In this episode of Protea Conversations, host Zane Stevens engages with Dr. Eugene Dilán, a clinical psychologist and leadership expert.

They explore Eugene's journey from a challenging upbringing in Brooklyn to becoming a successful consultant. The conversation delves into the importance of human connection in business, the transformative power of leadership, and the mission behind Dilan Consulting Group. Eugene shares insights on overcoming personal doubt, the significance of inclusion in leadership, and his aspirations for the future, including a new nonprofit initiative aimed at fostering community dialogue.

Takeaways

- Leadership is about understanding and connecting with people.

- Personal experiences shape our professional paths.

- Inclusion in decision-making fosters ownership and commitment.

- Transformative leadership requires empathy and understanding.

- Business should prioritize stakeholders over shareholders.

- Perseverance is key to overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship.

- Creating a safe space for dialogue is essential for growth.

- Self-awareness is crucial for effective leadership.

- Community engagement enhances personal and professional fulfillment.

- Every moment is an opportunity for co-creation.

Sound Bites

"Business is Human."

"You always have a choice."

"The difference between successful entrepreneurs is perseverance."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Psychology

02:42 Eugene's Journey to Psychology

10:21 Growing Up in Brooklyn: A Personal Narrative

19:41 Career Path: From Nonprofits to Consulting

27:32 Transformative Leadership: The Importance of Inclusion

30:56 Founding Delon Consulting Group

38:55 The Mission of Delon Consulting

42:18 Daily Operations and Community Engagement

47:42 Short-Term Goals and Future Aspirations

51:25 Overcoming Personal Doubt

53:25 Advice for Aspiring Leaders

56:30 Personal Insights and Rapid Fire Questions

Connect with Eugene: LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenedilan/

In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane speaks with Jamie Skinner, a fractional controller and CFO, about her journey into accounting, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of process improvement in financial operations.

Jamie shares her experiences transitioning from a corporate role to consulting, her passion for helping small businesses, and her insights on work-life balance as a solopreneur. The conversation also touches on the significance of networking, learning from mistakes, and the personal joys of life outside of work.

Takeaways

- Jamie Skinner emphasizes the importance of following your passion in your career.

- The transition from a corporate job to consulting can be challenging but rewarding.

- Process improvement is a key focus for Jamie in her consulting work.

- Networking is crucial for success in entrepreneurship.

- Mistakes are a part of the journey; learning from them is essential.

- Being transparent with clients about mistakes fosters trust.

- Work-life balance is achievable with the right strategies.

- Small business owners often need guidance in financial management.

- Utilizing technology can enhance efficiency in business operations.

- Having a supportive partner can help manage family and work responsibilities.

Sound Bites

"This is what I want to do."

"I love being in the mountains."

"If you don't ask, the answer is always no."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Prodig Conversations

01:18 Journey into Accounting: Jamie Skinner's Story

06:36 Career Decisions: From Teaching to Accounting

12:28 Transforming Financial Processes in Healthcare

18:55 The Leap to Consulting: Challenges and Opportunities

26:27 The Role of a Consultant: More Than Just Numbers

30:41 Process Improvement: A Consultant's Passion

35:07 Balancing Work and Family Life

43:24 Future Goals: The Fiscal Guardian Club

48:42 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

56:55 Personal Insights: Beyond the Professional

01:02:11 Rapid Fire Questions: Fun Facts About Jamie

Connect with Jamie: LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieskinnerreno/

Terrell Turner, founder of TL Turner Group, shares his journey in the accounting industry and the importance of curiosity and gaining diverse experiences.

He emphasizes the value of focusing on experiences rather than chasing titles or money. He also discusses the significance of understanding the human nature element in accounting and finance and how it can make you a valuable business partner. He shares his decision to start his own practice and the high-risk nature of entrepreneurship.

Terrell Turner, CPA shares his journey of starting his own accounting firm and the challenges he faced along the way. He discusses the importance of taking risks and having confidence in your skills. He also talks about the process of niching down and focusing on serving law firms, which led to the development of the Golden Age of Business framework. This framework helps set clear goals and expectations for team members and improves overall performance. Terrell emphasizes the importance of having hard conversations and making tough decisions as a leader.

He also shares a personal insight into his life and the lessons he learned from overcoming challenges.

takeaways

• Focus on gaining diverse experiences rather than chasing titles or money.
• Understand the human nature element in accounting and finance to become a valuable business partner.
• Stay curious and ask questions to continuously learn and understand different perspectives.
• Be prepared for high-pressure situations by gaining experience and practicing in low-risk environments.
• Entrepreneurship involves taking risks and being strategic in building a successful practice. Taking risks and having confidence in your skills can lead to success in starting your own business.
• Niching down and focusing on serving a specific industry can improve efficiency and performance.
• The Golden Age of Business framework helps set clear goals and expectations for team members.
• Leaders should not shy away from hard conversations and tough decisions.
• Personal challenges can shape your perspective and teach you compassion for others.

Sound Bites

• "Don't chase the title, don't chase the money, chase the experiences."
• "I can operate in this high risk environment."
• "I ended up starting my firm on April 1st of 2020 when everything was shutting down for the pandemic."
• "You truly are there to help them in what is one of the toughest times they will probably ever experience."

Chapters

03:44Terrell's Journey in the Accounting Industry

10:55The Value of Curiosity and Diverse Experiences

17:32Understanding the Human Nature Element in Accounting and Finance

20:19The Importance of Asking Questions and Continuous Learning

23:40Preparing for High-Pressure Situations through Low-Risk Experience

32:36Taking the Leap: Starting Your Own Accounting Practice

34:53Taking Risks and Building Confidence

37:33Starting a Business During the Pandemic

39:10Helping Clients in Tough Times

41:02The Golden Age of Business Framework

48:42Setting Clear Goals and Expectations

59:45Leadership: Having Hard Conversations

01:02:07Personal Insights: Overcoming Challenges