Would You Work for You? How to Build a Workplace People Want to Stay In

You'll Never Feel 100% Ready — Joe Hulsey on Taking the Leap Into Business Ownership

You'll Never Feel 100% Ready — Joe Hulsey on Taking the Leap Into Business OwnershipIn this episode of Freedom Friday at the Journey to Business Ownership Podcast, I sit down with Joe Hulsey, owner of Best in Show Branded Products, to talk about his journey from banking to entrepreneurship — and the mindset shift that got him there.Joe was working as a lender at Fifth Third Bank when the 2008 financial crisis hit and he was laid off. After taking a year to figure out his next move, he turned a photography hobby into a full-time business and ran it successfully for 16 years. Then an opportunity came along to buy an existing, profitable promotional products company — and Joe took the leap, eventually rebranding it into Best in Show Branded Products.We cover:✅ Why Joe chose to buy an existing business instead of starting from scratch✅ How he evaluated whether client relationships would transfer to a new owner✅ Financing the purchase through a traditional bank loan and line of credit✅ Why "get a banker, not just a bank" is some of the best advice for business owners✅ How entrepreneurship gave him the flexibility to be present for his kids✅ His advice for anyone waiting for the "perfect time" to make the leap: don't wait for all the stars to align — jump in at 70% and figure out the rest along the way✅ Why memorable, useful promotional gifts keep your business top of mind with clientsWhether you're considering starting a business, buying one, or exploring franchises, Joe's story is proof that you don't need everything figured out to make the leap.Connect with Joe Hulsey / Best in Show Branded Products:🌐 Website: https//:www.bestinshowbranded.com📧 Email: joe@bestinshowbranded.com📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestInShowBranded📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestinshowbranded/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-in-show-branded-products/posts/?feedView=allReady to explore what business ownership could look like in your life? My coaching is completely free!📅 Schedule a call: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/ You'll Never Feel 100% Ready — Joe Hulsey on Taking the Leap Into Business Ownership

Is Your Business Actually Sellable? What Owners Need to Know Before Selling

Is Your Business Actually Sellable? What Owners Need to Know Before SellingIn this episode of Freedom Friday on the Journey to Business Ownership podcast, Patrice Miles sits down with Phil Eleson, franchise owner of Murphy Business Sales and Director of Corporate Brokerage Services, to talk about one of the biggest questions business owners should be asking long before they are ready to exit:Is your business actually sellable?Phil shares what makes buyers interested, what causes them to walk away, and why so many owners misunderstand what their business is truly worth. He also breaks down the importance of clean financials, reducing owner dependence, documenting processes, preparing for due diligence, and understanding what deal structures really look like.Whether you are thinking about selling your business soon or you are years away from an exit, this conversation will help you understand how to build a stronger, cleaner, more valuable business that someone else would actually want to own.In this episode, we discuss:• What makes a business sellable• Why buyers walk away before making an offer• How business valuation really works• The top things owners should do now to prepare for a future sale• Why owner dependence can hurt business value• What buyers want to see in your financials• What happens during due diligence• Common deal structures when selling a business• The emotional side of selling your business• Why preparation is key, even if you never sellConnect with Phil Eleson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phileleson-lowermiddlemarketadvisor/Email: p.eleson@murphybusiness.comPrevious Podcast episode: https://youtu.be/ExvOPMKpOLYConnect with Patrice Miles:Website: https://www.journeytobusinessownership.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/If you are ready to explore business ownership, buying a business, starting a business, or investing in a franchise, Patrice provides free coaching, tools, education, and resources to help you explore your options.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a business owner who needs to hear this.#FreedomFriday #JourneyToBusinessOwnership #BusinessOwnership #SellYourBusiness #BusinessBroker #MurphyBusinessSales #BusinessValuation #Entrepreneurship #ExitStrategy #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessGrowth #FranchiseOwnershipIs Your Business Actually Sellable? What Owners Need to Know Before Selling

My Franchise CPAs: Your Secret Weapon Before, During, and After Buying a Franchise

My Franchise CPAs: Your Secret Weapon Before, During, and After Buying a FranchiseAre you exploring franchise ownership but not sure if the numbers really work for you? Or maybe you're already a franchise owner trying to keep more of what you earn? Either way, this episode is packed with the financial education you didn't know you needed!This week on Freedom Friday at the Journey to Business Ownership Podcast, I sit down with John Mollica, Founder of My Franchise CPAs — a CPA firm that specializes exclusively in franchise owners from the very beginning of their journey all the way through operations and growth.In this episode, we cover:- Why you should connect with a franchise CPA before you sign your franchise agreement- How to review your FDD from a financial lens so you truly understand what you're getting into- The difference between affording to buy a franchise vs. affording to operate* it until it's profitable- Common financial mistakes new franchise owners make and how to avoid them- What pro formas, cash flow analysis, and proper capitalization really mean for your success- The truth about franchise financial myths — it's not always a goldmine, but it's not impossible either- How the right CPA helped one client reduce a $500K tax bill to under $100K- Why ROBS (Rollover for Business Startups) requires a CPA who actually knows the franchise space- Services My Franchise CPAs offers: bookkeeping, tax strategy, outsourced CFO, and more💡 Whether you're still in discovery mode or already operating, this episode will change how you think about your finances and your future.---Connect with My Franchise CPAs:🌐 Website: https://myfranchisecpas.com/▶️ YouTube/Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@myfranchisecpas---Ready to explore what franchise or business ownership could look like for YOUR life?Let's talk — my coaching is completely FREE!📅 Schedule a Discovery Call: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/---Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it! You can find us on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple at Journey to Business Ownership.Keep chasing purpose, not just a paycheck.🎯My Franchise CPAs: Your Secret Weapon Before, During, and After Buying a Franchise

