Find new ways to create and claim value in your company with The Shocking Profit Podcast. This show provides business owners and leaders with a practical and endlessly fascinating study of how to effectively run a company, build a good life for employees, serve customers well, and build wealth. All while having a good time. Host Tim Van Mieghem is a grizzled veteran with 30-plus years of experience guiding entrepreneurs to claim and create value in private equity. He's seen it all and is here to share his wealth of knowledge. Tim will tell you what you need to hear, which may not be what you want to hear, to help you find the shocking profit within your own company.
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October 12, 2026Episode 3642 min
Find Freedom within Your Business with Corby Megordon
On the Shocking Profit Podcast, host Tim Van Mieghem talks with Corby Megordon of ENNIS Legacy Partners about building a business that can run without you. Corby explains that exit planning is good business planning, shifting owners to view the business as an asset and improving transferability through clear, understandable financials, a few key metrics, and a monthly rhythm of reviewing actuals versus plan. He describes condensing complex reports into trends that reveal the main profit levers, emphasizing execution through pricing, efficiency, and customer/product segmentation so owners make conscious choices about profitability. The two also discuss forecasting and predictability, arguing that a disciplined business development pipeline is critical to knowing if the company will hit its numbers and freeing owners from day-to-day dependence. Connect with Corby Megordon Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, including the reading recommendations mentioned, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com
September 28, 2026Episode 3530 min
Preparing for a Profitable Exit with Jay Jung
In this episode of the Shocking Profit Podcast, host Tim Van Mieghem sits down with Jay Jung of Embarc Advisors to unpack what actually separates businesses that earn premium valuations from those that get discounted. Jay breaks down why valuation multiples aren’t driven by EBITDA size, but by future growth and risks. He shares practical ways owners can de-risk their companies through cleaner books, stronger org structure, diversified lead flow, stable margins, and less founder dependence. Tim and Jay explore why the best time to prepare is 12–36 months before a sale, how sell-side quality of earnings can often uncover meaningful EBITDA adjustments, and why Embarc’s hourly model focuses on what matters most: cash at close after earn-outs, taxes, and deal structure. Jay also highlights Section 1202 as a powerful long-term tax lever for qualifying businesses. Connect with Jay Jung Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, including the reading recommendations mentioned, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com
September 14, 2026Episode 3453 min
Achieving Outrageous Vision with Christina Winters
In this episode of the Shocking Profit Podcast, host Tim Van Mieghem talks with sales leadership expert and The Revolution of Achievements founder Christina Winters about leading with outrageous vision and expanding what business owners believe is possible. Christina shares her path from being broke, divorced, and without a college degree to becoming a top national salesperson and manager in a financial planning firm, creating a simple one-page pyramid process, and later building and selling a company that scaled to over $250 million in assets. She explains how habits and subconscious programming shape performance, why gratitude and daily self check-ins build presence and joy, and how leaders can create psychological safety by encouraging fast mistakes and learning from breakdowns. Christina also outlines her approach to developing existing sales teams and offers a starting exercise to rewrite your subconscious and achieve what others don’t see as possible. Connect with Christina Winters Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com
May 28, 2026Episode 3243 min
Your Culture Is Either Building Resilience, or It’s Breaking It with Dawn Westmoreland
In this episode of the Shocking Profit Podcast , host Tim Van Mieghem welcomes Dawn Westmoreland, keynote speaker, author, and resilience expert, for a powerful conversation on how workplace culture can either strengthen or destroy resilience within an organization. Drawing on more than three decades of experience in HR leadership, the Air Force, and workplace mediation, Dawn shares why psychological safety is foundational to business performance and how unresolved toxic behaviors quietly erode morale, trust, and profitability. Through both professional insight and deeply personal experiences, she explains why resilient organizations are built when leaders create environments where employees feel heard, respected, and safe enough to speak openly about problems. Tim and Dawn explore the hidden costs of toxic workplace dynamics, from bullying and poor leadership to inconsistent accountability and the absence of clear documentation. Through real world stories of mediation, leadership coaching, and difficult personnel decisions, Dawn highlights how many companies unknowingly tolerate behaviors that damage culture, productivity, and retention. Their discussion emphasizes the importance of strong leadership systems, consistent standards, employee handbooks, and thoughtful documentation, not simply as protection against legal risk, but as essential tools for creating fairness, clarity, and trust across the organization. Together, they reinforce that resilient companies are not built by avoiding hard conversations, but by creating cultures where problems can be surfaced and solved constructively. Listeners will gain practical insights on how leaders can identify signs of stress and dysfunction within their organizations, strengthen psychological safety, and build healthier, more engaged teams. Dawn shares how resilience is developed through empathy, accountability, and open communication, while Tim connects these principles to creating a true problem solving culture that drives long term performance and profitability. For business owners and leaders seeking stronger culture, healthier teams, and more sustainable growth, this episode offers a compelling reminder that shocking profit often begins with creating workplaces where people feel safe enough to bring forward the truth. Connect with Dawn Westmoreland Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, including the reading recommendations mentioned, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com
