Traversing Entrepreneurship

Natasha E. Davis, affectionately known as “The Chief Visionary” is the CEO and founder of Impact Branding Consulting, Inc. and the CRM software platform The Profit Enhancer Analysis. Natasha specializes in positioning the daily operations of corporations and government agencies to perform in alignment with the vision of the leader through strategic planning and branding. Her specialty is helping entrepreneurs, companies and government create brands that have a sustainable & profitable impact. She believes that every business owner and leader should Think Big; Build Momentum and Scale Fast. In this episode Derek is joined by Dr. Tonya Robertson, founder of Focus Training Solutions, as she shares her journey from teen mom to entrepreneur and her expertise helping businesses streamline onboarding and training. Tonya discusses overcoming obstacles through perseverance and education. She shares tips for CEOs on letting go of control, auditing company needs, and hiring for culture fit over skills. Tonya also emphasizes the importance of developing employees long-term through clear career paths, continuous learning, and making work enjoyable. “You can't go that extra level, you can't scale without delegating. And let me tell you, people don't realize how hard it is, it's not as easy as we think. You think you're gonna delegate, you're not, it's not that easy." - Natasha E. Davis This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: “My goal within the first 12 months is to create a 10 10 10 experience and as 10% increase in revenue 10% decrease in waste and 10% increase in productivity.” - Natasha E. Davis “It took me about seven or eight years when I realized you need to get it together girlfriend because if this is what you're really doing, once you get a taste of true independence as a business woman and this is what you love, it is very hard to go back to work for people.” - Natasha E. Davis Connect with Natasha: About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Dr. Tonya Robertson, the learning and strategy specialist is the Founder and CEO of Focused Training Solutions, a company that is committed to curating instructional learning tools designed to optimize performance in the workplace. Dr. Robertson has worked with numerous C-Suite Executives of well-known companies to create training materials that will guide their team to success and establish good retention among their employees. Alongside working tirelessly to help others be productive in the workplace, Tonya also devotes her time to organizations such as the Association of Talent Development and Dell’s Women Entrepreneur Network. She has also received a Doctorate Degree in Education and eLearning. To learn more about Tonya and her work, visit www.focusedtrainingsolutions.com In this episode Derek is joined by Dr. Tonya Robertson, founder of Focus Training Solutions, as she shares her journey from teen mom to entrepreneur and her expertise helping businesses streamline onboarding and training. Tonya discusses overcoming obstacles through perseverance and education. She shares tips for CEOs on letting go of control, auditing company needs, and hiring for culture fit over skills. Tonya also emphasizes the importance of developing employees long-term through clear career paths, continuous learning, and making work enjoyable. "You've got to continue developing your people. You can never stop developing your people." - Dr. Tonya Robertson This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: "This is your baby, you built this thing from the ground up. And you know, it's like hey, how dare you come here and mess up what I built, you're not going to do that." - Dr. Tonya Robertson "I just had to completely fire myself, because I just had to fire myself from the process." - Dr. Tonya Robertson Connect with Dr. Robertson:

Nolan Miracle is the founder and owner of The Property Miracle, LLC, a raw land investment company. Since founding the business in January of 2021, Nolan and his team have acquired nearly 40 properties and have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits. With a national remote business model, they've bought and sold land all over the country from the comforts of their desks. Nolan Miracle joins us to discuss his unconventional path from corporate tech job to founding a successful land investment company, Property Miracle LLC. He details his journey of learning the business through education programs, closing his first deal after six months of hard work, and pivoting his marketing strategy to rapidly scale his pipeline. Nolan also shares tactics for funding deals through private investors, overcoming headaches like unknown property issues, and his vision for incorporating new technologies like blockchain and AI assistants into the future of land investing. “I'm always looking to partner with additional folks, it is very much a relationship based thing, right? You want to do business with people that you like, and that you trust. And that's super important.” - Nolan Miracle This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Introducing Nolan Miracle Raw land investment vs traditional real estate. Real estate investing and the