Vital Wealth Strategies

Hosted by Patrick Lonergan

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100

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, where financial and tax expertise meets entrepreneurial success. Join us as we dive deep into the world of high-level entrepreneurship, bringing you top authorities who specialize in cutting-edge financial and tax strategies. Our podcast is your go-to resource for staying ahead in the financial game, offering insights and advice that can optimize your wealth, reduce tax liabilities, and supercharge your business growth. Tune in to gain a competitive edge and unlock the secrets to financial success in the world of high-level entrepreneurship.

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September 8, 2026Episode 14842 min

148 | Why This Real Estate Investor Is Taking His Wealth International with Mike Stohler

What if the best real estate deal in Europe cost a fraction of what the same property would run in Sedona or Santa Barbara? On this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Mike Stohler of Gateway Private Equity to unpack why he's moving beyond the traditional US real estate playbook and into international hotel investing, specifically historic boutique properties in Spain. Stohler shares his journey from financing his first units on a credit card in the pre-Google era to building a portfolio that spans multifamily, senior housing, and hotels across the US and Europe. Throughout the conversation, Stohler breaks down exactly what separates a hotel from a typical real estate investment, why it functions as both a business and an asset, and what that means for financing, tax treatment, and long-term returns. He and Lonergan dig into the due diligence mistakes that sink deals, the surprising economics behind buying a centuries-old Spanish property for a fraction of its US equivalent, and how currency diversification, favorable interest rates, and cross-border tax treaties are reshaping how entrepreneurs think about protecting and growing their wealth outside the United States. For entrepreneurs sitting on free cash flow and looking for a way to diversify beyond the usual multifamily deal or stock portfolio, this episode offers a rare look at an opportunity most investors have never considered. Key Takeaways: A hotel is not just real estate. It's an operating business layered on top of real estate, which changes financing options, tax treatment, and risk profile. Post-COVID, the strongest hotel investments have at least three independent demand drivers rather than relying on a single source of traffic. Reconciling a property's P&L against its actual tax returns is one of the most overlooked and most important due diligence steps in any real estate acquisition. Historic boutique hotels in Spain can be acquired for a fraction of the cost of comparable properties in the US, with favorable financing rates and a US-Spain tax treaty that prevents double taxation. International real estate offers entrepreneurs a way to diversify their wealth outside typical US concentration risk while gaining a genuine lifestyle benefit. Choosing the right due diligence team, including local expertise, is essential when investing in an unfamiliar market. Learn More About Mike: Gateway Private Equity: gatewaype.com International Opportunity: https://gatewaype.portal.agorareal.com/#/public/brochure/1/efe09f68-c50c-4526-b729-06a94715c665 Resources: Visit vitalwealth.com/resources to download FREE resources Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

September 1, 2026Episode 1471 hr 6 min

147 | Tax Strategy or Tax Scam? What Entrepreneurs Need to Know

What happens when a "genius" tax write-off you saw on TikTok turns out to be the same strategy that landed two professionals in federal prison for over 20 years each? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with colleague Michael to unpack the difference between smart, compliant tax strategy and the sham strategies that can trigger IRS penalties, audits, or worse. From viral myths about writing off G-Wagons and vacation homes to real-world fraud cases involving KPMG, syndicated conservation easements, and abusive trust structures, this conversation separates the tax moves that build real wealth from the ones that build a case file. Pat and Michael break down five of the most common tax "myths" circulating online today, explain what actually makes a deduction legitimate under the IRS's own rules, and walk through several high-profile case studies where aggressive tax planning crossed the line into fraud. Entrepreneurs making seven figures or more will walk away with a practical framework for evaluating any tax strategy before they implement it, including the exact questions to ask an advisor and the red flags that separate a smart move from a dangerous one. Whether you're considering a cost segregation study, putting your kids on payroll, or wondering if an S-election makes sense for your business, this episode gives you the guardrails to pursue aggressive tax savings without putting your business, or your freedom, at risk. Key Takeaways: Why "it's a write-off" doesn't mean it's free, and how the math on tax deductions actually works The truth about writing off vehicles over 6,000 lbs, and why depreciation recapture can undo the benefit How cost segregation studies really work, and what's required to use the deduction against active income The right and wrong way to put your kids on payroll for tax savings Why not every entrepreneur should rush to file an S-election Real case studies: the KPMG tax shelter scandal, syndicated conservation easement fraud, and abusive trust schemes The critical difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion A five-question framework for vetting any tax strategy before you implement it Resources: Visit vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

