Entrepreneur Intel

Brian Doyle is a former Air Force pilot who commanded 31 combat missions before moving into the business world, working at GE Capital, and eventually becoming CEO of Holden Advisors. Today, he helps $100M–$5B companies increase profitability by building pricing strategies that actually get implemented—and embraced—by sales teams.In this episode, Brian shares how lessons from the cockpit translate to leading in business, from staying calm under pressure to keeping your “cross check” on all parts of the operation. He opens up about navigating COVID just weeks into his CEO role, the dangers of relying too heavily on one client, and why process and discipline are just as important as big ideas.Brian also talks about bridging generational gaps inside organizations, building trust between sales teams and leadership, and using EOS to keep everyone aligned. Whether it’s negotiating with giants like Amazon or helping companies understand their true value, he explains how to create pricing power without losing customers.Join us for a candid look at leadership, strategy, and execution from someone who’s flown through turbulence—both in the air and in business—and come out stronger.In this episode, we talked about:How 31 combat missions as an Air Force pilot shaped Brian’s leadership and decision-making.Why Holden Advisors blends value-based pricing strategy with hands-on implementation.Lessons from rapid growth tied to a single major client.Pivoting to virtual delivery weeks into his CEO role.Using a pilot’s “cross check” to avoid business blind spots.Leveraging EOS to align big ideas with disciplined execution.Bridging gaps between sales teams and leadership.Adapting communication styles for Millennials and Gen Z.Negotiating with giants like Amazon while protecting pricing.Connecting with younger generations in a changing workplace.Brian Doyle's Social Links: Email: bdoyle@holdenadvisers.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianadoyle Company Website: https://holdenadvisors.com Links:Stealth Consulting: https://stealthconsulting.com/ Follow Wesley Mathews on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleymathews/ Skypayments: https://www.skypaymentsgroup.com/

Jason Hansen is a Certified Living Benefits Expert and founder of Midwest Family Financial. For over 20 years, he’s helped entrepreneurs and families use life insurance to protect their future, build tax-free income, and avoid financial disaster. Today, Jason joins me to break down a topic that confuses a lot of people: life insurance. We talk about what it really is, the difference between term and permanent life insurance, and how living benefits can help you while you’re still alive, not just after you die. Jason breaks down how founders can use the right type of policy to cover worst-case scenarios, tap into their death benefit while still alive, and create a cash reserve they can borrow from at any time without involving the IRS. We explore the strategy of using permanent life insurance as a cash flow and investment vehicle, explaining the infinite banking concept in plain English. Jason also shares real-life stories, like the policy he used to help his son buy a truck and how Walt Disney used life insurance to build Disneyland. Jason also shares certain policies that allow chronically ill and terminal patients can access up to $20,000 a month without you having to pay extra. Join us today as we break down complex topics into understandable concepts, explore how to build a policy that works for you, and help you protect your future without getting overwhelmed by sales jargon.Jason Hansen's Social Links:CEO of midwest family financial ( http://midwestfamilyfinancial.com ) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hansen-8078a7149/Links:Stealth Consulting: https://stealthconsulting.com/Follow Wesley Mathews on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleymathews/Skypayments: https://www.skypaymentsgroup.com/

Dave Lava and Ilyssa Grant have quietly helped business owners save millions by rethinking how payment processing ‘should’ work. With backgrounds in business, tech, and entrepreneurship, they saw the flaws in the traditional system and decided to build something better. Today, they work with companies across the country to help them take back control of their revenue.Today, Dave and Ilyssa joined me to talk about what most people get wrong about credit card fees and why accepting them as “just part of doing business” could be a huge mistake. We dive into how they’ve helped businesses cut costs without cutting corners, and the small shifts that you can make in how you accept payments that can easily lead to massive savings over time. They also share the journey that brought them into this space, including the early resistance they faced and the breakthroughs that changed everything. Their story is one of persistence, innovation, and a refusal to follow the crowd. What they’ve built now not only helps businesses save money, it makes the entire process simpler and more transparent.We explore the future of technology and digital payments might look like and how they can affect your business. Dave and Ilyssa also expose to you a behind-the-scenes look at where digital payments are going, and what you can do as a smart business owner to stay ahead. Join us today if you’ve ever wondered why you're paying so much just to get paid or how to break free from the system that keeps taking a cut.Ilyssa Grant Social Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyssagrant/Links:Stealth Consulting: https://stealthconsulting.com/Follow Wesley Mathews on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleymathews/Skypayments: https://www.skypaymentsgroup.com/