He Tried Corporate After Selling His Business — The Entrepreneurial Bug Had Other Plans - EOS Story

He Tried Corporate After Selling His Business — The Entrepreneurial Bug Had Other Plans - EOS StoryWhat happens when a serial entrepreneur sells their business, tries the corporate world, and realizes the entrepreneurial bug just won't quit? Seth Pennington found out the hard way — and it led him straight to EOS.Seth, Franchise Business owner with EOS, spent 15 years building and scaling a business from the ground up with his wife, sold it right before COVID, and thought he was ready for something different. But after a short and eye-opening stint at a $70 million company, he knew exactly what he had to do — go back to entrepreneurship, this time with a proven system behind him.In this episode, Seth breaks down the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), based on the bestselling book Traction by Gino Wickman, and how it helps business owners stop running on chaos and start running with clarity.In this episode we cover:-What EOS is and how it helps businesses gain Vision, Traction, and Health-Why a proven playbook matters more than starting from scratch-What happens when a leader resists letting go of control (and why it tanks the system)-The honest truth about entrepreneurship — it's a lifestyle, not just a career-Book recommendations for anyone thinking about making the leapWhy Seth says the entrepreneurial bug is both a blessing and a curseBooks mentioned:Traction by Gino WickmanThe Entrepreneurial Leap by Gino WickmanConnect with Seth Pennington:🌐 https://www.eosworldwide.com (search Seth Pennington)📧 seth.pennington@eosworldwide.comReady to explore if business ownership could be your next chapter?🗓️ Book a free discovery call with Patrice: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs a little inspiration today. We're on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Keep chasing purpose, not just a paycheck. 💡He Tried Corporate After Selling His Business — The Entrepreneurial Bug Had Other Plans - EOS Story

SBA Loans Uncovered: What Every Aspiring Business Owner Needs to Know

SBA Loans Uncovered: What Every Aspiring Business Owner Needs to Know | Freedom FridayAre you dreaming of owning a business but not sure how to fund it? In this episode of Freedom Friday: The Journey to Business Ownership, I sit down with Kurt Hummel, SBA Lending Expert at Central Bank, who has over 23 years of experience helping everyday people get the funding they need to become their own boss.Kurt breaks down everything you need to know about SBA loans — no fluff, no confusing bank jargon — just real, honest answers to the questions aspiring business owners ask most.In this episode we cover:✅ What an SBA loan actually is (hint: the SBA doesn't lend you the money!)✅ The most popular SBA loan — the 7A program — and what it covers✅ How much cash you actually need to get started (the 10% injection rule)✅ Credit score requirements — and what banks are REALLY looking at✅ SBA loan fees explained: packaging fees, guarantee fees & more✅ Interest rates — and why a community bank may get you a better deal✅ The difference between SBA loans and conventional loans✅ Why franchise startups have an advantage when applying✅ The documents you need to start the SBA loan process✅ What happens if your loan defaults (the truth about collateral & your home)✅ The #1 place Kurt says you should ALWAYS go first for financingWhether you're thinking about buying a franchise, acquiring an existing business, or starting something brand new — this episode is your roadmap to understanding how to fund your dream.🔗 Connect with Kurt Hummel — SBA Lending Expert, Central Bank:📧 khummel@centralbank.com📞 502-456-3839🌐 https://www.centralbank.com(Serving Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky & surrounding areas)🔗 Connect with Patrice Miles — Career Ownership Coach:🌐 Learn more about business ownership: http://journeytobusinessownership.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/📅 Book a FREE Discovery Call: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/My coaching is 100% FREE — I work with aspiring business owners anywhere in the nation!🎙️ Find Freedom Friday on:▶️ YouTube🎵 Spotify🎵 Apple Podcasts👍 If this episode helped you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with someone who needs a little encouragement today. Remember — freedom isn't just a dream, it's a choice!#SBALoans #FranchiseOwnership #BusinessOwnership #FreedomFriday #JourneyToBusinessOwnership #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #StartABusiness #SBALending #centralbank SBA Loans Uncovered: What Every Aspiring Business Owner Needs to Know