FPA's
Business Before Technology
Podcast

Our "Business Before Technology" podcast is rooted in our approach to working with our clients as valuable and trusted advisors. We interview successful business owners, subject matter experts, and other impactful business leaders in the Greater Los Angeles area with the goal of helping other small business owners and key decision makers to grow or simply improve how they run their businesses - ultimately looking to increase their profitability.

Each episode is chock full of "aha" moments meant to bring you value above and beyond "just" talking about technology.  We discuss everyday issues that we as business owners run into and don't know where to turn.  Whether it's staffing, marketing, sales, culture, outsourcing, accounting and finance, or technology or any of the myriad of topics an entrepreneur runs into, we're looking to uncover those valuable nuggets that will help you propel your business further and faster.

Episode 23 - Leverage Storytelling to Build Your Personal Brand with Michael Ashley, Owner & Creative Content Specialist at Michael Ashley Publishing

Release Date: October 15, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Michael Ashley, Owner and Creative Content Specialist of Michael Ashley Publishing. In addition to writing thought provoking articles on AI and the future of tech for Forbes, Entrepreneur, and others, Michael also works with thought leaders to tell their stories in new and meaningful ways while helping them build their own personal brands. Michael is the co-host of the “Changing the Story” podcast and to date, has co-authored 50+ books.

Listen and learn how you could improve your own personal brand leveraging some of Michael’s great insight.

Episode 22 - The State of Commercial Real Estate with Sheryl Mazirow, Founder & President of Mazirow Commercial, Inc.

Release Date: August 31, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Sheryl Mazirow, Founder & President of Mazirow Commercial, a “Tenant Only” Real Estate advisory firm. Sheryl works with businesses to help them not only find and procure the perfect office space, but also helps in between lease executions with ongoing cost saving programs.

Listen and learn how you could improve your office space search while also reducing your ongoing location costs.

Episode 21 - Prepping For Your Exit with Kevin Berson, Founder & President of Kinected Advisors

Release Date: August 10, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Kevin Berson, Founder & President of Kinected Advisors, a full-service M&A Advisory Firm. Kinected Advisors was founded in 2014 with the objective of helping business owners increase the value of their companies and ultimately sell for maximum value on their terms.

Listen and learn how you could improve your business with some valuable tips and tricks long before you’re thinking of exiting.

Episode 20 - Reducing Your Risk with Justin Grooms, Founder & CEO of Chariot Consulting

Release Date: July 13, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Justin Grooms, Founder & CEO of Chariot Consulting. Justin works with businesses to help them improve the lives and performance of their employees through risk management, safety, and training and development programs. Justin has developed a comprehensive approach to reducing risk, improving safety, and increasing productivity.

Listen and learn how you could reduce your risk and increase the safety of your employees at the same time.

Episode 19 - Removing Revenue Roadblocks with Tim Fitzpatrick, Founder & CEO of Rialto Marketing

Release Date: June 13, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Tim Fitzpatrick, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Founder of Rialto Marketing. Tim works with his clients to accelerate growth by removing the revenue roadblocks most small B2B businesses run into. With his proprietary “Rialto Revenue Acceleration System”, Tim has developed a proven system to not just improve marketing but generate real and meaningful results.

Listen and learn how to remove the revenue roadblocks from your growth plan.

Episode 18 - The Value of Cyber Liability Insurance with Andy Anderson, Co-Founder & CEO of Datastream Cyber Insurance

Release Date: May 16, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Andy Anderson, Co-Founder & CEO of Datastream Cyber Insurance, an insurance firm focused only on Cyber Liability insurance with a unique twist. And that unique twist is that they work directly with MSP’s like FPA to help their clients ensure they’re protected technically as well as financially. Listen and learn more about what’s going on in the insurance world when it comes to cyber and how best to protect your business from being hacked.

Whether you're looking to learn more about cyber security in general or specifically what Datastream has to offer, this podcast should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 17 - Supporting the Apple Ecosystem with Rob Calvert, Founder & President of Second Son Consulting

Release Date: April 1, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Rob Calvert, Founder & President of Second Son Consulting, an IT Services firm working primarily in the Apple eco-system. Rob has created one of the premier IT shops specifically designed around businesses using Apple computers. Listen and learn more about their similarities with FPA as well as some of our differences. A very unique discussion to say the least.

