The Personal Side of Business Podcast

He Lost It All… Then Built It Back Through Relationships | Shawn Finnegan

What happens when you go from raising $1.5 million… to just $2,500 in your bank account?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with entrepreneur Shawn Finnegan, co-founder of TaxHive and creator of the X Room, to unpack one of the most powerful lessons in business: relationships are everything.
Shawn shares the brutal reality of nearly losing it all—facing payroll he couldn’t cover, pressure from investors, and the weight of failure. But in that moment, he made a decision that changed everything: he rebuilt his business through connection, community, and strategic relationships.
Today, that same philosophy has helped him:
Scale multiple businesses
Build a thriving entrepreneurial community (The X Room)
Partner with high-profile names like Kevin O’Leary
Help small business owners save thousands through smarter tax strategies
This conversation dives deep into:
Why most entrepreneurs ignore their network (and pay for it)
The exact mindset shift that saved Shawn’s business
How to walk into any room and build meaningful connections
The biggest mistakes business owners make with taxes
Why “who, not how” is the key to scaling
If you’re building a business, feeling stuck, or trying to grow faster—this episode will change how you think about success.
Your next breakthrough in business isn’t a strategy…It’s a relationship you haven’t built yet.
Follow Shawn Finnegan on social media to learn more about:
Tax strategy for small businesses
Entrepreneur networking systems
The X Room community
IG-finneganshawn
IG-the.xroom
taxhive.com

The Employee Benefit That Could Reduce Turnover by 50% | Larry & Cheri Salazar

What if one employee benefit could help companies reduce turnover while helping employees achieve homeownership?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with Larry and Cheri Salazar, founders of NestSTEPS Benefits, a company helping employers offer homeownership benefits to their teams.
After experiencing their own challenges with buying a home, Larry and Cheri built a program that helps employees create financial plans, save for down payments, receive employer contributions, and learn how to maintain long-term homeownership.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why the average first-time homebuyer age continues to rise
How employee turnover can cost companies thousands
Why traditional workplace perks often fail
How employers can help employees buy homes
Why financial education is critical before purchasing a home
How this model could reshape employee benefits in the future
This episode is for business owners, HR leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in solving one of today’s biggest affordability challenges through innovation.
This one feels very aligned with your audience because it speaks directly to employers/business owners while still having a broader human angle.
You can check out more info at www.neststepsbenefits.com or contact Larry & Cheri at info@neststepsbenefits.com801.874.1860.
If you would like to hear more entrepreneurial journeys, check out more episodes at personalsideofbusiness.com

“Why Most Small Businesses Fail (And the Systems That Actually Fix It)” | Jonathan Ghiloni

What does it actually take to scale a business—and step away from it successfully?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with business coach and former entrepreneur Jonathan Ghiloni, who built and sold a successful construction company after 20 years—and now helps other business owners do the same.
Jonathan breaks down the real difference between working in your business vs. working on it, why most entrepreneurs stay stuck, and how simple systems—not hustle—are the key to growth, profitability, and freedom.
They also dive into:
Why tracking your numbers is the foundation of scaling
The biggest mistake new business owners make early on
How to build systems that allow your business to run without you
Why loyal customers are your most valuable asset
The truth about hustle culture—and what actually works instead
How to prepare your business for a future sale
If you’re a business owner feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to grow to the next level, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to get there.
Guest: Jonathan Ghiloni
              IG-coach_jonathanghiloni
Host: Jet Bunditwong
           personalsideofbusiness.com
           IG-personalsideofbusiness
           YouTube-The Personal Side of Business
🎯 Because every business has a story—and the systems behind it matter.

How to Teach Kids About Money, Saving & Financial Literacy Early | Kelly Lee

Why aren’t we teaching kids about money early enough?
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with Kelly Lee, author of the Little Economist book series, to talk about how she’s helping young children understand financial literacy in a way that’s simple, fun, and actually engaging.
Kelly’s journey started during the pandemic after realizing how many adults were financially unprepared for uncertainty. As a new parent with a background in finance, she set out to create something she couldn’t find anywhere — educational tools that teach kids about money at a young age through storytelling and relatable concepts.
Now, with multiple books and a growing audience, she’s on a mission to change how the next generation learns about money.
In this episode, we cover:
Why financial literacy isn’t taught early enough in schools
How kids can understand concepts like saving, spending, and investing
The power of storytelling in teaching complex ideas
Why adults often overcomplicate money (and how to simplify it)
How early exposure to money concepts can shape lifelong financial habits
This conversation is for parents, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wishes they had learned about money earlier in life.
If you want to understand how to build better financial habits — or help the next generation do it — this episode is a must-listen.
 
Check out Kelly's website and socials:
www.econforkids.com
IG-little_economists
tiktok-little_economists
 
Check out more episodes at personalsideofbusiness.com
 

Small Business Marketing Strategy: Amber Gaige on Buyer Intent, Lead Generation, Branding & Why Businesses Stop Growing

