Author: EFIRDM72

Cole Flanders’ journey to becoming a new Chick-fil-A franchise owner and his leadership approach.

Key Takeaways

  – Cole’s 8-year journey to Chick-fil-A ownership involved multiple roles, including team member, leadership development program, and working with established operators

  – Opening a new Chick-fil-A involves intensive hiring (110 people) and training, with corporate support for the initial launch

  – Cole emphasizes intentional leadership development and culture-building as key to successful store operations and growth

Topics

Cole’s Path to Chick-fil-A Ownership

  – Started in the poultry industry after college, wife began working at Chick-fil-A

  – Aligned personal purpose with Chick-fil-A’s values and opportunities

  – 8-year journey: 2 years as a team member, 2.5 years in the leadership development program, 3 years with an established operator

  – Selected for Valley, Alabama location; signed franchise agreement in August

New Store Opening Process

  – Currently in the pre-opening phase, the store is set to open on December 5th

  – Handling business licenses, vendor relationships, and community connections

  – Preparing to hire ~110 employees through ~450 interviews in 5-6 weeks

  – Chick-fil-A provides support: 3 opening supervisors, 20-35 corporate trainers for 3 weeks

Leadership Development Approach

  – Implements 4-month leadership development program for potential shift leaders

  – Uses 70-20-10 model: 70% hands-on, 20% peer learning, 10% classroom

  – Includes mentorship, on-the-job training, and 7 classroom sessions (~15 hours total)

  – Focuses on leadership theory, restaurant operations, and practical scenarios

Culture and Team Building

  – Emphasizes creating a positive work environment and personal connections with team members

  – Appoints a leader for team member care to handle birthdays, events, and appreciation initiatives

  – Conducts bi-annual reviews using a competency model aligned with core values

  – Provides clear paths for growth and development within the organization

Lessons in Leadership

  – Learned the importance of trusting instincts and not succumbing to peer pressure in business decisions

  – Emphasized the need for a strong, consistent vision to guide business growth and decision-making

Next Steps

  – Post job openings and begin the interview process for new store

  – Continue pre-opening preparations and community engagement

  – Implement leadership development and culture-building strategies from day one

  – Prepare for December 5th store opening with support from Chick-fil-A corporate team

Adam Tarver is the College Pastor at Prince Avenue Baptist Church. He, his wife Jillian, and their precious daughter Eleanor live outside of Athens Georgia. Adam discusses his faith journey.

Key Takeaways

  – Adam’s faith journey was shaped by supportive parents, overcoming social anxiety, and key mentors in college

  – He emphasizes the importance of community, honesty, and intentionality in living out one’s faith

  – As a college pastor, Adam advises students to pursue their God-given talents strategically for God’s glory

  – For parents, he recommends fostering open communication and allowing children to make mistakes while providing guidance

Topics

Adam’s Faith Journey

  – Grew up in a Christian home with parents involved in church planting

  – Struggled with social anxiety as a teenager

  – Had a transformative experience at a youth event, leading to genuine faith

  – College years were formative, especially after joining Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM)

  – Key mentors like Cole Flanders, Jack Smith, and Brandt Akin played crucial roles in his spiritual growth

Discerning God’s Call

  – Emphasizes the importance of community in decision-making

  – Advises doing what you’re good at for God’s glory in strategic ways

  – Encourages considering how one’s skills can be used in various sectors, not just traditional ministry

  – Stresses the need for marketable skills in mission work, citing examples like trekking businesses in Nepal

Spiritual Practices and Growth

  – Values regular, personal devotional time separate from sermon preparation

  – Recently impacted by reading Ecclesiastes, focusing on cultivating faithfulness over selfish ambition

  – Emphasizes the importance of Sabbath rest, describing how he and his wife practice it weekly

  – Recommends Paul David Tripp’s book on leadership communities for those in ministry roles

Advice for Parents

  – Be honest with children about past mistakes and struggles

  – Create an environment where children feel safe sharing their experiences

  – Transition from strict rule-enforcer to advisor as children grow older

  – Understand the limits of control and point children to God who is in control

Lessons for Young Adults

  – Take life more seriously and be intentional in all areas (health, spirituality, relationships)

  – Understand that discipleship is a long-term process – “a long obedience in the same direction”

  – Be willing to invest time and not be discouraged by lack of immediate results

Podcast interview with Chris Lalomia for Matthew Efird’s “Market Mavericks” show

Key Takeaways

– Chris Lalomia runs The Trusted Toolbox, a handyman/remodeling business, and hosts the Small Business Safari podcast

