Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth

<p><strong>What if the biggest risk in franchising isn’t the business… but how you choose it?</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Franchising is often misunderstood, and that misunderstanding can cost entrepreneurs time, money, and freedom. In this episode, Gary Heldt sits down with Kimberley J. Daly, a nationally recognized franchise consultant and business coach, to break down what really matters when evaluating a franchise opportunity.</p><p><br></p><p>With more than two decades of experience, Kimberley has helped thousands of entrepreneurs move from curiosity to confident ownership. She shares the truth about franchising, the costly mistakes people make, and why mindset plays a bigger role in success than most people realize.</p><p><br></p><p>This conversation goes beyond strategy and into the psychology of ownership, helping you understand how to choose the right business and build long term wealth the smart way.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>🔑 Key Takeaways</strong></p><p><br></p><p>&nbsp;→ Most people choose a business emotionally and ignore financial reality</p><p>&nbsp;→ You do not need a million dollars to invest in a franchise</p><p>&nbsp;→ Franchising is not just food and retail, there are far more options</p><p>&nbsp;→ The right franchise is about outcomes, not the product itself</p><p>&nbsp;→ 97 percent of franchises are not worth your investment today&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;→ Success comes from combining strategy with mindset, not just systems</p><p>&nbsp;→ Time freedom, financial freedom, and control are the real goals of ownership</p><p><br></p><p><strong>💬 Quote Worth Sharing</strong></p><p><br></p><p>“People don’t really want the business. What they want is the time freedom, the money freedom, and the control.”&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><strong>🔗 Connect with Kimberley J. Daly</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thedalycoach.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">https://www.thedalycoach.com</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>🔗 Connect with Gary Heldt</strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Visit Gary Heldt's website at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sbadvisors.cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">https://www.sbadvisors.cc/</a></p><p>Connect with Gary on LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-d-heldt-jr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-d-heldt-jr/</a></p>

<p>What if passive income is not about chasing the latest flashy strategy, but about getting clear on what you actually want, understanding the risks, and choosing investments that fit your life?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of Grow Your Business &amp; Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt talks with Ryan Gibson, President and Chief Investment Officer of Spartan Investment Group. Ryan shares how his journey from airline pilot to real estate investor led him to build a firm that helps investors participate in self-storage without taking on the day-to-day burden of ownership. The conversation covers common investor mistakes, how self-storage really works, where investment capital can come from, and why clarity matters more than hype when building long-term wealth.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Ryan explains why many high-income earners jump into real estate before deciding whether they actually want an active business or a passive investment.</p><p><br></p><p>→ He breaks down several ways investors may fund real estate opportunities, including cash, 401(k) loans, leveraged stock accounts, HELOCs, life insurance strategies, and self-directed IRAs.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Gary and Ryan discuss the difference between direct ownership in a real estate deal and investing through a REIT, especially when it comes to control, tax treatment, and understanding the actual asset.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Ryan shares what Spartan looks for in self-storage opportunities, including supply and demand, visibility, density, future buyer interest, and rent growth potential.</p><p><br></p><p>→ The episode also highlights why self-storage performs across changing economic conditions, driven by life events, business needs, downsizing, moving, and renovation. Ryan says about 70 percent of customers are driven by life transitions, while the other 30 percent are business users.</p><p><br></p><p>→ Ryan closes with practical advice for high earners who make high income but may not be paying enough attention to what they actually keep after taxes, fees, and poor planning.</p><p><br></p><p>Listen in for a grounded conversation on passive income, diversification, and why the right professional team can make all the difference.</p><p><br></p><p>More about Ryan:</p><p><strong>Ryan Gibson |&nbsp;</strong>President &amp; Chief Investment Officer&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Spartan Investment Group</strong>&nbsp;<strong>|</strong>&nbsp;1633 Westlake Ave N. Suite 120, Seattle, WA 98109&nbsp;</p><p>C: 202.696.5112&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://spartan-investors.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">Website</a>&nbsp;<strong>|&nbsp;<em>Invest in Our Values&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>More about Gary:</p><p>Visit Gary Heldt's website at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sbadvisors.cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">https://www.sbadvisors.cc/</a></p><p>Connect with Gary on LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-d-heldt-jr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-d-heldt-jr/</a></p><p><br></p>

<p>Most business owners are focused on the day-to-day.</p><p>&nbsp;The problem is… that mindset is quietly limiting their growth.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of&nbsp;<em>Grow Your Business &amp; Grow Your Wealth</em>, guest host Jack Reeder sits down with Grant Daffin, CPA and founder of Daffin Financial, to talk about what really drives long term success for entrepreneurs.</p><p><br></p><p>Grant shares his journey from public accounting at EY and internal audit at US Bank to launching his own firm, driven by a desire to build a better culture and deliver more meaningful value to clients.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>The conversation goes deep into the gaps most business owners do not see until it is too late, including poor financial visibility, lack of internal controls, and waiting far too long to think about tax strategy or exit planning.</p><p><br></p><p>One of the biggest takeaways is simple but powerful: many business owners are operating without any real financial plan at all.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Grant explains why that is one of the most common and costly mistakes he sees, and how investing time and resources into financial planning can dramatically improve outcomes.</p><p><br></p><p>This episode also covers the difference between bookkeeping, controller services, and fractional CFO support, helping business owners understand when it is time to level up their financial operations.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>→ Many business owners wait too long to plan for taxes or an exit</p><p>&nbsp;→ Financial statements are often inaccurate without proper oversight</p><p>&nbsp;→ Internal controls are critical once a business begins to scale</p><p>&nbsp;→ Most entrepreneurs are operating without a true financial plan</p><p>&nbsp;→ Investing in planning can unlock significantly more growth potential</p><p>&nbsp;→ AI can support efficiency, but expertise and human insight still matter</p><p><br></p><p>Learn more about Grant Daffin and Daffin Financial:</p><p><a href="https://www.daffinfinancial.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(103, 176, 249);">https://www.daffinfinancial.com/</a></p><p><br></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><br></p><p><br></p><p>🎧 Like what you hear? Follow, like, and subscribe to Grow Your Business &amp; Grow Your Wealth so you never miss an episode designed to help you grow smarter and faster.</p><p><br></p>

<p>What if the biggest mistake in commercial real estate isn’t the deal… but how you prepare for it?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, host Gary Heldt sits down with David Kotter, CEO and President of Hybrid Debt Fund and Integrity Capital, LLC. With over $2 billion funded across the U.S., David breaks down how commercial lending really works and why most business owners walk into deals unprepared.</p><p><br></p><p>From misunderstood financials to creative lending strategies, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what lenders actually look for and how smart investors are winning in today’s market.</p><p><br></p><p>If you think getting a commercial loan is just like getting a mortgage… you’re already behind.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>👉 Key Takeaways</strong></p><p><br></p><p>&nbsp;→ Writing everything off can hurt your ability to qualify for financing</p><p>&nbsp;→ Commercial lending is about storytelling, not just numbers</p><p>&nbsp;→ Banks, life companies, and private lenders all play by different rules</p><p>&nbsp;→ The market is resetting, creating new buying opportunities</p><p>&nbsp;→ Partnering with experienced investors can fast-track your success</p><p>&nbsp;→ Today’s deals require structure, creativity, and realistic expectations</p><p><br></p><p><strong>📞 Connect with the Guest</strong></p><p><br></p><p>David Kotter</p><p>&nbsp;Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">[email protected]</a></p><p>&nbsp;Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hybriddebtfund.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">https://www.hybriddebtfund.com</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>📞 Connect with Gary</strong></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.sbadvisors.cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">https://www.sbadvisors.cc/</a></p>

<p>What if the biggest threat to your retirement is not the market, but the taxes you failed to plan for?</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, host Gary Heldt talks with Erik Brenner, CFP and CEO of Hilltop Wealth &amp; Tax Solutions, about why affluent professionals, physicians, and business owners need more than investment advice and annual tax prep. Erik explains what it really means to act as a Personal CFO and why true wealth planning should coordinate tax strategy, retirement income, estate planning, and long-term decision-making under one roof.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Erik breaks down the difference between tax preparation and tax planning, why deferring taxes is not the same as mitigating them, and how many retirees are shocked to discover they may pay more taxes later than they did while working. He also explains why required distributions, longer life expectancy, and poor asset positioning can quietly create major problems in the second half of wealth.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>If you have ever assumed your CPA, advisor, and attorney were all on the same page, this conversation may make you think again.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><p><br></p><p>→ Wealth planning works best when tax, legal, insurance, and investment decisions are coordinated instead of handled in separate silos.&nbsp;</p><p>→ Tax preparation and tax planning are not the same thing, and many people are not getting the deeper planning they think they are.&nbsp;</p><p>→ Required IRA and 401(k) distributions can push retirees into much higher tax brackets than expected.&nbsp;</p><p>→ Deferring taxes is not the same as reducing taxes. Strategy matters.&nbsp;</p><p>→ Estate planning is still a major gap, with Erik noting that about two-thirds of people do not have an estate plan in place.</p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Erik on LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbrenner/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbrenner/</a></p><p>Visit Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hilltopwealthtax.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--color-blue);"><strong>https://www.hilltopwealthtax.com/</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p>Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to&nbsp;<em>Grow Your Business &amp; Grow Your Wealth</em>, leave a review, and share it with a business owner or professional who needs to think beyond tax prep and start planning for lifetime wealth. </p><p><br></p><p>Visit Gary Heldt's website at <a href="https://www.sbadvisors.cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.sbadvisors.cc/</a></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>