Business, Bourbon & Cigars

Scott Joseph

Business Bourbon & Cigars isn’t just another business podcast. It’s where ambitious entrepreneurs come to hear from proven leaders who’ve faced the toughest challenges and found strategies that work. Hosted by Scott Joseph, founder of Me Plus Ultra, each episode offers no-nonsense insights into scaling businesses, refining leadership, and building a life of purpose, backed by real-world examples and actionable advice. Scott’s solo episodes give you the behind-the-scenes strategies he’s used to grow and pivot his businesses, ideas that are also being put into practice by high-performing members of the Me Plus Ultra mastermind group. From mastering self-awareness to transforming business models, Scott shares the tactics that have led to measurable success and personal fulfillment. But it’s not just about Scott’s journey. In our interview episodes, you’ll hear from top entrepreneurs and industry leaders who’ve shaped their own success. Think of it like getting access to the playbooks of those who’ve truly made it, leaders like Claudio Gambin, financial strategist, and Jay Tepley, business transformation expert. These guests don’t just talk theory, they share the practical tools, mindset shifts, and real-life examples that helped them overcome setbacks and scale their businesses. Each episode is designed to give you something you can apply to your own business immediately. Whether you’re at a crossroads, looking to innovate, or want to rethink your leadership approach, you’ll find guidance that cuts through the fluff and addresses real pain points. And while the podcast name Business Bourbon & Cigars might evoke a certain image of success, it’s more than just a theme, it’s about taking the time to savor growth. In business, as in life, we’re all looking for ways to enjoy the journey, to take the time to reflect, and to make better, more intentional decisions. No matter how you choose to unwind, the show’s spirit remains the same: it’s about unlocking growth, both professionally and personally. What can you expect to learn? Practical growth strategies that are actually working today, from high-level business owners and entrepreneurs. Actionable leadership advice for those ready to lead with clarity, accountability, and authenticity. Real-life stories from guests who’ve faced adversity and used it as a springboard for innovation and lasting success. Tangible steps you can implement in your own life and business to elevate your impact, grow your network, and break through the noise. Business Bourbon & Cigars is not for the faint of heart. It’s for those who know that growth isn’t just about doing more, it’s about becoming more. If you’re tired of surface-level advice and want real strategies from people who have walked the path, subscribe now. Why listen to this podcast? Hear specific strategies from experts like Claudio Gambin (who’s helped countless clients master wealth-building strategies) and Jay Tepley (who’s led transformative retreats that have changed the lives of entrepreneurs). Get insights on how to scale smarter, innovate faster, and lead with greater focus and confidence. Walk away from each episode with actionable insights you can immediately apply to your own business. If you’re ready to challenge your thinking, elevate your business, and grow as a leader, Business Bourbon & Cigars is the podcast you’ve been looking for.

  1. 3d ago

    How to Make New Business Predictable Instead of Praying the Phone Rings

    Count the ways you're chasing new business right now. Referrals, ads, emails, the newsletter you started and stopped. Now the harder question. How many are actually finished? Running isn't finished. A thing that's running can still be losing you money and you'd never know it. You'll learn how to pick the one channel your numbers already point to, what finishing it really takes, and when you've earned the next one. You'll hear how a $4M caterer killed six lead sources, built the one already working, and made his new business boring. And boring is the most beautiful word there is! Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) Running isn't finished, and what that's costing you (00:30) You don't have a lead problem, you have a seven-things-running problem (01:47) What Scott got wrong for years at J&L Marketing (03:11) Tony's catering company and the feast-or-famine whiplash (04:33) Where his last 20 corporate accounts actually came from (07:04) The hard call: killing six lead sources to build one (07:37) How Tony built the referral channel into seven streams (08:54) Why predictable beats exciting, and boring wins (10:45) Level one: get the channel running without you (14:17) Level two: five to seven streams feeding one channel (15:39) Level three: tune each stream and turn the dials (18:38) What predictable new business actually buys you (19:24) Turn challenges into measurable results with the FREE Business Bourbon & Cigars Leadership Retreat Workbook: http://meplusultra.com/workbook Subscribe so you don't miss any episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SN2fHn Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74bfJL9J2fjevQEvi17ekU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MePlusUltraNetwork/ Connect with Me Plus Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/me_plus_ultra/ https://www.facebook.com/MePlusUltra/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1011061052968028/ https://x.com/Me_Plus_Ultra/ Connect with Scott Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ScottJoseph https://www.instagram.com/scotttjoseph/ https://www.facebook.com/ScottTJoseph/ https://x.com/ScottTJoseph1 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    How to Make New Business Predictable Instead of Praying the Phone Rings
  2. Jul 9

