What if your business could land in The Wall Street Journal or Good Morning, without spending a fortune on traditional PR? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, to uncover how entrepreneurs can use strategic press releases to build lasting credibility and attract national media attention. They dive deep into the storytelling techniques that capture journalists’ interest, the evolving world of PR in the age of AI, and how earned media can amplify trust far beyond what ads and social media can deliver.

Patrick and Mickie also discuss how small businesses can leverage PR as a cornerstone of their overall marketing and wealth-building strategy. From creating a powerful story arc to understanding how press coverage impacts SEO, lead generation, and conversions, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help business owners stand out, scale faster, and become recognized authorities in their industries.

Key Takeaways:

• How to craft press releases that capture media attention and generate earned coverage.

• Why storytelling, not sales copy, is the secret to PR success.

• The role of credibility and media features in increasing conversions and reducing ad spend.

• How AI is reshaping media visibility and what that means for entrepreneurs.

• Simple ways to integrate PR into your larger marketing and financial strategy.

Learn More About Mickie:

Official Website: https://www.ereleases.com Free Masterclass: https://www.ereleases.com/plan

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

What if the biggest threat to your business growth isn’t your competition but your HR strategy? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Vicky Brown, founder and CEO of Idomeneo HR Resources, to unpack how entrepreneurs can build thriving teams, avoid costly HR mistakes, and create scalable structures that support long-term success.

Patrick and Vicky dive deep into the systems behind effective hiring, leadership development, and compliance and how the right HR foundation can free business owners to focus on what truly drives growth. From understanding the difference between outsourced HR and PEOs to identifying bottlenecks in leadership and leveraging AI responsibly, this conversation offers actionable insight for every entrepreneur ready to scale with confidence. Stay tuned until the end for Vicki’s practical advice on preventing the most common HR landmines.

Key Takeaways:

• The difference between outsourced HR and PEOs and which model works best for small and mid-sized businesses.

• How to hire smarter by defining success factors and attracting the right candidates.

• The importance of building a leadership team early to avoid growth bottlenecks.

• Common HR compliance mistakes that can cost thousands and how to prevent them.

• Why delegation and vision are essential for scaling sustainably.

• How proactive HR and smart tax planning together create a business built for long-term wealth.

Learn More About Vicky:

Official Website: Concierge, HR consulting services for small business

Podcast Listeners Gift Website: Ultimate HR Workflow Guide More

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

Are you unknowingly leaving money on the table in your business? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Jason Kramer, founder of Cultivize, to uncover how entrepreneurs can stop losing track of leads, strengthen client relationships, and scale their revenue through smarter CRM systems. Together, they dive deep into why most CRMs fail, how to design one that fits your business, and the proven automation tactics that can help you capture more opportunities without spending another dollar on marketing.

Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies to streamline lead management, improve follow-up, and plug the profit leaks hiding in plain sight. Whether you’re running your business out of spreadsheets or frustrated with yet another CRM that doesn’t deliver, this episode will show you how to turn organization into income and why strategic systems are the foundation for lasting growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Why most entrepreneurs lose money from disorganized follow-up systems

• The three essentials to choosing the right CRM for your business

• How automation and lead scoring can boost conversions effortlessly

• The power of nurturing leads through education, not pressure

• Why scaling starts with plugging the leaks, not chasing new leads

• How strategy, in business and taxes, drives sustainable wealth

Learn More About Jason:

Official Website: https://cultivize.com/

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

What if you could sell your business for full market value, keep your culture intact, and still reward the employees who helped you build it? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Gary Gray, from Tenor ESOP Partners, to unpack how entrepreneurs can maximize value and create lasting wealth through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Gary shares his personal story of selling his own business through an ESOP, growing it threefold afterward, and now guiding other owners through the same life-changing process.

Patrick and Gary dive deep into what makes ESOPs such a powerful and often overlooked exit strategy. They explore how to determine if your business is a good fit, the tax advantages available to sellers, and how ESOPs can help preserve company culture while creating generational wealth for both owners and employees. Whether you’re planning your exit or just want to structure your business more strategically, this conversation reveals how the right approach can help you sell smart, protect your legacy, and stay engaged in the business you love.

Key Takeaways:

• What an ESOP is and how it works as a powerful succession tool

• The minimum size and structure a business needs to qualify for an ESOP

• How entrepreneurs can sell for full market value and defer or eliminate capital gains taxes

• The cultural and financial advantages of turning employees into owners

• Why ESOPs help founders stay engaged and preserve purpose post-exit

• How to connect with the Tenor ESOP Partners team for personalized guidance

Learn More About Gary:

LinkedIn: Gary Gray, CEPA® | LinkedIn

Official Website: https://tenoresop.com

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

What if the way entrepreneurs think about marketing is the very thing holding them back from sustainable growth? On this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Bryan Phelps, founder of Big Leap Digital Marketing Agency, to uncover what’s really working in today’s ever-changing landscape. From the rise of AI reshaping how customers search and discover brands, to the timeless importance of clear messaging and brand trust, this conversation is packed with insights every entrepreneur needs to hear.

Patrick and Bryan explore the pitfalls of chasing shiny new marketing tactics, the power of brand-led performance marketing, and how to craft messaging that resonates and converts. Listeners will also hear practical advice on choosing the right channels, building long-term customer relationships, and investing wisely in marketing that scales with the business. If you’ve ever felt stuck between rising ad costs, shifting SEO rules, and the overwhelming number of digital strategies available, this episode will give you clarity and confidence to move forward.

Key Takeaways:

• How AI is changing search behavior and what it means for entrepreneurs.

• The difference between branding and marketing and why both matter.

• Why being remembered is more powerful than just being discovered.

• Tools like SparkToro to identify where your customers actually spend time online.

• How to build a marketing system that scales with your business and avoids wasted spend.

Learn More About Bryan:

• Official Website: BigLeap.com
• LinkedIn: Bryan Phelps | LinkedIn

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien