• The Succession Strategies for Founders to Scale Businesses and Let Go of Control with Doug Thorpe
    Jan 6 2026
    The 30-Question Ownership Readiness Diagnostic. Identify your gaps in finance, leadership, and revenue creation before you take the leap. Get your score, get your plan. (It’s FREE!)👉 https://bit.ly/owner-shipmindset-scoreapp ------------------------------------------------Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession ------------------------------------------------Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young talks with Doug Thorpe, President & CEO of HeadwayExec, LLC, about his journey from corporate banking to consulting and coaching. Doug shares how his experiences in the banking world led him to focus on leadership development and succession planning for small businesses. He discusses the importance of business owners evolving through key growth phases and the challenges they face in scaling up. Doug also highlights the significance of empowering leadership teams and preparing businesses for successful exits.Doug shares his journey from corporate banking to entrepreneurship and coaching. He talks about the challenges he faced in scaling businesses and the lessons he learned in leadership development and succession planning. Doug explains how business owners often struggle with transitioning through key growth stages and the importance of letting go of control to scale effectively. He discusses how empowering leadership teams and preparing businesses for successful exits can lead to long-term success. Doug’s experience highlights the value of thoughtful planning and adaptation in business growth.Key Takeaways:Doug’s path from corporate banking to coaching and entrepreneurship.How he learned to navigate business growth stages and the challenges of scaling.Why letting go of control is crucial for business owners to scale effectively.What Doug’s approach to leadership development and succession planning looks like.How he helps business owners prepare for successful exits and future growth.Here are a few quotes from the episode:"Cash is king, and you never have enough cash." - Doug Thorpe"What got you here won’t get you there." - Doug Thorpe"Exponential growth requires letting go of control." - Doug ThorpeJoin Doug Thorpe as he shares valuable insights on navigating business growth, scaling successfully, and the importance of leadership development. Learn how business owners can prepare for a smooth transition and exit while empowering their teams for long-term success.Episode Highlights[00:00] - Teaser[01:48] - Introducing guest Doug Thorpe[02:49] - Stages of business growth: startup to enterprise[07:11] - Doug's journey from banking to entrepreneurship[08:52] - Mother's influence and shift to consulting[11:46] - Coaching vs. consulting and virtual transition[15:04] - Evolution of business coaching demand[18:31] - Cash flow lessons and entrepreneurial mindset[23:25] - 2008 crash and shutting down the business[28:21] - Identity loss and career transition coaching[33:31] - Moving into leadership coaching[35:38] - Succession planning for business owners[37:08] - Leadership delegation challenges[41:08] - Engaging employees in succession talks[44:40] - ETA buyer alignment & investment thesis[50:47] - Personality fit in business acquisition[51:42] - Doug’s own succession plan[53:43] - Lightning round: quickfire questionsFOLLOW THE GUEST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougthorpe/ Website: https://dougthorpe.com/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.dougthorpe.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/dougthorpe_com Facebook: https://facebook.com/headwayexec Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougthorpe_com YELP: https://www.yelp.com/biz/headwayexec-houston-4 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dougthorpe Buy a Business: https://headwayexec.com FOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/ Email: bey@gwcpas.com FOLLOW THE PODCAST:Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gwcpas Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast
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    1 hr
  • The Shift from Hourly to Subscription to Build the Value and Modernize a CPA Firm
    Dec 16 2025
    The 30-Question Ownership Readiness Diagnostic. Identify your gaps in finance, leadership, and revenue creation before you take the leap. Get your score, get your plan. (It’s FREE!) 👉 https://bit.ly/owner-shipmindset-scoreapp—-------------------------------Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession ------------------------------------------------Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young, a Tax and Marketing Partner at GWCPA, takes you through the firm’s ongoing succession journey. In this episode, Barrett reflects on key updates at GWCPA, including the growth of the team, the implementation of EOS, and the shift to subscription-based pricing. He shares insights on AI adoption, the firm's strategic plans, and how they are preparing for the future of tax preparation and business transition.Barrett isn’t just leading the firm; he’s committed to building a future where the next generation can thrive. His journey in public accounting has shaped his approach at GWCPA. By embracing new systems like EOS and focusing on innovation, he demonstrates how thoughtful planning and a forward-thinking mindset can create lasting value for both the firm’s team and clients.Barrett has spent years leading GWCPA with a focus on future growth and succession. By embracing tools like EOS and AI, he uses his experience to guide the firm through key transitions. His approach blends practical lessons on leadership, planning, and innovation, helping teams prepare for the future and build lasting success.Key Takeaways:- Barrett’s approach to building a future-ready firm. - How EOS and AI support growth and clarity.- The shift to subscription pricing and proactive planning.- Why simplifying processes is essential for success.- How Barrett’s leadership prepares the team for lasting impact.Additional Insights:- How EOS helps guide the firm’s long-term vision.- The impact of AI on improving efficiency and service.- Why shifting to subscription pricing supports growth.- How simplifying processes builds clarity for staff and clients.- The role of leadership in preparing for future success.Here are a few quotes from the episode:“We are building a firm that can grow beyond tax returns.” - Barrett Young“AI is not the future, it’s here now, and we need to be ready.” - Barrett Young“Clarity, innovation, and purpose are the foundation of our success.” - Barrett YoungJoin Barrett Young as he discusses how EOS, AI, and strategic planning are shaping the future of GWCPA. Learn how focusing on innovation, simplified processes, and strong leadership is helping the firm grow and succeed in the years ahead.Episode Highlights[00:00] - Teaser[01:46] - Season 3 Recap & Podcast Growth[03:00] - YouTube Growth & Season 3 Guest Highlights[07:34] - Key Mindset & Legacy Conversations[09:44] - Season 4 Preview: Booked Through June[11:26] - EOS Progress & Upcoming Strategic Retreat[13:39] - Tax Season 2026: Staffing & Capacity Plan[15:37] - Barrett Earns CEPA Certification[18:21] - Applying "Protect Phase" to Client Work[22:07] - Mission: Simplify for the Next Owner[28:00] - Inspired by Ron Baker & Membership Economy[30:31] - Vision: Proactive Advice, Smaller Client Base[34:30] - 2 Years of AI: Lessons & Urgency[38:25] - AI's Future & The Cloud Comparison[45:16] - Incremental Growth: The 20-Season Mindset[50:39] - YouTube Pivot: Employee-to-Owner FocusFOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/ Email: bey@gwcpas.com FOLLOW THE PODCAST:Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gwcpas Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast
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    55 mins
  • The Bootstrapped Growth for Podcasters to Succeed with Acquisitions and Systems with Alex Sanfilippo
    Dec 2 2025
    The 30-Question Ownership Readiness Diagnostic. Identify your gaps in finance, leadership, and revenue creation before you take the leap. Get your score, get your plan. (It’s FREE!)👉 https://bit.ly/ownership-mindset-scoreapp ------------------------------------------------Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession ------------------------------------------------Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young talks with Alex Sanfilippo, Podcaster & Founder at PodMatch, a podcast guest matching platform that has helped thousands of podcasters connect with their ideal guests. Alex shares his journey from working in aerospace to building PodMatch from the ground up. He talks about the lessons learned from pivoting from a corporate career to full-time entrepreneurship, including his approach to scaling a business, making strategic acquisitions, and maintaining a people-first mentality.In this episode, Alex discusses the challenges of creating PodMatch, his approach to handling business growth, and how strategic decisions