Dave and Trina Stone started First Rate, Inc. in 1991 from the dining room of a rented house in Arlington, Texas — with $18,000 in savings, no clients, no employees, and three kids under the age of five. Today, First Rate is one of the most established independent wealth technology firms in the industry, spanning four continents, and serving major U.S. banks and custodians. In this episode of the Bigger Than Business Podcast, Dave and Trina share the full story: the vision that kept them in Texas, the eight brutal months of selling before their first client finally said yes (still their largest client 35 years later), and the decision — made the weekend they launched — to give away 10% of revenue, a commitment they held even when revenue left the firm and layoffs were on the table. They also get honest about marriage and business. Forty-four years married, decades of working side by side, and their advice comes down to one rule: stay in your lane. They talk boundaries between home and office, accountability couples, what to do when one spouse wanders into the other's territory, and why they're building employee-led governance so First Rate is never for sale.

Celebrate 50 years of success with a true Texas business legend on this special Fireside Chat episode of the Bigger Than Business Podcast! Host Jeff Holler sits down with Mike Hernandez, owner of HERNCO/D&M Leasing, to look back on five remarkable decades in the automotive world. Mike shares how his entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to integrity, and focus on relationships helped shape one of the most respected leasing companies in the region. Hear stories from his journey—from humble beginnings to building a company that’s stood the test of time—and the lessons learned along the road to fifty years in business. Tune in for insights on resilience, leadership, and legacy in this anniversary episode that proves business truly can be Bigger Than Business. Shields discusses the Growth-to-Exit program, which guides founder-led businesses in increasing their worth before a sale. He also delves into the emotional aspects of business exits, estate planning, and preserving family legacies. With insights from his book, Wealth That Lasts: 10 Principles of Legacy Wealth, Shields emphasizes values-based wealth management and the power of entrepreneurship to drive meaningful change.

In this episode of the Bigger Than Business Podcast, host Jeff Holler sits down with Sam Mahrouq—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of Mahrouq Enterprises International. Sam shares how he rose from a Palestinian refugee camp to building a business empire that includes Automax dealerships, MEI Auto Finance, Ikon Technologies, and more. He opens up about integrity in business, the value of community, and how setbacks shaped his future success. Shields discusses the Growth-to-Exit program, which guides founder-led businesses in increasing their worth before a sale. He also delves into the emotional aspects of business exits, estate planning, and preserving family legacies. With insights from his book, Wealth That Lasts: 10 Principles of Legacy Wealth, Shields emphasizes values-based wealth management and the power of entrepreneurship to drive meaningful change.