April 9, 2026Episode 3136 min
Unlocking Business Potential: 10 Key Strategies for Tech-Driven Growth with Mike Lavista
In this episode of the Shocking Profit Podcast , host Tim Van Mieghem welcomes Mike Lavista, founder and CEO of Caxy Interactive , for a deep dive into how organizations can unlock growth by rethinking the way they use technology. Drawing on decades of experience guiding companies through complex systems challenges, Mike shares why most businesses are solving the wrong problems, focusing on tools instead of outcomes, and how shifting that mindset can dramatically improve performance and profitability. Tim and Mike explore the hidden inefficiencies that quietly limit growth, from fragmented processes and inconsistent workflows to the all-too-common instinct to solve problems by adding new software or headcount. Through real-world examples, they reveal how organizations often build costly workarounds instead of addressing root issues, and why initiatives like ERP implementations or AI adoption frequently fail to deliver results. Their conversation highlights a more effective approach: start by understanding the business problems, mapping how work actually gets done, and simplifying systems before adding complexity. Listeners will gain practical insights on how to identify operational bottlenecks, leverage technology more strategically, and scale without simply adding more people. Mike shares a powerful perspective on AI as just another tool in the toolbox, emphasizing that real value comes from solving meaningful problems, not chasing trends. For business leaders seeking smarter growth, stronger execution, and more efficient operations, this episode offers a compelling reminder that shocking profit often comes not from new technology, but from using what you already have far more effectively. Connect with Mike Lavista Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, including the reading recommendations mentioned, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com
March 24, 2026Episode 3041 min
How to Build a Saleable, Scalable, and Easy-to-Run Business with Sarah Victory
In this episode of the Shocking Profit Podcast , host Tim Van Mieghem welcomes Sarah Victory, founder and CEO of The Victory Company, to explore what it takes to achieve bold, accelerated growth while staying grounded in purpose and leadership. Drawing on her experience advising global brands and helping companies double their business and impact, Sarah shares both strategic insight and a deeply personal story that shaped her philosophy of doing something brave every day. Tim and Sarah unpack the connection between courageous leadership and sustainable business growth, highlighting how many organizations overlook simple but powerful opportunities to scale. Through real world examples, including a company that doubled its revenue by clarifying its message and focusing on the right markets, Sarah emphasizes the importance of clear positioning, strong sales and marketing alignment, and the willingness to step outside of comfort zones. Their conversation also explores why leaders must become visible and authentic, explaining their purpose and vision in a way that builds trust and connection with both customers and teams. Listeners will gain practical insights on how to unlock hidden value within their organizations by simplifying messaging, empowering people, and taking consistent, intentional action. Sarah reinforces that growth is often less about adding complexity and more about accessing what is already present but underutilized, from team potential to market opportunities. For leaders seeking greater impact, stronger culture, and accelerated results, this episode offers a powerful reminder that meaningful transformation often begins with a single brave step taken every day. Connect with Sarah Victory Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, including the reading recommendations mentioned, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com Connect with your host Send us a life hack, business hack, or challenge us with a question at elwood@shockingprofit.com
March 13, 2026Episode 2948 min
Transforming Learning and Development with Marty Baird
In this episode of the Shocking Profit Podcast , host Tim Van Mieghem sits down with Marty Baird, creator of the RAD Method, to explore how organizations can dramatically improve engagement, learning, and performance by transforming the way leaders communicate. Drawing on more than three decades in learning and development, Marty explains why traditional lecture style training fails to produce lasting results and introduces the RAD framework: Reveal, Ask, Do, as a practical way to turn passive audiences into active participants. Tim and Marty unpack the deeper implications of this shift, emphasizing that most meetings, training sessions, and presentations suffer from low retention because leaders talk at people rather than engaging them in dialogue. Through stories from Fortune 500 companies and real world client experiences, Marty illustrates how asking better questions, inviting participation, and framing conversations as stories can dramatically increase retention and alignment. Their discussion also highlights the hidden execution tax organizations pay when communication fails, which often shows up as lost productivity, disengaged employees, and millions of dollars in unrealized potential. Listeners will gain actionable insights on how leaders can create more engaging meetings, empower employees to contribute ideas, and unlock the untapped value already present within their teams. Marty shares practical techniques such as structuring conversations around thoughtful questions, scaffolding discussions from simple to complex, and shifting the leader’s role from hero to guide. For business owners and executives seeking stronger culture, higher engagement, and better execution, this episode offers a powerful reminder that the key to shocking profit often lies not in adding new resources but in hearing and developing the people already inside the organization. Connect with Marty Baird Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, including the reading recommendations mentioned, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com Connect with your host Send us a life hack, business hack, or challenge us with a question at elwood@shockingprofit.com
