#60 Leaving a Winning Hand: How Zack Wallace Built ABRI on a Foundation of Real Expertise

#60 Leaving a Winning Hand: How Zack Wallace Built ABRI on a Foundation of Real Expertise

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2407087/fan_mail/new] Most entrepreneurs are told to “fail fast” and move quickly. Zack Wallace did the opposite. After becoming the nation’s top advisor at a Fortune 100 firm at an early age, he walked away from a winning hand to build something better: ABRI, a company built on true all-in-one advice across tax, legal, investment, and insurance. In this episode, Zack shares why mastering an established role first made him a better founder, what most inexperienced financial entrepreneurs get wrong, and how his hard-won expertise shaped ABRI’s culture, team, and client experience. If you’ve ever considered leaving a successful career to start your own thing – or simply want to know what real financial integration looks like – this conversation is for you. Check out ABRI: https://abri.io/ Connect with Zack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-wallace-cfp%C2%AE-clu%C2%AE-ricp%C2%AE-197aa521/

#59 Building Trust in Public Sector Leadership: Insights from Dr. Asa James Swan

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2407087/fan_mail/new] What does it take to lead when the roads, bridges, and winter storms don’t wait for a perfect plan? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Asa James Swan—founder and CEO of GREAT Leaders, former Chief of Staff and Legislative Liaison for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), and the nation’s first-ever Chief Leadership Officer for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Before Asa helped shape leadership training across the state, he was in the trenches of one of government’s most demanding agencies: the Cabinet responsible for Kentucky’s entire transportation infrastructure. We explore how he applied the five pillars of GREAT leadership (Gritty, Relational, Equipped, Authentic, Transformational) to navigate bureaucracy, lead legacy employees, manage crises, and build trust in a high-stakes public safety environment. Whether you lead a team of two or two thousand, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons on how to stay authentic, equip your people, and drive change when the pressure is on. Connect with Asa:  https://great-leaders.org/begin-the-conversation/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/asa-james-swan/

#58 How Flip Phones and Core Values Shape a Unique Hospitality Business with the Warford Bros

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2407087/fan_mail/new] What happens when two brothers decide to run a modern short-term rental company… without a single smartphone between them? Meet Allen and Luke Warford, the co-founders of Inndoorsy—a hospitality business built on honor, excellence, beauty, and an intentionally slow, faith-driven life. In this episode, we sit down with these self-described "old souls" to talk about how they manage property design, guest relations, and daily operations Plus, Allen and Luke share the one rule that keeps their brotherhood intact, and why a non-hurried life might be the ultimate competitive advantage in hospitality. If you've ever dreamed of starting an STR business without losing your soul, your family time, or your peace—this one's for you. P.S. Unbeknownst to us, Luke's recording had stopped about halfway through the episode. So if you're wondering why it's just Aram and Allen talking through the second half, it's because technology doesn't always cooperate.  Check out Inndoorsy and book a stay: https://www.inndoorsy.com/ Connect with the guys:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-warford-9751b51a2/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-warford-01b5b7256/

#57 Ieasha Allen on The Art of the Slow Build: Why Some Ideas Need a Decade to Bloom

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2407087/fan_mail/new] In this engaging interview, Ieasha Allen shares the inspiring journey of transforming a historic building into The Melroy, a vibrant social club in downtown Lexington. Discover the decade-long process, strategic decisions, and community-focused vision behind this unique project that blends culture, entrepreneurship, and community development. Follow The Melroy: https://www.instagram.com/themelroylex/ Connect with Ieasha: contact@themelroy.com

#56 Rob Perez on The Case for Hiring in Recovery

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2407087/fan_mail/new] Rob Perez, a seasoned restaurant veteran, shares his journey from Hard Rock Cafes to founding DV8 Kitchen, a social enterprise employing people in recovery. Discover how his innovative approach is transforming the restaurant industry and creating sustainable employment opportunities for those overcoming addiction. https://dv8kitchen.com/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robperez64/ rob@dv8kitchen.com