In this episode of Business Decoded, host Ronnie Spellman interviews Philip Sarnecki, a multifaceted entrepreneur from Kansas. Sarnecki shares his journey from starting an insurance business at age 19 while in college to building a diverse business empire. He also discusses his significant career shift: selling his primary financial firms to run for Governor of Kansas, driven by a desire to apply his CEO-level business acumen to improve the state's economy.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

Taylor Price, a prominent Gen Z financial activist and founder of Priceless Tay with one million followers in TikTok, joins host Ronnie Spellman to discuss her mission of eradicating global financial illiteracy. Drawing from personal health challenges and a background in a small family business, Price explains how she transitioned from pre-med to corporate finance to help her generation build wealth through simple, consistent investing strategies. She emphasizes the "Money Tree" mindset, the power of visual social media marketing for reaching younger demographics, and the importance of proactive financial planning to achieve independenceFor a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

This interview features Jay Rodgers, founder of Business Owners Ed, discussing his organization's mission to help serious, committed entrepreneurs grow their companies. Rodgers emphasizes the critical role of small businesses in economic growth and details the structure of his program, which targets business owners with a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue and are serious about growth. He shares insights and anecdotes from his co-founders and impressive network of mentors—who are required to have scaled a company to "mega millions" and donate $5,000 to the non-profit—to illustrate how focused mentorship, accountability, and strategic thinking can lead to massive business growth, even for those starting with no cash.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

The interview with entrepreneur Rick Hopper, founder of the magnetic eyeglass holder Reader Rest, provides an in-depth look at his journey from a window guy to a business mogul with high brand visibility. He discusses securing a deal with Lori Greiner on Shark Tank, which led to massive success on QVC, selling out in five minutes during their first appearance for $300,000. Rick shares crucial business lessons about scaling production, the challenges of dealing with major retailers like Walmart and Walgreens, and the importance of diversification to avoid being controlled by one large customer. The interview concludes with the exciting news of Rick buying back his company, Reader Rest, after it was run into the ground by the acquiring company. He also plugs his other company, Wicked Good Adhesive, and discusses his involvement as a director at Biz Owners Ed, a free program for serious entrepreneurs in the DFW area.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

This interview with Andy Dastur, President of North American Insurance Services, centers on two main themes: leveraging social media for massive organizational growth and the complexity of the U.S. healthcare industry. Dastur shares his experience of scaling his broker network from two to 4,000, attributing part of this success to a disciplined, platform-specific social media strategy, using Facebook for community engagement and YouTube for agent training. The discussion then shifts to the highly regulated and technology-lagging insurance sector, highlighting healthcare's immense cost as the U.S. government's largest expense, and concludes with a deep dive into the importance of entrepreneurial community involvement and giving back.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

Rabbi Shaya Fox, CEO of the Dallas Area Torah Association (DATA), discusses his role as a spiritual mentor to business leaders, emphasizing the pursuit of spiritual health and life fulfillment beyond financial success. He runs the "Fulfilling Life Cohort" for CEOs, providing a safe space for both Jewish and non-Jewish leaders to discuss values, personal growth, and accountability, particularly regarding narcissistic tendencies and pride. The Rabbi uses his platform to encourage leaders to define their legacy by writing their own eulogy, focusing on sincerity and truth rather than wealth. The conversation also briefly touches on foundational aspects of Judaism, including the meaning of "Rabbi," the laws of Kosher, and the lessons of Hanukkah—namely, standing up for values and being a light to others.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

David Cabrales, an attorney and lobbyist, discussed his multifaceted career, highlighting three key areas. First, his legal work involved representing market makers in the securities industry, defending them against short-selling litigation by emphasizing their role in creating market liquidity. Second, he detailed his extensive involvement in Texas economic development as a former Chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, promoting the state's business advantages and contributing to its status as a major economic powerhouse. Third, Cabrales explained the strategic legal efforts in Texas, including the creation of the Texas Business Court and the new 15th Court of Appeals, designed to offer specialized expertise and challenge Delaware's dominance as the corporate state of choice.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com

Jeff Bednar, founder of Profound Foods, returns to the podcast to discuss the evolution of his farming business, from starting with $2.6$ acres in North Texas to pivoting his model. Initially driven by a personal health journey, Profound Foods grew into a collaborative food hub to help small local farmers and ranchers overcome the high costs of distribution and marketing. Bednar details the transition from aquaponics to hydroponics for greater consistency and viability, and the strategic decision to close the expensive greenhouse operation to focus on the profitable food hub, commercial kitchens, and event space. He shares valuable business lessons, emphasizing the importance of partnerships, cutting losses early, and seeking guidance from business mentors, including his mother, who is a business coach. Bednar also provides practical advice for aspiring farmers, highlighting the crucial need to establish a market and sales channel before growing a product.For a summary and to connect with the guest, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-decoded-podcastProduced by www.andycostafilms.com