The Kitchen Table

Guest Information: Name: Ron Kmetovicz Book: Ghost Money: The Pathway to Financial Independence Website: https://ghostmoneythebook.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-k-34218017/ Background: Retired engineer, 20 years in Silicon Valley, consulting practice owner Current Location: Reno-Lake Tahoe area Age: 78 (still actively skiing, mountain biking, hiking) Key Concepts Discussed: Ghost M...

Guest Background: Saahil Mehta - Based in Dubai (visiting New York during recording) Entrepreneur running three businesses Second-generation entrepreneur (diamond trading business started by father at age 54) First-generation entrepreneur (hospitality business running ~17 years) Author of "Break Free: A Guide to Decluttering Your Life" Success coach and member of Dr. Marshall Goldsmith's 100 Coach...

Guest: Reed Nyffeler - Author, franchisor operating in 49 states & 9 countries Books: "Transform Through Purpose" and "Lead Exponentially" Contact: readnyffeler.com Key Topics: Construction to franchise journey Security franchise model with proprietary software New low-cost franchises: Filter Go, window cleaning Franchise vs. entrepreneur: personality determines path Lead Exponentially framework f...

Guest: Chris Zimmerman Owner, At Your Service Roofing and Remodeling Co-founder, Master Your Craft (with John Lombard) 15+ years in roofing industry Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor Based in Cincinnati, OH with branch in Cleveland Key Topics Discussed: Industry Transformation (2024) Market down 20-40% for most contractors Chris achieved best year ever despite no major storms The "thinni...

About Bill Blankschaen: Bill is the author of "Your Story Advantage" and owner of Story Builders, where he's spent 13+ years helping individuals and businesses develop their stories. He's worked with high-profile names like Dean Graziosi, John Maxwell, and Louis Howes, as well as countless businesses building their brands systematically. The Story Ecosystem Framework: Message Maker - Your core bra...

Guest Introduction James Shin is the author of "The Leader's Soul: 52 Reflections for Unlocking Your Inner Leader" and founder of a leadership consulting practice. Originally from South Korea, James immigrated to the United States 31 years ago to pursue his PhD at Penn State. He spent 20 years at Caterpillar, moving seven times within the company and holding various leadership positions including...

Guest Introduction Jason Michael Perry is the Founder & Chief AI Officer at PerryLabs, a consulting company helping businesses navigate the AI landscape. He's the former CEO of mygroove and author of "The AI Evolution: The Role of the Chief AI Officer." Based in Baltimore, MD, Jason has eight years of experience in technology leadership and hosts the "Thoughts on Tech & Things" podcast. Key Topics...

About the Guests Blake Grissom - Charleston, South Carolina Previously featured on The Kitchen Table Podcast approximately one year ago Had a record-breaking year in insurance restoration following South Carolina's largest storm Recently launched his own roofing company Experiencing the "baptism by fire" of starting during a non-storm year Co-founder/partner in BuilderLink CRM LinkedIn: https://ww...

About Doug C Brown: Former President of Sales & Training for Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes organization Managed 166 people, helped grow company 10x during tenure Improved closing rates from 17.8% to 43.2% (sustained for 7 years) Improved front-end sales from 12.7% to 21.2% Has worked with 352+ industries over 30+ years Notable clients include: Intuit, CBS Television, Procter & Gamble, Enterprise Re...

Guest: Taylor Baires Owner: Varadero Roofing Group Founder: Solutions Beyond the Storm (Consulting) Background: Construction, Law Enforcement, Roofing Sales Location: Florida (travels nationwide for consulting) Key Discussion Points: The psychological advantage women have at the door Why retail training makes superior storm chasers Growing up in a GC family and learning work ethic Transition from...

Host: Ken Baden - CEO of Baden Consulting and Potomac Custom Remodeling  Guest: Brian Seidensticker - Chief Executive Officer, Tax Sale Resources, Inc. Key Topics Covered: Transition from aerospace engineering to entrepreneurship How the 2008 financial crisis led to discovering tax liens Building a SaaS platform to solve industry inefficiencies The truth about tax sale properties and foreclosures...

Takeaways: Market Shift: The home service boom (2020–2023) has ended; call volume dropped 30–40% and stabilized at lower levels. Brand over Rankings: Strong, memorable branding now outweighs digital rankings for lead quality and cost-effectiveness. Digital Challenges Ahead: Marketing will become harder and costlier due to saturation and AI platforms diverting traffic. Canvassing Opportunity: Door-...

