Beyond 8 Figures

Thinking about selling your company someday? Most founders wait until it’s too late to prepare their business for a clean, valuable exit. In this episode, I chat with Niraj Shah, M&A Advisor and 5x Founder, about what really makes a company exit-ready. We dig into mindset traps, deal-killers, and the simple actions you can take right now to set up your business for maximum value, whether you s...

Success isn’t just about hustle—it’s about surviving the chaos of growth. Jason Long knows this better than most. After building a 30-person agency, he lost it all in the 2008 crash, nearly died in a horrific car accident, and spent years rebuilding both his businesses and himself. In this episode, Jason and I get real about what scaling actually takes—the mistakes most entrepreneurs make, and the...

What if stepping back from your business didn’t mean losing control—but gaining clarity? In this episode, I talk with Margo Crawford, founder of Business Sherpa Group, about the five-year succession plan that helped her shift from CEO to Chair—and the deep mental work it took to let go without giving up. You’ll learn: When to start planning your exit (spoiler: not when you're ready to leave) How t...

Success doesn’t come from working harder, it comes from thinking differently . In this episode, I talk with Bruce Eckfeldt, strategic coach and 5x Inc. 500 founder, about how to shift from founder mode to CEO-level thinking. If you’re feeling the strain of growth and wondering why your business feels harder at $7M than it did at $1M, Bruce breaks down how to restructure your team, planning, and pr...

When your business is growing fast and AI is changing the game every week… how do you keep your head clear and your strategy sharp? In this episode, I sit down with Hamza Mudassir —lecturer at Cambridge and founder of Strategize —to talk about mental clarity, digital twins, and how to make smarter decisions in an age of overload. Here’s what we dig into: How strategic thinking is evolving in real...

What happens when your agency hits a growth ceiling—and brute force stops working? In this episode, Steve Maly shares what finally pushed him to adopt EOS, how it changed his team’s rhythm and decision-making, and why hiring a $500 intern changed the trajectory of his business. Here’s what you’ll take away: How to spot the real reason your growth has stalled The hidden value of weekly meetings (do...

Your brain is your business’s most valuable asset—so why aren’t you training it? In this episode, I talk with Paola Telfer , founder of Sens.ai, about how she turned a personal brain injury into a mission to help entrepreneurs perform better mentally. We dig into the science of neurofeedback, how to stay sharp under pressure, and why brain optimization isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for high-stak...

What comes after the big exit? For Jess Stewart, it wasn’t freedom—it was confusion. In this episode, we unpack how she rebuilt both her purpose and leadership rhythm after selling her company. If you’re feeling stuck in your business or unsure about what comes next, Jess’s story offers a practical path forward. Here’s what we cover: The emotional and operational void after exiting a business How...

Success isn’t just surviving chaos—it’s building toward your exit. In this episode, I talk with Philip Blackett , founder of Dream Business Makeover and LifeAfter40.com. He’s been through the fire—literally rebuilding a cemetery business during COVID while pulling double shifts at Chick-fil-A to make payroll. We talk exit strategy, leadership, and what really works when you’ve got to grow through...

Buying a business sounds like a shortcut—but most people never make it to the finish line. Why? Because they chase the wrong deals. In this episode, I talk with Richard Parker , founder of Diomo Corporation, about what really works when you're looking to acquire a business that fits you—and what most people get completely wrong. 🎯 You’ll Learn: Richard’s “4-4-4-1-1” process for staying focused du...

Your business is growing—but is your personal wealth strategy keeping up? In this episode, I sit down with Mark Cecchini , a wealth advisor who works with high-growth founders, to break down what it really means to build a personal capital stack. 🎧 We cover: Why “just invest in Vanguard” isn’t a real plan How to make decisions when income’s uneven What to do with cash that’s sitting idle When to...

Growth doesn’t always mean profit. In this episode, I’m joined by ProfitHive founder Kevin Bees to talk about how growing businesses leak money—and how to stop it . Kevin shares the 7 hidden areas where founders lose margin, plus a tactical framework for getting your financial house in order without becoming an accountant. 🎧 What you’ll learn: How to spot and fix your biggest profit leaks Why sca...

