Anything But Typical

056: Selling Your Firm & Designing Your Life with Matt Andersen

After years of working for other CPAs, Matt Andersen chose to run his own CPA firm. He set out to create a lifestyle business where he could still enjoy things like time with his family and mountain biking. What transpired was very different. Years of stress passed by before Matt realized he was running a growth business; not a lifestyle company. 

Andersen made strategic moves, including getting rid of almost all individual clients to focus solely on businesses. He built a strong company with significant intrinsic value. But he also wasn't enjoying life the way he wanted. So when Anything But Typical's own Gary Frey had Matt complete something called the Thrive/Wither, Matt's eyes were opened and something clicked. Less than a year later, Matt chose to sell his firm to BGW CPA and join as a director in BGW.

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn and check out what he's doing with BGW CPA.

055: Creating Your Ideal Life with Brian Koch

Brian Koch is a disruptor of ideas. His goal is to help you rethink things in your life. That could be fishing, work life balance, or anything else that is important in your life. Brian does this through how he leads his life.

Brian has been around hunting most of his life. In an experience he discusses during this episode, Brian grew a passion around educating others on hunting, specifically bird hunting. In order to truly feel like he was an outlier in the industry, Brian immersed himself in a 90 day hunting trip. He and his dogs hunted every single day over 7 states, no matter the weather or conditions. This has led to his adventure, experience, and bird hunting content company- Ultimate Upland.

Check out Ultimate Upland, subscribe to them on YouTube to see their latest season of Way Upland, and connect with Brian on LinkedIn.

054: Breaking Records and Dominating Industries with Russell Huntley

Russell Huntley chose to leave the family business to create his own. That decision has led to multiple companies: Caliber Construction, East Coast, Straightline Pumping, and Caliber Associates. Huntley has built his brands on the foundation of the highest quality work.

But Russell Huntley's path from starting his first business to today is riddled with great successes and impossible difficulties. Huntley comes onto Anything But Typical completely transparent and vulnerable. 

Enjoy learning lessons that go beyond business and hear how Huntley won a brick laying record.

Reach out to Russell at RHuntley@caliber-co.com or check out their Web site.

053: Creating A Tech Platform with Mary Dawn & Joe Hewitt

Mary Dawn & Joe Hewitt grew close hang gliding during their early dating years. They've been experiencing high flying success ever since.

Both Mary Dawn and Joe had successful careers in corporate America. Joe broke out and got into entrepreneurship first, while Mary Dawn was the COO for a global corporation. They've since come together to create a company together. Groupeasy is a tech platform solving the issues related to running and organizing groups. 

In this conversation, we cover philosophy, outsourcing responsibilities in a tech firm, solving your own problems, working together in a partnership, and much more!

Check out Groupeasy and connect with Mary Dawn and Joe on LinkedIn.

052: How Athletics Translate to Entrepreneurship with Tanner Fritz

Tanner Fritz and his partners each brought their unique backgrounds together to create Anduin, an artificial intelligence for billing. Started in the middle of the COVID lockdown in the United States, it was time for Tanner to change from employee to entrepreneur.

In this conversation, Tanner discusses how his career in college basketball at Florida Gulf Coast has carried into running a startup. He also discusses the juggling of his priorities; including 3 kids, a family, basketball, fly fishing, church, and more. We go through the rapid growth of his company and discuss strategies inside the business.

Check out Anduin and connect with Tanner on LinkedIn.

051: Building A Business From A Container of Coins with Casey & Nicole Catoe

Casey Catoe knew it was time for him to stop working for others and create his own business. Nicole took the $700 worth of coins they collected in their 5 gallon water jug to the bank and opened a business account. They mapped out all of their finances and bills to give them the runway they needed for the company to succeed. From this, Carolina Civil was born.

Today they husband/wife duo run an extremely successful civil construction company. On top of that, they have a farm of miniature animals. Listen to their story about prioritizing what was most important to them, finding their passion, and positively impacting the world.

Check out carolinacivil.com and connect with Casey on LinkedIn.

050: Living The Example for Female Entrepreneurs with Kim McDonald & Erika Siedlaczek

Kim & Erika came together to take over Crossfit Huntersville from different backgrounds. But they shared a vision of creating a community to people to become healthier versions of themselves. They shared the vision of positively impacting their communities. They shared the vision of building a holistic health and fitness experience.

Despite neither owning a business prior, Kim and Erika doubled revenue in the first 3 months of buying the gym. They attribute much of their early success to their social media efforts. Instead of highlighting themselves, @CrossfitHuntersville Instagram profile is all about highlighting their members and community. In addition, they have raised thousands of dollars where 100% of what they raised went to local nonprofits. This mix of rapid growth, supporting the local community, and creating an environment for their members to flourish is certainly Anything But Typical. 

Check them out on Instagram at @CrossfitHuntersville and on their Web site.

049: Navigating Entrepreneurship and Citizenship with Jimmy Molina

When Jimmy Molina came to the United States for college from Colombia, he was only able to work on campus since he was an international student. Jimmy takes us through his journey of having to get different internships and multiple Master's degrees simply to stay in the United States while trying to get residency. 

Jimmy grew up in Colombia without disposable income. There were many days when he had to choose how to spend the money his mother gave him. Does he eat dinner or does he take the public transportation home? So when he faced hurdles in the United States, Jimmy was prepared for the hard work and hustle it would take to succeed.

From childhood to homesick college student-athlete, to owner of a real estate investment company and the restaurant The Local Room. Jimmy talks about the lessons he's learned, how he prioritizes what is most important to him, and how he has been able to navigate all of the hoops he has had to jump through.

Check out Jimmy of Twitter @JDMolina398, The Local Room @LocalRoomLocust on Instagram, and Jimmy on LinkedIn.

048: Building A Brand with Hustle House Co-Founders

Dianna Bock and Destiny Wellenreiter met competing for the same coaching job. But they came together on a chance run-in at Trader Joe's. Each had a vision to offer an experience in the fitness world that didn't currently exist. Together, they have manifested that vision into Hustle House Fitness.

Learn in this episode of how they differentiated themselves in a crowded industry. How they navigated the COVID shutdown- which happened to come about shortly after they opened their doors. How they have focused on building a brand bigger than the facility itself.

Check out Hustle House Fitness and connect with Destiny on LinkedIn.

047: Blazing the Charlotte Culinary Path with Joe & Katy Kindred

Can you imagine a typical restauranteur stating, “We’re in the people business. 95% = people. 5% = food & booze.”

Joe & Katy Kindred are hardly typical restaurateurs. They are "anything but typical" in so many ways.

If you’ve been to either of their restaurants, “Kindred” or “Hello, Sailor,” you know that there has to be something to their non-traditional approach. Their food is exceptional, the ambiance is unique, and the service is attentive.

Given the challenges of 2020 & 2021 that have impacted so many businesses (especially the restaurant & hospitality industries), building upon solid foundations while being nimble enough to pivot has been critical.

If you love learning from others who have navigated such challenges well, this episode of the Anything But Typical podcast is for you.