Make Your Passion Pay

LuAnn Buechler

Welcome to Make Your Passion Pay, hosted by LuAnn Buechler, a seasoned leader with a master’s degree in Hospitality Administration and a recipient of the TLC Award for Leadership. This podcast is designed for business owners who have left toxic environments to create their own thriving workplaces but find themselves struggling with team building and mindset. Join LuAnn as she shares insights and strategies to help you cultivate joy and a positive mindset in your business and personal life. Drawing from her experience working with renowned leaders like Dr. Ivan Misner, LuAnn guides you in building a supportive community and mastering the art of people management. Each episode offers practical advice and inspiring stories to empower you to transform your work environment into one that reflects your values and passions. Tune in to discover how to lead with joy, foster meaningful connections, and truly make your passion pay.

Episodes

  1. Why a Business Owner Writes a Book

    5D AGO

    Why a Business Owner Writes a Book

    Ever wondered how writing a book could become one of the most powerful tools to grow your business, build credibility, and expand your impact? In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with publishing strategist and former Simon & Schuster editor Ally Machate to explore how the right book can support your business goals and help your passion pay. Together, we dive into why not every book serves a business, how to avoid writing the wrong book, and what it means to approach authorship with clarity and intention. Ally shares behind-the-scenes insight from her 25+ years in publishing and explains how books can function as authority builders, conversation starters, and long-term business assets when written with strategy. We also explore the mindset business owners need before writing, how a book can align with your offers and audience, and why writing with purpose creates more opportunities than simply publishing for the sake of publishing. This conversation is full of practical guidance for entrepreneurs, coaches, speakers, and leaders who feel called to write and want their book to truly work for them. Tune in to learn how writing the right book can amplify your message, deepen your impact, and help your passion pay. Let’s make your passion pay! Ally Machate’s Bio: I’m Ally Machate, founder of The Writer’s Ally, publishing strategist, and former editor at Simon & Schuster. For more than 25 years, I’ve helped authors and business owners write, publish, and sell books that support their bigger vision. Through my work, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful a book can be when it’s created with intention and clarity. I specialize in helping entrepreneurs and thought leaders avoid common publishing mistakes, write the right book for their goals, and turn that book into a meaningful business asset rather than a missed opportunity. My approach blends traditional publishing expertise with modern business strategy, helping authors build authority, attract aligned clients, and create long-term impact through their work. I believe books can open doors, spark conversations, and expand possibilities when they are written with purpose. If you’re feeling called to write a book and want to be sure it supports your business and your message, I’d love to support your journey. Connect with Ally:Free Webinar: Don’t Write the Wrong Book!www.offers.thewritersally.com/makeyourpassionpayWebsite: www.thewritersally.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysonemachateFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/allysonemachateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/allymachate/Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/allysonemachate Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to visit LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let’s spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose! Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

    39 min
  2. Core Values and Scaling Your Business

    JAN 26

    Core Values and Scaling Your Business

    Ever wondered how you can scale your business without burning out, micromanaging your team, or carrying everything on your shoulders? In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with bestselling author, speaker, and business strategist Marianne Page to explore how core values, consistency, and people-first systems create businesses that truly work for you. Together, we dive into Marianne’s journey from spending 27 years as a senior manager at McDonald’s to helping business owners around the world scale with clarity and confidence. She shares how strong values, clear expectations, and consistent processes empower teams to take ownership, reduce overwhelm, and create workplaces where people feel valued and supported. We also explore why so many business owners struggle with letting go, how involving your team builds accountability and trust, and why consistency is one of the most underrated tools for sustainable growth. Marianne offers practical, real-world insight into shifting from “doing everything yourself” to building systems and cultures that allow your business to grow without sacrificing joy or freedom. This conversation is packed with wisdom for business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs who want to scale intentionally, lead with heart, and create a business that supports both success and quality of life. Tune in to learn how core values can guide your decisions, strengthen your culture, and help you scale your business with confidence and purpose. Let’s make your passion pay! Marianne Page’s Bio: I’m Marianne Page, a bestselling author, speaker, and business strategist, and I help business owners scale without stress by building strong values-driven systems and empowered teams. I spent 27 years as a senior manager at McDonald’s, where I learned firsthand how consistency, clarity, and people-centered leadership create resilient, scalable businesses. Those experiences shaped what I now call Big Mac Thinking, a practical approach to building businesses that run smoothly, deliver consistent results, and free owners from being the bottleneck. Today, I work with entrepreneurs and leaders across industries to help them replace chaos with clarity, build cultures rooted in trust and accountability, and grow businesses that work for the people inside them. I believe businesses thrive when leaders invest in their people, lead with values, and create clear ways of working together. My mission is to help business owners build companies they enjoy leading, teams they trust, and systems that support growth without burnout. If you’re ready to scale your business with clarity, consistency, and confidence, I’d love to support your journey. Connect with Marianne: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannepage/ YouTube: https://trm.to/MPyoutube Website: mariannepage.com Simple Logical Repeatable book: https://trm.to/SimpleLogicalRepeatable Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to visit LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let’s spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose! Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

    41 min
  3. Turning Passion Into a Purpose-Driven Business with Paul Whitten

    JAN 19

    Turning Passion Into a Purpose-Driven Business with Paul Whitten

    Ever wondered how your life experiences, even the unexpected detours, can lead you straight to the business you were meant to build? Or how passion, when paired with service and values, can create both impact and income? In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with the dynamic and insightful Paul Whitten, Founder of Nashville Adventures, to explore exactly that. Paul shares his journey from military service to global experiences in the Peace Corps, corporate life at Amazon, and ultimately entrepreneurship. Along the way, every chapter, success, mistake, and lesson became preparation for the business he leads today. What started as free weekend tours fueled by a love of history, storytelling, and people quickly evolved into one of Nashville’s most engaging tour companies. Together, we talk about why passion is the true foundation of sustainable success, how a “soft launch” can provide clarity and confidence before making the leap, and why mistakes often become the greatest teachers on the path to purpose. Paul also shares powerful insights on building company culture through clear core values, hiring for passion and coachability, and creating experiences that truly connect people to place and story. We dive into Paul’s belief that history deserves a stage, not a script, and how experiential storytelling creates meaningful, memorable moments for guests. As a veteran-founded business, Nashville Adventures also gives back, donating a portion of revenue to veteran-focused nonprofits and creating opportunities for others to rise. This episode is packed with wisdom for entrepreneurs, creatives, veterans, and anyone exploring how to turn what they love into a business that serves others and creates real impact. If you are searching for clarity, courage, and proof that passion truly pays, this conversation delivers inspiration and practical insight every step of the way. Paul Whitten’s Bio: Paul Whitten is a Nashville historian, military veteran, and the Founder of Nashville Adventures, a tour company dedicated to bringing Music City’s history to life through immersive, unscripted storytelling. Paul’s journey spans service in Afghanistan, three years in the Peace Corps in Armenia, and time as a UK Parliamentary Fellow walking the halls of Westminster. After an injury during deployment, he discovered his love of history while volunteering as a tour guide at Fort Knox, an experience that planted the seed for his future business. Today, Nashville Adventures offers history tours, pub crawls, ghost tours, corporate events, and private experiences led by passionate guides who focus on connection over memorization. Paul’s company has been featured in USA Today, The Tennessean, Channel 2 News, and Channel 5 News, and has earned recognition from the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation. Grounded in strong core values, Paul believes opportunity is part preparation, part courage, and part community. Through his work, he is committed to creating opportunities for others, especially veterans, while building a company that gives back and leaves a lasting impact. Connect with Paul: Website: https://www.nashvilleadventures.com/Email: paul@nashvilleadventures.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_nashville_adventures/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nashville-adventuresFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NashvilleAdventuresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nashvilleadventures Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose! Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

