The Personal Side of Business Podcast

Jet Bunditwong
  • 5.0 (3)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

I connect with business owners, entrepreneurs and people living their dreams to tell their journeys and stories. My goal, is that if you are fulfilling your dream, you don’t feel like you’re alone and you can connect with these stories in some way. This podcast will interview people from all types of different business categories to show what their world is like.

  1. 2D AGO

    He Lost It All… Then Built It Back Through Relationships | Shawn Finnegan

    What happens when you go from raising $1.5 million… to just $2,500 in your bank account? In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with entrepreneur Shawn Finnegan, co-founder of TaxHive and creator of the X Room, to unpack one of the most powerful lessons in business: relationships are everything. Shawn shares the brutal reality of nearly losing it all—facing payroll he couldn’t cover, pressure from investors, and the weight of failure. But in that moment, he made a decision that changed everything: he rebuilt his business through connection, community, and strategic relationships. Today, that same philosophy has helped him: Scale multiple businesses Build a thriving entrepreneurial community (The X Room) Partner with high-profile names like Kevin O’Leary Help small business owners save thousands through smarter tax strategies This conversation dives deep into: Why most entrepreneurs ignore their network (and pay for it) The exact mindset shift that saved Shawn’s business How to walk into any room and build meaningful connections The biggest mistakes business owners make with taxes Why “who, not how” is the key to scaling If you’re building a business, feeling stuck, or trying to grow faster—this episode will change how you think about success. Your next breakthrough in business isn’t a strategy… It’s a relationship you haven’t built yet. Follow Shawn Finnegan on social media to learn more about: Tax strategy for small businesses Entrepreneur networking systems The X Room community IG-finneganshawn IG-the.xroom taxhive.com

    33 min

  2. APR 27

    The Employee Benefit That Could Reduce Turnover by 50% | Larry & Cheri Salazar

    What if one employee benefit could help companies reduce turnover while helping employees achieve homeownership? In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with Larry and Cheri Salazar, founders of NestSTEPS Benefits, a company helping employers offer homeownership benefits to their teams. After experiencing their own challenges with buying a home, Larry and Cheri built a program that helps employees create financial plans, save for down payments, receive employer contributions, and learn how to maintain long-term homeownership. In this episode, we discuss: Why the average first-time homebuyer age continues to rise How employee turnover can cost companies thousands Why traditional workplace perks often fail How employers can help employees buy homes Why financial education is critical before purchasing a home How this model could reshape employee benefits in the future This episode is for business owners, HR leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in solving one of today’s biggest affordability challenges through innovation. This one feels very aligned with your audience because it speaks directly to employers/business owners while still having a broader human angle. You can check out more info at www.neststepsbenefits.com or contact Larry & Cheri at info@neststepsbenefits.com801.874.1860. If you would like to hear more entrepreneurial journeys, check out more episodes at personalsideofbusiness.com

    33 min

  3. APR 20

    “Why Most Small Businesses Fail (And the Systems That Actually Fix It)” | Jonathan Ghiloni

    What does it actually take to scale a business—and step away from it successfully? In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with business coach and former entrepreneur Jonathan Ghiloni, who built and sold a successful construction company after 20 years—and now helps other business owners do the same. Jonathan breaks down the real difference between working in your business vs. working on it, why most entrepreneurs stay stuck, and how simple systems—not hustle—are the key to growth, profitability, and freedom. They also dive into: Why tracking your numbers is the foundation of scaling The biggest mistake new business owners make early on How to build systems that allow your business to run without you Why loyal customers are your most valuable asset The truth about hustle culture—and what actually works instead How to prepare your business for a future sale If you’re a business owner feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to grow to the next level, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to get there. Guest: Jonathan Ghiloni               IG-coach_jonathanghiloni Host: Jet Bunditwong            personalsideofbusiness.com            IG-personalsideofbusiness            YouTube-The Personal Side of Business 🎯 Because every business has a story—and the systems behind it matter.

    39 min

  4. APR 11

    How to Teach Kids About Money, Saving & Financial Literacy Early | Kelly Lee

    Why aren’t we teaching kids about money early enough? In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with Kelly Lee, author of the Little Economist book series, to talk about how she’s helping young children understand financial literacy in a way that’s simple, fun, and actually engaging. Kelly’s journey started during the pandemic after realizing how many adults were financially unprepared for uncertainty. As a new parent with a background in finance, she set out to create something she couldn’t find anywhere — educational tools that teach kids about money at a young age through storytelling and relatable concepts. Now, with multiple books and a growing audience, she’s on a mission to change how the next generation learns about money. In this episode, we cover: Why financial literacy isn’t taught early enough in schools How kids can understand concepts like saving, spending, and investing The power of storytelling in teaching complex ideas Why adults often overcomplicate money (and how to simplify it) How early exposure to money concepts can shape lifelong financial habits This conversation is for parents, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wishes they had learned about money earlier in life. If you want to understand how to build better financial habits — or help the next generation do it — this episode is a must-listen.   Check out Kelly's website and socials: www.econforkids.com IG-little_economists tiktok-little_economists   Check out more episodes at personalsideofbusiness.com