How can SaaS fuel your business growth and keep you ahead of the curve? In this week’s episode of Entrepreneur Intel, host Wes Matthews sits down with Nathan Tyler, an experienced founder and SaaS expert, to uncover how data-driven decision-making can transform your company.Nathan shares his journey from building a web agency to creating BlinkMetrics, a SaaS platform that gives entrepreneurs real-time insights into their key business metrics. Learn how SaaS tools can automate performance tracking, eliminate guesswork, and help you scale with clarity.Discover why knowing your numbers is the ultimate growth hack—and how the right SaaS can help you avoid costly blind spots, streamline operations, and make better business moves every day.Takeaways:SaaS is the key to unlocking accurate, real-time business data—helping you catch issues early and seize growth opportunities fast.Tracking the right metrics with SaaS tools lets you lead with confidence, not guesswork.Great SaaS products focus on both user experience and world-class customer support—because software should solve problems, not create new ones.Entrepreneurs who leverage SaaS tools like BlinkMetrics gain a competitive edge by staying on top of their business performance daily.Quote of the Show:“The best entrepreneurs don’t guess—they measure. SaaS turns your business blind spots into growth opportunities.” – Nathan TylerLinks:BlinkMetrics: www.blinkmetrics.comStealth Consulting: www.stealthconsulting.comIf you're an entrepreneur looking to scale smarter, cut through the noise, and master your business metrics, this episode is a must-listen. Don’t miss it!

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Harvey, founder of The Roof Resource, to explore his journey of disrupting the roofing industry. By applying innovative business models akin to Airbnb, Mike has redefined how roofing services are delivered, saving homeowners significant costs and earning their trust. He shares insights into his franchise model, the power of customer-centric innovation, and his vision for scaling this unique approach to other industries.Takeaways:The "Airbnb of Roofing": Mike’s innovative approach connects homeowners with roofing solutions at half the traditional cost, without owning materials or contractors.Overcoming Challenges: Building trust with customers was initially a hurdle, but referrals and exceptional service created lasting credibility.The Power of Process: Proprietary systems like their custom CRM and robust agreements make The Roof Resource scalable and unique.Franchise Growth: With an affordable franchise model and extensive support, entrepreneurs can join this revolutionary movement.Future Expansion: Mike plans to expand into windows, gutters, and beyond, while maintaining a sharp focus on roofing for now.Quote of the Show: "We’re not just selling roofs; we’re delivering a service that transforms how people think about home improvement, saving families thousands and building trust.” - Mike Harvey Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-harvey-a53bb7116/Website: https://harveysroofingllc.com/Ways to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

In this episode of Entrepreneur Intel, we delve into the insights shared by Ben Quintana, who is the Principal at Kis Solutions. The conversation explores innovative approaches to advertising, creative strategies, and customer experience optimization. Ben brings a unique perspective rooted in data-driven decision-making and the application of economic principles to foster impactful customer interactions.Takeaways:Customer-First Strategies: Ben emphasizes the power of prioritizing customer experience in shaping successful marketing campaigns.Data-Driven Marketing: The integration of data analysis and economic principles is essential for achieving marketing success.Transparent and Integrated Shopping Experiences: Innovations in automotive retail are highlighted, showcasing how transparency can enhance customer trust and engagement.Challenging the Status Quo: Success often lies in questioning conventional methods and embracing new technology and partnerships.Revenue Technology Leadership: Insights from Ben on implementing MarTech tools and managing multi-million dollar tech stacks to drive GTM effectiveness.Quote of the Show: "The key to marketing success lies not just in the numbers, but in telling a story that the customer can connect with — one that’s transparent, concise, and built on trust.” - Ben QuintanaLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-quintana-4a43682/Website: https://www.kissolutions.tech/Ways to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

In this episode, we dive into the creation and innovative mission of ZEC, a platform designed to modernize and simplify board meetings. Born from the founders’ personal frustrations at Moosejaw and CrowdRise, ZEC addresses the inefficiencies of traditional board presentations, which often spanned over 100 hours of preparation for decks exceeding 130 slides. By integrating cutting-edge AI and infusing lighthearted elements into a serious process, ZEC transforms board meetings into more productive and enjoyable experiences. The discussion covers how the platform enhances preparation, ensures security, and fosters a collaborative environment that aligns with today’s technological advancements.Takeaways:Origin of ZEC: The idea for ZEC came from firsthand experiences with cumbersome board presentations at Moosejaw and CrowdRise, where the shortest deck was 134 slides, taking over 100 hours to create and resulting in repetitive, unproductive meetings.Building on Familiar Ground: ZEC was co-founded by the guest, his brother, and Edward Norton. Their team comprises members from Moosejaw and CrowdRise, allowing for a seamless startup phase where everyone spoke the same language and could collaborate effectively.ZEC’s Target Market: The platform is suited for any organization with a board, from enterprises to nonprofits. Notably, 25% of ZEC’s users are nonprofits, a segment they did not initially anticipate.Vision for ZEC: ZEC aims to modernize board meetings similarly to how DocuSign revolutionized signing documents. The platform prioritizes accessibility and collaboration, recognizing the limitations of traditional slide decks in today’s digital landscape.Infusing Fun into the Process: ZEC’s branding includes creative, lighthearted touches—such as sending cookies to client teams before board meetings, with notes that bring humor to otherwise tense situations.Integration of AI: ZEC leverages AI, powered by a secure backbone based on ChatGPT, to significantly reduce preparation time and enhance the quality of presentations. The platform’s AI is tailored to executive needs, turning users from content authors into editors.Security Focus: Understanding the sensitive nature of board content, ZEC has implemented robust security measures to ensure compliance, meeting stringent due diligence standards.Quote of the Show: "We’re trying to modernize the board meeting experience in the same way DocuSign modernized signing documents. It’s about transforming a process that’s outdated and making it not just efficient, but engaging.” - Robert Wolfe Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-w-0abaaa273/Website: https://www.zeck.app/Ways to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614

In this episode, Wes is joined by Mark Scrimenti, an expert in fractional leadership, to discuss the power of fractional executives and how businesses can scale effectively using frameworks like EOS. Mark shares his experience transitioning from digital marketing to fractional COO and how businesses can benefit from having strategic support without the commitment of a full-time executive. They explore the challenges of being a visionary leader, managing growth, and the importance of setting clear goals while embracing iterative improvements.Takeaways:- Fractional executives bring a strategic edge to companies by focusing on specific needs while offering flexibility.- The role of a fractional COO is often temporary, aimed at setting up systems for growth and eventually handing over responsibilities to an internal team member.- The key to a successful fractional leadership model is regular communication, accountability, and a structured approach to planning and goal-setting (e.g., EOS, OKRs).- Visionaries need to embrace imperfection, iterate often, and allow their businesses to evolve in response to feedback and changing market conditions.- Building a healthy, growth-oriented culture within the company is crucial for long-term success.Quote of the Show:“Done is better than perfect. If you get it out there, you get real market feedback, and you just keep improving.” – Mark ScrimentiLinks:- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrimenti/- Website: https://vividpathconsulting.com/Ways to Tune In:- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I9O1Du2CFBfhGkvR1Oyem - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneur-intel/id1720785558 - Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4d7fcd6e-e68f-4855-bb8a-8f872fc5b799 - Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/entrepreneur-intel-5556614