Going Beyond the Deal

J. Michael Fischer Jr | DBD Investment Bank
  • 5.0 (77)
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  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal. The show for founders, business owners, and professionals who want to grow smarter, achieve bigger exits, and build a legacy that lasts. Your host is no other than, J. Michael Fischer Jr – connector, life-long student of personal growth, and Managing Director at DBD – a bespoke investment bank that helps businesses handle big financial moves. Each week, we look beyond the numbers and the deals to talk about what really drives success. You'll hear from entrepreneurs, strategists, and top performers about the mindset, habits, and decisions that help businesses — and people — keep moving forward. If you're getting ready to sell, raise capital, or just level up — you're in the right place.

  1. 6D AGO

    34 | Vanessa Quigley | The Emotional Breakthrough That Changed Her Business

    What would you give to build a business that actually supports your life, not competes with it? Vanessa Quigley, co-founder of Chatbooks and mother of seven, reveals the raw, uplifting story behind turning everyday family chaos into a brand that disrupts an entire industry. In this episode, J. Michael Fisher Jr. goes deep with Vanessa on performing under pressure, the unexpected resilience of busy parents, and the pivotal moment where nostalgia changed everything. They pull back the curtain on life-first company culture, the illusion of “perfect” business journeys, and the radical clarity it takes to lead at work and at home. Skip this, and risk getting trapped in a business that burns you out. Listen now for exclusive, hard-won wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. Your sanity and your future self will thank you. Timestamped Highlights[00:01:32] – From opera dreams to motherhood: When life throws you a creative plot twist [00:03:38] – The heart-stopping moment of mom guilt that sparked Chatbooks’ invention [00:05:30] – Can being a performer secretly make you a stronger entrepreneur? [00:13:32] – Why seeing “take my money!” beats a decade of polite indifference [00:17:19] – The unexpected upside and stress of co-founding a company with your spouse [00:20:24] – The revolutionary power of “subscribing to your life”… and why customers obsessed over it [00:33:06] – Be a grownup: Vanessa’s approach to boundaries and real-life culture at work [00:43:09] – When doing business your way finally clicks, and how to own your unique journey Mentioned ResourcesInstagramSubstackMake A Wish FoundationBest Friends Animal SocietyUnited WayMetaUtah Foster Family NetworkThe Stone Pony (music venue) About the GuestVanessa Quigley is the Co-Founder and Chatbooker in Chief at Chatbooks, the innovative company helping millions of families turn everyday photos into meaningful, lasting keepsakes with zero fuss. A proud mother of seven and passionate storyteller, Vanessa brings a performer’s flair, a parent’s heart, and over a decade of hands-on brand-building experience to her leadership at Chatbooks. She’s a sought-after voice on entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and the life-changing power of family memories. 🔗 a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-quigley-9b36131a" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    49 min

  2. FEB 3

    33 | Nio Queiro | Stop Losing Value: Uncommon Tools for Building a Buyer Magnet

    Ever wonder why some businesses become buyer magnets while others stay stuck in chaos? If you crave real transformation, scalable process, robust culture, and exit-ready performance, this masterclass will arm you with proven, uncommon tools to win. Host J. Michael Fisher Jr. sits down with Nio Queiro, CEO and founder of The Queiro Group, whose 35-year career in healthcare and M&A has reshaped companies from the inside out. You’ll discover surprising strategies for engaging teams, turning crisis into catalytic change, and using AI to thrive, not just survive. From overcoming stagnant leadership to fixing cashflow leaks, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights for business owners who want more than just a deal; they want victory. Don’t settle for business as usual when the stakes are this high. Listen now to escape the pain of lost value, missed growth, and mediocre exits. This episode delivers exclusive secrets you won’t find anywhere else, only for listeners ready to level up now. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – What happens when a masterclass mindset collides with a career-defining health crisis [00:03:41] – Why “transformation” isn’t what most consultants claim and how reframing drives deal-winning momentum [00:05:44] – The real reason entrepreneurs must sometimes “drive their own boat” (warning: silver-haired resistance ahead) [00:08:31] – The controversial strategy that builds trust from the ground up, not the C-suite down [00:12:20] – How communication (and a simple “call to action”) can flip a broken culture into unstoppable execution [00:14:59] – Two types of Cairo clients and the surprising innovation secret most leadership teams miss [00:22:14] – When top leaders are the example (and when culture clashes force an expert to tap out) [00:27:12] – AI without the hype—why most healthcare “automation” is stuck in the past, and what you REALLY need to ask now [00:32:43] – Where businesses bleed cash without knowing it (hint: it’s not just healthcare…and it’s NOT staff cuts) [00:47:09] – The tiny failure at Deloitte that forever changed Nio’s approach to leadership and team unity Mentioned ResourcesHuman-centered leadership architectureMcKinsey AI adoption report (89% by 2026 reference)Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)Kaiser PermanenteMayo ClinicChildren’s Hospital Los Angelesa...

