In this episode of Hey Charles, Charles Ernst interviews Eric Merz of Vertua Coaching, a coach with 19 years of experience working with businesses of all sizes. Eric shares his journey from growing up on a farm to managing a farm service business and eventually transitioning into coaching. He highlights the need for adaptive strategic planning due to rapid changes in business environments and stresses the significance of leaders sharing their vision with their teams to ensure alignment and engagement. He also underscores the role of coaching in helping clients navigate challenges by asking open-ended questions and fostering self-discovery. Eric's coaching business, Vertua Coaching, focuses on helping clients find their "truth" and achieve their goals. With practical examples like strategic business planning, adaptive coaching, and changing perspectives, the episode offers actionable strategies for business owners and organizations to ask the right questions and transform their business.

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Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

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Eric Merz

• Vertua Coaching - https://vertuacoaching.com/

Key Moments:

Coaching Philosophy Introduced (00:00:00 - 00:00:28): Charles and Eric highlight that coaching is about asking powerful questions and uncovering the client's potential, rather than providing all the answers.

Introduction to Eric Merz and His Journey (00:01:01 - 00:02:17): Eric shares how his career began in farming and evolved into a coaching practice driven by his passion for helping others.

Building a Leadership Program (00:02:38 - 00:04:33): Eric recounts creating a youth leadership program in Wasco, which sparked his interest in facilitation and mentoring.

Coaching vs. Consulting (00:04:56 - 00:07:08): The distinction between coaching, which empowers clients to discover solutions, and consulting, which prescribes solutions, is explored.

Adapting to Change in Business (00:12:06 - 00:15:15): Eric discusses the need for businesses to adapt to macroeconomic and technological changes to remain competitive.

Strategic Planning as a Fluid Process (00:19:54 - 00:21:59): The importance of constantly reassessing strategic plans in response to changing conditions is emphasized.

Empowering Teams Through Shared Vision (00:30:14 - 00:33:41): Eric emphasizes the value of involving team members in the vision-setting process to ensure alignment and motivation.

In this episode of Hey Charles, Charles Ernst reflects on the significance of analyzing past performance and setting trends for 2025. He stresses that complacency in the face of rapidly evolving technologies, such as AI, can leave businesses behind. By understanding both macroeconomic forces like inflation and internal business metrics, entrepreneurs can adapt to challenges. Charles advises leveraging data, reports, and peer conversations to stay informed and make strategic decisions. He warns against the fallacy of relying on repetitive success patterns, advocating for proactive innovation instead. Concluding with motivational advice, he urges listeners to stay focused, push their limits, and embrace growth.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

🔥 FOLLOW ON ALL PLATFORMS 🔥

• Instagram - @heycharles77

• TikTok - @heycharles77

• Twitter - @heycharles77

• Youtube - @HeyCharlesBiz

Key Moments

Introduction to the Podcast and Mission (00:00:09): Charles introduces his podcast, explaining how he opens his personal conversations about business, entrepreneurship, and life advice to a broader audience.

Reflecting on the Past Year (00:00:54): Charles discusses the importance of analyzing the previous year’s successes and failures as a foundation for setting new goals.

Adapting to Change (00:03:14): He emphasizes the challenge of embracing new trends and technologies like AI, stressing that complacency can lead to obsolescence.

Macro vs. Micro Trends (00:04:09): Charles explores the impact of external (macro) factors, such as inflation, and internal (micro) adjustments within a business.

Learning from Data and Conversations (00:06:33): He highlights the importance of leveraging data, reports, and peer discussions to understand trends and make informed decisions.

The “Rinse and Repeat” Fallacy (00:11:12): Charles critiques the idea of sticking to successful habits without planning for inevitable changes, urging proactive innovation.

Final Motivational Call (00:13:30): He encourages listeners to remain hungry, focused, and adaptable while continuously pushing their limits to grow and succeed.

In the latest episode of Hey Charles, Charles Ernst unpacks the common misconceptions about shopping for business insurance and provides actionable advice to help business owners secure the best coverage. He addresses false narratives, like keeping your cards close to your chest or believing bundling is the only way to save money, and explains how transparency and preparation are key to getting competitive quotes. Charles emphasizes the importance of starting the insurance shopping process well in advance and building trust with brokers to ensure they can present your business in the best light. This episode encourages business owners to approach insurance as a strategic investment that protects against unforeseen risks while minimizing unnecessary costs.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

🔥 FOLLOW ON ALL PLATFORMS 🔥

• Instagram - @heycharles77

• TikTok - @heycharles77

• Twitter - @heycharles77

• Youtube - @HeyCharlesBiz

Key Moments:

The Biggest Misconception About Shopping for Insurance (00:00:45 - 00:01:15): Charles explains why the idea of withholding information from brokers is counterproductive and how transparency leads to better quotes.

Why Bundling Isn’t Always the Best Option (00:02:10 - 00:02:40): He highlights that while bundling can save money, it’s not always the best solution for every business’s unique needs.

The Importance of Starting Early (00:03:00 - 00:03:45): Charles stresses the need to begin the insurance shopping process months in advance to avoid last-minute decisions and missed opportunities.

Building Trust with Your Insurance Broker (00:04:15 - 00:05:00): He shares how fostering a transparent relationship with your broker can help them present your business in the best light to underwriters.

Understanding Coverage Gaps (00:06:20 - 00:07:00): Charles discusses how many business owners unknowingly leave themselves exposed by not addressing specific coverage gaps.

How to Compare Insurance Quotes Effectively (00:07:30 - 00:08:15): He provides tips on comparing quotes beyond price, focusing on policy details and exclusions to find the best value.

Insurance as a Strategic Investment (00:09:00 - 00:09:45): Charles reframes insurance as a proactive business strategy to protect against risks and reduce long-term costs.

The podcast “Hey Charles,” hosted by Charles Ernst, dives into why open communication in the workplace is such a game-changer. Did you know that over half of employees don’t feel comfortable sharing their ideas with their boss? Charles breaks down what that means for morale, productivity, and innovation—and it’s not good. But he doesn’t stop there. With practical tips like leading by example, embracing different communication styles, and giving regular feedback, Charles shares exactly how leaders can create a culture where ideas flow freely. This episode is a reminder that open dialogue isn’t just nice to have—it’s the secret sauce for building strong, successful teams.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

🔥 FOLLOW ON ALL PLATFORMS 🔥

• Instagram - @heycharles77

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• Twitter - @heycharles77

• Youtube - @HeyCharlesBiz

Key Moments:

The Importance of Open Communication (00:00:00 - 00:00:30): Over half of employees do not feel comfortable sharing their ideas with their boss.

Introduction of the Episode’s Theme (00:01:25 - 00:02:11): Charles explains why open communication is vital for business growth and how it impacts morale and innovation.

The Cost of Poor Communication (00:02:11 - 00:03:06): Think about the productivity that’s being lost. Charles discusses how lack of communication reduces collaboration and stifles problem-solving.

Building a Foundation of Trust Through Communication (00:03:06 - 00:03:31): The key to success always is going to be the strong relationships and the strong bonds.

Strategies to Foster Communication (00:03:31 - 00:04:26): Charles outlines practical steps like leading by example and creating safe spaces for idea-sharing.

Overcoming Communication Barriers (00:07:05 - 00:07:30) Fear and mistrust are the biggest barriers. He highlights how leaders can address cultural issues to improve dialogue.

The Value of Communication Training (00:08:06 - 00:08:31): Invest in training to enhance your team’s communication skills.

In this episode of Hey Charles, Charles Ernst interviews Dr. Anna Marie Frank to discuss the connection between brain health, personal well-being, and workplace performance. Dr. Frank shares her powerful personal journey of overcoming depression through holistic health practices and challenges the conventional “sick care” approach. She emphasizes the importance of addressing foundational wellness—nutrition, mindset, and sleep—to combat stress, burnout, and poor employee performance. Dr. Frank highlights her work with companies, showing how tailored wellness programs and mindset coaching can reduce behavioral health claims, improve employee morale, and boost ROI. With practical examples like meal prep classes, small group coaching, and mindset-shifting tools, the episode offers actionable strategies for business owners and organizations to foster healthier, more productive teams.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

🔥 FOLLOW ON ALL PLATFORMS 🔥

• Instagram - @heycharles77

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Dr. Anna Marie Frank

• Instagram - @dr.anna.marie

Key Moments:

Redefining Mental Health as Brain Health (00:02:31 - 00:03:15): Dr. Frank explains her belief that the issue is not mental health but brain health, highlighting how nutrition, sleep, and stress directly impact overall well-being.

Dr. Frank’s Personal Journey (00:03:37 - 00:04:23): She shares her story of hitting rock bottom in her 20s after being prescribed mind-altering medications and her decision to rewire her brain and heal naturally.

The Domino Effect of Poor Health Choices (00:04:56 - 00:05:44): Dr. Frank outlines how poor nutrition, lack of sunlight, and over-exercising created a “perfect storm” that damaged her brain health.

Blaming External Circumstances (00:08:46 - 00:09:14): She discusses how people often blame events like bad bosses or stressful jobs, when the real issue is neglecting foundational health habits.

The Symphony of Wellness (00:16:07 - 00:16:51): Dr. Frank explains that health and wellness should be treated as a “symphony,” where all aspects—nutrition, mindset, and lifestyle—work together holistically.

Corporate ROI on Wellness Programs (00:23:57 - 00:24:23): She shares a powerful example of a company saving $2.4 million in behavioral health claims through a comprehensive employee wellness program.

Practical Wellness Initiatives (00:29:44 - 00:30:28): Dr. Frank details engaging initiatives like cooking classes, mocktail workshops, and small-group mindset coaching, all aimed at creating healthier, more productive employees.

In his latest podcast, Charles Ernst dives into essential strategies for protecting your business and securing its bottom line. He discusses common risks like legal liabilities, financial mismanagement, and cybersecurity threats, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning. Charles highlights the role of business insurance, contingency plans, and intellectual property protection in mitigating potential losses. He also shares valuable insights on addressing cybersecurity challenges through strong data protection and employee education. Additionally, he stresses the need for strategic financial planning to maintain stability during economic uncertainties. Finally, Charles underscores the importance of working with legal advisors to ensure compliance and tackle risks head-on, safeguarding the future of your business.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

🔥 FOLLOW ON ALL PLATFORMS 🔥

• Instagram - @heycharles77

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• Youtube - @HeyCharlesBiz

Key Moments:

Identifying Key Risks for Small Businesses (00:02:10 - 00:03:00): Charles highlights the most common risks small businesses face, including legal liabilities, financial mismanagement, and market fluctuations.

The Importance of Business Insurance (00:04:15 - 00:05:20): He stresses the need for adequate business insurance to safeguard assets and reduce exposure to potential lawsuits or unexpected losses.

Financial Planning for Stability (00:06:30 - 00:07:50): Charles discusses the role of strategic financial planning in maintaining stability and managing cash flow during challenging economic times.

Building a Contingency Plan (00:09:10 - 00:10:25): He explains why every business needs a contingency plan to prepare for emergencies like natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, or major client losses.

Protecting Intellectual Property (00:11:45 - 00:12:55): Charles emphasizes the importance of safeguarding intellectual property, including trademarks and patents, to prevent competitors from exploiting valuable assets.

Mitigating Cybersecurity Threats (00:13:30 - 00:14:45): He provides insights on combating cybersecurity risks, such as implementing strong data protection measures and educating employees about phishing scams.

The Role of Legal Advisors in Business Protection (00:15:50 - 00:17:00): Charles concludes by encouraging business owners to collaborate with legal advisors to proactively address potential threats and ensure compliance with regulations.

In this podcast, Charles Ernst tackles the pressing issue of rising healthcare costs and their impact on individuals and businesses. He explores the benefits of Direct Primary Care (DPC), a subscription-based model that reduces costs and improves patient access. Charles highlights inefficiencies in traditional insurance systems and suggests alternative approaches to bridge the gaps. He discusses the role of technology, such as telemedicine, in transforming healthcare delivery and the importance of preventative care in reducing long-term expenses. Additionally, he addresses challenges employers face in providing affordable benefits and advocates for greater transparency in healthcare pricing. Charles emphasizes empowering consumers with the knowledge to make informed decisions, paving the way for a more efficient and equitable healthcare system.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

🔥 FOLLOW ON ALL PLATFORMS 🔥

• Instagram - @heycharles77

• TikTok - @heycharles77

• Twitter - @heycharles77

• Youtube - @HeyCharlesBiz

Key Moments:

Rising Healthcare Costs (00:01:10 - 00:02:05): Charles highlights the rapid increase in healthcare costs and its significant impact on individuals and businesses, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions.

Understanding Direct Primary Care (DPC) (00:03:20 - 00:04:15): He explains the benefits of DPC, which provides a subscription-based model for healthcare, reducing costs and improving access for patients.

Breaking Down Barriers in Traditional Insurance (00:06:45 - 00:08:10): Charles discusses how traditional insurance structures often lead to inefficiencies and how alternative approaches can bridge the gap.

Employee Healthcare Challenges (00:09:30 - 00:10:55): He addresses the challenges employers face in providing affordable healthcare benefits to their employees while balancing company budgets.

The Role of Technology in Healthcare (00:11:20 - 00:12:45): Charles emphasizes how telemedicine and other digital tools can revolutionize healthcare delivery, making it more efficient and accessible.

The Need for Preventative Care (00:13:50 - 00:15:05): He highlights the importance of preventative care in reducing long-term healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.

Empowering Consumers with Transparency (00:16:30 - 00:17:45): Charles advocates for greater transparency in healthcare pricing, enabling consumers to make informed decisions about their care.

The Hidden Threat Destroying Your Business: Bad Employee Training

In this episode of Hey Charles, Charles Ernst explores the importance of creating effective and engaging employee training programs. He critiques the common pitfalls of outdated, compliance-driven training that fails to resonate with employees. Highlighting that 92% of workers believe good training boosts engagement and morale, he emphasizes the value of investing in programs that help employees grow and feel valued. Charles discusses innovative approaches like storytelling, gamification, and AI-powered learning to modernize training and cater to diverse learning styles. He underscores the need for continuous training throughout employees' careers to enhance their skills and foster loyalty. The episode offers actionable insights for leaders aiming to improve performance and morale through impactful training strategies.

💸 INSANE GAME PLAN to make you SUPER SUCCESSFUL and SKYROCKET YOUR BUSINESS! 💸

Welcome to HeyCharles, as a CEO, business owner, and entrepreneur, Charles helps create a game plan for ultimate success. 🚀

🔥 FOLLOW ON ALL PLATFORMS 🔥

• Instagram - @heycharles77

• TikTok - @heycharles77

• Twitter - @heycharles77

• Youtube - @HeyCharlesBiz

Key Moments:

1. Training’s Common Pitfalls: Charles discusses how most employee training programs are often seen as boring, irrelevant, or merely compliance-driven, leading to low engagement and wasted resources.
2. The Value of Effective Training: He highlights that 92% of employees believe good training boosts engagement and morale, emphasizing that investing in meaningful training benefits both employees and the company.
3. Relevance and Engagement: Charles stresses the importance of creating up-to-date, job-specific, and engaging training content that resonates with employees rather than relying on outdated methods or materials.
4. Innovative Training Approaches: Examples like storytelling, humor, and personalized content are shared to make training more effective. He mentions companies using creative methods like entertaining safety videos that improve both engagement and outcomes.
5. The Role of Technology: Charles explores the use of AI-powered learning, microlearning modules, and virtual or augmented reality to cater to different learning styles and make training more accessible and impactful.
6. Gamification in Training: He discusses how incorporating game-like elements into training can tap into employees' familiarity with gaming, enhancing interest and retention.
7. Continuous Learning Culture: Charles advocates for ongoing training that evolves with employees’ careers, helping them grow their skills, feel valued, and remain loyal to the organization.