August 25, 2026Episode 14656 min

146 | The One Money Talk Parents Keep Putting Off with Dale Alexander

What if the single most important financial decision of your life happened before you ever built a business, bought a house, or started a family? On this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Dale Alexander, a CFP, national speaker, and author of The Talk About Money, to unpack the framework Dale calls Make 70 Your 100: live on 70% of your income, invest 20%, and give 10%, starting with your very first paycheck. It's a conversation built for entrepreneurs, parents, and anyone who's ever wondered why more income never seems to solve a spending problem. Together, Patrick and Dale dig into why financial "drift" quietly derails even high-earning households, how social media has rewired the comparison trap for an entire generation, and why 90% of family wealth disappears by the third generation and what entrepreneurs can do to break that cycle with their own kids. Whether you're building generational wealth, coordinating your tax and financial strategy through the Entrepreneur Private Office model, or simply trying to raise financially literate kids in a world of one-click spending, this episode delivers practical, immediately actionable frameworks for making money decisions that compound for decades. Key Takeaways: The 70/20/10 framework: live on 70% of income, invest 20%, give 10% and why this beats the popular 50/30/20 budgeting rule Why increased income rarely solves a spending problem, and how lifestyle creep silently erodes wealth at every income level The concept of financial "drift" and why intentionality, not willpower alone, is required to stay on course A two-step method for rebuilding financial margin at any age, even if you didn't start with 70/20/10 from your first paycheck Why 90% of family wealth is lost by the third generation, and how proactive conversations about money can break that pattern The psychological and neurological case for giving 10% of income, and how generosity fits into a coordinated wealth strategy A practical, at-home system for teaching kids financial responsibility before they leave the house Resources Mentioned: The Talk About Money Dale Alexander official site The Talk About Money by Dale Alexander The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel Resources: Visit vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

August 18, 2026Episode 1451 hr 1 min

145 | The Secret Weapon Behind Every Trusted Business with Neal Foard

Why do some ideas spread like wildfire while others die the moment they leave a boardroom? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Neal Foard, a 25-year advertising veteran to unpack the real reason facts, data, and bullet points fail to persuade and what actually does. Neal has spent his career teaching some of the biggest brands in the world how to turn ideas into stories that stick, and in this conversation he brings that same expertise directly to entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who want their vision, their pitch, and their values to actually land with the people who matter most. Throughout the episode, Neal and Patrick dig into why the human brain is naturally resistant to logic-based persuasion, how to reframe every story so the listener, not the storyteller, becomes the hero, and why capturing everyday moments in a simple notebook can become one of the most valuable habits an entrepreneur can build. They also cover how to turn even the worst days into powerful material, why rehearsing a story is the secret behind every effortless-sounding presentation, and how a single mindset shift, discovered by accident at a state fair, can transform the way any entrepreneur approaches sales, leadership, and client relationships. Whether you're trying to align your team, close more deals, or simply be remembered for the right reasons, this episode offers a practical framework for making your ideas impossible to ignore. Key Takeaways: Facts and bullet points rarely persuade - stories build trust in a way data cannot The best stories position the listener as the hero, not the storyteller Capturing small daily moments in a notebook creates a library of powerful stories over time Reframing tough experiences as future stories changes how they're processed in the moment Rehearsing a story or presentation is what separates polished delivery from average delivery Shifting from viewing people as "prospects" to viewing them as people you're trying to help changes the entire sales dynamic Storytelling strengthens culture, leadership, sales, and even parenting Learn More About Neal: storyfire.net Neal Foard's storytelling course and speaking/booking inquiries Episode Resources: Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks Soundtracks by Jon Acuff How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Resources: Visit vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

August 11, 2026Episode 14459 min

144 | Why Is Enough Money Never Enough?

Why is it that entrepreneurs who've hit every financial goal they set still feel like something's missing? On this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Ryan Johns, one of our lead advisor at Vital Wealth, attorney, and Certified Kingdom Advisor, to unpack why financial success so often fails to deliver the peace and contentment entrepreneurs expect it to bring. Drawing on real client stories, behavioral patterns around wealth and comparison, and timeless biblical wisdom from King Solomon's own pursuit of "everything," Lonergan and Johns explore why the goalposts keep moving even after the money game has been won. This conversation goes beyond tax strategy and portfolio performance to ask a more fundamental question: what was money actually designed to do? Listeners will hear why business exits often trigger unexpected identity loss, how rising net worth can quietly increase anxiety rather than reduce it, and what scripture does and doesn't, say about wealth, success, and contentment. Entrepreneurs walk away with practical reflection questions to apply directly to their own financial decisions, along with a clearer framework for building wealth without losing sight of what it's actually for. Key Takeaways: Reaching financial independence doesn't eliminate life's problems, it often just changes their scale Social comparison resets as income grows, which is why "enough" constantly moves further away Roughly 90% of business owners report dissatisfaction after selling, usually tied to lost purpose rather than price Liquidity, not lack of opportunity, is one of the most overlooked risks entrepreneurs face Scripture never condemns wealth itself, but warns against the love of money and the pursuit of security through possessions True contentment is tied to purpose and identity, not net worth Episode Resources: Primary Scripture Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Ecclesiastes 5:10 Matthew 6:19-24 Luke 12:15 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Supporting Scripture Proverbs 11:28 Proverbs 23:4-5 Psalm 62:10 Mark 8:36 Hebrews 13:5 Philippians 4:11-13 Resources: Visit vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

August 4, 2026Episode 14345 min

143 | Designed to Last: Success Isn't the Exit - Redefining Wealth for Entrepreneurs

If you sold your business tomorrow, would you know who you are without it? It's a question most entrepreneurs spend years avoiding, and in this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan turns the tables and sits down as the guest, with his teammate Michael stepping in to host. Together they close out the Designed to Last series with a conversation that shifts away from financial strategy and into something entrepreneurs rarely make time for: themselves. Patrick shares the story of a friend who sold his company for a life-changing exit and broke down in tears the same day, revealing a truth many high-performing business owners eventually face when their identity and their business have quietly become the same thing. Listeners will walk away with a practical framework for building a life that can hold up alongside a growing business, including the REACH method for identifying what actually matters, the difference between stewardship and ownership, and why chasing balance is the wrong goal entirely. Patrick also unpacks the Strategic Coach concept of 150 free days a year, the tools he personally uses to protect time with his family, and why the health of the entrepreneur, not just the business, determines whether either one lasts. Entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable wealth without sacrificing the life they're building it for will find this episode essential listening. Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurs often build their identity around their business, which can create a painful reckoning if that business is ever sold or lost The REACH framework (Relationships, Experiences, Advancement, Contribution, Health) offers a structure for evaluating what matters most in life Harmony, not balance, is the goal: giving each priority the right amount of attention rather than equal amounts Building a self-sustaining business through delegation is what allows entrepreneurs to actually take time away The Strategic Coach concept of 150 free days a year illustrates how much true time off is possible with the right systems in place A personal Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO) can bring the same clarity to an entrepreneur's personal life that it brings to their business Divorce, burnout, and health breakdowns are often the result of small, unnoticed decisions made over time, not a single event Entrepreneurs do not have to choose between a successful business and a successful life; both are possible with the right stewardship mindset Episode Resources: vitalwealth.com/resources vitalwealth.com/questions Strategic Coach: Business Coaching For Entrepreneurs | Strategic Coach EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System): EOS - Entrepreneurial Operating System for Businesses, home of Traction tools & library Opal app (email/phone blocking tool): Opal - The #1 Screen Time App Designed to Last series: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/124-designed-to-last-why-most-entrepreneurs-take-the/id1716929954?i=1000756957019 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/119-designed-to-last-the-shift-from-operator-to/id1716929954?i=1000750110063 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/116-designed-to-last-a-strong-financial-foundation/id1716929954?i=1000746829876 Resources: Visit vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

July 28, 2026Episode 14254 min

142 | 500+ Capital Raises Later: What Separates Funded Deals from Failures with Jason Fishman