– He emphasizes the importance of consistent training, knowing your numbers, and having systems in place to scale a service business

– Chris advocates for networking, mentorship, and mastermind groups as key drivers of business growth and personal development

– He’s working on transitioning to a more strategic role by hiring a GM to run day-to-day operations in Atlanta

Topics

Chris’s Background and Businesses

– Originally from Michigan with a master’s in mechanical engineering

– Started The Trusted Toolbox in 2008 during the recession

– Currently runs:

– The Trusted Toolbox (handyman/remodeling) in Atlanta and Athens

– Home Service Institute (training program, currently on hold)

– Small Business Safari podcast

– President of NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) Atlanta chapter

Business Creation and Early Challenges

– Started with a business plan, but underestimated labor costs

– Initially priced too low due to economic pressures ($540/day vs current $890/day)

– Learned importance of knowing numbers and not buying business through low pricing

– Focused on process improvement and small jobs to build customer base

Business Pivots and Growth

– Realized he was in the training business, not just handyman work

– Shifted focus to consistently training team members

– Changed his “why” from making money to creating impact and legacy

– Now impacts 38 families through employment

Team Building and Culture

– 5000 sq ft office space with training room as focal point

– Bi-weekly team meetings (24/year) focusing on:

1. Customer service

2. Operational processes

3. Technical skills/new tools

– Emphasis on making meetings engaging for hands-on learners

A special episode of “The Family Table” featuring guest Brandt Akin discussing fatherhood, faith, and raising boys.Key Takeaways – Intentional parenting involves leveraging everyday moments to teach values and build character – Unstructured time is crucial for children’s development and problem-solving skills – Preparing children for life’s challenges is more important than removing obstacles from their path – Investing in marriage and maintaining date nights is vital for family healthTopicsFamily Structure and Traditions – Brandt is married to Morgan for 12 years with three boys: Luke (8), Will (6), and Eli (3) – Annual “adventure days” during spring break: scavenger hunts, varied activities catering to each child’s interests – Camping in the backyard as a memorable family bonding experienceFatherhood and Masculinity – Emphasis on preparing boys for manhood in a culture lacking clear rites of passage – Weekly meetings planned for ages 13-18 to discuss faith, manhood, and following Jesus – Focus on teaching respect for women, especially modeling through the treatment of their motherParenting Strategies – “Figure it out” philosophy encourages independence and problem-solving – Unstructured playtime is crucial for building resilience and creativity – Celebrating milestones (e.g., Student of the Month) to reinforce positive behaviors – Teaching responsibility through pet ownership (e.g., Luke’s lizard care experience)Navigating Work-Life Pull – Struggles with balancing pastoral duties and family time – Strategies: putting the phone away when home, embracing children’s excitement upon arrival – “Guys night” when mom is out, maintaining weekly date nights with spouseRecommended Resources – “The Intentional Father” book highly praised for parenting guidance – “The Disciplines of a Godly Family” by Kent Hughes for structuring family life – “Love and Respect” by Emerson Eggerichs for marriage insights – Paul David Tripp’s book on marriage (formerly “What Did You Expect?”)Advice for Parents – Trust in your capability as the parent God chose for your child – Don’t wish away difficult seasons; embrace challenges as opportunities for growth – Be a person of integrity and teach children the importance of trustworthiness

Podcast interview with Steve Graves on business leadership, entrepreneurship, and work-life integration. He’s offered our audience a free copy of his new book Flourishing!Key Takeaways – Steve Graves is a multi-faceted leader: author, CEO coach, business owner, and ministry supporter – Emphasizes the importance of objective business evaluation, understanding business lifecycle stages, and creating a “composite scorecard” for life – Advocates for compressed learning through relationships, reading, and application to accelerate growth – Stresses the value of developing a strong organizational culture as a key business assetTopicsSteve Graves’ Background and Current Roles – Author with a weekly blog on faith, leadership, and strategy – Coaches CEOs, business owners, and entrepreneurs across industries for 3-4 decades – Owns multiple companies acquired over the years – Maintains involvement with global ministry nonprofits annually – Family man: married with 3 adult children and 5 (soon 6) grandchildrenBusiness Evaluation and Investment Criteria – Looks for natural “tailwinds” in the business (e.g., customers, offering, finances, people, product/service) – Emphasizes the importance of a viable financial model and economic formula – Considers the leader’s suitability for the business’s current and next stage – Objectifies investment decisions beyond personal relationshipsBusiness Lifecycle Stages1. Zero to One: Idea to launch, testing business theory2. One to Five: Initial growth, organizational development, market validation3. Five to Five Hundred: Scaling, competing effectively, significant market presenceWork-Life Integration – Rejects “work-life balance” in favor of a “composite scorecard of life” – Stresses the importance of performing well across all life roles (e.g., spouse, parent, professional) – Advocates for identifying God-given assignments vs. mere opportunities – Emphasizes the need to say “no,” “not now,” or “not yet” to maintain focusLearning and Growth – Recommends compressing learning through relationships, reading, and podcasts – Suggests putting new knowledge into immediate application – Emphasizes deep personal formation work alongside skill acquisitionOrganizational Culture – Views strong culture as a critical business asset (e.g., Chick-fil-A) – Stresses the importance of defining and living out organizational values – Encourages leaders to regularly evaluate if the company truly operates by its stated valuesNext Steps – Listeners to check out CornerstoneCo.com for more information on Steve’s work and Cornerstone Plus offering

Franklin Scott (affectionately known as Slim) faithfully served college students for many decades, with nearly 3 decades as the Senior Campus Minister at UGA’s BCM. Franklin has been Matthew’s mentor since his time at UGA.Franklin and Matthew talk about:How did his faith journey begin.How his faith influences his decisions.His advice on building good habits and what he would encourage them to do to strengthen their faith.How mentor’s have shaped his life.His advice for someone who is struggling with their faith.How to discern God’s call on your life.How to share your faith.What advice would he would have in passing on faith from one generation to another.And finally, the advice that he would give to his younger self.

Steve Beecham is an author, speaker, and business owner. He owns ⁠Home Town Mortgage⁠. He discusses his business experience, referral marketing strategies, and speaking career to provide insights for entrepreneurs.

Key Takeaways

  – Referral-based businesses thrive on deep relationships; join multiple organizations to expand your network

  – Provide value and “wow” experiences to generate reciprocity and increase referrals

  – Speaking careers require consistent effort in marketing and building an audience

  – Diversifying business interests can lead to new opportunities and growth

Topics

Steve Beecham’s Business Background

  – 30+ years in the mortgage industry

  – Owns boutique mortgage company with son and small team

  – Survived the 2008 financial crisis by pivoting to writing and speaking

  – Published 4 books on becoming a community’s “go-to” person

Referral Marketing Strategies

  – Focus on making people aware of your business existence

  – Paint vivid pictures of what you’re looking for when asking for referrals

  – Join multiple organizations (e.g., Rotary, Chamber of Commerce) to build deep relationships

  – Aim for one new deal per month from each organization joined

  – Leverage social media: “kidnap” friends on Facebook to expand network

Creating “Wow” Experiences

  – Go beyond good service to create memorable experiences

  – Explore clients’ personal interests/needs beyond your service

  – “Wow” experiences double referral rates from 10% to 20-25%

  – Example: Helping a client’s son find a job in an unrelated field

Speaking Career Development

  – Wrote his first book during the 2008 financial crisis, leading to speaking opportunities

  – Started with free 20-minute speeches at local Rotary clubs

  – Expanded to paid speaking engagements through connections (e.g., Edward Jones)

  – Treat speaking as a business: market yourself, build an audience

  – Leverage social media and existing network for speaking opportunities

Business Diversification

  – Invested in painting and HVAC businesses using marketing expertise

  – Exploring hard money loans for house flippers

  – Advice: Buy and hold properties for long-term wealth-building

Brennon Touchet is the Discipleship Pastor at Galilee Christian Church in Jefferson, GA. He and his wife Heather live in the Jackson County area with their three girls. Brennon offers great insights into discipleship and building intimacy with God.

Key Takeaways

• Brennon’s faith journey was shaped by generational influence, starting with his grandfather’s conversion

• Addressing sin directly and teaching repentance is crucial for passing faith to the next generation

• Studying Scripture holistically reveals deeper connections and beauty in God’s narrative

• Embracing difficult situations with faith leads to spiritual growth and stronger relationships

Topics

Brennon’s Faith Journey

• Grandfather was the first in his family to become Christian, passed faith to Brennon’s mother

• Grew up in Church of Christ, baptized in 8th grade at church camp

• Early evangelism experiences with Catholic friends in South Louisiana

• Initially resistant to ministry calling, pursued other careers before accepting

Discerning God’s Call

• Key advice: Listen to trusted people around you who know you well

• Brennon initially avoided ministry due to feeling unqualified

• Explored nursing, physical therapy, and education before accepting ministry role