Success isn’t just about scale—it’s about control. And sometimes that means cutting through the chaos you created. In this episode, I sit down with Mikael Dia , founder of Funnelytics , to talk about how simplifying your operations, offers, and mindset can unlock the growth you’ve been chasing. We get into the real stuff: what happens after the VC check clears, how complexity creeps in, and how to...

Ever feel like the business you built is running you? In this episode, I sit down with John F. Kettley , founder of Sales Masters Guild , to talk about how entrepreneurs lose their way as their company grows—and what it really takes to regain control of your business . We talk mindset, sales systems, burnout, and the moment most founders realize they’re not leading anymore—they’re just reacting....

Let’s be honest—most founders are chasing traction without stopping to ask: Is this still what I want to build? In this episode, I talk with Amit Garg , Managing Partner at Tau Ventures , about what it means to build a purpose-aligned business from the ground up. From launching a hospital in India to raising $86M for a venture fund, Amit shares what real alignment looks like. 🎧 You’ll learn: How...

Success isn’t always what it looks like on the outside. In this episode, I talk with Justin Breen about what it really means to lead a visionary business—with clarity, intention, and zero fluff. We unpack Kolbe scores, mindset patterns, and the four traits that set true visionaries apart from the pack. 🔥 Inside this episode: How to measure your life with two daily questions Why “more” often leads...

What if everything you know about “value-driven copy” is wrong? In this episode, I talk to Will Green , Founder of Copy Road, about what actually makes copy convert. We dive into the difference between trust and tricks, and why the best copy doesn’t need a sales funnel—it needs a promise, proof, and process. 🔥 What you’ll learn: Why most copywriting fails (and what to do instead) The dead-simple...

Success isn’t just about strategy—it’s about how you communicate it. And when the message isn’t landing, it’s probably not your offer. It’s your story. In this episode, storytelling expert Karen Eber joins A.J. to explore how to build trust with storytelling—whether you're pitching, leading, or aligning your team. You’ll learn how to craft stories that connect, convert, and evolve with your busine...

Success isn’t just about hustle—it’s about smart ownership . In this episode, I sit down with Ben Kelly , an acquisition entrepreneur who’s scaled five businesses with little to no upfront cash. We talk about how you can skip the startup chaos and buy a business that’s already thriving. 🔥 You’ll learn: The “aha” moment that made Ben leave JPMorgan Why you don’t need to be an expert to scale a com...

Growth doesn’t come from hustle. It comes from clarity. Sean Si hit the wall most founders do — trying to do everything, lead everyone, and fix all the things. Then he blew it up and started fresh. In this episode, he walks us through how he scaled SEO Hacker by simplifying, delegating, and focusing on what actually matters. ✅ What burnout taught him about leadership ✅ Why most marketing teams m...

You built the business. You cashed out. Now what? Most founders think they need to “reinvest everything” or go chase the next big thing. But in this episode of Beyond 8 Figures , I sit down with Ben Fraser of Aspen Funds to break down how to invest after selling a business — the right way. Ben’s been inside this game since the last recession. He watched his father build Aspen Funds from scratch af...

Most founders wait too long to adapt. Ray Deck says that’s a mistake—and shows how to scale smarter using the tools you already have. What if the biggest leverage in your business isn’t new funding or a bigger team—but the knowledge and trust you’ve already built? This week, I’m joined by Ray Deck , founder of State Change , to break down how AI, no-code, and personal reputation are changing the g...

🎙️ What if your biggest business breakthrough came from TikTok… in a language you barely spoke anymore? This week, I sat down with Kanessa Muluneh , the powerhouse behind the fashion brand MULU . She built a thriving clothing company in Africa—not through Shopify or ads—but through Telegram, WhatsApp, and a loyal audience she nurtured with blunt honesty and smart storytelling. We get into: Launchi...

Hiring global talent is no longer just for massive corporations—it’s a game-changer for small and mid-sized businesses, too. In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Ashcroft, a veteran in outsourcing and remote work, to break down the exact strategies you can use to hire, manage, and scale a global team efficiently. 💡 Learn how to avoid common outsourcing mistakes, find top-tier talent without ove...

💡 Think hiring global talent means outsourcing to low-level VAs? Think again. Jon Matzner shares a game-changing approach to hiring and automation that can actually help you scale. 🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:  ✅ The biggest mistake founders make when hiring global talent  ✅ How to structure your team for high-leverage growth  ✅ Why media leverage (like Twitter & newsletters) is an un...