February 9, 2026Episode 2831 min
Rethinking Sales Strategy with Emily Shaw
In this episode of the Shocking Profit Podcast, host Tim Van Mieghem welcomes Emily Shaw, a seasoned sales coach at Lushin, for a candid discussion on transforming the sales process for lasting, predictable growth. Emily shares her personal journey from being a lifelong salesperson and Lushin client to finding her passion at the crossroads of psychology and consultative selling. Tim and Emily unpack the critical elements that create consistent sales results, highlighting why great plans and processes mean little without disciplined, daily action. Their conversation explores the nuances of controlling the sales process, empowering sales professionals to embrace the role of trusted advisor rather than mere order-taker, and why accurate forecasting and a lean pipeline are hallmarks of a truly effective team. Listeners will learn practical strategies for qualifying opportunities, setting boundaries, and shifting from “just selling” to genuinely helping clients buy what they need. Emily offers a glimpse into Lushin’s approach to diagnosing sales challenges, building custom solutions, and keeping the focus on personal growth and client impact. This episode is a must for business leaders and sales teams seeking more than just sporadic wins by delivering a practical blueprint for achieving sustainable, customer-centered sales growth without losing sight of human connection and professional fulfillment. Connect with Emily Shaw Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, including the reading recommendations mentioned, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com Connect with your host Send us a life hack, business hack, or challenge us with a question at elwood@shockingprofit.com
January 26, 2026Episode 2738 min
Why Curiosity Beats Judgement with Gary Fretwell
In this episode of the Shocking Profit Podcast, host Tim Van Mieghem sits down with Gary Fretwell, a seasoned consultant who has worked with nearly a thousand colleges and universities across the country, to explore what business owners can gain from understanding the hidden drivers of organizational success in the academic world. Gary unpacks what shocking profit really means for universities and businesses alike, emphasizing how practices like active listening, empathy, and contextual understanding can unlock powerful improvements in customer engagement and retention. Tim and Gary take listeners inside the complexity of higher education, revealing why true transformation starts with connecting to the real needs and challenges of every stakeholder within a business. Gary shares insights from decades of on-the-ground consulting, including the profound impact of academic advising on student outcomes and how this can be applied to your relationships with employees and customers. The discussion goes beyond education and into universal principles of business excellence, including how segmenting data, asking the right questions, and fostering genuine relationships drive sustainable results. Gary’s stories shed light on what organizations can learn from universities about attracting and keeping customers, whether those customers are students, clients, or community members. Packed with actionable strategies, this episode is essential listening for leaders in any field who want to deepen engagement, turn challenges into opportunities, and build enduring impact by putting people first. Tim and Gary deliver a masterclass on serving with purpose and driving lasting change. Connect with Gary Fretwell Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, including the reading recommendations mentioned, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com Connect with your host Send us a life hack, business hack, or challenge us with a question at elwood@shockingprofit.com
December 15, 2025Episode 2643 min
How Playbooks Create Leverage, Not Bureaucracy with Daniel Nannenga
In this episode of the Shocking Profit Podcast, host Tim Van Mieghem welcomes Daniel Nannenga, CFO and COO of CS Capital Management, to break down how to unlock value and scale with intention. Drawing on his background in both finance and operations as well as his experience negotiating athlete contracts and leading M&A deals, Daniel offers an inside look at the playbooks top performers use to drive business success. Tim and Daniel break down what it really means to be “exit ready,” unpacking why preparing your business for sale isn’t just about the transaction. It’s about building a company that creates options, fosters resilience, and thrives through the unexpected. They explore the true power of process and culture, from defining your ideal customer profile to crafting high-performing teams that sustain growth long-term. Listeners gain actionable takeaways on structuring go-to-market strategies, creating clarity and accountability within teams, and embracing humble leadership without becoming a bottleneck. With honest stories of missteps and wins from the field, Daniel shares how standardized systems can bring more leverage, not more bureaucracy, and why asking for help is a mark of strength, not weakness. If you’re a founder or leader aiming to amplify your impact without losing sight of your people and purpose, this episode will equip you with real frameworks to level up your business and your leadership for the long run. Connect with Daniel Nannenga Thanks for joining us! For more information on this episode, including the reading recommendations mentioned, visit the show notes at shockingprofit.com Connect with your host Send us a life hack, business hack, or challenge us with a question at elwood@shockingprofit.com
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