Anything But Typical

Roddey Player worked in his father's business as a kid. As a young professional, he moved into the business full time. Roddey then proceeded to work up the company, before taking over as CEO 14 years ago. In this episode, Player shares the insight of growing up in a family business. Today, Queen City Audio Video & Appliances is a flourishing retail business. We dive into the difficulties and evolution of retail businesses. We go into leadership styles and decision making. Player shares what he learned in his early years of the business that helped shape how he acts as CEO. Player talks about how the customers, suppliers, and people are the 3 legs of the stool in his business. Check out Queen City Audio Video & Appliances and connect with Roddey on LinkedIn.

Andy Hilliard, CEO at Accelerance, was in a banking career that was draining his energy. On a cross country skiing trip, Hilliard decided to leave banking to join the Peace Corps. It was in there Peace Corps where he saw first hand how different cultures achieve happiness, as well as business development mistakes and opportunities he could apply to his future. Today, Hilliard runs a global organization that helps companies find the right outsourcing partners. Hilliard works with businesses in countries throughout the world, where he blends cultures today and enhances everybody's experience. He also takes what he learns with interactions throughout the world to differentiate Accelerance. Check out Andy's book Outsource or Else, and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Mike Reimels, owner of Reimels, Miller, Pattera Dentristy, may be one of the most efficient guests we've had on the Anything But Typical Podcast. In this episode, Mike lays out what his day looks like. He minimizes travel time and said "time in the car is wasted". He only does meetings if they are absolutely necessary, and then it needs to be somebody coming to him or via Zoom. Reimels goes well beyond those two nuggets in how he's able to get significantly more done than most business leaders. Reimels has also grown his business through acquisition. We spend a lot of time discussing how he's ironed out his acquisition process. Mike shares what the things are in the business that he is looking for in order for it to be a good and profitable acquisition. Dr Reimels packs this episode with phenomenal information. Be sure to to check out Reimels Dentistry, or reach out to him at [email protected].

"You've got to show up in a chicken costume at their front door if you want them to notice you." That was Andy Pfeiffer's sentiment when talking about all of the distractions and things that are vying for our attention today. Andy, Founder and Principal of Arthur Elliott Marketing Group, approaches marketing and branding with his clients in a manner that gets to the root of how you want to be known. He talks in this episode about how they get insight, ideate, and create for their clients. We also go into Andy's evolution of Arthur Elliott. The entrepreneurial journey alone is packed with lessons. So whether you're at a pivotal point in your company's journey, or you're looking to spark ideas around your brand, this is the episode for you. Check out Arthur Elliott, and connect with Andy on LinkedIn.

David Redding's sophomore year of college he had to figure out how to pay for school. On the table was a flyer about ROTC that his roommate received. David joined the Army, and later the Green Beret. In this episode, Redding shares his lessons and experiences from his military days. "Take the blame, pass the praise." This was his most important lesson learned. Redding also created F3- Fitness, Fellowship, Faith. F3 is a no cost workout group. What began as an invitation to a small group of men has turned into an organization in 7 countries and 48 states. David talks through the story of F3 in this episode. Be sure to check out F3, David's law firm TLG Law, Redding's site CollisionLearner.com, and connect with David on LinkedIn.

Jason Tuttle had commercial real estate in his blood. Working for his father in the industry, Jason built up his knowledge and understanding. During the Great Recession, Tuttle's resiliency was tested. Yet, he came out the other side stronger than ever and prepared to build and grow his own firm. In this episode, Jason shares some of the things he looks for when investing in commercial real estate. He talks about deal making, growing rapidly and aggressively, and continuing to move forward. Jason also shares how he navigates prioritizing things like family, health, and fitness with his business. Connect with Jason on LinkedIn.

Jennifer Guthrie, Founder and CEO of In-Flight Crew Connections, knew she wanted to be a business owner at 16. After trying her hand in multiple industries, she founded In-Flight. Jennifer shares with us how she got the business started and evolved from a regional corporate flight attendant service. We go into Jennifer's growth mindset and how she goes about thinking big. We discuss how they handled COVID, which dramatically impacted her business and industry. In-Flight Crew Connections has also won Best of Staffing Client Satisfaction and Talent Satisfaction awards for 9 straight years. Jennifer shares how they maintain such high quality and with such consistency. Check out In-Flight Crew Connections and connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.

Mike Estramonte started his first business at 14 when he and a buddy began painting barns in Upstate New York. Estramonte become a chiropractor and went into business. Today, Dr. Estramonte is the CEO of Starmount Healthcare, a healthcare management company supporting practices with services such as human resources, recruiting, accounting, and more. In this episode, we talk about how Estramonte took a jackhammer to his garage floor and built a 6 foot deep cold plunge. We dive into what he is doing to maintain his health and biohacking through things like sauna and red light therapy. When it comes to business, the story we discuss about how Starmount pivoted during the pandemic to be a major player in COVID testing is unbelievably impressive. Dr. Estramonte also shares how he hired 6 former Navy Seals to help with the organization, planning, and execution of testing throughout the state. Be sure to connect with Dr. Estramonte on LinkedIn.

Omar Jorge was born into a family of entrepreneurs with Dominican Republic roots who owned supermarkets in New York. He started actively working in the grocery stores in his early teens. He seemed destined to be in the family business. But as he grew older, he thought the way he could best serve the family business & his community would be through law. So, he left the supermarket business at age 20 to go to law school & became an attorney. Even in law school, his entrepreneurial DNA & love for the supermarket business couldn’t be suppressed. He was one of the first website developers for supermarkets in the late 1990s. Little did he know that he’d leave his law practice at age 28, leave his community in New York, move to Charlotte, NC & serve a new community as Chairman of Aurora Grocery Group & CEO of Compare Foods Charlotte. Omar created Aurora Grocery Group, a shared services company, to serve 25 supermarkets. The model Omar oversees with Aurora is to maximize the economies of scale by serving 25 locations instead of each business having to fend for themselves individually. Be sure to check out Aurora and Compare in the links above, and connect with Omar on LinkedIn.

Bethany Miller grew up around entrepreneurship. When she saw her father go through battles such as embezzlement and bankruptcy, she chose a safer path. But her passion for doing good for people shined the light on how she could run a business better than what her clients in the home care industry were currently getting. Today, she owns and runs Aroga Home Care Services. Bethany is the epitome of strength and courage. She is completely transparent and vulnerable in this episode as she shares her own trials and tribulations. This is not an entrepreneurship through rose glasses episode. Bethany discusses how she battled cancer, loss, and multiple other hurdles while building her company. She talks about mentorship, peer groups, and how surrounding yourself with others will allow you to succeed. Connect with Bethany on LinkedIn, check out Aroga Home Care, and follow Aroga on Instagram @aroga_care.

Think big, dream big, be big. That is today’s guest’s motto. Many people go around life and can point out flaws or inequities. Few do something about it. Christopher Dennis is the Principal of E-Fix Development and E-Fix Housing Solutions. He’s also the Founder of the nonprofit Community Dream Builders. Dennis has been a long time community leader in revitalizing what used to be one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the Charlotte, NC area. He also has served for over 22 years in the Air Force National Guard. Christopher Dennis is a lead by example individual. He goes way beyond talking about getting things done. If you want to learn from somebody who has created positive community impact while running successful businesses, this is the podcast for you. Check out E-Fix Housing Solutions and E-Fix Development and follow Christopher on LinkedIn.

Brent Hulderman is the owner of Absolute Recovery and Pitbull Keys. But before Brent was in the repossession business, he was in the mortgage industry. And Brent experienced the brunt of the financial recession. You're faced with a crossroads in your life. How do you handle it? Brent was proactive and: Did some research on a recession-resistant industry (like vehicle repossession) Found someone who was in that business Joined them in their tow truck for some “ride-along” experiences Bought a tow truck – even though he'd never driven a tow truck before Brent has come a long way since those early days in the cab when he darted in to pick up vehicles delinquent in their payments (while encountering substantial risk) and running his two businesses today. His journey is enlightening, insightful, & anything but typical.