like acquiring competitors have allowed him to solidify credibility and expand his brand. They also explore the power of podcasting as a tool to build trust, authority, and lasting connections with audiences.Key Takeaways:Alex bootstrapped PodMatch to solve his personal pain point of finding the right podcast guests.He transitioned from aerospace corporate leadership to full-time entrepreneurship.Acquiring competitors helped establish trust and credibility in the podcasting space.He prioritizes user benefit over revenue, which has been crucial to his business’s success.Podcasting is a powerful tool for building trust, connection, and clarity in today’s digital world.Here are a few quotes from the episode:“You don’t need to know everything, just be willing to learn.” – Alex Sanfilippo“Turnaround isn’t about saving the day; it’s about moving forward.” – Alex Sanfilippo“Real change starts when you focus on people, not just profits.” – Alex SanfilippoJoin Alex Sanfilippo as he shares how his journey of overcoming failure and prioritizing people helped him grow PodMatch into a trusted platform, and how others can apply these principles to grow their own businesses with purpose and clarity.Want to connect with the perfect podcast guests? Check out PodMatch's free resourcesand get started today! 👉 https://podmatch.com/freeEpisode Highlights[00:00:00] - Teaser[00:02:19] - Alex's mission: demystifying entrepreneurship[00:04:54] - Alex's early entrepreneurial journey and corporate career[00:10:00] - The corporate turning point: Why Alex left his C-suite job[00:13:45] - Using a podcast to find his path, leading to PodMatch[00:16:00] - Identifying the universal pain point for podcasters[00:18:30] - The "dating app" inspiration for PodMatch[00:23:15] - How the PodMatch algorithm creates quality connections[00:26:35] - The first strategic acquisition and its strategic value[00:30:02] - Evaluating opportunities and the importance of saying "no"[00:33:42] - Acquiring "Podcasting Made Simple" to build community[00:38:13] - The lesson of consolidating brands for clarity[00:41:20] - The power and future of podcasting as a medium[00:44:50] - Why every business should consider podcasting[00:50:15] - The role of video in modern podcasting[00:53:40] - AI's role: A tool for enhancement, not replacement[00:58:20] - Core philosophy: Serving a specific "why"[00:59:35] - Lightning Round[01:03:18] - How to connect with Alex and get his free resourceFOLLOW THE GUEST:LinkedIn (Personal Profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsanfilippo/PodMatch (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/podmatch/PodMatch (Website): https://www.podmatch.com/member/alexFOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/ Email: bey@gwcpas.com FOLLOW THE PODCAST:Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gwcpas Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • The Bold Succession Plan That Let Me Own and Transform a Financial Business with Joseph Curry
    Nov 18 2025
    The 30-Question Ownership Readiness Diagnostic. Identify your gaps in finance, leadership, and revenue creation before you take the leap. Get your score, get your plan. (It’s FREE!)👉 https://bit.ly/owner-shipmindset-scoreapp ------------------------------------------------Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession ------------------------------------------------Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young talks with Joseph Curry, Founder of Retirement Planning Simplified and a CFP/CEPA specializing in small business succession and retirement. Joseph shares his journey from joining his father’s advisory firm to buying and transforming another advisor’s practice. He talks about shifting to evidence-based investing, narrowing his client focus, and building systems that allow him to serve fewer clients with more depth. He also discusses how exit planning helps business owners shape a future they can enjoy.Joseph shares his experience of buying and reshaping a financial advisory firm. They explore Joseph’s path from working in his father’s practice to building a client-focused, planning-first business. He explains how he shifted away from transactional services, adopted evidence-based investing, and used education to better serve clients. Joseph also talks about managing team changes, setting up clear systems, and helping business owners prepare for retirement and exit. His thoughtful, steady approach shows how clear planning leads to real progress.Key Takeaways:Joseph’s journey from joining his father’s