In this episode of The Business Blueprint, Dan Cuneo and Associate Advisor with Citadel Partners, LLC, Wiley Green, dive into the strategic decisions behind commercial real estate and why your office space is far more than just a line item on a budget.

Covering everything from choosing the right location to negotiating flexible lease terms, they unpack how real estate decisions directly impact profitability, scalability, and employee retention.

The conversation explores the real value of tenant improvement allowances, the role amenities should and shouldn’t play in office decisions, and why having an experienced broker in your corner can protect your business long-term.

Whether you’re expanding, renegotiating a lease, or reassessing your current office location, this episode offers practical insights to help business leaders align their real estate strategy with their operational goals.

Growing a business is exciting, but without the right financial systems in place, growth can quickly become overwhelming.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, Charles and Dan sit down with Valerie Horner, Founder of V.Horner Accounting, to break down the financial foundations every business owner needs in order to scale with confidence.

From setting up your first accounting system to understanding cash flow, pricing, and quarterly taxes, this conversation offers practical guidance that business owners can implement immediately.

Valerie shares real-world success stories that highlight how thoughtful financial planning and strategic pivots can lead to measurable growth.

Together, they explore why separating personal and business finances matters, how to evaluate spending beyond profit-and-loss statements, and when it’s time to adapt your strategy to changing market conditions.

Whether you’re building your first system or refining an existing one, this episode delivers clear, actionable insights to help you make smarter financial decisions and move your business forward with intention.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, Dan Cuneo and Rebecca Melone sit down with HR expert Wes Mason, with Principle Strategies, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a strong, supportive workplace—especially when your team members are facing personal challenges like divorce.

Wes offers practical insight into hiring practices, performance assessment, and the real meaning of “employee support.” He explains why a well-built handbook matters, why operating out of fear is the quickest way to derail leadership, and how progressive discipline can actually create a healthier, more accountable team environment.

Whether your business is scaling fast or simply trying to get HR right, this conversation gives you a roadmap for strengthening your people and your culture.

We’re celebrating a huge milestone on The Business Blueprint — our 100th episode! Joined by the Founder of Melone Hatley, P.C., Rebecca Melone, we dig into the real, behind-the-scenes challenges of scaling a business.

Together, we explore how hitting goals often reveals brand-new obstacles, why balancing client demand with operational capacity can feel like a moving target, and how the smallest details inside your performance metrics can tell the biggest stories.

Rebecca also shares her perspective on team dynamics, effective communication, and what it really takes to motivate people when resources are stretched. From celebrating wins without overlooking areas that need attention to keeping “little fires” from growing into big ones, this episode is full of practical leadership insight.

Whether you’re navigating growth, hiring, performance challenges, or the constant push to deliver amazing client experiences, this 100th episode brings you the kind of transparent, hard-earned strategies that actually make a difference.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, financial advisor Erin Jackson from Financial Growth Partners joins the show to break down what financial freedom really looks like, and why it’s more about peace of mind than hitting a specific number.

Erin walks through her approach to onboarding new clients, including how she uncovers their goals, evaluates their readiness, and separates “dreams” from the essentials that build a solid financial foundation.

From budgeting without guilt to navigating market uncertainties, Erin brings a practical, empathetic perspective that makes the world of finance feel far more approachable.

Whether you're building habits early, reevaluating your strategy later in life, or simply trying to figure out if your financial advisor is a good fit, this episode delivers grounded, actionable advice you can put to work right away.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, we sit down with ⁠Tasha Baron Smith⁠, President of ⁠Sovereign Legacy Financial Group⁠, to talk about one of the most overlooked drivers of business success — your money mindset. Tasha shares the essential mindset shifts every entrepreneur must make to build a profitable and sustainable business, starting with understanding cash flow and avoiding financial mistakes that can hold you back.

You’ll learn why scaling your business requires new systems, the difference between a bookkeeper and a CFO, and how a fractional CFO can offer strategic financial support without the full-time cost.

This episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to move from hustle mode to CEO mode and take control of their financial future. Because at the end of the day, you have the power to choose your business path.

