Guest:

• Jill Hamblen
• Founder and President, triARC architecture & design
• Specializes in healthcare architecture, motivated by personal experiences
• Introverted leader who prioritizes empathy and values in business

Topics Covered:

1. Jill’s Path to Purpose

• How her daughter’s NICU experience led Jill to specialize in healthcare design
• The role of physical spaces in supporting healing and human connection

1. Founding triARC architecture & design

• The leap from architect to business owner
• The importance of grit and trusting the journey in entrepreneurship

1. Leadership as an Introvert

• Jill’s approach to leadership as an introvert in a relationship-driven industry
• Strategies for building meaningful connections and managing energy

1. Values-Driven Business Decisions

• How Jill’s people-centric values shape her team’s work culture and client relationships
• The importance of clarity and alignment in building a values-based business

1. Balancing Functionality and Warmth in Healthcare Design

• Jill’s “North Star” approach to align client vision with functional and welcoming designs
• Creating spaces that offer a sense of safety and comfort for patients and staff

1. Advice for Introverted Entrepreneurs

• Insights on delegating, staying authentic, and leading with a supportive team
• Building a business that reflects core values for sustainable success

Memorable Quotes:

• “When you have a traumatic experience, it leaves an imprint, and what you choose to do with that imprint is 100% up to you.” – Jill Hamblen
• “If given a choice between being in a room full of people or being with my family, I’ll choose family every time. That’s where I recharge.” – Jill Hamblen
• “There are clients who align with our values, and those are the relationships we pursue. We can’t be all things to all people.” – Jill Hamblen
• “Heart and grit—that’s what it takes to be a business owner.” – Jill Hamblen

Signature Question:

Jamie asks Jill what it takes to be a successful business owner, and Jill responds with “heart and grit”—qualities that have guided her through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Where to Find Jill:

• Website: triARC architecture & design
• Instagram: @triarc_design
• LinkedIn: Jill Hamblen (LinkedIn handle)

Guest: Rich Kozak, Founder of Rich Brands

Memorable Quotes:

• “A brand isn’t your perception; it’s the perception in others’ minds.”
• “To scale, you must evolve both the brand and the perception around it.”
• “When founders share their vision, things become clearer for everyone involved.”

Key Takeaways:

1. The Nature of Brand: Rich defines branding as the perception held by others and explains why that perspective is key.
2. Scaling Beyond Self: Founders can maintain their identity while allowing the brand to take on its own growth path.
3. Ego and Vision: Balancing ego with a shared vision makes scaling more achievable and removes hurdles.
4. Practical Advice: Rich shares strategies like “trusting your gut,” “speaking from the heart,” and his structured 7-step branding approach for impactful results.

Resource Links:

• Rich Brands — Explore Rich’s brand services and download his 7-Step Blueprint for purpose-driven branding.

1. The Entrepreneurial Start:

• Matt started CapForge after being laid off in 2000, leveraging his background in small business consulting. He had a goal to build something scalable and long-lasting.

1. Pivoting to Bookkeeping:

• In 2012, Matt realized consulting wasn't scalable for him and identified a gap in the market for affordable, high-quality bookkeeping. This pivot led to the growth of CapForge.

1. Scaling to 85+ Employees:

• Matt shares how intention and delegation allowed him to scale from a one-person firm to a team of 85 professionals while maintaining high standards of service.

1. Flat-Fee Pricing Model:

• Matt introduced a flat-fee pricing model to remove the unpredictability and frustration of hourly billing for clients. This innovative approach helped differentiate CapForge from competitors.

1. Entrepreneurial Resilience:

• Matt stresses the importance of not giving up when faced with challenges, learning how to delegate, and growing a business that can thrive without the owner’s constant involvement.

1. Signature Question – What It Takes:

• At the end of the day, what it really takes to succeed as an entrepreneur is resilience: not giving up, and building a business that can run without you.

• "I didn’t want to just fill my time with 40 hours of bookkeeping. I wanted to build something bigger." — Matt Remuzzi
• "If you're going to grow, you need to learn how to delegate and ensure your business can run without you." — Matt Remuzzi

• Website: capforge.com
• Instagram: @capforge_bookkeeping
• Facebook: CapForge Bookkeeping
• LinkedIn: CapForge on LinkedIn
• Twitter: @capforge

• Instagram: @jamieseeker
• LinkedIn: Jamie Seeker on LinkedIn

Tune in to future episodes for more stories from entrepreneurs who share the real, raw truths about what it takes to build and sustain a successful business!