The political landscape that your business lives in has a huge effect on how you choose to operate your life’s work. So, where do things stand today, and what does the future look like?
We welcome Tim Sanders to the podcast this week. Tim is the mayor of the city of Blaine, having served in office since 2021. Previously, Tim was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for 8 years from 2009-2017.
Tim can be followed at Tim Sanders | LinkedIn
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Business owners are commonly trying to find new ways to grow their business. They are searching for ways to bring new customers or clients their way. But when the answer isn’t a big sales team or a big new active marketing campaign, what will work? Many businesses are finding that optimizing and maximizing their digital presence can make a huge impact in this technology driven environment.
Evolve Systems is a digital marketing agency based in St. Paul, MN. They work primarily with middle-market B2B business. They specialize in design and branding, website development, digital marketing and search engine optimization (SEO). Marnie is the founder of Evolve Systems and has been the CEO of the company for 23 years.
Evolve Systems can be found at Twin Cities B2B Marketing Agency | Evolve Systems.
Marnie can be found at Marnie Ochs-Raleigh | LinkedIn
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Leading a company and being “at the top” can at times feellike a lonely position. The direction of your company rests with you as the main visionary and decision maker and everyone is looking to you to have the right answer every time. So, where do business leaders go when they are looking for advice?
Vistage Pure Groups connect business leaders and CEO’s to collaborate and make better decisions for their companies. These groups provide leaders an opportunity to discuss potential options, decisions, and directions and get feedback on the best routes going forward. They also provide accountability for leaders to stay proactive and keep their business on the right track.
Bill Cowan has worked across five different industries throughout his career and has also been a business owner. He is now a facilitator, leader, and mentor for a Minnesota based Vistage Pure Group. He helps business leaders find the best version of themselves in their role to effectively run their companies.
A Vistage Pure Group can be found at Vistage | A Powerful Network of CEOs Awaits
Bill can be found at (18) William Cowan | LinkedInConnect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Business transition is completely predictable, we know it is going to happen. Every leader or employee is eventually going to “log off” for the last time. Key employees retire, move on to a new opportunity, or take on new responsibility. When that happens, where does all their valuable knowledge and experience that has been vital to business success go?
Welcome to Ben Bomar and Lithyus Group. They help businesses recognize and retain the institutional knowledge of their vital team members while mitigating the risks of business disruption caused by employee transition.
They focus on making best practices common practices within every organization by celebrating, retaining, and sharing the wisdom of vital employees and they empower succession planning, talent development, and business continuity.
Ben can be found most actively at Ben Bomar | LinkedIn.
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
With the arrival of AI and other new technology, the future across most industries is uncertain for the work force. Future generations may begin to see that careers in manufacturing and the trades are more secure. But where will they see the potential?
Introducing MAKE PUBLISHING (Manufacturing A Kid's Experience) Children's Books. They explain to kids that everything they see in the world had to be made by someone. It promotes more curiosity about where the things around them came from.
MAKE also connects with manufacturers to hear their stories and teach them how they can engage with the younger generations. They also host classes and manufacturing tours with elementary students to raise awareness of a potential career path.
Joe and Amanda brainstormed this idea during their day jobs with Design Ready Controls (DRC). Based in Minnesota, and with nearly 500 employees, DRC specializes in building control panels and wiring products for large multi-national HVAC equipment manufacturers and more. If you wan the full story, tune in!
MAKE books and community engagement opportunities can be found at makepublishing.com.
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Does the stock market really affect when you sell your company? Should I sell when it's down and invest the profits? Hold on longer until things are great?
The answer comes down to where you financially are right now, and where you need to be for your next journey. That's the critical part of working with your wealth advisor ahead of a sale, along with a business advisor who can help you through the process.
Chad Schumacher with Tradition Wealth Management is a market guru that lives and breaths everything that's going on for his clients. Offense, defense, preventative measures, and reassurance is how he and his team successfully get their clients to reach new levels.
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
We all have one thing in common: we are all aging, and there's no dress rehearsal for it.
Aging is unavoidable. In fact, the older population in the next coming years is going to double. A direct result of this will be the demand for services for the older generations like medical resources and services. Just like your exit plan, it's crucial that you know what your options are for your healthcare needs.
Charlotte Hoes joins the podcast and explains how important resources and services are for our older adults, how demand is rising for these services, and where businesses can help fill the gaps. If you have a loved one in this phase, or would like to plan for yourself, get your guidebook from Care Options Network. Just like we always say, Know. Your. Options!
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Winning a Superbowl is not an easy feat when you are competing against the top 1% of athletes in the world. For Ben Utecht and the Colts in 2007, it didn't come down to physical skillsets. It came down to the Championship Culture that Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy implemented within the team.
As a former NFL Tight End and current entrepreneur, Uncommon Award Winner, Chief Culture Officer, and so much more, Ben now spreads wisdom across the masses on what it takes to build culture that wins. Ben also recently released his new book - The Champion's Creed - that helps leaders transform their culture through the power of belief.
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Peter Beaumont is this week's special guest, and brings a wealth of global experience and knowledge when it comes to leadership. Whether it be scenario planning, supply chain planning, or critical culture implementation and creation, all companies either large or small need these top of mind.
Peter hails from England and played professional soccer in his time; soon after working for large companies such as Philip Morris, and Coca-Cola. For the past 30 years, he's specialized as a leadership consultant and transformed business owners and CEO's reignite their passion for work.
Connect with Peter on LinkedIn
Email: Peter@BeaumontLeadership.com
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
What's the future look like for business in Minnesota? Where are we at right now? Is your business ahead, or behind? Where are current investments in the state, and where do we need more of it? Minnesota Chamber of Commerce - President and CEO - Doug Loon joins Matt for a special episode all about Minnesota and what business owners need to know.
