Beyond the Bottom Line

Miguel Alexander Centeno
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Beyond the Bottom Line is a podcast for founders and business owners who want practical insight they can actually use as they grow. Hosted by Miguel Alexander Centeno, founder and CEO of Centurion Firm, the show features in-depth conversations with industry experts, clients, and business owners about how they think through tax, cash flow, operations, and the decisions that come with running a real business. We focus on how things really work when you’re scaling, what challenges tend to come up, and how other founders, experts, and operators have dealt with them. If you’re building or growing a business (often somewhere between $500K and $25M+ in revenue), this show is designed to help you make smarter financial and operational decisions and keep more of what you earn.

  1. 3d ago

    Building with AI: The New Rules for Entrepreneurs and Innovators

    Why do so many AI initiatives fail despite the massive investment and excitement surrounding artificial intelligence? In this episode, Miguel sits down with Art  Shectman , Founder and CEO of Elephant Ventures, to discuss how businesses can move beyond AI experimentation and start creating real operational impact. An MIT-trained engineer and technology leader with more than 20 years of experience, Art shares practical insights on AI adoption, agentic workflows, innovation, and entrepreneurship. From building autonomous robots at MIT to helping enterprises deploy AI at scale, Art has spent his career at the intersection of technology and business transformation. This conversation explores why organizations struggle with AI implementation, how to identify the right opportunities for automation, and what leaders should focus on as AI continues to reshape the way companies operate. Other insights from this episode include: • Why most AI pilots fail and how to improve your chances of success • How to think about AI agents as semi-autonomous coworkers • The importance of context, organizational knowledge, and human oversight • Why shorter development cycles are becoming a competitive advantage • How founders can avoid common cash flow and scaling mistakes • The role relationships and trust play in building a successful business • Practical approaches to AI governance and risk management • How Amazon is helping fund AI proof-of-concept projects for qualifying businesses • Why the future of AI depends more on discernment and decision-making than technology alone About Our Guest Art  Shectman is the Founder and CEO of Elephant Ventures, a digital innovation firm that helps organizations transform ideas into scalable technology solutions. An MIT-trained engineer and longtime entrepreneur, Art has spent more than two decades building innovative systems, leading technology teams, and helping companies navigate digital transformation and artificial intelligence. Learn more about Elephant Ventures at elephantventures.com Connect with Miguel on LinkedIn or media@centurionfirm.com

    44 min

  2. May 19

    Special Edition - How Smart Founders Turn New Tax Rules Into a Planning Advantage

    In this special edition of Beyond the Bottom Line, Miguel breaks down the most important tax and strategy updates shaping how business owners should plan right now. For the first time in several years, businesses are operating in a more stable tax environment without constant retroactive changes reshaping prior filings. With clarity from recent legislation, the focus now shifts from reacting to planning. Miguel walks through what this new landscape means for founders, operators, and investors and how to think strategically about taxes instead of just compliance. Key topics covered in this episode include:  The return of 100% bonus depreciation and how it impacts capital investment decisions  What business owners need to understand about QBI deductions and phaseouts  Updates to the R&D tax credit and retroactive opportunities for prior years  Why entity structure (S Corp vs C Corp vs LLC) matters more in a stable policy environment  How to think about tax planning across compliance, reporting, and advisory layers Changes impacting SALT deductions, itemized vs standard deduction strategy, and withholding planning Emerging opportunities in cost segregation and accelerated depreciation strategies What recent updates mean for platform-based businesses (Airbnb, Turo, e-commerce sellers, etc.) Listener Q&A on R&D eligibility for internal tools, automations, and cost segregation qualification In the closing segment, Lucy joins Miguel to answer listener questions about practical application, especially around R&D qualification for automation tools and how to determine whether a property qualifies for cost segregation. This episode is designed to give business owners clarity on what’s changed and how to use it to make better financial decisions going into the next planning cycle.

    38 min
  3. Minisode: Harmony in Life, Success at Work

    May 12

    Minisode: Harmony in Life, Success at Work

    In this minisode of Under the Hood, Miguel and Ashton discuss one of the firm’s core values: Harmony in Life, Success at Work. They break down why building a successful company isn’t about maximizing hours worked, but about managing energy, creating space to recharge, and giving people the flexibility to fully show up both personally and professionally. From four-day workweeks and Flex Fridays to burnout culture, parenting, and the future of work in an AI-driven world, they share how prioritizing well-being has become one of the company’s strongest retention and performance strategies.

    13 min

  4. May 5

    How to Build a Stand Out Brand with Jenn Cordova

    In this episode of Beyond the Bottom Line, Miguel sits down with Jenn Cordova, founder and creative director of Jenn Cordova Design, to talk about what it really takes to build a brand that stands out and actually sells. Jenn shares her journey from working in-house design roles to building her own creative studio, driven by the need for more creativity, challenge, and ownership over her work. What started as freelance projects evolved into a strategy-led branding business focused on helping food and beverage brands succeed on crowded retail shelves. The conversation dives into how great design goes far beyond aesthetics. Jenn explains why positioning, clarity, and strategy are just as important as visuals and how the most successful brands are the ones that know exactly who they are and how to communicate it quickly. They also explore what it means to “stand out on the shelf” (literally and metaphorically), how founders can think about differentiation, and why sometimes doing the opposite, like using unexpected colors or formats, can make all the difference. Jenn also shares her perspective on AI in design, why it’s a powerful tool (but not a replacement for strategy), and how she approaches building a client experience that evolves as her business grows. If you're building a brand or thinking about it, this episode is a deep dive into the intersection of creativity, strategy, and entrepreneurship. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why design without strategy often falls flatHow to think about positioning and differentiationWhat makes a product stand out on a crowded shelfThe real journey of building a creative business (and how long it can take)How AI is changing the design process for better and worseWhy creativity and structure aren’t opposites and how combining both is a competitive advantageAbout Our Guest Jenn Cordova is the Founder and Creative Director of Jenn Cordova Design, a strategy-led branding studio focused on building retail-ready food and beverage brands. She works with founders at all stages, from early concepts to established products, helping them refine their positioning, elevate their visual identity, and create packaging that stands out on the shelf and drives sales. With a background in graphic design and years of experience working with small to mid-sized businesses, Jenn blends creativity with strategy to deliver brands that not only look good, but perform in competitive markets. To learn more about Jenn’s work or explore potential collaborations, visit her website or connect with her on social media. Connect with Jenn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenncordovadesign/ Connect with Miguel on LinkedIn or reach out at media@centurionfirm.com

    44 min
  5. What It Really Takes to Scale a Tax Firm (Without Burning Out Your Team)

    Apr 28

    What It Really Takes to Scale a Tax Firm (Without Burning Out Your Team)

    In this episode of Under the Hood, Miguel and Ashton go behind the scenes of what it actually took to get through this year’s 4/15 deadline. From scaling the team and integrating a new acquisition to making tough calls on client fit, they break down how the firm operated at its highest capacity yet. They talk through the decision to intentionally “churn” clients, how they structured service tiers between tax-only and advisory, and why not every client is worth keeping. Over time, they’ve learned that trying to serve everyone equally leads to worse outcomes for both the team and the clients who actually value the work. Miguel and Ashton also share how clearer expectations, better systems, and stronger accountability across the team led to one of their smoothest tax seasons—along with why empowering the team to prioritize the right work made all the difference.

