Herman Dolce joins this episode to share his inspiring journey from a first-generation Haitian-American with a passion for financial literacy to becoming the founder of Bella Sloan Enterprises and a leading expert in business funding. With years of experience helping entrepreneurs secure capital and build solid financial foundations, Herman’s insights are invaluable for anyone looking to grow their business responsibly.

Through personal stories and proven strategies, Herman breaks down the common mistakes entrepreneurs make with credit and funding, as well as the steps needed to optimize both for success. He emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, sharing actionable tips on cleaning up credit profiles, building business credit, and stacking funding sources effectively.

Herman doesn’t just provide advice—he delivers a clear and practical roadmap for entrepreneurs to secure the resources they need to scale. From understanding the nuances of credit to leveraging smart funding techniques, his insights offer a fresh perspective for anyone navigating the financial side of business.

Whether you’re a business owner seeking funding or an aspiring entrepreneur looking to strengthen your financial foundation, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world examples. Herman’s no-nonsense approach and deep expertise will leave you ready to take control of your financial future.

Key Takeaways:
* The critical steps to optimizing your credit profile for personal and business success.
* How to responsibly leverage funding to grow your business.
* The concept of stacking funding sources and why it’s a game-changer for entrepreneurs.
* Practical insights into financial literacy that every business owner needs to know.

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
4:12 - Understanding Wealth Ratio: Herman explains the wealth ratio formula—dividing savings by monthly expenses—and how it helps assess financial stability. He emphasizes the need for at least six months of savings before leaving a job.
6:02 - Importance of Good Credit: Herman highlights good credit as essential for funding, explaining how personal credit acts as a trust indicator for lenders, especially for new businesses.
10:00 - Credit Optimization Tips: Herman shares quick tips like reducing credit utilization under 9%, cleaning up inquiries, and maintaining a clean credit profile to make lenders see you as more reliable.
12:33 - Importance of Credit Profile: Herman explains why lenders look beyond your credit score, stressing the value of diverse credit types, older accounts, and financial consistency.
14:41 - Buy Assets Only: Herman urges entrepreneurs to buy assets that generate income instead of liabilities that drain resources, emphasizing this as the key to sustainable wealth.
20:36 - Recommended Financial Books: Herman recommends Credit Mastery and 10x Is Easier Than 2x for actionable advice on improving credit and scaling businesses strategically.
45:10 - Leveraging Credit Effectively: Herman explains how to strategically stack funding sources from different banks to maximize capital without negatively impacting your credit profile.

Chris Dyer joins this episode to share his transformative journey from a self-proclaimed “crap boss” to a renowned expert in building exceptional company cultures. With decades of experience leading teams and consulting for top organizations, Chris offers invaluable insights for leaders looking to create workplaces where employees thrive.

Through candid stories and research-backed strategies, Chris reveals the pitfalls that leaders often face when trying to improve culture and provides actionable solutions to foster collaboration, innovation, and engagement. He explains why culture isn’t just about slogans or perks but about intentional leadership and aligning organizational values with daily actions.

Chris breaks down his Seven Pillars of Culture framework, detailing how transparency, recognition, and positive leadership can turn any workplace into a powerhouse of productivity and growth. His no-nonsense approach demystifies the process of cultural transformation, empowering leaders to address challenges and drive lasting change.

Whether you’re a leader looking to turn around your company’s culture or an entrepreneur aiming to build a thriving organization from the ground up, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Chris’s practical wisdom and relatable delivery will inspire you to rethink your approach to leadership and culture.

Key Takeaways:
* The Seven Pillars of Culture and how to implement them effectively.
* Why transparency is a game-changer for engagement and performance.
* How to cultivate buy-in from employees at every level.
* Real-world examples of turning culture into a competitive advantage.

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
2:01 - Common Culture Mistakes: Chris explains the most frequent culture-related errors leaders make, including assuming culture is strong without evidence and neglecting to align actions with values.
4:14 - Employee Buy-In: Chris discusses the critical role of involving employees in shaping culture, highlighting strategies to engage them in defining shared values and goals.
9:54 - Weekly Employee Surveys: Chris introduces the concept of replacing outdated annual surveys with weekly one-question check-ins to gain real-time insights and foster a culture of continuous feedback.
14:39 - Seven Pillar Framework: Chris breaks down his Seven Pillars of Culture framework, detailing how transparency, recognition, and positivity can transform organizational culture into a competitive advantage.
17:03 - The Power of Recognition: Chris emphasizes the profound psychological impact of recognition in the workplace, showcasing how celebrating achievements boosts morale and engagement.
19:57 - Sharing Financials with Teams: Chris outlines how radical transparency in sharing financial performance with employees can reduce anxiety, foster trust, and encourage collaborative problem-solving.
22:14 - Creating a Positive Environment: Chris explains why positivity is essential for innovation and productivity, debunking myths about “toxic positivity” and showing how supportive workplaces drive success.

Collin Stewart joins this episode to share his journey from humble beginnings as a “geeky sales guy” to becoming a sought-after expert in achieving product-market fit. With a career spanning multiple startups and countless lessons learned, Collin’s insights are a must-hear for anyone building a business from the ground up.

Through candid stories and hard-won wisdom, Collin reveals the mistakes many entrepreneurs make when trying to scale too soon, as well as the key strategies for finding product-market fit. He explains why understanding your customers’ pain points is non-negotiable and how early-stage founders can use customer development to turn insights into revenue.

Collin doesn’t just talk theory—he provides a clear, actionable framework to help entrepreneurs identify real market opportunities, validate their products, and scale sustainably. His emphasis on listening to the market and aligning growth with timing offers a refreshing perspective for founders navigating the challenges of early-stage business.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur searching for direction or a founder ready to scale smartly, this episode is packed with value. Collin’s practical advice, combined with his no-nonsense delivery, will leave you inspired to rethink your approach to product-market fit.

Key Takeaways:
* Why product-market fit isn’t binary and how to measure it effectively.
* The dangers of premature scaling and how to avoid them.
* A step-by-step guide to using customer development as a foundation for growth.
* Real-life lessons on creating products the market can’t live without.

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
2:01 - Common Mistakes: Collin highlights frequent entrepreneurial pitfalls, including ignoring market signals, rushing to scale, and failing to truly understand customer needs.
9:32 - Premature Scaling Risks: The dangers of scaling too early are laid bare as Collin explains why investing in sales teams or development too soon can drain resources without delivering results.
12:11 - Understanding Product-Market Fit: Collin breaks down product-market fit as a spectrum, where success depends on identifying market needs and crafting a solution that directly addresses them.
14:19 - Market Need Importance: Collin emphasizes that strong market demand—not personal passion—is the foundation for sustainable business success.
19:00 - Customer Development Process: A step-by-step framework for engaging with customers, uncovering their pain points, and refining your product to meet market demands.
35:00 - Outbound Sales Timing: Collin discusses the importance of timing outbound efforts to align with market readiness and long-term sales goals.
37:26 - Long-Term Thinking: Founders are urged to adopt a mindset of patience, focusing on sustainable growth and avoiding the trap of short-term gratification.

In this episode, Adam Torkildson dives into his fascinating journey from SEO pioneer and addiction recovery advocate to becoming a financial strategist and media entrepreneur. His story unfolds as he recalls navigating the "wild west" of early SEO, leveraging black hat tactics, and learning the hard way about ethics, growth, and reinvention.

Adam reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to business and life, including lessons from addiction recovery and the importance of giving back. He shares his transition into publishing and tax strategy consulting, revealing how he’s helped entrepreneurs and families legally reduce tax burdens and maximize wealth.

Throughout the episode, Adam highlights the power of systems, principles, and investments that align with long-term financial success. He offers insights into strategies like the Augusta Rule, family management companies, and Section 125 cafeteria plans, emphasizing their potential to transform how businesses manage taxes, health insurance, and financial planning.

Listeners will uncover Adam’s practical approach to setting up sustainable systems, making smarter investment decisions, and building generational wealth. His candid advice balances technical expertise with real-life stories of failure and resilience.

Key Takeaways:
* Discover how to leverage tax strategies like the Augusta Rule and family management companies.
* Learn the value of systems that "set and forget" for seamless financial management.
* Understand how principles like spending wisely and giving back contribute to long-term success.
* Gain insights into aligning investments with tax advantages and predictable cash flow.

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
02:17 - From SEO to Financial Strategist: Adam recounts his early career navigating the "wild west" of SEO, experimenting with black hat tactics, and learning from failures that shaped his ethical and strategic approach to business.
09:00 - The Three Rules of Money: Adam lays out the foundational principles of wealth: spend money to make money, always spend less than you earn, and give back consistently through charitable contributions.
16:20 - Unlocking the Augusta Strategy: Adam explains this tax-saving method that allows business owners to rent their homes to their companies tax-free, potentially saving up to $100,000 a year.
21:39 - Family Management Companies Simplified: Adam introduces family management companies as a legal way to pay children tax-free, using the funds for family expenses like braces and vacations while teaching kids valuable life skills.
28:56 - Profitable Investments with Tax Advantages: Adam shares his investment philosophy focused on monthly cash flow and tax benefits, spotlighting his solar field investment that delivered a 130% tax advantage.
37:38 - Section 125 Plans for Health Insurance Savings: Adam delves into how Section 125 cafeteria plans lower taxable income for employees and save small business owners up to $500 per employee annually.
47:28 - Daily Tools for Success: Adam highlights personal practices like using the Insight Timer app for meditation and NanoHydrate for hydration, emphasizing the importance of a strong morning routine for success.

In this episode, Jenna delves into her unexpected journey from bartender and actor to becoming a social media strategist and entrepreneur. Her story unfolds as she recalls volunteering at a yoga studio in Toronto, where a chance opportunity to manage Instagram marked the beginning of her career pivot.

Jenna reflects on the challenges of transitioning from artistic aspirations to running a thriving social media agency. She shares insights into embracing change, leveraging creativity, and building a personal brand. Her practical advice emphasizes balancing authenticity with strategy, finding joy in content creation, and navigating the fast-paced world of digital marketing.

Throughout the episode, Jenna highlights the importance of understanding audience behavior and adapting content to meet evolving trends. From creating scroll-stopping hooks to planning effective growth campaigns, her expertise shines through as she explains how small businesses can thrive in competitive digital spaces without sacrificing their unique voice.

Listeners will uncover Jenna’s approach to engaging audiences through storytelling, community building, and structured growth. She offers actionable tips for content creation, including designing posts for engagement, mastering social media algorithms, and crafting impactful messaging that resonates with both B2B and B2C audiences.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
* Discover how to transform unexpected opportunities into a fulfilling career.
* Learn practical strategies for creating engaging and authentic social media content.
* Understand the importance of balancing creativity with business goals.
* Gain insights into managing growth while maintaining a connection with your audience.

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
4:20 - Accidental Career Pivot: Jenna shares how a reluctant $300 gig at a yoga studio turned into her first step toward a thriving Instagram marketing career, proving that opportunities can arise from the most unexpected places.
11:15 - Mastering Instagram's Algorithm: Jenna demystifies the ever-changing Instagram algorithm, emphasizing that the key to success lies in creating content designed to keep people engaged and interacting with your posts.
18:40 - The Power of Personal Branding: Jenna discusses how personal branding is crucial for service providers, explaining how authenticity and individuality can set a business apart in the crowded social media landscape.
23:30 - The Three Content Buckets: Jenna introduces her signature framework—growth, nurture, and sales content—and explains how balancing these categories can help businesses build trust and convert followers into clients.
35:05 - Breaking the Vanity Metrics Myth: Jenna addresses the obsession with follower counts, highlighting how even a small audience can generate significant results when the focus is on building genuine connections and conversions.
41:10 - Leveraging Past Success: Jenna reveals how a strategic sales post generated 10 sales calls in just three hours for one of her clients, showcasing the power of well-crafted content to drive immediate results.
54:20 - Fun as a Growth Strategy: Jenna explains the importance of finding joy in social media marketing, sharing how focusing on creativity and experimentation leads to better content and long-term success.

In this compelling episode, Charles explores the transformative journey of Tom, a seasoned business leader turned advocate for social impact. Transitioning from managing billion-dollar enterprises to leading Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit dedicated to reintegrating former gang members and felons into society, Tom's story is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.

Tom recounts his evolution from scaling corporate giants to reshaping lives at Homeboy, where his business acumen meets grassroots change. He candidly reflects on the epiphany that inspired his pivot—a moment of disillusionment with shareholder-first capitalism during the 2008 recession—and shares how he applied his expertise to create a culture of empowerment and resilience.

In this episode, listeners gain a front-row seat to Tom's leadership philosophy, from fostering trust and individual growth to navigating the challenges of integrating marginalized individuals into the workforce. He provides actionable insights for business owners on how to transcend judgment, hire for potential, and balance compassion with profitability.

Key Takeaways:
* Discover the leadership strategies Tom used to transition from corporate to nonprofit management.
* Learn how to identify and nurture untapped talent, even in unconventional candidates.
* Understand the importance of listening, trust-building, and individual-focused leadership.
* Explore how businesses can integrate social good into their operations without compromising performance.

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
2:15 Corporate Transformation Journey: Tom reveals his pivot from running a $2 billion corporate empire to leading Homeboy Industries, sparked by a critical moment during the 2008 recession when he questioned the traditional capitalist approach to employee management.
7:40 Breaking Hiring Barriers: Explains how Homeboy Industries challenges conventional hiring practices by recruiting former gang members and felons, demonstrating that potential employees should be evaluated on their current capabilities, not their past.
12:55 Impossible Choices of the Working Poor: Shares a powerful story about George, an employee who had to report to county jail to pay off debt while managing custody of his children, highlighting the complex challenges faced by individuals trying to rebuild their lives.
18:30 Leadership Through Empathy: Discusses the importance of treating employees individually, understanding their unique needs, and creating a supportive environment that allows people to succeed beyond their past circumstances.
24:15 Organizational Culture Revolution: Reveals that two-thirds of Homeboy's management team are former clients, showcasing how investing in people's development can transform an organization.
29:40 Faith and Leadership Intersection: Explores how personal faith journey influences leadership approach, emphasizing the importance of seeing people's humanity and potential rather than judging their history.
35:20 Scaling with Human Potential: Shares key leadership lessons about understanding finances, listening deeply, and developing people as the core strategy for organizational growth and success.

In this episode, Charles dives deep into the world of purpose-driven entrepreneurship with Lee Rhodes, a trailblazing female founder who transformed her personal battle with cancer into a $30 million empire that's revolutionizing business philanthropy. Lee unveils her groundbreaking approach to integrating charitable giving into every sale, demonstrating how companies can maintain profitability while making a meaningful impact in people's lives.

From her early days receiving a small hand-blown glass vessel during chemotherapy to building Glassybaby into a beacon of hope and healing, Lee's journey is a testament to the power of authentic mission-driven business. She dissects her evolution from a mother of three battling cancer to a CEO who's donated $15 million to charity, all while maintaining a commitment to American craftsmanship and living wages.

Charles and Lee engage in a candid conversation, exploring the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and the revolutionary approach of making charitable giving a core business function rather than an afterthought. They unpack the counterintuitive decision to maintain American production despite pressure to outsource, the transformative power of point-of-sale giving, and why understanding the human impact of small gestures can create massive business success.

