Entrepreneurs have an independent streak for sure. I have it, you have it, we all have it. It’s why we can’t see ourselves in a 9 to 5 job. It’s why we’re so successful in what we do. We take the bull by the horn and make it happen.

But independence can have an ugly side to it. It can cause us to become a little arrogant, isolated, and hurt our most important relationships. Meet this week’s guest Stu Fuhlendorf and his wife Trish. Stu took three companies IPO, made tons of money and was a wall street darling.

Until ego, alcohol, and the love of success got the better of him. It almost landed him in jail. Thankfully, there is a happy ending to this that you’ll have to listen for yourself.

Website: www.redemptionhills.com

Business: www.lifeverse.com

Book: “Wall Street to Well” https://www.amazon.com/Wall-Street-Well-Transformation-Fortune/dp/1949021432

Key Takeaways:

• Stu wasn’t driven by money and things but by accomplishments

• The accomplishments were great but fleeting

• Turned to alcohol which made him angry

• Guided 3 companies through successful IPOs

• Faced a lawsuit from the S.E.C.

• Trish had to lean on her faith and prayer to stay married

• She put her happiness on the shelf

• Instead of arguing she chose silence

Questions:

• Why were you such a jerk?

• Trish, I know you got saved first and that was a big part of the reason you stuck it out with Stu, but many good Christian women would have still left, how were you able to stick it out?

• I’m sure you tried to get him to quit drinking and change the way he was living, did you just give up trying to convince him at some point?

• While not going to the extremes you did, many entrepreneurs have the same mentality you had. What would you say to them?

• Pastors can fall into much of the same trap that you did in your career, what do you say to them?

Stu serves as the Senior Pastor of Redemption Hills Church in Littleton Colorado and is the Cofounder and COO of Lifeverse. His first book, Wall Street to the Well, was released April 2019. After working in corporate business for twenty years, he earned an M.Div. from Denver Seminary and was called into full-time ministry combining his love of Jesus with 21st century technology. Stu lives in the foothills of Colorado with his wife, Trish. They have two grown children who divide their time between school, work, and fun.

Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/

Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries

Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk

Taking a vacation is a good thing. So why is it so hard for the typical entrepreneur to tear themselves away from the day to day grind of building a business to take a break with their family?

We’ve heard and used these excuses. “I’m too busy to get away.” “It’s too stressful to take time off. There will be so much work waiting for me when I get back.” “I don’t think the staff will be able to handle things while I’m gone.” “I get texts and emails all the time while I’m away. So I might as well stay home and get things done.”

If your goal in starting the business was to gain more freedom then something has to change. And forcing yourself to take more vacations will set your business up for success if you follow these rules. Take a listen to this week’s episode. Your family and staff will thank you.

Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/

Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries

Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk

Key Takeaways:

• Common excuses- I don’t have time, It’s too stressful, I can’t trust the staff to take care of business,

• Results- You’re stressed, business is stressed, family is stressed

• Vacations are good for the soul

• It is productive

• What we hear after the vacation. I got more clarity/ideas for the business, I/we needed that, The team took care of business,

• It forces you to scale and grow your business. - prepare your staff for your absence (S.O.P.)

• • List what you do

  • Circle the things only you can do

  • Identify who can do what

  • Nominate a lead(ers)

  • Start preparing three months before your next vacation

  • Develop systems

  • Document the procedures

  • Define what a true emergency is

• The team is empowered to make decisions for themselves based on the good of the company

• Resist the temptation to take back responsibilities once you return

• You get great ideas

• It refuels you for the work ahead

• Better for your health, relationship and business

Imagine the doctor telling you that your spouse has 40 minutes to live. What do you do? How do you feel? How do you cope? Tune in to this week’s episode as entrepreneurs Gary and Keely Van Vlack share their story of how close Keely came to dying and how Gary coped.

After Keely miraculously got over the hump and her health started to improve, the reality of life and running multiple businesses kicked in. Gary had to run his business and Keely’s business while learning how to roast coffee in one day. And make sure their customers liked it.

This conversation will show you what’s important, how relationships matter, and how to accomplish more in less time.

Website: Gkcapitalinc.com

Website: Renew.global

Key Takeaways:

• Purpose drives business

• Power of relationships

• Follow the graph

• Freedom of a well said “no”

• Empowering people to do what they can do

Topics:

• Stewardship of time—guarding your yes and no. leaning into God, and not getting caught up in all the good things, and leaving no time and space for the God things.

• A yes and a no in covenant- what it looks like to wait on God as a couple in life and business. How to lead in times where you are not 100% aligned. Hence, one has a yes, and the other person has a no. what to do, and how to handle that together and stay out of strife.

• How to handle tremendous growth in business. – doing more with less. Avoiding burnout and strife in marriage due to commitments and deliverables. Creating an environment and culture around you to aid in your success, and keeping accountability.

Gary and Keely, the dynamic duo behind G.K. Capital Inc., bring a unique fusion of passion, expertise, and heart to the world of business consulting & start-up’s. With a combined experience of over 30 years, they have honed their skills in fostering strategic growth and sustainable business practices. Their journey is not just about building successful businesses; it's about cultivating relationships and empowering individuals. Their approach is deeply rooted in their values of service, integrity, and commitment, ensuring that each decision and strategy aligns with these core principles.

Together, Gary and Keely embody the spirit of entrepreneurial stewardship. They are not only business owners and investors themselves, but also dedicated mentors who believe in the transformative power of disciplined stewardship. Their expertise in identifying growth opportunities and maximizing investments is matched by their dedication to their faith and community. This blend of professional acumen and personal values makes them a formidable team in the business world. As they share their knowledge and passion with others, they continue to inspire and lead with a vision that transcends the traditional boundaries of business, focusing equally on profitability and the enrichment of human lives.

Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/

Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries

Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk