A Servant’s Heart, Personal Growth, and Naps

A man whose superpower is having a servant’s heart, Seth is always on the lookout for people who needs help. When he enters a room, he finds ways to provide a solution to problems he sees. This kind of heart is evident in how he deals with his clients, where he loves helping them create a game plan and cut through the noise of all the confusion with all the different policies, to achieve their physical and financial goals. Furthermore, to be able to continue serving people, he keeps working on improving himself by doing a yearly self-review, listening to self-development audiobooks, and applying these learnings in his dealings with other people. Another thing that he does to maintain vitality, he practices quick power naps with Binaural beats. 

Seth also talks about helping small business owners with the insurance they need to protect their livelihood and their loved ones, explaining the risks this insurance entails and defining the value of these insurance products. 

About Ott Insurance Agency:

Ott Insurance Agency is on a mission to help communities protect what matters most and understand precisely how their policy will perform when they need to file a claim.

They evaluate current policies for free and build a custom plan for each client so the client can finally stop stressing about their insurance.

They lay out the facts and show the client exactly where they are protected and where they are vulnerable. The client will finally know what kind of coverage they have. By listening to the client’s needs, family, or business, they customize a policy that reduces risk and covers their current blind spots. Once a part of the Ott Insurance family, the client can relax knowing no matter what happens, they are protected.

Outline of the Episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:05] Things he missed as a student

[02:52] How Seth started with insurance

[04:01] Being a Farmers Insurance Agency owner

[05:12] The most challenging thing he faced and how he hacked it

[06:27] The type of Insurance Seth is handling

[09:18] The changes COVID brought to the industry

[10:53] Insurance advisor vs. insurance agent in this technological age

[12:22] Seth’s BHAG

[14:03] Naps and Binaural beats 

[14:58] Seth’s favorite advice 

[15:56] Seth’s superpower

[16:24] What gets him excited and up every morning

[17:19] How to get in touch with Seth

Resources:

Ott Insurance Agency Website: https://ottinsurance.agency/

AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/

Connect with Greg and Chris!

Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH

Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch

Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw

The post Season 5 Episode 19 – A Servant’s Heart, Personal Growth, and Naps with Seth Ott first appeared on Chris Hunter.

How Listening & Empathy Creates Ripples

Max recalled that he had just recovered from sickness before his first year, and the first person who showed him the Aggie spirit was a food service employee. This encounter, and his love for listening to the stories of others, led him to see the conditions of Aggie’s essential workers and moved him to start an organization that would provide access to essential Aggies to tools and resources they need to overcome the multi-generational poverty cycle and achieve their fullest potential. The organization utilizes Aggie students who joined the movement. It thus creates an opportunity for the students to practice their technical skills, develop their soft skills, and enhance their capacity for empathy. So when they become leaders in their field, they hopefully are more empathetic.

He believes that empathy is vital in personal life, in building relationships, and in business. Max shares that being able to put yourself in one’s shoes and understand where they’re coming from helps you better understand the world and yourself. And so, if you can be empathetic in every relationship, the odds are that those relationships will be stronger and more fruitful in the long run. But when thinking about it from a business perspective, empathy is also crucial because customers drive the business; if their wants and needs are not understood, then a company can also not provide them with the product they will use.

About The Reach Project:

The REACH Project is a nonprofit organization founded in 2017 by Max Gerall, an A&M undergrad whose friendship with a cafeteria worker led to his realization that the 3,000 contract service workers on campus were virtually unknown and unseen, but essential members of the community. They cook the meals, clean the dorms and classrooms, fix the toilets, and keep the campus beautifully maintained, yet they are poorly paid, anonymous, and their value unacknowledged.

Not a legislator, politician, or institutional administrator; what could he do to ameliorate the hardships workers endured because of their unsustainable wages? He realized that what he and other Aggie students did have were time, knowledge, and a commitment to selfless service. With those resources, he developed High Impact Service-learning Opportunities (HISOs), a platform that provides mutually beneficial engagements between students and the service workforce. HISO’s leverage student knowledge critical to the workforce in overcoming multigenerational poverty, while offering students opportunities for experiential learning, soft skill development, and relationships that instill and nurture empathy for a life of service,

REACH kicked off its first programs in 2018, in response to the expressed need of the uninsured workforce for healthcare. Staffed by students from the Health Sciences Center, REACH hosted pop-up clinics and Health & Wellness Fairs on campus. In 2018 and 2019, more than 400 workers and their families attended these events. At the same time, REACH was helping students create their own AgsREACH organization, working with BUILD on the design and construction of its free health clinic (generously funded by a Strategic Philanthropy Grant) and the development of its lifelong learning, personal finance, and homeownership programs.

Early in 2020, COVID-19 came to Texas A&M.  As the campus emptied out, service workers were laid off and furloughed. REACH pivoted and implemented its COVID Emergency Response. Over the course of the next 12 months, approximately 700 families were served 200,000 pounds of produce, 40,000 locally sourced restaurant meals, 7,500 USDA Meal Boxes, and 6,000 pounds of frozen meat, by 240 student volunteers. REACH initiated opening on campus Warming Centers, and drive-thru health clinics.

In the second half of 2020, REACH delivered its first courses in finance, ESL, and homeownership. Since then, the number of participants doubled each course offering (with a 98% retention rate), as has the number of student volunteers and interns. Today, more than 300 students representing 28 different majors regularly serve more than 800 families by providing access to food and healthcare, including vision, dental, and breast health clinics, food-producing home gardening, pet Vet clinics, as well as Everyday ESL, and the REACH Journey Home. Three participants have become homeowners; 7 more have qualified.

Outline of the Episode:

[00:00] Intro

[01:50] The Aggie spirit and the things he missed being a student

[02:42] The Reach Project

[05:24] Empathy and why demonstrating it is important

[07:05] How empathy is taught

[09:49] COVID and its effect to the Reach Project

[13:03] Hacking the biggest problem they are facing 

[16:26] BHAG

[19:18] The various accomplishments of The Reach Project

[21:37] Max’s favorite hack 

[22:45] Max’s advice 

[24:07] Max’s superpowers

[24:50] What gets him excited about the Reach Project

[27:35] How to get in touch with Max

[29:37] Greg’s biggest take away from this episode

[31:15] Chris’s thought on the ripples listening and empathy creates

Resources:

The Reach Project Website: https://reach4home.org/

AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/

Connect with Greg and Chris!

Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH

Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch

Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZx9NMwnBXs5RWC3Rwqkpw

The post Season 5 Episode 18 – How Listening & Empathy Creates Ripples With Max Gerall first appeared on Chris Hunter.

How Teamwork, Communication, and Passion Lead to Growth

Growing up with an entrepreneur dad who runs a construction company, Drew always had this inkling of him being a part of something great. Frustrated by the limited opportunities laid out to him in his former well-paying job, he started a company despite the risks it entails with few ideas on how he could do better. With Anna’s full support from taking care of the household to taking the lead in operations two years after, these two Texas Aggie Class of 2012 worked their magic and grew their company fast.

Anna in the operations and Drew in the technical – they made their teamwork by establishing strong communication. This communication starts with the two purposely having lunch together every Wednesday to talk about business. It is then passed on to their employees, engraving in them the standards, culture, and processes of the company. They also communicate with the contractors, knowing that these are the people on the ground who do the work; their inputs would be valuable to the success of each construction. With this dynamic of communication, teamwork, and passion, Dudley Engineering provides immense value to the people and communities in which they work.

About Dudley Engineering:

Core Values

• Passionate 
  • Educate design teams on structural concepts in a helpful way
  • Constantly studying evolving materials and methods
  • Make room for constructive conflict to get to the best outcome
• Pro – Team
  • Helpful approach in all communication
  • Collaborate to find the right solution
  • Team success is our priority
• Exceptional Communicators
  • Responsive
  • Clear communication on progress, direction, and results
  • Anticipate & Convey challenges to stakeholders early
• Construction-Wise
  • Clear constructible drawings
  • Knowledgeable of construction means and methods
  • Positive relationships with contractors

Outline of the Episode:

• [00:00] Intro
• [01:59] What they miss in Aggieland
• [02:31] Their meet-cute story
• [03:37] The inspiration behind Dudley Engineering
• [05:56] How the stars aligned for Anna
• [07:29] Division of roles 
• [10:19] Their definition of success
• [13:02] Their biggest challenge 
• [15:41] The values they uphold
• [19:28] Their BHAG
• [20:55] The direction of their business growth
• [22:21] Dynamic Ad
• [22:45] Drew’s productivity hack
• [23:59] Their work and family dynamics
• [24:44] Favorite advice
• [26:09] Their superpowers from each other’s perspective
• [28:02] What gets them out of bed in the morning

Resources:

Website | Dudley Engineering:  https://dudleyeng.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dudley-engineering-llc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dudleyengineering/

AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/ 

Connect with Greg and Chris!

Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH

Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch

Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

YouTube: https://bit.ly/AGH-YouTube 

#podcast #entrepreneur #clarity #resolve #purpose #AggieEntrepreneur #growth #business #entrepreneurship #Aggie #growthmindset #fastgrowth #knowledgeispower #innovation #CollegeStation #Bryan #TAMU

The post Season 5 Episode 17 – How Communication, Teamwork, and Passion Lead to Growth with Anna and Drew Dudley first appeared on Chris Hunter.

Sense of Urgency

Running a restoration company is no easy task. From dealing with insurance companies to having the right people for the job, the tasks know no end. Nevertheless, Blake believes that being able to help people in their time of distress outweighs the challenging parts of the job. 

Not wanting bad things to happen when natural events occur, Blake assures that Blackhill Restoration is ready to go when something untoward do happen. Passion and a real sense of urgency about anything customer-related are the values they uphold. These contribute to the success of the company.

About Blackhill Restoration:

Restoration emergencies occur around the clock. Blackhill is the top professional restoration company in Texas. Providing 24-hour water and fire restoration, flooding, and smoke restoration services 7 days a week. Blackhill specializes in both commercial restoration services and residential restoration damage services and repairs in the Austin, Houston, Bryan, Temple, Belton, Killeen, Waco, College Station, San Antonio, and surrounding TX areas and communities.

Outline of the Episode:

[00:00] Intro

[01:53] What he misses about being a student

[03:39] On wanting a recession-proof enterprise

[06:24] Blackhill Restoration-a one-stop shop

[07:22] On finding the right person for the job

[09:10] Biggest challenge in the competitive market

[11:43] On addressing the challenge

[13:01] Industry trends

[14:13] The three masters Blackhill Restoration serves

[15:30] His BHAG

[16:34] Dynamic Ad

[17:11] Don’t lose the high ground

[17:52] Favorite advice received

[18:30] Superpower

[19:00] The thing that gets him out of bed in the morning

Resources:

Website | Blackhill Restoration:  https://blackhillrestoration.com/

Website | Blackhill Roofing Systems:  https://blackhillroofing.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blackhill-restoration/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackhillrestoration/

AGH Website: https://www.aggiegrowthhacks.com/ 

Connect with Greg and Chris!

Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH

Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch

Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

YouTube: https://bit.ly/AGH-YouTube 

#podcast #entrepreneur #clarity #resolve #purpose #AggieEntrepreneur #growth #business #entrepreneurship #Aggie #growthmindset #fastgrowth #knowledgeispower #innovation #CollegeStation #Bryan #TAMU

The post Season 5 Episode 16 – Sense of Urgency with Blake Howard first appeared on Chris Hunter.

Combat, Business, and the Long Game

Transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship can be a challenging feat. But a former member of the elite force, Gabriel Wander, pushed through the hardships through resiliency and perseverance. He established his business by treating it like how he would treat military combat – fighting through despite pain and injury. Like in the military, Gabe treats his business partners, clients, and employees as his teammates who would always have his back. He believes that winning the war or the business would take focus, and to focus would mean keeping a happy home. 