• First full-time ministry job came after 7 years of a discernment process

Maintaining Faith and Decision-Making

• Relies on three pillars: God’s Word (study), prayer, and community

• Regular self-evaluation and conversations with wife Heather to stay aligned

• Sets aside intentional time with spouse for faith-centered discussions

• Recognizes the importance of listening vs. trying to “fix” in marital communication

Advice for Faith Struggles

• Acknowledge it’s normal and okay to wrestle with faith

• Don’t give up – surround yourself with mature believers for support

• Read Psalms to see examples of faith struggles and praise

• Remember the gospel – Christ’s sacrifice demonstrates your worth

Influential Figures in Faith

• Parents modeled church involvement and prioritizing faith community

• His childhood pastor trusted Brennon with responsibilities, fostering growth

• Pastor’s passion for original languages inspired deeper Bible study

Passing Faith to the Next Generation

• Brennon’s master’s thesis focused on biblical fatherhood and family dynamics

• Emphasizes addressing sin directly with children, teaching repentance

• Balances stern discipline with “soft hand” approach (still learning)

• Focuses on pointing children to Christ rather than manipulating behavior

Recent Impactful Resources

• Book: “Jonah and the Shadows of Eden” – reveals scriptural interconnections

• The Bible Project – provides helpful overviews of biblical narrative

Rob Downey, founder of Simply Be Found, discusses his company and experience in the digital marketing industry. He discusses how Simply Be Found helps small businesses with listing management, social media marketing, and AI-powered SEO. Rob shares his background, including previously selling companies to venture capital groups and working in the franchise industry.

Rob explains why small businesses should not just focus on a Google My Business profile, but instead get listed across a wide network of 500+ directories, voice assistants, and search engines. He outlines the benefits of this approach and how Simply Be Found’s $39/month service handles the listing management.

Rob discusses how Simply Be Found’s social media platform uses AI to generate unique, personalized content for each business, avoiding the generic, spammy content that often results from franchises or agencies repurposing the same posts. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and relevance.

Rob explains how Simply Be Found’s AI-driven SEO service helps businesses optimize their websites, even for those on platforms like Wix or WordPress, without requiring direct access. The service integrates with Google Analytics and Search Console to make data-driven improvements.

Rob shares how Simply Be Found had to pivot its platform-based business model after realizing it was not being used as intended. He discusses the importance of being adaptable and making tough decisions to stay ahead of technological changes, even if it means letting go of a product you’ve invested in.

Rob’s key advice is to take risks and believe in yourself, while also recognizing that making money is easier than keeping it. He emphasizes the importance of evaluating risk based on market opportunity and the ability to reach that market organically.

Conduct a podcast interview with Cole Flanders for “The Family Table” series, discussing parenting and family life.

Key Takeaways

  – Cole emphasizes intentional parenting, focusing on instilling concepts rather than just rules

  – The Flanders family prioritizes Sabbath-keeping as a key tradition to pass down

  – Cole balances demanding work as a Chick-fil-A operator with intentional family time

  – Parenting resources like Paul David Tripp have significantly shaped their approach

Topics

Cole’s Family Background

  – Married to Alicia for 9+ years

  – Two children: 4.5-year-old daughter Hazel and 17-month-old son Alden

  – Cole views his role as head of household, aiming to model Christ-like love

Family Traditions and Bonding

  – Sunday morning “muffin makers” tradition with daughter

  – Intentional about creating special moments, like chasing/playing after watering flowers

  – Prioritize Sabbath-keeping on Sundays for family time and rest

Parenting Philosophy

  – Focus on teaching concepts rather than just rules (e.g. respecting authority vs. specific “don’t do X”)

  – Strive for consistency in parenting approach, even during vacations

  – Openly discuss and admit parental mistakes/sins to children

  – The ultimate goal is children’s relationship with Christ, not just worldly success

Work-Life Balance

  – Navigated challenges during the Chick-fil-A leadership program while starting a family

  – Intentionally chose home close to new store (1/3 mile) to maximize family time

  – Recognize the intense time demands of the new store, but plan strategically as a couple

Parenting Resources

  – Paul David Tripp’s materials are highly influential

  – Impactful video on long-term parenting goals (mission field vs. “successful” life)

Advice for New Parents

  – Remember children ultimately belong to God, not parents

  – Admit weaknesses/mistakes to children, modeling need for Jesus

Next Steps

  – Cole to open new Chick-fil-A store in December

  – Continue intentional family time during the demanding store opening period

  – Maintain Sabbath-keeping tradition in a new location