Whether you're looking to learn more about the Apple ecosystem or just interested in learning about what goes into building a quality service business, this podcast should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 16 - The Value of Knowing Your Numbers with Don Stevens, B2B CFO

Release Date: March 15, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Don Stevens, Outsourced CFO. Don is an accomplished accounting, finance, and operations executive. And with over 30 years of experience, he’s seen a lot and brings his varied experience and an objective eye to the financial side of every business he works with. If you think this is going to be one of those boring accounting conversations, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Whether you're looking to learn how to improve your accounting processes or just interested in learning some great financial nuggets, this podcast should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 15 - The Value of Networking with Paige Murphy, Regional Director of Provisors

Release Date: February 28, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Paige Murphy, Regional Director of Provisors, the leading networking group for Professional Service firms. Paige is an amazing communicator and simply one of the strongest “people persons” I’ve ever run across. Listen and learn more about how personal development, networking, and “listening” can be the keys to unlock the growth of you and your business.

Whether you're looking to learn how to network or just interested in hearing some great connecting nuggets, this podcast should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 14 - The Value of Coaching with Ken Malouf, Founder of Game Time Strategies

Release Date: January 28, 2023

In this episode, we meet with Ken Malouf, Founder of Game Time Strategies, a full-service coaching and leadership training firm. Ken has created a business coaching and consulting company focused on partnering with business owners, entrepreneurs, and key executives to help bring out the champion in them and their businesses. Listen and learn more about how coaching can be the key to unlock the growth of your business.

Whether you're looking for a coach or just interested in hearing some great leadership nuggets, this podcast should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 13 - Transforming Employees into Superheroes with Barbara Palmer, Founder & CEO of Broad Perspective Consulting

Release Date: December 14, 2022

In this episode, we meet with Barbara Palmer, Founder & CEO Broad Perspective Consulting. Barbara and her team have created a unique, one-of-a-kind business transformation consultancy firm helping her clients transform their employees into Superheroes! Listen and learn more about how coaching and leadership development can be the key to unlock the growth of your business.

Whether you're looking for help transforming employees into superheroes or just interested in hearing some great leadership nuggets, this podcast should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 12 - It’s Never Too Late to Plan for Your Exit with Matt Coletta, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of M&A Business Advisors

Release Date: November 15, 2022

In this episode, we meet with Matt Coletta, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of M&A Business Advisors. Matt and his partner have built one of the deepest and most technically diverse M&A Advisory firms in the area. Focusing primarily on the sell side, they have been highly successfully in helping business owners to achieve a successful exit with a win-win mindset. Listen and learn more about what you can do to increase the value of your company from an industry expert like Matt.

Whether you're planning your exit now or in the distant future, there are a ton of nuggets in this podcast that should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 11 - The Value of Your Local Chamber with Diana Williams, CEO of The WVWC Chamber of Commerce

Release Date: October 15, 2022

In this episode, we meet with Diana Williams, CEO of The West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce. Diana leads one of the strongest and most member responsive Chambers in the area with a team who are passionate about helping their members’ businesses grow and succeed. Listen and learn more about the value of joining a Chamber and what you can expect from a leader like Diana.

Whether you're considering joining this Chamber or your local one, or just looking to pickup some great tips & tricks, there are a ton of nuggets in this podcast that should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 10 - The Value of Executive Coaching with Joe Jotkowitz, Founder & CEO of The Executive Advisory

Release Date: September 15, 2022

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Jotkowitz, Founder & CEO of The Executive Advisory, an executive coaching and leadership development firm. Joe has created one of the strongest and most unique firms providing this service in the area. Their team is passionate about helping organizations create productive and positive work environments and they pride themselves on providing custom-tailored solutions to help address today’s complex performance challenges. Listen and get some great takeaways on how to help executives be their best and their companies to thrive.

Whether you're considering training to improve your leaders or just looking to pickup some great tips & tricks, there are a ton of nuggets in this podcast that should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 9 - Taking Care of Your Employees with Barry Cohn, CEO of JorgensenHR

Release Date: August 5, 2022

This podcast could be considered a "must listen" for every business owner out there as I’m speaking with Barry Cohn, CEO of Jorgensen HR, a Southern California based outsourced HR firm. Barry provides a solution to the age-old business issue of how best to take care of your employees. And anyone with a business in California knows just how difficult this can be these days.

Hear what it takes to ensure your employees are well trained, supported, and engaged all while making sure the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed when it comes to the legal and compliance issues of having employees.

Whether you're looking to respond to a specific incident or merely want to learn more about this area, there are a ton of nuggets in here that should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 8 - Preparing for a Cybersecurity Forensic Investigation with John Troxel, Owner of Verdict Resources, Inc.

Release Date: July 5, 2022

In this episode, we sit down with John Troxel, a Certified Computer Forensic Investigator and Owner of Verdict Resources, Inc. John works cases requiring advanced technical expertise - specifically electronic discovery and computer forensics.

We peel back his approach and learn more about how he goes about a forensic investigation and what you should do to protect yourself and your business in this area including some priceless nuggets that he's learned over the years. You can clearly tell he's passionate about the work he does and the success he generates. 

Whether you're looking to respond to a specific incident or merely want to learn more about this area, there are a ton of nuggets in here that should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 7 - The Value of C-Level Coaching with Ken Keller, Founder of Strategic Advisory Boards

Release Date: June 4, 2022

In this episode, we sit down with Ken Keller, Founder of Strategic Advisory Boards, a Southern California based leadership advisory firm specializing in using a formal peer group process for executive learning and advancement. Ken provides a formal accountability system to help improve the leadership and development capabilities of the executives that he works with. I think his LinkedIn profile says it all –

"Nothing worthwhile happens without accountability."

Whether you're looking to join a leadership peer group or increase your own accountability, there are some great nuggets in here that should be of interest to every business owner.

Episode 6 - Ways to Improve your Digital Marketing with Jonathan Boring, President & Founder of Social Spice Media

Release Date: May 4, 2022

In this episode, we tap into the mind of Jonathan Boring, President & Founder of Social Spice Media, an award winning Web Development and Digital Marketing firm. Jonathan is an expert in this area building one of the leading firms not only in web development services, but also in website ADA compliance, as well as social media marketing for businesses.

Whether you're looking to increase your social marketing presence or just catch up on what all the buzz is around Digital Marketing these days, there are some great nuggets in here that should be of interest to every small business owner.

Episode 5 - Strategies to Create a Win/Win Referral Network with Janice Miller,  Author of Coopertition®

Release Date: April 4, 2022

In this episode, we tap into the mind of Janice Miller, the managing partner of Miller Haga Law Group and a highly-recognized legal advisor with over 25 years of experience as an innovative general counsel. Janice is also an expert in the business strategy of Coopertition® (the notion that competitors can work together cooperatively for the benefit of their clients) and has authored a book by this name.

We spend some time with Janice diving into how creating a network of referral partners is one of the best ways to strengthen your own ability to deliver quality service for your clients. 

Episode 4 - How to Create a Winning Sales Team with Paul Mitchell of Sales Xceleration

Release Date: March 3, 2022

In this episode, we tap into the mind of Paul Mitchell, an outsourced / fractional VP of Sales with Mitchell Sales Advisors and Sales Xceleration. Paul is a results-focused sales professional with a strong track record optimizing bottom-line business development performance in a variety of industries across the nation.

We spend some time with Paul diving into how he helps organizations improve the performance of their sales teams and learn one pretty interesting, little-known fact about him.

Episode 3 - How to Bring Mindfulness into the Workplace with Jason Beck of Potential Project

Release Date: January 27, 2022

We sit down with Jason Beck, a consultant with Potential Project who recently completed his Ph.D. in Positive Organizational Psychology from the Claremont College. He focuses on mindfulness and leader development to help individuals, teams, and organizations get the results they want for developing their well-being, peak performance, and creativity.  He's passionate about developing what it means to "be human" in organizations to improve alignment with the mission and values. 

Episode 2 - How to Run a Successful Wholesale Business with Jason Kole of Kole Imports & Closeouts

Release Date: October 1, 2019

We sit down with Jason Kole, the V.P. of Operations for Kole Imports & Closeouts, one of the more successful importers and resellers of wholesale merchandise in the industry, diving into how he and the leadership team run the company, how they set goals and achieve them, and how they went from 4 in-house IT staff to 1 - all while significantly increasing their efficiency and profitability. 

Episode 1 - How to Run a Successful RIA with TJ Jones of Gamble Jones Investment Counsel

Release Date: August 31, 2019

In our inaugural episode, we tap into the mind of TJ Jones, the V.P. of Operations of Gamble Jones Investment Counsel, one of the oldest and most reputable Registered Investment Advisors in Pasadena - and one of FPA's oldest clients.

We spend some time with TJ diving in to how he and his leadership team run the company, what some of their key initiatives have been, what they've been doing to achieve these initiatives, and what some of the technology looks like that they use to run their firm. 

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Find out how we can help solve your problems. Schedule some time today to talk with our Founder & CEO, Craig Pollack, a technology advocate who has spent 25+ years building FPA Technology Services into one of the most respected IT Support Companies in the greater Los Angeles area by helping businesses like yours leverage technology to achieve their business objectives. 

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