Owners Table

Why employees really leave—and how to stop it. David Hicks breaks down the playbook: show a clear growth path, protect work‑life balance, and hire with sales‑level speed. We hit hybrid vs. remote realities, what to do when a star walks, and the “digital footprint” test for roles.

Recruiter David Hicks (25+ years) shows owners how to hire right, not fast. We cover smarter screening, what “culture fit” actually means, where top talent really is (hint: not job boards), and the real ROI of using a recruiter—plus the hidden costs of bad hires you can avoid today. You’ll walk away with smarter ways to hire and retain top people

What happens when you build a successful business—then lose it all? In this raw and honest conversation, Kelly Olcott shares the hard lessons behind his journey from Marine to millionaire contractor, to bankrupt entrepreneur, and finally to building again with more purpose than ever before. It’s not just about money—it’s about legacy, leadership, and learning the difference between chasing success...

Duane continues his conversation with Thomas and shares how he integrates Christian faith and servant leadership into his company’s culture and operations. He discusses the challenges of maintaining spiritual focus in a high-pressure business environment and the importance of mentorship, daily spiritual habits, and generosity. Duane introduces “Abide and Lead,” a ministry initiative helping busine...

Entrepreneur Duane Donner shares his journey from growing up in Louisiana to founding Founders Advisors, an investment banking firm. He discusses his early career, military service, and first entrepreneurial venture, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned. Duane details his spiritual transformation and how faith now guides his approach to business. The conversation explores best practices...

Thomas and Blake continue their conversation about Blake's journey from real estate rentals to business acquisitions, particularly in equipment rentals. Blake shares insights on building a diverse real estate portfolio, reinvesting cash flow, and transitioning from a hustler to a CEO mindset through coaching. They talk about faith-driven leadership, financial literacy for children, and strategies...

In this episode, Birmingham real estate investor and agent Blake Schultz shares his journey from his first flip—marked by costly mistakes—to building a diverse real estate portfolio. Blake discusses lessons learned from rental properties, navigating HOA challenges, and partnering with his father. The conversation covers multifamily deals, the value of strong teams, and strategies for long-term suc...

Thomas shares Jeremy’s real-life journey using infinite banking to buy a car and grow his wealth. Over five years, he avoided bank loans, increased his policy’s cash value, and gained full ownership of the car. The episode highlights how infinite banking can help achieve financial goals and how to use this alternative wealth-building strategy.

Thomas interviews Chris, a Regional Vice President at Ameritas, about the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC) and Ameritas's support for it through whole life insurance products. Chris shares insights from his 19 years at Ameritas, discussing company culture, employee development, and the importance of relationships in insurance. Their conversation covers how technology is changing the industry, the va...

Thomas shares a strategy for business owners to gain tax deductions and build generational wealth by paying their children for legitimate work and investing these funds in whole life insurance policies to grow cash value tax-free. This approach not only reduces business taxes but also teaches children financial literacy and money management.

Thomas explores the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC) as a powerful alternative to traditional savings and investment vehicles. He explains how IBC, beyond just life insurance, allows individuals to grow their money tax-free, access funds anytime, and protect wealth from creditors. By comparing IBC to conventional accounts like savings, CDs, and retirement plans, the episode highlights IBC’s advantag...

Thomas continues his conversation with real estate investor Zac Lovoy about his investment strategies, focusing on owner financing and lease-to-purchase agreements. Zac shares insights on evaluating properties, structuring deals, and the importance of mentorship in real estate. He discusses the value of learning from experienced investors, navigating market cycles, and building knowledge before se...

Zac Lovoy, a third-generation restaurant owner, shares his journey from running a family restaurant to finding success in real estate and mortgage brokering. He discusses the financial challenges and common mistakes in the restaurant industry, emphasizing the importance of budgeting and adaptability. Zac explains how owning real estate proved more valuable than operating a restaurant and recounts...

Thomas delves into his experiences and insights on finance, focusing on alternative investing and the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC). He talks about the importance of taking control of one's financial future, offering a system to help high-income earners, entrepreneurs, and investors build wealth consistently and safely. Thomas shares his personal journey, revealing a passion for finance over thei...

Thomas delves into his experiences and insights on finance, focusing on alternative investing and the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC). He talks about the importance of taking control of one's financial future, offering a system to help high-income earners, entrepreneurs, and investors build wealth consistently and safely. Thomas shares his personal journey, revealing a passion for finance over thei...

Thomas and David continue their discussion centered on digital marketing strategies, particularly the effectiveness of Facebook and Instagram ads compared to TikTok. David shares insights on customer acquisition costs, lifetime value, and the psychology behind marketing. They emphasize data-driven decisions and understanding customer behavior. The episode highlights the importance of trust and int...

Thomas talks with David Nipps, founder of Nipps Media, about digital marketing strategies. David emphasizes the importance of high-quality, engaging content over generic ads and highlights the pitfalls of traditional advertising methods. He discusses the rising costs of digital advertising and the need for businesses to understand customer acquisition costs and lifetime value. David also critiques...

Thomas delves into the concept of infinite banking, inspired by Nelson Nash's book "Becoming Your Own Banker" and discusses how American families typically manage their finances by focusing on the 10% allocated to savings while neglecting the remaining 90% spent on expenses. He explains how we can significantly boost our savings and reduce finance charges. He emphasizes the benefits of infinite ba...

Thomas and Trent continue their conversation by exploring the complexities of revenue sharing (rev share) in college athletics, focusing on the financial disparities between Power Five and Group of Five schools. They highlight the significant financial pressures and long-term sustainability concerns faced by less affluent programs. They discuss the competitive imbalance created by differing revenu...

In this episode of the Owners Table podcast, Thomas chats with Trent Dilfer, a former NFL quarterback, Super Bowl champion, ESPN analyst, and current head football coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The discussion covers Dilfer's extensive career, his transition to coaching, and his holistic approach to player development. Dilfer reflects on his NFL experiences, the importance...

Thomas addresses the top 4 criticisms of infinite banking, focusing on whole life insurance policies as a financial tool. The criticisms discussed include the high cost of policies, slow cash value accumulation, potential for higher returns with alternative investments, and the complexity of risk management. Thomas counters these points by emphasizing the benefits of properly structured policies f...

Thomas continues his conversation with Jason Garrison, a seasoned real estate agent and investor, to discuss his journey and strategies in the real estate industry. Garrison shares his background, emphasizing the importance of helping clients and his preference for fix-and-flip investments over rentals. He offers practical advice for new agents, such as networking, door knocking, and sending regul...

Jason Garrison shares his inspiring life story with Thomas. Raised in Haleyville, Alabama, Jason faced significant challenges, including his parents' early divorce and his father's struggles with alcoholism. Despite these hardships, his father's work ethic profoundly influenced him. Jason's career began in banking, but feeling unfulfilled, he transitioned to real estate. His journey was marked by...

Thomas shares his personal investment strategy, revealing how he grew his net worth from $100,000 to multiple seven figures over the past decade without selling a business, inheriting money, or winning the lottery. He outlines his three-bucket investment strategy: short-term investments (20% of his portfolio) focusing on high-return loans with collateral, medium-term investments (10%) in equity de...

Auston recounts his professional journey, detailing his time at Altec, his collaboration with Andrew Bender at OnPoint Capital, and the eventual launch of his own business, Battle Horse. He discusses the importance of patience in career decisions, the challenges of transitioning to a new role, and the significance of mentorship and faith. Thomas asks insightful questions and Auston elaborates on h...