Owner's Roundtable

Jeff McLarty
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  • Management

Every successful business has a story that didn’t make it into the press release. Join host Jeff McLarty as he sits down with business owners who’ve been in the trenches—building, scaling, failing, and fighting their way to success. Each episode of Owner’s Roundtable dives deep into the moments that matter: the decisions that changed everything, the failures that taught the hardest lessons, and the operational strategies that actually moved the needle. This isn’t about inspiration—it’s about implementation. It’s about learning from people who’ve already made the mistakes so you don’t have to.

  1. Exit Ready: How to Build a Business Worth Buying with Gil Poulin

    10h ago

    Exit Ready: How to Build a Business Worth Buying with Gil Poulin

    What would a buyer actually pay for your business, and do you know the answer before they do? In this episode of Owner's Roundtable, Jeff McLarty sits down with Gil Poulin, Owner of The Affordable Business Partner. Gil has bought and sold 42 businesses of his own over 45 years and supported close to 200 others through the sale process. In this conversation they get into what actually determines whether a business sells, why most owners are looking at their own business from the wrong angle, and what it takes to hand something off in a way that holds up after you leave. Gil has been on every side of this transaction. He has bought distressed businesses and turned them around. He has helped owners price businesses they spent decades building. He has watched buyers walk away from good businesses because the story was not told clearly. His standard for what makes a business sellable is straightforward and does not leave room for wishful thinking. What you will learn in this episode: Why less than 50% of businesses that hit the marketplace actually sell, and what separates the ones that do.How to look at your business from the outside in, the way a buyer sees it before you do.What processes buyers are actually looking for and why most owners cannot articulate them even when they exist.Why the training period after a sale matters more than most sellers realize, and how Gil structures it.How to take the emotion out of pricing your business without losing sight of what you built.Why staff are often the most underestimated asset in any business sale, and one story that proves it.What to have ready before you consider going to market, which is more than most people think. About Gil Poulin Gil Poulin is the Owner of The Affordable Business Partner, a business brokerage and advisory practice focused on helping independent business owners buy and sell small businesses valued under $2.5 million. Over a 45 year career as a business owner, broker, and selling trainer, he has been involved in hundreds of transactions across a wide range of industries. He is well regarded for his expert guidance on what it takes to build something worth selling.  Looking for tools and support growing and managing your business? Contact Jeff McLarty:  Website: https://www.focalpointedmonton.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-mclarty-16a0b225/  Vision to Execution Scorecard: https://vision-to-execution.scoreapp.com/  Contact Gil Poulin:  Website: https://theaffordablebusinesspartner.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gil-p-732b1420/ Sign up to get new episodes to your inbox: https://s8zsh.share.hsforms.com/2y-GeC0XOT5CllU620jMQAw Read more on the Focal Point Edmonton blog: https://focalpointedmonton.com/blog/

    37 min
  2. Earning the Room: How to Lead a Team for the Long Game with Brendan Thompson

    May 25

    Earning the Room: How to Lead a Team for the Long Game with Brendan Thompson

    What does it actually take to step into executive leadership at a company that was already running before you were born? In this episode of Owner's Roundtable, Jeff McLarty sits down with Brendan Thompson, President of Bernie's Electric Supplies Ltd. Brendan is third generation at a company his grandfather founded in 1976, and has been President since 2023. They get into what the executive leadership transition actually looks like from the inside, how to bring change to an organization with deep roots, and what it takes to build a team that can carry a business into its next 50 years. Brendan came up through almost every department at Bernie's before taking the top role, from the warehouse floor, to purchasing, to inside and outside sales. That ground-level foundation shapes how he thinks about hiring, developing people, and building systems that hold up over time. His approach is deliberate and long-term oriented in a way that most leaders only develop after they've already made the expensive mistakes. Bernie's Electric is in its 50th anniversary year and actively planning for expansion. This episode is a study in what it looks like when executive leadership is built on genuine operational fluency rather than title alone. What you'll learn in this episode: How to enter an established leadership team and win trust without dismantling what's workingWhy small wins matter more than bold moves when you're new to the top roleHow Brendan uses monthly conversations tied to variable pay instead of annual reviews, and why it changed his organizationThe case for growing people into roles from within rather than hiring finished products from outsideWhat presenting a united front in management actually requires, and why alignment has to start in the room before it can reach the floorHow Brendan used EOS/Traction as a consistent implementation framework rather than chasing new ideas with every new book About Brendan Thompson Brendan Thompson is the third-generation President of Bernie's Electric Supplies Ltd., an independent electrical wholesaler based in Edmonton, Alberta. He holds a business degree with a major in human resources from the University of Lethbridge and is a Red Seal journeyman electrician, a combination that gives him an unusually broad understanding of the business he leads.  Books and resources mentioned: Traction by Gino WickmanLeadership 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean GreavesEOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)Tech Alberta Looking for tools and support growing and managing your business? Contact Jeff McLarty:  WebsiteLinkedInVision to Execution Quiz Contact Brendan Thompson:  Website LinkedInSign up to get new episodes to your inbox

