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 Upton, 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

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As another tax year comes to a close, many successful business owners are undoubtedly asking themselves the same question: How do I keep more of what I've earned away from Uncle Sam this year?

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Bayntree's Director of Corporate Development, Brian Hartstein, to break down year-end strategies to help entrepreneurs and high-income earners make the most of their pre-tax dollars and reduce their biggest expense: Taxes.

With over 30 years of experience collaborating with business owners, CPAs, and plan administrators, Brian has seen firsthand how many companies wait until the fourth quarter to address tax planning. He emphasizes the benefits of proactive planning and how it leads to significant savings and long-term wealth creation through strategies such as SEP IRAs, 401(k)s, profit-sharing plans, and cash balance pension plans.

We'll also walk you through the Retirement Plan Pyramid, and demonstrate which tools make the most sense for different business stages—from solo entrepreneurs to companies with dozens of employees.

Whether looking to shelter high income before year-end or looking for ways to use retirement plans as a competitive advantage to recruit, retain, and reward top talent, this episode will help you identify smart, actionable ways to keep more of what you earn and build your retirement wealth strategically.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• Why most business owners wait too long to plan—and how to avoid the "fourth-quarter fire drill."
• The most overlooked pre-tax opportunities that can save tens of thousands in taxes.
• How to choose between a SEP, SIMPLE, 401(k), or cash balance plan based on your business structure.
• The power of the Retirement Plan Pyramid and how each layer fits your financial goals.
• How to use retirement plans as recruitment and retention tools for key employees.
• Why being proactive—not reactive—with your CPA and advisor can make all the difference.

Find All Interview Resources Here - www.bayntree.com/118

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The stress and anxiety of high-pressure careers can take a heavy toll on mental health, relationships, and physical well-being. Many business owners and professionals live with constant overwhelm, numbing themselves through long days instead of finding actual relief. But what if there was a practice that could calm the nervous system, ease stress, and even spark personal transformation without years of training or expensive therapy?​

After decades of working in demanding corporate roles, Cary Ballou experienced burnout, loss, and a sense of disconnection from her authentic self. Her turning point came when she first experienced a sound bath, a centuries-old healing practice using vibration and frequency to restore balance. That moment set her on a new path, founding Shanti Sound and dedicating her life to helping others heal, reset, and reconnect with purpose.​

In our conversation, Cary shares her journey of reinvention, the science behind sound healing, and how practices once dismissed as "alternative" have gained popularity and are helping people reduce stress, release trauma, and live healthier, more purposeful lives. ​

From corporate wellness programs to intimate healing sessions, Cary shares what it takes to follow your passion and build a mission-driven business around it.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• How chronic stress and repressed emotions manifest in the body—and why traditional medicine often overlooks them.
• The transformational moment when Cary discovered sound healing.
• Why sound baths work as "meditation without having to learn how."
• How sound healing can help with stress, trauma, and even chronic illness.
• The challenges and rewards of turning a passion into a sustainable business.
• Why companies are bringing sound healing into the workplace to reduce burnout and boost productivity.

Find All Interview Resources Here - www.bayntree.com/117

Download your copy of The Entrepreneur's Financial Planning Checklist