The IC-DISC Show

Ep045: Mastering The Art of Financial Planning with Jackie Campbell

July 27th, 2023  |  1 hr 30 mins

In today’s episode of the IC-Disc podcast, we sit down with Jackie Campbell, a savvy CPA, founding partner of a thriving firm in Tampa, and the engaging host of her own radio show and podcast, Beyond the Money. Jackie generously shares her firm's unique 360-degree approach to financial planning, propelling clients towards a secure future.

We dig deep into the importance of believing in oneself, the necessity of having succession plans, and how to stay connected with clients. Jackie highlights the importance of strategic planning, building generational wealth, and her passion for helping those in the "retirement red zone" and first responders.

Ep044: Returns on an Alternative Investment Class with Hayden Kelly

June 28th, 2023  |  36 mins 57 secs

In today’s episode of the IC-Disc podcast, I have a great guest today, Hayden Kelly from Chicago. He is with Chicago Atlantic and they have a really interesting cannabis fund for accredited investors.

They've identified a market inefficiency because endowments, institutions, and non-profits are usually prohibited from investing in cannabis. Additionally, these cannabis companies are typically not bankable for traditional debt. So Chicago Atlantic has a really interesting debt model for accredited investors, with great collateral coverage and attractive loan-to-value ratios.

Hayden is a really interesting guy, and even if you're not investing, he has a really interesting update on the state of the cannabis business, especially east of the Mississippi. In fact, Hayden shares some background on cannabis legalization history and why states east of the Mississippi are more financially attractive. I hope you enjoy the episode.

EP043: Estate Planning Strategies for a Lasting Legacy with Marvin Blum

May 24th, 2023  |  59 mins 42 secs

In today’s episode of the IC-DISC podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Marvin Blum, one of the top estate-planning attorneys in the country. Marvin shares his unique approach to estate-planning that focuses on the head and the heart of the matter.

Listen in as Marvin and I discuss the current state of estate planning and the unique opportunity presented by today's (historically) large estate-tax exemption.

We explore the concept of 'Use it or Lose it' and how various trusts can be used to maintain access, control, and flexibility while avoiding potential pitfalls. We also touch on the impact of wealth, inflation, and the political climate on estate planning tools and the importance of preparing heirs to receive their inheritance.

Finally, we also delve into the challenges that family businesses face when estate planning is neglected, and the power of philanthropy to keep a family connected. Marvin's insights and expertise make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in estate planning, wealth management, and leaving a lasting legacy.

Ep042: Subscription CPA Success with Greg O'Brien

May 1st, 2023  |  1 hr 13 mins

In today's episode of the IC-DISC podcast, I am talking to Greg O'Brien from Boston. Greg has one of the most interesting CPA practices I've ever seen. Not only is it a virtual firm with employees and clients located all over the country, but they serve clients on a subscription basis only.

We talked about how he ended up with this model and how it has evolved over time, based on both client and employee feedback.

Greg is a dynamic, forward-looking professional who is on the cutting edge of a new trend in the CPA profession.

Ep041: Being a Deal Attorney with John Walker

March 14th, 2023  |  52 mins 11 secs

In this episode of the IC-DISC podcast we’re talking to John H. Walker, a mergers & acquisitions attorney in Houston.

in the past, John has done hundreds of transactions, on both the buy-side and the sell-side for a number of different public and private companies. But he really loves representing sellers who are selling to much larger, more sophisticated buyers, in which he is able to level the playing field.

You will enjoy this wide ranging conversation. John has some great stories, client success stories, and examples of things that can go wrong.

It was a really interesting conversation and I learned a lot about some things to be on the lookout for when you're considering selling your company. I hope you enjoy the episode.

Ep040: Serving the Scrap Industry with Bob Emery

February 10th, 2023  |  36 mins 3 secs

Today on the IC-DiSC show we are talking to Bob Emery, founder of Metals Recycling Magazine.

We have known each other for more than a decade. He's very active in the scrap metal business and has a great story about why he started Metals Recycling Magazine after a long tenure in the scrap trade industry.

We talked about why he started it as his first entrepreneurial venture, concerns, and lessons learned, and what advice he'd give to his 25-year-old self.

If you're in the scrap metal industry like many of our clients are, I recommend listening to it. And even if you're not, there are some good nuggets in there. I hope you enjoy the episode.

Ep039: Deliberate Growth with Mike Till

December 15th, 2022  |  1 hr 3 mins

On the podcast today we are joined by Michael Till, a senior partner at the CPA firm Mohle Adams. Mohle Adams has a unique background in that it is 75 years old but has only six partners and about 45 total people on the team. That is quite unusual compared to most CPA firms.

However, this slow growth rate has been very deliberate and has helped them to be highly focused on accepting only clients who are the right fit for the firm to do an exceptional job for the client.

We talk about Mike's background, the history of the firm, some clients success story examples, and different attitudes and mindsets that are unique in the CPA profession. He also talks about the types of companies he really likes to work with.

Ep038: Supporting CPA Firms With Their IC-DISC Clients

November 20th, 2022  |  37 mins 20 secs

Today on the IC-DISC Show, we're talking with Brian Schwam, National Managing Director of International Tax at WTP Advisors.

WTP Advisors and Export Advisors are the two founding members of the IC-DISC Alliance, and in this episode, we talk about the work we do with CPA firms to support their clients who have, or would benefit from having, an IC-DISC.

Removing any concern about 'losing' clients to a competitor. This collaborative approach is a great way for CPA firms to expand their client offerings due to the specialist nature of the Alliance work. The flexible engagement model also ensures firms remain in control of the client relationship.