    23 min
  3. Always Human in the Loop: What AI Can (and Can't) Do for Your Business with Matt McKeage

    May 11

    Always Human in the Loop: What AI Can (and Can't) Do for Your Business with Matt McKeage

    What does it actually take to use AI well in a business, and how do you know when you’re just adding noise? In this episode of Owner’s Roundtable, Jeff McLarty sits down with Matt McKeage, founder of Speaking is Code AI Consulting and StressMed Adaptive Mental Health Training. Matt spent years as a paramedic before moving into AI consulting and mental health training for first responders, two businesses built around making complex information accessible to the people who need it most. In this conversation, Jeff and Matt dig into what AI actually changes about starting and running a business, and where the real risks are hiding. Matt’s perspective on AI is grounded in practice rather than promotion. He’s worked with businesses across industries and seen the same failure pattern repeat: owners who skip the foundational thinking, trust the output without reading it, and end up with expensive noise instead of useful insight. His standard is simple: always human in the loop. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the quality of your AI output is a direct function of the clarity you put inHow to tell the difference between a genuinely useful AI tool and an expensive wrapperWhat data security actually looks like for business owners using AI, and the settings most people haven’t checkedWhy businesses that skip the foundational work end up with marketing that sounds identical to their competitorsWhat managers and team members will actually look like in five years, and why it’s better for the people who are good at their jobsWhy talking to a real potential customer still matters more than any amount of AI-generated market researchHow expertise becomes more valuable, not less, as AI-generated content floods every channelAbout Matt McKeage Matt McKeage is a former paramedic turned AI consultant and mental health educator. He is the founder of Speaking is Code, an AI consulting firm that helps businesses understand how to use artificial intelligence effectively and securely, and co-founder of StressMed Adaptive Mental Health Training, which teaches the neuroscience of stress to first responders and high-stress professions. Matt has been working with AI tools since 2022 and brings a practitioner’s perspective to a space crowded with hype. Resources discussed in this episode: OpenAI Academy (free courses)Anthropic Academy (free Claude courses)Looking for tools & support growing and managing your business? Contact Jeff McLarty:  WebsiteLinkedinContact Matt McKeage:  LinkedIn Sign up to get new episodes to your inbox: Fill out this form

    35 min
  4. Story First: AI, Visibility, and the Art of Content Marketing with Danielle Mohr

    Apr 27

    Story First: AI, Visibility, and the Art of Content Marketing with Danielle Mohr

    What’s the real reason your marketing is underperforming? In this episode of Owner's Roundtable, Jeff McLarty sits down with Danielle Mohr, Founder and Owner of Fine Point Writing and Editing Services. She talks about her work helping owners translate their brand story into clear, compelling content. Danielle and Jeff explore why most businesses struggle to market themselves effectively, what it actually takes to get useful output from AI, and why story, not promotion, is the foundation of visibility that lasts. With nearly a decade in business, Fine Point has evolved from a writing service into a full brand and content strategy practice. Danielle now works with growth-stage businesses to build integrated marketing systems, including AI-assisted content workflows that preserve brand voice rather than flatten it. Her services are designed to give business owners the clarity and the tools to produce consistent, high-quality content without losing what makes them distinct. What you'll learn in this episode: How Danielle came to be a writer and how she has evolved throughout her entrepreneurial journeyWhy visibility is linked to relatability, and the important role of storytellingWhy "AI slop" is a prompting problem, not a technology problem, and how to fix itWhy hiring and delegating to your gaps isn't just about growth and scaling, but about preserving your energy for the things that matterWhat regular communication cadence does for a team and why the same principle applies to how you stay in front of your clientsWhy the most effective marketing doesn't feel like marketing at all About Danielle Mohr Danielle Mohr is the founder of Fine Point Writing & Editing and creator of the Lead Flow Framework, a content marketing system designed for entrepreneurs who want better results without becoming a slave to their marketing.  After transitioning from AI skeptic to strategic user, she now teaches business owners how to harness AI's power through Lean Marketing Lab, where the focus is on amplifying your authentic voice, not replacing it. Books discussed in this episode: The E-Myth by Michael E. GerberBuy Back Your Time by Dan MartellMade to Stick by Chip Heath & Dan HeathRocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. WintersLooking for tools & support growing and managing your business? Contact Jeff McLarty:  WebsiteLinkedinContact Danielle Mohr:  Website LinkedIn Lean Marketing LabSign up to get new episodes to your inbox: Fill out this form

    41 min
  5. Culture, Leadership, and Sustainable Growth with John Watson

    Apr 13

    Culture, Leadership, and Sustainable Growth with John Watson

    How do you maintain steady business growth while building a team and culture that lasts? In this episode of Owner’s Roundtable, Jeff McLarty sits down with John Watson, CEO of Eager Beaver Moving & Storage. John shares the lessons he’s learned growing a third-generation business into a market leader. No shortcuts–just consistent progress built on strong values, the right people, and a clear understanding of what the business does well.  Whether you’re running a family business, managing a growing team, or navigating market expansion, this conversation is full of actionable insights on building a business that lasts. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why core values are discovered through your best people—not created in a boardroomHow to maintain culture as your team grows and standards get testedWhat it takes to move from owner-operator to building a scalable businessHow to identify and avoid distractions that pull you away from your core businessThe role of professionalism as a competitive advantage in service industriesLessons learned from expanding into new markets and servicesWhy steady, manageable growth often outperforms rapid scalingHow recognizing and reinforcing top performers shapes team culture About John Watson John Watson is the CEO and owner of Eager Beaver Moving & Storage, a third-generation family business based in Edmonton. Since taking over the company around 2013, John has grown Eager Beaver into one of the region’s leading moving and storage providers, with a strong reputation for professionalism, team culture, and steady growth. Under his leadership, the business has expanded its services, grown into Calgary, and continued building on a people-first, values-driven foundation. Books Mentioned in the Episode Traction by Gino Wickman The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell Looking for tools & support growing and managing your business?  Book a free consultation today: https://calendly.com/jmclarty-focalpointcoaching/30min Contact Jeff McLarty:  Website: FocalPointEdmonton.comLinkedin: Jeff McLarty Contact John Watson:  Website: EagerBeaverMoving.com Facebook: Eager BeaverSign up to get new episodes to your inbox: Fill out this form

    40 min
  6. Managing Multiple Businesses: Systems, People & Priorities with Alex Ward

    Mar 30

    Managing Multiple Businesses: Systems, People & Priorities with Alex Ward

    What does it really take to go from a stable corporate career to building multiple successful businesses—and still have a life outside of work? In this episode of Owner’s Roundtable, Jeff McLarty sits down with  Alex Ward, a former banker, then broker, turned serial entrepreneur operating across real estate, franchising, and youth athletics. Alex shares how a forced career pivot became the catalyst for designing his own path in multiple businesses—and how a clear vision, consistent execution, and people-first leadership philosophy have driven his success. From marketing myths to time management, and from mindset to scaling, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to grow a business (or several) without burning out. What you’ll learn in this episode How a clear vision and simple plan can drive real business growthWhy consistency—not complexity—is the key to long-term successThe fundamentals of marketing that actually build trust and resultsHow to prioritize high-impact work and scale without burning outWhy people-first leadership creates stronger, more sustainable businessesHow mindset and self-awareness shape better decisions and opportunities About Alex Ward Alex Ward is an Edmonton-based entrepreneur, real estate broker, and multi-business owner. A banker turned entrepreneur—Alex has built a career rooted in his passion for people management and leadership. He is the Broker/Owner of MaxWell Devonshire Realty, Managing Partner of Atta-Boy Property Inspections Canada, and Owner/Director of Overtime Athletics Edmonton. Alex is driven by helping others grow—whether that’s clients, teams, or the businesses he leads. — Looking for tools & support growing and managing your business? Book a free consultation today: https://calendly.com/jmclarty-focalpointcoaching/30min Contact Jeff McLarty:  Website: FocalPointEdmonton.comLinkedin: Jeff McLartyContact Alex Ward: Websites: www.otathletics.com/edmonton/ | www.awardrealty.caInstagram: MaxWell DevonshireInstagram: Overtime Athletics

