Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth

<p>Most business owners think valuation matters only when they are ready to sell. Bethany Hearn explains why that mindset can cost owners money, lead to avoidable disputes, and leave major risks hidden in plain sight.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, guest host Jack Reeder sits down with Bethany Hearn, CPA, ABV, and CFF, to talk about business valuation, forensic accounting, succession planning, and the legal and financial blind spots that can hurt business owners when they least expect it. Bethany shares why valuation should begin years before a sale, how poorly written agreements can create costly conflicts, and what owners can do now to protect value, legacy, and peace of mind.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><p><br></p><p>→ Valuation is not just for selling your business. It is critical for succession planning, estate planning, shareholder changes, and dispute prevention.</p><p>→ Waiting until the last minute can reduce the value you are able to create or protect.</p><p>→ Forensic accounting can uncover hidden risks inside your business, especially when too much financial responsibility sits with one person.</p><p>→ Poorly written buy-sell agreements can create confusion, surprises, and costly litigation.</p><p>→ Different industries require different valuation lenses, especially when capital needs, cash flow, and risk vary.</p><p>→ Verbal agreements in family and farming businesses can become major legal problems when expectations are not clearly documented.</p><p><br></p><p>This episode is guest-hosted by Jack Reeder, who leads a thoughtful conversation focused on helping business owners understand value, reduce risk, and make smarter decisions before problems arise.</p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Bethany Hearn to learn more about business valuation, forensic accounting, transaction services, and how to protect your business before a transition or dispute puts pressure on the numbers.</p><p><br></p><p>For more information on Guest Host:&nbsp;</p><p>Jack W. Reeder, CLU®, ChFC®</p><p>Chartered Financial Consultant</p><p>978-335-2267</p>

<p>What if financial freedom is not about retiring early, but about building enough income and confidence to finally choose how you live and work?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of&nbsp;<em>Grow Your Business &amp; Grow Your Wealth</em>, Gary Heldt talks with Daniel Alonzo about what it really takes to build financial independence. Daniel shares how he shifted from simply selling to building a scalable business, why passive income changed his life, and how systems, mentorship, and personal growth helped him create long term freedom. This conversation is a strong reminder that wealth is not accidental. It is built through discipline, leverage, and the willingness to stay coachable.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Financial freedom means having enough income and investment growth to support the lifestyle you want whether you are working or not.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Passive income is not magic. It comes from building something that can keep producing through people, systems, and duplication.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Business owners who want to grow cannot stay trapped in doing everything themselves. Real scale comes from systematizing what works and teaching it well.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Community and mentorship matter because the right people can help you think bigger, move faster, and avoid staying stuck in your own blind spots.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Coachability is a wealth skill. Ego can hold people back, while learning from others can open the door to bigger results.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Wealth is not just about money. It is about purpose, freedom of choice, and building a life you actually want to live.</p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Daniel Alonzo through&nbsp;<em>Wealth on the Beach</em>, explore his books, and learn more about his coaching community and wealth building philosophy. Join the club: <a href="https://wealthonthebeach.com/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wealthonthebeach.com/home</a></p><p><br></p><p>Daniel's LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielalonzo8/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielalonzo8/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Gary on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-d-heldt-jr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-d-heldt-jr/</a></p><p><br></p>

