Going Beyond the Deal

• 27 | Earl Foote | How Creativity and Culture Drove 40%+ Growth

  What if the secret to scaling a tech business wasn’t just strategy but soul?In this deeply human conversation, Michael sits down with Nexus IT Consultants founder and CEO Earl Foote to unpack how he’s built one of the fastest-growing managed IT and cybersecurity firms in the country, not through hustle and grind alone, but by leading with creativity, culture, and conviction.From musician to entrepreneur, Earl shares how art and architecture led him to tech, and how aligning people with purpose is now the fuel behind Nexus’ 40%+ organic growth. Whether you’re an MSP founder thinking about your next chapter, or a leader navigating scale in a crowded market, this episode reveals what’s possible when you stop chasing transactions and start building something bigger.This isn’t your average IT conversation. It’s a masterclass in building a movement.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Meet Earl Foote: CEO of Nexus IT and creator of a people-first tech culture[00:02:00] – Why Nexus only hires growth-minded, mission-aligned people[00:04:00] – The philosophy behind building a world-class team environment[00:06:00] – From dropping out to play music… to building a multimillion-dollar firm[00:10:00] – Creativity as a competitive edge in business[00:14:00] – How an e-commerce experiment led to a cybersecurity empire[00:20:00] – Inside Nexus’ non-dilutive growth strategy (and 8 MSP acquisitions)[00:23:00] – Why Earl is the acquirer founders actually want to work with[00:29:00] – What’s the endgame? Earl’s long-term vision for Nexus and legacy[00:33:00] – What “world-class service” really looks like—and how Nexus measures it[00:38:00] – Red flags to avoid when choosing an MSP partner[00:41:00] – How to connect with Earl (and maybe even jam on guitars in Salt Lake)[00:42:00] – One small moment that changed everything: surviving a major fraud eventMentioned ResourcesEntrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)Nexus IT Growth & M&A InsightsEddie Van Halen and FrankenstratThe Five Dimensions of Vitality by Michael J. FischerAbout the GuestEarl Foote is the founder and CEO of Nexus IT Consultants, a nationally recognized cybersecurity and IT firm that has scaled through purpose-driven leadership and intentional culture. With over 25 years of experience, Earl is known for bringing art and humanity into the tech world, serving high-compliance industries with world-class service while building an award-winning company people love working for.🔗 LinkedIn 📧 Email 🌐 WebsiteImportant LinksFollow my blog here: https://rebrand.ly/7e3544 Book a call with us: DBD Investment Bank Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. and Podcast Your Brand. Production and...

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• 26 | Jeff Silbert | The Secret To Sustainable Growth With People, Process, Passion

  What if your next business opportunity wasn’t about building from scratch, but building smarter?In this conversation, Michael reconnects with longtime friend and franchise entrepreneur Jeff Silbert, co-founder of 10 Hand & Stone locations and regional developer for Moxie Salon. Jeff shares how he went from coding at Accenture to scaling membership-based wellness brands and why his sweet spot isn’t startups at zero, but businesses just past lift-off.They talk about what makes a franchise model work, how to identify scalable opportunities, and why people, process, and passion are the core of every successful expansion. Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship, looking to scale a service business, or curious about entering the wellness space, this episode is full of lessons from the trenches of brand-building.And if you’re wondering how to grow your business without burning out? This one’s a masterclass in doing it the right way with clarity, conviction, and a tight inner circle.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Meet Jeff Silbert: Hand & Stone co-founder and Moxie regional developer[00:01:20] – From Accenture to entrepreneurship: Jeff’s early path to business ownership[00:03:14] – Why he doesn’t like “idea-stage” businesses and what gets him excited instead[00:05:00] – The power of the membership model: funnel thinking, retention, and revenue stability[00:07:00] – Balancing the franchise playbook with entrepreneurial creativity[00:08:45] – Why great franchisees are coachable and aligned with the brand’s vision[00:11:32] – Can the average person really enter the franchise world? Here’s how.[00:14:00] – Why Jeff and his brother diversified into Moxie after 10 Hand & Stone locations[00:17:00] – Moxie’s team-based salon model and how it flips the stylist/client dynamic[00:20:00] – Building culture without relying on individual “star” stylists[00:23:00] – The dig in the neighborhood: why the wellness space is bigger than business[00:25:00] – What COVID taught them and how loyal members saved the business[00:27:00] – How Jeff maintains vitality: people, boundaries, and the power of EO[00:33:34] – The moment that changed everything: investing in long-term friendships[00:36:14] – Thinking about a franchise? Jeff shares who Moxie is looking forMentioned ResourcesMoxie Salons & Beauty BarsHand & Stone Massage and Facial SpaEntrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)P90X by Tony HortonDanny Meyer’s book Setting the Table (on hospitality leadership)Guest Bio: Jeff SilbertJeff Silbert is a seasoned franchise operator and business builder. As co-founder of 10 Hand & Stone

