26 years in law enforcement, thousands of lives touched. From the DARE program to CASA, Make-A-Wish, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Nick Schulze has spent his life showing up for people nobody else would. In this episode, Phil sits down with the Mercer County law enforcement veteran, probation officer, and community advocate to talk about faith, fellowship, and the power of surrounding yourself with the right people. Nick shares the story behind a Make-A-Wish family's heartbreaking request, why FCA is changing the way young people talk about faith, and what happened when he opened his home to priests, brothers, and sisters from around the world for seven straight years. If you've ever wondered whether one person's willingness to serve can actually change a community, this episode is your answer.

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00:00 Nick Schulze's Journey of Service

00:57 Introduction to Nick Schulze's Experience

12:39 The DARE Program and Its Impact

15:48 Involvement with FCA and Youth Engagement

21:47 Building Community Through Faith and Support Groups

27:44 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

28:38 The Role of FCA in Community Engagement

30:26 Embracing Fear and Seeking Growth

33:25 Setting Goals and Looking Forward

36:47 The Impact of Community and Faith

42:19 Serving Others: CASA and Make-A-Wish

49:24 Reflecting on a Life of Service

Phil and Mark dig into the tax strategies most business owners miss, R&D credits, cost segregation, and cash-basis accounting, before shifting into what actually separates financially successful business owners from everyone else: knowing your numbers. The conversation moves into real leadership territory as Mark opens up about his own transition from technician to managing shareholder, comparing it to becoming a first-time dad. The back half covers estate planning (why "winging it" with an outdated will is a real risk), staying grounded during tax season, and Mark's own hierarchy of faith, family, and work, and how that order shapes decisions at his firm.

Subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. Please rate us 5-stars so we can continue spreading our message to more people. Thank you for listening!

Tax Planning by Age: 22 to 42 — what to prioritize at each career stage

The R&D Tax Credit Most Businesses Miss

Cost Segregation & Bonus Depreciation Explained

Cash Basis vs. Accrual: The Deferral Opportunity

Year-End Moves: Roth Conversions & Charitable Giving

What Separates Successful Business Owners — financial acumen vs. hustle

From CPA to Managing Shareholder — Mark's "new dad" leadership analogy

Self-Awareness as a Leadership Skill — "the problem isn't not knowing; it's not knowing what you don't know"

Estate Planning 101: Wills vs. Trusts

Does Tax Season Ever Get Easier? — how Mark protects family time in Q1

Faith, Family, Work: Mark's Hierarchy — and how it filters decisions

Alex Brau built the career most people chase — CFO, mergers and acquisitions, a run helping build Inter Miami from the ground up. He had it all, or thought he did. Then his 15-year-old son started watching him a little differently, and Alex realized something that had nothing to do with finance: his kids didn't need a wealthy father; they needed a courageous one. This episode digs into what actually held him back for years — not strategy, not timing, but fear — and the underwater moment during a scuba certification that cracked it wide open for him. Phil and Alex talk about being aggressive with action but patient with results, why "having more to lose" in your 40s is mostly an illusion built on stuff that doesn't matter, and why regret from inaction outweighs regret from failure almost every time. It's a conversation for anyone sitting on a dream they've been circling for years, waiting for the "right time" that never quite comes.

00:00 Introduction to Alex Brau and His Journey

03:02 The Balance of Corporate Success and Entrepreneurial Passion

05:51 Navigating Fear and Courage in Business Decisions

09:00 Mindset and Daily Affirmations for Success

12:10 The Importance of Core Values in Business

14:46 Fractional CFO: Supporting Business Growth and Transitions

18:10 Overcoming Fear of Failure and Embracing Growth

21:00 The Role of Community and Accountability in Business

24:06 Looking Ahead: Opportunities in Business and Technology

26:57 Recommended Reading: Mindset by Carol Dweck

Email: alex@thebayfrontgroup.com
Phone: (786) 326-2255
Website: https://thebayfrontgroup.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexbraucpa/