Shows
The MaxLife Podcast with Ben Laws#31: Why High Performers Stay Stuck — And How to Reprogram Your Mindset for Growth with Erik SolbakkenIn this episode, Erik Solbakken, a CPA-turned-Viking philosopher and business coach, unpacks the hidden software running your life. We dive deep into why high performers unknowingly operate from outdated mental programming—and how to start reprogramming your mindset through awareness, identity excavation, and emotional truth.You’ll learn:Why conditioning—not circumstance—is the biggest growth blocker.The power of reframing hard experiences as fuel, not failure.The overlooked role of emotional expression in sustained performance.Why the most effective growth often starts without a “method.”This is a mental...2025-07-281h 31
The MBA WayEP 28: Minimizing Taxes and Maximizing Entrepreneurial Freedom with Trevor ParrySend us a textTrevor Parry is a lawyer, father, and unapologetic patriot who helps entrepreneurs and professionals minimize taxes and navigate financial complexity. Grounded in a strong belief in limiting government overreach, Trevor provides strategic guidance and select financial solutions that empower clients to grow, protect, and preserve their wealth.He brings an objective, battlefield-level perspective to each situation—working alongside existing teams to answer key questions: What can I do? What can’t I do? What’s the risk? With clarity and precision, he helps clients face complexity head-on.Trevor also speaks ope...2025-04-2938 minThe MBA WayEP 27: Increase Revenue & Customer Loyalty With Gift Cards with Larry RubinSend us a textLarry Rubin, known as "The Gift Card Guy," saw a market being overlooked—small, independent businesses lacked the tools and guidance to create effective gift and loyalty programs. That’s why he founded Swipe It, a company dedicated to helping mom-and-pop shops implement customized gift card solutions with as few as 100 cards to start.Originally launched as an off-campus meal plan card, Swipe It evolved into a powerful technology platform that allows restaurants and retailers to create their own branded gift cards. Business owners benefit in multiple ways—gift cards drive upfron...2025-04-1535 minThe MBA WayEP 26: Treating People Not Patients with Michael SonickSend us a text“The most important part of my practice is how I relate to the people I serve.” Guest, Dr. Michael Sonick, is not only a globally recognized expert in dental implantology and periodontology—he’s also the author of Treating People, Not Patients. This groundbreaking book isn’t just for dental or medical professionals; it’s for anyone in the service industry who wants to elevate the way they connect with others.Dr. Sonick emphasizes a truth often overlooked: social and interpersonal skills are critical to healing and success. “When people feel better, they h...2025-04-0137 minThe MBA WayEP 25: How To Increase Staff Productivity By 4.6X with Grace GavinSend us a textIn this episode, we sit down with Grace Gavin, co-founder of Know Honesty, to explore the power of open and honest communication in the workplace. When employees feel heard and respected, they are 4.6 times more productive—but fostering this culture requires more than just listening.Grace unpacks the nature of power dynamics in leadership and why many companies struggle to implement proven systems. She shares how organizations can move from low-honesty-low-openness to a culture of high-honesty-high-openness, emphasizing that leaders must go first in creating this shift.We also dive in...2025-03-1855 minThe MBA WayEP 24: How To Disaster-Proof Your Family Legacy with Sandy PollackSend us a textThis is one thing in life that is an absolute certainty: death. So how you leave your business, assets, and responsibilities behind matters. Sandy Pollack, CFP, CLU, TEP, FEA, MFA-P, is akin to the MBA Way with her collaborative, comprehensive approach to Estate Planning. Without a plan, your loved ones could be left with unnecessary headaches, legal battles, and financial chaos.The key to disaster-proofing your legacy is intentionality. Your wealth should serve your lifetime and be strategically put to use after you're gone. Open communication with your family about inheritance i...2025-03-0438 minThe MBA WayEP 23: "Evolving" The Legal Profession with Beau AtkinsSend us a textToday’s guest, Beau Atkins, founder of Evolve Family Law, and I agree—billing by the hour is bull****. The outdated model of charging by the hour? Dead. May 2020 marked the end of that nonsense for Beau’s firm.Law firms have long resisted the entrepreneurial mindset, clinging to archaic structures instead of operating like the best-run businesses. But here’s the truth: clients aren’t buying your time. They’re seeking certainty, peace of mind, and solutions.At Evolve Family Law, Beau has built something different—quite possibly the only law o...2025-02-1837 minThe MBA WayEP 22: Personal Branding (Part 2): The Business Model Of The Future with Krista Clive-SmithSend us a textIn this follow-up conversation with Krista Clive-Smith, we dive deeper into personal branding and its critical role in shaping your life and career. If you missed Part 1 (Episode 18), we recommend starting there, where we introduced two foundational frameworks, The Triangle and The Model. Krista highlights that personal branding is the business model of the future. It’s your ultimate competitive advantage—something nobody else can duplicate. Your unique essence, experiences, and purpose form the cornerstone of this strategy.Krista walks us through a powerful Venn diagram with four intersecting circl...2025-02-0442 minThe MBA WayEP 21: Maximize Your PR Visibility with Kerry BarrettSend us a textMaximizing your PR visibility is all about leveraging on-screen opportunities to tell your story effectively—and Kerry Barrett is here to help you master it. With over 20 years in the news industry, from small-town Texas to big city NYC, Kerry has the on-camera experience. She breaks down the difference between advertising, where you “pay to play,” and PR, which is about earning media publicity through your expertise. In this exploratory meeting, Kerry breaks down the essentials of using on-camera PR to your advantage.One of the biggest obstacles entrepreneurs face in PR is...2025-01-2138 minThe MBA WayEP 20: Control & Compound Your Money with Darren MitchellSend us a textDarren Mitchell of Control and Compound breaks down life insurance facts you didn’t even know were available—insights you can use to build your wealth. To become truly wealthy, you need to invest in yourself, your business, and your real estate. When you’re not investing, you’re giving up control of your money to the bank.Life insurance has two components: the death benefit and the cash value. By lowering the death benefit, you can raise the cash value, creating a powerful financial tool that multiplies your money. This allows y...2025-01-0745 minThe MBA WayEP 19: 3 Keys To Entrepreneurial Success with Paul AemisegeoSend us a textPaul Aemisegeo’s journey to founding Payroll Mart is a testament to entrepreneurial grit and vision. Just after college, Paul discovered he "didn’t fit the ADP mold," a realization that led him to a successful path in benefits and insurance. This experience gave him invaluable insights into the payroll industry, highlighting key challenges: the lack of personalized solutions for clients and the transactional approach of salespeople focused solely on closing deals.Paul’s deep understanding of benefits and payroll inspired him to create a business that prioritized relationships over transactions. His ph...2024-12-1042 minThe MBA WayEP 18: Personal Branding as Your Business Superpower with Krista Clive-SmithSend us a textGuest, friend, and inspiring human Krista Clive-Smith breaks down the power of personal branding in today's episode. Personal branding, she explains, is not about ego; it's about aligning your authentic self and personal story, distinct from your business ventures and organizations.Krista introduces the "Personal Branding Triangle," which outlines the three core principles of a personal brand which are what you DO, what you KNOW, and what you ARE, all framed within a growth-oriented mindset (the yellow border). This concept emphasizes working with healthy belief systems and a mindset focused on...2024-11-2645 minThe MBA WayEP 17: Retirement: What's Your Next Chapter Look Like? with Susan LatremoilleSend us a textSusan Latremoille advocates a holistic approach to financial advisory, addressing a key issue: many people reach retirement or other major life transitions only to feel less fulfilled than expected. Through Next Chapter Lifestyle Advisors, she trains and empowers financial advisors (and accountants and lawyers) to recognize the deeper challenges people face and guides them in helping clients prepare effectively for life after a career. As well as helping those pre-planning, on the cusp, or already retired. Life transitions—retirement, selling a business, or stepping away from work—can disrupt a person’s socia...2024-11-1237 minThe MBA WayEP 16: Is Your Debt Working For You? with Brian StephensonSend us a textBrian Stephenson is what we like to call a "recovering lawyer," and his business partner is a "recovering accountant." Together, they created Lakepoint Capital Partners, a commercial lending specialty firm with a mission to make debt work for business owners rather than against them.The ideal clients for Lakepoint are those looking to acquire new facilities, optimize existing ones, or possibly acquire smaller businesses. Lakepoint accesses an array of private institutional lenders for real estate lending and collaborates with banks, credit unions, and long-standing lenders with whom their clients already have...2024-10-2946 minThe MBA WayEP 15: Building Your Company's Culture: Derrick's Steakhouse with Ross DerrickSend us a textRoss Derrick is the owner of Derrick’s Steakhouse, a 1950s-inspired steakhouse with a modern flair. Entrepreneurs are driven by the desire to create value and contribute to the world, and that's exactly what Ross does. After a decade of side hustles, his entrepreneurial journey wasn't a choice—it was a necessity. When faced with a major holiday where he couldn’t get the day off to spend time with his daughter and was unable to find a babysitter, he knew he had to make a change. So, he took a bold step, secure...2024-10-1539 minThe MBA WayEP 14: Gone To Le Dogs with Kristin HolomisSend us a textAnyone running a brand anywhere must embody an entrepreneurial spirit. Today’s guest, Kristin Holomis, Founder of Le Dog Company, exemplifies this perfectly. Le Dog is a premium orthopedic leather dog bed company, born from Kristin’s passion for both dogs and style.Being a business owner and entrepreneur is about identifying gaps in the market and creating value to fill them. Kristin describes her niche as ‘White Space’—while there are markets for “disposable” dog beds, well-known luxury brands, and comfort-centric options, Le Dog offers something unique: a blend of style and func...2024-10-0144 minThe MBA WayEP 13: Cardinal Is Coming To Town with Scott McKeeSend us a textAfter a brief but enjoyable discussion about his Scottish heritage and Scotland's football, we get into the main reason Scott McKee, Senior Investment Counselor at Cardinal Capital Management, is with us today. Cardinal Capital is opening a new location in Kelowna.The financial world is full of alphabet soup titles, with no shortage of designations for financial advisors, Scott explains. He breaks down the meaning of some of the most common acronyms: CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), CIM (Chartered Investment Manager), PFP (Personal Financial Planner), RFP (Registered Financial...2024-09-1730 minThe MBA WayEP 12: Are You Ready To Have A Happy eXit? with Jeff SwanSend us a textJeff Swan from Sellside M&A has introduced an innovative platform called A Happy eXit tailored for business owners navigating the transition process. As two-thirds of business owners, particularly baby boomers, are preparing to retire or make transitions, A Happy eXit is designed to support those with businesses valued between $5 million and $50 million, especially in industrial sectors. Beyond the straightforward sale price, the platform emphasizes the importance of recognizing the hidden value in a business, such as intellectual property, licenses, strategic advantages, unique processes, and company culture. Their four-component assessment framework—focusing on fi...2024-09-0342 minThe MBA WayEP 11: The Most Effective Way To Scale Your Business with Steve GeddesSend us a textSteve Geddes is a new friend of mine, and when we hit it off, I knew I had to have him share his incredible business story and advice on the podcast. Steve’s journey is a masterclass in understanding and scaling a business. He emphasizes that to scale effectively, you must understand every facet of your business—from the overall flow to the finer details. In order to deliver on your promises, you need to grasp the whole process. Steve knows there’s no magic pill for business success, but the closest thing to it...2024-08-2042 minThe MBA WayEP 10: Client Spotlight: Secure-Rite Mobile StorageSend us a textThis Client Spotlight episode features MBA client Lucas Griffin, president of Secure-Rite. These spotlights serve the purpose of providing insightful advice and resources to help other entrepreneurs in their business and life.Secure-Rite founded in 2005, is changing the way the world views and uses shipping containers, bringing people and portable spaces together in meaningful ways. Lucas shares his journey to launch, leading up to his great team in multiple provinces 19 years later. His entrepreneurial journey is one of change and growth, as he is always learning and creating new value in...2024-08-0641 minThe MBA WayEP 09: Covello Financial (Your Life Covered) with Mike St. CroixSend us a textHow much better would you sleep at night if you knew your life was covered? Today I’m joined by Mike St. Croix at Covello Financial. MBA has personally completely switched to Covello because of the incredible work they’re doing with insurance and benefits. Covello takes a different approach to finances and insurance because they think like entrepreneurs. They put the client first and they understand this is an investment in yourself and your employees. While every business might say they’ve got the best cost for the best service, Covello...2024-07-2343 minThe MBA WayEP 08: How to "Hiilite" Your Business For GrowthSend us a text“To get the best marketing results, you’ll need to assemble a team of badass people to work with you. Luckily, we have them in spades and raring to go.” That’s pulled straight from William Walczak's website at Hiilite and its the same energy he brings to today’s conversation.William works to bridge the gap between the scientific engineer brain and the aesthetic brain, formulating a total genius design and marketing combination. People do business with people who are passionate about their business; that has to translate into everything you do. Hi...2024-07-0947 minThe MBA WayEP 