This episode is a tribute to Rich Wilson, President and CEO of Paul Davis Restoration, and a leader whose impact reached far beyond the companies he led.
Originally recorded as a candid conversation on leadership and entrepreneurship, this re-released episode captures Rich’s philosophy on accountability, culture, mentorship, and what it truly means to lead without excuses.
Rich believed leadership was a skill that could be developed, that results must be owned, and that people matter as much as performance. His lessons will surely continue to guide entrepreneurs, executives, and emerging leaders who strive to build strong teams and meaningful organizations.
🎙 You will hear insights on:
Taking full responsibility as a leader
Hiring the right people and holding high standards
Balancing assertiveness with active listening
The power of mentorship and learning through failure
Leading with clarity, integrity, and purpose
We invite you to listen again or for the first time, and to reflect on the leadership lessons Rich Wilson so generously shared.
52 episodes. One year. The lessons that actually mattered.
In this special Entrepreneurs United year-in-review episode, John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann break down the most impactful insights they pulled from a full year of conversations with leading entrepreneurs, operators, and thinkers.
This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a reflection on what stuck, what changed how they lead, and what they’re carrying forward into the next year.
You’ll hear takeaways on reading people without judgment, why fun belongs in serious businesses, how to think differently about profit and cash flow, the role of intentional health in performance, and how long-term thinking shapes real generational wealth.
If you’re an entrepreneur closing one chapter and preparing for what’s next, this episode will help you slow down, zoom out, and move forward with clarity.
Listen in, take what resonates, and bring it with you into the year ahead. Subscribe to Entrepreneurs United for weekly conversations built for founders who want more than surface-level growth.
You’re closing deals. Revenue looks strong.So why does your business still feel broke?
In this episode, Austin McMillian delivers a hard truth most entrepreneurs avoid: sales do not equal success. If you’re not tracking the right numbers, you’re working harder than a W2 job for less freedom, more stress, and thinner margins.
We unpack why service-based business owners get stuck chasing growth while profits disappear, how messy financials quietly sabotage great businesses, and the simple metrics that actually determine whether your company survives or fails.
If you’ve ever thought:
“We’re busy, but the bank account never reflects it”
“Sales will fix this eventually”
“I don’t really understand my P&L, but I should”
This episode is for you.
Austin breaks down labor efficiency, simplified financial buckets, and why profit has to come first, not last. No fluff. No finance jargon. Just clarity for entrepreneurs who are tired of grinding without winning.
👉 Want to connect with Austin?Find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-mcmillan-62a13181/
If your business feels heavier than it should, press play.
Most entrepreneurs are stuck in a sales cycle that feels exhausting, awkward, and ineffective. Endless follow-ups. Discount pressure. Conversations that stall instead of close.
In this episode, John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann sit down with award-winning sales strategist and coach Justine Beauregard to challenge everything entrepreneurs have been taught about selling. Justine explains why follow-up is often a symptom of a broken sales process, how aligned sales create urgency without manipulation, and what needs to change if you want to close deals faster and with more confidence.
You’ll hear why promoting top sellers into leadership roles can damage teams, how founder-led sales should evolve as companies scale, and why refining your sales framework delivers one of the fastest and most measurable ROI opportunities in any business. Justine also breaks down her BUILD and MAKE frameworks, showing how sales can feel human, intentional, and effective while still driving same-day decisions.
If sales feels heavy, pushy, or inconsistent in your business, this conversation will reframe how you approach every sales conversation.
To connect with Justine and learn more about her work, visit whyyouhatesales.com or connect with her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sellwithjustine.
Most entrepreneurs are using AI to save time. But what if it's costing you your edge?
In this episode, we’re joined by Jim Edwards, the OG of copywriting and content strategy, to unpack one of the most overlooked dangers in modern business: the rise of "pretty good" AI content. Jim breaks down why relying on AI for sales copy, blogs, and social media is creating a flood of mediocrity and how to escape it.
He introduces two powerful acronyms:
DATA: Default Answers to Anything (aka your AI-generated “meh” content)
SOUL: Stories, Opinions, Unique perspectives, and Lessons learned (aka your secret weapon)
Whether you're a founder, marketer, coach, or creator, this episode will help you rethink how you use AI—not as a replacement, but as a multiplier of your authentic voice.
🚀 Ready to curate, not just create? Start with soul.
🔗 Watch & listen now: https://entrepreneursunited.us/links/
About Jim Edwards
Jim is a best-selling author, speaker, and founder of CopyandContent.ai, empowering entrepreneurs to write books, craft killer sales messages, and build authority through authentic content. He was one of the first to publish an ebook online (yes, that early) and has helped hundreds of thousands elevate their message since 1997.
📘 Explore his tools & training: https://copyandcontent.ai/
📚 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejimedwardsmethod/
📸 IG: @thejimedwards
Mark Zuckerberg says you should only hire someone if you'd be happy to work for them in an alternate universe. But John and Rich push back: could that mindset quietly lead to building a team of “lookalikes”? In this episode, they unpack the risks of hiring for comfort over complement, how values alignment trumps personality match, and why culture-fit hiring often misses the mark.
Whether you're scaling a team or making your next leadership hire, this episode will challenge the way you think about recruitment, trust, and what makes a team truly effective.
🎧 Send this one to any founder who's about to make a key hire - https://entrepreneursunited.us/links/
Are your marketing reports showing high ROAS and CTR, but your profits are flat? You are not alone.
In this episode of the Entrepreneurs United Podcast, John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann sit down with John Moran, co-founder of Solutions 8 and strategist behind over $150 million in ad spend.
John breaks down why traditional platform metrics—like likes, clicks, and conversions—are no longer reliable. Instead, he explains how to measure real marketing performance through your P&L, gross profit, and customer acquisition cost (CAC).
You will learn:
How to calculate what you can really afford to spend to acquire a customer
Why most agencies are optimizing the wrong things
How to simplify your strategy using old-school business math
What questions to ask your marketing team today
This episode is packed with real-world examples and powerful insights to help you scale smarter, not just spend more.
Tune in to transform how you measure growth and start making marketing decisions that actually move your business forward - https://entrepreneursunited.us/links/
What if you focused on keeping your customers (and employees) instead of just finding new ones?
Join us with retention expert Joey Coleman to get the 8‑phase playbook every founder needs.
What would you do if your business faced a crisis tomorrow?
In this episode, we sit down with PR strategist and crisis expert Mike Swenson, founder of CrisisTrak, to break down the 5-step system every entrepreneur needs to be ready for their worst day in business.
From social media slip-ups to legal issues, wire fraud, and brand-threatening headlines — Mike explains how to prepare, respond, and communicate effectively under pressure.
Whether you’re a solo founder or leading a team of 50+, this episode gives you the blueprint to protect your brand, your people, and your bottom line.
We cover:
✔️ What to say and who to say it to when crisis hits
✔️ How to map out risks before they take you down
✔️ The #1 mistake entrepreneurs make under pressure
✔️ Why crisis planning impresses investors and retains top talent
✔️ Real-life examples from political offices to global brands
Learn more about Mike: 🔗 https://crisistrak.com 🔗 https://linkedin.com/in/mikeswenson1
Most entrepreneurs budget the wrong way. Are you one of them?
In this episode, John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann unpack the brutal truth behind traditional budgeting and reveal the strategy that helped cut 2 million dollars in expenses while increasing profit: zero-based budgeting.
If you're building your 2026 plan by tweaking last year’s numbers, you're likely just carrying over waste. This episode walks you through the 5 steps to rebuild your budget from scratch, make tough decisions with clarity, and finally protect your bottom line.
You’ll learn:
Why most budgets fail to serve real growth
How to flip your P&L to focus on profit first
What expenses are silently killing your business
A practical framework to slash waste and scale intentionally
This is not about trimming around the edges. It’s about rebuilding with purpose.
If you're serious about growing a more profitable, focused business in 2026, this episode is your blueprint.
Serial entrepreneur Heidi DeCoux joins us to share how her new startup, Cashflowy, is helping solopreneurs take control of their finances using AI. From ditching spreadsheets to tracking the right KPIs, Heidi breaks down how creators, coaches, and freelancers can finally understand their numbers, keep more of what they earn, and work fewer hours.
We talk about the rise of AI-backed humans, the biggest financial mistakes entrepreneurs make, and why the first billion-dollar one-person business is closer than you think.