After years of working for other CPAs, Matt Andersen chose to run his own CPA firm. He set out to create a lifestyle business where he could still enjoy things like time with his family and mountain biking. What transpired was very different. Years of stress passed by before Matt realized he was running a growth business; not a lifestyle company. Andersen made strategic moves, including getting rid of almost all individual clients to focus solely on businesses. He built a strong company with significant intrinsic value. But he also wasn't enjoying life the way he wanted. So when Anything But Typical's own Gary Frey had Matt complete something called the Thrive/Wither, Matt's eyes were opened and something clicked. Less than a year later, Matt chose to sell his firm to BGW CPA and join as a director in BGW. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn and check out what he's doing with BGW CPA.

Brian Koch is a disruptor of ideas. His goal is to help you rethink things in your life. That could be fishing, work life balance, or anything else that is important in your life. Brian does this through how he leads his life. Brian has been around hunting most of his life. In an experience he discusses during this episode, Brian grew a passion around educating others on hunting, specifically bird hunting. In order to truly feel like he was an outlier in the industry, Brian immersed himself in a 90 day hunting trip. He and his dogs hunted every single day over 7 states, no matter the weather or conditions. This has led to his adventure, experience, and bird hunting content company- Ultimate Upland. Check out Ultimate Upland, subscribe to them on YouTube to see their latest season of Way Upland, and connect with Brian on LinkedIn.

Russell Huntley chose to leave the family business to create his own. That decision has led to multiple companies: Caliber Construction, East Coast, Straightline Pumping, and Caliber Associates. Huntley has built his brands on the foundation of the highest quality work. But Russell Huntley's path from starting his first business to today is riddled with great successes and impossible difficulties. Huntley comes onto Anything But Typical completely transparent and vulnerable. Enjoy learning lessons that go beyond business and hear how Huntley won a brick laying record. Reach out to Russell at [email protected] or check out their Web site.

Mary Dawn & Joe Hewitt grew close hang gliding during their early dating years. They've been experiencing high flying success ever since. Both Mary Dawn and Joe had successful careers in corporate America. Joe broke out and got into entrepreneurship first, while Mary Dawn was the COO for a global corporation. They've since come together to create a company together. Groupeasy is a tech platform solving the issues related to running and organizing groups. In this conversation, we cover philosophy, outsourcing responsibilities in a tech firm, solving your own problems, working together in a partnership, and much more! Check out Groupeasy and connect with Mary Dawn and Joe on LinkedIn.

Tanner Fritz and his partners each brought their unique backgrounds together to create Anduin, an artificial intelligence for billing. Started in the middle of the COVID lockdown in the United States, it was time for Tanner to change from employee to entrepreneur. In this conversation, Tanner discusses how his career in college basketball at Florida Gulf Coast has carried into running a startup. He also discusses the juggling of his priorities; including 3 kids, a family, basketball, fly fishing, church, and more. We go through the rapid growth of his company and discuss strategies inside the business. Check out Anduin and connect with Tanner on LinkedIn.

Casey Catoe knew it was time for him to stop working for others and create his own business. Nicole took the $700 worth of coins they collected in their 5 gallon water jug to the bank and opened a business account. They mapped out all of their finances and bills to give them the runway they needed for the company to succeed. From this, Carolina Civil was born. Today they husband/wife duo run an extremely successful civil construction company. On top of that, they have a farm of miniature animals. Listen to their story about prioritizing what was most important to them, finding their passion, and positively impacting the world. Check out carolinacivil.com and connect with Casey on LinkedIn.

Kim & Erika came together to take over Crossfit Huntersville from different backgrounds. But they shared a vision of creating a community to people to become healthier versions of themselves. They shared the vision of positively impacting their communities. They shared the vision of building a holistic health and fitness experience. Despite neither owning a business prior, Kim and Erika doubled revenue in the first 3 months of buying the gym. They attribute much of their early success to their social media efforts. Instead of highlighting themselves, @CrossfitHuntersville Instagram profile is all about highlighting their members and community. In addition, they have raised thousands of dollars where 100% of what they raised went to local nonprofits. This mix of rapid growth, supporting the local community, and creating an environment for their members to flourish is certainly Anything But Typical. Check them out on Instagram at @CrossfitHuntersville and on their Web site.

