In this episode of the Marketing Boost Solutions Podcast, Capt. Marco interviews CFP® and CFA, Grant Bledsoe, Founder and Senior Financial Planner of Three Oaks Wealth. Prior to founding it, he was a Senior Manager and Trader in the securities lending group at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and also held positions at both Smith Barney and American Express. He is frequently quoted in several publications, including Forbes, CNBC, The Huffington Post, and U.S. News. Grant and his company have the passion for entrepreneurship, and specific expertise working with small business owners.  From technical knowledge of retirement plans to understanding the roller coaster you face on a daily basis, they help squeeze the most from your resources & optimize your biggest asset. Capt. Marco and Grant discuss the importance of setting up a business entity and having an operating agreement. Grant highlights common mistakes business owners make and offers advice on handling cash flow, paying oneself, and maintaining a working capital fund. They also discuss the necessity of insurance coverage and strategies to minimize tax payments. Grant emphasizes the importance of diversifying investments and setting up retirement plans. The episode concludes with a discussion on tax fairness and the role of risk-taking entrepreneurs in job creation. Website: www.threeoakswealth.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threeoakswealth Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/three-oaks-wealth Twitter: https://twitter.com/GSBledsoe Not a Marketing Boost Solutions member yet? Book a free Brainstorming Session with our team today to learn more about our travel incentives. Click here: https://api.automationbooster.com/widget/appointment/brainstorm-session/mb Whether you are a start-up or a well-established business, you need to have a robust platform to help you scale your business with the ease of automating Marketing Boost travel incentives. Schedule a call with our team to explore what Automation Booster can do for you. Book here: https://api.automationbooster.com/widget/bookings/brainstorm-session/ab Timestamps: The importance of entity selection [00:03:58] Grant discusses the importance of choosing the right entity for your business and when it is necessary to establish an LLC for asset protection. The significance of an operating agreement [00:07:27] Grant explains the importance of having an operating agreement, especially for businesses with partners, and how it can prevent disputes and provide guidelines for various scenarios. Comparison to prenuptial agreements [00:08:57] The conversation briefly touches on the similarity between operating agreements for businesses and prenuptial agreements for marriages, highlighting the importance of establishing rules and guidelines in advance. The importance of a properly put together operating agreement [00:09:04] Discussing the potential issues that can arise in business partnerships without a well-drafted operating agreement. The importance of cash flow for business survival [00:17:11] Discussion on the significance of having 3 to 6 months of cash flow to reduce expenses and stay open during unexpected events. Insurance products for business owners [00:18:48] Recommendations for insurance coverage, including errors and omissions insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and life insurance for partners. The importance of retirement planning [00:35:56] Grant discusses the benefits of setting up a retirement plan for business owners and the potential tax deductions associated with it. The importance of setting up a business properly [00:45:24] Discussion on the first steps to follow in setting up a business properly and creating wealth. The role of entrepreneurs in creating employment and growth [00:49:40] Conversation about how risk-taking entrepreneurs create employment and innovation, and the government's role in partnering with entrepreneurs and providing tax benefits.

In this episode of the Marketing Boost Solutions Podcast, Capt. Marco interviews Marty M. Fahncke, a seasoned world-class Marketer with over 30 years of experience in growing & scaling businesses, and over 20 years of experience in Mergers and Acquisitions. Marty has helped businesses scale to over $1 Billion in revenue and executed over $450 million in Mergers and Acquisitions transactions. Marty shares his insights on when to sell a business, the importance of preparing a business for sale, and how businesses are valued. He also discusses the strategy of growing a business through acquisitions and the potential of owning multiple businesses through equity partnerships. Marty's wealth of experience and unique insights are sure to provide valuable food for thought, whether you're considering selling your business or looking for ways to scale. Website: https://www.westboundroad.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martyf Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martyfahncke/ Not a MarketingBoost Solutions member yet? Book a free Brainstorming Session with our team today to learn more about our travel incentives. Click here:https://api.automationbooster.com/widget/appointment/brainstorm-session/mb Whether you are a start-up or a well-established business, you need to have a robust platform to help you scale your business with the ease of automating Marketing Boost travel incentives. Schedule a call with our team to explore what Automation Booster can do for you. Book here: https://api.automationbooster.com/widget/bookings/brainstorm-session/ab Timestamps: Starting a Business and First Taste of Mergers and Acquisitions [00:02:07] Marty shares his experience of starting a business with friends and getting it acquired, as well as his subsequent involvement in mergers and acquisitions. Staging a Business for Sale [00:09:44] Marty explains the concept of staging a business for sale, similar to staging a home, by ensuring clean financials, documented processes, and securing long-term contracts to increase value and attract potential buyers. The importance of re-upping leases in advance [00:11:46] Discussing the impact of having long-term leases on the value of a business and the negotiation process with potential buyers. The value of positioning your business as if it's for sale [00:14:53] Highlighting the benefits of preparing and positioning a business for sale, even if the owner has no immediate intention of selling, to improve the business's overall efficiency and financials. The valuation of a business [00:21:32] Marty explains how businesses are valued based on revenue or profit, and the different factors that can impact the valuation. Growing a business through acquisition [00:29:29] Marty shares the benefits of growing a business by acquiring similar businesses, highlighting the potential for immediate growth and increased profits. Acquiring Direct Competitors or Supply Chain [00:32:32] Marty discusses the opportunity to acquire direct competitors or businesses in the supply chain to expand and strengthen your own business. Acquiring Businesses with Marketing Expertise [00:36:00] Marty explains how acquiring businesses with solid products/services but poor marketing can be lucrative, allowing you to apply your marketing expertise to grow and increase their value. Partnerships and Joint Ventures [00:39:47] Marty suggests that instead of wholly owning a business, you can enter into partnerships or joint ventures where you contribute your skills and expertise to help grow the business and earn equity in return. Determining the value of a business and long-term advisory [00:47:27] Marty talks about the common question of business valuation and offers both do-it-yourself methods and long-term advisory services for maximizing profits.