Tag: Retirement

How Mike Leatham Created a Multi-Million Dollar Business (Ep. 40)

How Mike Leatham Created a Multi-Million Dollar Business (Ep. 40)

Turning a hobby into a thriving business is a dream for many, but very few achieve it.

How did Mike Leatham transform his side gig into a multi-million dollar enterprise? What challenges did he face, and what lessons can aspiring entrepreneurs learn from his journey?

Join Billy and Shaun as they chat with Mike, founder of SymbolArts about the challenges and triumphs of building a business from scratch, the art of selling, and how even hobbies like riding motorcycles can open doors to new opportunities.

Be inspired as this episode highlights: 

  • Mike’s transformation from a hobbyist to a successful entrepreneur
  • The story behind SymbolArts and its iconic products like badges and challenge coins
  • Sales techniques and overcoming rejections in business
  • Insights on managing a company and the importance of having a dedicated team
  • And more!

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About Our Guest: 

Mike Leatham founded SymbolArts in 1986. Initially a hobby, SymbolArts has grown into a multi-million dollar business with 50-60 employees. Mike’s journey began with making class rings and evolved into producing a wide range of products, including police badges and challenge coins. 

His company now serves clients across all 50 states and includes major customers like Harley-Davidson. Mike is also an avid motorcyclist, having traveled extensively on his bike, and he emphasizes the importance of sales skills and staying out of debt in business.

15,000 Orthoscopic Surgeries and a Lifetime of Tales with Dr. Wayne McIlwraith (Ep. 22)

15,000 Orthoscopic Surgeries and a Lifetime of Tales with Dr. Wayne McIlwraith (Ep. 22)

People in the horse racing, farming, and ranching industries have two things in common; a passion and love for animals. 

Today’s guest is a renowned equine orthopedic surgeon, a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, and the founder of the Orthopaedic Research Center at CSU. It is clear when you hear him speak that he too has a passion and love for animals.

Join Dr. Wayne McIlwraith as he recounts his humble beginnings on a sheep station in New Zealand to becoming a trailblazer in the field of equine orthopedic surgery. He shares his innovative approach to arthroscopic surgery, shedding light on the advancements he has made, including many discoveries that have helped progress orthopedic procedures for humans.

Throughout the podcast, Billy Peterson and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith explore:

  • Dr. Wayne’s extensive experience and contributions to the field of equine medicine
  • The multifaceted challenges that face the equine industry including the need for uniformity in safety and testing standards
  • Why you should seize opportunities and pursue your passions
  • Techniques used to help horses recover from injuries and improve their performance
  • And more!

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About Our Guest: 

Professor McIlwraith obtained his veterinary degree from Massey University, New Zealand, and was in practice in New Zealand and the UK followed by an internship at the University of Guelph, Canada, and a surgical residency at Purdue University. He also obtained MS and PhD degrees from Purdue University. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Since 1979, he has been a faculty member at Colorado State University. Currently, he is a University Distinguished Professor, holds the Barbara Cox Anthony University Endowed Chair in Orthopaedics, and is the Founding Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center. He also has a referral equine orthopedic surgical practice based in Southern California and is a consultant and surgeon for clients elsewhere in the US and Ireland, England, France, and New Zealand. His research interests focus on equine orthopedic surgery and translational joint disease research, including novel treatments for osteoarthritis and articular cartilage repair, mesenchymal stem cell therapies, and early diagnosis of osteoarthritis and pre-fracture disease using imaging and fluid biomarkers.

He has received multiple awards, including the Founders Award and Legends Award from ACVS, induction into the International Equine Research Hall of Fame, the John Hickman Award from the British Equine Veterinary Association, the AAEP Research Award, the AVMA Lifetime Excellence in Research Award, the Markowitz Award from the Academy of Surgical Research, the Marshall R. Urist MD Award from ORS and is an Honorary Fellow of ICRS.

From the Racetrack to Business Owner with Kip Didericksen (Ep. 19)

From the Racetrack to Business Owner with Kip Didericksen (Ep. 19)

Few journeys are as exhilarating and transformative as those of a jockey.

The rush of adrenaline during races and the intricate partnership between humans and horses all come together to tell a story of talent, perseverance, and passion.

In this episode, Kip Didericksen, a renowned former jockey shares his journey from the race tracks to being a business owner, highlighting how the value of hard work and strategy contributed to his success. He also talks about memorable horses and people, and the races that taught him valuable lessons. 

Kip discusses: 

  • His childhood as a member of a racehorse family and how he idolized jockeys
  • The talent level and competition among jockeys at Los Alamitos
  • His standout horses and the trainers who supported him
  • A look back at his most successful season when he was the leading rider and won multiple races
  • His experience of being treated poorly by a fellow jockey and how it motivated him to always help others
  • And more!

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How to Approach Aging and Retirement with John Diehl (Ep. 14)

How to Approach Aging and Retirement with John Diehl (Ep. 14)

Today’s guest, John Diehl, Senior Vice President of Applied Insights at Hartford Funds believes that most people have an improper view of retirement. They think their retirement (typically 7-10 years) will be stacked with golf games, lavish trips, and all things that they consider as ‘living the good life.’

But, the reality is that people are living longer thus extending their period of retirement upwards of 20 or even 30 years! So how do you spend two or three decades on nothing but relaxation and recreation?

Most people can’t. (Financially and emotionally)

Listen as John shares his findings surrounding age and longevity, challenges facing the aging population, and advice on how you can combat boredom and rediscover your purpose after you exit the workforce.

This insightful episode explores: 

  • John’s partnership with the MIT AgeLab and his findings from numerous studies
  • The importance of having a purpose and making meaningful connections
  • Tips on maintaining brain health, and developing new interests
  • What is a social portfolio and how it relates to your overall well-being
  • The natural attrition of friendships as you age and ways to enhance your social portfolio
  • And more!

Resources:

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About Our Guest: 

John Diehl has been with The Hartford and Hartford Funds for more than 30 years. He’s a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and also holds Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designations. As Senior Vice President of Applied Insights, John leads Hartford Funds’ research efforts with the MIT AgeLab as well as other thought leaders. He oversees a team of industry experts who translate this research into actionable ideas for financial professionals and their clients across the U.S. John’s views on the future of retirement planning have been published in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Planning magazine, and other publications, and he’s been a featured guest on CNBC and Bloomberg Television. John also hosts the Hartford Funds’ newly reimagined Human-centric Investing Podcast.

Does Your Risk Match Your Profile? (Ep. 6)

Does Your Risk Match Your Profile? (Ep. 6)

Investing can be risky, but it’s also an essential part of growing your wealth. 

In this episode, Billy is joined by his son, Cade and together they dive into taking risks with your investments and emphasize the importance of knowing your risk tolerance. They also clarify that investing is not the same as gambling, and explain why it’s necessary to be bold when building a successful portfolio.

Join the conversation to learn more about: 

  • The current market selloff and the risks associated with the Federal Reserve’s actions to combat inflation
  • The process of determining an investor’s risk score through a few simple questions, and the importance of regularly monitoring your tolerance
  • Why Tesla is an example of a high-risk company that has proven to be successful
  • The risks of complacency in investing and the history of speculative booms
  • And more!

Resources:

 

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5 Most Common Money Mistakes (Ep. 3)

5 Most Common Money Mistakes (Ep. 3)

Financial success is not only about making good money, it is also about managing it.

Oftentimes you will find yourself in situations where you will need to make decisions that could either positively or negatively affect your wealth.

Join Billy and Shaun for an all-new episode of Harnessing Your Wealth where they talk about the 5 common mistakes people make when it comes to managing their money. 

Listen and take note as Billy and Shaun discuss: 

  • Tips on how to not let your emotions guide your investment decisions
  • Why bear markets are an opportunity for investors
  • The importance of participating in company-sponsored retirement plans 
  • Why diversification is key to building a strong portfolio
  • And more

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Meet Shaun and Cade Peterson (Ep. 2)

Meet Shaun and Cade Peterson (Ep. 2)

In episode one, we learned about Billy Peterson, president of Peterson Wealth Services. And now, we meet Shaun and Cade, two financial advisors who not only share the same name as Billy, but also the same drive and passion.

Listen as Shaun and Cade explain the process they use to build relationships with clients, how they envision growing their business within the equine industry, and how Billy helped them launch their careers.

Shaun and Cade discuss: 

  • How their interest in investing and finances was apparent in childhood
  • The different types of meetings they use when onboarding a new client
  • What it’s like working with equine enthusiasts and why they enjoy it
  • And more!

Resources:

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Introducing Harnessing Your Wealth: Meet Host Billy Peterson (Ep. 1)

Introducing Harnessing Your Wealth: Meet Host Billy Peterson (Ep. 1)

Welcome to the first episode of Harnessing Your Wealth with Billy Peterson!

In this inaugural episode, you’ll get to know Billy as he unveils his history as one of the best horse riders in the country, how he was introduced to the financial industry, and how his experiences have helped shape the way Peterson Wealth Services conducts business.

Listen as Billy discusses: 

  • How at the age of fourteen, he was considered an investing expert
  • Why he became a jockey, and the sacrifices he made to succeed
  • An overview of Peterson Wealth Services, including how their process focuses on building trust and relationships
  • The importance of failure, and how learning from tough experiences helps you grow
  • And more!

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