Episodios

  • Tax-Free Growth & Real Estate Power Plays with Solo 401(k)s

    Tax-Free Growth & Real Estate Power Plays with Solo 401(k)s
    Jun 12 2025
    Feeling the chaos of the stock market tug on your retirement plans? Dmitriy Fomichenko joins Melissa Aarskaug to dive deep into the world of Solo 401Ks—a game-changing strategy for self-employed professionals and small business owners. Learn how to bypass custodians, invest in real estate, save big on taxes, and maintain full control of your financial future. If you’re ready to make your money work smarter and harder (without Uncle Sam taking the lion's share), this episode is your blueprint.

    ⏱️ Chapters:
    00:00 – Intro: Why Solo 401Ks Matter Now
    01:18 – Dmitriy’s Immigrant Journey & Founding Sense Financial
    02:54 – IRA vs 401(k) vs Solo K Explained
    04:43 – Investing Beyond Wall Street
    06:55 – Massive Tax Advantages of Solo Ks
    11:24 – Real Estate Leverage Without Tax Penalties
    14:06 – Prohibited Transactions & IRS Rules
    19:44 – Maintenance Made Easy
    23:10 – Dual 401K Strategy for Married or Multi-Income Households
    26:41 – Final Tips: Control, Leverage & Long-Term Wealth
    28:47 – Where to Connect with Dmitriy

    #Solo401K #FinancialFreedom #TaxStrategies #WealthBuilding #RealEstateInvesting #RetirementPlanning #SelfEmployedLife #AlternativeInvestments #PassiveIncome #SmartMoneyMoves #EntrepreneurFinance #TaxFreeGrowth #SenseFinancial #BusinessOwners #MoneyMindset #InvestSmart #SmallBusinessTips #SoloK #RetireRich #TaxPlanning
    Más Menos
    31 m
  • From Oil Rigs to Boardrooms: Sales, Strategy & Self-Leadership in Energy

    From Oil Rigs to Boardrooms: Sales, Strategy & Self-Leadership in Energy
    Jun 5 2025
    In this episode of Executive Connect, host Melissa Aarskaug talks with Justin Vandenbrink, President
    of Mercenary Sales, about his journey from the rugged oil rigs of Canada to the polished boardrooms of
    Houston. Justin shares how a foundation in geology and a passion for building authentic relationships
    helped him shift from technical roles to high-level business development.
    Key insights include:
    ● How to pivot from field operations to executive sales.
    ● Why building trust beats “closing the deal.”
    ● The shift from transactional selling to consultative partnerships in upstream oil & gas.
    ● How Justin balances high-performance selling with mental wellness.
    ● The future of work in the energy sector: project-based roles over permanent hires.
    Whether you're in the trenches of oil & gas or leading a team through change, Justin offers real-world
    strategies on building credibility, leading yourself, and creating long-term client value.

    Chapters:
    1. [00:00] From Geologist to CEO Whisperer
    Justin’s origin story from field geology to business development.
    2. [05:00] Taking the Leap: Canada to Houston
    How a candid moment with leadership changed his career path.
    3. [07:00] Sales Isn’t Selling—It’s Strategy
    Redefining sales as relationship-building in complex industries.
    4. [11:00] Navigating Tech Shifts & Client Needs
    Adapting to software’s growing role in upstream oil & gas.
    5. [15:00] High-Trust Selling for High-Stakes Clients
    Earning credibility by telling hard truths.
    6. [18:00] Wellness in the Hustle
    How to avoid burnout while chasing sales goals.
    7. [22:00] Lead Yourself First
    The art of time blocking, focus, and managing your own performance.
    8. [28:00] When Selling Looks Effortless
    Why good salespeople make it look too easy—and what’s behind it.
    9. [32:00] Rethinking the Sales Process
    Justin’s idea for a vendor “casting call” to streamline upstream sales.
    10. [36:00] Future of Work in Oil & Gas
    Why project-based roles might be the future—and how to thrive in them.
    Más Menos
    39 m
  • The Harsh Truth About Startups & Why Ecosystems Fail

    The Harsh Truth About Startups & Why Ecosystems Fail
    Jun 1 2025
    The Harsh Truth About Startups & Why Ecosystems Fail

    In this insightful episode of Executive Connect, we’re joined by Paul O’Brien—a self-described contrarian
    and leading startup economist—who challenges conventional wisdom around entrepreneurship. From
    redefining what a startup actually is to exposing why most ecosystems fail, Paul lays out a bold vision for
    what it really takes to build a thriving innovation hub.
    Learn why most cities are chasing the wrong metrics
    Discover the “real” anatomy of a startup (hint: it’s not just building a business)
    Understand the massive gap between angel investors and VCs
    Hear why Austin’s creative scene is fueling its tech future
    And get advice for corporate execs wanting to dive into entrepreneurship

    Chapters:
    00:00 – Teaser
    01:00 – Paul O’Brien’s Startup Contrarian View
    06:00 – Why Cities Must Support Startup Ecosystems
    11:00 – Why Big Companies Don’t Create Jobs (Startups Do)
    16:00 – Austin vs. Silicon Valley vs. Nashville
    21:00 – The Real Founder Class: Artists, Musicians & Triangle Players
    27:00 – Why Most Accelerators Fail Without Incubators
    34:00 – Advice for Executives Entering Startup Land
    41:00 – The Investor Class Misunderstanding Startups
    44:00 – Final Words: Why Paul Will Rip Your Pitch Apart (for your own good)
    Tags:
    startup ecosystems, entrepreneurship, seed funding, venture capital, startup advice, Austin tech, tech
    innovation, startup growth, startup founder tips, angel investing, startup culture, building startups, startup
    support, economic development
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • What The Best CXOs Know About Leadership That You Don't

    What The Best CXOs Know About Leadership That You Don't
    May 25 2025
    What The Best CXOs Know About Leadership That You Don't What if the key to powerful leadership wasn’t in a strategy—but in a shift?

    In this soul-stirring episode, Disney alum and top leadership mentor Simon T. Bailey joins Executive Connect to share how leaders can truly spark brilliance in themselves and their teams.

    Chapters:
    00:00 – Teaser
    01:00 – Amplifying Brilliance: What It Really Means
    06:00 – The Myth of Positional Power
    11:00 – Leading the Whole Person: Mind, Hand, Heart, Soul
    16:00 – The 3 Needs of Every Human at Work
    21:00 – Leadership Failures at Disney & Turning Point
    27:00 – How to Launch (Not Just Onboard) New Employees
    34:00 – Why Culture Isn’t on the Website
    41:00 – When You Lose the Home Chasing the House
    45:00 – Roots, Wings… Not Loot and Things
    47:00 – Final Words: Hug Someone With Your Words Today

    More Related Tags: LeadershipForExecutives, CLevelSuccess, LeadershipMindset, ExecutiveDecisionMaking, CXOLeadershipSecrets, BusinessStrategyLeadership, LeadershipExcellence, EliteLeadership, PowerOfLeadership, LeadershipForGrowth, CorporateLeadership, ExecutiveMindset, CEOLeadershipTips, LeadershipEdge, LeadershipForCXOs, VisionaryLeadership, ModernLeadership, LeadershipInBusiness, HighImpactLeadership, CXOWisdom
    Más Menos
    34 m
  • I Was a Struggling Leader Until I Discovered This ONE Key Strategy

    I Was a Struggling Leader Until I Discovered This ONE Key Strategy
    Jun 1 2025
    I Was a Struggling Leader Until I Discovered This ONE Key Strategy.

    What if your backup plan turned out to be your biggest breakthrough? In this raw and revealing episode
    of Executive Connect, Bryan Hancock sits down with Lee Novikoff—founder of Title Petroleum and Title
    Group—to uncover how a chance opportunity in oil and gas transformed his life. From almost becoming
    a securities lawyer to building a 30-year legacy in the shale revolution, Lee shares insider insights on
    drilling strategy, fracking misconceptions, tax benefits, and why U.S. energy independence may be more
    fragile than we think. If you're curious about entrepreneurship, energy markets, or investing in oil, this
    episode is a masterclass.
    Chapters:
    00:00 – Teaser
    01:00 – How Lee Accidentally Entered Oil & Gas
    06:00 – The Risk and Reward of Vertical Wells
    11:00 – The Frac Plug That Changed Everything
    16:00 – Domestic Oil vs. Energy Independence
    21:00 – What Landmen Really Do
    27:00 – The Real Deal with Fracking & Water Tables
    34:00 – From Flowback to Profit: How a Well Makes Money
    41:00 – Tax Breaks & the Snowball Effect for Investors
    45:00 – Green Energy vs. Oil: What's the Future?
    47:00 – The One Thing People Get Wrong About the Oil Industry
    More Related Tags:
    energy investing, oil and gas industry, fracking facts, shale revolution, Eagle Ford shale, landman career,
    oil tax deductions, mineral rights, U.S. energy independence, title group, Lee Novikoff
    Más Menos
    50 m
  • Are You Making These Leadership Mistakes That Cost You Your Job?

    Are You Making These Leadership Mistakes That Cost You Your Job?
    May 10 2025
    Are You Making These Leadership Mistakes That Cost You Your Job?

    What if the thing you do for fun is actually your most valuable business asset? In this inspiring episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug speaks with Michelle Pecak—a strategic powerhouse who left a thriving corporate career to build a heart-centered business rooted in passion, purpose, and people. Discover how Michelle transitioned from quantum operations to conscious community building, monetising what came naturally and scaling it into a purposeful ecosystem called My Vibe.

    Chapters:

    00:00 – Teaser
    01:00 – Intro: Aligning Purpose with Profits
    02:30 – What Is a Joy Job?
    06:30 – When Do You Know You're Ready to Shift?
    11:00 – Start Before You’re Ready
    16:00 – The Joy Job Formula: People, Performance, Programming, Partnerships
    21:00 – Monetising What Comes Naturally
    26:00 – Positioning, Platforms, and Social Selling
    31:00 – Collaboration Over Competition
    36:00 – Final Thoughts: Permission to Be Curious
    Más Menos
    39 m
  • Level Up Your Career: The Hidden Secrets of Sustainable Energy Leadership

    Level Up Your Career: The Hidden Secrets of Sustainable Energy Leadership
    Apr 30 2025
    Level Up Your Career: The Hidden Secrets of Sustainable Energy Leadership

    Join Bryan Hancock on the Executive Connect podcast as he sits down with Yogashri Pradhan, petroleum engineer and data analytics expert at Chevron. Discover how Yogashri navigated her STEM journey into oil and gas, the future of energy sustainability, and how data analytics is reshaping the industry. Get insights on leadership advice for women in STEM, optimizing production, and why grit and resilience matter more than ever.

    Chapters:

    00:00 Teaser
    01:00 Introduction and Career Background
    02:11 Early Exposure to Oil and Gas through STEM
    06:45 Practical Use of Data Analytics in Oil and Gas
    11:39 De-risking Investments with Better Data
    14:00 Industry Shifts Toward Sustainability
    17:58 Viewpoint on Peak Oil and New Technologies
    21:52 Advice for Women Entering the Energy Sector
    25:08 The "Petro Papers" Podcast
    26:53 Final Thoughts on Grit, Resilience, and Open-Mindedness
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Skyrocket Your Leadership: Unlock the Excellence Equation for Career Success

    Skyrocket Your Leadership: Unlock the Excellence Equation for Career Success
    Apr 24 2025

    Join Whitney Faires, founder of Whitney Faires Coaching, on the Executive Connect podcast as she shares her Excellence Equation framework to empower high-achieving leaders. Learn how to navigate career transitions, lead through uncertainty, and prioritize self-care for lasting success.
    Más Menos
    41 m
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