When Jimmy Molina came to the United States for college from Colombia, he was only able to work on campus since he was an international student. Jimmy takes us through his journey of having to get different internships and multiple Master's degrees simply to stay in the United States while trying to get residency. Jimmy grew up in Colombia without disposable income. There were many days when he had to choose how to spend the money his mother gave him. Does he eat dinner or does he take the public transportation home? So when he faced hurdles in the United States, Jimmy was prepared for the hard work and hustle it would take to succeed. From childhood to homesick college student-athlete, to owner of a real estate investment company and the restaurant The Local Room. Jimmy talks about the lessons he's learned, how he prioritizes what is most important to him, and how he has been able to navigate all of the hoops he has had to jump through. Check out Jimmy of Twitter @JDMolina398, The Local Room @LocalRoomLocust on Instagram, and Jimmy on LinkedIn.

Dianna Bock and Destiny Wellenreiter met competing for the same coaching job. But they came together on a chance run-in at Trader Joe's. Each had a vision to offer an experience in the fitness world that didn't currently exist. Together, they have manifested that vision into Hustle House Fitness. Learn in this episode of how they differentiated themselves in a crowded industry. How they navigated the COVID shutdown- which happened to come about shortly after they opened their doors. How they have focused on building a brand bigger than the facility itself. Check out Hustle House Fitness and connect with Destiny on LinkedIn.

Can you imagine a typical restauranteur stating, “We’re in the people business. 95% = people. 5% = food & booze.” Joe & Katy Kindred are hardly typical restaurateurs. They are "anything but typical" in so many ways. If you’ve been to either of their restaurants, “Kindred” or “Hello, Sailor,” you know that there has to be something to their non-traditional approach. Their food is exceptional, the ambiance is unique, and the service is attentive. Given the challenges of 2020 & 2021 that have impacted so many businesses (especially the restaurant & hospitality industries), building upon solid foundations while being nimble enough to pivot has been critical. If you love learning from others who have navigated such challenges well, this episode of the Anything But Typical podcast is for you.

“From a young age, I’ve always embraced a punch in the face.” That sounds like a true New Yorker whose dad was a New York City Fire Department firefighter. That’s one reason why we’re releasing Robert Maynard’s episode of the Anything but Typical podcast this week as we prepare for the sobering 20th anniversary of 9/11. An understanding of Rob’s roots provides some much-needed perspective on his success. Rob is a fascinating entrepreneur who has achieved success in real estate development, real estate investing, & as CEO/Founder of Famous Toastery. If you’ve ever felt like your experience in life, or as an entrepreneur, doesn’t align with the sexy images portrayed on Instagram, THIS episode is for YOU.

Too many people walk into a room wondering, “How can I sell you?” When he’s not out fishing or on one of his wild adventures, Todd Buelow walks into a room wondering, “How can I help you?” That’s not a typical perspective you’ll find in every entrepreneur & CEO running a company of 200 people. Then again, Todd isn’t a typical CEO. Todd is a humble, authentic, positive ripple-maker who leads by serving from his heart. He shares in this episode how they differentiate by measuring success differently. Todd discusses balancing exploring life, running businesses, time with family, volunteering, and so much more. And we dive deep into having meaning within businesses. If you liked his wife’s episode on our podcast, you’ll love this one too. (Go back & listen to Michelle Tunno Buelow’s episode – another positive ripple-making CEO.) Connect with Todd on LinkedIn and check out Dualboot Partners.

Gloria Nelund retired as the highest female executive at Deutsche Bank at the age of 42. She wanted her life to have meaning. What followed was what Gloria calls her "2 year wilderness journey." She discovered that she was designed to accomplish. Yet, she wanted her accomplishing to lead to change. What ensued was Gloria's way of using capitalism to solve social problems. Gloria shares how she went from a teaching degree to navigating the financial corporate world. We discuss ESG investing. We go into B Corporations. We discuss how vital business culture is when a company is aligned with a cause at its core. We prove wrong the either/or mentality of business vs impact. Be sure to check out TriLinc Global and connect with Gloria on LinkedIn.