This was a really interesting conversation and highlights the partnership opportunities that allow everyone involved to focus on what they do best.

Ep037: Cost Segregation in Real Estate with Heidi Henderson

October 20th, 2022  |  45 mins 16 secs

My guest today is Heidi Henderson. She serves as the Executive Vice President for Engineered Tax Services and oversees the marketing and advertising efforts along with business development. Although ETS is based in Southern Florida, Heidi is actually located in Utah.

Doing cost segregation work, mostly on real estate projects, we talk about some of the differentiators for Engineered Tax Services, what clients say about them, and what makes Heidi really proud about the firm.

This was a great episode talking about her background - how she got into the real estate business and then how that translated to joining Engineered Tax Services about 12 years ago.

We wrapped things up with Heidi sharing some lessons that she's learned through her career and advice that she would give to her 25-year-old self.

Ep036: Protecting Your Intellectual Property with Al Deaver

September 14th, 2022  |  50 mins 23 secs

In today's episode, we meet Al Deaver, an intellectual property lawyer and Principal at the Houston-based law firm of McAughan Deaver.

Al's undergraduate degree is actually in mechanical engineering and he then paired that with a law degree, making him incredibly proficient with the more technical aspects of intellectual property.

In this episode we talked about some things for exporters to be aware of when dealing with trademarks, copyrights and patents. We also discussed getting patents granted in different markets as well as securing your IP right here in the USA. Our discussion is incredibly useful for anyone considering widening the reach of their products now or in the future. I hope you enjoy the episode.

Ep035: Focusing on Planning and Implementation with Laura Stees

August 17th, 2022  |  46 mins 51 secs

Today's guest is Laura Stees, a CPA, business strategist, and partner at Stees, Walker & Company LLP in San Diego, California.
Laura has a really unique tax practice where she really focuses more on planning and implementation rather than compliance. Her firm does the compliance, but in her experience, it's the planning and maybe even more importantly, the implementation of the planning in which there's a big gap in the marketplace.
And we had a really interesting conversation around the things her firm does that differentiate it from other firms and their hyper focus on planning and implementation.

There are a lot of great takeaways here, and anyone with an interest in business will gain a lot from taking a listen.

Ep034: Understanding Tax Law with Lucy Petry

July 15th, 2022  |  39 mins 58 secs

In today's episode of the IC-DISC Show, we have the pleasure of talking to Lucy Petry, an accomplished tax professional and attorney who recently received her LLM in taxation. She has also been a professor for accounting classes at the University of St. Thomas and law classes at the South Texas College of Law.

In this show, we talk about a significant upcoming tax law change that will have substantial reporting requirements for every business owner with a legal entity, as well as the company's shareholders.

Lucy also delved deeper into some other parts of the tax code that are helpful for individuals to be aware of, but the average person may not know.

It's up right now at www.IC-DISCshow.com/034.

Ep033: Operating With Strategic Advantage with Brett Ekart

June 15th, 2022  |  1 hr 3 mins

Today on the IC-DISC Show, we're speaking with Brett Ekart, CEO of United Metals Recycling, a metals recycling and processing company based in Boise, Idaho, and host of the podcast A Scrap Life.

Brett grew up in the recycling industry. He loves its potential, and this life-long engagement has given him a different perspective on the business. Instead of considering it a commodity business, he views it as a customer-service business.

We discuss this idea and the strategies he's successfully used in the scrap and recycling industry, continuously leveraging any unique advantage to get ahead of his competition.

This is a great show, and the ideas Brett shares can be applied by any entrepreneur in any industry.

Ep032: The IC-DISC Alliance with Brian Schwam & Jim Fyhrie

May 18th, 2022  |  43 mins 56 secs

n today's IC-DISC Show, I am joined by Brian Schwam & Jim Fyhrie of WTP Advisors, for a special episode as we announce the formation of the IC-DISC Alliance.

The Alliance is a collaboration between the premiere IC-DISC consulting firms in the country with the goal of being the most comprehensive IC-DISC resource available anywhere. The founding members of the Alliance are Export Advisors and WTP Advisors.

In the show, we get a chance to explore the background of the Alliance and the advantages it brings to clients and their advisors. To learn more about the IC-DISC Alliance, visit https://ic-disc.com.

Ep031: Financing and Growing Your Business with Ben Lehrer

April 25th, 2022  |  48 mins 15 secs

Today on the IC-DISC Show, we have the pleasure of talking to the founder and CEO of First Water, an advisory firm here in Houston, Ben Lehrer.

First Water connects teams with data to companies with capital through a concept Ben calls "Relational Finance" and in this episode, we talk about Ben's background, what inspired him to start First Water, the type of companies they help, and his book, "Relational Finance: The New Model to Accelerate Growth, Attract Capital, and Maximize the Value of Your Business."

Ben's company is unique in the mergers and acquisitions world, and if you're an entrepreneur with an established business that's looking to grow organically or through acquisition, then this episode is for you.

Ep030: Earning Internal & External Loyalty with Chris Dooley

March 24th, 2022  |  48 mins 33 secs

Today on the IC-DISC Show, we're talking with Chris Dooley, CEO of Dooley Tackaberry, a fourth-generation firm founded 97 years ago in Beaumont, Texas.

The company is one of the most reliable suppliers of fire and safety products to oil, gas, and municipal markets, and we had a great conversation about what it's like to be the fourth generation of a family-run business. Chris has an amazing relationship with his employees, and he describes the company as being like an extended family that functions like a well-oiled machine.

We further discuss how this relationship and the company's nimble approach to requests from small and Fortune 100 companies lead to deeper customer satisfaction and loyalty.

This is a great show, with many examples of a company focusing on becoming a trusted partner.