What happens when a musician's frustration transforms into a thriving video production business? Ben's transition to filmmaking began when he noticed videographers missing key musical moments during performances. Taking matters into his own hands, he started directing his own music videos, discovering that his musical background translated perfectly to visual storytelling. Beyond technical skills, Ben credits his success to two key elements: following his passion and cultivating genuine relationships.

Whether you're considering a creative career pivot, struggling with work-life balance, or simply fascinated by the intersection of art and business, Ben's story offers valuable insights into building a sustainable creative enterprise while staying true to your personal values. Visit benfonstudios.com to learn more about his work and approach to visual storytelling.

About Ben:
Ben Phan is a filmmaker, cinematographer, editor, licensed drone pilot, musician, world traveler, and long-distance hiker. His work carries a strong message of hope and resilience; his mission is to tell stories that heal and create community. His projects have screened at film festivals all over the world, including Amsterdam, Florence, Austria, London, Montreal, and Atlanta. With a professional understanding of both video and music, the willingness to take creative risks, and an intuitive ability to connect, Ben is uniquely skilled at creating meaningful, story-driven art.

Official Website: benphanstudios.com
Instagram: @benphanstudios
Facebook: @benphanstudios
ben@benphanstudios.com

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Two Jons with a trailer, a walk-behind mower, and absolutely zero business education decided to start a landscaping company. Seven years later, they're maintaining the grounds at Amazon's Asheville facility and transforming backyards into community-building spaces. This is the refreshingly honest story of Smith & Lloyd Landscaping.

Jon Lloyd pulls back the curtain on the entrepreneurial journey with disarming candor. "We should have charged more," he admits, reflecting on years of undervaluing their expertise. The growth strategy that propelled their success? Simply showing up and doing good work.

The conversation explores entrepreneurial myths and realities. John shares wisdom about selecting clients (sometimes "the juice isn't worth the squeeze"), managing work-life balance during busy seasons, and the two non-negotiable qualities he looks for in employees. His advice for aspiring business owners is both practical and profound.

About Jonathan:
Jonathan Lloyd moved to Asheville, NC in 2015, after spending most of his life in his hometown of Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Jon received his Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture from Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania, before gaining over a decade of experience in landscaping and construction.

With his extensive knowledge of design and craftsmanship, Jon is dedicated to creating exquisite designs for both function and artistry in the Asheville and Hendersonville area. He and his partner, John, founded their landscaping company to deliver top-notch services to residents and management companies.

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Bill

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Waska Finkelstein joins the Epic Entrepreneurs podcast to share his remarkable 40-year journey through professional video production and personal transformation.

At the heart of our conversation is Arthur Ashe's powerful quote that guides Waska's philosophy: "From what we get, we can make a living. From what we give, however, makes a life." This perspective has shaped how Waska approaches his video production business, integrating service, authenticity, and community connection into every professional interaction.

Perhaps most valuable is Waska's perspective on building genuine relationships before business transactions, contrasting the transactional networking of New York with the community-focused approach he's embraced in Asheville. His EPIC values—Education, Planning, Inspiration, and Commitment—provide a framework for entrepreneurial success grounded in wisdom rather than mere profit-seeking.

Ready to see how authentic connection can transform your business? Listen now!

About Waska:
Emmy Award-winning Independent Producer and Director of Photography Perry ‘Waska’ Finkelstein founded Pro Video Productions with a focus on exceptional quality, service, value, and relationship-building. With over 20 years of experience, he has produced video content for industries including corporate, commercial, sports, music, documentary, and broadcast television. After building a loyal client base in New York City, he expanded to Asheville, North Carolina in 2021, offering professional video production and editing services globally.

Thanks for Listening. You may contact me at https://billgilliland.actioncoach.com/

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Bill

Thanks for listening. Please hit the subscribe button, leave us a 5 star review, and share this podcast. You can reach me at williamgilliland@actioncoach.com.

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Bill

Dustin from Junkernaut shares how his Asheville-based junk removal company transforms spaces and lives through compassionate cleanup and crisis management. His business philosophy centers on addressing the root causes of clutter while ensuring environmental responsibility by finding the highest purpose for removed items.

• Junkernaut specializes in hoarding situations and helping clients dealing with trauma, physical limitations, or complicated personal histories
• The true work often involves counseling and helping clients through emotional barriers before physical removal begins
• Environmental responsibility is central to their mission—items are redistributed through community networks rather than sent to landfills
• Entrepreneurship requires sacrifices that aren't visible to others—comparison is the thief of joy

About Dustin:
From a very young age I was forced to transform through a variety of extreme environments in order to survive. To be more specific we can use hoarding as one example. A part of that process was becoming adept at solving complex problems not just with physical things but socially, emotionally, and spiritually as well. It wasn’t until I was 30 years old until I was able to cultivate a safe place to call home. So that was just eight years ago. My life has comically been situated to observe the two most extreme points of circumstances. You have to learn how to solve problems quickly. I really love transformation. To truly transform you have to understand the complex layers of a problem inside and out. My journey really started in environmental activism where I met some amazing people and learned countless lessons. Then I became a father and was forced to take those lessons and my passion for the environment and transformation into action with Junkernaut. Everything stems from our environment so I chose that fight and I stick with it still to this day in our homes, on our land, and for our people.

Need junk removal or crisis cleanup in Asheville? Call Dustin directly at 828-280-7643 or visit junkernaut828.com to learn more about their services.

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Bill

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Mitch Roedel from Boxwood Homes shares how his construction company pivoted their "Our Plans Your Land" program to support hurricane victims while maintaining their core business of building pre-designed homes across Western North Carolina. He offers valuable insights on navigating the contracting business, managing customer expectations, and finding work-life balance in an industry known for demanding schedules.

• Boxwood Homes operates across Western NC
• Hurricane Helene response includes offering modified pre-designed homes at reduced costs for victims
• Mitch provides free consultation hours weekly to help homeowners understand rebuilding options and avoid wasting insurance money
• Key business lesson: "Stop worrying and just do it" – take chances instead of choosing the safe route
• Finding work-life balance came from realizing he could meet deadlines without working 80-hour weeks
• Advice for aspiring contractors: "It's okay not to know everything" and "Just build something"

Contact Mitch Roedel at Boxwood Homes: 828-508-8246 or visit their office in Mills River.

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Bill

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Bill

What one metric could transform your business? In Continental Airlines' remarkable story, a new CEO took the company from ranking 20th in customer satisfaction to becoming a top performer by focusing exclusively on improving on-time departures. This powerful example demonstrates how finding the right measurement can completely change your business trajectory.

In this episode, Bill talks about how to incorporate four distinct types of metrics: leading indicators (activities that predict future results), lagging indicators (outcome measurements), people indicators (team performance metrics), and productivity measurements (typically output divided by input). When combined with effective reporting methods and strong accountability systems, these metrics create a powerful engine for business transformation. Just as with personal goals like weight loss, business improvement requires clear targets, consistent tracking, and someone to hold you accountable.

Ready to implement this in your business? Get a free copy of my book "The Coach Approach" at GiftFromBill.com or download our Scoreboard Optimizer tool by responding with "optimizer." If you're in the Western North Carolina area, consider joining our business community that meets monthly to work through these exact challenges. The right metrics, properly tracked and consistently addressed, truly can transform your business.

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Bill

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Unlock the secrets to construction business growth with Greg Junge of Junge Construction, as he shares his journey and expertise in our latest episode. Discover how Greg, a second-generation general contractor, transitioned from remodeling to high-end new construction, emphasizing the importance of strong client relationships and strategic networking.

Explore effective business growth strategies by understanding the art of managing client expectations through clear communication and well-defined contracts. Greg delves into the significance of mentorship, setting boundaries, and continuous education in business success. We also touch upon the emotional aspects of construction projects and how logical contracts can help manage stress and expectations. Find out how staying inspired, even on challenging days, can fuel both personal and professional development, and why Greg believes in balancing hard skills with personal growth.

Bio:

Greg Junge started working on job sites when he was 10 (don’t tell!) alongside his dad, Cato, a general contractor and local business owner. Today, Greg is founder and CEO of Junge Construction, a custom homebuilding firm based in Western North Carolina. He believes in quality over quantity, and is proud to build “legacy” homes to be passed onto your great-grandchildren. Off the job, you’ll find Greg coaching youth mountain biking or camping with his wife, Autumn, and their two girls

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Bill

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Join us as we sit down with the inspiring April Nash from the Western Women's Business Center, who shares her journey from a budding entrepreneur to a pivotal community leader in Western North Carolina. If you've ever wondered how to transform a business idea into a viable opportunity, this episode is a treasure trove of insights. April discusses the ample resources available to entrepreneurs, from business planning and marketing to financial strategy and capital access. Her personal story of giving back to the community that once supported her highlights the power of resilience, especially in the wake of natural disasters, and reminds us of the importance of thorough planning and distinguishing between mere ideas and actionable opportunities.

April Nash joined the Western Women's Business Center team in 2023. She is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for small business and social justice. She is accomplished in business and financial planning, cost-saving initiatives, and mentoring executives.

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Bill

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Bill