Making Cents of It All
Podcast that makes sense of the things people do to make cents...Making Cents of It All with Jesse Stakes gives the spotlight to the small businesses that make America run. We look to share the "why" behind why people choose what they do professionally and showcase their expertise in their chosen profession for the benefit of our audience. We also dive into the services that support those small businesses and provide information on the technology and services that allow them to do what they do each and every day effectively and more efficiently. Making Cents of It All with Jes...
2026 Trucking & Logistics Trends: Derek Rodriguez on Market Challenges and Transportation Finance
Jesse sits down with Derek Rodriguez, President of KC Financial, LLC, for an in‑depth look at the transportation industry in 2026—a sector navigating rapid change, shifting demand, and new financial pressures. Derek shares frontline insights from his work financing transportation companies across the country, breaking down how operators are adapting to market volatility, equipment costs, interest rate environments, and tightening credit conditions.
The conversation explores the real challenges facing trucking and logistics companies today, including driver shortages, regulatory shifts...
How Taelor Is Redefining Style Through Data, Design, and Convenience - Phoebe Tan
In this episode of Making Cents of It All, Jesse sits down with Phoebe Tan, CEO and co‑founder of Taelor, the men’s clothing rental subscription service recognized by GQ as one of the best in the industry. Phoebe shares how Taelor is transforming men’s fashion, using AI‑powered styling, data‑driven personalization, and sustainable rental models to help men dress better with less effort.
Jesse and Phoebe explore the rise of fashion‑tech startups, the growing demand for men’s clothing rental services, and how Ta...
Making Sense of HR: A Conversation with Marci LaRouech of Seay HR
In this episode of Making Cents of It All, host Jesse Stakes sits down with Marci LaRouech, CEO of Seay HR, one of the Southeast’s leading HR consulting firms. Together, they break down the real drivers behind effective human resources strategy, employee relations, and workforce planning—and why HR is a critical part of long‑term business success.
Marci brings decades of experience helping companies navigate compliance, build stronger teams, and create healthier workplace cultures. Her practical, straightforward approach makes complex HR issues easy to understand and ev...
Starwind Equipment - Randi Glazer
Starwind Equipment offers reliable solutions for Property Damage Insurance (PDI) and Extended Service Contracts (ESC) that maintain cash flow and protects your equipment. When purchased together, these products ensure minimal out-of-pocket costs and maximum peace of mind.
They offer products that provide stability of cash flow for your equipment: Property Damage Insurance (PDI) Our PDI features multi-year policies up to 60 months, comprehensive coverage — Including protection against terrorism* — Without rate increases or cancellations.
Extended Service Contract (ESC) Our ESC provides a master parts schedule, no deductible for covered repairs, and a streamlined claims process that reduces downt...
The Business Life Cycle - Leveraging Coaching to Get Where You Want to Be
In this episode of Making Cents of It All, host Jesse Stakes welcomes seasoned business coach Scott Coble for a deep dive into the business life cycle—from startup to renewal—and how intentional coaching can help business owners navigate each phase with clarity and purpose.
Together, Jesse and Scott unpack the sigmoid curve of growth, explore common inflection points, and share actionable insights on how coaching can unlock strategic breakthroughs. Whether you're scaling, plateauing, or reinventing your business, this conversation offers a roadmap to help you achieve the success you...
Battle at Bethpage - 2025 Ryder Cup
The Tin Cup Club joins the show to talk about the 2025 edition of the Ryder Cup.
The 2025 Ryder Cup: A Clash of Titans at Bethpage Black
The 45th edition of the Ryder Cup is set to electrify the golf world from September 26–28, 2025, at the legendary Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. Known for its brutal layout and passionate crowds, Bethpage promises a fiery atmosphere as Team USA and Team Europe battle for supremacy in this biennial match-play showdown.
Ryder Cup history
🏆...
From Ghosted to Onboarded: Cracking the 2025 Job Market - Terace Johnson joins the show
Staffing for your company as an employer and finding a job as an employee have changed quite about in the last several years. You're competing with people, bots, AI, and so many other things that you don't even know about - yet.
Terace Johnson was kind enough to join the show this week and lend her expertise to our audience. Terace with the founder and CEO of Spotlight Staffing.
Spotlight Staffing is a national employment agency and executive search firm that offers tailored hiring solutions across multiple industries. Though headquartered in Minneapolis, they ser...
3 Eyes of the Business Owner - The Perspectives Needed to Run and Grow your Business
In our season opener, I am pleased to bring back Scott Coble to dive a little deeper into more detailed topics that he works with and coaches his clients on each and every day to help make them more successful in their businesses and chosen professions.
