Selling online feels simple... until taxes quietly start working against you.

In this episode of How to Ride a Roller Coaster, host David Ezell sits down with Jared Smithson, Founder of RJM Tax Exemption and one of the leading experts in U.S. e-commerce tax compliance. Jared has helped over 5,000 businesses navigate sales tax, multi-state nexus, and regulatory landmines that most founders don’t realize they’ve stepped on until it’s too late.

You’ll learn:

• The most common sales tax mistakes e-commerce founders make (including the “one-click” Shopify error)

• Why revenue growth can be fake growth if compliance isn’t handled correctly

• How economic nexus actually works (and why $100K isn’t the only number that matters)

• Why collected sales tax isn’t “your money”—and how it can block an exit

• What’s changing next for digital products and services taxation

• When to DIY vs. when to bring in experts (without wasting money)

Whether you’re selling on Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, or planning to expand into the U.S. market, this conversation could save you six figures, months of stress, and a painful audit.

Show links:

RJM Tax Exemption: https://rjmtaxexemption.com/

Jared: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-smithson-692607228/

Finance isn’t just numbers. It’s identity, access, and peace of mind. Yet so many women, millennials, Gen-Z professionals, and underserved investors feel invisible in the world of wealth management. Today’s episode shines a spotlight on changing that.

I’m joined by Lacy Garcia, CEO and Cofounder of Willow, a fintech platform that matches individuals with fiduciary financial advisors who actually get them. Lacy left a stable career, survived the chaos of launching during COVID, and built a platform dedicated to empathy, education, and empowerment in financial planning.

We dig into:

• The shame-free truth about financial literacy (even highly educated people don’t know this stuff!)

• How to find an advisor who understands YOUR values, goals, and identity

• Why separating your personal and business finances is non-negotiable as a founder

• How to protect your energy and avoid burning yourself out while building something meaningful

• The hard lesson of focusing on revenue and efficiency first, not perfection

Whether you’re growing a business, building wealth, or just trying to make smarter financial decisions, this episode will save you time, money, and serious stress.

Show links:

Willow: https://trustwillow.com
Lacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacygarcia
Willow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/trustwillow

Today's episode is sponsored by Clutch City, a bold, high-impact experience for entrepreneurs scaling real businesses between $250K and $3M.

Clutch City: https://www.clutchcityhq.com

IG: https://instagram.com/clutchcityhq
More at: https://realdavidezell.com/clutchcity

If you loved today’s episode, share it with a founder who needs clarity on money or is tackling their next big leap. One episode can change someone’s week.

In this episode of How to Ride a Roller Coaster, David Ezell sits down with Amanda Taylor — entrepreneur, real estate investor, and bold money mindset coach — to talk about what it really looks like to rewrite your story.

After 15 years in dentistry and walking away from a 25-year relationship, Amanda completely rebuilt her life. She discovered freedom through real estate, launched multiple businesses, and now helps entrepreneurs—especially women—grow both their companies and their personal wealth.

Together, we unpack:

• The moment Amanda realized she could stop being the “worker bee” and step into the “queen bee”

• How curiosity, not confidence, accelerates your entrepreneurial growth

• Why most business owners neglect their personal wealth — and what it costs them

• The difference between good debt and bad debt (and why debt is often cheaper than equity)

• Why liquidity fears hold entrepreneurs back

• How women can close the confidence gap in financial decision-making

• Where beginners should start investing outside their business

• Why traditional financial advice leaves entrepreneurs exposed — and what to do instead

• The power of aligning your money with the life you actually want

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• If you’re an entrepreneur trying to build a business and build wealth at the same time, this episode will change how you think about money forever.

  
  

  Show links:

  Amanda on LinkedIn

  Amanda on Instagram

  Expand Your Empire

  
  

  Powered by Clutch City — high-energy training, hands-on events, curated rooms, and one immersive conference each year for entrepreneurs in the $250k–$3M range who want to scale faster and smarter.