What I Learned in My First 90 Days as a Business Owner

What I Learned in My First 90 Days as a Business Owner

What are the real lessons from your first 90 days in business? In this episode, I share the biggest things I’ve learned while launching two businesses from scratch — from practical strategy to spiritual principles that have completely changed how I approach entrepreneurship. This isn’t just about business tactics. It’s about stewardship, clarity, obedience, and building something that actually lasts. In this episode I talk about: • Why starting your day with God changes everything • How prayer can become your best business strategy • Why clarity in your offer unlocks opportunity • The principle of tithing in business • Why Sabbath rest might be your unfair advantage • How to avoid burnout while building something meaningful If you’re building a business, launching something new, or trying to steward a vision well — this episode is for you. If this encouraged you: 👍 Like the video 📩 Share with another builder 🔔 Subscribe to follow the journey

Use ChatGPT to Set SMART Goals: Turn Vague Vision Into a Clear Action Plan

Most people don’t fail at their goals because they’re lazy.They fail because their vision is vague.In this episode of the Zachary Reed Podcast, I walk you through how to use ChatGPT as a SMART Goal Coach to turn unclear vision into a clear, actionable plan—without burnout, overcommitment, or misaligned motivation.This is not a productivity talk.This is about stewardship.We’ll break down: • Why most goals fail (and it’s not discipline) • The 7 root causes that sabotage goal execution • How SMART Goals function as a biblical stewardship system • Why vague goals feel spiritual but actually block momentum • How to align goals with God’s timing, priorities, and capacity • How I personally use ChatGPT to refine goals into crystal-clear action plansI’ll also show you how I built a custom SMART Goal Coach GPT that functions like a one-on-one productivity and clarity coach—helping leaders write goals that teams can actually run with (Habakkuk 2:2).If you’re a leader, builder, or believer who wants to honor God with what’s in your hands this season, this episode will give you a practical framework to do exactly that.👉 Check out the SMART Goal Coach GPT here:https://smartgoalcoach.zacharyreed.comDrop a comment below and tell me:What is one goal you’re stewarding this year?⸻⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters00:00 – Introduction: Presence-Driven Planning & SMART Goals01:05 – Why This Is Not a Productivity Talk02:10 – Goals as Stewardship Plans (Luke 16:10)03:44 – Write the Vision So Others Can Run (Habakkuk 2:2)05:32 – Why Goals Fail (It’s Not Laziness)07:31 – Root Cause #1: Vague Vision09:07 – Root Cause #2: Misaligned Motivation (Fear of Man)09:57 – Root Cause #3: Overcommitment & Poor Timing11:22 – Root Cause #4: No Clear Measurement12:32 – Root Cause #5: No Ownership or Accountability13:29 – Root Cause #6: No Review or Follow-Up Cycle14:51 – Root Cause #7: No Clear Action Plan17:45 – SMART Goals as a Stewardship System18:55 – S = Specific (Clarity Creates Momentum)19:27 – M = Measurable (Define the Win)20:21 – A = Achievable (Discernment & Capacity)21:31 – R = Relevant (Right Goal, Right Season)22:55 – T = Time-Bound (Deadlines Create Focus)24:31 – Example: Turning a Vague Goal Into a SMART Goal26:59 – Introducing the SMART Goal Coach GPT28:00 – Why Using ChatGPT Accelerates Goal Clarity29:15 – Final Encouragement & Call to Action

The Winning Formula For Success = Obedience

What if the real formula for success isn’t hustle, strategy, or grinding harder—but obedience to God? In Episode 2 of The Zachary Reed Podcast, Zachary unpacks a timeless biblical truth: throughout Scripture, when people listened to God and obeyed Him, God blessed their work, their hands, and their outcomes. From Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David to modern-day faith and business leadership, the Bible makes it clear—obedience activates covenant blessing. In this episode, you’ll hear: * Why obedience is the ultimate success formula * How God gives us the power to create wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18) * What Scripture really says about blessing, provision, and success * Personal testimony of overcoming fear of man and stepping out in obedience * Why success leaves clues—but obedience releases fruit * What might be waiting on the other side of your obedience If you’ve been wrestling with fear, hesitation, or uncertainty about taking the next step God has asked you to take—this episode is for you. 📖 Featured Scriptures include: * Deuteronomy 8:18 * Deuteronomy 28 * Genesis (Abraham & Joseph) * Joshua 1:8 * Isaiah 1:19 * Proverbs 29:25 * James 1:22 Whether you’re a believer navigating business, leadership, calling, content creation, or obedience in everyday life, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to realign with God’s definition of success.

Crossing a Threshold

There are moments when life starts to feel different — familiar things don’t fit, fear and uncertainty increase, and you sense that God is doing something new. That moment is called a threshold. In this first episode of The Zachary Reed Podcast, Zachary shares a raw, real-time revelation on crossing thresholds — divine moments of transition where God invites us to step from one season into another with a simple but powerful yes. This episode is both personal and biblical, drawing from Zachary’s current season of transition, Scripture, and lived obedience. You’ll hear about: * What thresholds are and why God uses them to separate seasons * Why you can’t go backward without breaking * The spiritual “symptoms” that appear when you’re approaching a threshold * How obedience unlocks provision and clarity * The difference between Chronos time and Kairos (God’s) timing * Why delayed obedience is still disobedience * How God accelerates your steps after you say yes * Why counterfeit opportunities often appear near real transitions Zachary walks through biblical examples including Abraham and Philip, showing how God provides after obedience — not before — and how stepping through the door God opens can lead to supernatural acceleration and peace. If you’ve been feeling unsettled, stretched, or stirred toward something new, this episode may help you recognize where you’re standing — and give you courage to move forward. * Hebrews 11:8 * Genesis 12 * Jeremiah 1:5 * Acts 8:26–40 * Ecclesiastes 3:1 If you’re in a season of transition and need clarity, prayer prompts, and Scripture to meditate on, Zachary has created a free Threshold Reflection Guide. 👉 Join the free community and download the guide here: https://zacharyreed.com/community Inside the community, you’ll also get access to future free resources, trainings, and conversations with others navigating similar seasons.