What if the biggest threat to your business growth isn’t your competition but your HR strategy? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Vicky Brown, founder and CEO of Idomeneo HR Resources, to unpack how entrepreneurs can build thriving teams, avoid costly HR mistakes, and create scalable structures that support long-term success.

Patrick and Vicky dive deep into the systems behind effective hiring, leadership development, and compliance and how the right HR foundation can free business owners to focus on what truly drives growth. From understanding the difference between outsourced HR and PEOs to identifying bottlenecks in leadership and leveraging AI responsibly, this conversation offers actionable insight for every entrepreneur ready to scale with confidence. Stay tuned until the end for Vicki’s practical advice on preventing the most common HR landmines.

Key Takeaways:

• The difference between outsourced HR and PEOs and which model works best for small and mid-sized businesses.

• How to hire smarter by defining success factors and attracting the right candidates.

• The importance of building a leadership team early to avoid growth bottlenecks.

• Common HR compliance mistakes that can cost thousands and how to prevent them.

• Why delegation and vision are essential for scaling sustainably.

• How proactive HR and smart tax planning together create a business built for long-term wealth.

Learn More About Vicky:

Official Website: Concierge, HR consulting services for small business

Podcast Listeners Gift Website: Ultimate HR Workflow Guide More

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 unknowingly leaving money on the table in your business? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Jason Kramer, founder of Cultivize, to uncover how entrepreneurs can stop losing track of leads, strengthen client relationships, and scale their revenue through smarter CRM systems. Together, they dive deep into why most CRMs fail, how to design one that fits your business, and the proven automation tactics that can help you capture more opportunities without spending another dollar on marketing.

Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies to streamline lead management, improve follow-up, and plug the profit leaks hiding in plain sight. Whether you’re running your business out of spreadsheets or frustrated with yet another CRM that doesn’t deliver, this episode will show you how to turn organization into income and why strategic systems are the foundation for lasting growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Why most entrepreneurs lose money from disorganized follow-up systems

• The three essentials to choosing the right CRM for your business

• How automation and lead scoring can boost conversions effortlessly

• The power of nurturing leads through education, not pressure

• Why scaling starts with plugging the leaks, not chasing new leads

• How strategy, in business and taxes, drives sustainable wealth

Learn More About Jason:

Official Website: https://cultivize.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

What if you could sell your business for full market value, keep your culture intact, and still reward the employees who helped you build it? In this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Gary Gray, from Tenor ESOP Partners, to unpack how entrepreneurs can maximize value and create lasting wealth through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Gary shares his personal story of selling his own business through an ESOP, growing it threefold afterward, and now guiding other owners through the same life-changing process.

Patrick and Gary dive deep into what makes ESOPs such a powerful and often overlooked exit strategy. They explore how to determine if your business is a good fit, the tax advantages available to sellers, and how ESOPs can help preserve company culture while creating generational wealth for both owners and employees. Whether you’re planning your exit or just want to structure your business more strategically, this conversation reveals how the right approach can help you sell smart, protect your legacy, and stay engaged in the business you love.

Key Takeaways:

• What an ESOP is and how it works as a powerful succession tool

• The minimum size and structure a business needs to qualify for an ESOP

• How entrepreneurs can sell for full market value and defer or eliminate capital gains taxes

• The cultural and financial advantages of turning employees into owners

• Why ESOPs help founders stay engaged and preserve purpose post-exit

• How to connect with the Tenor ESOP Partners team for personalized guidance

Learn More About Gary:

LinkedIn: Gary Gray, CEPA® | LinkedIn

Official Website: https://tenoresop.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

What if the way entrepreneurs think about marketing is the very thing holding them back from sustainable growth? On this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Bryan Phelps, founder of Big Leap Digital Marketing Agency, to uncover what’s really working in today’s ever-changing landscape. From the rise of AI reshaping how customers search and discover brands, to the timeless importance of clear messaging and brand trust, this conversation is packed with insights every entrepreneur needs to hear.

Patrick and Bryan explore the pitfalls of chasing shiny new marketing tactics, the power of brand-led performance marketing, and how to craft messaging that resonates and converts. Listeners will also hear practical advice on choosing the right channels, building long-term customer relationships, and investing wisely in marketing that scales with the business. If you’ve ever felt stuck between rising ad costs, shifting SEO rules, and the overwhelming number of digital strategies available, this episode will give you clarity and confidence to move forward.

Key Takeaways:

• How AI is changing search behavior and what it means for entrepreneurs.

• The difference between branding and marketing and why both matter.

• Why being remembered is more powerful than just being discovered.

• Tools like SparkToro to identify where your customers actually spend time online.

• How to build a marketing system that scales with your business and avoids wasted spend.

Learn More About Bryan:

• Official Website: BigLeap.com
• LinkedIn: Bryan Phelps | LinkedIn

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 happens when artificial intelligence reshapes the way intellectual property is created, shared, and monetized? On this episode of the Vital Wealth Strategies Podcast, host Patrick Lonergan sits down with Nirav Murthy, co-founder and co-CEO of Camp Network, to tackle one of the most pressing questions facing entrepreneurs and creators today: how to protect your work in an AI-driven world. From blockchain verification to smart contracts, Nirav reveals how Camp Network is building tools that allow creators to not only safeguard their content but also turn it into revenue-generating assets.

Listeners will hear real-world examples ranging from Black Mirror and SpongeBob to international music festivals and online courses. Patrick and Nirav break down how tokenization is disrupting outdated systems of licensing, ownership, and financing and why this matters for business owners looking to maximize their income and future-proof their strategies. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or simply curious about the intersection of AI, blockchain, and business growth, this conversation offers insights that can help you monetize your intellectual property and build long-term wealth.

Key Takeaways:

• Why traditional IP systems are broken in the age of AI and how blockchain offers solutions.

• How Camp Network helps creators register, verify, and monetize their work on-chain.

• Real-world use cases with major IP brands, festivals, and content creators.

• The shift from one-time licensing fees to royalty-based income models.

• How entrepreneurs can apply these principles to their own courses, content, and businesses.

Learn More About Nirav:

• Camp Network: campnetwork.xyz

• Case Study Examples:

• Sahara AI

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 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