✅401k; retirement planning; tax strategies for business owners.

Matt Ruthenberg shows how business founders can leverage a custom retirement plan stack to save six figures in taxes, build real wealth and set themselves up for an early retirement.

Most founders underuse 401k plans. Matt breaks down the 401k tax code, as well as concepts around profit sharing; cash balance defined benefit plans; and the “retirement plan stack” so owners maximize contributions while staying compliant.

We cover 401k vs Roth; mega backdoor Roth; self-directed options for real estate with non-recourse loans; state auto-IRA mandates; S-Corp salary rules; LTIPs for key employees; and how to flex the plan when profits swing. Embrace the mindset shift that equips you to be the CEO of your wealth, not just your company.

00:00 – Introduction to 401k strategies
01:41 – Matt’s journey in financial strategy
03:35 – Understanding the 401k tax code
05:39 – Comparing 401k and Roth IRA
09:34 – Designing a retirement plan stack
11:32 – Maximizing savings for founders
15:41 – Employer-focused retirement plans
19:38 – Common mistakes by business owners
21:34 – State mandates and 401k requirements
23:40 – Investing in real estate with a 401k
25:32 – Self-directing your 401k; compliance
28:00 – DIY plans vs hiring a team
30:47 – Why customization matters
32:36 – Tax implications; strategy pairing
34:20 – Real-life success stories
38:36 – Depreciation; deferred tax questions
40:52 – 401k moves when preparing to sell
43:38 – Mindset shifts for entrepreneurs
46:39 – Balancing business and personal
48:49 – Key takeaways for business owners

✅ From Dyslexia to CEO: Entrepreneurship, AI, Fundraising and Disrupting Alcohol DeliveryEntrepreneurship meets AI in this raw Business 101 Podcast episode with Rob Matzkin.Rob Matzkin shares how dyslexia shaped his learning style and became his superpower; how he built Booze Carriage, the first alcohol delivery service in the US; why MyQuest focused on B2B edtech; and how he is fundraising a $50M deep tech fund at Singularity Ventures. We dig into AI as an operator advantage; a no-nonsense fundraising playbook; corporate culture that rewards outcomes not hours; and why your net worth is your network.Chapters00:00 From dyslexia to entrepreneurship; college hacks that worked14:32 Booze Carriage; innovating alcohol delivery and staying legal21:12 Building MyQuest; B2B edtech over B2C28:48 AI in business; real workflows and vibe coding33:46 Fundraising today; friends and family vs pre seed vs seed vs series A45:24 Coaching founders; first 20k MRR to first $1M raised46:48 Corporate culture; measure results not hours57:39 Final advice; be authentic; be vulnerable; take risks58:01 Wrap and takeaways✅Subscribe for weekly C-suite playbooks✅Comment your biggest takeaway✅Share with a founder who needs this✅Like if you want more no-fluff business lessons✅Join the Business 101 community

In this episode, Ayo talks with Paris, an experienced financial coach and educator, whose journey has spanned the world of financial advising and business coaching.

Paris reveals what most financial advisors won’t tell you: budgeting should free not restrict; emergency funds are nonnegotiable; and inking funds and buffers can transform cash flow management.

Accounting mindsets differ between financial advisors and financial coaches; and Paris advocates for getting a financial coach rather than an advisor.

What You’ll Learn:

- How to shift from advisor‑style investing advice to coach‑driven financial discipline

- Concrete budgeting mistakes many people make and how to fix them

- Why building sinking fund systems can stabilize your financial life

- Investment strategies during volatile markets

- The essential questions to ask before choosing a financial coach

- Ways to reduce stress and build real wealth using money systems

Join Ayo Oye as he talks with Raj Singh, a successful entrepreneur who has built and sold multiple tech startups, including one acquired by Mozilla.

In this episode of the Business 101 Podcast, we delve into the transformative role of AI in business strategy, discussing key insights into product validation, scaling startups, and the dynamics of company acquisitions.

Raj shares his experience leading innovation at Mozilla, highlighting the essential entrepreneurial mindset and the differences between startup hustle and corporate execution.

Whether you're building a new venture or exploring the intersection of AI and business, this conversation provides valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, consultants, and business enthusiasts.

In this episode of the Business 101 Podcast, CFO advisor Emmanuel Skevofilax shares essential strategies for sustainable business growth. Discover the real cost of fast growth and how to protect your bottom line by leveraging AI, data, and finance. Scaling too quickly can lead to financial loss for even solid companies; Emmanuel breaks down common mistakes leaders make—from chasing top-line revenue to neglecting crucial financial ratios. Learn why prioritizing profit over scale is vital, how to maintain cash flow, and methods for tracking your company’s financial health in real-time. This episode is a must-listen for founders looking to grow intentionally and sustainably, offering practical frameworks to ensure you can both boost revenue and thrive. Tune in to optimize your growth strategy and keep your business financially stable!

Discover how a seasoned consultant uses sales strategy, business systems and financial insight to drive growth, profit and lasting revenue. In this episode of the Business 101 Podcast, we dive deep with Christopher Filipiak, a business coach who teaches founders and solo consultants how to design more profitable, scalable businesses through intentional systems, honest pricing and real ownership.Christopher breaks down how bad sales habits ruin businesses; how mindset is only one part of the fix; and why building a business without being glued to every client call is the real goal. You'll learn why intellectual courage, clean sales processes and ruthless calendar discipline are critical for long-term business success.We also explore how finance, data and ratios influence the bottom line; the AI tools solo consultants should be using; and how corporate refugees can turn experience into income. If you're building a business or trying to escape the chaos of inconsistent cash flow, this is your episode.Christopher’s insights cut through fluff. This is not motivational talk; it’s tactical. Bring your notes; you’ll leave with actions.📌 Chapters0:00 - Intro; who is Christopher Filipiak1:45 - Sales vs. systems; why most founders stall4:20 - Business profit: the real math behind growth6:55 - Solo consultant frameworks that scale9:40 - Why “more leads” isn't your first fix13:20 - AI in business: smart solo tools16:30 - Time, calendar, leverage; the real assets20:10 - Pricing right: consultant revenue drivers24:00 - Losses, ratios and profit signals27:50 - Career shifts: from corporate to consultant30:40 - How to grow without burning out33:00 - Wrap-up: business, money, systems that work---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Find Chris here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherfilipiak/Connect with Ayo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioyegbadeStream the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2slCYeTCsSW1usBQeXdUJp?si=7152f76cce464b5#business #money #finance #entrepreneurship #sales #consulting #growth #profit #Business101Podcast

In this episode, Ayo Oye, MBA, ACA, B.Sc., a seasoned Business Consultant with experience at McKinsey, Deloitte & PwC, speaks with Katherine Lacefield, Founder of Just Be Cause Consulting. They delve into the crucial role of fundraising in business growth and capital acquisition. Katherine shares insights from her 20 years of experience in executing effective fundraising strategies for non-profit organizations globally. As the former Coordinator of PhiLab, Canada's largest philanthropic grantmaking research lab, she discusses her extensive work in grantmaking research focused on social and environmental justice. This conversation illuminates how organizations can enhance their fundraising efforts to ultimately improve their bottom line and drive success across various sectors and causes.

In this episode, Ayo Oye, MBA, ACA, B.Sc., a seasoned Management Consultant with experience at McKinsey, Deloitte & PwC, sits down with Brandon Woodward, Managing Partner at Woodward, Kelley, Fulton & Kaplan Law Office.

They delve into the essential legal considerations for building a sustainable business. Over his 25 years of guiding startups and closely held companies, Brandon has transformed his law firm from a card table operation into a six-figure business, revealing critical lessons about growth, profit, and safeguards against costly legal mistakes.

This conversation uncovers the biggest blind spots entrepreneurs often overlook, the importance of clarity in contracts, and how a resilient company culture can impact your bottom line.

Whether you’re launching your startup or scaling for growth, tune in to uncover the practical insights you need to protect and grow your business sustainably.