In this episode of On the Flywheel, I’m joined by Paul Herrerias, Founder and CEO of Herrerias & Associates. We talk about leadership, team building, and why strong businesses are built by teams—not individuals. Paul shares lessons from growing up in agriculture, his path through accounting and executive search, and what he’s learned about hiring, accountability, and building high-performing teams. We also discuss communication, culture, and the mindset leaders need to create long-term momentum.

• Growing up in agriculture teaches responsibility, ownership, and value creation early in life.
• Businesses are built by teams, not individuals or budgets alone.
• Great leaders understand themselves before they can effectively lead others.
• Hiring well requires understanding strategy, culture, momentum, and leadership style.
• How and why someone leaves a job reveals as much as why they joined it.
• High-performing teams address conflict directly and communicate constructively.
• Accountability—clear roles and expectations—is a defining trait of great CEOs.
• The difference between a group and a team is shared commitment and continuous improvement.
• Strong teams balance communication, commitment, and competency.
• An attitude of gratitude fuels leadership, resilience, and hope in organizations and communities.

Welcome to On the Flywheel 00:00:00

Paul Herrerias’ Early Life & Agricultural Roots 00:01:30

FFA, 4-H, and Early Leadership Lessons 00:05:30

Education, Accounting, and the CPA Path 00:10:30

Why Teams Build Businesses (Not Individuals) 00:14:30

Executive Search & Understanding Team Fit 00:18:30

Interviewing for Self-Awareness and Values 00:23:30

Common Team Mistakes & The Role of Coaching 00:28:30

Accountability, Roles, and CEO Effectiveness 00:32:30

The Three C’s of High-Performing Teams 00:36:00

Groups vs. Teams & Continuous Improvement 00:39:30

Books, Leadership, Learning & Final Wisdom 00:42:30

Paul K. Herrerias – Website | Website

Jonathan Mahrt – LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Book recommendation:

Links to all books mentioned on the show

Thank you for joining us on this episode of On the Flywheel! If you enjoyed our discussion, please rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us continue to bring you insightful conversations with inspiring guests. Until next time, keep building momentum in your personal and professional lives!

In this conversation, Ash Gomez, founder of Digital Twinners and co-founder of Orion Sky Studios, shares his journey from a sales career to running successful media companies. He emphasizes the importance of customer experience, building a strong team, and leveraging technology to enhance business operations. Ash discusses the impact of AI on the creative industry, lead generation strategies, and the significance of networking and partnerships. He also reflects on handling customer feedback and the diverse projects undertaken by Orion Sky Studios, concluding with insights on business philosophy and mindset.

• Ash Gomez transitioned from a sales career to entrepreneurship.
• Digital Twinners focuses on real estate media, while Orion Sky Studios handles broader video production.
• Customer experience is crucial for business success.
• Building a strong team is essential for operational efficiency.
• AI can enhance creative processes but cannot replace human connection.
• Feedback from clients is vital for continuous improvement.
• Networking and partnerships are key to business growth.
• Authenticity and care differentiate small businesses from larger competitors.
• Choosing the right tools and processes can streamline operations.
• A positive mindset and following a plan are essential for overcoming challenges.

00:00 Introduction to Ash Gomez and His Journey

00:03:04 The Evolution of Digital Twinners and Orion Sky Studios

00:06:03 The Importance of Customer Experience in Business

00:09:01 Building a Strong Team and Effective Processes

00:12:01 Navigating Challenges in the Photography Industry

00:15:03 Leveraging Technology and Tools for Efficiency

00:17:53 The Role of AI in Creative Industries

00:20:55 Lead Generation Strategies for Business Growth

00:23:54 Handling Customer Feedback and Reviews

00:26:53 Exploring Orion Sky Studios' Diverse Projects

00:30:12 The Power of Networking and Partnerships

00:32:53 Final Thoughts on Business Philosophy and Mindset

Ash Gomez – Website | Website | Instagram | Instagram | Instagram | Youtube

Jonathan Mahrt – LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Links to all books mentioned on the show

Thank you for joining us on this episode of On the Flywheel! If you enjoyed our discussion, please rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us continue to bring you insightful conversations with inspiring guests. Until next time, keep building momentum in your personal and professional lives!

In this episode, I sit down with consultant Jon Rickards to talk through his unique path—from the Navy’s nuclear program to decades in the wine industry—and how all of that led him into helping small and micro-businesses bring order to their chaos. Jon shares what most business owners struggle with, why understanding your numbers matters so much, and how he’s helping his wife build a community-focused salon business.

• Non-linear paths create powerful skill sets.
• Exposure broadens character and capability.
• Small business owners often lack business foundations.
• Understanding your numbers is essential.
• HR is a major blind spot.
• Chaos is often a systems problem, not a people problem.
• Micro-business owners must learn to give up hats.
• Building simple, maintainable systems matters.
• The salon model Jon and his wife built is about community, not just services.
• Relationships are a business survival tool.

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:05 Jon’s Early Life & Military Path

00:06:40 Lessons & Challenges from the Navy

00:10:55 Discovering a Passion for Finance

00:13:20 Trying Financial Advising & Realizing It Wasn’t a Fit

00:16:45 Entering the Wine Industry

00:21:30 Moving Toward Consulting

00:25:50 What Small Businesses Get Wrong

00:31:40 The Power of Systems & Delegation

00:36:10 Inside the Salon Business Model

00:41:45 Training, Compensation & Team Growth

00:46:30 Relationship Building in an Economic Downturn

00:49:00 Lightning Questions: Books & Billboards

00:51:15 Closing & Where to Find Jon

Jon Rickards – Website

Jonathan Mahrt – LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Links to all books mentioned on the show

Thank you for joining us on this episode of On the Flywheel! If you enjoyed our discussion, please rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us continue to bring you insightful conversations with inspiring guests. Until next time, keep building momentum in your personal and professional lives!