first deal. Building a real estate investing business with a team. Funding real estate deals using other people's money. Real estate investing and building relationships. Land real estate investing and its future. Entrepreneurship, finance, and technology. Our Favorite Quotes: “If you've got the entrepreneurial bug, and you're gonna start something, do not treat it like a hobby. Especially if it's going to be your bread and butter, and you want to do this full time. Be persistent, is the point, I don't care if you're sick, I don't care if you have a headache, get to your desk and get some work done, move the needle forward, every single day, especially in the beginning, as a solo entrepreneur” - Nolan Miracle “You do business with people you know, like and trust – that trust portion takes time to build, I don't care what business you're in, it takes time to do what you say you're going to do, by the time you said you're going to do it.” - Derek Dall’Olmo “I think the biggest thing was probably learning how to have the conversation with the seller to actually get it across the finish line” - Nolan Miracle “I feel like I’ve made every mistake possible I can make this year. But the one positive thing that I feel like I've done with starting a team.” - Nolan Miracle Connect with Nolan: Website: www.propertymiracle.com Email: Nolan@propertymiracle.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-miracle-49278351/ About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax...

Matt Lesser started his career leading his family’s struggling business. It quickly failed, and Matt experienced a suicidal depression. Out of the ashes, a new business emerged and grew from three people to nearly two hundred while experiencing a twenty-fold increase in revenue, before selling to trusted competitors. Matt then served in a C-Suite role in private equity for 12 years, before serving transitional C-Suite roles in banking and commercial uniforms. Matt founded Uniquely Normal, LLC in 2021 to equip leaders to solve their costly people-related challenges by building flourishing organizations on the pillars of Empathy, Empowerment, and Excellence, which is the focus of Matt’s second book, "unEngaged: Building Flourishing Organizations" (released 24 OCT 2023). Matt is the best-selling author of "unSatisfied: When Less is More" and has served as a keynote speaker as well as a facilitator of rooms packed with leaders around the world for more than twenty years now. In addition, Matt is a certified executive coach as well as certified in nearly twenty personality, preference, and leadership assessments. Matt married his elementary school sweetheart in 1996 and lives in northeast Indiana with his family. Derek Dall'Olmo welcomes Matt Lesser back to the podcast to discuss Matt's new book on building flourishing organizations. Matt provides an overview of the three pillars of empathy, empowerment, and excellence that are the focus of his book. He explains each pillar in detail and how they contribute to developing engaged team members. Derek digs into how leaders can implement these concepts within their own organizations. "Organizations do not become flourishing by accident. People do not become flourishing by accident. It requires intentionality." - Matt Lesser This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: "Empathy really boils down to two things, two practices, understanding and listening." - Matt Lesser "Empowerment is all about letting people do the job that you hired them to do." - Matt Lesser "Excellence is having a compelling vision that is aligned, supported, and communicated." - Matt Lesser Connect with Matt: www.uniquelynormal.com About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

For over a decade Martin Salama, The Architect of The Warrior's L.I.F.E. Code has been helping entrepreneurs shift from worry and lack to abundance and being a L.I.F.E. Warrior! Why spend your time worrying when you can be Living Incredibly Full Everyday! In this episode Martin Salama shares his journey of overcoming bankruptcy and divorce to become a successful life coach and author. He discusses tools like stopping reactions and starting responses, focusing on strengths over weaknesses, and leveraging others' expertise. Martin also provides business advice around emotional intelligence, leadership, and finding one's zone of genius rather than trying to do everything oneself. Listen to this episode to understand how facing adversity can cultivate important skills and mindsets for running a resilient company. "Are you truly being a leader in your business? No matter what kind of management position you’re in, you’re a leader.” - Martin Salama This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: Connect with Martin: https://thewarriorslifecode.com About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Michael Begg is the Co-Founder and CEO of AMZ Advisers, a global digital marketing agency with locations in North America, Asia and Europe that provides Amazon services for brands and manufacturers looking to maximize their growth. Services include Amazon SEO, Advertising, Inventory Management, Marketing Strategy and Performance Reporting. This episode features Michael