    49 min

  3. JAN 20

    32 | Carlos Sanchez | New Community-Driven Tactics That Crush Contractor Stereotypes

    Are you secretly frustrated by “trust issues” in the contractor world, wondering if it’s possible to build a business where clients genuinely love, trust, and recommend you? What if the answer isn’t slick sales tactics, but radical honesty and a relentless commitment to service? In this high-voltage episode, Continental Roof Company President Carlos Sanchez joins host J. Michael Fisher Jr. for a raw, revealing conversation about reputation, legacy, and the counterintuitive moves that turn customers into raving fans, even in an industry where skepticism runs deep. From life lessons as a child of immigrants to giving away roofs and refusing to compromise on quality, Carlos shares actionable gems on trust, hiring, and why giving is his business’s real superpower. Stop bleeding trust and missing out on referrals. Tune in now to unlock exclusive, proven mindset shifts you won’t hear from typical “business gurus.” Listen before you lose another deal to the lowest bid. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] "People will buy from you if they like you"—Carlos reveals the trust-building code contractors ignore [00:05:41] Why learning insurance from the inside changed everything—profit, respect, and partnership secrets [00:07:43] Hated his job, nearly quit until THIS moment changed his purpose forever [00:10:14] The most expensive mistakes Carlos made (and what he'd tell every new service founder to avoid) [00:15:21] Exposing the wild price gaps: Why you might pay double with no extra value and how smart buyers fight back [00:17:33] The one standard he refuses to compromise plus, the dangerous shortcuts that doom other roofers [00:20:33] Exactly how he turns every customer into a "story worth sharing" and keeps referral engines running hot [00:32:30] Revolutionary "Project Parasol": How giving away roofs turned into a brand (and why you're missing out if you're not giving more) Mentioned ResourcesBusiness Network International (BNI)Butler County Board of Developmental DisabilitiesBetter Business Bureau (Cincinnati)Torch Award for Ethics About the GuestCarlos Sanchez is the President of Continental Roof Company, the Cincinnati-based roofing leader known for operational excellence and a relentless focus on trust, referrals, and real community impact. Since 2009, Carlos has transformed his business from skeptical upstart to a multi-award-winning, integrity-driven powerhouse by doing things few competitors dare, giving away roofs, refusing to cut corners, and building a culture where giving isn’t a marketing ploy, it’s the mission. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFollow my blog here: a...

    44 min

  4. JAN 13

    31 | TJ Schier – How To Survive the Copycat Trap in Entertainment

    Ever wondered why some entertainment businesses create obsession while others fizzle out? Are you craving a smart way to reinvent guest spaces, thrill your customers, and actually monetize “dead” square footage? In this exclusive episode, J. Michael Fisher Jr. welcomes TJ Schier, CEO and founder of Smash Swing Immersive Golf, for a revealing, relationship-first conversation on shaping unforgettable guest experiences. From Chuck E. Cheese to multi-million dollar drive-thru chains, TJ shows why old playbooks don’t cut it and how he’s rewriting the rules for indoor golf, socializing, and competitive fun. They dig deep into building emotional loyalty, surviving the copycat trap, and the bold moves driving Smash Swing’s national launch. Don’t wait! Each minute of this episode peels back what most founders miss, and why your next big win may depend on these electrifying lessons. Miss it, and you risk letting your greatest assets (and brand momentum) slip away. Listen now for candid, proven insights you won’t find anywhere else. Timestamped Highlights[00:01] – Why a Jersey kid chose West Point, and what it revealed about real purpose [00:22] – The “Aha!” moment: Can military leadership really transfer into biotech? [00:53] – How ONL Therapeutics protects vision—what most execs miss about relentless innovation [01:48] – The moment family, community, and business shaped a calling to serve [03:33] – Crushing self-doubt: Inside the pressure cooker of leading teams when everything’s at stake [08:32] – What top business athletes, Green Berets, and private equity stars share—The secret ingredient [13:35] – The 3 proven leadership lessons that build unstoppable companies (and why most miss #3) [23:48] – Real talk: Managing fatigue, optimism, and the brutal truth when the gut punches keep coming Mentioned ResourcesChuck E. CheesePals Sudden ServiceSavannah BananasWhich Wich SandwichesBig Shots GolfTopgolfChasing Aces (Shreveport)3’s (Greenville, SC)Auto Tee SystemCallawaya...

    42 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    30 | David Esposito | Army Secrets For Business Leaders On The Brink

    Are you an executive or business owner secretly wrestling with doubt, fatigue, or fear that your leadership might not be enough in the next storm? What if you could tap into the hard-won secrets of a leader forged in war and tested in biotech’s wildest innovation cycles? This episode is a high-voltage sit-down between J. Michael Fisher Jr. and David Esposito, CEO of ONL Therapeutics and decorated former Army officer. Together, they crack open the reality of modern leadership, reveal the invisible thread between military service and world-class execution, and share unfiltered routines for resilience and team alignment in chaos. Listen now if you want to escape the pain of unanchored teams, avoid costly self-doubt, and grab exclusive tools that only proven leaders are teaching. Stakes are high, innovation waits for no one, and these lessons aren’t in any playbook… yet. Timestamped Highlights[00:01] – Why a Jersey kid chose West Point, and what it revealed about real purpose [00:22] – The “Aha!” moment: Can military leadership really transfer into biotech? [00:53] – How ONL Therapeutics protects vision—what most execs miss about relentless innovation [01:48] – The moment family, community, and business shaped a calling to serve [03:33] – Crushing self-doubt: Inside the pressure cooker of leading teams when everything’s at stake [08:32] – What top business athletes, Green Berets, and private equity stars share—The secret ingredient [13:35] – The 3 proven leadership lessons that build unstoppable companies (and why most miss #3) [23:48] – Real talk: Managing fatigue, optimism, and the brutal truth when the gut punches keep coming Mentioned ResourcesUniversity of Michigan (Dr. David Zaks)West Point101st Airborne Division (U.S. Army)Bronze Star MedalNIH – National Institutes of Health About the GuestDavid Esposito is the CEO of ONL Therapeutics, a cutting-edge biotech company pioneering life-changing treatments to prevent retinal cell death and preserve vision. A former Army platoon leader awarded the Bronze Star, David is known for his unmatched resilience and ability to transpose battlefield clarity into executive mastery. With more than 30 years in life sciences, he’s led teams through both soaring exits and humbling failures, always championing purpose and people above the transaction. 🔗 LinkedIn | Website Important LinksFollow my blog here: a href="https://rebrand.ly/7e3544"...

    46 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    29 | Jean Fallacara | Biohacks for High Achievers Who Want a Life They Really Love

    What if you could add a decade or more of vibrant, high-performance living to your life, starting now? In this electrifying episode, J. Michael Fisher Jr. sits down with Jean Fallacara, scientist, serial entrepreneur, and founder of Lifespan, to decode the real science (and the misunderstood buzz) behind biohacking for busy leaders. From building $100M companies on only four hours of work daily to practical strategies for outsmarting burnout and building true resilience, Speaker B reveals what actually moves the needle for high achievers. You’ll get straight talk (and specific tips) on how to reclaim your health span, optimize work blocks for explosive focus, and create routines even skeptics can stick with. Don’t miss the battle-tested blueprint that could literally change—maybe even save—your life. Listen now: the cost of inaction is years of lost vitality, thriving, and leadership edge. The only place you’ll hear these transformative, exclusive tactics is in this episode. Timestamped Highlights[00:01:00] – What “biohacking” actually means (and why we shouldn’t need a word for it) [00:06:18] – From selling postcards on the street to $32M exits: Speaker B's origin story [00:11:29] – The biggest entrepreneurship myth: why sleep deprivation signals failure, not hustle [00:12:40] – How Speaker B ran a 205-person company in just four hours a day [00:17:26] – The plan B trap: the brutal indicator you’re not cut out for this [00:22:42] – The unexpected science (and danger) of ignoring your body’s natural cycles [00:28:57] – “Start with data, but don’t obsess”—the surprising dark side of tracking everything [00:41:10] – Five tiny daily tweaks that can instantly impact your longevity and performance Mentioned ResourcesMonroe Institute Hemi-SyncWhoopŌura RingFisher ScientificBook: Peter Attia, MD (on healthspan)Andon SoundGrant CardoneCharles Scott (Intel Chief of Staff)Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab, circadian rhythm science) About the GuestJean Fallacara is the founder and CEO of Lifespan, a breakthrough longevity platform making radical health optimization accessible to everyone. A...

