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Ever wonder what happens when entrepreneurs who've poured their hearts into building businesses finally step away? Financial advisor Gary Sirak tackles this crucial question head-on, revealing why some business owners literally die shortly after retirement—and how to ensure you don't become that statistic.

Gary shares the profound wisdom gained from decades helping business leaders prepare for life's next chapter. The conversation quickly moves beyond basic financial calculations to the more meaningful questions: What will you do with the 40 hours a week your business once consumed? Where will you find purpose and passion? How will you maintain your identity when you're no longer "the boss"?

Drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey, Gary explains how a pivotal conversation with his father transformed his approach to business: "I started waking up thinking, whose problem can I solve today? Not how much money can I make." This shift not only made him more successful but created the foundation for a fulfilling life beyond work. He introduces listeners to his practical "wish list" approach, encouraging everyone to rediscover forgotten passions and imagine new possibilities.

The discussion tackles the unique challenges business owners face—from their tendency to reinvest everything in their companies without building outside assets, to the impatience that makes traditional investment strategies feel frustratingly slow. Sirach offers actionable strategies for building financial security while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit.

Whether you're decades from retirement or already contemplating your exit strategy, this episode delivers crucial insights about identity, purpose, and creating a life where business success becomes just one chapter in a much longer, equally rewarding story. Gary's expertise, combined with his refreshingly honest advice about family businesses, mentorship, and handling setbacks, makes this conversation essential listening for anyone building a business—and a life.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

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Freedom of choice may be entrepreneurship's greatest gift. While corporate employees rarely select their colleagues, business owners—especially franchisees—can intentionally choose their culture and community. This powerful insight anchors our conversation with Terese McGroarty, whose entrepreneurial journey began at just 21 when she and her husband borrowed family funds to purchase their first Shell auto care franchise.

Terese shares how they expanded to three locations before making a deliberate lifestyle choice: selling their 24/7 Shell stations to purchase a Goodyear franchise that allowed Sundays off. This decision exemplifies how business ownership enables alignment between work and personal priorities. Years later, after selling their Goodyear franchise and exploring different paths, Therese found her calling as a franchise consultant with FranNet—where she now helps others navigate similar journeys.

Drawing from decades of experience, Terese offers valuable wisdom about the dangers of closed-mindedness in business exploration. She recounts stories of potential franchise owners who completed thorough validation but allowed external opinions or unfounded fears to derail their plans. Her process helps clients systematically evaluate opportunities by speaking with franchisees at various performance levels—those excelling, those performing adequately, and those struggling—to gain comprehensive understanding before making commitments.

Perhaps most compelling is Terese's perspective on franchise culture. "When you're going into business for yourself, you get to decide about the culture," she explains, noting how different franchise systems develop distinct personalities—some more faith-based or fun-oriented, others more corporate. This often-overlooked consideration can significantly impact long-term satisfaction, as franchisees become part of a community that shapes their growth.

For established business owners, Terese advocates scheduling intentional recharge time to build longevity. Whether through morning devotionals, scheduled workouts, or daily walks with audiobooks, she demonstrates how deliberate self-care prevents burnout. Her parting wisdom resonates deeply: always focus on your clients' needs rather than your own, and consistently put one foot in front of the other to achieve incremental improvement.

Whether you're considering franchise ownership or seeking to strengthen your existing business, this conversation offers practical guidance for making intentional choices that align with your values and vision. The entrepreneurial path may be challenging, but with proper due diligence and self-awareness, it offers unparalleled freedom to create the business—and life—you truly desire.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

Send us a text

What happens when you take a successful small business owner and give them the tools to think bigger? The transformation can be extraordinary.

Most entrepreneurs reach a critical point where they've mastered the startup phase but feel stuck in day-to-day operations, unable to achieve the next level of growth. The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at Tri-C addresses this exact challenge through comprehensive executive education specifically designed for established small business owners.

Erika Hill, Executive Director of the program, explains how this unique curriculum differs from traditional business education. Rather than studying distant corporate case studies, participants directly apply business principles to their own operations. From leadership development to financial management, the program forces owners to step back and take a holistic view of their business—considering not just growth metrics but how business decisions impact their personal lives and long-term goals. The curriculum encourages participants to explore various growth paths, whether adding locations, developing complementary products, or entering new markets.

What makes this opportunity truly extraordinary is that it's completely free, funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation with clear objectives: strengthen the economy by helping businesses increase sales and create jobs. Graduates consistently report that the program was life-changing, providing not just business skills but a powerful network that sustains them through both growth periods and economic challenges.

Connect with Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikahill/

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🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.