    15 min

  6. Apr 21

    Building Custom Software That Actually Scales Your Business

    Most businesses know they need better systems. The problem is figuring out what to build, where to start, and how to make sure it actually drives results instead of creating more complexity. In this episode, Miguel sits down with Pablo, Co-Founder of CodingIT, and Chester McLaughlin, Engineering Manager at CodingIT, to break down what it really takes to build custom software that supports growth. From identifying the right problems to solve, to structuring a development roadmap, to understanding how technology decisions impact your business long-term, this conversation walks through the full lifecycle of building and scaling internal tools. They also share a behind-the-scenes look at how Tax Hack built its own platform, what worked, what didn’t, and how the right approach to development can unlock both operational efficiency and financial upside through the R&D tax credit. Insights from this episode include: • Why most businesses struggle with disconnected tools and when it makes sense to build custom software • How to identify the right problems before investing in development • The difference between proof of concept, prototype, and MVP (and why it matters) • Why automation only works when processes are fully defined • How to think about ROI before you start building • The importance of aligning technology decisions with business outcomes • When to outsource development vs. build in-house vs. use a hybrid approach • What a fractional CTO does and when you actually need one • How custom software development can qualify for the R&D tax credit • Real case study: how one company scaled operations and generated a ~$30K tax credit through development About Our Guests Pablo is the Co-Founder and Head of CodingIT, where he leads software development and product strategy for companies building custom technology solutions. He has worked with startups and established businesses to design and scale platforms that drive real business outcomes. Chester McLaughlin is an Engineering Manager at CodingIT, where he leads high-performing development teams and helps companies translate complex business challenges into scalable technical solutions. To learn more about CodingIT or get connected with their team, reach out through Miguel directly. Connect with Miguel on LinkedIn or reach out at media@centurionfirm.com

    58 min

  7. Apr 14

    How to Stop Overthinking and Actually Build Your Business

    A lot of business owners spend time trying to get everything right before they make a move. The plan, the structure, the tools, the details. But in reality, most of the progress comes from starting, learning as you go, and adjusting along the way. In this episode, Miguel sits down with Zohaib “Zo” Peti to talk through his path from early hustles to building and scaling multiple businesses. He shares how taking action, even when things aren’t fully figured out, helped him learn faster and create opportunities that wouldn’t have come from waiting. Zo also shares what he’s seen working with thousands of businesses. From disconnected tools to overly complicated systems, he explains where a lot of companies lose momentum and how simplifying the way you operate can make a bigger difference. He’ll also touch on how AI is starting to play a role in all of this and what that could mean moving forward. Insights from this episode include: • Why overthinking and “analysis paralysis” stop more businesses than lack of opportunity • How starting before you feel ready can accelerate learning and momentum • Why most businesses struggle with disconnected tools, systems, and operations • How simplifying your approach can remove friction and improve execution • Why mindset, persistence, and adaptability matter more than getting everything right upfront About Our Guest Zohaib “Zo” Peti is the founder of Leapify, an AI operating system designed to help businesses run more efficiently, and Lead Origin, a digital transformation and marketing agency. He has built and scaled multiple companies across e-commerce, services, and technology, working with thousands of businesses from small startups to enterprise organizations. If you’re interested in Zo’s other companies: LeadOrign WithPort SnapWeb Services Connect with Zoe on X (Twitter): @ZOPATOLI Connect with Miguel on LinkedIn or reach out at media@centurionfirm.com

    45 min
  8. Minisode: How Events Turn Into Real Opportunities

    Apr 7

    Minisode: How Events Turn Into Real Opportunities

    In this episode of Under the Hood, Miguel and Ashton talk about how they approach events today. From ski trips and small group settings to panels and tech week, they get into what actually makes these experiences valuable. Over time, they learned that it’s less about formal agendas and more about building real relationships, having honest conversations, and creating the kind of environment where people open up. They also share how those connections naturally turn into opportunities for all, and why some of the most meaningful insights happen outside the structured setting. Today Miguel and Ashton discuss stories and lessons learned from events, including how it’s better to be less formal…and more relaxed and conversational.

    11 min
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About

Beyond the Bottom Line is a podcast for founders and business owners who want practical insight they can actually use as they grow. Hosted by Miguel Alexander Centeno, founder and CEO of Centurion Firm, the show features in-depth conversations with industry experts, clients, and business owners about how they think through tax, cash flow, operations, and the decisions that come with running a real business. We focus on how things really work when you’re scaling, what challenges tend to come up, and how other founders, experts, and operators have dealt with them. If you’re building or growing a business (often somewhere between $500K and $25M+ in revenue), this show is designed to help you make smarter financial and operational decisions and keep more of what you earn.

Information

  • Creator
    Miguel Alexander Centeno
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the Bottom Line
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Bottom Line