Begg, an expert in e-commerce and digital marketing. He shares his journey from real estate to building a successful Amazon agency, AMZ Advisors. This episode dives into topics such as understanding business motivations, scaling brands on Amazon, and the challenges and strategies involved in establishing a presence in Latin America. "We have clients that are already doing TikTok shops and they're going from doing $7,000 per day on Amazon to doing like $55,000 a day just from starting to publish content." - Michael Begg This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: Connect with Michael Begg: Connect on LinkedIn About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Marshall White, is CEO and founder of Unity Performing Arts Foundation and Director/Life Coach for the Voices of Unity Youth Choir. Marshall has three children Markeyta, Kamia, and Evan White and a stepson Chad Blackmon. He is married to Cynthia White. Mr. White has been shaping and molding young lives for more than 30 years. He is an accomplished musician, music and vocal coach, choral director specializing in teaching the soulful choral singing style and inspiring choir members to reach their ultimate potential by striving for excellence. In today’s conversation, Derek sits down with Marshall White to discuss his journey from church pews to classrooms. Marshall shares his unique journey in the music industry, starting at a young age in his father's church. Initially self-taught, he went on to receive formal training but found it lacking in cultural relevance. In response, Marshall took on roles in educational settings like Northrop High School and Purdue University to teach soulful choral music and other styles that resonate with communities of color. This led to the foundation of Unity Performing Arts Foundation, aimed at educating young people in various soulful genres while equipping them with life skills. Marshall shares his insight on the significance of preparation and resilience, citing the likes of Michael Jordan to underline that achieving greatness comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices. "If you're not conditioned, and I say this skillful, knowledgeable, equipped, conditioned, prepared, if you don't go through that process, before you get in the realm of great things, you will be conquered." - Marshall White This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: Connect with Marshall White: Connect on LinkedIn About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Mike Zaccardi, CFA, CMT, provides expertise on analyzing investments and writing on personal finance, in addition to occasionally teaching at the University of North Florida. He loves to communicate financial information in a down-to-earth, easy-to-understand way. While he enjoys crunching the numbers and analyzing portfolios, Mike always keeps a focus on what it means for clients. In this episode, Mike Zaccardi shares his unique journey, from breaking into the financial sector to managing power generation during tumultuous times such as the Texas energy snafu. As he dives into his transition from teaching and trading to full-time freelance writing, Mike highlights the importance of balancing work and life. Storytelling emerges as a recurring theme, underpinning his teaching methods and adding depth to financial narratives. Through captivating tales, he underscores the power of narrative in finance and its potential to influence investors. Personal experiences, including a life-changing stroke in 2020, add a layer of introspection, emphasizing the true value of life beyond just money. “My advice would be, do what you can to identify what your passions are. What is it that when you're doing it, you lose all track of time? It doesn't have to be the most fun thing ever. But if it's something that really motivates you, and drives you, that'll be kind of a clue.” - Mike Zaccardi This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Managing power generation for a power company. How Mike broke into the financial industry. Behavioral aspects of trading. Transitioning from the working world to the retired world. Using stories to humanize teaching. The power of storytelling and how it helps investors. Advice to someone who wants to start their own business Our Favorite Quotes: “The fact that who we are today is shaped by our experiences. But our future, we own our futures, and those things can certainly be changed.” - Mike Zaccardi “I had a stroke back in 2020. That changed my perspective on life very quickly, I became mortal. I'm not gonna worry about whether I have my full emergency fund, – I'm still going to keep an emergency fund. But I'm not worried if I go 10 grand under my emergency fund, because we wanted to do something that is an experience.” - Derek Dall’Olmo “Storytelling is certainly powerful. Everything that we're wired for is, is geared towards stories.” - Mike Zaccardi “You don't want to be married to a job and you don't want your identity necessarily to be your job. Those are very hard things to negotiate as an individual.” - Derek Dall’Olmo Connect with Mike Zaccardi: Email: Mike@tremontefinancial.com About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one...

Matt Hodges is the Managing Broker and Owner of Kultura Real Estate. With over 16 years of experience, he specializes in residential listings and purchases in the greater Grand Traverse region. Matt is an industry leader, currently serving as a Director on the Michigan Association of Realtors Board of Directors. Matt has also served on Aspire North Realtors Board of Directors, the local association for over 4 years and was honored as board president in 2022. In addition to his work at Kultura Real Estate, Matt is a US Navy veteran who is passionate about helping his community. In this podcast transcript, real estate professionals Matt Hodges and Derek Dall'Olmo discuss the current state of the housing market and offer insights into how buyers and sellers can navigate this challenging environment. They touch upon the impact of rising interest rates, the lack of inventory, and the evolution of the housing market over the past few years. Matt discusses the similarity between the national and Michigan real estate markets, emphasizing the impact of rising interest rates and the persistent issue of low inventory. He draws a comparison to the housing market crash of 2008, explaining how the lack of construction during that time has led to a significant gap in new construction units today. "If you're going to buy your largest investment of your life, your first home or your move-up home, you want to be a student of that industry before you buy or before you sell, understand what's going on." - Matt Hodges This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: "We're not even touching the surface on the 1000s of units that we need, almost 10,000 units in this area that we need for housing, whether it's rental or single family." - Matt Hodges“Everything is predicated on supply and demand, right? It seems that there's not an overabundance of supply, at least here in northern Michigan. It's like a house comes on the market and you're gonna have 10 to 15 offers, because there are lots of people willing to buy, but not a lot of supply” - Derek Dall’Olmo"This is the time where you take advantage, find the deals where you can do something in this market because you're gonna make money 5 to 10 years from now." - Matt Hodges“With the younger generation of buyers of let's say the, you know, low to mid 30 Somethings right now, who are looking at maybe it's their first house. But oh, well, I want to wait until interest rates go back down. And to me, that's a mistake.” - Derek Dall’Olmo"If it's a competitive home, make sure you've got some things. And then from a listing agent standpoint, a lot of times from the seller standpoint they're looking at, if it's a Florida buyer using a Florida lender." - Matt Hodges"Just prepare to be disappointed, whether you're going to lose a multiple offer bid, whether your terms from a seller standpoint aren't exactly what you were hoping for." - Matt Hodges Connect with Matt Hodges : Kultura GroupKultura Group on InstagramKultura Group on FacebookKultura Group on TwitterKultura Group on YouTubeMatt Hodges on LinkedIn About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors...