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet interviews Amber Gaige, marketing strategist and founder, to break down what actually drives small business growth, lead generation, and sales conversion in today’s competitive market.
If you’re a business owner struggling with stagnant sales, low website traffic, poor lead flow, or inconsistent marketing results, this episode dives into the real reasons why—and how to fix them.
Amber explains:
How buyer intent marketing increases conversions and shortens the sales cycle
The difference between marketing vs. sales systems (and why most businesses get it wrong)
How to identify marketing pain points like low leads, low calls, and slow growth
Why local SEO and geographic targeting matter for service-based businesses
The importance of personal branding for entrepreneurs and small business owners
How AI marketing tools, data analytics, and keyword targeting are changing the game
Why video marketing, YouTube content, and brand visibility are now essential
How to build trust, authority, and brand awareness that allows you to scale
Whether you’re in home services, restaurants, e-commerce, or professional services, this episode gives practical insights into building a marketing strategy that actually produces results.
If you’ve ever asked:
Why is my business not growing?
Why am I not getting enough leads?
How do I improve my marketing strategy?
Do I need to hire a marketer?
This conversation will give you clarity on your next move.
Because successful businesses don’t just work harder—they market smarter.
To contact Amber Gaige, please click on the link below.
https://farbeyondmarketing.com/
 
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How Intelligence Training Improves Leadership, Communication & Influence | Former Operative Don Weber

Former intelligence operative Dr. Don Weber joins The Personal Side of Business to share how decades working in global intelligence shaped his understanding of leadership, influence, communication, and human behavior.
After operating in high-risk international environments where reading people correctly could mean survival, Don now works with executives and organizations to help leaders better understand motivation, trust, and decision-making inside modern businesses.
In this episode, we explore:
How intelligence training translates directly into leadership success
The psychology behind influence and persuasion
Why emotional intelligence is a competitive advantage in business
How great leaders motivate different personality types
Lessons from high-pressure environments that apply to entrepreneurs today
This conversation bridges two worlds — intelligence operations and business leadership — revealing practical insights leaders can immediately apply to building stronger teams and making better decisions.
personalsideofbusiness.com
https://drwebercoaching.com/

From Trauma to Purpose: John A. King on Healing, Identity, and the Work Men Avoid

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with John A. King for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, masculinity, and rebuilding life after everything falls apart.
John shares his personal journey of surviving childhood abuse and trafficking, the moment his life imploded at the height of professional success, and how years of recovery reshaped his identity, purpose, and work with men today.
Together, they explore:
Why many men suffer in silence
How trauma shows up later in life—often in our 40s and 50s
The difference between “fixing” and healing
Why men heal better shoulder-to-shoulder, not face-to-face
How small, consistent habits can radically change a life over time
The role culture, upbringing, and masculinity play in emotional health
John also explains the philosophy behind The Phoenix Collective—a practical framework designed to help men move forward with clarity, discipline, and connection, without shame or dependency.
This episode is reflective, grounded, and real—especially for anyone navigating stress, burnout, identity shifts, or unprocessed trauma.
🎙️ Because behind every business, every career, and every life path… there’s a personal story.
 
drjohnaking.com
personalsideofbusiness.com

Building Teams the Right Way: HR Through a Human Lens

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with Sara Nicholson, Human Resource Advisor with the San Diego SBDC, for an in-depth conversation on what every entrepreneur needs to understand about HR—before hiring their first employee.
Sara shares her unconventional path from accounting and hospitality into human resources, and explains why HR is not the “evil department,” but rather the oil that keeps a business engine running smoothly. Together, they break down common HR myths, California compliance realities, and the foundational steps business owners must take to protect themselves and their teams.
This episode covers:
The essential HR foundations every business needs before hiring
Independent contractors vs. employees and why misclassification is risky
How to attract and retain quality employees on a limited budget
Why company culture matters more than perks or pay alone
Behavioral interviewing techniques that reveal how candidates really think
The role AI can—and cannot—play in modern HR practices
Whether you are hiring your first employee, scaling from 5 to 50, or simply want to reduce legal and emotional stress as a business owner, this conversation offers practical, real-world guidance grounded in experience and empathy.
🎧 A must-listen for entrepreneurs who want to grow responsibly, confidently, and human-first.
https://sdivsbdc.org/
personalsideofbusiness.com

Family, Freedom, and 47 Countries: The Journey of Attorney Matt Paré

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with San Diego injury attorney Matt Paré, whose story goes far beyond legal success. From growing up in small-town Maine to building his own thriving law practice, Matt shares how he’s crafted a career that allows him to travel the world with his family—visiting over 47 countries and skiing on three continents.
We dive deep into the entrepreneurial side of law, exploring how discipline, persistence, and strategic relationships helped him become a leading personal injury lawyer. Matt also reveals how AI technology is transforming legal work, from uncovering city records to managing complex medical cases, and why this innovation is leveling the playing field for solo practitioners.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, attorney, or traveler at heart, this episode will inspire you to design a business—and a life—that values freedom, balance, and global perspective.
Listen to learn:
How Matt transitioned from firm associate to successful solo attorney
Why travel experiences shape better business and personal values
How AI is becoming a game-changer in the legal industry
What mindset and structure create long-term career freedom
(Episode from The Personal Side of Business with Jet Bunditwong)
www.personalsideofbusiness.com
www.mattpare.com

How Paul Ramirez Found Purpose Through Hardship and Faith

What does it take to go from being a teenage father with no roadmap to leading one of San Diego’s trusted plumbing companies?
In this episode, Jet Bunditwong talks with Paul Ramirez, owner of Speedi Rooter Plumbing & Drain, about his extraordinary journey of resilience, faith, and entrepreneurship.
Paul shares how he:
Overcame early hardships and built a strong work ethic
Learned the plumbing trade from mentors and turned it into a career
Navigated failure, financial struggles, and personal loss
Rebuilt his business and life with purpose and faith
Now runs a debt-free company guided by integrity and stewardship
This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t about where you start — it’s about persistence, humility, and heart.
Speedirooter.com
🎙️ The Personal Side of Business highlights real entrepreneurs, real challenges, and the human stories behind every business journey.
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