Monthly Archives: September 2022

Feature 2021

55. Using Technology to Accelerate Your Influence as a Founder with Mark Lachance

Personal Finance, , , ,

One of the biggest problems that need to be solved almost immediately after launch is making some noise to let the public know you and your product or service exist. If not, no matter how good that product or service is, you likely won’t be in business for very long. And as daunting as it might sound, blitzscaling your content creation can be done; especially with the use of social media.

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge sits down with Mark Lachance, CEO of Maxy Media, and author of “The Lucky Formula.” Mark gives us the critical takeaway about how you can create your own luck through creating magnetism. He also explains his work in blitzscaling businesses by adopting social media; emphasizing why every business should prioritize content creation.

Mark discusses: 

  • The types of businesses he has scaled and why he keeps coming back for more
  • The key takeaway from his experiences with stacking odds in his favor by building magnetism
  • How to make your own luck in business
  • Why it’s important to blitzscale your business’ influence with diversification across social media and marketing platforms
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With March Lachance:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

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Feature 2021

54. Making Room for Your Startup In A Crowded Space With Desmond Wiggan

Personal Finance, , , , , , ,

For those who have thought of an idea for a tech startup in a crowded space, it can be tempting to think that your idea must be completely brand new and inventive. Especially when you consider the seemingly ubiquitous announcements that so-and-so big name venture capital investor has chosen to back so-and-so startup looking to go where no one has gone before, which tend to dominate the headlines. However, if done right, there can also be room for those who have built a better mouse trap to enter into a crowded space and make a name for themselves. 

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge sits down with the CEO and co-founder of Battery Xchange, Desmond Wiggan, to discuss what it was like starting his own tech company, a few of the hurdles he has encountered along the way, and how one small tweak to their target market has made a big impact on their success.

Desmond discusses: 

  • What it was like building a tech company in North Carolina and the importance of starting where you are
  • How the idea for Battery Xchange came out of necessity while he was on a work trip overseas
  • What it’s like being a third-generation entrepreneur
  • Why Battery Xchange ultimately pivoted its focus from restaurants and bars to universities and sports venues
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Desmond Wiggan:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Desmond Wiggan is the CEO and co-founder of Battery Xchange, a sharing economy platform providing device charging on the go. Prior to founding Battery Xchange, Desmond spent time as an account manager for Pepsi corporate and spent time as a cross-border technology consultant working in Guanxi. He is a highly motivated innovator who aspires to emulate leaders, such as the Rockefellers and the Carnegies for his generation. During Desmond’s early career in cross-border technology, he learned the importance of relationships and networking, which has now made him a relationship seeker and networking junky. He wishes to leave a legacy for himself and his family. Demond’s goal is to gain as much exposure, experience, and knowledge as he can.

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Feature 2021

53. The Evolution Of Contactless Payments With Aaron Wollner

Personal Finance, , , , , , ,

The banking and payments industry is in a period of rapid change, with new technologies and services emerging all the time. It can be hard to keep up. 

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge speaks with Aaron Wollner, the Chief Marketing Officer of Quontic. They discuss how Quontic is changing the narrative of traditional banking by being digital-first and customer-centric without sacrificing the personal touch of traditional banking. Aaron delves into the benefits of being a digital-first bank, why they created a wearable payment technology and his advice for those who are interested in starting a business in an industry that is slow to embrace new technology.

Aaron discusses: 

  • What it means for a bank to be identified as a CDFI and what type of customers they focus on serving
  • The benefits of being a digital-first bank and the perks of working with people within that community
  • Why Quontic created a contactless payment ring that’s wearable, and how it works
  • How asking basic fundamental questions can help people who are looking to build a business in an industry that is traditionally slow to adopt change and embrace new technology.
  • And more

Connect With Aaron Wollner:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Aaron Wollner is the Chief Marketing Officer of Quontic, an adaptive digital bank that helps people grow their money with purpose by changing the narrative of traditional banking, being digital-first and customer-centric without sacrificing the personal touch. Aaron has delivered results for companies ranging from Fortune 500 and FinTech startups. He spent over 15 years honing his craft both as a consultant for financial institutions like American Express, Bank of America, CAN Capital, City National Bank, and BBVA and as a marketing leader for FinTechs, such as Resolve and TaxSlayer.

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Feature 2021

52. Tax Planning vs Tax Preparation with Christina Lael

Personal Finance, , , , , , , , ,

While they may sound like the same thing to those outside of the financial services profession, there are several key differences between the terms tax planning, and tax preparation. In short, one takes place once per year and is more transactional in nature, while the other likely happens multiple times each year in stages and is meant to be seen as an ongoing advisory relationship, sometimes lasting decades.

Tax planning could be as simple as making sure you’ve appropriately set your withholdings to avoid any withholding issues at the end of the year. Or, it could mean more complex strategies such as establishing legal entities and holding companies that qualify you for other deductions and opportunities in the tax code, specific to your industry or profession.

In this episode, Malcolm Ethridge speaks with Christina Lael, founder of Lael Tax LLC and Freedom Tax Plans. Together, Malcolm and Christina discuss key differences between tax planning and tax preparation. They also share some of the common mistakes they see people make with regard to their taxes each year, and some rules of thumb to keep in mind each year designed to help you save money through proper tax planning and preparation.

Christina discusses: 

  • Her experience preparing taxes for her law school classmates and how that sparked her passion for the accounting profession
  • What she believes are the most important things for business owners to know that will help them reduce their tax bills
  • The difference between tax planning and tax preparation
  • Some of the common mistakes Americans make when it comes to tax planning and preparation
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Christina Lael:

Connect With Malcolm Ethridge:

About Our Guest:

Christina Lael, CPA, JD, is a certified public accountant, tax attorney, and self-proclaimed tax nerd. Her firm Lael Tax LLC provides both tax planning and tax preparation, specializing in working with small business owners and law firms. Christina helps business owners, partners, and law firms legally and significantly reduce their tax liability by using strategies and principles in the tax code that the average CPA doesn’t know.



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