Scott joins the show to discuss the powerful framework often referred to as the “Three Eyes of the Business Owner”. These “eyes” represent the three distinct roles or perspectives every business owner must balance to build a scalable, sustainable company:
👁️ 1. The Technician’s Eye
Focus: Doing the work...Focal Points of Leadership - Scott Coble's Journey
I'm thrilled to welcome Scott Coble to the show—a seasoned executive whose leadership journey spans over three decades in the financial services industry. In this episode, Scott opens up about the pivotal lessons he’s learned, the values that have shaped his path, and how he’s now channeling his deep reservoir of skills and experience into coaching the next generation of business owners and executives.
As the former Senior Executive for the Southeastern U.S. at Wells Fargo, Scott led with clarity, collaboration, and a relentless focus on aligning strategy with result...
2025 Open Championship - A Walk Through Tradition and History
The Tin Cup Club stops by the show to talk about the upcoming Open Championship being played at Royal Portrush's Dunluce Links in Northern Ireland.
The Open Championship—often called The Open or British Open—is the oldest golf tournament in the world, steeped in tradition and drama. Here's a walk through its storied past:
📜 Origins and Early Years (1860–1870)
First played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland.Only eight professional golfers competed in the inaugural event.Willie Park Sr. won the first title, earning the title Cha...Neil Twa - Creating Wealth through Building and Investing in Ecommerce Brands
For a FREE COPY of Neil's latest book, Almost-Automated Income with FBA: Build a Profitable Lifestyle-Driven Amazon Business. Exit for Millions. Even Without Any E-commerce Experience follow this link and use code: MAKINGCENTS at checkout for an absolutely FREE digital copy!
Neil Twa is a seasoned entrepreneur and e-commerce strategist best known as the co-founder and CEO of Voltage Holdings, a company that builds, acquires, and scales private-label brands—primarily through Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon).
Here’s a snapshot of his journey and work:
🚀 Career Highlights
Amazon FBA Pioneer<...BombTech Golf - Built for You, Not the Pros: Willis Varno joins the Show
I was introduced to BombTech Golf through their social media posts. The bold black and green logo, and the cool Grenade Headcover caught my eye. I reached out to Willis Varno to learn more about the brand, and he was gracious enough to join the show and talk about how the company is making golf more accessible and fun for the everyday golfer.
BombTech Golf is a direct-to-consumer golf club manufacturer that has built a reputation for offering performance-driven—and surprisingly affordable—clubs. Their product lineup includes drivers, irons, wedges, and putters designed with an...
2025 US Open - The Beast Vs. the Field!
It's the week of the 2025 US Open and the boys from the Tin Cup Club join the show to talk about Oakmont Country Club and the event being held there this week!
The U.S. Open is one of golf’s four major championships, organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). It was first played on October 4, 1895, at Newport Golf Club in Rhode Island, featuring just 11 competitors. The tournament has since grown into one of the most prestigious events in golf.
Oakmont Country Clu...
Jeremy Bower - Avoiding Tariffs, Sourcing Local Products, and Reducing COGS - Oh My!
Founder and CEO of GIVR Packaging, Jeremy Bower, joins the show to talk about how he and his company are helping their customers avoid potential tariffs, reduce their overall cost of goods sold, and source local, made in the USA products while improving their impact on the environment.
GIVR Packaging specializes in sustainable, custom packaging solutions for businesses, particularly in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and beverage industries. They offer a range of packaging options, including:
Custom Inserts: Protective corrugated and folding carton inserts for direct-to-consumer shipping.Shippable Mailers: D...Ballnamic - The Most Comprehensive Online Ball Fitting Tool in Golf Brought to You by Ping
Ping's own Fitting Science Manager, Chris Broadie, joins Making Cents of It All with Jesse Stakes and Wes Altice to talk about Ping's Ballnamic online golf ball fitting tool. Katie Goodwin joins along the way to talk about how they are leveraging their social media to inject fun into teaching the general golfing public about the benefits of playing the right ball for your game!
Ballnamic is a virtual golf-ball fitting tool developed by PING. It helps golfers find the best ball for their game by analyzing performance characteristics across different models. The tool uses
Marketing in 2025 - Navigating the Landmines and Jumping on the Opportunities!
Yeliza Centeio joins the show to talk about how the Marketing Profession and their clients are being affected by the changing economy, tariffs, and new administration's direction in 2025.
