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Message emily evansL I N C H P I None that serves to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit Edition - 4

THIS ISSUEFROM THE EDITORBREATHE10X GROWTHBIGGER IS BETTER, RIGHT?FIND YOUR PATHAIMSPHERE INC.0307110408162

EmilyNote From TheEDITOROn the cover of this edition you see the beautiful poppy, blooming happily. Many people loveseeing the poppy fields across Arizona as we move from winter into spring each year... this year,it didn’t happen. There were no massive fields of wildflower superbloom, no crazy peoplefrolicking amongst them for photos, and no one was talking about the lack of flowers... thinkingthey were still coming. They didn’t bloom this year at all. The seeds were there but they didn’t get to the point ofgrowing and blooming (scaling). It wasn’t until I saw a recent social media post from ArizonaGame & Fish that I understood what happened and that the blooms weren’t going to happen thisyear. They went in depth of what was happening, or rather not happening, and why. It started lastyear, when in November/December, we didn’t get the rain needed for germination to happen. Itwas a good reminder that we need to plant the seeds, and weather a couple of storms, to beable to grow. GROWTH & SCALEOur theme for the year is “Growth & Scale”, it stemmed from my word for the year...GROWTH. The goal of this publication is to help provide you with the seeds ofinformation, freely shared by our partners, that will allow you to have what you needwhen the storm hits, germinating into a superbloom of growth and scale.

Clear Your Mind

F I N D Y O U R P A T HThere was a time that I felt lost, I didn’t know where Iwanted to take my company. Every day was a struggle, andI wasn’t getting any clients. I was searching for what’s nextand happened on a mastermind class by Steve Sims. Hehad Cameron Herold on as a guest, the guy who helpedmake 1-800-GOT-JUNK a multi million dollar company. He inspired me to not just draft a vision—I painted it invivid color. And I don’t just keep it locked in a boardroom. Ishare it often. I share it loudly. Because when people seewhere you’re going, they don’t just follow—they runalongside you on your path. Vision isn’t just something you write in a business plan andforget. It’s the compass that guides every decision, the fuelthat drives your team forward, and the magnet thatattracts the right people—employees, clients, partners—toyour mission.Here’s five things as you find your path to guide you:1. A Vision Hidden is a Vision WastedMost leaders make one critical mistake: They treat theirvision like a secret. They assume that if they think it, theirteam will know it. But clarity doesn’t happen by osmosis.At Wellth Journey, our 3-Year Vision (see it here) isn’t justfor us—it’s for:Employees → So they know how their work ladders upClients → So they see we’re building something biggerthan just “insurance”Partners & Vendors → So they align their efforts withoursIf you’re not talking about your vision in meetings, emails,and even casual conversations, you’re leaving engagement(and growth) on the table.continued...Why Sharing Your Vision Loudly is the Key to Leadership SuccessBy: Emily Evans

When it comes to culture, we don’t just hopefor it—we engineer it by:Sharing our vision in job interviews →“Here’s where we’re going—are you in?”Weaving it into client onboarding → “Thisis how you win with us.”Reinforcing it in every team meeting →“Remember—we’re not just fixing benefits.We’re changing lives.”A clear, shared vision is the fastest way to findyour people.4. Finding Your Path Takes Intention(Start with Vivid Vision)Most leaders stumble into their vision. Theyreact. They adjust. They hope.But hope is not a strategy.Cameron Herold’s Vivid Vision taught us: Ifyou can’t see it, you can’t build it. So we:Blocked off time (no distractions)Dreamed in 3D (What does success look,feel, and sound like in 3 years?)Wrote it down (Not vague goals—specificscenes, like a movie script)Your turn:Grab the book.Lock yourself away for 2 hours.Describe your company’s future like you’rewatching it happen.2. People Buy Into Your Vision —Not Just Your ProductYou don’t just want employees who do theirjobs. You want people who believe in themission. You don’t just want clients who buyfrom you—you want advocates who sell for you.How? Make your vision contagious.We don’t just sell benefits—we sell: A movement → Where companies invest intheir people proactively A roadmap → Where leaders don’t just reactto costs but design their future A tribe → Where employees feel valued, notjust “covered”The result?Employees who bring their A-game becausethey believe in the “why”Clients who refer others because they’re partof something biggerPartners who go the extra mile becausethey’re invested in your successPeople don’t follow you—they follow whereyou’re going.3. Culture Starts at the Top—And a SharedVision Finds Your TribeEver met someone and instantly thought, “Youget me”? That’s tribal alignment. And in business,it’s everything.Your vision isn’t just a destination—it’s a filter for: Hiring → Do they light up when we talk aboutthe future? Client Fit → Do they want a vendor… or apartner in growth? Vendor Partnerships → Are they here for atransaction or a transformation?Find Your Path cont.That’s how your find your path.