    The Hardest Part of Growing a Business Is Becoming the Person It Needs

    Eighteen months from now, your business will need a different person in your chair. Not a harder-working version of you. A different one, good at the decisions you're avoiding today. In this episode, you'll write the job description for the owner your business will need before a crisis hands it to you: define the role by what it decides and what it puts down, block the time before you can fill it, and turn your one missing skill into a project with a teacher and a deadline. You'll walk out with something to build, not a list of what's wrong! Topics discussed: The person your business will need in 18 months (00:00) Why most leaders meet that person the hard way (00:41) Meet Dana: "who does the business need me to be?" (04:08) The job description for a $35 million version of her company (05:47) How Dana built the calendar and the skill before she was ready (06:45) Move #1: define the role by what it decides, not its title (10:09) Move #2: put the role on your calendar before you can fill it (11:47) Move #3: turn the missing skill into a project, not a hope (13:23) Why the real build is getting deliberately worse at your best skill (14:46) The weekly discipline and the 90-day question (15:32) Read the job description on purpose, before a crisis hands it to you (17:03) Apply for the Me Plus Ultra Mastermind to connect with elite entrepreneurs who solve real problems together: https://MePlusUltra.com/hotseat Subscribe so you don't miss any episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SN2fHn Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74bfJL9J2fjevQEvi17ekU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MePlusUltraNetwork/ Connect with Me Plus Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/me_plus_ultra/ https://www.facebook.com/MePlusUltra/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1011061052968028/ https://x.com/Me_Plus_Ultra/ Connect with Scott Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ScottJoseph https://www.instagram.com/scotttjoseph/ https://www.facebook.com/ScottTJoseph/ https://x.com/ScottTJoseph1 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    The Hardest Part of Growing a Business Is Becoming the Person It Needs
  3. Jul 2

    How Smart Owners Build Their Crisis Board Before the Crisis Hits

    Think about your last truly bad day in business, the kind where something broke that you never saw coming. Who did you actually call? Most owners have a phone full of contacts and almost nobody they can reach when it really counts. You'll learn how to build your own board of five people before you ever need them: who belongs in each seat and why most owners pick wrong, the small, specific ask that earns a yes, and the light cadence that keeps the line warm. Build it while nothing's wrong, because the day you need it is the one day you can't! Topics discussed: The last bad day you didn't see coming (00:00) Why you build the table before you need it (03:12) How the "fourth box" started over a bourbon and a cigar (05:13) The introduction worth more than the advice (07:30) Move #1: selection — five seats by function, not friendship (09:40) Move #2: the small, specific, give-first ask (13:13) Move #3: cadence — keeping the line warm (15:44) The best time to build is when nothing's wrong (18:16) Claim 50% off your seat at the next Business Bourbon & Cigars Leadership Retreat, October 14–16, 2026 in Louisville, KY: https://meplusultra.com/BBC50 Apply for the Me Plus Ultra Mastermind to connect with elite entrepreneurs who solve real problems together: https://MePlusUltra.com Subscribe so you don't miss any episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SN2fHn Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74bfJL9J2fjevQEvi17ekU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MePlusUltraNetwork/ Connect with Me Plus Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/me_plus_ultra/ https://www.facebook.com/MePlusUltra/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1011061052968028/ https://x.com/Me_Plus_Ultra/ Connect with Scott Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ScottJoseph https://www.instagram.com/scotttjoseph/ https://www.facebook.com/ScottTJoseph/ https://x.com/ScottTJoseph1 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    How Smart Owners Build Their Crisis Board Before the Crisis Hits
  4. Jun 25