In this episode we welcome Alex Repo, the newest member of the TreMonte team! Hear Alex’s story about how he went from working in a factory, to eventually serving as Derek’s caddy and ultimately joining the TreMonte family. We discuss the impact of NIL deals in college, highlighting the newfound opportunities for athletes to monetize their personal brand. We keep the conversation fun and lighthearted while we discuss the varying implications for athletes at different stages of their careers, from highly touted prospects to lesser-known talents. "A lot of athletic departments have boosters, very wealthy people who donate money to an athletic department. Now they're forming these collectives." - Derek Dall'Olmo This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast: Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Kellie Sergent is a realtor based in Northern Michigan. Before becoming a realtor, Kellie worked in parks and recreation where she found the opportunity to combine three of her passions: people, community, and making an impact. Today, as a realtor for CENTURY 21, Kellie remains passionate about creating community by helping people find their perfect home, dream vacation retreat, or business venture. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University. Kellie joins us today to share her passion for the real estate industry. She describes her professional background and how she pivoted from parks and recreation to real estate. She explains how she built her career in real estate after the 2008 financial crisis and highlights how being in a community of realty professionals helped her grow her business. Kellie also underscores why being humble and a good listener is essential to being a great realtor and offers advice to people who want to start a career in real estate. “Remain level-headed and professional. Don’t let other people’s emotions influence how you represent them, because they’re counting on you to be the intermediary looking out for their best interest.” - Kellie Sergent This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: “All of us in business struggle with our egos to some degree.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“For the last 12 plus years, my mantra has always been ‘It’s not about me. It’s always about the client.’ If you make it about the client, none of the other stuff matters.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“Our industry is constantly evolving; stay up-to-date, committed, passionate, and show up every day.” - Kellie Sergent Connect with Kellie Sergent: Century 21Kellie Sergent | Century 21Kellie Sergent on LinkedInKellie Sergent on Facebook About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

John Smiddy is the founder and a managing partner of LeadPlan Marketing, a firm dedicated to guiding clients toward business success by helping them reach a larger audience. As a marketing consultant, John has helped market and scale over 200 companies in various industries over the past decade. He is the author of STOP Guessing, START Marketing and the creator of the 5 Pillars of Sales Conversions formula at LeadPlan Marketing. He is also the host of The Marketing Fundamentals Podcast and founder of NutraMarketers. John joins us today to share his passion for marketing and outline LeadPlan Marketing’s P5 Marketing Strategy. He differentiates marketing from strategy and reveals common misconceptions about them. He describes the customer’s journey and why businesses need to put themselves in the minds of their target customers. He reveals the quickest way to lose money in marketing. John also explains why podcasts and books are powerful assets to build credibility and trust and highlights why doing a pre-launch is a powerful way to turn leads into customers. “Most businesses don’t have marketing plans. Be intentional, plan out your marketing, and stick to it.” - John Smiddy This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: “Advertising is like putting the cart before the horse—you have to first come up with product, pricing, and placement.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“Ordering is a skill a lot of people don’t have.” - Melissa Niedzielski“It’s important to get your brand strategy in line before you get your marketing in line.” - John Smiddy Connect with John Smiddy : LeadPlan MarketingNutraMarketersP5Strategy STOP Guessing START Marketing: The Simple 5-Step Formula to Highly Effective Marketing StrategyLeadPlan Marketing on LinkedInLeadPlan Marketing on InstagramLeadPlan Marketing on FacebookLeadPlan Marketing on TwitterNutraMarketers on LinkedInJohn Smiddy on LinkedIn About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Matt Lesser joins us to discuss the ups and downs entrepreneurs can face and the importance of resilience and support when navigating the unpredictable world of business. Matt is the Founder/CEO of Uniquely Normal, LLC, which exists to equip leaders to build flourishing organizations through empathy. Prior to launching Uniquely Normal, Matt owned and operated businesses, and served in several C-Suite roles across various industries. Our conversation takes a deep dive into Matt's entrepreneurial journey, detailing the challenges he faced when taking over his family's oil business. From discovering over a million dollars in unpaid trade debt to dealing with the EPA and IRS, Matt shares how these obstacles led him to a dark place, both personally and professionally. With support from his family and a local businessman, Matt was able to rebuild the company and eventually pivot into the heavy oil industry, finding success and growth along the way. "It's okay to