In this episode of Fractional Firepower, Kyle sits down with Bret Eifler, founder of Eifler Talent Partners, to break down what scaling companies often get wrong about hiring, recruiting, and team building. With years spent in leadership roles before becoming a recruiter, Bret sees talent differently — not as resumes and checkboxes, but as humans with stories, strengths, and untapped potential.
Guest Introduction:
Bret Eifler is the founder of Eifler Talent Partners, a recruiting and talent leadership consultancy built on real operational experience. Before helping companies hire, he ran them — giving him a powerful vantage point into what organizations actually need from talent, culture, and leadership. Today, he helps growing companies hire smarter, build strong teams, and avoid costly misfires by aligning skills, expectation, and personality — not just job descriptions.
 
Key Takeaways:
Great recruiting is matching humans to missions, not resumes to roles.
Hiring goes wrong when leaders rush — panic hiring creates expensive turnover.
Operators make strong recruiters because they understand the work from the inside.
Culture fit isn’t sameness — it’s alignment of expectations and communication.
The best hire isn’t the most experienced — it’s the one who thrives in your environment.
Founders who slow down to define success up front scale faster later.
 
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
0:30 Why Recruiting Matters in Growth Mode
1:12 Bret’s Background & How He Got Into Talent Work
2:09 From Operator to Recruiter
3:10 Hiring Mistakes Founders Keep Repeating
4:16 The Real Cost of a Wrong Hire
5:47 How Bret Evaluates Culture Alignment
6:52 Why Operators Make Great Recruiters
7:40 Hiring for Strength, Not Just Skills
9:08 The Panic Hire Trap
10:15 Building Teams for the Long Game
11:58 What Bret Looks for in Candidates
13:22 Coaching Leaders Through Hiring Decisions
15:05 Traits of High-Impact Talent
16:10 When to Hire — and When to Wait
18:55 How to Think About Recruiting as a Founder
End — Final Thoughts & Takeaways
Keywords:
Fractional Firepower, Kyle Ancelin, Bret Eifler, recruiting, hiring, talent strategy, team scaling, growth-stage hiring, startup recruiting, culture fit, talent acquisition, people operations, leadership, HR strategy, founder mistakes, scaling teams

In this episode of Fractional Firepower, host Kyle Ancelin sits down with Mike Prado, Partner and Portfolio Manager at Hillside Wealth Management, to unpack what true wealth management really looks like for business owners. From separating personal and corporate finances to preparing for an exit years in advance, Mike shares practical strategies that go far beyond traditional investment advice. They discuss the psychology of money, why time is your biggest ally, and the importance of having your business “ready for sale” even if you never plan to sell it.
Guest Introduction:
Mike Prado is a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Hillside Wealth Management, where he helps business owners structure their finances for long-term success. With over two decades in the wealth management industry, Mike combines deep technical expertise with a human approach—focusing on joy, purpose, and financial clarity. His work bridges investment strategy with life planning, ensuring clients know their numbers and live their values.
 
Key Takeaways:
Business owners must separate personal and corporate finances to create real clarity.
Start exit planning early—the best deals and tax treatments require years of preparation.
A solid financial plan begins with knowing your numbers—what you have, where it is, and where you’re headed.
True wealth management blends portfolio performance and life planning, not one without the other.
Keep investing simple: own great businesses, avoid overcomplication, and think long-term.
Happiness is part of the balance sheet—money is a tool, not the outcome.
 
Chapter Markers:
0:00 – Intro
1:40 – Meet Mike Prado and Hillside Wealth
3:00 – From Fishing Guide to Financial Manager
4:15 – Why Hillside Focuses on Business Owners
5:30 – The Biggest Financial Challenges Business Owners Face
6:45 – Preparing for a Business Exit the Right Way
10:00 – How to Make Your Business “Ready for Sale” Anytime
13:30 – The Difference Between a Financial Advisor and a Wealth Manager
17:00 – Planning Conservatively: Living to 95 and Annual Reviews
20:00 – Managing Emotions and Market Fluctuations
22:30 – The Joy Philosophy at Hillside Wealth
24:30 – What to Do with Excess Business Cash
27:00 – Corporate Investment Accounts Explained
31:00 – Keeping Wealth Simple: Stocks, Bonds, and Balance
33:20 – The #1 Wealth Rule: Spend Less Than You Make
34:40 – How to Connect with Hillside Wealth
36:00 – Quickfire Round with Mike Prado
40:15 – Closing Thoughts
 
Keywords:
fractional firepower, kyle ancelin, mike prado, hillside wealth, business wealth management, financial planning for business owners, exit strategy, small business tax planning, know your numbers, wealth management podcast, investment strategy, retirement planning, portfolio management, joy in wealth, financial clarity

