Choosing the right CPA is one of the most important decisions a business owner will ever make, yet it's also one of the most misunderstood. Many entrepreneurs assume their CPA is proactively looking for opportunities to reduce taxes and improve efficiency throughout the year, only to realize too late that most planning happens in hindsight.

Today, I'm joined once again by Bayntree's Director of Corporate Development, Brian Hartstein, for a deeper conversation about how business owners can evaluate whether their CPA is truly the right fit. We break down the different types of CPA firms, the services they provide, and the gaps that often exist between expectations and reality.

We also discussed how entity structure, compensation planning, retirement strategies, and long-term business goals all intersect and why silos between professionals often lead to missed opportunities.

Whether you're questioning if your current CPA is serving you at the right level, considering a change, or simply want to understand how the best advisory teams work together, this conversation will help you ask better questions, avoid costly blind spots, and build a smarter, more coordinated planning team around your business.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• The key differences between tax preparers, business CPAs, and proactive advisory firms.
• Why most CPAs focus on reporting, not a forward-looking strategy.
• How to evaluate whether your CPA truly understands your business complexity.
• What questions should business owners ask when hiring or reviewing a CPA?
• Why communication between your CPA and financial advisor is critical.
• How proactive planning can reduce tax risk and improve long-term outcomes.

Many business owners reach a point where sheer grit and hard work are no longer enough to keep growing. What once fueled success can eventually become a ceiling if structure, systems, and leadership don't evolve alongside the business.

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Brad Levkowitz, co-owner of Sun Lighting, to explore his journey of growing a multi-generational family business. Brad shares how early lessons from working alongside his father and grandfather shaped his work ethic, leadership style, and approach to long-term growth.

We dive into the realities of building through economic cycles, wearing every hat in the early years, and learning when to let go of control. Brad shares the mindset shift required to move from survival mode to intentional scaling, including investing in systems, people, and professional leadership.

Whether you're running a family business, leading a growing team, or trying to break through the next growth plateau, this conversation offers practical insights into building structure without losing culture and creating a business that can thrive for generations.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• Why grit alone eventually limits business growth without structure and systems.
• How Brad expanded a legacy family business into new markets and industries.
• Lessons learned from scaling through economic downturns and market shifts.
• The importance of hiring, investing in your team, and letting go to grow.
• The challenges of navigating family dynamics while growing a multi-generational business.
• How clarity, culture, and long-term vision drive sustainable success.

Find All Interview Resources Here - www.bayntree.com/120

Download your copy of The Entrepreneur's Financial Planning Checklist

Many entrepreneurs reach a point in their careers where the traditional corporate path no longer aligns with their values, energy, or passions. For today's guest, that moment came when he realized the culture surrounding him no longer reflected the performance-driven lifestyle that fueled his passions and motivated him.

Today, I'm sitting down with my longtime friend and serial entrepreneur, Blake Uptain, founder of Moxie Bike Shop and Caffeine & Watts. Blake shares how his journey began with a passion for fitness, a talent for building relationships, and an instinct for creating environments where people feel like they belong.

From growing a small race team into a powerful marketing engine and turning a business that started in his garage into a high-end performance retail brand, Blake reveals the pivotal decisions that shaped his entrepreneurial path.

Whether you're an entrepreneur searching for direction or someone considering turning a personal passion into a professional pursuit, this conversation offers valuable lessons in resilience, authenticity, and embracing the unknown.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• Why following your passion often reveals business opportunities others overlook.
• How performance-driven communities create trust, loyalty, and long-term brand growth.
• Lessons Blake learned transitioning from corporate sales to entrepreneurship.
• The challenges of scaling a retail business and adapting to industry changes.
• Why authenticity, consistency, and community remain the foundation of his success.

Find All Interview Resources Here - www.bayntree.com/119

Download your copy of The Entrepreneur's Financial Planning Checklist