Nathan Unger is the Associate Campus Pastor/Student Pastor at Bethlehem Church Oconee Campus. He and his wife, Anna of 9 years, have three wonderful boys at home with another one on the way!

Key Takeaways

– Importance of balancing family traditions with flexibility and intentionality
– Value of allowing children to experience both success and failure to build resilience
– Significance of celebrating children’s achievements and modeling outward-focused behavior
– Need for tailored parenting approaches based on each child’s unique personality and love language

Topics

Family Background and Dynamics

– Nathan has been married to Anna for 9 years, with three sons (Hudson, Sam, and Judah) and expecting their fourth child in March 2025
– Roles include father, husband, spiritual mentor, and recently youth football coach
– Balancing family traditions (e.g. holiday rotations) with creating new family rhythms
– Emphasis on outdoor activities and limiting screen time for children

Parenting Philosophy and Approaches

– Allowing children to experience “victory” by not rescuing them too quickly from challenges
– Implementing age-appropriate chores to instill responsibility (e.g. dishes, pet care, cooking)
– Focusing on celebrating achievements 5-10 times more than correcting behavior
– Tailoring parenting style to each child’s personality and love language
– Teaching generosity and outward focus through modeling and encouragement

Rewarding Aspects of Parenting

– Witnessing children learn, succeed, and overcome challenges
– Seeing “light bulb moments” as children master new skills
– Balancing protection with allowing appropriate struggles for growth

Recommended Resources

– Book: “Raising Passionate Jesus Followers” by the Comers
– Book: “The 5 Love Languages” (including children’s version)
– Podcast: Pure Athlete podcast, especially the episode with Ben Watson

Parenting Advice

– Be present and enjoy each season of parenting
– Recognize that challenging phases are temporary
– Take intentional time to celebrate children’s accomplishments and positive behaviors

Scott Specker, owner of multiple businesses including Five Star Painting, Top Rated Gutters, and others, discusses his entrepreneurial journey and leadership insights.

With over 18 years of experience in the consumer products industry, Scott
has honed his skills as an International Sales and Marketing Professional. His deep understanding of consumer behavior has enabled him to successfully navigate complex markets and deliver outstanding results.

Beyond his professional achievements, Scott is a dedicated community leader. He has served as a Small Group Leader at Browns Bridge Church, a Franchise Advisory Committee Member for Five Star Painting, and a Board Member for BMORE Learning and Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. His involvement in these organizations demonstrates his commitment to making a positive impact on his community.

As a franchisee, Scott recognized the potential to revolutionize the painting industry. By leveraging proven business models and fostering a culture of engaged employees, he has transformed his business into a leader in customer satisfaction. His dedication to providing exceptional service has earned him multiple awards, including Franchisee of the Year.

Scott’s passion for creating value for his customers extends beyond business. He strives to build a company that his family can be proud of and that contributes positively to the lives of others. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to hard work have allowed him to achieve financial success while making a lasting impact on his
community.

Key Takeaways

– Scott leverages his disability (small right hand) as a source of inspiration and leadership, focusing on strengths rather than limitations
– He’s expanded from painting into multiple businesses, including a new gutter company, by identifying market gaps and leveraging existing skills
– Networking, mentoring, and continuous learning are crucial for business growth and personal development
– Effective leadership involves building other leaders, being honest/open, and encouraging pushback on ideas

Topics

Scott’s Background and Businesses

– Started Five Star Painting in 2013 after 16 years in corporate America
– Now owns 4 businesses: painting, commercial real estate, gutters, and specialty coatings
– Launching Top-Rated Gutters to fill a mid-market price gap with high-quality service
– Considering new ventures related to disability awareness and inspiration

Leadership Philosophy

– Focus on personal strengths (marketing, people skills) and delegate other areas
– Build other leaders by investing in their development
– Provide honest feedback and encourage open communication
– Balance work and home life through routines and clear boundaries

Networking and Relationship Building

– Dedicate resources to joining organizations and attending events
– Focus on personal connections before business discussions
– Follow up networking events with deeper one-on-one meetings
– Leverage different team members’ strengths for various networking scenarios

Mentoring and Personal Growth

– Participates in small groups for personal development
– Mentors others, including a “fake nephew” starting a business
– Seeks pushback and challenges to ideas to avoid complacency
– Recommends books like “Think and Grow Rich” and “Rich Dad Poor Dad” for entrepreneurs

Business Expansion Strategy

– Identify complementary services with market gaps (e.g. gutters for painting business)
– Leverage existing customer base and operational knowledge
– Keep new ventures separate (e.g. different phones, emails) for clarity and focus
– Start small and personally handle operations before expanding the team

Next Steps

– Continue developing messaging around disability awareness for potential speaking opportunities
– Explore forming an empty-nester small group with his wife for personal growth
– Consider hiring a dedicated networking professional for the business
– Implement a “slow to hire, quick to fire” principle to ensure team alignment with company values

Doug Smith (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-smith-bb7921247/) and his lovely wife Jenny of 32 years have two amazing children and two lovely children-in-laws. Doug (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1394324272) is a long-time friend and mentor of Matthew’s and he serves on Matthew’s board of advisors. Pull up a chair to The Family Table and enjoy as Doug shares incredible wisdom for parents, couples, and individuals looking to deepen their family bonds!

