Most small business owners spend almost all of their time working in the business, but not enough time working on the business.

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Slater, a former Google executive with over a decade of experience in design strategy, to talk about how entrepreneurs and solo-preneurs can get clear, identify the real problem, and create a plan for moving forward.

Sam helps small businesses turn chaos into a clear, linear process by asking the right questions: who, what, why, and how. Through his in-person workshops and Clarity Clinic, he helps business owners address challenges around growth, client communication, client retention, operations, and more.

We also talk about why business owners often struggle to step back, prioritize, and address problems head on, and how a 30, 60, 90 day roadmap can help create real momentum.

Learn more about Sam and his work:

Sam Slater Consulting samslaterconsulting.com

Instagram: @the_clarityclinicHosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

The stock market had a rough week, with all three major indexes finishing lower despite a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report. The economy added 172,000 jobs, unemployment remained steady at 4.3%, and investors immediately began reassessing the outlook for interest rates. Why would a strong jobs report hurt stocks?

In this video, James explains how stronger employment can keep inflation concerns alive and increase the likelihood that interest rates stay higher for longer. We also discuss the recent rise in the 10-year Treasury yield, why markets are now pricing in a greater chance of higher rates, and what that means for investors.

We also cover the latest developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict involving Iran, why the economy and the stock market are not the same thing, and how concerns about inflation and stagflation continue to impact investor sentiment.

Finally, we look ahead to what could become three of the biggest IPOs in history: SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic. If these companies join the Nasdaq, index funds may be forced to buy shares, potentially creating significant shifts in market flows and valuations.

Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

The stock market is back at all-time highs, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all closing at new records. The S&P 500 also posted its 9th straight week of gains, but as exciting as this moment feels, it is important to remember: this too shall pass.

In this Friday market recap, James breaks down why investors should avoid getting too emotional when markets are up or down, how the AI revolution is still driving this market cycle, and why this moment could be compared to major periods of innovation like the railroad, the internet, and other major technology shifts.

We also cover the big moves of the week, including Snowflake’s huge gains, Costco’s decline, weakness across most of the Magnificent 7 outside of Microsoft, crude oil moving lower, and the 10-year Treasury yield closing lowering to around 4.4% helping investors take a more risk on approach to the market.

James also discusses whether it may be time to take profits in major winners like Western Digital, SanDisk, and Micron, plus what massive potential IPOs like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic could mean for the market. If these companies go public, money has to come from somewhere, and that could create a major shift in where investors are allocating capital.The AI story is still the main driver of this market, but record highs can also bring new risks, new emotions, and the possibility of a pullback. The key is staying disciplined, investing in progress, and understanding that markets are always moving in cycles.

Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.