7 Figures Club: A Business Growth Podcast

Today's guest is Megan Schwan , the CEO and founder of her own accounting firm. Megan discovered her passion for accounting as a freshman in high school and landed her first accounting job at just 15 years old. She went on to graduate with honors with a Bachelor's in Accounting from a university in Virginia and now has over 15 years of professional experience. As a mother of four, Megan is deeply...

In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on how we built our funding empire from the ground up, starting with simple, local networking. I remember walking into my first Chamber of Commerce event and feeling totally out of my league. My biggest fear was seeing business bankers there—I thought they were my competition! But I quickly discovered a secret mindset that changed everything. Find ou...

We all dream of building our own funding empires, but there's one giant wall that stops almost everyone dead in their tracks: getting a consistent flow of quality leads. It can be the most frustrating part of the business. But what if I told you the problem isn't your strategy, but your mindset? In this episode, I’m breaking down the one thing all the greats—from Rockefeller and Carnegie to the bi...

Building an empire can be an incredibly lonely job. I know exactly what it’s like to be in the trenches, fighting battles and facing a constant barrage of problems. It’s easy to lose hope. But what if I told you there’s a way to get a complete paradigm shift by putting yourself in the right room? In this episode, I’m talking about the unbelievable power of live events. They are the secret sauce th...

In this episode, we're diving deep into the core principles required to build a 7-figure funding business. It’s a goal many of you have, but the hard truth is that less than 5% of funding professionals ever reach that level. I’ve done it multiple times, but my path to success was paved with some catastrophic failures that almost ended my career before it truly began. I thought I had it all figured...

What is the one thing that separates a six-figure business from a true seven-figure funding empire? In this episode, we reveal that the answer isn't a complex strategy or a secret funding source—it's leadership. If you feel like you're stuck in the trenches, forever working in your business instead of on it, this is for you. We break down the critical leap from being a skilled solo operator to bec...

Have you ever wondered what the number one secret is for building an incredibly valuable business? There's a specific business model that creates exceptional profits and predictable cash flow, making a company a truly sellable asset. Without this key ingredient, you might be working much harder for much less. So, what is this powerful strategy that can transform a struggling business into a financ...

In a special announcement, Leo reveals the new, hyper-focused mission for the 7 Figures Club that will change the show forever. To launch this new chapter, he shares a surprisingly personal story about failure, fluency, and finance. What could learning Portuguese in the streets of Brazil, or Spanish in Chile, possibly have to do with closing million-dollar funding deals? The answer is not what you...

Hi everyone, this is Leo Kanell. As we approach our 300th episode here at the 7 Figures Club, I've been doing a lot of thinking. We've helped thousands of entrepreneurs secure hundreds of millions in funding, but I've realized we're just scratching the surface. I saw a huge group of small business owners and gig workers who still weren't getting the help they needed. To solve this, I'm making a ma...

Chris Shihadeh , born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a successful businessman and the founder of several profitable companies, including a marketing agency, sales contact centers, and online retail businesses. He is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton. Currently, Mr. Shihadeh is the President of Skylab Digital, a leading company in digital marketing and lead generation. His...

Stephen Ridley comes from a small village in South Yorkshire, England, with a population of just 40 people. He began playing the piano at the tender age of two. Following the death of his father when he was a teenager, his family was plunged into deep poverty, a circumstance that profoundly shaped his drive. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically, graduating from Durham University with...

Chris Prefontaine is the Founder and Chairman of Smart Real Estate Coach®, a four-time best-selling author, a Forbes Business Council Member, and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree for the fastest-growing company. With over 30 years in the real estate industry, his experience is extensive, from building over 100 single-family homes in the 1990s to owning a Realty Executives franchise. Today, his famil...

Dave Seymour is a highly respected real estate investor and a 16-year veteran of the Fire Service. He launched his real estate career during the last market crash, quickly becoming one of the nation's top investors with expertise in residential and commercial properties, particularly in commercial multi-family and ground-up development. His straightforward approach and remarkable success caught th...