    How a Full Year of Fixes Can Leave Your Business Worth Nothing More

    The most expensive document in your company isn't your lease or your payroll. It's your to-do list. You can close every item on it and end the year with a business that's less broken, but not one dollar more valuable. You'll learn the difference between the fix-it list that runs your week and the build list that changes what your company is actually worth. Scott gives you three filters for choosing the one thing worth building this quarter, the discipline to protect it, and permission to let a few things stay broken for 90 days! Topics discussed: The most expensive document in your company (00:00) Less broken, but not a dollar more valuable (01:10) The best year that added zero value (03:46) The fix-it list vs. the build list (07:32) The most respectable hiding place in business (13:05) Three filters: compounding, constraint, ownership (13:56) One protected construction block a week (18:30) Permission to stay broken for 90 days (20:10) What are you actually building this quarter? (21:22) Turn challenges into measurable results with the FREE Business Bourbon & Cigars Leadership Retreat Workbook: http://meplusultra.com/workbook Apply for the Me Plus Ultra Mastermind to connect with elite entrepreneurs who solve real problems together: https://MePlusUltra.com Subscribe so you don't miss any episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SN2fHn Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74bfJL9J2fjevQEvi17ekU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MePlusUltraNetwork/ Connect with Me Plus Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/me_plus_ultra/ https://www.facebook.com/MePlusUltra/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1011061052968028/ https://x.com/Me_Plus_Ultra/ Connect with Scott Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ScottJoseph https://www.instagram.com/scotttjoseph/ https://www.facebook.com/ScottTJoseph/ https://x.com/ScottTJoseph1 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    How a Full Year of Fixes Can Leave Your Business Worth Nothing More
  5. Jun 18

    Why 3 Daily Hours Transform Your Leadership Skills Forever

    Your most expensive asset isn't your top client or your best hire. It's the quality of thinking you bring to every decision. And most leaders are giving that away for free before 9am. In this episode, you'll learn the three shifts that happen when leaders protect their highest-quality thinking time: decisions made from your sharpest position instead of your most depleted one, a team that builds real judgment because you stopped being constantly available, and energy that compounds instead of degrades. Thinking time isn't a luxury. It's an operating asset! Topics discussed: What three uninterrupted hours would change in your business (00:00) The strategy gap is really a think gap (00:30) A Costa Rica phone call you weren't expecting (02:21) Why protected thinking time is an operating decision, not a personal indulgence (05:15) Michael Poro's three words: simple gets done (05:40) Shift #1: decisions made from your sharpest position, not your most depleted one (06:51) Shift #2: your team gets stronger because you stop being always available (09:12) Shift #3: your energy compounds instead of depletes (11:00) The 90-day question worth sitting with (15:30) Turn challenges into measurable results with the FREE Business Bourbon & Cigars Leadership Retreat Workbook! http://meplusultra.com/workbook Subscribe so you don't miss any episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SN2fHn Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74bfJL9J2fjevQEvi17ekU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MePlusUltraNetwork/ Connect with Me Plus Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/me_plus_ultra/ https://www.facebook.com/MePlusUltra/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1011061052968028/ https://x.com/Me_Plus_Ultra/ Connect with Scott Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ScottJoseph https://www.instagram.com/scotttjoseph/ https://www.facebook.com/ScottTJoseph/ https://x.com/ScottTJoseph1 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    Why 3 Daily Hours Transform Your Leadership Skills Forever
  6. Jun 11

    The Business You're Building Has a Second Story - Here's How to Make It Worth Telling