Lee's insights crackle with practical wisdom as she breaks down her unique business model, from turning bank loan rejections into opportunities to maintaining authenticity in hiring and growth decisions. She challenges conventional business wisdom, advocating for a radical shift from end-of-year giving to integrated philanthropy that resonates with businesses ready to make a difference in the world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Master the art of integrating charitable giving into your business model from day one
• Learn why giving at point-of-sale is more powerful than end-of-year donations
• Discover how to overcome gender-based obstacles in business financing and growth
• Understand the power of authentic mission-driven leadership in building customer loyalty
• Explore strategies for maintaining core values while scaling your business impact

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:

2:04 Cancer Catalyst: Lee reveals how a cancer diagnosis with three young children sparked the creation of a $30 million empire.
4:11 Gender Barriers: Exposes the reality of women entrepreneurs facing systematic loan rejections and credibility challenges.
15:03 Survival Strategy: Details practical insights for managing chemotherapy while building a business empire.
19:31 Investment Journey: Chronicles the path from bank rejection to finding investors who believed in her mission-driven approach.
25:17 Purpose-Driven: Explores how maintaining unwavering purpose guides critical business decisions, including rejecting Chinese manufacturing.
35:50 Team Empowerment: Shares the delicate balance of leading with vision while letting your team take ownership of decisions.
38:18 Revolutionary Giving: Unveils Glassybaby's unique model of integrating charitable donations at the point of sale rather than year-end.

In this episode, Charles delves into the transformative world of virtual business scaling with Joe Rare, an entrepreneurial innovator who revolutionized the traditional business model by building multiple seven-figure companies run entirely by overseas teams. Joe reveals his breakthrough approach to leveraging global talent, showing how he scaled from zero to over a million dollars monthly revenue without a single local employee, offering a masterclass in the art of virtual team building and remote business optimization.

From his humble beginnings as the son of a waitress and police officer to becoming a pioneer in virtual business operations, Joe's story demonstrates the power of breaking free from conventional business constraints. He shares how his virtual assistant service company evolved from a personal solution to a thriving enterprise, bypassing traditional overhead costs and office politics through an innovative direct-to-talent approach that spans multiple time zones.

Charles and Joe engage in an illuminating discussion, exploring the delicate balance between maintaining quality and scaling rapidly in a virtual environment. They unpack the crucial distinctions between hiring specialists versus generalists, the importance of clear communication protocols, and why understanding your core business needs trumps the traditional office-bound model. Joe's practical insights shine as he breaks down his journey from a failed traditional agency with 27 local employees to building multiple successful companies with virtual teams.

Joe's wisdom resonates with hard-earned experience as he details his company's evolution from startup to scaled success. He challenges conventional business wisdom, advocating for a radical shift from the "local talent only" mentality to building global, flexible teams that can operate efficiently across time zones and cultural boundaries.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Optimize Business Operations: Discover the systems and processes that enable seamless virtual team management
• Scale Without Boundaries: Understand how to leverage time zone differences for 24/7 productivity
• Transform Email Management: Learn how to completely remove yourself from daily email operations while maintaining control
• Build Freedom Through Systems: Master the art of creating a business that runs without your constant involvement

Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:

4:03 Daily Workflow Revolution: Reveals how Joe transformed his daily operations by completely removing himself from email management, implementing a two-part daily briefing system that saves hours while maintaining full control of communications.
8:30 Talent Testing Blueprint: Details the unique testing methodology that ensures every hire is a specialist, not a generalist, involving a multi-step verification process where candidates prove their expertise by working directly on Joe's businesses before being offered to clients.
15:01 Business Reality Check: Exposes the critical importance of getting brutally honest about your business needs, breaking down tasks into specialized roles rather than seeking impossible "unicorn" employees who claim to do everything.
19:20 Virtual Assistant Evolution: Demonstrates how virtual assistants have evolved from basic task managers to specialized professionals, showcasing roles from operations directors managing thousands of employees to professors leading development teams.
22:34 Pricing Revolution Formula: Breaks down the exact pricing structure for building a world-class virtual team, revealing how to secure top-tier talent for $10-15 per hour while achieving the same quality as $80,000/year local hires.
32:36 Freedom Through Outsourcing: Maps out how Joe transitioned from a failed traditional agency to generating over a million dollars monthly using virtual teams, all while having the freedom to homeschool his children and control his schedule.
36:40 Zero to Millions Blueprint: Chronicles the rapid scaling strategy that took his business from zero to $109,000 monthly in four months, then doubled it, and eventually hit seven figures - all through strategic virtual team building.