I am Charles Schwartz Show

In this episode, Adam Torkildson dives into his fascinating journey from SEO pioneer and addiction recovery advocate to becoming a financial strategist and media entrepreneur. His story unfolds as he recalls navigating the "wild west" of early SEO, leveraging black hat tactics, and learning the hard way about ethics, growth, and reinvention. Adam reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to business and life, including lessons from addiction recovery and the importance of giving back. He shares his transition into publishing and tax strategy consulting, revealing how he’s helped entrepreneurs and families legally reduce tax burdens and maximize wealth. Throughout the episode, Adam highlights the power of systems, principles, and investments that align with long-term financial success. He offers insights into strategies like the Augusta Rule, family management companies, and Section 125 cafeteria plans, emphasizing their potential to transform how businesses manage taxes, health insurance, and financial planning. Listeners will uncover Adam’s practical approach to setting up sustainable systems, making smarter investment decisions, and building generational wealth. His candid advice balances technical expertise with real-life stories of failure and resilience. Key Takeaways: * Discover how to leverage tax strategies like the Augusta Rule and family management companies. * Learn the value of systems that "set and forget" for seamless financial management. * Understand how principles like spending wisely and giving back contribute to long-term success. * Gain insights into aligning investments with tax advantages and predictable cash flow. Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. KEY POINTS: 02:17 - From SEO to Financial Strategist: Adam recounts his early career navigating the "wild west" of SEO, experimenting with black hat tactics, and learning from failures that shaped his ethical and strategic approach to business. 09:00 - The Three Rules of Money: Adam lays out the foundational principles of wealth: spend money to make money, always spend less than you earn, and give back consistently through charitable contributions. 16:20 - Unlocking the Augusta Strategy: Adam explains this tax-saving method that allows business owners to rent their homes to their companies tax-free, potentially saving up to $100,000 a year. 21:39 - Family Management Companies Simplified: Adam introduces family management companies as a legal way to pay children tax-free, using the funds for family expenses like braces and vacations while teaching kids valuable life skills. 28:56 - Profitable Investments with Tax Advantages: Adam shares his investment philosophy focused on monthly cash flow and tax benefits, spotlighting his solar field investment that delivered a 130% tax advantage. 37:38 - Section 125 Plans for Health Insurance Savings: Adam delves into how Section 125 cafeteria plans lower taxable income for employees and save small business owners up to $500 per employee annually. 47:28 - Daily Tools for Success: Adam highlights personal practices like using the Insight Timer app for meditation and NanoHydrate for hydration, emphasizing the importance of a strong morning routine for success.

In this episode, Jenna delves into her unexpected journey from bartender and actor to becoming a social media strategist and entrepreneur. Her story unfolds as she recalls volunteering at a yoga studio in Toronto, where a chance opportunity to manage Instagram marked the beginning of her career pivot. Jenna reflects on the challenges of transitioning from artistic aspirations to running a thriving social media agency. She shares insights into embracing change, leveraging creativity, and building a personal brand. Her practical advice emphasizes balancing authenticity with strategy, finding joy in content creation, and navigating the fast-paced world of digital marketing. Throughout the episode, Jenna highlights the importance of understanding audience behavior and adapting content to meet evolving trends. From creating scroll-stopping hooks to planning effective growth campaigns, her expertise shines through as she explains how small businesses can thrive in competitive digital spaces without sacrificing their unique voice. Listeners will uncover Jenna’s approach to engaging audiences through storytelling, community building, and structured growth. She offers actionable tips for content creation, including designing posts for engagement, mastering social media algorithms, and crafting impactful messaging that resonates with both B2B and B2C audiences. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Discover how to transform unexpected opportunities into a fulfilling career. * Learn practical strategies for creating engaging and authentic social media content. * Understand the importance of balancing creativity with business goals. * Gain insights into managing growth while maintaining a connection with your audience. Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. KEY POINTS: 4:20 - Accidental Career Pivot: Jenna shares how a reluctant $300 gig at a yoga studio turned into her first step toward a thriving Instagram marketing career, proving that opportunities can arise from the most unexpected places. 11:15 - Mastering Instagram's Algorithm: Jenna demystifies the ever-changing Instagram algorithm, emphasizing that the key to success lies in creating content designed to keep people engaged and interacting with your posts. 18:40 - The Power of Personal Branding: Jenna discusses how personal branding is crucial for service providers, explaining how authenticity and individuality can set a business apart in the crowded social media landscape. 23:30 - The Three Content Buckets: Jenna introduces her signature framework—growth, nurture, and sales content—and explains how balancing these categories can help businesses build trust and convert followers into clients. 35:05 - Breaking the Vanity Metrics Myth: Jenna addresses the obsession with follower counts, highlighting how even a small audience can generate significant results when the focus is on building genuine connections and conversions. 41:10 - Leveraging Past Success: Jenna reveals how a strategic sales post generated 10 sales calls in just three hours for one of her clients, showcasing the power of well-crafted content to drive immediate results. 54:20 - Fun as a Growth Strategy: Jenna explains the importance of finding joy in social media marketing, sharing how focusing on creativity and experimentation leads to better content and long-term success.

In this compelling episode, Charles explores the transformative journey of Tom, a seasoned business leader turned advocate for social impact. Transitioning from managing billion-dollar enterprises to leading Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit dedicated to reintegrating former gang members and felons into society, Tom's story is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. Tom recounts his evolution from scaling corporate giants to reshaping lives at Homeboy, where his business acumen meets grassroots change. He candidly reflects on the epiphany that inspired his pivot—a moment of disillusionment with shareholder-first capitalism during the 2008 recession—and shares how he applied his expertise to create a culture of empowerment and resilience. In this episode, listeners gain a front-row seat to Tom's leadership philosophy, from fostering trust and individual growth to navigating the challenges of integrating marginalized individuals into the workforce. He provides actionable insights for business owners on how to transcend judgment, hire for potential, and balance compassion with profitability. Key Takeaways: * Discover the leadership strategies Tom used to transition from corporate to nonprofit management. * Learn how to identify and nurture untapped talent, even in unconventional candidates. * Understand the importance of listening, trust-building, and individual-focused leadership. * Explore how businesses can integrate social good into their operations without compromising performance. Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. KEY POINTS: 2:15 Corporate Transformation Journey: Tom reveals his pivot from running a $2 billion corporate empire to leading Homeboy Industries, sparked by a critical moment during the 2008 recession when he questioned the traditional capitalist approach to employee management. 7:40 Breaking Hiring Barriers: Explains how Homeboy Industries challenges conventional hiring practices by recruiting former gang members and felons, demonstrating that potential employees should be evaluated on their current capabilities, not their past. 12:55 Impossible Choices of the Working Poor: Shares a powerful story about George, an employee who had to report to county jail to pay off debt while managing custody of his children, highlighting the complex challenges faced by individuals trying to rebuild their lives.  18:30 Leadership Through Empathy: Discusses the importance of treating employees individually, understanding their unique needs, and creating a supportive environment that allows people to succeed beyond their past circumstances.  24:15 Organizational Culture Revolution: Reveals that two-thirds of Homeboy's management team are former clients, showcasing how investing in people's development can transform an organization.  29:40 Faith and Leadership Intersection: Explores how personal faith journey influences leadership approach, emphasizing the importance of seeing people's humanity and potential rather than judging their history.  35:20 Scaling with Human Potential: Shares key leadership lessons about understanding finances, listening deeply, and developing people as the core strategy for organizational growth and success.

In this episode, Charles dives deep into the world of purpose-driven entrepreneurship with Lee Rhodes, a trailblazing female founder who transformed her personal battle with cancer into a $30 million empire that's revolutionizing business philanthropy. Lee unveils her groundbreaking approach to integrating charitable giving into every sale, demonstrating how companies can maintain profitability while making a meaningful impact in people's lives. From her early days receiving a small hand-blown glass vessel during chemotherapy to building Glassybaby into a beacon of hope and healing, Lee's journey is a testament to the power of authentic mission-driven business. She dissects her evolution from a mother of three battling cancer to a CEO who's donated $15 million to charity, all while maintaining a commitment to American craftsmanship and living wages. Charles and Lee engage in a candid conversation, exploring the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and the revolutionary approach of making charitable giving a core business function rather than an afterthought. They unpack the counterintuitive decision to maintain American production despite pressure to outsource, the transformative power of point-of-sale giving, and why understanding the human impact of small gestures can create massive business success. Lee's insights crackle with practical wisdom as she breaks down her unique business model, from turning bank loan rejections into opportunities to maintaining authenticity in hiring and growth decisions. She challenges conventional business wisdom, advocating for a radical shift from end-of-year giving to integrated philanthropy that resonates with businesses ready to make a difference in the world. KEY TAKEAWAYS: • Master the art of integrating charitable giving into your business model from day one • Learn why giving at point-of-sale is more powerful than end-of-year donations • Discover how to overcome gender-based obstacles in business financing and growth • Understand the power of authentic mission-driven leadership in building customer loyalty • Explore strategies for maintaining core values while scaling your business impact Head over to podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. KEY POINTS: 2:04 Cancer Catalyst: Lee reveals how a cancer diagnosis with three young children sparked the creation of a $30 million empire. 4:11 Gender Barriers: Exposes the reality of women entrepreneurs facing systematic loan rejections and credibility challenges. 15:03 Survival Strategy: Details practical insights for managing chemotherapy while building a business empire. 19:31 Investment Journey: Chronicles the path from bank rejection to finding investors who believed in her mission-driven approach. 25:17 Purpose-Driven: Explores how maintaining unwavering purpose guides critical business decisions, including rejecting Chinese manufacturing. 35:50 Team Empowerment: Shares the delicate balance of leading with vision while letting your team take ownership of decisions. 38:18 Revolutionary Giving: Unveils Glassybaby's unique model of integrating charitable donations at the point of sale rather than year-end.