Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth

What does it really take to succeed in franchising when so many people still believe it is passive income?

This week on Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth with Gary Heldt, Gary sits down with Brittney Lincoln, Partner and VP of Franchise at Limitless Franchise Growth and Founder of Females in Franchising. With over thirteen years of experience across home services, beauty, fitness, wellness, medical, dog training, and Pilates franchises, Brittney gives an honest and practical look at what franchising really requires.
Brittney breaks down one of the industry’s biggest misconceptions. Many people think franchising is “mailbox money,” meaning passive income with little involvement. In reality, franchising only works when the owner executes the model, leads the team, and stays engaged in the business every day. Execution beats money, intelligence, or excitement every time.
She also shares the trifecta every buyer should evaluate before choosing a brand, the dangers of franchisors scaling too quickly, and why more women should consider franchising as their second act. Brittney’s passion project, Females in Franchising, is a new online community designed to support collaboration, mentorship, and shared knowledge across the franchising world.
Key Takeaways
→ Why franchising is not passive income and requires real execution
→ What “no mailbox money” actually means inside a franchise system
→ How poor franchisor infrastructure creates long term problems
→ The three part trifecta every buyer must evaluate
→ Why more women should consider franchising as their next act
→ How mentorship and collaboration accelerate success in franchising
Quote from Brittney:
“There is no mailbox money in franchising. Maybe vending machines, but you still gotta go and fill the vending machine.”
Connect to Brittney on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittney-lincoln-39356843/New boost

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What do the most successful entrepreneurs understand about money that struggling business owners never figure out?
In this powerful episode of Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth, guest host Jack Reeder sits down with Phil Zuckerman, National Lead Faculty for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. Phil brings nearly fifty years of entrepreneurial experience and decades of mentoring business owners who want more than revenue. They want real wealth, real options, and a business that thrives long after they are done running it.
Phil breaks down the difference between growth and value, why most entrepreneurs underprice themselves, the mindset shifts that separate founders who succeed from founders who burn out, and the surprising truth about cash flow versus profit. This conversation will challenge how you think about your business and give you a more straightforward path toward long-term success.
Key Takeaways
→ Why most founders start with passion instead of financial literacy, and how that slows growth
→ The surprising reason cash flow problems are often solved without raising capital
→ The mindset upgrades every entrepreneur needs, including gratitude, risk tolerance, and self-awareness
→ The fundamental difference between growing revenue and building a business that someone will buy
→ Why pricing should always align with value and how undercharging often signals a confidence issue
→ How to prepare your business for exit long before you think you need to
Featured Quote from Phil
“We exist because the customer gives us cash, but we live in the margin. That is what separates one business from another.”

Listen and learn why margins, mindset, and mastery of your numbers determine the future of your business.
 Subscribe, rate, and share this episode with another business owner who wants to build wealth, not just revenue.
Connect with Phil on LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/philzuckerman

Connect with Jack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackreeder/

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What if your story is the one thing that changes everything in your business?
On Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt sits down with media visibility expert and Cre8tive Con founder Julie Lokun for a powerful conversation about the real drivers of visibility. Julie shares how she moved from journalism to law to entrepreneurship and discovered that every business grows when its story is clear, confident, and consistently shared. She explains why earned media beats paid ads, why your digital footprint matters more than ever, and how any entrepreneur can begin simple PR steps without a big budget. Julie also breaks down crisis transparency, on-camera confidence, and how a strong story becomes your most significant competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways
• Your story is the strongest part of your brand
• Earned media builds trust faster than paid promotion
• Visibility grows through clarity and repetition
• Transparency wins during a crisis
• Every business owner can start PR today

Visibility Tools Julie Recommends
• Google Alerts shows where your name appears online
• Google Trends highlights what topics are heating up
• MUCKRACK helps you find journalists in your niche
• Twitter is a prime place for journalist requests using journorequests or journorequest
• Featured connects publishers with expert voices
• Help a Reporter Out HARO connects journalists and sources
• Qwoted helps reporters find reliable experts
• Blogging on your site and on Medium strengthens your authority and digital footprint

Julie’s quote:
“Your voice is your currency. When people see it clearly, everything changes.”

Explore Cre8tive Con at cre8tivecon.com and reach Julie at julie@cre8tivecon.com

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What does it take to transform a neighborhood into a thriving business community?

On Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt sits down with Mark Burns, Executive Director of the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District. Mark draws on more than 20 years of experience in real estate leasing, government property management, and community revitalization to explain how small businesses can tap into local resources, avoid costly leasing mistakes, and position themselves for long-term success.

From negotiating city-owned properties to managing major Miami capital projects, Mark has seen it all. His insider perspective gives business owners a clear understanding of how government works, how Business Improvement Districts operate, and how to use these resources to grow stronger, smarter, and more sustainably. This conversation is packed with real strategy, clear examples, and lessons every business owner should hear.

Key Takeaways
→ Why Business Improvement Districts give small businesses more power than acting alone
→ How Coconut Grove was revitalized into one of Miami’s most desirable neighborhoods
→ The most significant mistakes business owners make when signing leases
→ Why business owners miss out on grants and free resources
→ How long-term planning protects businesses from future economic swings
→ How entrepreneurs can build influence and gain a board seat in their district

Featured Quote from Mark Burns

“The people who step out of their routine are the ones who succeed.”

To learn more about Coconut Grove’s Business Improvement District or to connect with Mark, visit CoconutGrove.com.

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What if you could legally pay zero taxes while building wealth around the world?

In this episode, Gary sits down with Mikkel Thorup, the world’s most sought-after expat consultant and the Founder and CEO of Expat Money. Mikkel has spent more than 25 years traveling to 120 countries, living in 9 of them, and building a thriving international consulting firm that helps high-net-worth clients reduce taxes, secure second residencies, and build global investment portfolios.

He breaks down the truth behind the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, why residency matters more than people think, how offshore banking protects you from government freezes, and what countries offer the most favorable territorial tax systems. Mikkel also shares his personal story of overcoming dyslexia, dropping out of school, and designing a life and business that spans the globe.

 This conversation gives you the facts that most professionals never learn. If you have ever wondered how wealthy people legally reduce taxes, diversify risk, and expand their options beyond the United States, this episode opens that door.

Key Takeaways
→ Understanding the two global tax models and why the United States is unique in taxing citizens, no matter where they live
 → How the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion works and the difference between the physical presence test and bona fide residency
 → Why offshore banking is an essential part of a financial plan B, and when it protects you from domestic account freezes
 → What territorial taxation means and why countries like Panama, Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Belize attract entrepreneurs
 → How active income and passive income differ for expats and how classification affects legal tax reduction
 → Why obtaining legal residency or a second citizenship is the foundation for any global tax strategy

Quote From Mikkel Thorup
“I tell everybody this. You can legally pay less tax, invest globally, and increase your freedom, but you must follow the rules and structure your life correctly. That is the real secret.”
Ready to explore tax reduction, global residency, or international investments? Connect with Mikkel at ExpatMoney.com to access his newsletter, resources, and consulting options.

Catch every new episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth with Gary Heldt wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What does it take to transform a neighborhood into a thriving business community?
On Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt sits down with Mark Burns, Executive Director of the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District. Mark draws from more than 20 years in real estate leasing, government property management, and community revitalization to explain how small businesses can plug into local resources, avoid costly leasing mistakes, and position themselves for long term success.
From negotiating city owned properties to managing major Miami capital projects, Mark has seen it all. His insider perspective gives business owners a clear understanding of how government works, how Business Improvement Districts operate, and how to use these resources to grow stronger, smarter, and more sustainably. This conversation is packed with real strategy, clear examples, and lessons every business owner should hear.
Key Takeaways
→ Why Business Improvement Districts give small businesses more power than acting alone
→ How Coconut Grove revitalized into one of Miami’s most desirable neighborhoods
→ The biggest mistakes business owners make when signing leases
→ Why business owners miss out on grants and free resources
→ How long term planning protects businesses from future economic swings
→ How entrepreneurs can build influence and gain a board seat in their district
Featured Quote from Mark Burns
“The people who step out of their routine are the ones who succeed.”
Call to Action
To learn more about Coconut Grove’s Business Improvement District or to connect with Mark, visit CoconutGrove.com.
Follow Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth for more conversations that help business owners strengthen their financial future.

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What if a single decision could save a business owner thousands in taxes every year?

On Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth, guest host Samuel Russell sits down with Rob Brand, tax strategist at Comprehensive Business Services in Newark, Delaware, for an eye-opening conversation on tax structure, S Corporation strategy, retirement planning, and what business owners get wrong about their numbers.
Rob breaks down how S Corporations really work, why most LLC owners are paying more than they should, how retirement accounts like SEP IRAs and self-directed IRAs can be used for real estate investing, and the huge difference proactive tax planning makes. He also talks about the ideal client he helps, the biggest mistakes he sees business owners make, and when to start planning for an exit. This episode is packed with simple explanations, clear examples, and strategy business owners can use immediately.
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Key Takeaways

→ Why S Corporation election can dramatically reduce self-employment taxes for LLC owners
→ How reasonable compensation works and why it matters for compliance and planning
→ The retirement accounts business owners should know, including SEP IRA and defined benefit plans
→ How self-directed IRAs allow business owners to buy and sell real estate tax-sheltered
→ Why proactive planning beats tax-season panic every time
→ The number one mistake business owners make when trying to grow
Featured Quote from Rob Brand

“Tax savings are all about strategy and looking forward. If you walk into your tax appointment in February asking what you can fix from last year, the answer is nothing. The runway is already gone.”
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If you’re a business owner wondering whether you’re paying more taxes than necessary, now is the time to talk to a professional.
 Connect with Rob Brand at CBS Tax Pro
Phone: 302 353 0084
Website: CBStaxpro.com

And be sure to subscribe to Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth with host Gary Heldt for more insight, strategy, and real-world conversations that help business owners succeed.New boost

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What if your path to financial freedom wasn’t through Wall Street—but through oil wells, real estate, and smart private equity?

This week, Gary Heldt welcomes Bryan Hancock, Founder of Integrity Development and Texas Freedom Fund, to share how he built a career turning real estate and alternative assets into long-term wealth. From developing 50+ urban infill projects in Austin to structuring private equity funds that generate both income and tax advantages, Bryan reveals the investment strategies that protect capital while growing it.

He opens up about lessons learned through market cycles, how to properly vet alternative investments, and why financial freedom starts with a clear life vision—not just returns. If you’ve ever wondered how high-net-worth investors combine real estate, oil and gas, and private equity into one powerful strategy, this conversation is your blueprint.
5 Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Diversification beyond the stock market – Bryan explains why alternative investments like real estate and energy assets are vital for wealth protection and tax efficiency.
2️⃣ Understanding risk – Every deal carries risk, but smart investors minimize exposure by doing due diligence and partnering with experienced operators.
3️⃣ Tax benefits of energy investing – Learn how intangible drilling costs (IDCs) can offer near-dollar-for-dollar deductions against active income.
4️⃣ Relationship-driven investing – The best deals grow from trust. Bryan shares why starting small and scaling up with trusted partners matters.
5️⃣ Designing your legacy – Financial conversations should begin with your life goals—then build your wealth plan around the future you want.

Quote from Bryan:
“Financial conversations should start with your life conversation—what life are you trying to design?”  

Guest Information: Bryan Hancock
Founder, Integrity Development | Co-Founder, Texas Freedom Fund
📍 Austin, Texas
💼 Expertise: Real Estate Development, Capital Syndication, Private Equity, Alternative Investments
🎓 MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship, Texas Christian University
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: Bryan Hancock
📧 Message Bryan on LinkedIn with the word “FREEDOM” to learn more about the Texas Freedom Fund

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What happens when legal strategy meets human understanding? In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Barry Goldwater sits down with Lisa M. Cukier, Partner at Rubin Rudman LLP, to explore how empathy and expertise intersect in the world of family law, trust and estate matters, and fiduciary services.
Lisa shares how her concierge-level approach helps families and individuals manage life’s most sensitive transitions — from complex divorces and guardianships to multigenerational estate planning and wealth preservation. As both a strategist and advocate, she guides high-net-worth clients, fiduciaries, and family offices through deeply personal legal matters with discretion, insight, and heart.
Through decades of experience, Lisa has developed a unique blend of legal mastery and emotional intelligence — using creativity, collaboration, and compassion to help clients protect what matters most. Her approach reminds us that even in high-stakes law, humanity and clarity can lead the way.
💡 Key Takeaways
→ Why empathy is a strategic advantage in family and wealth law
 → How to protect clients’ interests in emotionally charged cases
 → Lessons from leadership and teamwork inside a major law firm
 → What “concierge-level” fiduciary service really looks like
 → How creativity and compassion can solve problems beyond the law
“When I meet with a client, I’m absorbing and intuiting — but I’m also plotting a path forward. The law gives me parameters, but real solutions come from creativity and compassion.” – Lisa M. Cukier

🎙️ Hosted by Barry Goldwater for Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth

Learn more about Lisa M. Cukier and her work at Rubin Rudman LLP:
👉 https://www.rubinrudman.com/attorney/lisa-m-cukier/

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Are you building wealth — or just hoping it lasts?

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt speaks with Katherine M. Sheehan, Managing Director and Wealth Strategist at Crestwood Advisors, about how smart planning protects both your business and your legacy.
Katherine breaks down what every entrepreneur should know about estate and succession planning — from powers of attorney to corporate recordkeeping — and explains how the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) provision can help business owners exclude up to $10 million in gains when selling their company.
You’ll learn how to avoid costly mistakes, when to bring in specialized advisors, and how to prepare the next generation to carry your vision forward.
🔑 Key Takeaways

→ Estate planning is an investment, not an expense
→ Every business owner needs contingency and succession plans
→ QSBS can unlock massive tax savings with the right timing
→ Build a coordinated team of legal, tax, and financial professionals
→ Start family legacy discussions early to prevent future conflict

💬 Quote from Katherine Sheehan

“Too many business owners wait until it’s too late. A little planning today can save millions tomorrow and protect everything you’ve worked for.”

💼 Connect with Katherine Sheehan

📍 Crestwood Advisors
📧 ksheehan@crestwoodadvisors.com
📞 617-226-0044
🌐 crestwoodadvisors.com

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