The Business Blueprint is back for Season 2, and we’re kicking things off with a powerful conversation on strategic planning and goal setting for 2026. In this episode, hosts Charles Hatley and Dan Cuneo dive deep into the fundamentals of business planning, goal setting, and leadership development for the year ahead.

They explore how reflecting on past performance can shape stronger strategies, why involving your team in the planning process leads to greater buy-in and innovation, and how to find the perfect balance between growth and optimization.

From performance reviews and budgeting to leadership training and communication, this conversation provides a comprehensive roadmap for building a stronger, more focused organization in 2026.

Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers practical insights on how to transform planning into progress and set your company up for measurable success.

As we close out Season 1 of The Business Blueprint, Charles Hatley takes us back to the beginning—sharing why he and Rebecca decided to launch both the law firm, Melone Hatley, P.C., and the podcast.

In this special season finale episode, Charles opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship: from battling imposter syndrome to balancing family responsibilities while building a business.

He dives into the hustle behind small business growth, the financial planning strategies that helped them stay afloat, and the hiring practices that laid the foundation for success. Along the way, Charles emphasizes the power of personal branding and staying authentic in a competitive market.

This episode isn’t just a reflection—it’s also a look ahead. Season 2 of The Business Blueprint is already in development, and it promises to deliver even more insights into business growth, financial health, and leadership.

Expanding a business, whether locally or internationally, comes with both opportunities and challenges. In this episode of The Business Blueprint, we dive into the strategies, risks, and rewards of business expansion.

From the hurdles of choosing the right name to navigating legal considerations, tax implications, compliance requirements, and employee rights across international markets, this discussion highlights what leaders must know before taking the next big step.

You’ll learn why a clear purpose behind expansion, thorough market analysis, and cost-benefit evaluations are essential to achieving sustainable business growth. Whether you’re exploring new markets or considering global expansion, this conversation will help you approach the process with confidence.

Expanding a business is exciting, but it’s also complex. In this episode, we dive into the real-world strategies behind scaling from one location to many, including international markets. The hosts share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to growth, exploring how to balance global strategy with local market needs.

You’ll hear insights on building a repeatable process for market entry, engaging your team to foster ownership, and creating the right backend systems for operational efficiency.

Whether you’re planning your first new office or considering global growth, you’ll walk away with practical takeaways for making your expansion smoother, smarter, and more sustainable.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, we dive into the reality behind business growth, where every new milestone brings new challenges. From balancing client acquisition with operational capacity to managing team dynamics, the conversation uncovers how leaders can adapt and thrive in the face of evolving demands.

We explore why “new level, new devil” rings true for entrepreneurs, the importance of separating celebrations from tough conversations, and how simple strategies like daily huddles can dramatically improve communication, performance, and morale.

Whether you’re navigating hiring decisions, refining performance metrics, or looking to strengthen your leadership approach, this episode offers practical insights for building a business that grows sustainably while keeping both your team and your clients satisfied.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, Charles Hatley and Dan Cuneo discuss what makes meetings truly effective and why structure matters more than ever. They explore how self-reporting, clear objectives, and checklists can transform meetings from time-wasters into powerful drivers of accountability and growth.

They also give insights on aligning KPIs with team goals, building a culture of trust, and ensuring high performers aren’t dragged down by excuses.

From organizing meetings for maximum efficiency to fostering open communication, Charles and Dan share practical strategies for leaders who want to create alignment, boost productivity, and keep their teams focused on what matters most.

Whether you’re leading a small team or scaling a business, this episode will help you rethink your approach to meetings and set the stage for lasting growth.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, Dan Cuneo and Rebecca Melone sit down with Dr. Mary Perleoni and Pat Donlin, co-owners of It Begins Within Healing Center, to explore what it takes to grow and sustain a thriving mental health practice.

From the challenges of hiring the right clinicians to building a collaborative culture that prevents burnout, they share real-world insights into balancing business growth with exceptional client care.

Listeners will hear how Pat and Mary address the gaps in mental health services, the strategies they use to ensure quality assurance, and why continuous training and development are cornerstones of their success.

This conversation is a roadmap for anyone interested in the intersection of mental health, leadership, and sustainable business growth.