Gabriel later learned in his entrepreneurship journey the concept he calls “the Long Game.” He shares that unlike in combat where attack and speed are important, patience and perseverance are vital in business as you establish connections and relationships.

About Wander Staffing:

Wander Staffing is a Texas-based, SBA 8(a) Certified and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that provides IT, healthcare, and training solutions to the U.S. government and private institutions.

It is founded by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA) with a proven track record in delivering exceptional healthcare solutions to military medical centers, the U.S. Special Operations Command, the Veterans Administration, and private organizations.

Wander Staffing’s corporate culture is steeped in the values and ethics that stem from their leadership team’s over 50 years of healthcare, Army, Navy, and VA service.

Its founder’s rare and unique credentials in all aspects of the healthcare industry allow it to be a direct and personal resource for its clients and staff.

Its industry reputation, combined with its existing network of partners and colleagues, allows it to attract, recruit and retain the highest caliber personnel, focus on quality, and provide exceptional customer service.

Its Top Secret SCI clearances reduce threats to your organization, and its particular knowledge of military needs and goals makes Wander Staffing the best choice to fulfil your staffing needs.

Outline of the Episode:

• [00:00] Intro
• [01:42] Gabriel’s Elevator Pitch
• [03:07] The focus of Wander Staffing
• [04:58] Military skill that is invaluable to business
• [05:31] How to become indispensable in the company
• [07:11] His area of influence 
• [10:32] Team mentality
• [11:29] Playing the Long Game 
• [12:35] Business is a family affair
• [13:26] The challenge he hacked
• [15:28] Gabriel’s BHAG
• [16:37] The 8A Program
• [19:14] Dynamic Ad
• [19:34] His favorite hack
• [20:07] Favorite advice
• [21:36] His superpower
• [22:15] The thing that excites him about his business
• [25:32] On his book Maintain Eye Contact while Shaking Hands

Resources:

Website | Wander Staffing:  https://wanderstaffing.com/

Website: https://gabewander.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabewander/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/major_gabe/?hl=en

YouTube: https://bit.ly/AGH-YouTube

Connect with Greg and Chris!

Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH

Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch

Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

The post Season 5 Episode 15 – Combat, Business, & The Long Game with Gabriel Wander first appeared on Chris Hunter.

From I Can’t to How Can I

Bankrupt and an alcoholic at the age of 37, Samuel found his salvation from his mother’s tough love. Awakened by the sudden gesture of his mom, he decided to make changes and improve his way of life. He is now an in-demand video commercial creator, a consultant for companies to create, build, and scale internal media teams, and a host of the Small Business Surgeon podcast.

From an alcoholic to a successful business entrepreneur, Samuel owed it to shifting his mindset by saying “I can’t” to “How can I.”

About Small Business Surgeon podcast:

Breaking down small business ownership into short, digestible snippets perfect for your commute, morning routine, or just before bedtime. Samuel Smith uses this platform to discuss the ups and downs of owning your own small business.

Outline of the Episode:

• [00:00] Intro
• [01:34] The transient nature of Aggie land
• [03:03] Samuel on his entrepreneurship journey
• [06:01] The moment that changed him forever
• [08:42] Choosing and valuing your time
• [12:23] Dynamic Ad
• [12:26] Overcoming challenges 
• [15:00] The importance of having a mentor
• [17:43] Samuel’s big audacious goal 
• [19:56] Dynamic Ad
• [20:10] His favorite hack
• [20:40] His favorite advice
• [22:23] His superpower

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelmsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallbusinesssurgeon/?hl=en

Connect with Greg and Chris!

Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH

Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch

Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

YouTube: https://bit.ly/AGH-YouTube

The post Season 5 Episode 14 – From I Can’t To How Can I with Samuel Smith first appeared on Chris Hunter.

The post Season 5 Episode 13 – God, Family, and Country – The Keys to Fast Growth with Jackson Rollo first appeared on Chris Hunter.

