Episode 12 | Owners Unfiltered: From Cartels, Gangs & Prison to Purpose - The Julio "JC" Almanza Story

Episode 13 - Building an Empire: Cameron Bawden on Scaling, Exits & Leadership

Episode 13: Owners Unfiltered with Cameron Bawden What does it really take to build companies that scale, create opportunities for others, and eventually become valuable enough to sell? In this episode of Beyond the Business, Eric Perry sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and business builder Cameron Bawden for an unfiltered conversation about the lessons he's learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey. From building multiple successful businesses and navigating exits to developing teams and creating cultures that thrive, Cameron shares the principles that have helped shape his success. We dive into the importance of systems and processes, why accountability is critical for growth, and how having the right people in the right seats can completely transform an organization. Cameron also shares why investing in your team, creating clear growth opportunities, and aligning incentives with company success can unlock the full potential of both your business and your people. Beyond business, this conversation explores leadership, personal development, mindset, and the hard-earned lessons that come from years of building, scaling, and learning from both successes and failures. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or leader looking to take your organization to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable insights on growth, accountability, culture, and becoming the leader your business needs you to be. Beyond the Business: The People, The Struggles, and The Stories Behind Success.

Episode 12 | Owners Unfiltered: From Cartels, Gangs & Prison to Purpose - The Julio "JC" Almanza Story

Some stories inspire you. Others completely change the way you look at life. In Episode 12 of Owners Unfiltered, I sit down with one of my closest friends, Julio “JC” Almanza, founder of Wrong to Strong, creator of transformative prison programs including SuperMax, Wonder Woman, and Officer Resilience, and co-owner of Biltmore Soundscape Studios, the very place where we record this podcast. JC's story is unlike anything you've ever heard. From childhood trauma, gang life on the streets of Chicago, cartel involvement, and nearly two decades spent in both Mexican and U.S. prisons, JC had every reason to become another statistic. Instead, he chose a different path. We dive deep into his journey from violence, addiction, and incarceration to becoming a mentor, speaker, entrepreneur, husband, and leader who now helps thousands of people transform their lives through the lessons he learned the hard way. We talk about: • Growing up surrounded by gangs, crime, and trauma • Surviving prison in both Mexico and the United States • The mental and emotional demons he still battles today • His resistance to faith and the moment everything changed • Finding God and rebuilding his life from the ground up • The strict routines, discipline, and habits that keep him focused • How fitness became a tool for healing and transformation • Why he dedicates his life to helping others break destructive cycles JC's story is proof that your past does not determine your future. No matter where you've been, what you've done, or what has been done to you, there is always a path forward. This isn't just a conversation about business. It's a conversation about redemption, resilience, faith, and the power of choosing purpose over excuses. Trust me, you don't want to miss this one.

Power Partners Ep. 11 | Building Business, Community & Trust with Michelle & Sam of Rise Real Estate Group

In Episode 11 of Beyond the Business, our Power Partners segment sits down with two great friends of ours, Michelle and Sam from Rise Real Estate Group. What makes this episode so unique is not only the success they’ve built together in real estate, but the fact that they’ve been best friends and business partners since the very beginning. (Rise Real Estate Group [https://www.risegroupaz.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]) Michelle founded the team, but her and Sam’s journey started years ago when they met working at another real estate company while both getting their licenses around the same time. Since then, they’ve built an incredible business rooted in trust, communication, leadership, and genuine care for both their team and their clients. In this episode, we dive deep into: * What it’s really like working alongside your best friend while maintaining professionalism * How to effectively communicate with employees during difficult conversations * Leadership, accountability, and showing up for your team * Their journey from getting started in real estate to building a powerhouse team * The importance of culture, communication, and trust in business * Why giving back to the community is such a major pillar in both their business and personal lives Michelle and Sam also share their passion for serving others through annual community events, nonprofit involvement, and supporting families in need throughout Arizona. Their heart for people is evident in everything they do, and it’s a huge reason why their business continues to grow and impact so many lives. (Rise Real Estate Group [https://www.risegroupaz.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]) This episode is packed with leadership lessons, real conversations, plenty of laughs, and a ton of value for entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and anyone trying to build something meaningful with people they trust. Catch Episode 11 tomorrow morning on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Beyond the Business Ep. 10 | Us Against the Chaos: Marriage, 5 Kids & Building a Business Together

In Episode 10 of Beyond the Business, the tables turn a little for this special Couples in Business episode. Usually, Eric and Cierra sit down with other entrepreneurial couples to hear their stories, but this time… it’s just them. From raising five kids while building and scaling a multimillion dollar home service business to trying to make time for each other, their family, and themselves, this episode gets real about the challenges that come with entrepreneurship and marriage. They open up about the pressure, sacrifices, communication struggles, lessons learned the hard way, and what it truly takes to grow together instead of apart while chasing big goals. But it’s not all struggle. They also share the wins, milestones, memories, and moments that made it all worth it. This is an honest conversation about business, marriage, parenting, leadership, and learning how to be present through the chaos of building a life together. If you’re an entrepreneur, a spouse of an entrepreneur, or just trying to balance ambition with family life, this episode is for you.

Episode 9 - Power Partners: Fighting Cancer While Building a Legacy with Joe Worthy

Beyond the Business – Episode 9 | Power Partners What does it really mean to be a “power partner”… or is it something deeper than that? In this episode, we sit down with Joe Worthy, founder of Vertex Property Inspections, to break down what it truly takes to build trust in business, and why he doesn’t just call them power partners… he calls them business partners. Joe shares the story of what pulled him into the inspection industry after experiencing issues in a home purchase that made him question everything. That moment didn’t just spark a career, it built a mission. As a Certified Master Inspector, Joe has built a reputation for delivering detailed, honest, and comprehensive reports, but more importantly, for how he communicates them. Because in his world, it’s not just about what you find… it’s about how you educate your clients and guide them through it. This episode dives into: * The difference between average inspectors and true professionals * Why communication is the most underrated skill in business * Wild and unexpected findings from years in the field * The wins, the losses, and the lessons that shaped his journey * The unethical practices happening in both inspections and the trades, and how to avoid them But this conversation goes far beyond business… Joe opens up about something much bigger than inspections...his fight against stage four cancer. A battle he’s faced before… and continues to fight every single day. Alongside his wife, he’s also on a mission to make a real impact through the Veterans Cancer Network, advocating for free cancer screenings for veterans transitioning out of the military. This isn’t just about building a business. This is about building a legacy. 👉 Make sure you stay until the very end, because his biggest takeaway might just change how you look at life and business. 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday morning Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts