Ever sold your dog for a fat check and got a standing ovation for it?

That’s how Aaron Spivak describes selling the company he built from scratch into a $50M powerhouse.

In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matt and Luigi sit down with Aaron, the DJ-turned-juice-slinger-turned-weighted-blanket-mogul, to unpack how grit, delusion, and one viral Kickstarter helped him build Hush, one of the top DTC brands in Canada.

He dives into the real emotional cost of selling a business, why customer conversations are his secret weapon, and how Founders Club is helping entrepreneurs get real support.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The stroke that changed everything…and how a side hustle became a lifeline

• Why Aaron still DJed after hitting $25M in revenue

• The secret power of calling every single customer (yes, really)

• How to turn a blanket into a movement (and a $50M exit)

• What Dragon’s Den taught him about performance, not pitching

• The real emotional chaos of selling your “business baby”

• Why Founders Club isn’t another BS mastermind — and who it’s really for

Who is Aaron?
Aaron Spivak is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded Revita, Hush Blankets, and most recently Founders Club, a global community for high-growth founders. From DJing bar mitzvahs to delivering mattresses in his Audi, Aaron’s story is anything but typical.

Favorite Quote:
"When I sold my business, it felt like someone bought my dog and the whole world clapped."

Take Action:
Tune in to hear why hard work beats hype — and what’s next for the guy who refuses to slow down.

Connect with Aaron:

• Instagram (The Founders Club): @thefoundersclub

• Website: https://www.aspivak.com

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-spivak1/

Like what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

🎧 Listen (or watch) The Liquid Lunch Project on all major platforms, including:

• Our website

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Audible

• YouTube

📧 Want even more? Subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more.

Available on Substack: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/

Connect with us on Instagram:
➡️ @matthew.r.meehan
➡️ @luigi_rosabianca,
➡️ https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/

What if your health routine mattered more than your hustle? Jimmy St. Louis traded shoulder pads for stem cells…and he’s building a business that could outlive us all.

In this episode, Matt and Luigi sit down with Jimmy St. Louis (former NFL player, serial entrepreneur, and CEO of Agentis Longevity) to talk about the future of healthcare that doesn’t start in a waiting room. From biohacking to business strategy, Jimmy breaks down how he’s turning the longevity space into a movement; accessible, affordable, and built for people who actually live in the real world (no ice baths required).

What we’re covering:

• Why true longevity starts with understanding your own damn body

• The difference between hormone therapy and doping (yes, there’s a line)

• What private equity actually looks like behind the scenes

• The “rest, recover, repeat” rule that applies to business and life

• How Jimmy grew a med-tech company from 9 to thousands of employees

• Biohacks that aren’t just for billionaires…or Brian Johnson wannabes

• Why his daughter is already smarter about EMFs than most adults

Who is Jimmy?

Jimmy St. Louis is a former Tennessee Titans tight end, U.S. National Rower, multi-exit entrepreneur, and current CEO of Agentis Longevity, a healthcare platform redefining how everyday people access elite-level health optimization.

Favorite Quote:

"If you add something new to your lifestyle, something else has to change."

Take Action:

Want to know what NFL grit, Wall Street brains, and regenerative medicine have in common? Tune in now to find out; this episode is a game-changer for anyone serious about playing the long game in business and health.

Connect with Jimmy:

• Website

• LinkedIn

Like what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

🎧 Listen (or watch) The Liquid Lunch Project on all major platforms, including:

• Our website

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Audible

• YouTube

📧 Want even more? Subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more.

Available on Substack: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/

Connect with us on Instagram:
➡️ @matthew.r.meehan
➡️ @luigi_rosabianca,
➡️ https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/

What if your biggest tax burden could be flipped into your greatest asset?

In this episode, Matt and Luigi sit down with Sean Graham, a CPA turned real estate entrepreneur who’s turning self-storage and depreciation into a business superpower. Sean walks us through his journey from cubicle life to building a real estate empire…one shed at a time…and breaks down how cost segregation isn’t just tax strategy; it’s tax sorcery.

You’ll learn how he used FHA and SBA loans to scale his real estate portfolio, why self-storage remains hot (even when interest rates don’t), and how small business owners can leverage tax tools most people have never even heard of.

Episode Highlights:

• Why FHA loans are a perfect starter hack for young investors

• How Sean scaled from duplexes to commercial storage units using SBA loans

• What cost segregation actually is—and why it matters to small business owners

• Three ways to legally offset active income using real estate depreciation

• The "lazy 1031 exchange" explained

• How to avoid paying depreciation recapture

• When it makes sense to DIY cost seg (spoiler: it doesn’t)

• The wildest short-term rental project Sean ever worked on

• Sean’s tips for building scalable, remote-first real estate operations
  
  

Favorite Quote:
"The easiest entrance into entrepreneurship is through real estate. You don’t have to recreate the wheel."

Who is Sean?
Sean Graham is a licensed CPA, entrepreneur, and the founder of Maven Cost Seg, where he helps real estate investors legally reduce their tax liabilities through cost segregation studies. With a background in accounting and a passion for real estate, Sean has carved out a niche in self-storage and teaches others how to build wealth without begging Uncle Sam to take less.

Take Action:
Think you’re paying too much in taxes? You probably are. Hit play and find out how Sean’s strategies could save you five to six figures this year alone. Then head to mavencostseg.com/liquid for a free estimate and an exclusive discount for our listeners.

Connect with Sean:

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Website

Like what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

🎧 Listen (or watch) The Liquid Lunch Project on all major platforms, including:

• Our website

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Audible

• YouTube

📧 Want even more? Subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more.

Available on Substack: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/

Connect with us on Instagram:
➡️ @matthew.r.meehan
➡️ @luigi_rosabianca,
➡️ https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/

Think you're making money just because the bank account isn’t empty? Hate to break it to you…but that’s not how business works.

In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matt and Luigi sit down with Teresa Wagonseller, founder of HigherUp CFO Services, to rip the lid off a big misconception: small businesses don’t need a CFO. Spoiler alert—they do.

Teresa explains the difference between CPAs and CFOs (hint: one is stuck in the past, the other helps you build a future), breaks down what cash flow actually is (and why you probably suck at managing it), and gives real-world examples of turning hot messes into money-makers.

Episode Highlights:

• CFOs focus on growth; CPAs focus on compliance—know the difference.

• You don’t need to be a Fortune 500 company to afford a CFO.

• Fractional CFOs give small biz owners expert support without breaking the bank.

• Cash flow problems? Look at who owes you, who you owe, and fix your damn terms.

• Contractors, SaaS founders, and even doctors are all flying blind without financial leadership.

• Stop “hiding profits” for tax purposes if you ever want to sell your business.

• Liquidity > Cash. Plan like a boss, not like you're dodging Uncle Sam.
  
  

Favorite Quote:

“The main difference between the two is a CPA is focused on the past… the CFO is focused on the future.”

Who is Teresa?

Teresa Wagonseller is a CPA-turned-fractional CFO who’s worked with everything from mom-and-pop shops to billion-dollar companies. Her firm, HigherUp CFO Services, helps business owners stop winging it with their money and start making strategic decisions that lead to growth, profit, and actual peace of mind.

Take Action:

If you’ve ever wondered where the hell your money is going, this episode is your wake-up call. Hit play. Then hit up a CFO.

Connect With Teresa:

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Website

Like what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

🎧 Listen (or watch) The Liquid Lunch Project on all major platforms, including:

• Our website
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Audible
• YouTube

📧 Want even more? Subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more.

Available on Substack: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/

Connect with us on Instagram:
➡️ @matthew.r.meehan
➡️ @luigi_rosabianca,
➡️ https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/

Ever wonder how a restaurant brand with over 120 locations keeps every burger, every plate, every pour consistently badass? Meet the man who makes it happen.

In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matthew R. Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca sit down with Chef Alex Sadowsky, the culinary engine behind Twin Peaks. From preserving brand soul across hundreds of locations to balancing artistry and business, Chef Alex gets real about what it takes to succeed in the restaurant game. The guys dive into food trends, pandemic pivots, whiskey preferences, and what keeps Twin Peaks from turning into just another cookie-cutter chain.

If you're a foodie, entrepreneur, or anyone who appreciates a damn good smash burger, don’t miss this one.

Episode Highlights:

• How to scale quality across 120+ restaurants (Hint: Give a sh*t)

• Why regional flavors matter—and how they maintain consistency

• COVID-19 as a "springboard" to streamline and double the business

• Chef vs. Entrepreneur: Where artistry meets profitability

• Why the celebrity chef dream isn’t all it's cracked up to be

• Advice for young culinary grads entering a high-attrition industry

• The underrated job security in food service (robots can’t cook vibes)

• What Starbucks forgot—and how Twin Peaks avoids that fate

• Franchising vs. corporate ownership: Maintaining brand soul

• Whiskey > Tequila? Chef Alex makes his case
  
  

Who is Alex?

Chef Alex Sadowsky is the VP of Culinary Innovation at Twin Peaks, a publicly traded sports bar brand with 100+ locations across the U.S. and Mexico. With roots in fine dining and a passion for pragmatic scaling, Alex has mastered the balance between chef-driven creativity and operational excellence.

Favorite Quote:

“Robots cannot replace the human part of the restaurant. We'll always have some job security. Everybody's got to eat.”

🎧 Tune in to hear how a Culinary Institute grad rang the NASDAQ bell and built a food empire—without losing his edge.