Howdy, Ags! Today, we have Shannon Badger, a co-founder, and partner of Badger CPA! In this episode, Shannon shares how and why she started Badger CPA, how she handles her remote workforce, and so much more. We are excited to have Shannon on the show!

Outline of the Episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:38] How Shannon Started Badger CPA

[05:42] Love of Service

[09:16] Passion for Your Work

[12:35] Aggressive Giving Strategy to Remote Workforce 

[14:31] Preparing for the Next Five to Ten years

[20:06] BHAG

[24:19] Lightning Round

[29:42] Interview Takeaways

About Shannon Badger, CPA:

Shannon is a CPA and RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) that specializes in tax and accounting strategy for her clients. She seeks to provide solutions that free up her client’s time to grow their business and know that their accounting and finance functions are in excellent hands.

About Badger CPA:

We are a CPA Firm based in San Antonio, TX, with a team of smart, hardworking, and light-hearted accounting professionals who are passionate about helping fellow business owners succeed.

Resources:

Website: https://badgercpa.com/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/badgercpa/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxPB44yN_Wf9HCIZ8o5ld6A

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badger-&-badger-certified-public-accountants-llc/

Connect with Greg and Chris!

Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH

Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch

Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

YouTube: https://bit.ly/AGH-YouTube

The post Season 5 Episode 12 – How To Have an Aggressive Giving Strategy with Shannon Badger first appeared on Chris Hunter.

About Jason R. Patomson, JD/MBA:

Jason Patomson is an innovative, trusted advisor leveraging extensive legal expertise with business acumen and people skills to enable companies to scale and prosper. He has a history of coaching companies to build sustainable businesses, processes and to identify and cultivate executive talent.

His approach is shaped by over fifteen years of legal experience advising clients at the highest level of business and over five years of consulting and coaching a wide range of businesses from closely held corporations to Fortune 500 companies. Jason utilizes a direct approach to break through preconceived limits and help his clients unlock hidden potential.

Completed multiple coaching engagements with individuals from C-level to middle management, to improve individual and organizational outcomes.

Attorney and advisor from inception through infancy and maturity of over 100 corporations.

Successfully negotiated numerous mergers, acquisitions, and contracts in multimillion-dollar transactions.

Coached management team through business acquisition, changing definition of target entity and achieving significant savings.

Developed business plan and assisted in implementation resulting in expanding client revenue by 60% in less than 12 months. Effected culture change strategies for healthcare organization resulting in increased employee engagement and employee retention.

Crafted and implemented business processes including adding automation with proprietary software.

Jason graduated Cum Laude with a Juris Doctorate and a Master in Business Administration from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He is a Certified Executive Coach and is accredited in various psychometric assessments.

Outline of the Episode:

Resources:

Website: https://www.indigostone.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndigoAdvisors

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-patomson-aa2bb730/

Connect with Greg and Chris!

Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH

Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch

Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

YouTube: https://bit.ly/AGH-YouTube

The post Season 5 Episode 11 – Leverage Where You Are Awesome with Jason Patomson first appeared on Chris Hunter.

How Core Values and People Drive Growth

The founders and owners of Allied Fire Protection are very much a part of our daily operations. Our Operations Managers learned their craft in the field – installing, servicing and perfecting fire and life safety systems. They know the importance of supervising and seasoning every crew coming up after them. They pass along our culture and practices, whether it’s in our proven Apprenticeship program, on weekend hunting and fishing trips or at a company picnic. Decade after decade, our management team remains nothing short of All-In.

Outline of the Episode:

Resources:

Website: https://alliedfireprotection.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallas-hall-5606a49

Connect with Greg and Chris!

Apple: http://bit.ly/AGH-Apple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/AggieGH

Stitcher: http://bit.ly/AGH-Stitch

Podbean: http://bit.ly/AGH-PB

YouTube: https://bit.ly/AGH-YouTube

The post Season 5 Episode 10 – How Core Values and People Drive Growth with Dallas Hall first appeared on Chris Hunter.