Key Takeaways

– Consistently affirm children’s inherent worth/beauty to shape their trajectory
– Balance work/family by being present and involved in kids’ lives/interests
– Process grief outwardly through mourning to move forward, not stay stuck
– Find and nurture your “inner child” to heal and gain perspective on life

Topics

Doug’s Family Background

– Married 32 years to Jennifer
– Two adult children: Emma (27) and Tanner (25), both married
– Owned/operated a youth retreat center for nearly 20 years
– Currently does speaking, mentoring, and consulting

Parenting Philosophy

– Gave kids “freedom to do right” instead of strict rules
– Taught right/wrong through modeling and conversations
– Asked “what” questions instead of “why” to promote thinking
– Celebrated milestones but also random moments of good behavior
– Advised being honest with kids, tailoring truth to their age/maturity

Navigating Challenges

– Went through a difficult 3-year process when father-in-law left the family
– Coped by repeatedly affirming “God’s got this”
– Shielded kids from unnecessary details but was honest
– Advised processing grief outwardly through mourning, not inwardly

Work-Life Balance

– Acknowledged perfect balance is a myth and requires constant adjustment
– Made an effort to be present at kids’ activities/interests
– Tried to be the “fun dad” to know kids’ friends
– Wished he had done more regular “heart checks” with family

Key Book Recommendations

1. Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
2. The Shack by William P. Young
3. The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan

Parenting Advice

– Tell daughters they’re beautiful and sons they’re enough every night
– Have fun and relax – enjoy people/moments in life
– Understand grief and its effects to process it healthily
– Help kids “find their little” (inner child) for healing/perspective

Andrew Spikes is the owner of Missio, a digital marketing agency whose mission is to glorify God with digital marketing. As a rapidly growing business (highest ranked Christian digital marketing agency for two years running on the Inc 5000 list), Andrew shares powerful insights into building a team around culture and mission. You can learn more about Missio here (https://missiodigital.com/) and you can connect with Andrew on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewspikes/).

Key Takeaways

– Missio is a fast-growing Christian digital marketing agency, twice named to the Inc. 5000 list
– Andrew emphasizes the importance of core values, profit focus, and work-life balance for entrepreneurs
– Key advice: Start as a side hustle, build a savings cushion, and be ~80% confident before going full-time

Topics

About Missio and Its Growth

– Digital marketing agency with a mission to “glorify God with digital marketing”
– Serves organizations led by Christian leaders who bring faith to work
– Named to Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies twice
– Grew from 13 team members to 35, now all remote

Hiring and Team Building

– Initially hired all 1099 contractors, later transitioned leadership/key roles to W2
– Learned the importance of hiring for both mission alignment AND technical skills
– Now uses testing (Wonder, OMG) to assess cognitive ability, personality, motivation
– Implements regular 1-on-1s (30-60 min) where team members set agenda

Core Values and Culture

– 5 action-oriented core values: Execute with excellence, Love your neighbor, Make a difference, Think like an entrepreneur, Take ownership
– Uses core values in hiring/firing decisions and performance discussions
– Emphasizes servant leadership and refers to “team members” not “employees”

Financial Management

– Early mistake: Focused on revenue growth without profitability, nearly broke business
– Now tracks operating ratio (OR) for different business functions
– Aims for 10-20% OR for success management, 50% for cost of labor in social media

Work-Life Balance

– Sets clear start/stop times for work day
– Involves spouse as sounding board for business decisions
– Advises using entrepreneurial flexibility for family time (e.g. afternoon dates)

Advice for Entrepreneurs

– Start as a side hustle to prove the concept without full financial pressure
– Build a $100k savings cushion before going full-time
– Be ~75-80% confident in business before leaving your day job, not 100%
– Read entrepreneur autobiographies (e.g. Shoe Dog, Ride of a Lifetime) for inspiration

Chris Hanks is the Founder of the ⁠Institute for Entrepreneurship (https://instituteforentr.com/)⁠. After various successful stints in developing entrepreneurship programs at colleges like The University of Georgia, Georgia State, and Kennesaw State, Chris is focused on developing the community within the Institute. You can connect with Chris through the Institute’s website or via ⁠LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-hanks-8480539/)⁠.

Key Takeaways

Chris is committed to building a transformational organization focused on impact rather than just information
Systems and people development are crucial for business growth and scaling
Work-life balance is a myth; instead, focus on being fully present in each moment
Having a strong “why” is essential for entrepreneurial success and perseverance

Topics

The Institute for Entrepreneurship
Mission: Create the most transformational organization in entrepreneurship
Focus on impact rather than just information dissemination
Bringing together 100 transformational CEOs to mentor and develop others
Emphasis on executive development, emerging leader development, and investing in the next generation

Business Growth Fundamentals
Systems are crucial for scaling: marketing, execution, customer experience
People development is key: hiring the right people and nurturing their potential
Importance of clarity in defining success and keeping score
Need for a consistent process in developing team members

Work-Life Integration
Reject the concept of work-life balance; focus on work-life presence
Create memorable moments rather than worrying about the duration
Be fully present and focused in both work and personal life
Put away distractions (e.g., phone) during family time to show true engagement

Goal Setting and Commitment
Shift from “goals” to “commitments” for stronger personal investment
Chris’s commitment: Building a place famous for love and transformation
Recognize the challenge of loving well and creating a caring environment

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Carefully consider your reasons for starting a business
Understand that entrepreneurship will test your character and abilities
Have a strong “why” to withstand challenges
Be willing to sacrifice and go through discomfort for long-term success
Fully commit without relying on a “backdoor” or easy way out