firm to buying his own practice.How he shifted from selling products to giving full financial advice.Why is client education at the center of his business?What worked and what was hard during a real succession plan.How does he help business owners plan exits they feel good about?Here are a few quotes from the episode:“Markets work. Let them work for you.” - Joseph Curry“Not every client is the right fit.” - Joseph Curry“Exit planning is about options.” - Joseph CurryJoin Joseph Curry as he shares real-life lessons on buying a firm, building trust with clients, and turning a practice into a planning-first business that helps owners retire with confidence and clarity.Episode Highlights[00:00] - Teaser[02:03] - Intro to the show and guest Joseph Curry[03:22] - How Joseph found his start in financial planning[06:44] - Talking with his dad about leaving the family firm[08:50] - Bringing clients and shifting investment approach[11:05] - What evidence-based investing really means[14:16] - Structuring the deal and joining as a successor[19:02] - Navigating client reactions and building education systems[23:09] - Letting go of clients and aligning on vision[28:23] - Selling non-core services and refining the business model[31:51] - Covid Shift, Remote Growth, and Launching Client Education[33:53] - Balancing Remote Work, Office Life, and Team Changes[37:04] - Transitioning Client Trust and Leading With Support[09:02] - Leading Marketing With Education and Core Values[41:52] - Time Blocking to Balance Clients, Planning, and Marketing[46:30] - Team Roles, Admin Tasks, and Running on EOS[48:28] - Why Two Podcasts: Retirement and Exit Planning[51:20] - Why Most Businesses Fail at Exit and What Owners Miss[54:40] - Redefining Exit Planning and the Start of the Lightning Round[59:29] - From Transactional Sales to Advice-Centered Planning[01:04:18] - Final Thoughts, Contact Info, and Episode Wrap-UpFOLLOW THE GUEST:LinkedIn (Personal Profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/curryjoe/ Retirement Planning Simplified (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/retirement-planning-simplified/ Retirement Planning Simplified (Website): https://www.retirementplanningsimplified.ca/ Retirement Planning Simplified (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOnQcuvhpGpJpLjt3w2H6MA FOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/ Email: bey@gwcpas.com FOLLOW THE PODCAST:Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gwcpas Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • How Operators Rescue Failing Businesses and Rebuild Culture That Drives Profit with Ori Elraviv
    Nov 4 2025
    The 30-Question Ownership Readiness Diagnostic. Identify your gaps in finance, leadership, and revenue creation before you take the leap. Get your score, get your plan. (It’s FREE!)👉https://bit.ly/owner-shipmindset-scoreapp ------------------------------------------------Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession ------------------------------------------------Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young talks with Ori Elraviv, COO at MediaFeed and a turnaround expert for small and mid-size companies. Ori shares his journey of leading businesses through change, starting with mobile gaming in China and later running major digital brands like Ebaum’s World and Cheezburger. He talks about learning through failure, leading with calm and clarity, and helping others grow by fixing what’s stuck and building what works.In this episode, Ori Elraviv joins Barrett Young to discuss how to turn around struggling businesses. They dive into Ori’s approach of stepping into underperforming companies, building trust with teams, and making meaningful, lasting changes. Ori talks about the importance of clear business strategies, shifting models, and focusing on people to achieve growth. His calm, practical leadership style shows how businesses can make progress by understanding what’s working, fixing what’s not, and leading with purpose.Key Takeaways:Ori’s path from mobile games in China to running Ebaum’s World.How he turned a failing business in Serbia into a success.Why people, not just profits, are key to change.Lessons on leading with calm, even in chaos.How finding the right team and clear focus drives real growth.Here are a few quotes from the episode:“You don’t need to know everything - just be willing to learn.” - Ori Elraviv“Turnaround isn’t about saving the day; it’s about moving forward.” - Ori Elraviv“Real change starts when you focus on people, not just profits.” - Ori