Adam Boatsman left a Big 4 accounting firm to start a CPA firm. That startup has grown into BGW CPA, where Boatsman is the Managing Partner. In this episode, we go in to how BGW has thrived by focusing on a niche of business owners and creating a unique experience tailored for that niche. Adam shares how he, as well as the company, differentiate themselves and stand out. We also dive into growth strategies in order to maintain quality while pursuing a bigger vision. Be sure to check out BGW CPA on their site to see all of the unique things they're doing. And connect with Adam on LinkedIn.

Want a peak into a a young company experiencing explosive growth? Want to know how creating a unique offering can solve a problem and make you stand out? Then this episode is for you. What Managing Partner Aaron Bock is doing at Opkalla is exciting, industry shaping, and worth learning about. Aaron takes us inside the company and gives us the transparent view. Check out Opkalla and connect with Aaron on LinkedIn.

Dana Jacoby filled this entire episode with insights and tactics. You want to know things that are considered while selling or merging a company? Dana is here for you. Want to know how to prioritize what's most important to you while making change and impact? Once again Dana is here. From studying political science to selling a healthcare company, mentoring entrepreneurs to being a keynote speaker, we go through Dana's stories and lessons in depth. Be sure to connect with Dana on LinkedIn and follow along her incredible journey!

One of the most common causes for CEO burnout & their company’s growth to stall is EASY to identify but oftentimes very HARD for the CEO (especially if they’re the founder) to face it… WAY too many roads dead end at the CEO’s office. Oftentimes, they don’t have anyone inside who they feel like can do things as well as they can so they end up doing way too much. Before you know it, the company looks more like a one-man-band sideshow than a finely tuned symphony. That may have been the case in the very early days at Doerre Construction but Karl Doerre & his son, Matt, have demonstrated how to escape that growth-limiting trap & scale Doerre Construction Company in a healthy & fun way. No one-man-bands here. They've got a symphony playing. Connect with Karl and Matt on LinkedIn.

Esbith Andaya lost his mother as a young kid. His father moved back to Mexico and Esbith went into foster care. Throughout school, he was told that he would never succeed. Teacher told him that he was dumb, that he would be a fast food employee for his entire life. That takes people to a fork in the road. You're either going to listen to what everybody is saying about you and accept your fate, or you're going to prove everybody wrong. Esbith became a voracious reader, soaking up information and constantly expanding himself. He took refuge in the lessons of the books he got his hands on. He found mentors to help guide him along the way. And he never let go of the motivation of being told all of the things he couldn't do. Today, Esbith owns and runs Insight Automation, the premier choice for Charlotte home theater installations and home automation. His journey to this point is extremely interesting, entertaining, and riddled with lessons. Connect with Esbith on LinkedIn and check out Insight Automation.

John Espey was working in a mailroom when a coworker was complaining about a coding issue. John was able to solve the problem. The next day, the head of IT told him that he would no longer be working in the mailroom and would be coding instead. Fast forward to today and John just had an exit from a company he co-founded, Levvel, has a plethora of C-suite and advisory experience, and is the CEO & Co-Founder at Defiance Ventures. John also hosts the Defiance Ventures podcast. John may be a long ways removed from the mailroom, but the path from there to today is still clear. He shares his journey and lessons in this episode. We discuss hurdles of growth in the tech world and hiring and placing the right people in the business. John talks about building the future and innovation. Be sure to listen to Defiance Ventures podcast where you listen to Anything But Typical, connect with John on LinkedIn, and check out Defiance Ventures.

Brandy Milazzo, the founding and managing partner at Ascension Law, has a wealth of knowledge around corporate law, mergers, and acquisitions. We get extremely tactical this episode with Brandy as she walks us through each aspect of an acquisition. Brandy talks about leaving a firm and mentor to create her own law firm. She shares common mistakes in the M&A world. She even shares lessons from growing up around NASCAR. This episode is an incredible weaving between Brandy's story and the vast knowledge she has gained over her career. Be sure to check out Ascension Law and connect with Brandy on LinkedIn.

