Leadership Amid Uncertainty with Lucas Luke Schroeder
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
Release Date: 06/28/2022
The Entrepreneur’s Path: Scott Holmes on Growth, Risks, and Retirement
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
In today's episode of the Owner's Corner Podcast, host Seth Whicker is joined by Scott Holmes, founder of ABI Attachments and Managing Partner at PivotPoint Company. Scott shares his journey from starting ABI Attachments to his current role in merger and acquisition work with PivotPoint. He discusses the importance of having a strong team, the challenges business owners face in preparing for sale, and the value of investing in infrastructure and strategic partnerships. Throughout the episode, Scott emphasizes the significance of being prepared, taking risks, and surrounding oneself with...
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From Global Sales to Local Impact: The Journey of Entrepreneurship with Edward Hayes
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
In this episode of the Owner's Corner podcast hosted by Seth Whicker, special guest Edward Hayes discusses the intricacies of the sign business and his journey as a business owner. The conversation delves into the importance of understanding client needs and maintaining a consistent brand message, as well as the diverse industries served by Hayes Design Co. Hayes shares his transition from a global sales career to entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges and rewards of taking over Burkhart Signs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the significance of company culture and the...
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Charting the Behavioral Landscape: A Journey of Compassion and Coaching with Steve Gundy
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
In this episode of the Owner's Corner podcast, host Seth Whicker converses with Steve Gundy, a seasoned professional in behavioral health and owner of a coaching practice. Gundy shares his journey from his first job mowing lawns to establishing a practice that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, leveraging his personal and professional experiences to build a successful business. He emphasizes the importance of aligning with state regulations, the challenges of service delivery, and the personal fulfillment derived from genuinely helping others. Looking ahead, Gundy aspires to...
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Packaging Unwrapped: A Journey through the Medical Device Industry with Tim Early
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
In this episode of the Owner's Corner, host Seth Whicker welcomes Tim Early, CEO of DreamOn Group, for a deep dive into his entrepreneurial journey. Tim's story begins with a move from upstate New York to Florida, marking the start of his career in the medical device industry. His narrative is not just about career choices but also highlights his entrepreneurial spirit. Tim shares candid insights into his early attempts at starting several businesses, discussing the challenges and setbacks he faced along the way. These experiences, though not immediately successful, were instrumental in...
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Bridging the Gap: How Matt Roskuski Helps Companies Work as One
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
Owner of Status Go Consulting, Matt Roskuski, has over two decades of executive-level sales and marketing experience. He has worked for organizations of all sizes, from small privately-owned companies to global giants. His experience spans a diverse collection of industries including technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, consumer products, ecommerce and healthcare. Matt’s a native of Ft. Wayne and has a degree in Management from Purdue - West Lafayette. Early in his career, he spent nine years in Colorado and Southern California before returning home for good. ...
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Want to Sell Your Business? Critical Steps to Exit Planning Revealed with Gordon Bell
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
Gordon Bell is the Founder and CEO of The Midland Group, a business advisory firm based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Founded in 1991, The Midland Group has advised clients - both national and international with revenues ranging from $10 million to $5 billion - across a range of industries: manufacturing, distribution, service, and retail. The Midland Group, along with its strategic alliance partners, offers advisory services in Leadership Development, Succession Contingency Planning, Sales and Marketing, Business Development, Operational Excellence, Corporate Development, Mergers and Acquisition,...
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How a Values-Driven Culture Attracts Ideal Clients with Matt Schrock
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
In this episode Matt Schrock discusses the journey that led him to joining the family construction business, DJ Construction. He talks about how DJ Construction was started by his grandfather and uncle in 1954 and has grown over the decades to include an office in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Matt describes DJ Construction's leadership structure and how they ensure the right people are in the right roles. He also discusses DJ Construction's focus on their core values of integrity, commitment, relationships, and excellence. Additionally, Matt explains how DJ Construction is putting a dent in the...
