Axiom Podcast - Axiom Strategic Consulting

Before You Talk to Buyers — Episode 175 (Part 1 of 3)Business exits rarely fail because of bad numbers alone. More often, they fall apart because owners move forward without clarity.In this episode, Joey Brannon and Cameron Earhart discuss why business owners must slow down before engaging buyers—and what happens when they don’t. With private equity interest at an all-time high, many owners are hearing big numbers early, but without understanding the risks, timelines, and options behind them.This conversation covers:Why most businesses that go to market never closeWhat business owners usually mean when they say, “I’m ready to sell”The difference between strategic buyers and financial buyersWhy risk—not revenue—drives valuationHow owner dependency impacts deal structure and priceRealistic timelines for preparing, marketing, and closing a businessWhy exit planning improves the business even if you never sellJoey and Cameron also challenge a common mindset: focusing on when you want to sell instead of what outco

Joey Brannon and Mike LoBue discuss how strong client relationships are formed, the role internal culture plays in external trust, and why consistency and follow-through are essential for building credibility over the long term.

Episode 173 — The 7% Problem: Why Communication Breaks DownMost communication breakdowns don’t come from bad intent — they come from missing context.In this episode of Grow With Purpose, Joey Brannon sits down with communication and executive presence expert Mitch Lomazov to explore why leaders are often misunderstood, even when they believe they’re being clear.They unpack how meaning is shaped by more than words alone, why email and text frequently create friction, and how leaders can reduce miscommunication by treating communication as a system — not a personality trait.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why written communication often removes critical contextHow to match the right communication medium to the messageWhat high-functioning teams do differently with silenceHow executive presence is built through technique, not charismaThis conversation offers practical insight for leaders who want their messages to land with clarity and alignment.

Leadership breakdowns rarely come from a lack of effort or care. More often, they happen quietly — through drift.In this final episode of the From Laborer to Leader series, Joey Brannon and Mike LoBue explore why leadership growth cannot sustain itself on mindset alone. Even the most capable leaders will default back to familiar behaviors when structure disappears.This conversation focuses on the disciplines that protect leadership over time — especially as pressure, growth, and urgency increase.You’ll learn:Why leadership drift is usually a discipline problem, not a motivation problemHow lack of structure pulls leaders back into technical workWhy owners unintentionally slow leadership growth by failing to protect leadership timeThe role of consistent check-ins, clear expectations, and feedback rhythmsHow systems reduce exhaustion and make leadership sustainableWhy leadership development must be intentional — not assumedThis episode provides practical insight for business owners, executives, and leadership te

Promoting your best worker is often the right move — but leadership struggles usually don’t come from a lack of skill. They come from a lack of identity.In From Laborer to Leader — Part 2, Joey Brannon and Mike LoBue unpack why leadership development must begin with mindset before tactics ever work. New leaders often struggle not because they lack effort or ability, but because they still see themselves as technicians instead of leaders.This episode explores how identity, self-talk, and coachability shape a leader’s confidence and behavior. You’ll learn why mindset work feels uncomfortable but is essential, how leaders act in alignment with how they see themselves, and what owners can do to help leaders fully step into their role.If you want leadership development that actually sticks — not just promotions that create frustration — this episode provides the foundation for sustainable growth.

When your best worker becomes a new leader, the transition isn’t always smooth. In Part 1 of the From Laborer to Leader series, Joey and Mike break down the leadership paradox facing small businesses today—why technical excellence doesn’t automatically translate into leadership success, and what it truly costs when that gap goes unaddressed. Drawing from real client stories and years of field experience, they unpack the hidden impact on production, team morale, the business owner’s bandwidth, and the individual who suddenly feels in over their head. This episode highlights the critical need for intentional equipping, clear expectations, and leadership development if you want your people—and your company—to grow with purpose.

In this episode of Grow With Purpose, Joey Brannon talks with Skip Stanton, CEO and co-owner of Aqua Plumbing & Air, about leading with faith, integrity, and character. Skip shares his journey from a truck and $5,000 to leading over 180 employees, and the lessons he’s learned about building people first, mentoring leaders, choosing kindness without lowering expectations, and creating a legacy rooted in faith rather than private equity offers. A must-listen for business owners and leaders who want to build a company that lasts and reflects values beyond the bottom line.

Joey revisits OG Mandino’s timeless books The Greatest Salesman in the World and Part II: The End of the Story to explore how leadership evolves from chasing success to living with significance. Discover what it means to lead with purpose, faith, and service — and finish the race well.

In Part 3 of our Axis Series, Joey Brannon and JoAnna Kelso dig into what clean financials actually unlock for business leaders—real insights that inform better decisions. From understanding the balance sheet, to managing depreciation and taxes, to shifting from reactive bookkeeping to proactive financial strategy, this episode reveals why outsourced accounting with Axis isn’t just about numbers—it’s about confidence, clarity, and growth. Plus, learn how Axis and Axiom work hand-in-hand to help business owners not only survive, but thrive with purpose.

In Part 2 of the Axis Series, Joey Brannon sits down with JoAnna Kelso, President of Axis Outsourced Accounting, to explore why outsourcing your accounting department delivers more than bookkeeping. From reducing the mental load of hiring and turnover, to leveraging weekly dashboards and cutting-edge tools, JoAnna explains how outsourcing transforms accounting into a strategic advantage. Learn how vendor and customer management, consistent categorization, and real-time clarity give business owners confidence and space to focus on growth.

Accounting is the language of business — but too often, financials are inconsistent, late, or misleading. That false story leads to frustration, costly mistakes, and missed opportunities.In this episode of the Grow With Purpose Podcast, Joey Brannon sits down with JoAnna Kelso, President of Axis Outsourced Accounting, to unpack why clean financials matter more than perfection. From avoiding “bank balance decisions” to preparing for long-term growth or a business exit, JoAnna explains how consistency in the numbers builds confidence in every decision.Discover the hidden costs of messy books, the value of having a trusted advisor instead of a reactive bookkeeper, and how weekly clarity empowers leaders to move faster, make better choices, and build a stronger business.

What does it take to scale a business without losing your core values? In Episode 163, Vince Virga of PFS shares how conviction, belief, and systems helped him move from chaos to clarity. Joey Brannon and Cameron Earhart unpack the leadership principles behind his journey — from letting go of control to empowering a culture of accountability and growth.This candid conversation offers entrepreneurs practical tools and timeless wisdom for scaling with intention.

Leadership can be one of the loneliest callings. In this episode of Grow With Purpose, Joey Brannon sits down with C12 Chair Doug Poll to explore why accountability, faith, and community transform the way leaders grow. Discover how C12 challenges business owners to lead with transparency at work and at home — and why true growth happens when leaders stop going it alone.

If your team can’t move without you, you’re the bottleneck.Most business owners don’t suffer from a lack of effort—they suffer from underdeveloped leadership within their teams. In this episode of Grow With Purpose, Joey Brannon and Mike LoBue unpack what Tier 2 leadership development looks like in real-world businesses—and why it delivers the highest ROI you’re probably overlooking.They’ll dive into the real signs of leadership struggle (like nonstop fire drills and exhausted managers), the differences between professional and leadership development, and how to multiply your team's capacity without hiring anyone new.Key Takeaways:Why the “I’ll just do it myself” mindset kills momentumThe connection between time management and effective leadershipHow to spot and support emerging leaders already on your teamThe difference between skilled professionals and actual leadersWhy the best businesses run better when the owner steps awayWhether you’re leading from the field or the boardroom, this conversation gives you

After 20 years of business, leadership growth, and podcasting, Axiom is stepping into a new season — and a new name: Grow with Purpose.In this powerful relaunch episode, Joey Brannon is joined by longtime friend and leadership coach Doug Poll, who helped shape Axiom’s evolution from solopreneur startup to mission-driven firm. Doug shares the honest conversations and carefrontations that challenged Joey to grow — not just as a leader, but as a father, husband, and steward of people.Together they unpack:How blind spots can sabotage leadershipThe role of empathy and listening in team buildingWhy carefrontations matter more than confrontationWhat it really means to grow with purposeWhether you’re a CEO, founder, or the right-hand person holding it all together — this episode will challenge, encourage, and remind you: growth is personal before it's professional.

Three founders. One shared vision. In this episode, Joey Brannon talks with David Yohn, Jamie Dunnam, and Mike Braun of iBusinessSolutions about building a people-first company from the ground up. From a lanai startup to a full-service payroll and HR platform, they share how faith, follow-through, and clarity of roles have sustained their partnership—and their clients—for nearly two decades.