<p>Ever feel like you can make good money and still lose the game because too much of it walks out the door?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Gary sits down with a multifamily investor who watched a massive real estate downturn up close, then rebuilt by learning how syndication works and how investors think about cash flow, taxes, and long-term ownership.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>They dig into cost segregation, bonus depreciation, and why mindset matters when you are running deals in a world you cannot control.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>6 key takeaways</p><p>&nbsp;→ Market cycles are real, and over-leverage, plus building to sell instead of building to hold, can turn a boom into a brutal bust fast.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;→ Syndication is one way investors pool capital to buy apartments together, starting smaller to build a track record before scaling up.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;→ Know your role before you invest: general partners run the deal, limited partners stay passive, and the work plus risk profile is different.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;→ Cost segregation can compress depreciation into a shorter window, which can create large write-offs when the math makes sense.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;→ A resilient mindset is not motivational fluff; it is required because you do not control markets, interest rates, or tenant behavior.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;→ The wealth game is not only income, but it is also retention: it is not about the money you make, it is the money you keep.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>&nbsp;If this episode sparked questions about real estate investing, syndication, or tax strategy, connect with Gary and share what you are trying to build.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>For more from the guest, start with YouTube by searching “Justin Brennan multifamily” and visit justincbrennan.com.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What if the key to entrepreneurial success wasn’t just about capital, but about finding your “good peoples”? This week’s guest, Brandon Na, founded his venture firm on this very principle, a concept born from a lifelong friendship and a desire to build a network of unselfish, supportive guides for founders. His journey reveals that the path to building something meaningful is often about who you have in your corner.</p><p><br></p><p>In this conversation, Gary Heldt and Brandon Na explore the realities of the startup world, moving beyond the headlines to discuss what it truly takes to build and scale a business. Brandon shares critical insights on the common pitfalls founders face, the importance of deep self awareness, and how to find a mentor who is genuinely invested in your success. This episode is a masterclass for any entrepreneur who wants to understand the nuances of venture capital, team building, and creating a business that aligns with their personal mission.</p><p><br></p><p>Key Takeaways</p><p>&nbsp;→ True mentorship is a two way street built on mutual respect and aligned goals.</p><p>&nbsp;→ Self awareness is the most significant and most common obstacle for founders seeking capital.</p><p>&nbsp;→ Understanding your total addressable market is essential before you even begin to build.</p><p>&nbsp;→ Success for a founder doesn’t always mean a massive exit; sometimes it means having the wisdom to walk away.</p><p>&nbsp;→ To truly learn a concept, you must be able to teach it to someone else.</p><p>&nbsp;→ We live in a capitalistic society, and access to resources is critical for turning an idea into a reality.</p><p><br></p><p>If you are navigating the challenges of growing your business, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what truly matters. Listen to the full episode for more insights, and consider sharing it with a fellow entrepreneur who could benefit from this guidance.</p><p><br></p><p>To learn more about Brandon Na’s work with early stage founders, you can visit his website at Good Peoples Ventures. He is passionate about connecting with entrepreneurs and is open to conversations, so you can also reach out to him directly via email.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://goodpeoplesventures.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">https://goodpeoplesventures.com/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Pull Quotes</p><p>→ "The funny thing is, most people can’t handle the truth. And so you have to kind of gauge whether or not your mentee or whoever you’re trying to help can handle it."</p><p><br></p><p>Listen to the full episode, then share it with one founder who needs a smarter circle and a clearer path.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What do you do when that dreaded letter from the IRS arrives? For many, the first instinct is to ignore it, hoping it will go away. But that is the single biggest mistake you can make.</p><p>In this episode, guest host Jack Reeder talks with Felecia Dixson, an Enrolled Agent with over forty years of experience, about how to handle IRS issues with a clear head and a solid strategy. They discuss the most common reasons business owners face tax problems, why you should never try to solve them alone, and how to find the right professional help.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>This conversation is essential for any business owner who wants to understand the IRS better and protect their peace of mind.</p><p><br></p><p>&gt; Ignoring an IRS notice is the worst first step.-</p><p>&gt; Payroll tax issues are a major red flag for the IRS.</p><p>&gt; You should never try to handle an IRS issue on your own.-&gt; An Enrolled Agent can represent you in all 50 states.-</p><p>&gt; Embarrassment should not stop you from seeking help.-&gt; The sooner you act, the more options you have.</p><p><br></p><p>If you have ever felt a knot in your stomach thinking about taxes, this episode is for you. Listen to the full conversation to learn how to face IRS challenges with confidence.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to Grow Your Business &amp; Grow Your Wealth for more conversations that help you grow smarter.</p><p><br></p><p>To learn more about Felecia Dixson and her work, you can find her by searching her name, Felecia Dixson, or her business,&nbsp;<a href="https://dixsonassociates.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(35, 119, 210);">Dixson Tax Resolution Services</a>, online.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Felecia is available on LinkedIn and Facebook and offers a newsletter with more information.</p>