    25 min

  5. MAR 22

    Small Business Marketing Strategy: Amber Gaige on Buyer Intent, Lead Generation, Branding & Why Businesses Stop Growing

    In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet interviews Amber Gaige, marketing strategist and founder, to break down what actually drives small business growth, lead generation, and sales conversion in today’s competitive market. If you’re a business owner struggling with stagnant sales, low website traffic, poor lead flow, or inconsistent marketing results, this episode dives into the real reasons why—and how to fix them. Amber explains: How buyer intent marketing increases conversions and shortens the sales cycle The difference between marketing vs. sales systems (and why most businesses get it wrong) How to identify marketing pain points like low leads, low calls, and slow growth Why local SEO and geographic targeting matter for service-based businesses The importance of personal branding for entrepreneurs and small business owners How AI marketing tools, data analytics, and keyword targeting are changing the game Why video marketing, YouTube content, and brand visibility are now essential How to build trust, authority, and brand awareness that allows you to scale Whether you’re in home services, restaurants, e-commerce, or professional services, this episode gives practical insights into building a marketing strategy that actually produces results. If you’ve ever asked: Why is my business not growing? Why am I not getting enough leads? How do I improve my marketing strategy? Do I need to hire a marketer? This conversation will give you clarity on your next move. Because successful businesses don’t just work harder—they market smarter. To contact Amber Gaige, please click on the link below. https://farbeyondmarketing.com/   To listen and watch more episodes of The Personal Side of Business, click below. personalsideofbusiness.com

    35 min

  6. FEB 26

    How Intelligence Training Improves Leadership, Communication & Influence | Former Operative Don Weber

    Former intelligence operative Dr. Don Weber joins The Personal Side of Business to share how decades working in global intelligence shaped his understanding of leadership, influence, communication, and human behavior. After operating in high-risk international environments where reading people correctly could mean survival, Don now works with executives and organizations to help leaders better understand motivation, trust, and decision-making inside modern businesses. In this episode, we explore: How intelligence training translates directly into leadership success The psychology behind influence and persuasion Why emotional intelligence is a competitive advantage in business How great leaders motivate different personality types Lessons from high-pressure environments that apply to entrepreneurs today This conversation bridges two worlds — intelligence operations and business leadership — revealing practical insights leaders can immediately apply to building stronger teams and making better decisions. personalsideofbusiness.com https://drwebercoaching.com/

    43 min

  7. FEB 12

    From Trauma to Purpose: John A. King on Healing, Identity, and the Work Men Avoid

    In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with John A. King for a deeply honest conversation about trauma, masculinity, and rebuilding life after everything falls apart. John shares his personal journey of surviving childhood abuse and trafficking, the moment his life imploded at the height of professional success, and how years of recovery reshaped his identity, purpose, and work with men today. Together, they explore: Why many men suffer in silence How trauma shows up later in life—often in our 40s and 50s The difference between “fixing” and healing Why men heal better shoulder-to-shoulder, not face-to-face How small, consistent habits can radically change a life over time The role culture, upbringing, and masculinity play in emotional health John also explains the philosophy behind The Phoenix Collective—a practical framework designed to help men move forward with clarity, discipline, and connection, without shame or dependency. This episode is reflective, grounded, and real—especially for anyone navigating stress, burnout, identity shifts, or unprocessed trauma. 🎙️ Because behind every business, every career, and every life path… there’s a personal story.   drjohnaking.com personalsideofbusiness.com

    36 min

  8. JAN 19

    Building Teams the Right Way: HR Through a Human Lens

    In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with Sara Nicholson, Human Resource Advisor with the San Diego SBDC, for an in-depth conversation on what every entrepreneur needs to understand about HR—before hiring their first employee. Sara shares her unconventional path from accounting and hospitality into human resources, and explains why HR is not the “evil department,” but rather the oil that keeps a business engine running smoothly. Together, they break down common HR myths, California compliance realities, and the foundational steps business owners must take to protect themselves and their teams. This episode covers: The essential HR foundations every business needs before hiring Independent contractors vs. employees and why misclassification is risky How to attract and retain quality employees on a limited budget Why company culture matters more than perks or pay alone Behavioral interviewing techniques that reveal how candidates really think The role AI can—and cannot—play in modern HR practices Whether you are hiring your first employee, scaling from 5 to 50, or simply want to reduce legal and emotional stress as a business owner, this conversation offers practical, real-world guidance grounded in experience and empathy. 🎧 A must-listen for entrepreneurs who want to grow responsibly, confidently, and human-first. https://sdivsbdc.org/ personalsideofbusiness.com

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

I connect with business owners, entrepreneurs and people living their dreams to tell their journeys and stories. My goal, is that if you are fulfilling your dream, you don’t feel like you’re alone and you can connect with these stories in some way. This podcast will interview people from all types of different business categories to show what their world is like.

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