The 9–5 Exit Plan

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with technology entrepreneur and Nimap Infotech founder Sagar Nagda to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, and long-term wealth building. Sagar shares practical insights on building a bootstrapped global technology business, preparing for the future of AI, creating financial independence, avoiding lifestyle inflation, and teach...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with Anna Brambilla, Founder of Your Franchise Pros, to discuss what it really takes to build and scale a successful franchise business. Anna shares practical insights on franchising, candidate psychology, leadership, operational systems, relationship-driven sales, and the strategies that help franchise professionals grow sustainably. Whether you’re con...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with Kyle Bailey, founder of Frontburner Marketing, to discuss how home service businesses can attract more customers and increase sales through effective digital marketing. Kyle shares practical insights on SEO, Local SEO, website optimization, customer acquisition, and the biggest mistakes contractors and home service business owners make when trying...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with paid media expert and entrepreneur Matthew Slaymaker, founder of Slaymaker Marketing. Matt shares practical strategies for growing businesses through Google, Meta, YouTube, LinkedIn, and AI-powered advertising while avoiding the costly mistakes that waste marketing budgets. We discuss paid media strategy, attribution, creative testing, scaling camp...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with branding expert, entrepreneur, author, and Capsule co-founder Aaron Keller. Aaron shares lessons from more than 25 years helping companies like Patagonia, Hydro Flask, Arc’teryx, PepsiCo, and others build memorable brands that stand the test of time. We discuss branding strategy, creativity, entrepreneurship, AI, innovation, storytelling, and the p...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with career strategist and coach Julia Toothacre to discuss what it really takes to build a fulfilling, successful career in today’s rapidly changing workplace. Julia shares practical insights on career ownership, leadership, burnout, workplace influence, navigating difficult managers, and making strategic career decisions that align with your values an...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with entrepreneur and AI strategist Clive Moore, founder of GPT Studio and Agency in a Box. Clive shares why successful AI adoption has far less to do with technology than most people think—and far more to do with leadership, culture, and business strategy. We discuss artificial intelligence, leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, workflow automation...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with Competitive Advantage Architect Craig Paxson to discuss how business owners can stop competing on price and start creating lasting market differentiation. Craig shares lessons from leading a company through crisis, transforming a $500,000 loss into profitability, and developing strategies that help businesses become the obvious choice for their cus...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with burnout coach, entrepreneur, corporate professional, and author Elisha Meek. Elisha shares her personal journey through burnout and explains how professionals can reduce work stress, overcome perfectionism, reconnect with their identity, and build lives filled with greater purpose—without walking away from successful careers. We discuss burnout rec...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with architect, entrepreneur, author, and podcast host Alex Gore. Alex shares the lessons he’s learned from building an award-winning architecture firm during one of the toughest economic periods, creating internationally recognized projects like the Atlas Tiny House, and helping creative professionals build profitable businesses. We discuss entrepreneu...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with meditation teacher, mental health counselor, and spiritual guide Dean Graves. Dean shares how meditation transformed his own life and explains how mindfulness, self-awareness, and spiritual understanding can help people navigate stress, improve mental well-being, and discover deeper purpose. We discuss meditation, emotional health, awareness, leade...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with technology executive, entrepreneur, and innovation strategist Aja Emmanuel. Aja shares his remarkable journey through enterprise technology, entrepreneurship, music innovation, and personal reinvention after overcoming major setbacks. We discuss AI, startups, product development, fundraising, storytelling, resilience, leadership, and what it truly...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and men’s mentor Mike Van Pelt. Mike shares his journey of helping men strengthen their faith, discover their purpose, and become intentional leaders in their homes, businesses, and communities. We discuss healthy masculinity, leadership, entrepreneurship, family, brotherhood, personal responsibility, and...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, business strategist, and innovation expert J. Calvin Shaw. Drawing from more than three decades of experience across real estate, retail, automotive, sales, and organizational leadership, Calvin shares practical insights on building cultures of innovation, developing entrepreneurial thinking, and preparing businesses for constant chan...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with therapist and creator of Access Loss Code™, Diane McDowell, to explore why so many emotionally intelligent people still struggle in relationships. Diane explains how protection quietly replaces authentic connection under emotional pressure, introducing her groundbreaking Access Loss™ framework and the four patterns that shape our reactions: Control...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, financial advisor, Air Force veteran, and author Dennis McCurdy to discuss the mindset required to overcome procrastination, build resilience, and create lasting success. Dennis shares lessons from launching multiple businesses, building wealth, overcoming failure, and helping others stop standing in their own way. We also discuss fin...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Dr. Kyle Harkema, author of Strategic Clarity and creator of the Strategic Orientation Index™, to explore why so many organizations struggle to execute even the best business strategies. Kyle shares practical insights into organizational alignment, leadership, company culture, strategic execution, and the behavioral patterns that determine whether...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with leadership strategist, two-time TEDx speaker, author, and Mindset Intelligence™ creator Ana Smith. Ana shares powerful lessons from helping thousands of leaders at Microsoft, GE, HP, and American Express navigate change while improving performance and protecting their well-being. We discuss neuroscience, leadership, mindset, attention management, b...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with U.S. Air Force veteran, AI strategist, and McLean Forrester founder Heather McLean to discuss how business leaders can successfully adopt artificial intelligence without losing sight of the people behind the technology. Heather shares lessons from military leadership, enterprise technology, entrepreneurship, and AI implementation while explaining h...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with international business and leadership coach Maggie Perotin to discuss what it really takes to build a profitable, sustainable business. Maggie shares lessons from her journey through corporate leadership, burnout, immigration, and entrepreneurship while explaining how entrepreneurs can strengthen their mindset, leadership, and business skills to be...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with award-winning visual artist, performance painter, motivational speaker, and cancer survivor Brett Ashby. Brett shares his extraordinary journey through art, resilience, cancer survival, performance, and purpose while explaining how creativity can become a powerful tool for healing, growth, and transformation. We discuss mental health, men’s health,...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Russell Van Brocklen, better known as The Dyslexia Professor. Russell explains why so many children with dyslexia struggle despite being highly capable, and how structured literacy and multisensory learning can transform their educational journey. We discuss dyslexia, education, confidence, parenting, learning strategies, and practical steps famili...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with mortgage expert and Next Wave Mortgage founder Phil Ganz to discuss how investors can use smart financing strategies to build long-term wealth through real estate. Phil shares practical insights on DSCR loans, investment property financing, scaling a real estate portfolio, navigating changing markets, and the biggest financing mistakes investors ma...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Todd A. Krause—TEDx Speaker, CPA, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Silversun Consulting. Todd shares how he transformed a business from $1.8 million to more than $4 million in annual revenue by focusing on leadership, workplace culture, and empowering people rather than relying solely on systems or strategy. We discuss entrepreneurship, leaders...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Alaa Kamaz, CEO of AKGROUP and an expert in risk strategy, leadership, and business consulting. Drawing on years of experience helping organizations across the Middle East navigate uncertainty, Alaa explains how entrepreneurs can transform risk into opportunity, make better decisions, and build resilient businesses that thrive in changing markets....