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Navigating the Maze of Charitable Giving and Trusts with Melissa Wolf
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
Melissa Wolf, CPA joined Baden Gage & Schroeder, LLC in 2012 with over seven years of tax experience specializing in gift, trust and estate planning. She directs tax engagements for clients with personal income, fiduciary income and gift tax service needs. Melissa has extensive experience in assisting clients with the formulation of retirement and estate plans. Melissa joins me for a powerful conversation spanning various topics, from Melissa's diverse journey to becoming a CPA, to nuanced aspects of charitable giving, donor-advised funds, and the utilization of various trusts. We discuss...
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When Passion, Community, and Business Meet with Maggie Browning
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
Maggie Browning is the Franchise Partner of the Burn Boot Camp locations at Fishers and Zionsville, Indiana. Burn Boot Camp is a network of fitness facilities that envisions a world where women love themselves today and are inspired by who they’ll be tomorrow. Before working with Burn Boot Camp, Maggie worked as the Deltek Systems Analyst at Walker Consultants and the Project Administrator at McShane Construction Company. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Administration from Bradley University. Maggie joins me today to discuss the advantages and challenges of...
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Running and Growing a One-Person HVAC Business with Reid Arnold
Owner's Corner by SYM Financial Advisors
Reid Arnold is the owner of Arnold Mechanical LLC. Reid began his journey in the HVAC industry at the young age of 10 in his family’s small heating and air company. He became more involved in the family business and learned more about the trade as he got older until, at age 21, he started a career in law enforcement. In 2021, Reid left the police department and began providing heating, remodeling, electrical, and plumbing services before focusing his work on HVAC and founding Arnold Mechanical. Reid joins me today to share what it takes to grow a one-man HVAC and home maintenance...
info_outlineLuke Schroeder is the Owner of Starting Strength Cincinnati. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Purdue University, Luke worked in leadership positions across several industries, including aerospace and manufacturing. These positions include serving as the Plant Manager of Red Spot Paint, the Manufacturing Manager of Zimmer Biomet, the Senior Operations Manager of NuVasive, and the Director of Operations at Bullen Ultrasonics.
Luke joins us today to discuss what it takes for a company to successfully navigate uncertainty. He shares his background and his journey to becoming the owner of Starting Strength Cincinnati. He reveals what made him leave the corporate world to own a business and enumerates the advantages of working with a franchise to launch a business. Luke also highlights the role of communication in any company and underscores what his previous work experiences taught him about running his own business.
“The leaders who were bold enough to stand up and define what the company was facing, articulate a vision for how to get through it, and lead from the front were the leaders that got us through uncertainty.” - Luke Schroeder
This week on The Owner’s Corner:
- Luke’s background and his journey as a business owner
- How he discovered his passion for operations, solving problems, and driving efficiency
- How it felt to leave a stable career to start a business and what it took to launch Luke’s fitness center
- The advantages of working with a franchise
- His advice to people who are considering launching a business
- What led Luke to utilize a franchise opportunity to start his business
- How Luke worked with the SPA program to secure capital for his business
- The importance of cultivating relationships with employees as a leader
- What Luke’s previous jobs taught him about work ethic and leadership amid uncertainty
- The impact of COVID-19 on the aerospace industry
- The characteristics that help companies successfully navigate times of uncertainty
- The three characteristics Luke looks for in an employee
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training by Mark Rippetoe
- Book: Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink
- Book: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan Peterson
- Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Role by Patrick Lencioni
Our Favorite Quotes:
- “What makes a lot of business owners successful is their passion behind what they’re doing, and turning that passion into a business.” - Seth Whicker
- “When times are the toughest, our people look at us and how we’re responding, and they respond accordingly—they’re guided by your every move as a leader.” - Seth Whicker
- “We all emulate the leaders who inspired us.” - Luke Schroeder
Connect with Luke Schroeder:
- Starting Strength Cincinnati
- Starting Strength Cincinnati on Instagram
- Starting Strength Cincinnati on Facebook
- Starting Strength Cincinnati on Twitter
- Luke Schroeder on LinkedIn
About SYM Financial and The Owner’s Corner Podcast
The Owner’s Corner is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Seth Whicker sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about what it takes to build a business. Our guests come from many industries and walks of life to share their biggest wins, mistakes made along the way, and their thinking about the all-important exit planning.
Email Seth at [email protected] with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation.
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