Yeliza Centeio is a veteran marketing and advertising leader known for her candid, innovative, and results-driven approach. With over fifteen years of industry experience, she honed her craft at leading agencies in cities such as Boston, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale, as well as in in-house roles within the direct-to-consumer and fashion sectors. This extensive background laid the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey, empowering her to establish an a...
PGA Championship 2025 at Quail Hollow - Is it the Kardashian of the Major Championships?
The Tin Cup Club joins the show to discuss this week's PGA Championship, the venue, and show much more!
Former PGA Tour player Hunter Mahan was critical of this week's PGA Championship venue. The 42-year-old acknowledged the course was in great shape but added that he feels it’s missing something.
“I guess I would say Quail Hollow is like a Kardashian,” Mahan said. “It’s very modern, beautiful and well-kept. But it lacks a soul or character.”
Agree or disagree?
The PGA Championship is one of golf’s storied majors, rich with trad...
Tin Cup 2025 - McLemore Resort
The boys from the Tin Cup Club stop by the show to talk about their 2025 trip, thoughts on the McLemore Resort, and how it was to do a buddy's trip on Masters Weekend.
According to the National Golf Foundation, over 12 million U.S. adults embarked on golf trips last year, marking a 20% increase over the historical average and expected to grow. This surge reflects a growing desire for experiential travel, with golf. The Buffalo Groupe reported 44% of their survey plans to increase golf travel spending in 2025. The growth is driven by the increasing popularity of golf as...
From the Barber Shop and Back Again - Dennis Balonze's Journey to Financial Freedom
This is truly a story of Making Cents of It All. Dennis Balonze joins the show to share his story of how he parlayed his career as a barber into a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio over three states.
He and his team currently manage a portfolio of profitable multi-family and
commercial properties. They are always looking to broaden the portfolio, which would include the continuing acquisition and management of multi-family units and commercial buildings, with regional expansion throughout the southern United States.
Dennis also utilizes his talents area barber in putting together a very uni...
DTC Golf vs. The Establishment - Lower Cost for the Everday Golfer without Sacrificing Quality
Mike Padron joins Jesse to talk about the impact that Direct to Consumer (DTC) Golf Companies are having on the consumer when it comes to choices they have and how they purchase golf equipment in today's world.
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) golf brands and major golf brands differ primarily in their business models and pricing strategies.
Major Golf Brands These are well-established companies like Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, and Ping. They have a strong presence in retail stores, sponsor professional golfers, and invest heavily in research and development. Their products are widely available in golf shops and online, b...
Tin Cup Club - The Masters
The boys from the Tin Cup Club join the show to talk about The Masters and preview this years' championship. Jesse Stakes, Wes Altice, and Mike Padron talk about their favorite all-time memories of the tournament, what makes it so special, and who they think has the best chance of winning the 2025 edition. Oh yea - and maybe the food at the tournament gets mentioned once or twice!
The Masters Tournament generates significant revenue, though it operates differently from other major golf events. In 2022, the tournament brought in approximately $142 million, with revenue sources including:
...Making Cents of the Ball - The Golf Ball Industry
First let me say that this is just dipping a toe into a $1.31 BILLION market! Yes! I am talk about golf balls. Not golf...just golf balls. Mike Padron from the Tin Cup Club joins the show to talk about how consumers make choices when it comes to what balls to purchase and play as well as what factors can and should go into that decision.
Market Size and Growth
The global golf ball market was valued at approximately $1.31 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.4% from 2023 to 2030.Facto...Served in the Military, Nurse Practioner, and, Oh Yea...She Plays Golf - Liz Breza
This is definitely an episode that defines the Professional At Anything BUT Golf category!
Elizabeth Breza is a healthcare professional specializing as an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to being in the civilian healthcare industry, she served our country proudly for many years.
Liz doesn't just play for recreation, she also enjoys competing. As a Veteran of our Armed Forces, she competes as part of the Veteran's Golf Association. It's a great for our Veteran's to compete and followship with their peers. If you are a veteran that is listening and would like...
Sawgrass Stories - The Players Championship
The Tin Cup Club joins the show to talk everything Players Championship.
The Players Championship, held annually at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, has a significant economic impact on the region.
The event attracts thousands of attendees, including players, officials, and fans, which boosts local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation services. Additionally, the tournament's charitable contributions and elevated prize purses further enhance its fiscal footprint.
However, we're not here to just talk about the economic impact of The Players. We're sharing memories, giving our thought on if it has rea...
It All Started with a Fishing Trip - Tales from Brandon C. White
I promise you that in this episode we will cover the widest range of topics that I think we have ever attempted to cover in a single conversation. We will go from fishing to venture capital to writing bestselling books, and somehow, we will end up talking about artificial intelligence. I know what you're thinking...you might as well throw in some politics for good measure. Well, we do that too!