In this episode of Fractional Firepower, host Kyle Ancelin sits down with Mike Prado, Partner and Portfolio Manager at Hillside Wealth Management, to unpack what true wealth management really looks like for business owners. From separating personal and corporate finances to preparing for an exit years in advance, Mike shares practical strategies that go far beyond traditional investment advice. They discuss the psychology of money, why time is your biggest ally, and the importance of having your business “ready for sale” even if you never plan to sell it.
Guest Introduction:
Mike Prado is a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Hillside Wealth Management, where he helps business owners structure their finances for long-term success. With over two decades in the wealth management industry, Mike combines deep technical expertise with a human approach—focusing on joy, purpose, and financial clarity. His work bridges investment strategy with life planning, ensuring clients know their numbers and live their values.
 
Key Takeaways:
Business owners must separate personal and corporate finances to create real clarity.
Start exit planning early—the best deals and tax treatments require years of preparation.
A solid financial plan begins with knowing your numbers—what you have, where it is, and where you’re headed.
True wealth management blends portfolio performance and life planning, not one without the other.
Keep investing simple: own great businesses, avoid overcomplication, and think long-term.
Happiness is part of the balance sheet—money is a tool, not the outcome.
 
Chapter Markers:
0:00 – Intro
1:40 – Meet Mike Prado and Hillside Wealth
3:00 – From Fishing Guide to Financial Manager
4:15 – Why Hillside Focuses on Business Owners
5:30 – The Biggest Financial Challenges Business Owners Face
6:45 – Preparing for a Business Exit the Right Way
10:00 – How to Make Your Business “Ready for Sale” Anytime
13:30 – The Difference Between a Financial Advisor and a Wealth Manager
17:00 – Planning Conservatively: Living to 95 and Annual Reviews
20:00 – Managing Emotions and Market Fluctuations
22:30 – The Joy Philosophy at Hillside Wealth
24:30 – What to Do with Excess Business Cash
27:00 – Corporate Investment Accounts Explained
31:00 – Keeping Wealth Simple: Stocks, Bonds, and Balance
33:20 – The #1 Wealth Rule: Spend Less Than You Make
34:40 – How to Connect with Hillside Wealth
36:00 – Quickfire Round with Mike Prado
40:15 – Closing Thoughts
 
Keywords:
fractional firepower, kyle ancelin, mike prado, hillside wealth, business wealth management, financial planning for business owners, exit strategy, small business tax planning, know your numbers, wealth management podcast, investment strategy, retirement planning, portfolio management, joy in wealth, financial clarity

In this episode of Fractional Firepower, host Kyle Ancelin sits down with Carl Kwan, founder of Kwan Multimedia and a true YouTube mastermind, to uncover the real reason video marketing drives business growth. Carl shares his journey from presentation coach to global YouTube authority, explaining how “visibility beats ability” when it comes to winning clients and building trust online. Together, they explore why most businesses fail at video, how to fix it with the right strategy, and why YouTube is the most powerful — and underutilized — platform for B2B success.
 
Guest Introduction:
Carl Kwan is the founder of Kwan Multimedia, a video strategy and production company helping businesses turn video content into measurable growth. With over 125,000 YouTube subscribers and 17 million views, Carl brings a rare mix of presentation coaching, marketing strategy, and creative production expertise. His insights have helped countless professionals transform their online presence into powerful sales tools.
 
Key Takeaways:
Visibility beats ability — your audience must see you before they can trust or hire you.
Businesses fail at video because they focus on themselves, not their audience.
The four essential types of videos every company needs: introduction, product/service, FAQ/SAQ, and testimonial.
YouTube is the only platform that helps businesses find their audience organically.
You don’t need viral videos — you need the right people watching the right content.
YouTube videos are long-term digital assets that keep paying dividends for years.
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
1:00 Guest Introduction — Who is Carl Kwan?
4:00 How Carl Started His YouTube Journey
6:00 “Visibility Beats Ability” — Why Businesses Need Video
8:00 Why Most Companies Fail at Video Marketing
10:00 Authenticity vs. Professionalism in Video Content
13:00 How to Craft the Right Video Message
15:00 The Four Types of Business Videos
22:00 Why YouTube Outperforms Other Social Platforms
25:00 Real Examples of YouTube Driving Revenue
28:00 Long-Term ROI of YouTube for Business
30:00 Closing Thoughts & Key Takeaways
 
Keywords:
fractional firepower, kyle ancelin, carl kwan, kwan multimedia, youtube marketing, video strategy, business growth, content marketing, b2b video, digital presence, video branding, visibility beats ability, testimonial videos, youtube for business

In this episode of Fractional Firepower, host Kyle Ancelin sits down with Carl Kwan, founder of Kwan Multimedia and a true YouTube mastermind, to uncover the real reason video marketing drives business growth. Carl shares his journey from presentation coach to global YouTube authority, explaining how “visibility beats ability” when it comes to winning clients and building trust online. Together, they explore why most businesses fail at video, how to fix it with the right strategy, and why YouTube is the most powerful — and underutilized — platform for B2B success.
 
Guest Introduction:
Carl Kwan is the founder of Kwan Multimedia, a video strategy and production company helping businesses turn video content into measurable growth. With over 125,000 YouTube subscribers and 17 million views, Carl brings a rare mix of presentation coaching, marketing strategy, and creative production expertise. His insights have helped countless professionals transform their online presence into powerful sales tools.
 
Key Takeaways:
Visibility beats ability — your audience must see you before they can trust or hire you.
Businesses fail at video because they focus on themselves, not their audience.
The four essential types of videos every company needs: introduction, product/service, FAQ/SAQ, and testimonial.
YouTube is the only platform that helps businesses find their audience organically.
You don’t need viral videos — you need the right people watching the right content.
YouTube videos are long-term digital assets that keep paying dividends for years.
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
1:00 Guest Introduction — Who is Carl Kwan?
4:00 How Carl Started His YouTube Journey
6:00 “Visibility Beats Ability” — Why Businesses Need Video
8:00 Why Most Companies Fail at Video Marketing
10:00 Authenticity vs. Professionalism in Video Content
13:00 How to Craft the Right Video Message
15:00 The Four Types of Business Videos
22:00 Why YouTube Outperforms Other Social Platforms
25:00 Real Examples of YouTube Driving Revenue
28:00 Long-Term ROI of YouTube for Business
30:00 Closing Thoughts & Key Takeaways
 
Keywords:
fractional firepower, kyle ancelin, carl kwan, kwan multimedia, youtube marketing, video strategy, business growth, content marketing, b2b video, digital presence, video branding, visibility beats ability, testimonial videos, youtube for business

In this episode of Fractional Firepower, Kyle sits down with Renee Russo, founder and CEO of Rise Up Business Coaching, to unpack the mindset shifts and systems required to build a business that doesn’t depend on you to survive. Renee shares her journey from accounting at KPMG to becoming a leading Value Growth Advisor, helping founder-led companies transition from chaos to clarity. Together, they dig into the emotional and operational challenges of letting go, the hidden risks of over-reliance on owners, and why 75% of business exits end in regret.
Guest Introduction:
Renee Russo is the Founder and CEO of Rise Up Business Coaching and a certified Value Growth and Exit Planning Advisor. With a background at KPMG and over a decade helping business owners scale beyond themselves, Renee empowers founders to create self-managing companies that thrive without them. She’s also the author of Ready to Rise, inspiring entrepreneurs to move from income thinking to value creation.
 
Key Takeaways:
Many business owners are trapped in “hub-and-spoke” chaos, where the business can’t function without them.
Building an operationally independent business increases both freedom and enterprise value.
Up to 75% of business exits end in regret—because owners fail to plan personally, not just financially.
True exit planning is not the end—it’s a beginning, creating space for purpose beyond the business.
Value growth starts 3–5 years before any transition; the earlier you prepare, the greater the reward.
Collaboration among advisors prevents “advisor fatigue” and creates a cohesive strategy for the owner.
 
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
1:10 Guest Introduction – Renee Russo of Rise Up Business Coaching
2:00 Renee’s Journey from KPMG to Entrepreneurial Life
5:00 Why Business Owners Stay Stuck in Chaos
7:00 The “Empty Nester” Syndrome of Business Owners
9:00 The 75% Regret Factor: Emotional Toll of Unplanned Exits
11:00 Why Exit Planning = Business Strategy
14:00 Breaking the Cycle of Overwork and Dependency
16:00 Making Time for the Work That Builds Value
18:00 Transitions Are a Team Sport – The Role of Advisors
21:00 The Six Value Drivers That De-Risk a Business
27:00 The Ideal Timeline for Preparing an Exit (3–5 Years)
33:00 The Wealth Gap: Turning Income into Transferable Value
37:00 Freedom Through Value Creation
39:00 Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with Renee
Keywords:
Fractional Firepower, Kyle Ancelin, Renee Russo, Rise Up Business Coaching, Value Growth Advisor, Exit Planning, Business Freedom, Self-Managing Companies, Entrepreneur Mindset, Business Exit Strategy, Operational Independence, EOS, Succession Planning, Business Valuation, Leadership Systems

In this episode of Fractional Firepower, Kyle sits down with Renee Russo, founder and CEO of Rise Up Business Coaching, to unpack the mindset shifts and systems required to build a business that doesn’t depend on you to survive. Renee shares her journey from accounting at KPMG to becoming a leading Value Growth Advisor, helping founder-led companies transition from chaos to clarity. Together, they dig into the emotional and operational challenges of letting go, the hidden risks of over-reliance on owners, and why 75% of business exits end in regret.
Guest Introduction:
Renee Russo is the Founder and CEO of Rise Up Business Coaching and a certified Value Growth and Exit Planning Advisor. With a background at KPMG and over a decade helping business owners scale beyond themselves, Renee empowers founders to create self-managing companies that thrive without them. She’s also the author of Ready to Rise, inspiring entrepreneurs to move from income thinking to value creation.
 
Key Takeaways:
Many business owners are trapped in “hub-and-spoke” chaos, where the business can’t function without them.
Building an operationally independent business increases both freedom and enterprise value.
Up to 75% of business exits end in regret—because owners fail to plan personally, not just financially.
True exit planning is not the end—it’s a beginning, creating space for purpose beyond the business.
Value growth starts 3–5 years before any transition; the earlier you prepare, the greater the reward.
Collaboration among advisors prevents “advisor fatigue” and creates a cohesive strategy for the owner.
 
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
1:10 Guest Introduction – Renee Russo of Rise Up Business Coaching
2:00 Renee’s Journey from KPMG to Entrepreneurial Life
5:00 Why Business Owners Stay Stuck in Chaos
7:00 The “Empty Nester” Syndrome of Business Owners
9:00 The 75% Regret Factor: Emotional Toll of Unplanned Exits
11:00 Why Exit Planning = Business Strategy
14:00 Breaking the Cycle of Overwork and Dependency
16:00 Making Time for the Work That Builds Value
18:00 Transitions Are a Team Sport – The Role of Advisors
21:00 The Six Value Drivers That De-Risk a Business
27:00 The Ideal Timeline for Preparing an Exit (3–5 Years)
33:00 The Wealth Gap: Turning Income into Transferable Value
37:00 Freedom Through Value Creation
39:00 Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with Renee
Keywords:
Fractional Firepower, Kyle Ancelin, Renee Russo, Rise Up Business Coaching, Value Growth Advisor, Exit Planning, Business Freedom, Self-Managing Companies, Entrepreneur Mindset, Business Exit Strategy, Operational Independence, EOS, Succession Planning, Business Valuation, Leadership Systems

Hey Folks, it's Kyle Ancelin back with another episode of Fractional Firepower. This time, I'm chatting with Monte Clark, CEO of Brand Managers and a pro in video and social media marketing. We dive into why video is exploding on LinkedIn, ditching those vanity metrics like views and likes for real relationships and trust-building. Monte shares his evolution from text posts to viral videos, tips on authenticity over AI-generated fluff, and how to hook your audience fast without looking unprofessional. If you're an entrepreneur wondering how to leverage video for genuine connections and business growth, don't miss this—it's packed with actionable strategies. Subscribe, like, and let's power up your marketing game!
Guest Introduction:Joining me today is Monte Clark, CEO of Brand Managers and a true expert in video and social media marketing. With 30 years in the game, Monte's mastered using LinkedIn to build real relationships, not just chase likes. He's got killer insights on why video is key for authenticity and standing out. Great to have you, Monte!
Key Takeaways:• Video on LinkedIn isn't about vanity metrics like views—focus on building trust and likability so prospects feel like they know you before the first call.• Start with your audience in mind: Who do you want watching, and why? Deliver value right away with a strong hook to stop the scroll.• Avoid bad content pitfalls—invest in decent lighting, sound, and editing; think professional like a networking event, not casual car selfies.• Script and rehearse for polish, but keep it authentic; respond like you're chatting over coffee to avoid sounding robotic.• AI-generated posts are everywhere and easy to spot—video cuts through the noise because it's undeniably you, fostering real connections over generic fluff.• Practice filler words and delivery; over time, it gets natural, and the payoff in client relationships is huge.
Chapter Markers:0:00 Intro0:00 Guest Introduction1:20 Why Commit to Video Marketing Strategy4:30 Evolution from Text to Video on LinkedIn7:30 Vanity Metrics vs Real Relationships9:30 Power of Video for Trust and Likability11:30 Barriers to Video and Professionalism13:25 Tips for Getting Started with Video16:30 Audience Focus and Hooks19:30 Mistakes to Avoid in Video Content22:15 Scripting and Rehearsing for Authenticity25:50 Filler Words and Natural Delivery28:15 What Grabs Attention on LinkedIn31:50 AI vs Authentic Video Content35:30 Human Need for Relational Content36:30 Closing
Keywords:Kyle Ancelin, Monte Clark, Fractional Firepower Podcast, video marketing, LinkedIn strategy, vanity metrics, authentic content, AI generated posts, professional video tips, business relationships, social media marketing, LinkedIn algorithm, video hooks, Brand Managers