How are you keeping ego at bay and focusing on fearing God?

In this episode, Jeff, Jeff, and Mike discuss:

• Building a company by failing your way to success.
• Leaning into your area of expertise.
• Leveraging the energy of forward momentum, no matter how small.
• The important aspects to consider in your exit (especially for those in a family business).

Key Takeaways:

• Building a relationship with Christ is not about your ego….ego is just Edging God Out of your life.
• Slow down and be intentional about your quiet time with God, your prayer, your scripture study, and your mentorship of others and for yourself.
• If you want to sell or exit your business in the future, you have to delegate yourself out of the business.
• Consider joining a peer group for accountability in accomplishing your goals. Peers can be your most powerful tool.

"Be intentional about a balanced life. Keep God at the center." — Mike Mitchell

Episode References:

• Halftime Institute: https://halftimeinstitute.org/
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
• The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Values by Patrick M. Lencioni
• Men of Iron: https://menofiron.org/

About Mike Mitchell: Mike Mitchell is the Executive Director of The High Center at Elizabethtown College. Prior to joining the High Center, he was an owner of Amelia’s Grocery Outlets and served as President and CEO of the company from 1997- 2012. He oversaw all aspects of the 15-store grocery chain with over 400 employees and a 100,000-square-foot warehouse. The business was sold to a private equity firm, Berkshire Partners and Grocery Outlet Inc., a 442-store chain based in Berkley, California, in January 2012. Mitchell is a graduate of Elizabethtown College and has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. Prior to joining Amelia’s, he worked as a Marketing Manager for several packaged goods companies including Heinz, General Mills, and Unilever. He has served in several board positions with Herr Foods, Irex Corporation, the Boys and Girls Club, and several other for-profit and non-profit organizations. Michael was the 2010 Lancaster Chamber Small Business Person of the Year and a 2019 Central Penn Most Admired CEO. He currently attends Community Fellowship Church where he is Treasurer and serves on the Administrative Board.

Connect with Mike Mitchell:

Website: https://thehighcenter.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mitchell-86929b73/

Connect with Jeff Thomas:

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

How are you boldly incorporating scripture into your life and business?

In this episode, Jeff and Rick discuss:

• Incorporating scripture into our day-to-day lives from individual to business.
• Handling tough situations in the right way.
• Rick’s transition from a career in the multi-family residence business to working in the Middle East with SRG.
• The three impacts you can have.

Key Takeaways:

• Do the right thing because it’s the right thing. God will bless.
• Live your life after God’s manner and you will be making a statement that you will be running your business differently because it’s the right thing to do before the Lord.
• You don’t need to wait until you get older to be bolder. Get out there, be who God wants you to be, and get out there.

"All you have is Gods. The sooner you realize that, the more freeing that will become." — Rick Graf

Episode References:

• NCF: https://www.ncfgiving.com/
• Apartment Life: https://apartmentlife.org/home
• The Business Card by Dr. Steve O. Steff

About Rick Graf: Rick serves as a resource partner, board member, and as the senior managing partner for SRG. As senior managing partner, he has responsibility for stewarding the overall organization, and reporting to the board of directors. He leads a gifted team of managing partners that oversee resource development, portfolio management, strategic initiatives, and strategic services.

Prior to retiring in late 2022, Rick served as president of multi-family asset services at Cushman & Wakefield, a global leader in commercial real estate. In this role, he focused on strategic oversight for the vision and growth of the multi-family asset services platform, while managing a spectrum of real estate assets for major institutional housing clients across multiple states. This culminated in a 45-year career in the real estate industry.

Rick and his wife, Linda, live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and have four married children and seven grandchildren.

Connect with Rick Graf:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rigraf/

Connect with Jeff Thomas:

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw

Where is your bullseye - the center of your heart, passion, and calling?

In this episode, Jeff and Jake discuss:

• Lessons from a childhood around the firepit.
• Business and opportunities in every stage of life.
• Serving a God of abundance.
• Letting God’s lamp light your next step.
• The importance of setting and holding boundaries with yourself.

Key Takeaways:

• Working with kids and teens is not a 1-week thing. It is 52 weeks out of the year.
• Giving does not have to be prescriptive. What breaks your heart? Use that.
• Fundraising isn’t about the money, it’s about the heart of the giving partner. It is spiritual before it is mechanical.
• Be disciplined without haste. Rhythms of rest are necessary. There is always going to be more work to be done, but never once does the Bible say “Jesus ran.”

"I don't know about you and your 20s, but for me, I wanted a beacon for the next 200 steps. I didn't want a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, right? But the beauty of that is He gives us that lamp and it's just enough light for the next step and the next step and the next step." — Jake Bland

Episode References:

• C12: https://www.joinc12.com/
• Halftime Institute: https://halftimeinstitute.org/
• Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups by Ruth Haley Barton
• The Council: A Biblical Perspective on Board Governance by Gary G. Hoag, Wesley K. Willmer, & Gregory J. Henson

About Jake Bland: Jake is the 10th President and CEO of Youth For Christ USA, a pillar of missional youth ministry since 1944, when the Rev. Billy Graham served as YFC’s first full-time staff member. Today, Youth For Christ reaches young people everywhere, including in over 100 nations and through 140 local chapters across America, with a special focus on engaging 11-19 year olds who do not know Christ. YFC intentionally pursues young people who often feel overlooked, building relationships, and uncovering God's story of hope at pivotal moments in their lives.

Jake’s journey with YFC began as a high school student, then as a volunteer and intern. Prior to joining the YFC staff, he taught in the Interactive Media Department at Bradley University and co-founded two media production companies. He holds a master’s degree in Youth Ministry Leadership from Huntington University.

Jake and his wife, Ali, live in the Denver area. As a volunteer, Jake serves as an elder in their church, and as the board chairman for Presence Point—a non-profit organization that helps leaders live into their calling. Jake and Ali have two children: Silas David (8) and Ivy Rehn (6). Their family loves traveling, music, hiking, spending time with friends, and enjoying God’s creation in Colorado.

Connect with Jake Bland:

Website: https://yfc.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-bland-96553834/

Connect with Jeff Thomas:

Website: https://www.arkosglobal.com/

Podcast: https://www.generousbusinessowner.com/

Book: https://www.arkosglobal.com/trading-up

Email: jeff.thomas@arkosglobal.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArkosGlobalAdv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arkosglobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkosglobaladvisors

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkosglobaladvisors/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLUYpPwkHH7JrP6PrbHeBxw