Why do 96% of deals never get funded, even when the product is exceptional? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Pat Lonergan sits down with Jason Fishman, CEO of Digital Niche Agency and the marketing mind behind more than 500 capital raises that have generated hundreds of millions of dollars for founders. Jason has spent over 15 years proving a truth most entrepreneurs learn too late: they don't have a funding problem, they have a marketing problem. The best companies don't win the capital, the companies that communicate value most clearly do. Pat and Jason break down the psychology of social proof, why "everyone wants to be first to be second," and how successful campaigns create demand long before they ever launch. Listeners will walk away with Jason's signature Test, Optimize, Scale framework, the real math behind investor conversions (most happen between touch points 7 and 12, yet fewer than 3% of salespeople follow up more than 7 times), and the exact metrics every CEO should have on their dashboard. The conversation covers Reg D, Reg CF, and Regulation A+ raises, how one company raised $65 million from more than 20,000 investors, why your personal brand pulls your company brand behind it, and where AI belongs (and doesn't) in your marketing. Whether you're raising capital now or building the visibility that makes your next raise easier, this episode gives entrepreneurs a proven playbook for turning attention into investment. Key Takeaways: Most founders don't have a funding problem, they have a marketing and visibility problem Only about 4% of deals get funded at the angel and VC level, and the top 10% of online offerings capture nearly all the investment Social proof and third-party validation separate oversubscribed campaigns from stagnant ones Investors need 7 to 17 touch points before committing, and most conversions happen between touches 7 and 12 The most successful campaigns build their audience and demand before launch, within compliance guardrails Test, Optimize, Scale: let the data, not your assumptions, decide where to invest your marketing dollars Track your funnel like a CEO: impressions, clicks, conversions, and acquisition cost at every stage People invest in people, so your personal brand pulls your company brand behind it AI is a powerful assistant, but the strategic thinking still has to come from you LinkedIn outreach is the most underrated investor acquisition channel available today Learn More About Jason: Digital Niche Agency: digitalnicheagency.com Jason's video content and podcast playlist: mailto:youtube.com/@digitalnicheagency Jason Fishman on LinkedIn: Jason Fishman | LinkedIn Resources: Visit vitalwealth.com/resources to download FREE resources Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

July 21, 2026Episode 14150 min

141 | The investing Lesson Every Entrepreneur Learns the Hard Way with Andrew Horowitz

What happens to an entrepreneur's wealth the day they finally step back from the business they spent decades building? On this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Andrew Horowitz, a nearly 40-year veteran of the financial services industry and host of The Disciplined Investor podcast, to break down why so many successful business owners struggle to invest their wealth with the same discipline they used to build their company. Horowitz and Lonergan dig into why an entrepreneur's own business behaves like one of the riskiest assets in their portfolio, the real math behind a market drawdown, and a practical dollar-cost-averaging strategy called "one foot in, one foot out" that helps investors get off the sidelines without the fear of a lump-sum decision gone wrong. Whether an entrepreneur is still building free cash flow inside the business or preparing for a future liquidity event, this conversation lays out a clear framework for separating business risk from investment risk, building an all-weather portfolio, and making decisions based on process instead of emotion. Key Takeaways: Why business owners often confuse business success with investing skill, and why that gap creates unnecessary risk How a founder's business behaves like a micro-cap stock, exposed to shocks that can undo years of hard work The real math behind a drawdown: why a 50% loss requires a 100% gain just to break even The psychology of a liquidity event, and why mark-to-market investing feels different than watching a home value rise The "all-weather portfolio" (or "flower garden") approach to true diversification The "one foot in, one foot out" dollar-cost-averaging strategy for investing without the fear of bad timing Why waiting for a market pullback can end up costing more than staying invested How to separate business risk from investment risk after selling or exiting a company Learn More About Andrew: The Disciplined Investor podcast / Andrew Horowitz DH Unplugged podcast (Andrew Horowitz & John C. Dvorak) Resources: Visit vitalwealth.com/resources to download FREE resources Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

July 14, 2026Episode 14046 min

140 | Business Fuel: How to Find the Right Capital for Every Stage of Growth with Levi King

What does it actually take to get a business loan and why are so many successful entrepreneurs getting denied? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Levi King, co-founder of Nav and one of the foremost experts on small business credit and financing in the country. Levi brings a rare combination of real-world experience, having started five businesses, secured over forty commercial loans across multiple industries, and built Lendio, the nation's largest commercial loan broker and the technical depth of a fintech founder who has spent a decade solving the financing gap for millions of small business owners. This conversation goes far beyond the basics and delivers a masterclass on what lenders are actually looking at, why most entrepreneurs are flying blind, and what to do about it. Patrick and Levi unpack why business credit and personal credit operate by entirely different rules, how a single bounced check can quietly disqualify an otherwise strong borrower, and why the way a business is structured legally can make or break a loan application before it ever reaches an underwriter. With credit markets expected to tighten in the months ahead, Levi makes a compelling case for why right now, not when you need capital, is the time to build your financial foundation. Whether you are actively seeking financing or simply want to be prepared when the opportunity arises, this episode will change the way you think about capital, credit, and the financial infrastructure of your business. Key Takeaways: Business credit and personal credit are completely different, low data consistency across commercial bureaus means a strong D&B score does not guarantee strong Experian or Equifax scores The Fair Credit Reporting Act does not apply to business credit, disputes move slower and protections are weaker Bounced checks are one of the most common and costly mistakes, even three per month can disqualify an otherwise strong borrower from many lenders Lenders use AI and trending deposit data to determine whether a business is growing or quietly in distress Sole proprietors face significant financing disadvantages, forming a legal entity is critical for access to business loans and credit cards Mixing personal and business finances is an automatic decline with most lenders Get a line of credit before you need one, in a tightening credit cycle, existing facilities stay active longer than new approvals get through Nav aggregates personal credit, all three commercial bureau data sets, and cash flow data via Plaid to show business owners exactly how a lender sees them The best time to build your financial profile is before you need capital, subprime emergency loans often accelerate business failure rather than prevent it Customer revenue is always the best capital, financing should be a growth lever, not a lifeline Learn More About Levi: Nav platform: nav.com Resources: Visit vitalwealth.com/resources to download FREE resources Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

July 7, 2026Episode 13953 min

139 | How to a Build a Sales Team so the Business can Scale with Mike Huey

Are you still the most important person in your sales process? For most entrepreneurs, the honest answer is yes and it's the single biggest thing capping their revenue, their company's value, and their freedom. In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Mike Huey, founder of Scalable Sales Solutions and a sales veteran with 30 years of experience building, breaking, and rebuilding sales organizations from coast to coast. Mike has taken companies from founder-led sales to national scale, including growing a seven-employee facility services business into a nationwide operation and today he helps business owners get the sales hat off so they can build something that runs, grows, and eventually sells without them. Patrick and Mike dig into the exact system that attracts A-player salespeople (and why hiring from inside your own industry almost guarantees you a B or C player), the compensation structures that actually drive new business instead of rewarding the wrong behavior, and the five sales metrics every owner should be tracking. They also cover the recruiting trick Mike uses to screen hundreds of applicants down to true A players, why you have to be willing to fire your top performer over a values violation, and how to know when your business is truly ready to scale or sell. Whether you're stuck as the bottleneck in your own company or preparing for an exit in the next five years, this conversation is a blueprint for turning a personality-driven business into a transferable asset. Key Takeaways: If your business can't grow without you personally closing every deal, you own a high-paying job, not a transferable asset A-player salespeople are attracted by five things: a sales playbook, a lead generation system, a CRM everyone uses, scorecards and accountability, and a compensation plan that rewards the right activities Hiring salespeople from within your own industry usually lands you B and C players, true A players won't leave a strong book of business Compensation plans should adjust every year; stairstep and hurdle models push reps toward new accounts, new territories, and new products Track five metrics: sales activity, average deal size, close rate, repeat purchase rate, and referral rate Culture comes down to two things, the right scorecards and core values and you must be willing to fire top performers over value violations A business is only ready to scale when it cash flows completely with the owner stepped out of the process Start exit planning long before the emergency: "life after the business" is one of the biggest reasons deals fall apart This week's action step: identify the two or three things you're doing that hold the company back, and build a plan to offload them Learn More About Mike: Mike Huey's website / consultation: mikehuey.com Leadership Blueprint: Accountability in Action by Mike Huey The Art of War for Business by Mike Huey Make Your Company Scalable and Saleable by Mike Huey Resources: Visit vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast | Tax & Financial Strategies for Entrepreneurs Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/ Credits: Sponsored by Vital Wealth Music by Cephas Art work by Two Tone Creative Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien