Grow Your Business and Grow Your Wealth

Are you unknowingly setting yourself up for a massive tax bill in retirement?
This week on Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt welcomes Jonathan Thomas, CFP®, Private Wealth Advisor at LVW Advisors, for a candid look at the hidden pitfalls that can derail even the best retirement plan. Jonathan reveals how overfunding tax-deferred accounts, ignoring liquidity, and delaying estate planning can lead to unnecessary taxes and lost opportunities.
From smart Roth conversion timing to building tax diversification, Jonathan shares the same strategies he uses with high-net-worth families to create lasting financial confidence. You’ll also hear why independent advisors can offer more flexible, client-first solutions and how small shifts in your financial plan today can open doors for early retirement, charitable giving, and true generational wealth.

 Key Takeaways:
→ The #1 retirement mistake that could raise your future tax bill
→ Why liquidity and diversification are essential for business owners
→ How to use Roth conversions and tax-smart planning for lifelong savings
→ The overlooked importance of estate planning, wills, and term life insurance
→ Simple, practical steps every young family can take to secure their financial future

→ Quote from Jonathan Thomas:
“I like to make the complicated really simple for people—because once they understand it, they feel at ease and realize they can retire earlier than they ever thought possible.”

→ Connect with Jonathan:
🌐 LVWAdvisors.com

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What if you could turn your tax bill into a wealth-building opportunity using the same IRS-approved strategies as high-income earners?
In this insightful conversation, guest host Sam Russell, Retirement & Leverage Consultant at Drass Insurance Agency, sits down with Ralf Reinberg, CEO of Taxes Made EZ, to explore creative yet compliant tax strategies that help business owners and W-2 earners save—and even earn—money through the power of smart tax equity planning.
Ralf shares over 40 years of experience working with thousands of clients nationwide, explaining how strategies like solar tax equity can deliver both tax deductions and passive income. He walks through real-world examples showing how a six-figure tax bill can become a multi-year return on investment. Whether you’re a doctor, real estate investor, or entrepreneur, this episode reveals actionable ways to make your taxes work for you—not against you.

🔑 6 Key Takeaways:→ The difference between traditional tax preparation and strategic tax advising
→ How solar tax equity can generate both deductions and guaranteed ROI
→ Why you can reclaim taxes paid in the past three years and apply credits forward
→ The importance of working with IRS-licensed enrolled agents and CPAs
→ How to legally use the government’s money to build multiple income streams
→ Why proactive discovery calls reveal customized strategies for your situation

💬 Quote from Ralf Reinberg:

“Every year, you owe the IRS a certain amount of money. You can either pay the IRS—or use proven tax strategies to save money and make money.”
Schedule your free discovery call with Ralf Reinberg and his team of licensed tax professionals at mytaxesmadeez.com or call 856-326-2838.
Follow Gary Heldt and Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth for more conversations helping entrepreneurs turn smart strategy into financial freedom.

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In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt sits down with Gary Martoccio, founder of The Martoccio Firm and one of the nation’s leading employment law attorneys representing employees in disputes against their employers. With more than $50 million recovered and over 200 Federal cases handled, Gary brings firsthand insights into the legal landscape that every business owner must understand.
Together, they discuss the real risks hidden in hiring, firing, and managing people—from wrongful termination and discrimination claims to misclassification and retaliation cases. Gary also shares what smart business owners can do to protect themselves legally, maintain ethical practices, and build workplaces that foster trust, compliance, and productivity.

What You’ll Learn →
→ The top 3 mistakes that trigger costly employee lawsuits
→ How to document workplace issues before they escalate
→ The role of the EEOC and what to expect during an investigation
→ Steps small business owners can take today to minimize legal exposure
→ Why understanding employment law is critical to long-term business success

Guest Bio:
Gary Martoccio is an employment law attorney and founder of The Martoccio Firm, exclusively representing employees in legal disputes against their employers. With extensive experience in both State and Federal courts, as well as before the EEOC, Gary has recovered more than $50 million for clients. His mission: to level the playing field and educate both employees and business owners on their rights and responsibilities in today’s workplace.

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What if your business could scale sustainably—without burnout or chaos? Viral financial expert and billion-dollar business coach Monica Garcia Duggal reveals how to achieve lasting wealth using her signature Financial BITES Method© and Whole Health Wealth System™. In this engaging conversation with host Gary Heldt, Monica shares how entrepreneurs can think like institutional investors, create systems that support freedom, and build profit-driven businesses that thrive in any market.
Monica Garcia Duggal is a global financial strategist with over 30 years of experience in investment banking, mergers & acquisitions, and entrepreneurial finance. As the creator of the Whole Health Plan™ and Financial BITES Method©, she helps founders and leaders align their finances, strategy, and mindset for total-life success. In this episode, she joins host Gary Heldt, CPA and wealth strategist, to discuss why most business owners leave money on the table—and how a holistic approach to budgeting, investing, taxes, exit planning, and systems can change everything.

🔑 5 Key Takeaways

→ Think like an investor – Treat your business as an asset that must generate long-term returns, not just revenue.
→ Follow the BITES framework – Budget • Invest • Taxes • Exit • Systems—five pillars that create lasting profitability.
→ Build the right team – Surround yourself with professionals who understand your goals and speak your language.
→ Adopt a growth mindset – Progress beats perfection; consistency compounds into extraordinary results.
→ Measure what matters – Profitability and systems, not just top-line sales, determine a business’s true health.
💬 Quote

“You can’t do everything—but you can start thinking about your company holistically. Profit isn’t just numbers; it’s clarity, systems, and strategy working together.” — Monica Garcia Duggal
Listen now on Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth with host Gary Heldt to learn how to use financial clarity and systems thinking to build a business that works for you—not the other way around.
👉 Visit MonicaGarciaDuggal.com to download her free Financial BITES Method Guide.New boost

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What if your financial partner truly knew your name, understood your community, and fought for your long-term stability?

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Barry Goldwater sits down with Kevin George, CPA and President & CEO of New England Teamsters Federal Credit Union. Formerly CFO at Naveo Credit Union, Kevin shares how his background in accounting and community service led him to champion the credit union model. From helping members avoid financial pitfalls to strengthening union families with dignified retirements, Kevin reveals how credit unions provide the kind of personal service and objective advice big banks simply can’t match.

➡️ 5 Key Takeaways

→ Credit unions focus on people helping people rather than shareholders, giving members better rates and objective advice.

→ Kevin’s career journey shows how professional pivots—from aspiring FBI agent to CPA to credit union leader—can create impact.

→ Teamsters Federal Credit Union combines union strength with modern technology to compete with large banks.

→ Community outreach, from toy drives to youth sports sponsorships, is central to building trust and relationships.

→ Small businesses benefit from direct access to decision-makers in credit unions, ensuring tailored financial solutions.

💬 Quote from Kevin George

“The best move I ever made was joining the credit union world—because every day, I get to help people, not just balance numbers.”

📢 Reach out to Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-george-cpa-6969128/

Subscribe to Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth for more expert insights on building financial stability and growth. Share this episode with your network and leave us a review to help others discover how credit unions can transform their business and personal finances.

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What if every workplace conflict could become a growth opportunity instead of a costly battle?
💡In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary sits down with Ursula Taylor, a conflict resolution strategist with 17 years of experience as an attorney and business advisor. After years in litigation, Ursula saw how traditional legal systems often amplify disputes instead of solving them. Now, through her firm Conflict Reimagined, she helps leaders and teams resolve disputes efficiently and humanely—by addressing the real drivers behind conflict: fear, emotion, and miscommunication. Ursula shares how emotional intelligence, awareness, and honest dialogue can prevent lawsuits, protect relationships, and create stronger businesses.

➡️ Key Takeaways:
→ Litigation is expensive, uncertain, and emotionally draining—most disputes stem from human emotion, not legal facts.
→ True resolution begins by identifying what you really need instead of focusing on being right or wrong.
→ Leaders can prevent conflicts by creating safe spaces for communication before issues escalate.
→ Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are critical tools for business growth and team cohesion.
→ The future of leadership lies in embracing what Ursula calls “the human age,” where emotional work meets strategy.

💬 Quote from Ursula:
“Every dispute is driven by human emotion. When you can face that honestly, conflict becomes a beautiful opportunity to grow stronger as a leader.”

📞 Call to Action:
Learn more about Ursula’s work:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursula-taylor-b0ba4729/

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What if scaling your business wasn’t about chasing the next “big idea” but about applying math, discipline, and strategy to your sales process?

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary welcomes Doug C. Brown, CEO of CEO Sales Strategies and a renowned expert who has built over 35 businesses and generated more than $900 million in sales. 

Doug has served as President of Sales and Training for Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes, boosting close rates by 143% and driving a 4,150% increase in product sales. He now helps entrepreneurs and business leaders implement predictable, math-based systems to increase revenue and profits dramatically. 

The conversation delves into why identifying your ideal buyer matters more than closing skills, how overlooked follow-up can lead to millions in lost revenue, and why anchoring your business in truthful numbers is non-negotiable.

5 Key Takeaways

→ Sales growth isn’t magic—it’s applying math to the right metrics.

→ The biggest mistake owners make is not identifying their ideal buyer.

→ Speed to follow-up can double conversion rates—sometimes within minutes.

→ Long-term success comes from relationship capital, not one-off transactions.

→ Anchoring goals to truthful numbers and measuring the right metrics prevents costly blind spots.

Strong Quote from Doug

“Sales isn’t math, but sales revenue growth is how you apply math to the right metrics.”

Ready to strengthen your sales strategy and grow your wealth?

Subscribe to Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth for more expert insights each week, and don’t forget to share this episode with a business owner who’s ready to scale smarter.

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What if you could legally pay zero in taxes as a small business owner?

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Lauren Gidley speaks with Carlotta Thompson, founder of Tax Strategists of America. Carlotta is known nationwide for helping small business owners reduce their tax burden and keep more of what they earn. She goes beyond traditional tax prep to create proactive strategies that align with long-term business goals, empowering entrepreneurs to make better decisions with confidence.

Key Takeaways:
➔ Most CPAs act as historians, not strategists.
➔ Real estate strategies like cost segregation and 1031 exchanges reduce taxes.
➔ Entity structure is the most important overlooked strategy.
➔ Congress writes tax laws for billionaires, but business owners can use them too.
➔ Tax strategy is an investment that saves more than it costs.

CTA:
Want to learn the exact steps to legally lower your taxes—even to zero?
Connect with Tax Strategists of America and discover how proactive planning can transform your finances.
Visit TaxStrategistsofAmerica.com to explore training, resources, and strategies that help you keep more of what you earn.New boost

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How did a commercial banker who lived just six blocks away from his future employer end up transforming a small investment firm from breaking even to nearly doubling its business in four years?
Brad Wheeler, President of Shaker Investments, shares his journey from commercial banking to leading a growing investment firm. With over 25 years in financial services, Brad has grown Shaker from seven employees and breaking even to eleven employees while nearly doubling the business in four years. He discusses the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of client retention over acquisition, and practical strategies for business development and client communication.
5 Key Takeaways
➤ Client retention is more valuable than acquisition because the hardest client to get is the one you lost.➤ Balance sheet analysis reveals business blind spots that profit and loss statements miss.➤ Strategic pivoting requires honest self-assessment and letting go of ego when strategies aren’t working.➤ Communication frequency must match individual client preferences to prevent attrition.➤ Transparency during both market wins and losses builds stronger client relationships.
Quote
“When we make a mistake, that’s when you got to get on the phone, and it’s when you can talk to people. And I would say most people, when you do that, they’re unbelievable. They’re understanding and they respect the fact that you picked up the phone and made that call.”

Connect with Brad

Website: shaker-invest.com
Email: brad@shaker-invest.com

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What happens when your company’s processes are costing you more than they’re helping you?
In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Jack W. Reeder, CLU, ChFC sits down with Hugh Glazer, Managing Director of Winterview Group. Hugh shares why businesses—whether start-ups or long-established firms—must step back from daily operations and map their transaction flows. From uncovering inefficiencies to improving cash flow and creating better decision-making frameworks, Hugh explains how visual workflows can save money, strengthen performance, and reveal opportunities for growth.
Drawing on his decades of experience, including his work with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, Hugh talks about the most common mistakes companies make, real-world turnaround stories, and why entrepreneurs need to invest in infrastructure, data analysis, and forward planning to thrive.
📌 Key Takeaways

→ Creating a visual workflow helps leaders see inefficiencies, duplication, and costs that add no value.
 → Start-ups benefit from mapping workflows early, aligning operations with financial data for smarter cash flow management.
 → Established businesses often underinvest in marketing and internal infrastructure—two areas essential for growth.
 → Family businesses and succession planning require clear processes to avoid costly breakdowns.
 → Data-driven decision making is critical: understanding how money is made (and lost) determines long-term success.

🤝 Connect with the GuestHugh Glazer is the Managing Director of Winterview Group, where he helps organizations strengthen their business performance through process design, financial analysis, and operational improvements. With deep experience working with companies of all sizes, Hugh specializes in mapping business transaction flows that uncover inefficiencies, improve cash flow, and provide the clarity leaders need to make informed decisions.
🌐 Website: www.winterviewgroup.com
📧 Email: info@winterviewgroup.com
 🎧 Call to Action
Don’t miss this insightful conversation on how visual workflows can transform your business operations. Subscribe to Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you listen—and share this episode with a colleague who’s ready to streamline and scale.
John Reeder, Registered Representative and Investment Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS), 160 Gould Street, Suite 310, Needham, MA 02494. Securities products/services and advisory services are offered through PAS, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, 781-449-4402. Financial Representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guardian. The Bulfinch Group is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. Life Insurance offered through The Bulfinch Group Insurance Agency, LLC, an affiliate of The Bulfinch Group, LLC. The Bulfinch Group, LLC is not licensed to sell insurance. The Bulfinch Group is not registered in any state or with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor. John Reeder, CA Insurance License #OF11617; FL Insurance License #A216798. PAS is a member FINRA, SIPC.

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