In our last episode, we unpacked the essentials of risk management—how organizations can identify, prepare for, and mitigate challenges.

In this follow-up conversation, Charles Hatley and Dan Cuneo take the discussion a step further, exploring risk tolerance in leadership and how it plays out differently across the CEO and COO roles.

They dive into how a leader’s willingness to take risks directly shapes decision-making, team dynamics, and organizational culture. From building a safe environment for calculated risks to ensuring accountability without stifling innovation, Charles and Dan shed light on what it really takes to balance caution with boldness at the top levels of leadership.

If you’re ready to move from understanding risk management to mastering risk tolerance in leadership, this episode connects the dots and provides actionable insights you can apply today.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, hosts Charles Hatley and Dan Cuneo break down how risk management isn’t just about avoiding disasters; it’s a critical driver of business growth.

They discuss why every business needs a solid risk management plan, how clear communication can protect your team in a crisis, and why policies should be tailored to the unique risks of your industry.

From the role of training in building preparedness to the value of learning from mistakes, Charles and Dan share actionable insights for fostering a culture of safety, alignment, and continuous improvement.

Whether you’re navigating human factors, industry-specific challenges, or the unexpected, this conversation will help you safeguard your operations and keep your business moving forward.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, Charles Hatley and Dan Cuneo dive into the true purpose of meetings and how to make them actually matter.

From the often-overlooked one-on-one to the sometimes-dreaded team huddle, they explore how leaders can transform meetings from routine check-ins into powerful tools for alignment, accountability, and productivity.

They discuss the power of self-reporting, how data-driven conversations can elevate KPIs, and why the biggest hurdle in changing meeting culture is, unsurprisingly, change itself.

Whether you’re leading a team or part of one, this conversation offers practical insights on how to create meetings people actually want to show up for.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, host Dan Cuneo is joined by Melone Hatley’s Tampa Attorney, Lauren Adkins, and special guest Myrna Laine-Hyppolite, financial wellness coach and founder of Empower Financial Wellness. Together, they dive into the intersection of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven business development.Myrna shares her inspiring story of launching her business during the COVID-19 pandemic and how clarity, tenacity, and financial education helped her build a strong foundation. This conversation provides practical advice on budgeting, pricing strategy, market research, and forecasting, all of which are essential for entrepreneurs. Whether you're an aspiring business owner or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with empowering insights to elevate your financial and business game.

As businesses reach the mid-year mark, alignment becomes more critical than ever. In this episode, The Business Blueprint trio, along with Melone Hatley PC's Fort Worth attorney, Lelan Kirk, explores what it truly means to be aligned as a team and why it's not just about agreement, but about unified support.

From clarifying goals to creating space for team members to voice concerns, they unpack the key elements of a well-aligned organization.

The conversation also covers how leaders can encourage healthy conflict, manage feedback effectively, and foster trust-based communication that drives genuine business growth.

Whether you're leading a team or part of one, this episode offers practical strategies to ensure everyone is rowing in the same direction.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, Dan and Rebecca sit down with Lelan Kirk to discuss the strategic process behind expanding a law firm into new markets—specifically Fort Worth, Texas.

They explore how geographic analysis, demographic research, and client accessibility play crucial roles in selecting the ideal office location.

From evaluating security features to integrating modern technology, Dan, Rebecca, and Lelan walk through the core factors that influence sustainable law firm growth.

If you’re considering expanding your firm or simply rethinking your space, this episode offers valuable insights on aligning your office with your marketing strategy and long-term goals.

In this episode of The Business Blueprint, Dan Cuneo sits down with one of Melone Hatley's newest Paralegals, Mikayla Gibson, to talk about the often-overlooked power of onboarding. Mikayla shares her personal journey stepping into a new role at a law firm and reflects on how a thoughtful, structured orientation helped her feel supported, confident, and connected.

Together, they explore why onboarding isn’t just paperwork and policies—it’s the foundation for a strong employee experience, company culture, and long-term team engagement.

From daily check-ins and clear expectations to the role social media can play in showcasing culture and excitement, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about growing a successful, people-first workplace.