07: Cybersecurity: It's Not Scary...If You "THINK" with Tony WoodsSend us a textTony Woods shares his impressive resume, working with National Money Mart, BC Ferries, and now as the owner and president of THINK Communications, working with business owners with white glove IT services.THINK stands for Truth, Honesty, Integrity, Networking and Knowledge; their tagline is "Great People, Great Ideas." As a company, they focus on two key areas, Left of Boom and Right of Boom because it's not a matter of if it happens, it's when it happens. As Tony describes it, Left of Boom is how well you're protecting your organization...2024-06-2648 minThe MBA WayEP 06: Are You An ADHD Entrepreneur? with Andre BrissonSend us a textADHD is not synonymous with unruly school kids, it's about a different process going on in the brain. André Brisson, host of The Impulsive Thinker, owner of an entrepreneurial consulting engineering company, and creator of Tactical Breakthroughs, was himself diagnosed with ADHD at age 44. An entire lifetime of struggles and hardships explained by 4 little letters. This isn't an uncommon diagnosis, especially in the entrepreneurial world. In fact, people with ADHD are 500% more likely to be entrepreneurs. It is estimated that 4–5% of adults and 29% of entrepreneurs have ADHD. Research estimates that 3.3 million Ame...2024-06-1148 minThe MBA WayEP 05: Your Unique Ability with Julia WallerSend us a textHow much more excited would you be about your future if you had everyone working in your unique ability? Julia Waller, Unique Ability Expert, is like a guiding light, showing people and businesses the power of Unique Ability. It's all about breaking free from the rut of just being "good" or "excellent" at something and diving deep into what truly lights you up.Finding your UA is not just coaching; it's a journey into people's souls, unlocking natural energy and helping discover what makes people truly unique. Imagine a workplace where ev...2024-05-1443 minThe MBA WayEP 04: The Business Examiner with John MacDonaldSend us a textJohn MacDonald is the Publisher of the Business Examiner News Group. The mission of this British Columbia business news publisher is to facilitate local economic development, and we do that by providing business news online on three different platforms and in the production of in-person events.During our discussion, John shares trends for BC businesses to be aware of, understanding where to put their marketing dollars when it comes to digital marketing to political moves that have a big impact, like inflation due to environmental taxing. John also s...2024-04-3044 minThe MBA WayEp 03: Here Come The Girls with Don BardenSend us a textHost Erik Solbakken is joined by “Frustrated Anthroplogist” Don Barden. Don is bursting with industry knowledge and insights from his recent works.Don discusses his work for the internationally acclaimed book “The Perfect Plan,” where he studied the elite producers in the global economy. Outlining their secret sauce, structures and common threads. His great science of business continues in his new book, Here Come The Girls.Don takes us on a walk through history, trends of male dominance, and the rise of women in business, leading to a takeover with wom...2024-04-1653 minThe MBA WayEp 02: Easy AI For Your Business with Evan RyanSend us a textThe news is covering AI in the media as a dangerous technology here to take your jobs. Founder and CEO of Teammate AI Evan Ryan joins me to share how AI is not only not taking your job, but making your job easier.Evan’s mission with Teammate AI is to simplify AI to automate time consuming boring tasks so that humans have more time to be creative, solve problems, and bring value to their clients. And in recent years, industries like accounting have experienced an increased loss of staff due to...2024-04-0233 minThe MBA WayEp 01: Profit Advisory For Business Owners with Steve WilkinghoffSend us a textMBA Chartered Professional Accountants see business owners as the most important people in the world; they see the flaws of the traditional accounting model and want to put the MBA Way to work to grow your business and your life. Welcome to The MBA Way podcast.Host, Erik Solbakken interviews Steve Wilkinghoff, CPA Business Intelligence Officer and author of Found Money. Steve shares about his career and when his vision for a focus on profit became clear. National firms didn’t see eye to eye with him on the importance of in...2024-03-1935 min
CPA Trendlines PodcastsScharrell Jackson: Lead with Diversity of ThoughtTransformation TalksWith Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationIn the latest episode of Transformation Talks, renowned international speaker, leadership coach, and business consultant Scharrell Jackson emphasizes the pivotal role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in ensuring the sustainability of businesses across diverse industries. Jackson delves into the profound benefits of DEI, extending beyond business culture to impact recruiting and the overall bottom line.
MORE: Scharrell Jackson show notes here
MORE CPA TRENDLINES PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Harper & Company CPAs: The Perspective of a Non-Accountant is Imperative | Jason Deshayes: What...2024-03-0535 min
Clarity Generates ConfidenceEpisode 104: Engaging in the Play Called LifeIn our latest CGC episode, we're delighted to feature Erik Solbakken, CPA, CA - Speaker, Author, Business Advisor and Creator of the Accountant Success Formula™. With over two decades in public practice, Erik has redefined success by creating a business model that not only tripled his firm’s income but also allowed him to work part-time. His approach focuses on providing real value to clients, challenging the traditional, flawed accounting firm business models that lead to overwork and underpayment. Erik's insights into overcoming personal and professional obstacles, prioritizing value over price, and the significance of intentional living promise to insp...2024-02-2230 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsHarper & Company CPAs: You help clients build their ideal business. Why can’t you do it for yourself?Transformation TalksWith Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting Transformation Glen Harper, CPA, says businesses should be willing to reinvent themselves and that diverse perspectives can be a valuable asset. The owner of Harper & Company CPAs should know: He's had to embrace both philosophies to become successful.
MORE: Harper & Company CPAs show notes here
MORE CPA TRENDLINES PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Jason Deshayes: What We're Doing Isn't Working | Heather Satterley: You've Got To Meet People Where They Are | Bill Penczak: Stop Forcing Smart People to Do Stupid Work | Sandra Wiley: Staffing Problem? Check Your Cu...2023-10-1643 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsJina Etienne: Practice Fearless InclusionThe DisruptorsWith Liz FarrJina Etienne wants accountants to stop hiding behind our green eyeshades and all the stereotypes we share as CPAs. She practices “fearless inclusion,” which is the freedom to be yourself and to create the space for others to do the same.
MORE: Jina Etienne show notes here
MORE: Disruptors
MORE CPA TRENDLINES PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Heather Satterley: You've Got To Meet People Where They Are | Bill Penczak: Stop Forcing Smart People to Do Stupid Work | Sandra Wiley: Staffing Problem? Check Your Culture | Scott Scarano: First, Grow People. Then Fir...2023-10-061h 20CPA Trendlines PodcastsJason Deshayes: What We're Doing Isn't WorkingThe DisruptorsWith Liz FarrBy age 35, Jason Deshayes, CPA/PFS, CFP, CKA, was already co-owner of a CPA firm in Albuquerque. He “hit the magic Shangri La that we’re all working for.” But it wasn’t right for him. He was bored with the long hours and felt he wasn’t growing. He wasn’t able to think about his firm the way he wanted to. So he and his partner sold their firm.
MORE: Jason Deshayes show notes here
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MORE CPA TRENDLINES PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Heather Satterley: Yo...2023-09-111h 08CPA Trendlines PodcastsHeather Satterley: You've Got to Meet People Where They AreThe DisruptorsWith Liz FarrHeather Satterley is well-known for being an accounting tech expert. But tech isn’t the only skill accountants need today and for the future. “You can have great technology skills, but if you don't have people skills and those softer skills, that's going to be a problem,” she said.
MORE: Heather Satterley show notes here
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MORE CPA TRENDLINES PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Bill Penczak: Stop Forcing Smart People to Do Stupid Work | Sandra Wiley: Staffing Problem? Check Your Culture | Scott Scarano: First, Grow People. Then Firm Growth Can Follo...2023-09-0433 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsBill Penczak: Stop Forcing Smart People to Do Stupid WorkThe DisruptorsWith Liz FarrToo many accounting firms have “smart people doing stupid work,” according to Bill Penczak, a veteran sales and marketing professional. Think about the effort it takes to get an accounting degree and get your CPA, and contrast that with the years of mindless work that many new hires are required to do, especially if they go into audit, he said.
MORE: Bill Penczak here
MORE CPA TRENDLINES PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Sandra Wiley: Staffing Problem? Check Your Culture | Scott Scarano: First, Grow People. Then Firm Growth Can Follow | Jody Padar...2023-08-281h 20CPA Trendlines PodcastsSandra Wiley: If you have the right culture, you'll find the right people.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrSandra Wiley has been speaking with firm owners and leaders for nearly three decades and clearly sees the need for change in the profession.
MORE: Sandra Wiley here
MORE CPA TRENDLINES PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Peter Margaritis: The Power Skills Every Accountant Needs | Joe Montgomery: Find the Sweet Spot of the Right Clients, Right Services and Right Prices | Marie Green: Your Bad Apples Are Ruining You | Megan Genest Tarnow: Hire for Curiosity Rather Than Compliance | Clayton Oates: One Way to Keep Clients for Life | Randy Crabtree: Follow These Three R...2023-08-2148 min
For What It's WorthThree Guarantees in Life: Death, Taxes & Federal BudgetOn this Episode of For What It's Worth With Rubina Ahmed-Haq, Rubina breaks down the federal budget, Lorne Marr, Director of Business Development at HUB Financial Inc, comes on the show to talk about when to think about life insurance and what you can do to get a good plan. and if you thought Rubina wasn't going to talk taxes well you'd be wrong as Erik Solbakken, CPA, Speaker, Business Advisor, and Creator of the Accountant Success Formula™ joins the show to talk about changing the mindset about filing your taxes.2023-04-0145 min
CPA Review & MorePhil Yaeger feat. Erik Solbakken2023-02-2237 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsWork Less, Earn More: Build the Accounting Firm of Your DreamsErik Solbakken: Create a firm you'd love working in. The Disruptors With Liz Farr for CPA TrendlinesErik Solbakken, a.k.a. “The Heavy Metal CPA,” is on a mission to free accountants from an oppressive business model. Solbakken spent 18 years working his way up to be a partner in a firm in Canada, but when the partnership fell apart, he was liberated to create a new kind of firm, where he and his staff never worked overtime, and he made more money. Today, he acts as the guide he wishes he’d had when h...2022-12-121h 04
The Unique CPAAn Innovative Business Model for AccountantsAfter witnessing the inevitable burnout that happens to many in the "old school" accounting business model, Erik Solbakken knew that he was destined for a different path. Applying entrepreneurial methods to his accounting practice, soon Erik discovered an exciting new way of doing business. In this episode, he shares some of his ideas that are helping accountants all over the world find new freedom in their practices. Get the full show notes and more resources at https://TheUniqueCPA.com2020-08-2543 min
Accounting ExposedA New Business Model for Accounting Firms: Interview with Erik SolbakkenIn my interview with Erik Solbakken, CPA, business coach and founder of Accountant Success Formula, we discuss:- How Erik got into accounting, his career path and his decision to start his own firm with a different way of doing things- The three lies: 1. Our worth is equal to the hours we work, 2. Our clients are naturally price sensitive and 3. Tax time just has to suck.- Erik's philosophy on how to run an accounting firm, make more money and never work overtime- How to talk to clients: Focusing on pain points vs money2020-06-0136 min
Life Amplified with Dan MasonErik Solbakken: How to Find Your Dream Career When You Don't Know Where to StartToday, Dan has a one-on-one chat with the rock 'n' roll accountant, Erik Solbakken!After 26 years as a successful CPA, Erik knew it was time for a change, but he didn't know where to start! He became the youngest partner in his firm and eventually left there to start his own firm, but still felt like something was missing from his life. What followed was a journey of getting lost, trying new things and having fun along the way to find what his next chapter looks like.Today, he's still doing work as a CPA...2019-01-3032 min