Brandon Lindsey is the Founder & CEO at Dream on 3, as well as VP of Operations at Hoopaugh Grading. Throughout the conversation with Brandon, he talks about the pivotal point where he changed his priorities and what was most important in his life. Brandon is helping lead the way to the future at Hoopaugh by being early adapters of technology such as Virtual Reality. Brandon discussed the HGC Academy, a 20,000 square foot facility that houses simulators to train on, training rooms, a podcast studio, and more. By utilizing cutting edge technology, they are able to train employees in a safer, more cost effective, and incredibly effective manner. Brandon also discusses growth strategies and lessons learned. We talk about company culture and how to handle integration through an acquisition. Check out Hoopaugh and connect with Brandon on LinkedIn.

Over 19 years ago, Amy Pack and Patty Comer had a vision for a company. Today, they are still running AccruePartners together, taking vacations together, and maintaining a great relationship through it all. In this episode, we walk through the creation and founding of AccruePartners. We discuss the dynamics of a partnership from co-founding to growing the business. We learn about innovation and forward thinking strategies. Amy and Patty also take us behind the scenes on things such as culture, people, and values. Be prepared to take away many lessons on how to work with others on a vision and have fun while succeeding along the way! Check out Accrue Partners , reach out to them at [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected], and connect with Patty and Amy on LinkedIn.

What happens when a business grows beyond its current capacity? Jackrabbit Cofounder Mark Mahoney talks about the growing pains of 20-30 employees. He was wearing significantly more hats than he should. Finally, Mark and Jackrabbit brought in COO Darin Soll. Darin and Mark complemented each other and allowed each to do what they enjoyed the most and were best at. Their roles were defined as Visionary and Integrator. In this episode, Mark and Darin share what their business structure is, what a Visionary and Integrator actually do, and how this change allowed the company to flourish. This is a must listen for anybody looking to provide structure, consistency, and growth to their company! Check out Jackrabbit on their Web site, connect and follow Mark and Darin on LinkedIn. And head over to abtpodcast.com for past episodes and clips.

After a 26 year career in the US Army, Chris Nadeau began the next phase of his career. That military experience steered Chris to prioritize leadership, team building, clear communication, and culture. When Chris was suddenly given only 4 hours to choose between uprooting his family again or losing his job, he knew it was time to stop relying on others. And from that, Haversack was born. Chris has built Haversack to disrupt the logistics industry. The culture and processes breed innovation, all the way down to explaining to potential employees how they will be expected to fail because they will be pushing the envelope to innovate. So the question is, how can we innovate instead of imitate? How can we become a company of 1 instead of a commodity. Check out Chris' episode to find out. Check out Haversack and connect with Chris on LinkedIn.

What would it take for you to leave your current situation and take a leap into a new and exciting venture? This episode, Ben is thrown into the hot seat as Gary interviews him. In a matter of 10 days, Ben has announced becoming an owner of BGW Wealth as well as Crossfit Huntersville. Gary takes Ben through his entrepreneurship journey of starting a company in college, handling employees for the first time, navigating an exit, and buying businesses. Ben shares mistakes, low points, and lessons throughout the episode. He also goes into his transition from running a successful financial advising office to owning and operating a wealth management firm. As you listen, ask yourself what things you would need in your life to make a change? What are those "must haves" that are important in your life? Be sure to check out BGW Wealth, and follow Ben on LinkedIn and @BenMcDonaldNC on Instagram.

Jimmy Coleman left a successful medical sales role to start his own company teaching businesses how to generate prospects and leads for their businesses. Frustration with leaders learning from Jimmy only to go back to their old bad business habits led Coleman to figure out a better solution. He knew he was on to something when 2 companies, one of which being the social media platform TikTok, called Jimmy up and told him to turn off the lead generator. Each company had more leads than they could handle. This was the beginning of a year that would take the 27 year old from overseeing a small company with only a few employees to 30 employees. Jimmy shares strategies to use, mistakes to avoid, and much more surrounding marketing for your business. Check out Coleman's company Lead Baller, follow Jimmy on LinkedIn, and find more episodes and clips of Anything But Typical at abtpodcast.com.

As a final lookback on Anything But Typical's 2020, we have our 4th highlight episode. Vanessa Vaughn Mathews discusses being willing to share struggles and help each other over our business hurdles. Mark Linsz shares the power of giving and receiving feedback. Michelle Tunno Buelow dives in to using a business to give back, create a positive impact, and how to bring your customers in the experience with you. Nick & Gio Gallo go into laying the foundation of a culture in doing the right thing and doing things the right way. Spencer Lueders gets tactical on leading an organization through empowerment and serving those within the company. And our own Gary Frey shares a story about impactful leaders in his career and how important highlighting your team members can be. Thank you again for an amazing 2020 and all of the support. be sure to check out abtpodcast.com for more clips from past episodes.

Looking back again at Anything But Typical's 2020, we're sharing more highlights from our guests. Mac Lackey talks about looking at talent differently, and how it isn't a bad thing to have authentic and open conversations about your employee's future after working for you. Colin Pinkney gives us permission to fail and encourages us to do so. Hilary Porta guides us on how we can learn ourselves to create the future we want. David Privitera harps on the importance of who you surround yourself with and discusses Bottom Up Leadership. Erin Connair discusses how she handles goal setting and how different timelines achieve different results. Greg Barnes takes us through his early lessons as an entrepreneur and how we can learn from what he's lived. Enjoy another lookback on 2020 and be sure to check out the show at ABTpodcast.com.

Hylaine CEO Adam Boitnott and Director of Employee Engagement Chrissy Reed join us to share how they built a culture that attracts and retains top talent. Hylaine is a software consulting company that was named The Best Place To Work In Charlotte. In this episode, Adam discusses the creation and growth of Hylaine. Chrissy provides insight to creating a culture where employees can feel truly comfortable and valued. Both go deep on what they do differently and how they set themselves apart. Anybody who has ever been interested in tangible strategies around culture, employee retention, talent attraction, or business growth better get their pens and paper ready for this episode. Check out Hylaine at their Web site, connect with Adam and Chrissy on LinkedIn. And be sure to check out the Anything But Typical Web Site.

Looking back again on 2020, we have 6 more amazing guests to highlight. Jeffrey Gitomer, The King of Sales, lectures on the importance of putting your focus on what matters instead of getting caught up with the color of your logo or what font you use in a holiday card. Daniel McCollum differentiates between going all in on a niche and having a plan B. Jeni Bukolt shares her second favorite F word, failure. Chris Elmore shares his process that allows him to create an immense amount of writing content. Stacy Cassio shares the value of the fresh eyes and the issue with most corporate mentorship programs. Jeff Wolfberg talks about how important it is to be a cheerleader once your business gets to a certain size.

We're checking out the best of Anything But Typical's 2020. In this first highlight episode, we have Jesse Cole taking us deep on creating unbelievable fan experiences for your customers or clients. Tana Greene discusses the importance of real core values. Robert Fish corrects us on pivots and what it truly should look like to change directions. Chad Jenkins guides us on knowing people, discovering strengths, and using that to head the right direction. Landon Eckles dives into putting the ego aside and surrounding yourself with people who are better than you at certain things so you can become a better version of yourself. And Caleb Musser differentiates gift giving in business for appreciation and for prospecting.

If you are in sales or running a business, there's a good chance you've heard on Jeffrey Gitomer. You've probably read one of his 16 #1 Best Sellers, heard him speak, or more recently go live every day on social media. Jeffrey discusses how going live on his platforms at 9:59am EST until 10:30 every day has doubled his following and increased his sales. Jeffrey has a new book coming out called Go Live, Turn Virtual Connections Into Paying Customers. In this episode we dive in to the lessons within the book, his writing process, mistakes most salespeople and business leaders make, and much more. Jeffrey also gets tactical by offering specific resources to connect on a deeper level with customers, becoming more memorable, and being able to achieve on your terms. Check out Jeffrey at www.gitomer.com to pre-order his new book, listen to his podcast Sell or Die, and follow Jeffrey on LinkedIn, as well as Instagram @JeffreyGitomer and Twitter @Gitomer. Then head over to www.abtpodcast.com to check out every episode, business clips from the show, and much more.