    Revenue tells you how your quarter performed. Legacy tells you why it was worth building at all. Two businesses are being built inside yours right now: the P&L you're tracking, and the second story being built whether you watch it or not. In this episode, you'll learn the four operational moves that build something lasting: defining what your name will mean before the market does, investing in relationships with no visible ROI, holding a standard you'd keep even without an exit, and letting people see what you actually value. Exit and legacy reinforce each other! Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) The two businesses being built inside yours (01:12) Revenue tells you "how"; legacy tells you "why" (07:00) Move #1: decide what your name will mean before the market does (07:26) Move #2: invest in relationships with no visible ROI (09:05) Move #3: hold a standard you'd keep even without an exit (10:42) Move #4: let people see what you actually value (13:33) The Giving Hope gala — what consistency produces over time (14:51) The October BBC Leadership Retreat in Louisville (16:19) Join Scott at the next Business Bourbon & Cigars Leadership Retreat, October 13–15, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. Visit meplusultra.com/bbc50 for 50% off your ticket. Subscribe so you don't miss any episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SN2fHn Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74bfJL9J2fjevQEvi17ekU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MePlusUltraNetwork/ Connect with Me Plus Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/me_plus_ultra/ https://www.facebook.com/MePlusUltra/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1011061052968028/ https://x.com/Me_Plus_Ultra/ Connect with Scott Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ScottJoseph https://www.instagram.com/scotttjoseph/ https://www.facebook.com/ScottTJoseph/ https://x.com/ScottTJoseph1 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    The Business You're Building Has a Second Story - Here's How to Make It Worth Telling
  7. Jun 4

    One Trust Decision. One Right Person. How a Nine-Figure Empire Gets Built

    That key seat you keep hiring around? The one where the right person feels too expensive or too far out of reach? It's costing you more than the salary ever would. In this episode, Scott Joseph tells the story of a Starbucks conversation that turned one underperforming dealership into 19 stores and a multiple-nine-figure exit. You'll learn how to name the single role that changes your math, how to hire for where you're going instead of where you sit today, and how to protect that hire long enough to let it compound! Topics discussed: Introduction (00:00) The Starbucks coffee that became a nine-figure exit (01:29) The friend, the dealership, and the one piece of advice (02:28) From 90 units to 900: what the right operator made possible (04:58) Hire for the business you're building, not the one you have (06:46) Principle #1: name the single role with disproportionate return (07:39) Principle #2: hire for where you're going, not where you are (09:07) Principle #3: give them the authority their responsibility requires (12:09) Principle #4: protect the relationship for the compounding to show up (14:01) The two questions every leader should sit with right now (16:58) Claim 50% off your seat at the next Business Bourbon & Cigars Leadership Retreat, October 13–15, 2026 in Louisville, KY: https://meplusultra.com/BBC50 Apply for the Me Plus Ultra Mastermind to connect with elite entrepreneurs who solve real problems together: https://MePlusUltra.com Subscribe so you don't miss any episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SN2fHn Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74bfJL9J2fjevQEvi17ekU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MePlusUltraNetwork/ Connect with Me Plus Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/me_plus_ultra/ https://www.facebook.com/MePlusUltra/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1011061052968028/ https://x.com/Me_Plus_Ultra/ Connect with Scott Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ScottJoseph https://www.instagram.com/scotttjoseph/ https://www.facebook.com/ScottTJoseph/ https://x.com/ScottTJoseph1 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    One Trust Decision. One Right Person. How a Nine-Figure Empire Gets Built
  8. May 28