Takeaways • The Power of Personal Presentation • AI as a Personal Style Assistant: Taelor AI   • Sustainability Through Rental • The Entrepreneurial Focus on Pain Points • Unique Data is King in the AI Era • Strategic Expansion & Licensing • Self-Belief is Paramount   TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL BOOK A FREE CONSULATION CALL NOW!   ******************************** https://badenconsulting.n...

Takeaways Leadership requires adaptability across industries. Strategic consulting can accelerate growth in healthcare and tech. Building relationships and mentorship are critical to long-term success. Transitioning from finance to CEO-level leadership demands resilience and vision. Entrepreneurs can borrow lessons from pharma and biotech strategy for their own businesses. TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO TH...

Key takeaways The right help starts with clarity on scope and deliverables; bring in a team when there’s a defined outcome, not just activity. Mentorship matters; learn from people who’ve already done what you want to do. Be wary of high-pressure, high-ticket pitches; pressure tactics are a red flag. Pick the platform and coach that match your goals; networking and relationships drive real results...

Key Takeaways: Consistency trumps short-term virality. Most content creators in the roofing industry give up early due to lack of immediate validation. Reputation > Reach. Being authentic and honest over time builds a longer-lasting and more respected brand. Contractor Directorii was born from Dmitry’s frustration with unethical practices in the contractor space — aiming to create transparency and...

Key Takeaways Extreme conditions test leadership—don’t build fragile systems. Mindset matters just as much as sales skill. Structure is everything when scaling fast-moving teams. Communication gaps break culture faster than anything. Most sales teams fail from the top, not the bottom. Partnership isn’t about agreement—it's about alignment. Training without belief is just noise.     TAKE YOUR BUSIN...

Key Takeaways Systems over superheroes : Brett emphasizes the need for business owners to stop being the system and start building one. Solve your own problem first : SnapFlo AI came from Brett’s own challenges managing operations and communication in the field. Focus on team clarity : Most businesses don’t suffer from laziness, but from lack of direction and feedback loops. The trades deserve inn...

Key Takeaways: Your background and environment shape how you lead and serve. Humility is an underused superpower in today’s business world. Great leaders put people first—and listen more than they speak. Culture deeply impacts mindset, behavior, and leadership style. Humor and directness go a long way in creating trust and clarity. Coaching is more than strategy—it's about connection. Understandin...

Key Takeaways: You can run multiple companies successfully with clear systems and discipline. Leading with service creates trust, impact, and long-term success. Humility is crucial in maintaining perspective and building strong relationships. Building something meaningful often requires patience, adaptability, and persistence. Networking and relationships are vital for scaling across industries. I...

Key Takeaways: Personal growth is essential for long-term success in both life and business. Emotional wounds can hold back your potential—healing creates space for leadership. Becoming the observer of your thoughts is a game-changing mindset shift. Entrepreneurs benefit immensely from doing inner work, not just outer hustle. Legacy Peace was born out of a desire to create deeper transformations....

Takeaways Ken Miller is a three-time felon who transformed his life through faith, discipline, and vision. His book Becoming Ken is a powerful reflection on identity, redemption, and purpose. Miller shares how his lowest moments became the foundation for his highest calling. He’s now a motivational speaker and coach helping others rise from their setbacks. Your past doesn’t define you—your respons...

In this episode of The Kitchen Table Podcast, host Ken Baden sits down with the dynamic Dr. Craig Coates — pastor, motivational speaker, fashion designer, and founder of Craig Coates Couture. With over three decades in ministry and a passion for style, Dr. Coates shares how he blends faith, fashion, and leadership into a life of purpose. From building a couture brand to leading Maryland’s largest...

In this episode of The Kitchen Table Podcast, host Ken Baden welcomes Erik Robertson — the visionary behind Robertson Restorations and Broad Creek Kitchen and Baths. Together, they dig into the nuts and bolts of entrepreneurship in the home renovation industry. From starting a business in the trades to scaling two successful companies, Erik shares what it takes to build trust, quality, and a reput...

Takeaways You don’t have to reinvent the wheel — just be consistent. Entrepreneurship in the service industry requires daily discipline. Storytelling is a powerful business tool. Blue-collar success is built through word of mouth and quality service. Podcasting can elevate your personal and business brand. Know your “why” before chasing profits. Business ownership forces personal growth. Surroundi...