    39 min
  4. Leadership is a Comma with Dr. Andy Neillie

    12/10/2025

    Leadership is a Comma with Dr. Andy Neillie

    Ever wondered why leadership feels harder than ever, and why so many managers never quite make the leap into true leadership? In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with the insightful and inspiring Dr. Andy Neillie to explore exactly that. Together, we dive deep into what really shapes a leader, why leadership is in such short supply today, and how conviction, competence, character, and covenant can turn an overwhelmed manager into someone people genuinely want to follow. Dr. Andy brings decades of wisdom from the corporate world, franchise ownership, keynote stages, and even lessons learned from 15 rescued dogs, all woven together with heart, humility, and humor. Join us as we unpack the lifelong journey of leadership, the power of showing up with integrity, and the personal stories that shaped Andy’s belief that leadership is always a comma, never a period. If you’re building a business, leading a team, or working on becoming the leader your purpose is calling you to be, this conversation is packed with insight, clarity, and encouragement. Dr. Andy Neillie’s Bio:I’m Dr. Andy Neillie, and my mission is to develop leaders who inspire trust, build strong cultures, and elevate the people around them. I believe leadership is learned through experience, reflection, and a commitment to showing up with character every single day. My own journey started under a terrible boss who taught me exactly the kind of leader I didn’t want to be. That experience sparked my lifelong commitment to studying leadership and helping others avoid the pain and confusion I once felt. Over the years, I’ve served leaders across industries as an executive coach, keynote speaker, and consultant, while also building and selling a multi-location franchise business. These chapters taught me what leadership really demands, not perfection, but presence. I’m passionate about equipping leaders with practical, human-centered tools that elevate their influence. My Four Leadership Necessities grew out of decades of watching what actually works inside real organizations. And yes, 15 rescued dogs have taught me a few things about loyalty, consistency, and compassion along the way. My work is rooted in the belief that: • Character is the foundation of influence. • Leadership is behavior, not a title. • Culture rises and falls on how leaders show up. • Trust, clarity, and consistency are the cornerstones of lasting impact. • Leaders never arrive… they grow. Today, I spend my time coaching executives, training managers, speaking on stages around the world, and creating resources to help leaders step into their highest potential. It’s an honor to support the people who shape workplaces, communities, and legacies. If you’re ready to grow into the kind of leader others willingly follow, I’d love to support your journey. Connect with Dr. Andy:Website: neillieleadership.com (Book a 15-minute call)Free Ebook: 3 Imperative Leadership Conversations — leadershipmaterials.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andyneillieYouTube: youtube.com/@andyneillie1779 Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to visit my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let’s spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose! Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

    30 min
  5. From Purpose to Profit with Alan Lazaros

    12/10/2025

    From Purpose to Profit with Alan Lazaros

    Ever wondered how aligning your life with your purpose can completely transform your future? Or how challenges that feel insurmountable might actually be shaping your mission? In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with the extraordinary Alan Lazaros to dive into all of this, and so much more. Together, we explore how meaning, alignment, and self-awareness create the foundation for a joyful, fulfilling, and profitable life. Alan shares his powerful personal story; from losing his father at age 2 to surviving a near-fatal car accident at 26, and how those defining moments set him on a path away from external success and toward true purpose. Alan, the Founder and CEO of Next Level University, brings over 11,500 hours of coaching experience and more than 2,200 podcast episodes to this conversation. His heart-led leadership, engineering mindset, and commitment to helping people live in alignment shine through every moment of this interview. Join us as we break down the journey from passion to purpose to profit, explore what it means to lead with your values, and uncover why meaning is the most sustainable path to success. Tune in to discover how to build a life, and a business, that stays true to who you are. Let’s make your passion pay! Alan Lazaros’ Bio: I’m Alan Lazaros, and I help people build lives, businesses, and relationships they’re genuinely proud of. As the Founder & CEO of Next Level University, I lead a global team committed to bringing positive, heart-driven personal development to every corner of the world. My journey didn’t begin with clarity. After the death of my father when I was 2 years old and a car accident at 26 that nearly took my life, I realized I was living out of alignment, chasing success on the outside while feeling empty on the inside. That moment became the pivot point that transformed everything. I transitioned from engineering into human potential, dedicating myself to studying leadership, fulfillment, and personal growth. Today, I’ve recorded over 2,200 episodes, coached for more than 11,500 hours, spoken on countless stages, and supported individuals and teams around the globe in reaching their next level. My work is grounded in values like alignment, consistency, integrity, and continuous improvement. Whether I’m coaching, podcasting, speaking, or leading my team, my mission remains the same: To help others live their most aligned, meaningful, purpose-driven lives. I believe everyone has a “next level” in them, and with the right habits, clarity, and community, anything is possible. Connect with Alan: Website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelUniversity/videos Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose! Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

    37 min
  6. Buy Back Your Time with Ian Noble

    12/06/2025

    Buy Back Your Time with Ian Noble

    Have you ever wondered how you can build a business with strong core values, exit it successfully, and then create true time freedom through passive real estate investing? In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with entrepreneur and investor Ian Noble to explore all of that and more. Together, we dive into Ian’s journey from running a 14-location family business with over 90 employees to selling that company and shifting into full-time passive real estate investing. Ian shares how core values like quality, teamwork, and treating people with dignity shaped his company culture, increased the business’s value, and ultimately helped him attract the right buyers when it came time to sell. We also explore the mindset shifts entrepreneurs face after exiting a business, the importance of diversifying beyond a single income stream, and why building a company as if you're going to sell it can completely transform the way you lead today. This conversation is full of practical advice for business owners, leaders, and anyone interested in building long-term wealth through passive investing. Tune in to learn how passive income can help you buy back your time, reduce risk, and build a legacy that extends far beyond your business. Let’s make your passion pay! Ian Noble’s Bio: I’m Ian Noble, founder of RunSteady Investments. I spent 14 years owning and operating a service business in Austin, Texas, where I helped grow the company to 14 locations and more than 90 employees. In 2023, I successfully exited that business and shifted my focus to something I’ve been passionate about for over a decade, helping people build wealth through passive real estate investing. I’ve been an active real estate investor for more than 10 years, with properties in Texas and Colorado, along with passive investments in mobile home parks, self-storage, private lending, and various debt funds. After experiencing firsthand how owning and eventually selling a business can consume your time and energy, I became committed to teaching entrepreneurs how to diversify their wealth, reduce burnout, and create true time freedom through passive income. I earned my degree in economics from the University of Texas, and today my wife Lauren and I live in Austin, Texas with our three children. When I’m not helping investors grow their portfolios, you’ll find me running marathons or traveling internationally with my family. It’s my mission to make passive real estate investing accessible, simple, and educational for business owners who want to build long-term wealth without adding more to their plate. If you're ready to diversify your income and start investing for freedom, I’d love to support your journey. Connect with Ian:Free Passive Investing in Real Estate Cheat SheetJoin Ian’s Passive Investor Mailing ListLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/iannoble1/Instagram: @ian_investsWebsite: runsteadyinvestments.com Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don’t forget to visit LuAnnB.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let’s spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose! Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

    30 min
  7. Break Free from Conformity with Dr. Karin Lubin

    08/04/2025

    Break Free from Conformity with Dr. Karin Lubin

    Ever wondered how you can extend your life by aligning it with your passions? Or how the concept of retirement might be holding you back from living a fulfilling life? In this episode of Make Your Passion Pay, I sit down with the inspiring Dr. Karin Lubin to unravel these mysteries and more! Together, we dive into the power of clarity in achieving longevity and fulfillment, and why societal pressures shouldn't dictate your path. Dr. Karin, with her Lubin Lifeline to Longevity program, shares her transformative journey from burnout to becoming a beacon of holistic health, integrating body, mind, and soul. Join us as we explore the six C’s of making passion pay and the transformative power of journaling and gratitude. Tune in to discover how to embrace your authentic self and lead a joyful, passion-driven life. Let's make your passion pay! Dr. Karin Lubin's Bio: I’m Karin Lubin, Ed.D., and my mission is to inspire you to live with passion, vitality, and purpose—no matter your age or stage of life. Drawing from my own journey of transformation, I developed The Lubin Lifeline for Longevity, a holistic program designed to energize and empower individuals to become their best selves from the inside out. With a background in public education as a teacher and administrator, I earned my doctorate in Educational and Organizational Leadership in 2001. After experiencing burnout, I found a new path that led to over a decade as Director and Trainer of The Passion Test programs, working alongside transformational leaders Janet and Chris Attwood. Along the way, I created tools to help individuals build resilience, clarify their purpose, and make a greater impact in their lives, businesses, and communities. My work is rooted in the following values, which guide everything I offer—from movement and nutrition coaching to soulful journaling and personal growth circles: Vitality – Whole-body well-being is our most incredible wealth.Inner Leadership – Each of us holds the power to lead our lives and others with clarity and confidence.Boldness – Live courageously and trust in the miraculous.Rooted Self-Care – Deep, intentional self-care uplifts families, communities, and the world.Reciprocity – Give and receive generously—with others, the Earth, and yourself.Resilience – Aging strong means adapting with grace, grit, and joy.Empowerment Through Support – Lasting change thrives with encouragement, tools, and community.Soulful Transformation – Reflection opens the door to awe, creativity, and inner growth.Celebration – Progress over perfection. Every step forward is sacred.Meaningful Connection – Relationships are the pulse of a vibrant, purposeful life.I now live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with my husband and find sanctuary on the land near Abiquiú. This peaceful, soulful place continues to offer deep insight and connection to nature, which I bring into my work with clients. If you’re ready to reclaim your vitality and create meaningful change, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Connect with Karin:Dr. Karin Lubin: https://drkarinlubin.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctorkarinlubin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinlubin/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinlubin/ Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