    Working Harder Than Ever and Loving Every Minute: Here Is What Actually Changed

    That ceiling you've hit even after years of success? It's usually not your strategy. It's the gap between the version of you that built your last chapter and the one that's supposed to build the next. You'll learn why the outreach you'd delete might be the one your next chapter depends on, how to tell when you've outgrown the version of yourself your business was built on, and four moves to close it, from separating identity from accomplishment to protecting your first three hours each day. Working harder isn't the problem. Working harder as the wrong version of yourself is! Topics discussed: The kind of growth that has nothing to do with revenue or headcount (00:00) The signal success can quietly mask (02:19) How almost deleting a LinkedIn message can cost you (03:38) Why you're the last to see your own blind spots (05:25) The buried beliefs and assumptions steering your decisions (06:30) What becomes possible when you build from who you actually are (08:08) Why the right work feels lighter even when it's harder (08:43) Step #1: separate what you've achieved from who you are (11:49) Step #2: name the assumptions you've been avoiding (13:11) Step #3: write your personal mission in terms of impact (14:35) Step #4: protect the first three hours of your day (15:47) Tired of feeling stuck? Download our FREE Limitless Growth eBook for strategies for continuous improvement, time management, and leadership skills that make an impact: https://meplusultra.com/growth/ Apply for a Me Plus Ultra Sessions observer seat and watch a real working session before you decide if it's the right fit: https://meplusultra.com/hotseat Subscribe so you don't miss any episodes: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SN2fHn Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74bfJL9J2fjevQEvi17ekU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MePlusUltraNetwork/ Connect with Me Plus Ultra: https://www.instagram.com/me_plus_ultra/ https://www.facebook.com/MePlusUltra/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1011061052968028/ https://x.com/Me_Plus_Ultra/ Connect with Scott Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ScottJoseph https://www.instagram.com/scotttjoseph/ https://www.facebook.com/ScottTJoseph/ https://x.com/ScottTJoseph1 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    Working Harder Than Ever and Loving Every Minute: Here Is What Actually Changed
4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Business Bourbon & Cigars isn’t just another business podcast. It’s where ambitious entrepreneurs come to hear from proven leaders who’ve faced the toughest challenges and found strategies that work. Hosted by Scott Joseph, founder of Me Plus Ultra, each episode offers no-nonsense insights into scaling businesses, refining leadership, and building a life of purpose, backed by real-world examples and actionable advice. Scott’s solo episodes give you the behind-the-scenes strategies he’s used to grow and pivot his businesses, ideas that are also being put into practice by high-performing members of the Me Plus Ultra mastermind group. From mastering self-awareness to transforming business models, Scott shares the tactics that have led to measurable success and personal fulfillment. But it’s not just about Scott’s journey. In our interview episodes, you’ll hear from top entrepreneurs and industry leaders who’ve shaped their own success. Think of it like getting access to the playbooks of those who’ve truly made it, leaders like Claudio Gambin, financial strategist, and Jay Tepley, business transformation expert. These guests don’t just talk theory, they share the practical tools, mindset shifts, and real-life examples that helped them overcome setbacks and scale their businesses. Each episode is designed to give you something you can apply to your own business immediately. Whether you’re at a crossroads, looking to innovate, or want to rethink your leadership approach, you’ll find guidance that cuts through the fluff and addresses real pain points. And while the podcast name Business Bourbon & Cigars might evoke a certain image of success, it’s more than just a theme, it’s about taking the time to savor growth. In business, as in life, we’re all looking for ways to enjoy the journey, to take the time to reflect, and to make better, more intentional decisions. No matter how you choose to unwind, the show’s spirit remains the same: it’s about unlocking growth, both professionally and personally. What can you expect to learn? Practical growth strategies that are actually working today, from high-level business owners and entrepreneurs. Actionable leadership advice for those ready to lead with clarity, accountability, and authenticity. Real-life stories from guests who’ve faced adversity and used it as a springboard for innovation and lasting success. Tangible steps you can implement in your own life and business to elevate your impact, grow your network, and break through the noise. Business Bourbon & Cigars is not for the faint of heart. It’s for those who know that growth isn’t just about doing more, it’s about becoming more. If you’re tired of surface-level advice and want real strategies from people who have walked the path, subscribe now. Why listen to this podcast? Hear specific strategies from experts like Claudio Gambin (who’s helped countless clients master wealth-building strategies) and Jay Tepley (who’s led transformative retreats that have changed the lives of entrepreneurs). Get insights on how to scale smarter, innovate faster, and lead with greater focus and confidence. Walk away from each episode with actionable insights you can immediately apply to your own business. If you’re ready to challenge your thinking, elevate your business, and grow as a leader, Business Bourbon & Cigars is the podcast you’ve been looking for.