ask for help; nobody is meant to face everything alone." - Matt Lessor This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: "You can't always control the hand you're dealt, but you can choose how to play it." - Matt Lessor "Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that lead to the most growth." - Matt Lessor "My darkest moments eventually became the catalyst for my greatest achievements." - Matt Lessor "Adapting to change is a key component of success in business and life." - Matt Lessor "Don't be afraid to take a step back and reevaluate your goals and strategy." - Matt Lessor "In entrepreneurship, resilience is often more important than the initial idea." - Derek Dall’Olmo "There's a lesson to be learned in every failure, if we're willing to look for it." - Derek Dall’Olmo Connect with Matt Lessor: Uniquely Normal WebsiteMatt Lesser on LinkedINmatt@uniquelynormal.com About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Stewart Townsend is the co-owner and Chief Revenue Officer of Podcast Hawk, a SaaS company created to automatically help people get booked as podcast guests. Stewart is also the founder of Channel as a Service, a consultancy firm that helps businesses accelerate B2B SaaS sales growth through every stage of the channel life-cycle. Before starting his career as an entrepreneur, Stewart worked in several tech and software development companies at varying capacities, including serving as the Director for Channel Development at ZenDesk and working with Oracle’s EMEA Business Development & Startup Essentials. He holds a BSC Hons in Business & Information Systems and an MA in Social Media from the University of Salford. Stewart joins us today to share his journey from working in the corporate world to being a start-up entrepreneur, as well as the lessons he learned from the successes and failures he encountered along the way. He describes the ethos he strives to instill in his business and explains why running a business unit in a company is simpler and easier than running your own business. He discusses the inner workings of Podcast Hawk and how it helps people get booked as podcast guests on autopilot. Stewart also highlights why it’s important for guests to deliver value and insight to a podcast’s audience and underscores what small businesses should focus on as they reach the million-dollar mark in revenue. “Through growing up and being a human being, you learn by failing—that’s how we’re designed.” - Stewart Townsend This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: “Spend the time to get to know somebody you’re going to get into business with personally; their personality is the one you’re going to deal with not only in good but also tough times.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“You have to be cognizant about who you’re employing, how you’re treating them, and what your competitors are looking for.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“Ensure that you have tight operational procedures in place. It’s all about operational processes, looking at the dependencies of your business, and de-risking it.” - Stewart Townsend Connect with Stewart Townsend: Stewart Townsend WebsitePodcast HawkChannel as a ServiceBig Data WeekPodcast Hawk on LinkedInPodcast Hawk on FacebookPodcast Hawk on TwitterStewart Townsend on LinkedIn Stewart Townsend on Twitter About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the...

A lot of changes have been made to retirement plans in 2022 and 2023. Specifically, changes in rules and regulations have been made in the contribution limits to IRA and 401k. With these new revisions, it’s more important than ever for business owners to be educated and empowered to make informed decisions about their retirement savings—ensuring they’re maximizing the benefits available to them. In this episode, we discuss the recent changes to the 401K and IRA contribution limits for 2023. We explore how business owners can take advantage of those changes and maximize their retirement savings. We dissect the different rules for people over the age of 50 and for married employees in 2023. We also offer tips on deciding which retirement plan to use and explain how working with professionals can help you choose a retirement plan that works best for you. “If I were a fledgling business, I might look into a simple IRA first to get myself and my employees in the process. After a year or two of business growth, I may consider a 401k plan and profit sharing.” - Derek Dall’Olmo This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Resources Mentioned: IRS Notice 2022-55 Our Favorite Quotes: “Perhaps you can start with a simple IRA and once you’re generating more revenue, a 401k can make more sense for you.” - Melissa Niedzielski“Utilizing a retirement plan like a 401k is a great tool to lower taxable income and increase net worth at the same time” - Derek Dall’Olmo“You can get in more money than just the contribution limit, but anything above that limit has to come from the employer themselves.” - Derek Dall’Olmo About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as “TreMonte”). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is TreMonte’s goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Join Derek Dall'Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski on the latest episode of the Traversing Entrepreneurship podcast as they delve into the reasons why businesses fail and provide practical advice to avoid common pitfalls. Discover the importance of market research, self-management, and leadership, as well as the benefits of having a solid business plan in place. They also explore the notion that starting a business doesn't necessarily require a pile of cash, as there are numerous businesses that can be started with little to no capital. Join our hosts as they discuss the interplay between brains and effort, emphasizing that starting a business requires both in order to be successful. Don't miss out on this informative and insightful episode! "Starting a business can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, but it's important to be aware of the common pitfalls that can lead to failure." - Melissa Niedzielski This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan, and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek Dall’Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. Follow Derek on LinkedIn. Subscribe here: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Amazon Music Stitcher Spotify And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Geoffrey Harris is the Vice President of Medicare Sales at Michigan Planners, a full-service insurance agency specializing in employer group benefits. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Business Administration and has been working in the insurance and financial services industry for over 40 years. Before joining Michigan Planners, Geoffrey worked as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual for over 25 years. He went on to found Harris Insurance Agency and operated it before its merger with Michigan Planners. Traci George is an individual specialist at Michigan Planners and has been with the agency since 2021. She serves as the Lead Agent for the firm’s Individual Market team, under which she focuses on working with clients under 65. By going through their health profiles, lists of medications, household incomes, and budgets, Traci helps clients identify the best insurance for their needs. Geoffrey and Traci join me today to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about personal and individual insurance and Medicare plans. They outline the enrollment periods and processes. They explain why it’s important for individuals to pay attention to Medicare’s enrollment window. They also offer advice on transitioning from employer-sponsored plans to Medicare and underscore the advantage of working with insurance specialists. “With Boomers turning 65, there’s a big need for information to the public so they can better understand what Medicare is and how they can transition to it.” - Geoffrey Harris This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: “I can’t think of a disadvantage to talking to insurance specialists annually and going through your options with them.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“Today, there are insurance specialists who are available at no costs to talk to about coverage and to go over the best options.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“Your budget will decide your decision; it’s important to talk to an insurance specialist and it’s the benefit of a client to take their time.” - Traci George Connect with Michigan Planners: Michigan PlannersMichigan Planners on LinkedIn Connect with Geoffrey Harris: Geoffrey Harris on LinkedIn Connect with Traci George: About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek Dall’Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. Follow Derek on LinkedIn. Subscribe here: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Amazon Music Stitcher Spotify And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Jeffrey Libman is the General Manager of amical. Located in the heart of downtown Traverse City and overlooking the West Grand Traverse Bay, amical has been offering eclectic European cuisine since 1994. Jeffrey’s love for the restaurant industry began when he was 14 working at a hotdog stand in Illinois. He later worked at Maggiano’s, where he would manage the restaurant’s Virginia and Washington D.C. locations and increase sales by 18.5%. Before moving to Traverse City with his family, Jeffrey worked at a Chicago restaurant group where he regularly served celebrities such as John Cusack and Michael Jordan. Jeffrey joins me today to share an inside look at the restaurant industry. He describes his background and how he fell in love with the restaurant industry. He walks through his introduction to the Chicago restaurant scene and his journey from serving in big city restaurants to becoming the General Manager of amical at Traverse City. He explains how he helped amical staff become more efficient and serve customers from the big city without losing their small-town charm. He also reveals how COVID-19 highlighted the importance of a restaurant staff’s well-being and underscores the passion and generosity of Traverse City’s restaurant professionals. “We’re here for the guests—without them, we have no business. But without a well-rested, happy staff, we won’t be here anyway. You have to do the best for your staff.” - Jeffrey Libman This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Resources Mentioned: Secrets of the Red Lantern: Stories and Vietnamese Recipes from the Heart Our Favorite Quotes: “Do what you do best and forget the rest.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“In a small town with dozens of top-tier restaurants, it has a lot to do with the people and not necessarily the product.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“The life goal of people who work in restaurants is to take care of people. These people are humans—when you leave unhappy, it stays with them for days.” - Jeffrey Libman Connect with Jeffrey Libman: amicalamical on Instagramamical on Facebookamical on TikTok About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek Dall’Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. Follow Derek on LinkedIn. Subscribe here: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Amazon Music Stitcher Spotify And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

Frederic Heller is the President and owner of Northern Michigan Hospitality Management, a leading operator of destination, tourism, and transient properties. At the age of 25, Frederic became the General Manager of a hotel—he was an owner at 27. Under Frederic’s leadership, Northern Michigan Hospitality Management has become a Marriott-approved company with several hotels under its management. Frederic holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Grand Valley State University. Frederic joins us today to describe his journey as an entrepreneur in the hospitality industry. He explains how he became interested in hospitality and how he learned about the impact of management principles and culture on a business. He outlines what makes management companies successful and explains NMHM’s “co-worker first” policy. He also highlights what it takes to create a healthy environment where employees feel happy to work and underscores the value of fair wages and paying workers above the market average. “People aren’t necessarily loyal to organizations—they’re loyal to people. When people know that you care more than just their performance at work, that builds loyalty.” - Frederic Heller This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: “You’re only as good as your worst employee.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“Being friends with the employees is a relatively new train of thought. Other generations think there’s a line you don’t cross with your employees; work is work, life is life.” - Melissa Niedzielski“Fair market wages are appropriate; trying to be cheap is the first way to unhappiness.” - Frederic Heller Connect with Frederic Heller: Northern Michigan Hospitality Management Northern Michigan Hospitality Management on LinkedInFrederic Heller on LinkedIn About TreMonte Tax Solutions and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, host Derek Dall’Olmo sits down with local business ownerships and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek Dall’Olmo is the founder of TreMonte Tax Solutions, a tax planning firm that serves business owners and entrepreneurs. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions, comments, and to schedule a one-on-one conversation. Follow Derek on LinkedIn. Subscribe here: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Amazon Music Stitcher Spotify And, if you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.

In previous episodes of the Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast, we asked our guests about their experiences with COVID-19—how they navigated it and how they adapted to the situation. At the height of the pandemic, the future was uncertain for business owners, who were without concrete guidance. But, despite the drastically different ways COVID-19 impacted businesses, there are common threads in how our podcast guests successfully navigated it. In this episode, we summarize and discuss COVID-19’s impact on our guests’ businesses and how they adapted. We reveal the importance of keeping cash in your business and focusing on what you can control in times of crisis. We describe how the adoption of remote tech and nimble, flexible, and transparent leaders allowed companies to survive the pandemic. We also highlight how assessing your business’s finance, revenue, and expenses can help you weather a global pandemic and underscore the value of knowing when and how to adapt. “The ability to adapt is what got a lot of people through COVID-19.” - Melissa Niedzielski This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship: Our Favorite Quotes: “Employees are your number one asset. Companies who work with their employees to find solutions are the ones that came out of COVID-19 less scathed.” - Derek Dall’Olmo“Cash is an emotional matter—always. Getting your hands on it, spending it, or saving it are emotional.” - Melissa Niedzielski“Know how to adapt when the situation calls for it. Learn when to be flexible and nimble, both on the employee and employer side.” - Derek Dall’Olmo About TreMonte and Traversing Entrepreneurship Podcast Traversing Entrepreneurship is a show for and about business owners in Traverse City, Michigan and beyond. In each episode, co-hosts Derek Dall’Olmo and Melissa Niedzielski sit down with local business owners and the professionals who serve them to talk about business building, life, money, taxes, family — and all the ups and downs that come with doing something different. Join us to hear their stories and lessons learned — and to get inspired about what might be possible in your own business. Derek and Melissa work together at TreMonte Financial Consultants, LLC and TreMonte TreMonte Tax Solutions, LLC (together referred to as "TreMonte"). TreMonte works with business owners and entrepreneurs to develop a proactive tax strategy that maximizes after-tax profits. It is our goal to bridge the gap between Financial Advisors and Accountants by serving as CFO to their clients. This show is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Please email Derek Dall’Olmo at derek@tremontefinancial.com with questions and comments or to schedule a one-on-one conversation. TreMonte Facebook Page | Follow Derek on LinkedIn | Follow Melissa on LinkedIn Apple Podcast | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer | TuneIn If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on iTunes to help others discover the podcast.