Connect With Alex:

• Twin Peaks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twinpeaksrestaurants/?hl=en

• Alex Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-sadowsky-677466a1/

• Twin Peaks Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-sadowsky-677466a1/

• Twin Peaks Website: https://twinpeaksrestaurant.com

Like what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

🎧 Listen (or watch) The Liquid Lunch Project on all major platforms, including:

Our website: https://theliquidlunchproject.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ

Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

📧 Want even more? Subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more.

Available on Substack: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/

Connect with us on Instagram:
➡️ @matthew.r.meehan
➡️ @luigi_rosabianca,
➡️ https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/

Feel like your business has you in a chokehold? Buried under relentless tasks and daily mayhem?

Strategic planning isn’t just for corporate titans—it’s the hidden edge small business owners need to break free and take charge.

In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, we’re joined by Dr. Commander Mary Kelly—U.S. Naval Academy grad, retired Navy commander, and author of 15 books—to reveal how you can stop firefighting and start leading with purpose.

Mary shares battle-tested strategies to take back control, boost profitability, and build a business that works for you—not against you. From no-nonsense time management to crafting a strategic plan that fits on a napkin, this episode is your wake-up call to stop spinning your wheels and start driving success.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to escape the small business overwhelm trap

• The surprising difference between revenue and real profits

• A simple, fluff-free way to create a strategic plan in one sitting

• Costly marketing and sales mistakes entrepreneurs can’t afford to ignore

• Military-inspired time management hacks every business owner needs

• Why keeping your business a secret makes you the “jerk”

• What it really means to take charge of your entrepreneurial destiny

Favorite Quote:

“Life is a finite number of unknown minutes and we do not have time to waste. We have to do the things that we were put on the planet to do.”

Call to Action:

Ready to stop working in your business and start working on it? Mary’s sharing her full business strategy vault—FREE for our listeners. Unlock it now at Productiveleaders.com/2025-success and kickstart your path to freedom.

Connect with Mary Kelly:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Facebook
• Email: Mary@ProductiveLeaders.com

Like what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

🎧 Listen (or watch) The Liquid Lunch Project on all major platforms, including:

Our website: https://theliquidlunchproject.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ

Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

📧 Want even more? Subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more.

Available on Substack: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/

Connect with us on Instagram:
➡️ @matthew.r.meehan
➡️ @luigi_rosabianca,
➡️ https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/

What if the best idea for your business isn’t coming from your C-suite, but from the intern who barely speaks in meetings?

In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, hosts Matthew R. Meehan and Luigi “The Professor” Rosabianca sit down with Nick Jain, CEO of IdeaScale, to talk about shaking up the way businesses innovate. Nick drops no-BS insights on how small businesses can harness the power of crowdsourcing ideas, why financial fluency is non-negotiable, and how poker skills can make you a better entrepreneur.

Oh, and he’s got a free tool for you small business owners that’ll change how you brainstorm—stick around for that.

Episode Highlights:

• IdeaScale 101: Learn how this “social network for ideas” lets businesses crowdsource game-changing ideas from employees, customers, and beyond.

• Real-World Win: A global restaurant chain used IdeaScale to crowdsource their next big menu item—and it wasn’t just a PR stunt.

• Big Company vs. Small Company Life: Nick spills the tea on why running a smaller company is like driving a speedboat—faster, riskier, and way more fun.

• Idea Meritocracy: Why the best ideas should win, not the loudest voice or the highest-paid suit.

• Financial Fluency: Nick explains why every entrepreneur needs to master financial statements—or risk driving blind.

• Poker and Business: How calculated risks at the poker table mirror smart business moves.

• Free Tool Alert: IdeaScale is free for businesses under 100 people—zero strings attached.

Who is Nick?

Nick Jain is the CEO of IdeaScale, a social network for ideas that helps businesses crowdsource innovation. A Harvard Business School grad and former Bain Capital hotshot, Nick’s now running a midsize software company while juggling fatherhood, a computer science degree, and fixing electrical outlets at his rental properties.

Take Action:

Want to stop chasing your tail and start innovating like a badass? Tune in to hear Nick Jain drop knowledge bombs that’ll make you rethink how you run your business. Plus, snag a free tool that’ll have your team’s best ideas bubbling up faster than a cold beer on a hot day. Listen now—you’ll thank us later.

Favorite Quote:

“If you can’t read financial statements, you have no idea how your business is doing. It’s like driving with covers on your windshield. You’d never do it.”

Connect with Nick:

• X: https://x.com/NickMJain

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjain/

• Website: https://ideascale.com

Like what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

🎧 Listen (or watch) The Liquid Lunch Project on all major platforms, including:

Our website: https://theliquidlunchproject.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ

Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

📧 Want even more? Subscribe to The Weekly, our Friday morning newsletter, for all the latest in the world of finance, tech, small business, and more.

Available on Substack: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/

Connect with us on Instagram:
➡️ @matthew.r.meehan
➡️ @luigi_rosabianca,
➡️ https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/