5. Once You Find Your Path—Stay On ItVision without execution is hallucination.At Wellth Journey, I didn’t create just a vision—we liveit by: Strategic Thinking → Every decision ties back to the3-year vision Planning → Quarterly goals that make an impactand are directly related to who we are serving andtheir stories Tactics → Daily actions that move the needleExample: Our vision includes scaling our impact. Sowe don’t just say it—we:Host workshops (like these) to spread themessagePublish content that reinforces our missionTurn down clients who just want “cheapinsurance” (not our path)A vision is a commitment—not just a idea.Final Thought: Your Path is Waiting—Go Claim ItMost companies drift. They chase trends. They react.They let outside forces decide their future.But not you.You’ve got a vision. You’ve got a path. Now go share it—loudly, proudly, relentlessly. Because when you do?The right people will find you.P.S. Want to see what a Vivid Vision looks like inaction? Check out ours here. Then grab CameronHerold’s book—and start painting your future. P.P.S. If this resonated, share it with a leader whoneeds to find their path. (Because remember—visionspreads when we share it.)

Take your next step

Small Business:Linch PinBridging The Gap ToGrowthOne of the most insightful questions you can ask someone to understand their challenges is:“What keeps you up at night?” As a 30-year banking and finance professional, I often reflect onthis question from my own perspective. What keeps me up at night?A particular scene from the 2011 film I Don’t Know How She Does It comes to mind. In it, SarahJessica Parker’s character lies awake at night, mentally running through “The List”—an endlessstream of professional and personal responsibilities. What’s on my list is the increasing gap inaccess to capital for small business owners.A Growing Divide in Small Business LendingThroughout my career, I’ve heard business owners express frustration over the difficulty ofsecuring financing. It’s not a new issue, but what concerns me most today is how quickly the gapis widening.More and more, I see business owners turning to merchant cash advances and hard moneyloans as quick fixes. These solutions aren’t inherently bad—but they become dangerous whenused under financial duress, without a repayment plan, or without full knowledge of their impacton cash flow and costs.How did we get here? There are many contributing factors, but two stand out: shifts in thebanking industry and challenges on the business owner’s side.The Banking Industry’s Role in the ProblemLooking back to the late ‘90s and early 2000s, I saw a shift in banking that changed the trajectoryof small business lending. Industry training and education for bankers declined, while a focus onproduct sales increased. Over time, banking became more commoditized, and the depth ofrelationship-building between bankers and business owners suffered.BY: CHRISTIE BOUTAIN

The result? Many business owners now endup with loans that are misaligned with theiractual needs—or worse, they avoid traditionallending altogether.Additionally, regulatory burdens haveincreased, making the lending process morecomplex, time-consuming, and expensive.Business owners often hear: “It’s easier to geta loan when you don’t need it.” That phrasebreaks my heart. We, as bankingprofessionals, have a responsibility to dobetter.The Business Owner’s Role in NavigatingCapital AccessOn the other side of the equation, businessowners today have more on their plates thanever before. It’s easy to fall into the trap ofwaiting until it’s too late to seek financing, notkeeping a close enough eye on financialperformance, or failing to plan for futurecapital needs.Just like in any successful relationship,communication is key. If you’re a businessowner, here’s my advice:• Leverage your trusted resources—includingyour banker.• Proactively build relationships with financialprofessionals who understand your business.• Don’t wait until you’re in a crisis to start theconversation about capital.• Be strategic—think about where yourbusiness will be in one, three, or five yearsand plan accordingly.When business owners thrive, communitiesthrive. And there are professionals—insideand outside of banking—who want to see yousucceed.Looking Ahead: A Call to Action forBanking in 2025 and BeyondAre we so far removed from the days whenyou could walk into your local bank, talk to abanker about a loan for a new piece ofequipment, and have the funds in youraccount by the end of the day?Maybe we can’t turn back time—but we canlearn from the past.Banking today is undeniably more complex,but business owners shouldn’t have tonavigate it alone. The future of banking doesn’thave to be cold, transactional, or impersonal.We can still champion an ideal—one whereaccess to capital is fair, transparent, and builton strong relationships, not just algorithms.Let’s commit to that vision—for 2025 andbeyond.Small Business:Bridging The Gap ToGrowth cont.Linch PinCHRISTIE.BOUTAIN@FIRSTWESTERN.BANK

Commit to your Vision

Yes, it is possible.

HAVE ACOACHB y J a c q u e l i n e M c C o r m a c kP h o t o g r a p h s b y E m i l y E v a n s & C a n v aH I G H P E R F O R M I N G T E A M SEmployee benefits packages are evolving. While freesnacks and endless coffee might’ve once been enough tokeep the troops happy, today’s workforce cravessomething a little more substantial. Enter coaching. If you haven’t yet thought about addingcoaching to your benefits package, here are the top fivereasons you definitely should (and why your employeeswill thank you later).1. Because ‘Mentoring’ Is Just a Fancy Word for‘Someone Needs to Stop the Newbie from GooglingEverything’Let’s be honest. Not all employees thrive in a traditionalmentoring environment. Some are too shy to askquestions, others are too busy pretending they know whatthey’re doing. But that’s where coaching comes in. A coachis not just someone to throw vague “wisdom” at your team—they’re the Jedi Master guiding your employees towardbetter problem-solving, communication, and—let’s face it—less awkward water cooler conversations.Employees will feel supported, learn how to managechallenges (and maybe stop emailing you at 2 a.m. with"urgent" questions), and start contributing to the teamwith confidence. This leads to more productivity and lessrandom "Google searches for how to be a better teamplayer" in the middle of a meeting.

2. It’s the Best Way to Avoid ‘Surprise’ Burnout (And Not theGood Kind of Surprises)Let’s face it: No one likes burnout. It’s the invisible killer ofcreativity, motivation, and Sunday evening enthusiasm. But ifyou’re not keeping an eye on how employees are feeling, burnoutcan sneak up on you faster than a coffee shortage at the office.Coaching gives employees a space to talk about how they’refeeling—before they burn out and start plotting their escape to a"tropical island office." Coaches can help employees managestress, prioritize, and set healthier boundaries. So, instead ofwatching your best worker vanish into thin air (aka quitting),you’ll be the one helping them stay engaged, motivated, and well-rested—still willing to take on that big presentation withoutneeding a week off afterward.3. It Helps With Employee Development, Even When YouDon’t Know What They’re DoingAs a manager, you know the struggle: you want your employeesto grow, but sometimes it’s hard to pin down what their strengthsreally are. Enter the coaching process. A coach is like a personaltrainer for employees' careers. They’ll ask the tough questions,help your team unlock hidden talents, and maybe even helpthem understand why that "unsolvable" problem in thespreadsheet wasn’t that unsolvable. (Also, you’re secretly gladsomeone else is helping your team figure it out.)By providing coaching, employees can sharpen skills that mightnot be obvious on their resumes. They can start thinking beyondtheir current roles, which gives them a roadmap to bigger things.Plus, they’ll get the satisfaction of realizing that, yes, they can bethe spreadsheet wizard you always wanted them to be. No morehunting for that elusive Excel wizard from another department.H I G H P E R F O R M I N G T E A M SHAVE A COACH

4. Because Nobody Likes a ‘Toxic’ Work Environment (And NoOne Wants to Admit They’re the Cause)A good coaching program can help weed out those subtle butdisastrous “office vibes” that make employees whisper things like,“Did you hear what happened in the last meeting?” and “Is it justme, or does Karen get passive-aggressive when we’re in groupchats?” With coaching, employees can work through issues beforethey grow into full-blown drama episodes. After all, people aren’tborn knowing how to collaborate—sometimes it takes a coach tohelp them develop soft skills like empathy, listening, and not givingoff “I'm going to steal your lunch” energy.When coaching is part of the benefits package, employees canlearn how to work through conflict, handle feedback like a pro, and—most importantly—avoid becoming the person everyonenervously avoids at lunch. (Trust us, it’s not fun for anyone.)5. Because Employees Are the Best Investment... UnlessThey’re Just Sitting Around in a Meeting for 45 MinutesWondering Why They’re ThereCoaching is about investment—not the kind of "get rich quick"nonsense, but the kind that builds your employees into realpowerhouses who contribute meaningfully to the organization’ssuccess. When employees get personalized coaching, they stopwondering why they’re in meetings and start figuring out how theycan take meetings to the next level. Coaches teach employees howto be more self-aware, more goal-driven, and—most importantly—more effective. Imagine the possibilities when your team is not justpunching the clock, but actively contributing to the success of yourcompany with a laser-sharp focus.Your company will reap the rewards as employees become betterat their roles, more proactive, and ready to tackle whatever comesnext. And if you're lucky, they might even start running themeetings—leaving you to enjoy the fruits of their coaching-fueledsuccess.In conclusion, coaching isn’t just a perk—it’s a game-changer. Ithelps employees become more productive, less stressed, andbetter equipped to handle whatever the workday throws their way. It reduces the risk of burnout, softens the impact of internal drama,and might just make your employees think you’re the best bossever for adding it to their benefits package.And let's face it: A company with happy, well-coached employees isone step closer to world domination. Or, at least, workplaceharmony.Jacque McCormack, MSLOD PCCExecutive Coach, Leadership Development Strategistjetstreamway.com

BENEFITSA FRESHTAKE ONEMPLOYEEVIRTUALFRIDAY, MAY 30TH12:30 PMEMAIL EMILY FOR CALENDAR INVITE16JOIN US

L I S T E N N O WNEWEPISODEWhat if you could rewrite your health destiny—before chronic conditions strike? In this powerful cconversation, Dr. Melody Rodarte, a double-board certified physician and wellness expert, reveals: The “GLP-1 Secret” – How to naturally boost your body’s fat-burning, energy-producing superpower Diabetes Prevention Hacks – Simple daily choices that slash your risk (no extreme diets required) Why Your Genes Aren’t Your Fate – How to control 95% of your health outcomes through lifestyle"Food can be medicine or poison," Dr. Rodarte explains. Discover how to:• Turn off “food noise” cravings for good• Reduce inflammation and joint pain naturally• Prevent costly diagnoses that impact your insurance and longevity Watch now and take the first step toward a healthier, more empowered you. Your future self will thank you.(Bonus: Dr. Rodarte shares her favorite blood tests to request at your next physical—don’t miss theselife-saving insights!)

BRIGHTS H I N EP E RS O NA L E X C E L L E N C E I S O U R D U T Y . T H E R E I S N O O T H E R C H O I C E B U T T OB E T H E B E S T V E R S I O N O F Y O U R S E L F . W A NT TO B E P A R T O F T H I S P U B L I C A T I O N ? I T ’S FR E E . J U S T E M A I L T H E W E L L T H J O U R N E Y T E A M .M A Y 2 0 2 5E D I T I O N 4