ElravivJoin Ori Elraviv as he shares real stories, smart lessons, and people-first strategies that help business owners solve problems, grow with purpose, and lead with calm, clear focus in fast-changing times.Episode Highlights[00:00] - Teaser[01:49] - Intro to the podcast and guest Ori Elraviv[02:28] - Why Ori thrives in fixing existing businesses[04:39] - From China to CEO: Ori’s early journey[07:30] - First turnaround and Literally Media beginnings[10:46] - Fixing Serbia: New model, tough calls[15:54] - Building teams and shared energy[18:25] - Acting fast on misfit leadership[21:44] - Gaining trust after a rocky acquisition[24:43] - Leading Cheezburger through culture shifts[26:47] - Scaling media brands with profit focus[31:16] - How to Get Up to Speed in a New Executive Role[34:40] - Diagnosing What’s Broken vs. What’s Cultural[37:42] - Navigating Subjectivity in Evaluating Quality[40:51] - Innovation in Comfortable or Stagnant Companies[43:55] - Why Innovation Requires a Different Type of Person[45:22] - Transitioning from Corporate CEO to Independent Advisor[49:03] - Coaching Founders Without Undermining Them[52:54] - The Power of Outside Perspective in Business Turnaround[54:56] - Lightning Round: Personal InsightsFOLLOW THE GUEST:LinkedIn (Personal Profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/orielraviv/ MediaFeed (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/mediafeed-llc/ MediaFeed (Website): https://www.mediafeed.us/ FOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/ Email: bey@gwcpas.com FOLLOW THE PODCAST:Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gwcpas Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast
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    1 hr
  • The Succession Planning Creatives Ignore That Destroys Legacy and Profit with Lesle Lane
    Oct 21 2025
    The 30-Question Ownership Readiness Diagnostic. Identify your gaps in finance, leadership, and revenue creation before you take the leap. Get your score, get your plan. (It’s FREE!)👉https://bit.ly/owner-shipmindset-scoreapp ------------------------------------------------Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession ------------------------------------------------Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young chats with Lesle Lane, Photographer and owner of Studio 13, Inc. Lesle shares her journey of growing up in a family of photographers, taking over her stepfather's business at 21, and how she turned challenges into success. She talks about legacy, adapting to industry changes, and her shift to becoming a business owner who prioritizes strategy alongside creativity.Lesle isn’t just a photographer; she now helps creatives run profitable, balanced businesses. Her journey from taking over her stepfather’s studio at 21 to building her own successful brand taught her the importance of strategy and creativity. By sharing her experiences, she shows how adapting to change and prioritizing business alongside art can lead to lasting success without burning out.Lesle spent years growing her photography business before becoming a mentor to fellow creatives. Her advice comes from real challenges and successes in building a business. With a focus on balance, mindset, and smart planning, she helps others create profitable businesses, avoid burnout, and lead with clarity and confidence.Key Takeaways:Lesle’s journey from family photography to running Studio 13.Challenges faced while taking over a business at 21.Helping creatives thrive without burning out.Lessons from adapting to digital and AI changes in photography.Why strategy, balance, and self-care are key to lasting success.Here are a few quotes from the episode:“You don’t have to sacrifice your creativity to run a successful business.” - Lesle Lane“Success is built on both strategy and art, not just hustle.” - Lesle Lane“Create a business that works for you, not the other way around.” - Lesle LaneJoin Lesle Lane as she shares how her real-life experiences, business strategies, and focus on balance are helping creatives build profitable businesses, lead with clarity, and find success without burning out.Episode Highlights[00:00] - Teaser[00:00] - Intro & Why Creatives Must Think Like Business Owners[03:58] - Lesle’s Family Legacy and the Shift to Color Photography[07:54] - Embracing digital and seeing AI as the next big change[10:46] - How each generation brought business innovation[14:01] - Growing up in a home studio and early expectations[16:49] - Why she chose corporate work over wedding