    32 min
  8. Thriving Workplaces with Beth Lefevre

    08/04/2025

    Thriving Workplaces with Beth Lefevre

    Are you ready to transform your work life and make your passion pay? Join me, the "little spark," as I kick off the "Make Your Passion Pay" podcast alongside Beth Lefevre, Executive Director of Master Life Inc. Have you ever wondered how aligning your work with personal values can create a joyful and successful environment? In this episode, Beth and I dive into the power of clarity, culture, and community in business. Beth, a senior master trainer for the Passion Test, shares how this transformative tool can help businesses and individuals discover their life’s purpose, creating a ripple effect of positivity and fulfillment. Listen as Beth recounts a success story from a call center in Hermosillo, Mexico, where implementing the Passion Test for Business led to a cultural transformation. We also explore the mindset shift needed to focus on positive outcomes and take decisive actions aligned with your passions. Tune in and start your journey towards a passion-driven workplace! Beth Lefevre's Bio:Beth Lefevre, Executive Director of Master Life, Inc. is a team coordinator and trainer for executive teams. She specializes in behavior management, open communication methods and train the trainer techniques. Beth has been working for over 30 years to inspire and educate individuals, businesses, and organizational teams to create cooperation, communication, and cultural connection in all areas of their lives. Beth is also, one of the senior master trainers, for The Passion Test for Business, The Passion Test, and The Passion Test for Kids and Teens; traveling the world, facilitating training courses based on the NY Times, best-selling book, by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood, “The Passion Test, The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Purpose”.  Beth is an international speaker and presenter; having done trainings, courses and workshops in the United States, Canada, Central & South America, India, Australia, and Europe. She has also been a part of the Hispanic culture for over 50 years, so she speaks Spanish fluently AND understands the nuances of that culture. Special Offer:A 33 minute consultation to understand and take action on one personal or professional challenge.  Connect with Beth:Website: MoneyLifeFreedom.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/169NnGcULS/?mibextid=wwXIfrInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bocabeth?igsh=dHdpb2FmZnJtNGtq&utm_source=qr Thanks for tuning in! Remember to share and rate the episode if you enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my website LuAnn.com and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook! Let's spread the joy and build thriving communities together. Keep pursuing your passion with purpose!

    40 min

About

Welcome to Make Your Passion Pay, hosted by LuAnn Buechler, a seasoned leader with a master’s degree in Hospitality Administration and a recipient of the TLC Award for Leadership. This podcast is designed for business owners who have left toxic environments to create their own thriving workplaces but find themselves struggling with team building and mindset. Join LuAnn as she shares insights and strategies to help you cultivate joy and a positive mindset in your business and personal life. Drawing from her experience working with renowned leaders like Dr. Ivan Misner, LuAnn guides you in building a supportive community and mastering the art of people management. Each episode offers practical advice and inspiring stories to empower you to transform your work environment into one that reflects your values and passions. Tune in to discover how to lead with joy, foster meaningful connections, and truly make your passion pay.