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• 25 | No Asshole Rule: Refuse The Wrong People, Win Big Anyway

  What if the secret to long-term success isn’t about who you can work with but who you refuse to?In this candid solo episode, Michael J. Fischer breaks down a principle that’s shaped both his personal and professional life: The No Asshole Rule. From his early years as a “baby banker” grinding through endless networking events to his current role as Managing Director at DBD Investment Bank, Michael shares how saying no to misaligned clients, partners, and even bosses became the key to protecting his energy and integrity.You’ll hear what happens when you chase every deal out of desperation, why gut instincts are your most underused business tool, and how real success starts with one simple rule—only work with people whose values match yours.If you’ve ever felt drained by the wrong client, team, or deal, this episode is your reminder that boundaries aren’t arrogance; they’re leadership.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – What “Going Beyond the Deal” really means for Michael Fischer[00:01:00] – Introducing the No Asshole Rule and why it changed everything[00:01:45] – The early days as a “baby banker” with a $3.5M goal and no filter[00:03:00] – Thousands of handshakes, thousands of business cards, and total burnout[00:04:00] – The annual reset that sparks every rainmaker’s anxiety[00:05:00] – The heavy cost of saying yes to misaligned clients[00:06:00] – Trust your gut: why your first impression is usually right[00:07:00] – Red flags to watch for and the “Would I invite them to dinner?” test[00:08:00] – What happens when alignment meets energy—it’s magical[00:08:45] – Saying no doesn’t make you rude—it makes you a leader[00:09:10] – A look ahead: The Five Dimensions of Vitality and why protecting your circle mattersMentioned ResourcesThe Five Dimensions of Vitality (upcoming book by Michael J. Fischer)Important LinksFollow my blog here: https://rebrand.ly/7e3544 Book a call with us: https://rebrand.ly/dbd-investment-47fca2 Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

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• 24 | Why Your 40s Might Be Your Most Important Decade Yet

  What if your greatest opportunity for growth starts the moment your comfort zone ends?In this powerful solo episode, J. Michael Fischer, Jr. shares a raw, personal reflection on how personal development transformed not just his career but his identity. From working as a janitor and rebuilding alternators to becoming Managing Director at a bespoke investment bank, Michael reveals the pivotal mindset shifts that helped him rewrite his life in his 40s.You’ll hear how COVID offered a catalyst, why he traded a cushy salary for entrepreneurship, and the honest truth about what it takes to design your “Second Half Playbook.”If you’re coasting in a career that no longer excites you, this episode is your urgent wake-up call. Hit play now to discover why the second half of your life deserves your boldest moves and why the cost of delay is steeper than you think.Mentioned ResourcesMichael’s “Second Half Playbook” article on LinkedInTony Robbins' podcast on midlife transformationImportant LinksFollow my blog here: https://rebrand.ly/7e3544 Book a call with us: https://rebrand.ly/dbd-investment-47fca2 Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by Michael J. Fischer and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

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• 23 | Amos Bar Joseph | How to Leverage AI for 100x Business Growth

  What if the future of business isn’t just about hiring more people, but about creating organizations where humans and AI collaborate to unlock 100x growth?In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Amos Bar Joseph, co-founder and CEO of Swan AI, a company building AI agents designed to transform go-to-market operations for modern businesses. Amos shares how his childhood in a scientific community and his early career in game theory shaped his approach to problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and building companies that scale intelligently rather than just adding headcount.From founding and selling two startups, including one that worked with major airlines worldwide, to pioneering the concept of an “autonomous business,” Amos explains why companies of the future will empower employees to work in their zone of genius while AI handles the repetitive, mundane tasks. This episode dives into AI adoption, organizational culture, mental health, and the radical ways technology is reshaping business.Learn why ruthless prioritization and self-care are the keys to thriving as an entrepreneur in the AI era. If you've enjoyed this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today! Enjoy!Key takeaways:Why AI is one of the most intuitive technologies ever created, and how to embrace it in your businessHow to identify and operate within your “zone of genius”Why the future of work is about autonomy and vision alignment, not bureaucracyHow Amos scaled Swan to over 200 customers with a three-person founding teamThe mental habits that help entrepreneurs avoid burnoutWhy marketing is about emotions, not just analyticsHow AI agents can 100x the effectiveness of every employeeAnd much more…Guest Bio:Amos Bar Joseph is the co-founder and CEO of Swan AI, a company on a mission to build the first truly autonomous business by leveraging AI agents to transform go-to-market operations. An entrepreneur at heart, Amos previously founded and sold two tech companies. A graduate of Tel Aviv University’s PPE honors program, he is passionate about game theory, entrepreneurship, and helping businesses scale with intelligence rather than headcount.Resources:Connect with Michael on LinkedIn DBD Investment BankConnect with Amos on LinkedIn Subscribe to The Big Shift NewsletterDisclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Going Beyond the Deal podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By...

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