Sitting in a Five Guys burger restaurant in August 2013, Erin Padgett began scribbling a business plan for her first company on the back of her receipt. The top half of the receipt focused on the four things she needed: a name, logo, web site, and making it a legal entity. The bottom half of the receipt was who she wanted to be as a business owner and who she wanted to serve. What was going to differentiate her and her business? Now going in to her 8th year as a business owner, Erin owns and runs Erin Padgett Events as well as Bluebird Bridal. In this episode, she talks about balancing the day to day operations of a service business and a retail company. We dive in to how her team has allowed her to focus on the business that needs her most in that moment without worrying about the other falling apart. Erin walks us through her rebranding of Bluebird Bridal. And with companies serving the events and wedding industries, she shares how she has led her businesses through the pandemic. Have a pen and notepad ready to take notes on this one. Erin is an unbelievable example of an anything but typical entrepreneur. Check her out on Instagram @Erinpadgettevents and @BluebirdbridalNC. Check out the web sites of both Bluebird Bridal and Erin Padgett Events. Check out more on Anything But Typical at our site abtpodcast.com.

Greg Barnes began his entrepreneurial journey in his early 20's by purchasing a tow truck on credit. He had a vision, created a plan, and took the leap that so many are too afraid to take. Fast forward to today and Greg has created 6 businesses, 4 of which he was able to sell. Now he is the CEO at Transworld Business Advisors Charlotte Downtown. He uses his past experience and success to help others fulfill their dreams of buying or selling a company. In this episode, Greg takes us through some of his stories as a young business owner. He gives us key lessons learned. Greg discusses negotiating a business transaction on the buy and sell side. We also get in to marketing and business growth strategies. Be sure to check Greg out on LinkedIn and on his Web Site.

The failure rate for small businesses is astronomical. The failure rate for first time entrepreneurs is even higher. Michelle Tunno Buelow beat those odds while also having her business, Bella Tunno, donate a meal to a child in need for every product they sell since day one! Today, Bella Tunno has given almost 5 million meals to children. In this episode, Michelle shares about the differences of an impact driven company. We go deep in to what a B-Corporation is. She talks about systems in place in the company to ensure integrity and commitment to the mission. Michelle also discusses the perks of a purpose centered organization from things such as loyalty, employee motivation, and culture. This is a must listen for anybody in a leadership position as well as anyone with a passion to have a positive impact on the world. Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn, check out Bella Tunno and follow them on Instagram @BellaTunno.

Jeff Wolfberg has built two startups that turned in to industry leaders. He's been able to successfully exit each company. With Jeff's experience overseeing companies from 1 employee to over 1,000, he shared many thoughts and lessons on leading companies of all different sizes. Today Jeff runs CEO Focus of the Carolinas, where he conducts business advisory boards as well as coaches and consults for companies. In this episode, Jeff takes us through his journey of starting and selling his first business. We dive in to mistakes and misconceptions that has shaped his journey. Anybody who is in a leadership position will be able to take a lot away from this episode. Check out Jeff on LinkedIn, and check out CEO Focus of the Carolinas.

"Finding what you have energy for is where you need to be" Spencer Lueders is the founder of the nonprofit 24 Foundation, has had a 21 year career as an attorney, is the owner and President of State Building Services, is the Founder of Ride Rock Hill, and is a husband and a parent. If anybody understands prioritizing focus and spending time where you get the most energy, it's Spencer. Spencer shared with us habits such as his morning routine, which starts at 4:20am. He discusses some of the most pivotal points in his life and the lessons he has taken away from them. We discuss scalability of organizations and how important it is to have the right people in the right seats. We hit on this and much more. Enjoy the lessons found throughout Spencer's journey. Be sure to follow him on LinkedIn and on Instagram @Spencerlueders. Check out 24 Foundation and State Building Services.

When looking to discuss scaling and exiting companies, Mac Lackey immediately comes to mind. Mac has had 6 exits, including multiple 8 figure exits. He has now created a community called The FENX to help entrepreneurs escape the grind and pursue what matters most to them. He has a mastermind focusing on scaling and selling companies called ExitDNA. In this episode, Mac talks through his journey of businesses and exits. He provides a plethora of advice on how to prep your company to sell. We discuss why it is so important to be in a position to be able to sell, even if that is not your goal. Mac shares how he gets valuations well above industry averages. To learn more about Mac, go to The FENX , maclackey.com , and connect with Mac on LinkedIn.