This episode pulls back the curtain on how individuals can earn significant commissions, like $22,000 and even $35,000, from a single business funding deal. We dive deep into the "anatomy" of these highly profitable transactions, revealing that most high-value deals don't just appear out of thin air—they overwhelmingly originate from referrals. This means building strong relationships with those w...

This podcast episode explains why the business funding industry is considered recession-proof, thriving in both good and bad economic times. During good times, businesses grow and need capital for expansion (new employees, bigger offices, equipment, marketing). During bad times, businesses need funding to survive. Leo argues that even if lenders tighten up (as seen in 2008-2009), they still lend b...

This podcast episode dives into how much loan brokers earn, a frequent question for those looking to boost their income or start a new business. Leo Kanell , an entrepreneur who built three multi-seven-figure businesses, shares secrets, strategies, and tactics for success, emphasizing that anyone can create their dream business. He shares personal case studies, including an early deal that netted...

Meet Ken Cox , the accomplished President of Hostirian and the voice behind the popular Clicks and Bricks podcast, voted the #1 General Business Podcast by the Davey Awards. Ken's journey is a testament to resilience and the power of entrepreneurship, built on a foundation of creating secure digital environments and fostering positive workplaces for companies from small businesses to the Global 50...

Rick Yvanovich is a Certified Chief Master Coach, speaker, author, advisor, consultant, and non-executive director. He is dedicated to helping individuals and teams unlock their full potential, guiding them to break free from what's holding them back. Rick focuses on equipping people with the clarity, confidence, and tools necessary to overcome obstacles and achieve balanced fulfilment in both the...

William Milliken is the President and visionary behind Swoop Scoop®, a leading dog waste removal company. Under his leadership, Swoop Scoop® has grown to serve over 2,000 recurring clients, setting industry standards in service excellence and customer satisfaction. Driven by a passion for innovation and business growth, William has successfully navigated the challenges of the industry. He leverage...

Meet Jesse Kay , the Founder and CEO of Vyber Media. His performance marketing agency focuses squarely on helping brands achieve scalable, data-driven growth that genuinely connects with the Gen Z audience. What began as a side project when Jesse was just 17 years old quickly blossomed. Recognizing the venture's potential, he made the significant decision to leave a role at Goldman Sachs and pour...

Gregory Shepard is a highly accomplished serial entrepreneur with a remarkable track record of building and successfully exiting 12 businesses across diverse technology sectors, including BioTech, TransitTech, AdTech, and MarTech. His insights and expertise have earned him recognition as a Forbes Book Author and contributor, with features and quotes in prominent publications like Fortune. Further...

With over 13 years of experience in the construction and storage industries, Chris Long is a licensed carpenter and a dedicated storage expert. His passion lies in developing innovative and customized storage solutions for a diverse clientele. As the president of Longyards Storage, Chris leads a team committed to providing high-quality service, security, and convenience, blending traditional stora...

Braxton Kilgo is the founder of I Believe In You (IBIY), a movement centered around the idea that small acts of kindness can have a profound global impact. His journey began with a simple gesture: distributing "I Believe in You" stickers to middle school students in 2017, encouraging them to pay it forward. This initial act sparked a viral wave of positivity, demonstrating the power of simple enco...

Eric Broughton , co-owner and tax department lead at Busy Bee Advisors, brings a unique and engaging approach to the often-daunting world of taxes. Far from the stereotypical tax professional, Eric prioritizes building genuine connections with his clients, striving to understand their individual financial landscapes. His primary objective is to ensure clients pay only their fair share, leveraging...

Justin Goodbread has spent the last three decades immersed in the world of business, building, growing, and successfully exiting multiple ventures, achieving deca-millionaire status before the age of 40. Now, he dedicates his time to empowering other business owners, providing a proven system to increase profitability, expand impact, and regain control of their lives. Beyond his personal success,...