photography[19:12] - Brothers as potential heirs and how she stepped in[20:45] - Taking over at 21 after her stepdad’s stroke[23:05] - Early challenges, learning admin and client trust[26:00] - Building trust with clients and earning her place[30:53] - Big risks: digital gear, 9/11, recession, and COVID[38:01] - Mentors, lessons, and building a business that lasts[42:20] - From Bankruptcy to Breakthrough[44:11] - How Loss Led to a Scalable Photography Business[48:55] - Lessons from Legacy and Innovation[55:28] - Facing the AI Future in Photography[59:35] - Lightning Round: Cake, Travel, and Impact[63:08] - Gratitude and Generational WisdomFOLLOW THE GUEST:LinkedIn (Personal Profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslelane/ Studio 13 Inc (Website): https://www.studio13online.com/ FOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/ Email: bey@gwcpas.com FOLLOW THE PODCAST:Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gwcpas Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • How Founders Can Raise $1.2M and Still Burn Out Scaling a Fashion Brand with Emily McDonald
    Oct 7 2025
    The 30-Question Ownership Readiness Diagnostic. Identify your gaps in finance, leadership, and revenue creation before you take the leap. Get your score, get your plan. (It’s FREE!)👉https://bit.ly/owner-shipmindset-scoreapp ------------------------------------------------Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession ------------------------------------------------Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young talks with Emily McDonald, a business Strategist and mentor in EKM Strategy and Founder of TheStylist LA. Emily shares how she turned a dress rental idea into a fashion business, raised venture capital, and later shifted to coaching female founders. She talks about burnout, learning from failure, and building a business that supports your life.Emily isn’t just a founder; she’s now focused on helping women build strong, balanced businesses. Her journey from renting dresses in her living room to raising over $1M shaped how she mentors others today. By sharing her wins and struggles, she shows that growth, honesty, and boundaries can lead to success without burning out.She spent over 10 years building TheStylist LA before becoming a mentor to female founders. Her advice comes from real wins and hard lessons in growing a business. With a focus on honesty, mindset, and clear plans, she helps women grow strong businesses, avoid burnout, and lead with purpose and confidence.Key Takeaways:Emily’s journey from dress rentals to venture-backed founder.Hard lessons learned from raising over $1M.Why she now teaches women to build smarter businesses.How burnout changed her view on hustle culture.The power of boundaries, mindset, and honest coaching.Additional Insights:How Emily built a loyal customer base from scratch.Lessons from running retail and subscription models.The hidden costs and stress of taking VC funding.Why mindset and rest are key to long-term success.Helping women grow without chasing hustle culture.Here are a few quotes from the episode:“You don’t have to work all the time to be successful.” - Emily McDonald“If no one hates your idea, you’re too late.” - Emily McDonald“Build a business that supports the life you want.” - Emily McDonaldJoin Emily McDonald as she shares how real-life lessons, honest coaching, and a focus on balance are helping women grow strong businesses, lead with purpose, and build success on their own terms.Episode Highlights[00:00] - Teaser[01:14] - Intro and Emily’s passion[02:33] - Early Dream & Launching TheStylist LA in 2009[08:22] - Sorority trunk shows and scrappy early marketing [10:04] - Steady growth and first showroom in Venice [13:11] - Angel investor support and Bachelor media boost [16:23] - Expanding to San Francisco and managing both cities [17:56] - Raising $1.2M through Jason Calacanis and VC firms [22:54] - Burnout, pregnancy, and money struggles before COVID [26:43] - Pandemic shutdowns, closing stores, and going online [28:42] - Lessons on hustle culture, balance, and founder health[31:46] - Setting Boundaries & Rethinking Hustle Culture[34:51] - Taking VC money too late[37:27] - Struggles of post-COVID recovery[39:55] - Post-COVID: Starting a new, simple business[42:50] - Coaching Women to Set Clear 90-Day Goals[45:39] - Revisiting - Redefining Success with or without Co-Founders[51:14] - What makes a great coaching client[52:40] - How Emily views failure and growth[55:29] - Building focus through rest and