Are you running your business by looking at your bank balance and hoping for the best? On this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Natalia Zacharin, founder of Zacharian Consulting and a financial strategist who transformed her side hustle into a multimillion-dollar firm recognized on the Inc. 5000 list. Together, they break down why financial clarity is the foundation of every successful business and how entrepreneurs can avoid the pitfalls of cash flow stress, tax surprises, and costly mistakes.

Listeners will discover the step-by-step journey of building a financial team, from bookkeepers to fractional CFOs, and learn about the essential tools that streamline accounting, payroll, and forecasting. Natalia and Patrick also share the psychology behind managing cash, strategies for building healthy reserves, and the key financial metrics every entrepreneur should be tracking. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling into eight figures, this conversation provides actionable insights that will help you protect your profit, plan with confidence, and unlock long-term growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Why your first hire should be a bookkeeper, not an afterthought

• The difference between profit and cash and why it matters

• How to forecast with confidence and avoid running out of money

• The essential tech stack for accounting, payroll, and bill pay

• When to bring in a tax strategist, controller, or CFO

• Best practices for building cash reserves and protecting your business

Learn More About Natalia:

Official Website

Direct Resource Page

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

What if the key to scaling your business faster wasn’t working harder but learning how to leverage capital the right way? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Jimmy Rios, CEO and founder of Rios Business Advisors and Next Level Credit. Together, they dive deep into the world of business credit, strategic leverage, and building the financial foundation every entrepreneur needs to thrive. From creative financing strategies to building systems that generate additional income streams, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help entrepreneurs grow smarter and faster.

Whether you’re struggling to access capital, looking for ways to make your money work harder for you, or simply want to better understand how the wealthy think about leverage, this conversation will give you a clear blueprint. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how to position your business for growth, protect your profits, and create the systems that support long-term success, while keeping more of what you earn through smart tax planning.

Key Takeaways:

• Why leverage, used wisely, is essential for scaling any business.

• How to build and improve business credit to unlock low-cost capital.

• The importance of separating personal and business finances for growth.

• Creative financing strategies, including using business entities to build credit.

• How a strong financial team and tax strategy can maximize your bottom line.

• Actionable steps to start building your blueprint for business success today.

Learn More About Jimmy:

• Book: Decoding the Mystery of Business Credit on Amazon and as an eBook on riosbusinessfunding.com.
• YouTube Channel: Rios Business Funding – educational videos and strategies.
• Program: Eye Level to High Level – structured program for credit, funding, and business scaling.

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

What if scaling your business revenue didn’t mean working harder but working smarter? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with David Asarnow, founder of Business Nitrogen and a leading expert in revenue growth and AI-driven marketing strategies. Together, they unpack how entrepreneurs can create exponential growth by identifying their “best buyers,” leveraging intentional marketing campaigns, and harnessing the power of AI to streamline outreach and conversion.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting to scale, this conversation offers actionable insights you can implement today. From building multi-touch campaigns to engineering AI prompts that actually deliver results, David shares the systems and mindset shifts that turn stagnant revenue into unstoppable momentum. If you’re ready to grow smarter, keep more of what you earn, and build long-term wealth, this episode is packed with strategies you won’t want to miss.

Key takeaways:

• How to identify your “Target 25” and create campaigns that truly resonate with your best buyers.

• Practical ways to use AI for marketing, outreach, and lead management.

• Why storytelling and sharing your origin story build trust and drive sales.

• The importance of consistent, intentional follow-up for high-ticket sales.

• How to pair revenue growth with smart tax planning to maximize your wealth.

Learn More About David:

• businessnitrogen.com

• davidasarno.com

• Instagram: @realDavidasarno

Episode Resources:

• Secrets of the Millionaire Mind – T. Harv Eker

• Influence – Robert Cialdini

• Selling to VITO – Anthony Parinello

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

Are you unintentionally leaving your business vulnerable to fraud or cyberattacks? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with trusted expert Megan Kinney for a powerful conversation about financial protection and operational safeguards every entrepreneur should know. From sophisticated fraud to internal embezzlement, this episode pulls back the curtain on the real risks business owners face, and offers clear, practical strategies to help prevent costly mistakes before they happen.

Patrick and Megan explore how adding the right amount of friction to your financial systems can actually protect your profits, and why it’s crucial to rethink the information your business shares publicly. They discuss the importance of audits, team training, and mindset shifts that can help entrepreneurs stay secure in an increasingly risky world. If you're serious about building a resilient business, minimizing loss, and maximizing confidence in your operations, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways:

• Why sharing too much information online can make your business a target

• How to create "friction" in financial processes that protect you

• The dangers of internal fraud and how to spot early warning signs

• The value of third-party audits and quarterly financial reviews

• Why law enforcement can’t always recover stolen funds and what to do instead

• The mindset shift entrepreneurs must adopt to protect and scale effectively

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

What if you could secure funding for a real estate deal in weeks instead of months, without the slow, bureaucratic process of traditional banks and still protect your downside like a seasoned investor? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Dave Kotter, founder of Hybrid Debt Fund and Integrity Capital, to explore a game-changing approach to real estate financing and private credit investing. Whether you’re a developer looking to close deals faster or an accredited investor seeking secure, high-yield opportunities, this conversation reveals how Hybrid Debt Fund is bridging the gap left by conventional lenders.

Patrick and Dave unpack how the fund provides loans for $5M–$15M projects, manages risk through first-position collateral, and offers investors a unique blend of fixed income and equity-style upside. They dive into the types of projects, finance from multifamily rehabs to RV parks and discuss market trends, risk mitigation strategies, and why private credit is booming while banks tighten lending. By the end, listeners will understand how to leverage this model to accelerate their business growth or diversify their investment portfolio with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• How Hybrid Debt Fund’s senior stretch loans work and why they’re faster than traditional financing.

• The asset classes and deal sizes that fit their investment criteria.

• Risk mitigation strategies that protect both developers and investors.

• Why private credit is expanding while traditional banks scale back.

• How accredited investors can earn fixed income plus upside participation in multiple projects.

Learn More About Dave Kotter Email: dave.kotter@hybriddebtfund.com Website: hybriddebtfund.com Phone: (602) 367-8795

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

Are you buying real estate without a clear picture of the risks involved? In this eye-opening episode of the Vital Wealth Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with data entrepreneur Bob Frady, co-founder of PropertyLens.com, to uncover how homebuyers and investors can dramatically reduce risk and negotiate smarter using big data. Patrick, a seasoned financial strategist and real estate investor, introduces Property Lens as the “Carfax for houses,” and together they unpack how this innovative tool empowers buyers with insights previously buried in obscure databases, aging PDFs, or not disclosed at all. Whether you’re eyeing a second home, evaluating an investment property, or selling a house, the information in this episode could save you tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Bob shares his journey from building data systems at Live Nation and Expedia to co-founding HazardHub (acquired by Guidewire) and now launching Property Lens. He walks listeners through how the platform taps into 40+ datasets, from roof condition and permit history to weather damage and insurance trends and explains why real estate agents may not want you to have this data in your hands. Patrick and Bob discuss how high-net-worth individuals make data-driven decisions in business and why that same discipline should apply to buying real estate. If you're serious about protecting your money, avoiding buyer's remorse, or understanding true property value, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

• Property Lens delivers a “Carfax for homes” experience using AI and 40+ data sources
• Learn how to uncover hidden issues, like storm damage, expired HVAC, or missing permits, before you ever visit a property
• Understand why insurance costs are skyrocketing and how to factor them into your decision
• Discover how data-driven buyers gain a massive negotiation edge
• Use the code 25SUMMER for 25% off your next report at PropertyLens.com

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

Are you an entrepreneur tired of watching massive chunks of your hard-earned money disappear into taxes every year? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Ryan Johns. Ryan is one of the lead financial advisors at Vital Wealth and an attorney. They uncover the truth about why most tax planning fails and how high-earning business owners can finally get ahead of the IRS. With Ryan’s unique background bridging law, financial advising, and wealth strategy, this conversation reveals practical steps every entrepreneur can take to save big, improve cash flow, and build lasting wealth without running out of cash to continue to grow their business.

Listeners will discover the four cornerstones of financial planning, why traditional CPAs often miss opportunities to build a tax plan, and how to implement proactive tax strategies that keep more money in their pockets year after year. From creating a clear cash flow map to leveraging strategies like the Augusta Rule, cost segregation studies, cash balance plans, and captive insurance, Patrick and Ryan pull back the curtain on what it really takes to save, invest, and protect your business income. Whether you’re making seven figures or just starting to scale, this episode could change the way you approach taxes forever.

Key Takeaways:

• Why most entrepreneurs overpay the IRS and how to stop doing it.

• The four cornerstones of wealth strategy: cash flow, tax, investments, and protection.

• Tools like the Cash Flow Map and Cash Flow Calendar that give clarity and control over your money.

• Proven tax strategies that save Vital Wealth clients an average of $280,000 in income tax every year.

• The critical timing for tax planning and how to secure strategies before year-end windows close.

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien

Is your business growing but so is your stress, chaos, and burnout? In this episode of The Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Leslie Hassler, founder of Your Biz Rules and author of First This, Then That, to challenge the traditional narrative of business success. With nearly two decades of experience guiding entrepreneurs, Leslie brings a fresh philosophy: Scaling Rich, a model of intentional, profitable growth that enhances your life rather than consumes it. Together, they unpack the difference between growth and true scalability, why recovery is a critical phase most founders skip, and how belief and mindset might be your biggest barriers to reaching your next level.

Whether you're stuck at a revenue ceiling, feel like your team’s underperforming, or are just craving more time freedom, this episode delivers a roadmap to building a business that serves your life, not the other way around. Patrick and Leslie dive into fractional C-suite strategies, high-profit models, and why now is the best time to embrace change and let your business evolve. This episode is packed with candid stories, actionable insights, and a new lens on what it means to thrive as an entrepreneur.

Key Takeaways:

• Why entrepreneurs must stop choosing between scale and sanity

• The difference between growth, scale, and recovery and why all three matter

• How belief and inertia keep business owners stuck

• Why profitability, not revenue, is the ultimate metric

• How fractional C-suite support can unlock operational efficiency and profits

• The importance of building a business that fits your life, not the other way around

Learn More About Leslie:

• Website: yourbizrules.com

• Special Link for Listeners: yourbizrules.com/vital

Resources:

Visit www.vitalstrategies.com to download FREE resources

Listen to the podcast on your favorite app: https://link.chtbl.com/vitalstrategies

Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/vital.strategies

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VitalStrategiesPodcast

Follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricklonergan/

Credits:

Sponsored by Vital Wealth

Music by Cephas

Art work by Two Tone Creative

Audio, video, research and copywriting by Victoria O'Brien