    30 min
  7. Building Smarter Tech: Transparency & Trust with Rea Hailley

    Mar 16

    Building Smarter Tech: Transparency & Trust with Rea Hailley

    What happens when you start a business in an industry you were never planning to enter? In this episode of Owner’s Roundtable, Jeff McLarty sits down with Rea Hailley, co-founder of New Idea Machine, to unpack the unfiltered realities of entrepreneurship, building in the tech ecosystem, and why many founders unknowingly walk into expensive software mistakes. Rea’s journey into entrepreneurship was anything but planned. A casual conversation on a dog walk turned into the launch of a software development company built around one mission: helping founders avoid the costly pitfalls of custom tech development. From navigating the overwhelming world of tech stacks to confronting the emotional highs and lows of building a company, Rea shares the lessons she’s learned while growing a business in one of the most complex industries for non-technical founders. This conversation explores the unromantic side of entrepreneurship, why founders need to ask better questions before building software, and how transparency can reshape the relationship between developers and business owners. If you’re thinking about launching a tech product, this episode delivers practical insight from someone who’s learning the game in real time. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why many founders lose thousands of dollars hiring the wrong developersThe hidden risks of relying too heavily on off-the-shelf software toolsWhen it actually makes sense to build custom softwareThe problem with overloading your business with too many tech toolsWhy entrepreneurship is far harder and more consuming than most people expectThe importance of validating your business idea before building anythingHow founders can protect themselves from bad contracts and development trapsWhy delegating early can accelerate business growthThe difference between building a prototype and building secure, scalable softwareThe power of community within Alberta’s growing innovation ecosystem About Rea Hailley Rea Hailley is the co-founder of New Idea Machine, a software development agency focused on helping founders and business owners build smarter digital products. With a background in business and experience as a Merchant Success Manager at Shopify, Rea combines entrepreneurial insight with a commitment to transparency in an industry that often feels difficult to navigate. Beyond her work with New Idea Machine, Rea is also a host on the Leaders, Innovators and Bold Ideas (LIBI) podcast, where she interviews entrepreneurs, innovators, and founders from Alberta’s growing tech ecosystem. Her mission is simple: help founders build better products by giving them the knowledge they need before writing a single line of code. Resources discussed in this episode: New Idea Machine’s Tech Innovation RoadmapAlberta Rainforest InitiativeAlberta InnovatesEdmonton Regional Innovation Network (ERIN)Platform Calgary— Looking for Tools & Support Growing and Managing Your Business? Book a free consultation today: https://calendly.com/jmclarty-focalpointcoaching/30min Contact Jeff McLarty:  Website: FocalPointEdmonton.comLinkedin: Jeff McLartyContact Rea Hailley:  Website: New Idea MachinePodcast: Leaders, Innovators and Bold Ideas (LIBI)LinkedIn: Rea Hailley

    36 min
  8. From Shop Floor to Franchise Success: Trevor Jones on Systems, Scaling & Selling

    Mar 2

    From Shop Floor to Franchise Success: Trevor Jones on Systems, Scaling & Selling

    What happens when you build a business so tightly organized it runs with less stress—then one day you sell it and realize you don’t know who you are without it? In this episode of Owner’s Roundtable, Jeff sits down with Trevor Jones, former co-owner of Badlands Collision Group and now Corporate Director + Head of Training / Franchise Success at Driven Brands. Trevor shares his path from fixing cars in high school to buying the very shop he worked in, scaling into a three-location operation, and eventually selling his half to his partner. Along the way, they dig into what makes partnerships succeed (and fail), why simple systems beat “big shiny” strategies, what franchising is really like from both sides, and the emotional whiplash of exiting a business you’ve identified with for 24 years. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Trevor went from technician to manager to owner by buying the shop he ranThe two biggest stress points of buying a business: financing + partnership structureWhy Trevor recommends a shotgun clause in partnership agreementsHow to avoid resentment: aligning expectations and having uncomfortable conversations earlyWhy systems reduce emotion (and make growth possible)The power of small operational fixes (like the legendary broom system)The surprise nobody warns you about: the identity crash after selling your businessTrevor’s biggest lesson from ownership: relationships are the real business About Trevor Jones Trevor Jones is the former co-owner of Badlands Collision Group, which grew from a single location into a three-store operator. After selling his ownership stake, Trevor transitioned into corporate leadership and is now a Corporate Director and Head of Training / Director of Franchise Success at Driven Brands, helping franchisees improve operations through education, training, and process. — Looking for Tools & Support Growing and Managing Your Business? Book a free consultation today: https://calendly.com/jmclarty-focalpointcoaching/30min Contact Jeff McLarty:  Website: FocalPointEdmonton.comLinkedin: Jeff McLartyContact Trevor Jones:  Website: Driven BrandsLinkedIn: Trevor Jones

    36 min
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About

Every successful business has a story that didn’t make it into the press release. Join host Jeff McLarty as he sits down with business owners who’ve been in the trenches—building, scaling, failing, and fighting their way to success. Each episode of Owner’s Roundtable dives deep into the moments that matter: the decisions that changed everything, the failures that taught the hardest lessons, and the operational strategies that actually moved the needle. This isn’t about inspiration—it’s about implementation. It’s about learning from people who’ve already made the mistakes so you don’t have to.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff McLarty
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2026 McLarty Operations Group
  • Show Website
    Owner's Roundtable