planning[57:38] - First retreat and what’s next for EmilyFOLLOW THE GUEST:LinkedIn (Personal Profile): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekmcdonald/ Instagram (Personal Profile): https://www.instagram.com/emily_k_mcdonald/ Join my free community for female founders on Instagram for exclusive resources and live Q&A sessions: https://www.instagram.com/founderemily/ https://www.skool.com/money-moves-free-8097/about?ref=8021ec33afb74f77bcfe695a34c54e08FOLLOW HER COMPANY:TheStylist LA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thestylist-la/FOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/ Email: bey@gwcpas.com FOLLOW THE PODCAST:Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gwcpas Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast
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    59 mins
  • The Succession Crisis for CPA Firms to Survive AI Disruption by Adopting EOS and Letting Go of Tax
    Sep 16 2025
    The 30-Question Ownership Readiness Diagnostic. Identify your gaps in finance, leadership, and revenue creation before you take the leap. Get your score, get your plan. (It’s FREE!)👉https://bit.ly/succession-readiness-survey2025------------------------------------------------Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession ------------------------------------------------Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young, a Tax and Marketing Partner at GWCPA, shares a personal and behind-the-scenes look at GWCPA’s succession journey. In this solo episode, Barrett talks about leadership change, future planning, and how his team is using EOS to build a lasting and modern firm. He reflects on company values, innovation, and how they’re preparing both staff and clients for a future beyond tax returns.Barrett isn’t just a partner; he’s focused on helping the next generation lead well. His path through public accounting shaped his vision for GWCPA. By using real lessons and new tools like EOS, he shows how clarity, care, and planning can turn a firm’s future into a lasting legacy for both staff and clients.He spent over 15 years in public accounting before shaping GWCPA’s future as a visionary leader. His tools mix real lessons on values, systems, and growth. With a focus on clarity and innovation, he turns deep firm knowledge into real support that helps teams lead better, plan ahead, and build lasting success.Key Takeaways:Barrett’s journey from tax expert to firm visionary.How EOS helps teams stay clear and focused.The shift from tax returns to real business advice.Why innovation is key to long-term success.Tools to help staff and clients grow with purpose.Additional Insights:How EOS brings clarity to team roles and goals.Lessons from big shifts in a multi-gen firm.The value of tools like Vision Day and scorecards.Why values like empathy and foresight matter.Using real change to build a stronger future.Here are a few quotes from the episode:“We won’t have legacy without innovation.” - Barrett Young“Tax returns are not why I went to school.” - Barrett Young“Empathy, foresight, and purpose, that’s our real value.” - Barrett YoungJoin Barrett Young as he shares how clear systems, strong values, and future-focused thinking are helping teams grow, lead with purpose, and build firms that last beyond just tax returns.Episode Highlights[00:00] - Teaser[01:01] - Intro & GWCPA’s Succession Story[02:50] - Why EOS Is a Game-Changer for the Firm[03:56] - Innovation + Legacy: Defining the Target Client[08:13] - Speaking to Future Leaders, Not Just Owners[10:34] - Visionary vs Integrator: EOS in Action[14:00] - Preparing for Sam’s Retirement in 6 Years[15:44] - Staff Transitions & EOS Clarity[17:44] - Why Barrett Left Public Accounting[21:00] - Passion, Skills, and Long-Term Career Choices[23:56] - AI, Tax Returns, and the Future of the Firm[30:19] - Pricing Values: Empathy, Empowerment, Foresight[32:57] - Barrett’s CVA & Business Value Conversations[35:53] - EOS + CEPA: Tools to Help Clients Prepare[38:30] - New: Ownership Mindset Scorecard Launch[41:14] - Why Taking Over a Business Takes Grit[46:44] - Big Client Projects & System Upgrades[50:34] - Renewals, Pricing, and Client Conversations[54:15] - Competing on Value, Not Volume or SpeedFOLLOW THE HOST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ Website: https://gwcpas.com/ Email: bey@gwcpas.com FOLLOW THE PODCAST:Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gwcpas Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast
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    56 mins