10 Conversations That Changed My Business And My Life
Release Date: 09/16/2025
How Veterans Are Transforming Into Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs
Mission Driven Business
Julie Austin and Matthew Cain share their journey in leveraging their military backgrounds to assist veterans in transitioning to entrepreneurship through their podcast Dogtags to Ownership. We explore the definition of mission-driven businesses, the importance of community & networking, and the personal experiences that shaped their call to service. The discussion also touches on the significance of identity, the challenges faced during the Don't Ask, Don't Tell era and how their backgrounds influence their current endeavors. The episode concludes with insights on partnership dynamics and...
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Transform Your Business with an Annual Client Audit
Mission Driven Business
Understanding your client relationships is more crucial than ever in today's fast-paced business environment. The that can help you gain clarity on your client base, enhance your business relationships, and ultimately drive growth. In this episode, Brian Thompson focuses on how a thoughtful client audit can transform your business. He emphasizes that this process is not about hastily cutting ties with clients but rather about thoughtfully evaluating client relationships to enhance business growth and personal well-being with a simple three-step process. The Importance of a Client Audit...
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Reclaiming Your Time with Boundary-setting
Mission Driven Business
In this solo episode, Brian Thompson outlines practical steps for business owners to take back their time, including auditing their calendars, defining a 'hell yes' filter for opportunities, using scripts to say no gracefully, and starting small with boundary-setting. He stresses that reclaiming time is an ongoing practice that requires accountability, energy tracking, and celebrating small wins. By protecting their time, entrepreneurs can create space for joy, clarity, and purpose in their lives and businesses. Why do boundaries around time management matter Time is your most valuable...
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Close The Books, Open The New Year
Mission Driven Business
In this solo episode, Brian breaks down one of the most overlooked but essential parts of running a mission-driven business: year-end bookkeeping. You’ll learn a simple, practical framework for cleaning up your books, organizing your finances, and setting up systems that actually support you and your business. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by accounting software, unclear categories, or messy receipts, this episode will help you start the new year with clarity and confidence. Episode Highlights Why year-end bookkeeping is a big deal The way you close this year directly affects how you...
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How To Define Your Niche with Theresa Pablos
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson chats with Theresa Pablos, CFP®, about the early-stage realities of building a business. A former journalist and freelance marketer, Theresa transitioned careers to financial planning in 2023 and ultimately earned the CFP® certification mark in 2025. She recently joined as an Associate Financial Advisor and is just starting to build her client base. In this episode, Theresa and Brian discuss the excitement, fear, and the uncomfortable but necessary work of defining a niche. You’ll get practical tips for finding your target audience, learn how to provide real value, and...
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You Can’t Change What You Don’t Track
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson loves a good spreadsheet, and in this episode, he’s sharing some of his best tips for tracking metrics in a manageable, mission-aligned way. You’ll learn how intentional tracking can help mission-driven entrepreneurs gain clarity, celebrate progress, and make better decisions. Drawing inspiration from investor and writer Sahil Bloom’s Five Types of Wealth, Brian offers practical tools to help you track progress without it becoming a full-time job. Episode Highlights Tracking creates accountability Tracking transforms assumptions into awareness. If you’re not measuring...
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Building Businesses with Purpose and Profit with Rachel Bernier-Green
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson chats with Rachel Bernier-Green, founder and CEO of the Economic Justice Consortium, a Chicago-based firm that helps mission-driven businesses sustain and amplify their impact through financial and operational excellence. A recovering public accountant turned social entrepreneur, Rachel has dedicated her career to closing the racial wealth gap and redefining what it means to lead with purpose and profit. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from climbing the corporate ladder in public accounting, to running a social enterprise bakery that partnered with Whole Foods and...
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The Power of Clarity
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson takes a deep dive into one of the most important tenets for mission-driven business owners: clarity. Clarity may sound simple, but it’s not easy. If done well, clarity can be the foundation for building a business that truly supports your mission and your life. Once you find clarity, everything else becomes easier, and this episode gives you tips on how to do just that. Episode Highlights Clarity enables mission-driven entrepreneurs to build their business around their life. Building a business — particularly a mission-driven one — is filled with ambiguity. There’s no...