    51 min

  7. 12/02/2025

    28 | Eric Frankel | How Top Execs Escape Burnout and Build Something That Lasts

    Ever felt trapped by your own success, secretly craving a reboot but fearing what’s next? This isn’t just another ex-exec startup story. Eric Frankel, former Warner Bros. President turned founder of AdGreetz, sits down with J. Michael Fisher Jr. for a raw, revealing conversation on what it truly takes to leap from a billion-dollar seat into entrepreneurship, without a safety net. They dig into the hidden emotional costs, the rush of early wins, and the guts required to walk away from the familiar and reimagine what’s possible (even after 30 years at the top). If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to reinvent your life, build a next-level team, and find meaning beyond the deal, press play now. The pain of staying stuck is real, and the window to thrive is closing. This episode offers unfiltered, exclusive takeaways for leaders who don’t just want to win, they want to matter. Timestamped Highlights[00:01:27] – How a single call from the chairman turned a lifelong New Yorker into a Los Angeles media boss [00:04:04] – The boyhood obsession with film that shaped a future executive—and the “aha” moment of radical delegation [00:09:26] – When the right story lands, doors fling open: The secret portfolio that made competitive hiring a breeze [00:12:53] – Navigating money, family, and meaning: Why he walked away from millions (twice) to start over [00:19:54] – The simple trigger behind AdGreetz: Realizing brands never talk “to” you, just “at” you [00:29:32] – Are you a “cat in the data mine”? How AdGreetz wins at personalization without crossing the line [00:36:34] – Why B2B targeting is harder and what most sales teams still get wrong in 2024 [00:44:00] – Frankel’s daily success routine: trainers, sleep, boundaries… and admitting when to take the L Mentioned ResourcesBizGreetzWarner Bros.Syracuse University Concert CommitteeFred Silverman (TV programming legend)NikeKiehl’sBarney’s New YorkColumbia HouseStone Pony (music venue)Cole HaanSalesforce and a href="https://www.adobe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    58 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    27 | Earl Foote | How Creativity and Culture Drove 40%+ Growth

    What if the secret to scaling a tech business wasn’t just strategy but soul? In this deeply human conversation, Michael sits down with Nexus IT Consultants founder and CEO Earl Foote to unpack how he’s built one of the fastest-growing managed IT and cybersecurity firms in the country, not through hustle and grind alone, but by leading with creativity, culture, and conviction. From musician to entrepreneur, Earl shares how art and architecture led him to tech, and how aligning people with purpose is now the fuel behind Nexus’ 40%+ organic growth. Whether you’re an MSP founder thinking about your next chapter, or a leader navigating scale in a crowded market, this episode reveals what’s possible when you stop chasing transactions and start building something bigger. This isn’t your average IT conversation. It’s a masterclass in building a movement. Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Meet Earl Foote: CEO of Nexus IT and creator of a people-first tech culture [00:02:00] – Why Nexus only hires growth-minded, mission-aligned people [00:04:00] – The philosophy behind building a world-class team environment [00:06:00] – From dropping out to play music… to building a multimillion-dollar firm [00:10:00] – Creativity as a competitive edge in business [00:14:00] – How an e-commerce experiment led to a cybersecurity empire [00:20:00] – Inside Nexus’ non-dilutive growth strategy (and 8 MSP acquisitions) [00:23:00] – Why Earl is the acquirer founders actually want to work with [00:29:00] – What’s the endgame? Earl’s long-term vision for Nexus and legacy [00:33:00] – What “world-class service” really looks like—and how Nexus measures it [00:38:00] – Red flags to avoid when choosing an MSP partner [00:41:00] – How to connect with Earl (and maybe even jam on guitars in Salt Lake) [00:42:00] – One small moment that changed everything: surviving a major fraud event Mentioned ResourcesEntrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)Nexus IT Growth & M&A InsightsEddie Van Halen and FrankenstratThe Five Dimensions of Vitality by Michael J. Fischer About the GuestEarl Foote is the founder and CEO of Nexus IT Consultants, a nationally recognized cybersecurity and IT firm that has scaled through purpose-driven leadership and intentional culture. With over 25 years of experience, Earl is known for bringing art and humanity into the tech world, serving high-compliance industries with world-class service while building an award-winning company people love working for. 🔗 LinkedIn 📧 Email 🌐 Website Important LinksFollow my blog here: a href="https://rebrand.ly/7e3544" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    48 min
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5
out of 5
77 Ratings

About

Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal. The show for founders, business owners, and professionals who want to grow smarter, achieve bigger exits, and build a legacy that lasts. Your host is no other than, J. Michael Fischer Jr – connector, life-long student of personal growth, and Managing Director at DBD – a bespoke investment bank that helps businesses handle big financial moves. Each week, we look beyond the numbers and the deals to talk about what really drives success. You'll hear from entrepreneurs, strategists, and top performers about the mindset, habits, and decisions that help businesses — and people — keep moving forward. If you're getting ready to sell, raise capital, or just level up — you're in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    J. Michael Fischer Jr | DBD Investment Bank
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2025 DBD Partners LLC
  • Show Website
    Going Beyond the Deal