Success Without Fulfillment Is a Dangerous Trap | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 79
The Financial Operator
What if the problem isn’t that you’re not capable… but that you’re not even close to your full potential? In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with Alan Lazaros of Next Level University for a bold, honest conversation about personal growth, work ethic, money, fulfillment, and what it really takes to build a meaningful life. Alan shares the story of how a life-changing car accident at 26 forced him to question everything, despite outward success, a high income, and the “right” path on paper. From there, the conversation opens up into a bigger...
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Scaling from $1M to $10M: What No One Tells You
The Financial Operator
Scaling from $1M to $10M: What No One Tells You | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 78 What really happens when a firm scales from $1M to tens of millions? In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with Christy Hamilton, Partner & COO of Carey & Co, to talk about what scaling actually looks like behind the scenes, personally and operationally. Christy has helped lead Carey & Co through rapid growth, private equity investment, multiple transactions, and expansion from a small internal team to hundreds of employees serving nonprofits...
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Smart Capital vs. Dumb Capital: What Founders Must Know
The Financial Operator
Smart Capital vs. Dumb Capital: What Founders Must Know | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 77 What separates businesses that stay small… from the ones that scale 10X? In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with Steve Walsh, founder of Bison Equity Group, to talk about scaling, smart capital, cash flow, and the mindset shift entrepreneurs must make to grow beyond $2–3M in revenue. Steve shares how he went from teenage motorcycle mechanic and CPA to private equity investor, and why he believes small businesses stay small because of the...
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What Happens When a Startup Runs Out of Money
The Financial Operator
What Happens When a Startup Runs Out of Money | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 76 What happens when you do everything right, and still run out of money? In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with Andrew Ackerman, Head of REACH Labs at Second Century Ventures, to unpack the realities of startups, fundraising, and what actually separates the companies that survive from the ones that quietly disappear. Andrew shares his firsthand story of building a startup that was gaining traction until a single world-changing...
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Why Entrepreneurs Burn Out, and How to Think Differently About Stress
The Financial Operator
Why Entrepreneurs Burn Out, and How to Think Differently About Stress | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 75 What if stress isn’t the problem, but the story you’re telling yourself about it is? This is Part 2 of Jen’s conversation with Suzanne Boehs of Kool Foam LLC, and it goes even deeper. In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen and Suzanne continue their candid, unscripted discussion about stress, entrepreneurship, partnership, and the mental side of...
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From CPA to Business Owner: Lessons You Only Learn the Hard Way
The Financial Operator
From CPA to Business Owner: Lessons You Only Learn the Hard Way | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 74 What does it really take to build a sustainable business—and stay sane while doing it? In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with Samantha Besnoff, CPA and founder of Your Financial Maven, for a candid, practical conversation every business owner needs to hear. With over 30 years in accounting and more than a decade running her own firm, Samantha shares the...
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The Side of Business No One Talks About (Spouses, Stress & Survival)
The Financial Operator
The Side of Business No One Talks About (Spouses, Stress & Survival) | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 73 What happens behind the scenes of a business when the owner is hanging on by a thread? In this episode of The Financial Operator: Cash In, Chaos Out, Jen sits down with Suzanne Boehs, co-owner of Kool Foam and the often-unseen force behind nearly two decades of entrepreneurship. After hearing Cory’s side of the story in a previous episode, this conversation explores the other half of the equation—the spouse, supporter, “momager,” and margin-maker who keeps the...
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The Realities of Running a Creative Business (What No One Tells You)
The Financial Operator
The Realities of Running a Creative Business (What No One Tells You) | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 72 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer, CEO of MKB CFO, sits down with Jeff Price, Founder of Communications Advisory Service Inc., to break down what really happens behind the scenes of a creative service business. From unrealistic client expectations to emotional labor, pricing, boundaries, and the mental load of being a creative entrepreneur — this conversation is honest, relatable, and long overdue. Jeff shares the journey of building a...
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The Truth About Social Media Management for Growing Businesses
The Financial Operator
The Truth About Social Media Management for Growing Businesses | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 71 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer, CEO of MKB CFO, sits down with Chloe Peña, Founder of Day of Socials, to reveal what business owners get wrong about social media and what it actually takes to grow with consistent, strategic content. Chloe breaks down how she built a nationwide content agency, why CEOs should stop doing their own marketing, and the systems her team uses to turn a few hours of filming into a full month of content. She also...
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Breaking the $1 Million Barrier: How to Scale Your Service Business
The Financial Operator
Breaking the $1 Million Barrier: How to Scale Your Service Business | The Financial Operator Podcast | Episode 70 🎙️ In this episode of The Financial Operator Podcast, host Jen Fizer, CEO of MKB CFO, sits down with Bud Nye, Founder of Nye Technical Services, to talk about what really happens when you grow from a small family business into a multi-million-dollar operation. 🚀 Bud shares his journey from working alongside his dad in the trades to running two successful companies — covering the reality behind scaling fast, building the right team, and managing the cash flow chaos that...
info_outlineMindset Mastery: Turning Adversity Into Achievement | The MKB Podcast Episode 59, Season 7
link to video podcast episode: https://youtu.be/dyEPYcUijkg
Welcome to Season 7 of The MKB Podcast! Host Mills Bender, founder and current CEO of MKB, discusses strategies for business owners and variable income earners to manage their finances effectively.
Join host and current CEO Mills Bender in this episode as she chats with entrepreneur Trevor Cowley about what it takes to be a successful business owner. Trevor shares his inspiring journey of turning a debt-ridden business into a seven-figure success and how resilience, grit, and dedication played a key role. Learn about his experiences, the importance of consistency, and how he leverages his mental resolve from personal challenges to overcome business obstacles. Plus, dive into insights about the Real Business Owners (RBO) Mastermind and how it can help you connect with like-minded entrepreneurs. Don't miss this episode packed with valuable business insights!
To connect with Trevor:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realbusinessowners/
Website: https://joinrbo.com/
Don't forget to subscribe for the latest podcast episodes and more from @mkbcfo
Do you have your own financial questions for MKB? Please visit:
Website: https://mkbcfo.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkb_cfo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkbcfo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mkbcfo
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:43 Trevor's Business Journey: From Debt to Success
03:11 The Importance of Resilience and Grit
04:12 Pushing Physical Limits: The 1000-Day Challenge
05:00 Adapting to New Goals and Challenges
06:33 Balancing Business and Personal Life
09:40 Consistency and Overcoming Adversity
18:05 Applying Mental Resolve to Business
19:46 The Unseen Efforts Behind Success
20:57 Mindset: Who's in Control?
21:59 The Importance of Discipline in Business
23:53 Overcoming Overwhelm and Excuses
25:29 Maximizing Productivity and Focus
29:20 The Power of Mastermind Groups
34:38 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
#millsknowsbills #mkb #financialpodcast #fractionalcfo #resilience #consistiency #businessfinance #businessowner