Turtle on a Fencepost

Leadership Lessons in Gratitude, Change, and Team Building with Michael Gordy

Turtle on a Fencepost – Show Notes EP 03 — Michael Gordy: Embracing Change, Learning from Mistakes, and Leading with Purpose Summary: In this episode of Turtle on a Fencepost, host Richard Kenny sits down with Michael “Gordy” Gordy, entrepreneur, sales leader, and golf enthusiast, to talk about the transformative power of change—both the kind you seek and the kind you didn’t expect. They explore Gordy’s winding career path—from insurance, to owning a vending machine business, to launching a new regional sales division in pest control—and the lessons he’s learned about failure, resilience, and leading authentically. Along the way, they reflect on mentors who made a difference, pivotal mistakes, building strong teams, faith as an anchor, and why “action beats perfection.” This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating uncertainty or seeking practical leadership wisdom. Because as Richard Kenny reminds us, if you ever see a turtle on a fencepost, you know it didn’t get there by itself. 🧭 Key Takeaways * Don’t Fear Change: * Michael Gordy * shares how embracing (and sometimes quickly reversing) major life and career changes helped him discover what truly matters—and why “failing fast” is often better than not moving at all. * The Power of Genuine Leadership: The best leaders care about people, not just results. Motivating teams means understanding each person’s version of success and supporting their growth from a place of care, not self-interest. * Lessons from Failure & Success: There is value in both critiquing your wins and learning from your losses. Quick, decisive action—plus the humility to own mistakes and pivot—sets great leaders apart. * Faith, Family & Giving Back: Staying grounded comes from service, community, and a routine rooted in faith—whether it’s reading the Bible every day or giving freely of your time and knowledge. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Intro: Meeting Michael “Gordy” Gordy, a journey of nearly a decade in friendship and leadership 03:00 — Big Moves: Leaving and returning to Alpharetta, discovering what “community” really means 10:00 — Leaning into Change: From insurance to vending, logistics, and pest control sales 16:00 — Mistakes as Lessons: Making (and undoing) bad decisions, growth vs. comfort, and learning on the fly 23:00 — Leading Teams: Motivation that matters, the importance of caring, and building buy-in 30:00 — Faith & Foundations: How daily practices, church, and service keep Gordy grounded 32:00 — Most Influential Leaders: Lessons from a college golf coach, mentors, and the ripple effect of giving 36:00 — You’re Never Too Late: Stories of late-in-life pivots, starting before you’re ready, and what comes next 38:00 — Where to Connect & Wrap-up 📚 Resources Mentioned * Book: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink — Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6452796-drive] * Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee) — YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/GaryVaynerchuk], Instagram [https://instagram.com/garyvee] * Rotary International — rotary.org [https://www.rotary.org/] * Michael Gordy’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gordy-12934648] * Michael Gordy’s Instagram [https://instagram.com/michaelgordy] 👤 About the Guest Michael Gordy is a dynamic entrepreneur, sales leader, and former college golfer with a passion for problem-solving, people development, and community service. From insurance and vending to pest control sales, Gordy’s career is a masterclass in embracing change, learning from failure, and building strong teams wherever he goes. 💬 Connect with Richard & the Show 🌐 Website: https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com [https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com/] 📱 Follow Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-kenny-mai/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-kenny-mai/] 🎧 Listen & Share: https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com/1?order=newest [https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com/1?order=newest] 🐢 About the Podcast Turtle on a Fencepost is a podcast about leadership, business, and the lessons we learn from the people who help us along the way. Because just like a turtle on a fencepost—you don’t get there by yourself. Host Richard Kenny talks with successful leaders about the pivotal moments, mentors, and mistakes that shaped their journeys, all with the goal of equipping the next generation to lead with more wisdom and less trial and error. 🪶 Credits Host — Richard Kenny

From Ski Slopes to Cost Seg: Randall Franzen’s Path to Business Ownership

Turtle on a Fencepost – Show Notes EP 002 — Randall Franzen: The Hidden Windfall & the Power of Showing Up Keywords Randal Franzen, cost segregation, leadership, business advice, entrepreneurship, mentorship, personal growth, The Hidden Windfall, communication, success strategies Summary In this episode of the Turtle on the Fence Post podcast, Randal Franzen shares his diverse career journey from skiing instructor to commercial real estate and finally to cost segregation expert. He discusses the motivation behind his book, 'The Hidden Windfall,' which aims to educate commercial real estate owners about tax-saving opportunities. Randal emphasizes the importance of leadership, communication, and the lessons learned from failures in business. He advocates for slowing down to think strategically and highlights the value of mentorship and small victories in achieving success. Takeaways Randal Franzen's diverse career spans skiing, real estate, and cost segregation. His book, 'The Hidden Windfall,' educates on tax-saving strategies. Leadership is about clarity, not just agreement. Failures in business can lead to valuable lessons and independence. Communication is key in business partnerships, especially with family. Slowing down can lead to smarter, more effective business strategies. Creating a structured routine helps in managing a home office. Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth. Small victories contribute to overall success and motivation. The current business environment offers great opportunities for entrepreneurs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Randal Franzen and His Journey 03:04 The Hidden Windfall: Insights on Cost Segregation 05:57 Leadership Lessons from Personal Experiences 09:03 Navigating Business Challenges and Failures 11:43 The Importance of Communication in Business Partnerships 14:37 Slowing Down for Success: A New Perspective 17:41 Creating Space for Reflection and Organization 20:28 Mentorship and the Power of Small Victories 23:43 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Leaders 📚 Resources Mentioned * The Hidden Windfall by Randall Franzen * Admiral William McRaven — "Make Your Bed" Commencement Speech (YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70]) * Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) — Lessons in Unity (Official Site [https://catstevens.com/]) 👤 About the Guest Randall Franzen is an entrepreneur, commercial pilot, real estate expert, and author specializing in cost segregation for commercial property owners. With experience running businesses through recession, flying drones in Afghanistan, and teaching skiing around the world, Randall brings unique insights on resilience, independence, and the everyday habits of successful leaders. 💬 Connect with Randall Franzen * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randal-franzen-4183421b0-cre-costseg-tax/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/randal-franzen-4183421b0-cre-costseg-tax/] * Email: randal.franzen@cssiservices.com * Website: CSSI Services [https://cssiservices.com/] 💬 Connect with Richard & the Show 🌐 Website: https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com [https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com/] 📱 Follow Richard on LinkedIn: Richard Kenny, MAI [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-kenny-mai/] 🎧 Listen & Share: Latest Episodes [https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com/1?order=newest] 🐢 About the Podcast Turtle on a Fencepost is a podcast about leadership, business, and the lessons we learn from the people who help us along the way. Because just like a turtle on a fencepost—you don’t get there by yourself. Host Richard Kenny talks with successful leaders about the pivotal moments, mentors, and mistakes that shaped their journeys, all with the goal of equipping the next generation to lead with more wisdom and less trial and error. 🪶 Credits Host — Richard Kenny If you liked this episode, share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave us a review! For guest suggestions, topics, and feedback, reach out via the show website or Richard’s LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Turtle on a Fencepost!

The Power of Community, Mentorship, and Just Getting Started with Rob Pekarek

Welcome to the very first episode of the Turtle on a Fencepost podcast! In this premiere episode, host Richard sits down with his friend and the show’s inaugural guest, Rob Pekarek. Together, they take listeners on an engaging journey through the worlds of leadership, entrepreneurship, and community building. Rob shares stories from his upbringing, highlighting the profound influence of his father, and dives into how selflessness and service have shaped his approach to business, investing, and military life. You'll hear candid conversations about the real challenges and lessons learned along the way—from navigating social media mishaps in college, to making the leap from the Air Force into real estate and investments, to spearheading local investment clubs and the importance of surrounding yourself with smart, supportive people. Rob and Richard also unpack the value of starting small, overcoming fear and uncertainty, and the power that intentional relationships and genuine curiosity bring to both personal and professional growth. This episode is packed with practical advice, memorable anecdotes, and inspiring reflections that’ll resonate with anyone seeking to level up their leadership game or simply connect with others on a similar path. Whether you're in the military, exploring entrepreneurship, or just looking for actionable wisdom, you’re in for an honest and motivating listen. So grab your coffee, settle in, and join Richard and Rob as they kick off Turtle on a Fencepost with insight, humor, and a reminder that sometimes you just have to start—even before you think you’re ready.