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101 Sketches To Start Meaningful Conversations with Carl Richards
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson chats with Carl Richards — Certified Financial Planner™, creator of The New York Times “Sketch Guy” column, and bestselling author of “” and “.” Carl’s simple Sharpie sketches have transformed how millions of people think and talk about money. In his latest book, “”, he shares 101 drawings and essays designed to spark deeper conversations about money, values, and what matters most. In this conversation, Brian and Carl dive into the emotional side of money and debate whether money actually can buy happiness. Episode Highlights A good sketch can start a...
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10 Conversations That Changed My Business And My Life
Mission Driven Business
Brian Thompson marks a major milestone with Episode 100 of the Mission Driven Business podcast! In this special retrospective, Brian reflects on 10 standout episodes that made a lasting impact and continue to resonate in his business and life. Whether you’re new to the podcast or a long-term listener, Episode 100 captures the heart of the conversations that Mission Driven Business is all about. Episode Highlights 1. Mike Michalowicz put profit first In , Mike Michalowicz flipped the traditional profit formula, redefining how business owners can approach cash flow. Mike’s episode gave...
info_outlineBrian Thompson marks a major milestone with Episode 100 of the Mission Driven Business podcast! In this special retrospective, Brian reflects on 10 standout episodes that made a lasting impact and continue to resonate in his business and life. Whether you’re new to the podcast or a long-term listener, Episode 100 captures the heart of the conversations that Mission Driven Business is all about.
Episode Highlights
1. Mike Michalowicz put profit first
In Episode 7, Mike Michalowicz flipped the traditional profit formula, redefining how business owners can approach cash flow. Mike’s episode gave language and structure for something many business owners struggle with.
2. Brian Thompson opened up on the mic
In Episode 8, Brian got personal about how and why he started his own firm, Brian Thompson Financial. It was the first time he allowed himself to really be open on the mic, talking about fear, imposter system, and the drive to create something meaningful.
3. George Kinder asked the right questions
In Episode 14, George Kinder’s thoughtful and grounded presence shone through as he advocated for life planning, which connects a financial plan to an individual’s most meaningful goals. His three Kinder Questions have helped many people get clear about what they want their lives to look like.
4. River Nice led with empathy
In Episode 20, River spoke so clearly about how marginalized communities -- especially the LGBTQ+ community -- experience guilt or shame around money. The episode is a powerful reminder that empathy can be a superpower.
5. Anjali Jariwala wrote a new entrepreneurial story
In Episode 42, Anjali Jariwala shared how she built a thriving financial planning firm, only to turn around and write a children’s book that broke sales records. It’s a powerful reminder you can build whatever business you want -- and that your business can evolve with your creativity.
6. Krish Himmatramka proposed using profit for good
In Episode 57, Shark Tank alum Krish Himmatramka proved you can build a business for-profit and for-impact. His ethical engagement ring company commits to its values every step of the way.
7. LaSean Smith talked to 100 customers
In Episode 69, LaSean Smith advised new entrepreneurs to have 100 conversations in order to build a business that people actually want to use. If you’re early in your business, LaSean’s advice is clear, tactical, and values-based.
8. Hugo E. Gomez looked before he leaped
In Episode 79, Hugo E. Gomez tested his business idea and built a proof of concept before making the leap to full-time entrepreneurship.Now his business is thriving by serving a market overlooked by mainstream brands.
9. Channyn Lynne Parker taught philosophy
In Episode 83, Channyn Lynne Parker got poetic, talking about purpose, letting your path unfold, and trusting yourself even when it’s hard. But Channyn really stands out for turning the children’s song “Row, row, row your boat,” into a life philosophy.
10. Masami Sato showed that small actions make a big impact
In Episode 93, Masami Sato shared how she started her company with a toddler in her kitchen and built it into a global force for good. Her company, B1G1, is built on the idea that small actions, done consistently, can change the world.
Resources + Links
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Episode 42: Creating The Products You Want with Anjali Jariwala
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Episode 57: Going from Startup to Shark Tank with Krish Himmatramka
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Episode 69: Building A Business For Financial Independence with LaSean Smith
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Episode 83: Braving Discomfort to Live Your Purpose with Channyn Lynne Parker
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Episode 93: Harnessing The Power Of Small To Create Global Impact With Masami Sato
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Brian Thompson Financial: Website, Newsletter, Podcast
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Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes
About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast
Brian Thompson, JD/CFP, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit.
On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.