating tasks to uncovering hidden opportunities; it is reshaping how entrepreneurs like us work smarter, not harder. I’ve tried some incredible tools; this episode is all about what I’ve learned.


    About A.J. Lawrence
    A.J. Lawrence is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning JAR Group, a global growth strategy agency and host of Beyond 8 Figures. With multiple 7-figure exits and leading his agency to the INC. 500 twice, A.J. is a seasoned growth strategist, mentor, and angel investor. Passionate about experimenting with AI and innovative business strategies, he helps entrepreneurs streamline their operations and uncover hidden opportunities. A true “journeyman entrepreneur,” A.J. loves learning from experts and applying those insights to drive success in business and life.

    Key Insights:

    • Use AI to simplify work. I’ve been using Google’s Notebook LLM to upload documents, emails, and notes, and it automatically creates summaries, FAQs, and key takeaways. This has saved me much time, especially when working with clients on their business strategies. It’s a great way to get instant insights from your notes.
    • Build a solid marketing and sales foundation. One of the first things I advise entrepreneurs to focus on is creating a robust and long-term marketing and sales structure. You need this foundation to hit the ground running and ensure sustained growth.
    • Customize AI inputs. When I use AI tools, I fine-tune the inputs by feeding them references from key business books or industry data. This helps generate more accurate, personalized insights for the specific project I’m working on. Don’t rely on default settings; get the AI to work for your needs.
    • Position your business like a pro. Positioning is everything. You're missing out on opportunities if you’re not showing up in the right light. It’s not just about having a website—crafting a professional presence that attracts the right people.
    • Outsource due diligence to experts. I’m a big believer in working with specialists for due diligence. While AI is great for evaluating marketing and sales, there are areas where I always bring in an expert. It lets me focus on the bigger picture—growth, strategy, and execution while the pros handle the technical details of the acquisition.


    A.J.'s best advice for entrepreneurs:

    "Sometimes what looks like an overpriced deal could be undervalued if you realize you can create more value than is being seen on paper."


    Tools mentioned:

    • Notebook LLM from Google
    • Google's Voice API
    • Synthesia*
    • Perplexity


    Connect with A.J. Lawrence:

    • LinkedIn
    • X


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    • LinkedIn
    • X
    • Website


    *Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.
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    23 mins
  • Strategic Moves to Secure a Large Exit with Mac Lackey, ExitDNA

    Strategic Moves to Secure a Large Exit with Mac Lackey, ExitDNA
    Oct 2 2024

    When is the best time to sell your business? According to Mac Lackey, it’s never too early to prepare. Drawing from his six successful exits, Mac believes in the power of a strategic exit—selling based on unique value rather than financials. It’s all about thinking ahead and identifying what makes your company special. Whether you sell in one year or five, being ready allows you to seize opportunities and maximize your business's worth.


    About Mac Lackey

    Mac Lackey has been building and selling businesses for over 25 years. He’s launched six companies across industries like tech, media, and apparel, with each one successfully exiting for seven or eight figures. Mac’s entrepreneurial journey has been defined by smart decision-making, from launching his first web-based company during the early days of the internet to consistently recognizing market opportunities. Known for his knack for spotting early trends and creating strategic value, Mac helps other entrepreneurs prepare for lucrative exits through his program, ExitDNA, where he helps founders prepare for profitable exits.

    Key Insights:

    • Prepare for your exit early. Don’t wait until you’re ready to sell. Begin planning your exit as soon as possible by organizing finances, improving operations, and creating value.
    • Sell when the market is right. Timing is crucial. Monitor market trends and industry shifts so you can sell at a time when your business is most valuable.
    • Focus on product-market fit. Instead of worrying about building a massive company right away, focus on finding the right product-market fit. Once you get that right, you can grow faster.
    • Tell a compelling story. Create a clear narrative that explains why your business is valuable. Tailor this story to appeal to potential buyers, highlighting benefits of your business.
    • Stay curious and adaptable. Mac attributes his success to his intellectual curiosity and willingness to adapt. Ask questions about what’s changing in the world, and be ready to pivot your business model or strategy as necessary.


    Mac's best advice for entrepreneurs:

    “The early exit is the easier exit.”


    Connect with Mac Lackey:

    • Website
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    • X


    Follow Beyond 8 Figures:

    • LinkedIn
    • X
    • Website
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    35 mins