The future is bright for Minnesota, and we continue to dominate as manufacturers, innovators, medical professionals, and so much more. The truth is, however, that we need to keep investments coming into Minnesota, instead of going out. We have the participation of our workers, but as the skill gaps and age gaps widen, there's a big void we will need to fill.
If you aren't a part of the MN Chamber of Commerce, or a local Chamber - we highly encourage you to start! Change happens when people speak up. You can help make things happen!
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Clarity. Alignment. Commitment. Every company needs these three pillars to be clear, defined, and understood. Without it, you won't be able to row in the same direction, and your success will be stunted.
Sam Smith, and Samantha Harris from The Prouty Project join us for Ep. 30. The truth is every company doesn't have it all figured out. Somewhere along the leadership, or structure, will be misaligned or confusing to employees and team members. What does that mean? Falling short of hitting goals and not breaking through ceilings.
sam.smith@proutyproject.com
samantha.harris@proutyproject.com
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
This week's episode is heavy. We are joined by Nicole Middendorf - a successful business owner and wealth advisor who has survived domestic violence, and completely reinvented her life for a purpose.
Nicole touches on the importance of understanding Why You Do What You Do. How you spend your time, how you build your business, who you do it with, where you do it, but most importantly Why You Do It. What's the reason why?
We all have our own identity outside of the office, and are driven by certain life events and passions. But do we really operate every day for the right reason? Think about these topics and ask yourself these questions. It will move mountains for you going forward.
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Living a life of significance, or with purpose is often overlooked by people. We get caught up running too fast with raising a family, building a business, a career, and often don't sit back and really evaluate why we do what we do. But what happens on your death bed? Will you be happy? Sad? Full of regret?
Jeff Gould, America's Storyteller, joins Chris for an honest conversation about living a joyful life, instead of running yourself into the ground and regretting everything you've devoted your life doing.
Business owners, Sit back, pour your favorite drink, and listen to the mindset and emotional journey that we all need to realize we go through.
https://www.ilikethatstory.net/
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
We've had some incredible CPG foods and snacks that have been born in Minnesota. One of those is Maddy & Maize Popcorn. Do you ever wonder how businesses like this start and even reach the level of success they do? Tune in.
Brett Striker - founder of Maddy & Maize joins us and gives us his whole story of how Maddy & Maize started, from his apartment all the way to shelves on shelves of your favorite stores. Not all ideas go somewhere, but if you are gritty enough and believe in your product, it's only a matter of time before everyone else joins the hype.
Brett now serves as an EOS implementer and helps companies grow through the use of Traction. Get in touch with Brett to help you and your company thrive.
Email Brett: brett.striker@eosworldwide.com
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
This episode is the "behind the curtains" of Project Steel, a recent transaction that True North M&A successfully completed for the Sexton family. Craig Sexton, son of Fred Sexton (owner of C4 Welding) joins us along with Mike Wheelock (M&A Advisor and Business Broker) to explain the uniqueness of a speedy M&A transaction.
To learn more about this deal, check out our Case Study.
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Ever wonder what it's like to walk off the bus for boot camp?
Everyone who joins The U.S. Marine Corps goes through the exact same training. Whether your journey takes you by way of Parris Island or MCRD San Diego, your first encounter once off the bus has you standing on those Yellow Footprints.
Our special guest for this episode is Tim Rilley, who is a veteran of The U.S. Marine Corps, and author of The Yellow Footprints. Tim not only brings us through his experience in transforming from a civilian to a Marine, but what it was really like getting drafted during the Vietnam War.
To purchase The Yellow Footprints
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Here in Minnesota we have so many family owned and operated lumber and building materials businesses. They fuel our economy and support so many industries and other adjacent businesses. We are proud to help this industry and it's leaders continue to thrive, even through the ups and downs.
For you business owners in the lumber and building materials world, this podcast is for you. Emily Overson has been in the LBM industry for decades, and now she helps owners reevaluate how they operate, and pivot so they can grow.
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
It's a privilege to grow up with a strong and sound father figure in your life. But the truth is not everyone in this world is awarded that opportunity. It can hinder the growth of teens and youth in your community, but how can you help fix the problem?
The Man Up Club is a perfect example of being on the front lines and helping inner-city youth by influencing love, hope, and leadership. Korey Dean, the founder of the organization joins us to explain the power of finding purpose, mentoring, and investing time and resources to help your community.
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Hackers and security threats are more active than ever. AI only makes things easier for them, and as an individual, or business, everyone is at risk. Security hacks can be detrimental to your livelihood, your business, your employees, and your bank account.
Cybersecurity expert and owner of Cyberfin, Daniel Metcalf, joins us to explain the importance of your cybersecurity, what hackers are doing now, how you can be at risk and most importantly, how you can be protected.
Don't leave this up to chance and take action now!
Connect with Daniel
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.
Learning what you are good at and focusing on that role is one of the best things you can do for your business. If you think you can do it all, your business will suffer. That's why it's critical to hire to your mission, vision, and have clear goals that everyone can shoot for.
We had the pleasure of hosting Heide Olson on this episode who is a serial entrepreneur, mom, EOS conqueror, and probably one of the most exciting accountants you can meet. From starting All In One Accounting in her basement, to growing to 100 + employees, Heide is a great resource for business owners who not only need accounting help, but have the drive to grow their businesses.
Heide's Email: heide@allinoneaccounting.com
Heide's Number: 612-845-0398
Connect with our hosts: Chris Jones - CEO and co-owner, and Matt Silasiri - Vice President of Business Development at True North Mergers & Acquisitions and Sunbelt Business Advisors.