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I wanted to record what it means to me to celebrate Memorial day with a few audio clips from Ronald Reagan and Ted Nugent. The Rifle Book is a new book soon to be video sounds like this will be amazing! https://thewwiirifle.com

I have been asked to talk about how to start a business by a few people and I love helping people to do this. I want to start by saying that owning your own business is definitely not for everyone for many reasons. If you feel driven to start your own business, this series will have some ideas, tips and tricks to getting your idea off the ground.

This week I had a fascinating conversation with Dave Rettinger. He's a second generation hearth store owner and has a great look at how he uses technology and new ideas to stay on top of and in front of the changing face of business.

Jonah Lindley is my guest this week and he will talk about his journey to being a rising star in the chimney industry. One of the biggest compliments that I always hear about Jonah is "Man what a great guy, he really get's it!" I think you will understand what I mean after this episode. Don't forget about the Sweep Away Cancer Rally June 9-10 at the Back of the Dragon in Wytheville VA. www.sweepawaycancer.com Please join us!

This week I discuss an article that I wrote for Fire Time Magazine in which I rant (a little) and the Hearth Industry for having an attitude about the chimney service world that id getting them beat! I also talk about the upcoming sweep Away Cancer Rally in Whtheville VA June 9-10. www.sweepawaycancer.com

Almost everyone has heard of ChatGPT, if you haven't it's an artificial intelligence language  program that is taking the world by storm.  Tonight, I talk about how to use it and I even use it lave while doing the SureFire Live show.  The results are amazing.  Since this show aired a few weeks ago so many people have responded back to me about it.  I have continued to use it almost daily to help with some task.  It's here to stay so you need to get on board and add it to your productivity tools!

This weeks guest is my daughter Evane.  She is an inspirational young woman with an amazing story.  For the past 3 months she has been training and raising money for the Rumble on the Rox boxing match.   She raised over $30,000 dollars for her charity and put on a hell of a show.  I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed interviewing.  

Steve Trumble is my guest this week as is the owner of Chimney Doctors, SOTA Metal Fab and a new venture called Home Care Heating and Air. Steve is also one of the few Chimney Safety Institute of America Master Sweeps He has an amazing spirit and that carries through his businesses and his home life.  The thing that stands out to me about him is that he always seeks council and education while moving fast.  He implements very quickly and moves through his mistakes with ease while never loosing the spirit to try again.   Recently Steve was on a scuba diving trip and faced a true fear that he had never had in his life.  He talks about facing it and getting through it.

Chris Tomlin is an amazing guy with a huge heart and a ton of drive.  I have seen him at many conferences and spoken to him several times by phone but i wanted to see what made him tick.  He always has a great sprit and a clear fun culture with his employees.  This is a great interview with a guy that just makes it happen.  

Kevin Russell is the founder of an amazing non profit called Warrior Horse.  His foundation helps veterans and first responders that suffer from PTSD.  He shares some amazing stories about how they have been able to help so many in just a short period of time.   Please visit and donate at www.warriorhorse.net 

Nothing could be more nerve wracking experience as a business owner than laying of or letting people go because you don't have enough work on the books.  There are definitely tactics that you can take to avoid this stage of business.  Understand that almost every growing business goes through this.   I hope this episode gives you some good tactics.

Are you a new leader...or even an experienced leader?  I bet you have made each of these mistakes and if you haven't, you probably will!  :).  This is a rebroadcast of a SureFire Live I did recently. 

I start with the 2022 Wrap up of the Blue Collar Gold Podcast.   We move to the different stages of business growth and the importance of getting coaching if you want to move through those stages.

Do you know the difference between the two?  I love planning a lot more than strategy for sure but if you just stay in planning mode, its a recipe for failure.  I review a Harvard Business Review video that I recently watched and describe how to apply it in your business. Happy New Year!   Lets make this year amazing!

This weeks guest was Anthony Valerio.  Anthony is showing the industry what the next generation of chimney business owner can do.  He has a great culture, great looking marketing, takes education very seriously and on top of everything, he understands the importance of family.  I hope you get inspired from this interview.  

My visit to the SEMA automotive show in las Vegas last week helped me to understand what its like to be the best of the best in the automotive game.  Wow is all I can say. I also got a chance to observe some crackheads in the wild and it helped me to understand true determination   :)  

Most leaders and employees have a hard time knowing if they are actually the problem in the company. This episode was inspired by an article from author Mark Manson, who wrote the book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*^k.  On my journey, they have been multiple times that I have realized that I am actually the problem, even though I have the best intentions.  Many times when an employee comes to talk to me, I have to help them understand that they are actually creating or inflaming the very problem that they don't like.  I hope you enjoy it.  

I just wrapped up another bucket list item... motorcycle riding the historic Route 66 Mother Road from Chicago to Santa Monica pier in California.  I give you an update on that experience as well as some business thoughts. 

Our guest this week is Past President of the Chimney Safety Institute of America as well as the owner of the business consulting service Roydhouse Effect. Chuck has a tremendous amount of knowledge about running a VERY profitable "small" business.   Chuck now coaches others on how to build and maintain the best business for his clients. www.roydhouseeffect.com

Our guest talks about how to set your company up to sell, buy or to transition out.  All businesses eventually will have to go through this because one way or another, the owner will be out...so why not prepare for the inevitable as soon as possible?  Garnett is a managing director at the Decosimo firm and is a true pro with fantastic information!   www.decosimo.com