Listen or watch the full episode: https://entrepreneursunited.us/links/
Learn more about Cashflowy: https://cashflowy.ai
Connect with Heidi: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cashflowyai/people
Most entrepreneurs chase revenue, then wonder why there’s no profit left at the end of the year. In this episode, Profit First author Mike Michalowicz joins hosts John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann to break the cycle. Mike explains why flipping your formula to “Revenue minus Profit equals Expenses” changes everything.
You’ll learn how to:
Expose hidden inefficiencies and pricing mistakes
Balance profit and culture without sacrificing either
Build a team using his “teach first” hiring method
Identify and fix the weakest link in your business
Mike also shares fresh insights from his books Profit First, Fix This Next, and All In, helping you create a business that serves you, not the other way around.
🎙️ Tune in to Entrepreneurs United for the practical truth about money, leadership, and sustainable growth.
What if the hardest decision is the one that unlocks your next level?
In this episode, John St.Pierre and Rich Hoffmann dive deep into why strategic endings are critical for entrepreneurial growth. Inspired by a powerful conversation with winemaker and business leader Jay Raffaldini, they explore the mindset behind cutting ties; whether it's with an underperforming employee, a stale partnership, or even a version of yourself that no longer fits.
John shares personal reflections on family and identity as his sons leave home, while Rich lays out a practical framework for making tough calls in business and in life.
If you’ve ever struggled with knowing when to walk away or how to do it with grace, this episode is for you.
👉 Learn how to navigate endings with clarity and compassion👉 Discover how letting go opens doors to growth👉 Leave with actionable steps to make your next tough decision a smart one
Hit play to start making space for what’s next.
#Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #NecessaryEndings #Mindset
Every entrepreneur wants more customers. Few are willing to do what it really takes to earn their trust. In this episode, marketing and sales expert Marcus Sheridan joins John and Rich to share the communication playbook that helped him turn a struggling pool company into a multi-million dollar brand.
Marcus reveals the "Big Five" questions every buyer is thinking about but most businesses avoid: cost, problems, comparisons, reviews, and best-of lists. He explains why answering these questions honestly is the fastest way to build authority and close more deals.
You will also learn Marcus’s storytelling framework, his question-only sales technique, and a powerful tool for handling objections called the pushback pivot. Whether you are leading a team, creating content, or closing deals, these strategies will help you connect faster, sell more effectively, and stand out in your market.
This episode is not about gimmicks. It is about mastering communication that builds trust and drives long-term growth.
Listen now and get practical tools you can start using today.
Entrepreneurs, are you living in a fishbowl without even knowing it? In this episode of the Entrepreneurs United Podcast, Tim Regan, author of Shatter Your Fishbowl, and his daughter Madeline share powerful lessons on breaking free from scarcity, embracing risk, and living the Two Comma Life.
Tim opens up about the fears that once held him back, how he shattered his own fishbowls, and why abundance always trumps scarcity. Madeline offers her perspective as the next generation, showing how one person’s breakthrough can inspire an entire family to dream bigger.
If you are ready to step outside your limits and build a business and life filled with freedom, generosity, and abundance, this father–daughter conversation will show you the way.
Why is the Dead Sea dead? Because nothing flows in, and nothing flows out. In this episode, John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann use this powerful metaphor to explore why relationships, both personal and professional, stagnate without movement.
They dig into the tough questions every entrepreneur should ask: Who is adding value to your circle, and who is quietly draining it? How do you know when it is time to bring in fresh perspectives or let someone go? And what happens to your business when you hold onto the wrong people for too long?
From the importance of pre-judging where to invest your time, to why inviting someone new to coffee could change your future, John and Rich share candid stories and actionable insights you can apply immediately.
If you have ever felt stuck with your team, your network, or your relationships, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you manage your inner circle and your business growth.
00:00 Introduction: Vetting People in Our Lives
00:39 Personal Relationships: The Dead Sea Analogy
02:23 Judgment and Prejudice in Relationships
05:28 Building New Relationships: Challenges and Reflections
15:34 Business Relationships: The Importance of New Blood
21:57 Conclusion: Networking and Personal Growth
🎧 Listen now to learn how to keep the water flowing, avoid stagnation, and build the kind of network that fuels success.
In this episode of the Entrepreneurs United Podcast, hosts John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann sit down with Lee Benson, a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple high-value company exits. Lee dives into the concept of acting like the CEO of your own role and introduces his 'Mind Management System,' a groundbreaking approach to aligning every team member toward value creation.
Lee shares:
Why execution is more important than strategy
How to define your most important number across teams
The leadership traits that matter most for scaling
How to build a culture of productive engagement
What readiness for growth really means
Whether you're scaling up or recalibrating your business, this episode provides invaluable insights into creating lasting value for your organization, your employees, and your customers.
Tune in to discover how to elevate your company’s value and foster a culture where everyone contributes like an owner.
Timestamps 00:00 The CEO Mindset: Owning Your Role 00:27 Introduction to Lee Benson and Execute to Win 01:05 The Importance of Execution in Business 01:42 Diving into 'Your Most Important Number' 02:22 Creating Value Holistically 03:35 The Mind Management System 05:02 The Role of Leadership in Value Creation 07:00 Designing Roles for Productive Engagement 09:09 Setting Up a Business for Success 21:21 The Value Creation Flow Structure 25:28 Traits of Effective Leadership 26:52 Readiness for Growth 28:47 Engaging Employees in Value Creation 39:06 Final Thoughts and Resources 42:22 Driving Productive Engagement and Value Creation 43:04 The Mind Management System: A 50-Year Success Story 44:27 Creating Value Across Different Business Functions 45:56 The Importance of Productive Engagement 48:27 Setting Up a New Company for Success 49:26 The Role of Management Operating Systems 51:20 Aligning Teams to Create Value 01:01:52 Leadership Traits and Readiness for Growth 01:17:04 The Fair Exchange of Value in Employment
Connect with Lee Benson Website: https://www.etw.com/leadership-value-lab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/execute-to-win
#Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Execution #ValueCreation #StartupStrategy
EP 263: Where SMBs Should Really Start with AI w/ Dan Goodstein
AI is changing everything—but where should small and medium-sized businesses begin?
In this episode, Dan Goodstein (President of IRPA AI and founder of TheBusinessTherapist.org) joins us to break down how entrepreneurs can leverage AI for real results. From automating sales and marketing to optimizing operations and productivity, Dan shares what’s working now and where to focus your energy.
You’ll learn:
Why AI is a massive opportunity for SMBs
The best place to start (hint: it’s not operations)
How to avoid “shiny object syndrome” with AI tools
The 7 business blind spots most entrepreneurs miss
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or ready to lead with AI, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you scale smarter.
🎧 Tune in and learn how to future-proof your business.
Connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielgoodstein/
Website: https://dangoodstein.com/businesstherapist/
Mastering Sales & Scaling Revenue with James Donovan
What do door-to-door sales in Australia and high-ticket deals for CPAs have in common? James Donovan.
In this episode, James shares how he went from knocking on doors to building a company that delivers high-margin clients to fractional CFOs and accountants. We dive into his approach to lead generation, sales process optimization, and how he handles objections like "the leads are bad" by owning the entire sales funnel—from click to close.
You'll learn:
Why persistence beats talent in sales
How to qualify clients before they qualify you
The power of niching down and systematizing growth
Why James is planning to buy an accounting firm (despite hating accounting in school)
Whether you're scaling a service business, running B2B sales, or just looking to sharpen your revenue strategy, this episode is full of actionable gems.
🎧 Tune in and take notes https://entrepreneursunited.us/links/.
#EntrepreneursUnited #B2BSales #FractionalCFO #SalesStrategy #LeadGeneration #RevenueGrowth
How do you build wealth that lasts beyond you?
In this episode of the Entrepreneurs United Podcast, hedge fund veteran and North Carolina winery owner Jay Raffaldini joins John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann to share powerful lessons on entrepreneurship, adaptability, and multigenerational wealth.
Jay unpacks why most family wealth disappears by the third generation, how to structure businesses so they cannot be sold off too easily, and what it really takes to preserve both money and legacy. From Wall Street trading floors to vineyards, he reveals strategies for risk management, perseverance, and teaching future generations the value of ownership and work.
Whether you are scaling your business, thinking about your family’s future, or simply looking for entrepreneurial wisdom from someone who has lived it, this episode is full of insights you can put into action today.