How many business relationships are made over a common bond that we find that we share with people we end up doing business with? In my exp...
The YouTube Effect - Professional Golf Will Never be the Same
The boys from Tin Cup Club stop in to discuss Youtube is playing a crucial role in reshaping the financial landscape of golf and providing new opportunities for revenue generation and audience engagement.
Did you know the average age of viewers for the PGA Tour is around 64 years old? I did not before doing my research. LIV Golf is doing a better job attracting viewers 18-34. 71% of people aged 18-34 have shown interest in watching LIV Golf Events. This is in large part because of their willingness to embrace YouTube and Social Media platforms.
Rick Shiels, G...
Money Ball - The Business of Travel Baseball
Would you be surprised to know that youth sports market now rivals the revenue size of the NFL? I got to admit that I was. My friend, Patrick Rumble suggested we do this episode some months back. As a looked into it, there is really so much to talk about and explore. He was gracious enough to join me and share his firsthand knowledge and experience being a part of the travel baseball scene over the past several years.
Youth baseball has evolved into a significant industry, with various organizations and events shaping its landscape. One notable player...
Modern Marketing - How Data, Analytics, and AI are Freeing Up Creativity
Yeliza Centeio joins the show to share her expertise on how modern marketing professionals are utilizing data driven tools to free up business owner's creativity.
AI is revolutionizing the marketing and advertising landscape in several ways:
Birdies, Bourbon, and Buddy's Trips - Tin Cup Club Founders Mike Padron and Mike Shelton
If you are professional at anything BUT golf...then this episode is for you.
The founders of the Tin Cup Club, Mike Padron and Mike Shelton join Wes Altice and Jesse Stakes to talk about the debut of TGL and how they started their annual golf event, trip, and/or pilgrimage (for some). We highlight a few of Kentucky's finest bourbons along the way!
We really did pack a lot into this episode, and we only scratched the surface! So if you're a fan of Birdies, Bourbon, and Buddy's Trips - enjoy!
Tim Marten - Concierge Physical Therapy
Home-based physical therapy is a convenient and effective way to receive rehabilitation services in the comfort of your own home. It is especially beneficial for individuals who have difficulty traveling to a clinic due to mobility issues, chronic pain, or other health conditions.
Tim Marten, DPT joins the show to talk about how he is meeting his patients where they are now by bringing Lift Physical Therapy to their home.
The Showdown - PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf 3 Years in the Making
If you are Professional at Anything BUT Golf, and you enjoy Professional Golf - This Episode is for you...
This week's live television event, The Showdown, featuring LIV Golf's Bryson Dechambeau and Brooks Koepka taking on the PGA Tour's Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy is the first director competition between the two tours. If you are a golf fan, it is something you've been waiting on for 3 years.
The Showdown is just a microcosm of the past several years though. The business of golf has been dramatically affected by the introduction of LIV Golf into the...
Using Golf to Build and Grow Your Business - Creating Experiences that Build Relationships
If you are Professional at Anything BUT Golf, this show is for you...
Delaina Baker joins me to share how she built her business through the game of golf. Ladies and gentlemen, you will not see golf anywhere in the title of Delaina's areas of expertise nor will you see it in the names of her businesses.
What you will here is how she has used her passion and enjoyment of the game to fuel the growth of her business and open doors that might not have been opened otherwise; common pursuits of a little wh...
PuttAim - Dominate the Greens!
If you are professional at Anything BUT Golf...this episode is for you!
40% of a golfers strokes during a round are taken on the green. Co-founder, JP, of PuttAim joins the show to talk about their tool to help golfers dramatically improve their scores by focusing on reducing the number of putts they take each round to get the ball in the hole!
Enjoy this conversation as we talk about where the idea for PuttAim came about and how this simple, effective device and lower your scores and allow you to have more fun!
Florida's First Coast of Golf - Where Florida Golf Begins
If you are Professional at Anything BUT Golf, and you enjoy traveling to some of the finest destinations to play, then this episode is for you...
Dave Reese, President of Florida's First Coast of Golf, joins Wes Altice and I to discuss the booming golf tourism business in the Northeast Florida Area and have a lot of fun talking about it! It's pretty cool when you job combines, as they put it, Globetrotting and Golf. Dave - I want to be you when I grow up!
Golf was introduced to Northeast Florida in 1895 in St. Au...
Expectations Redefined - Jason Hiland of Sub70 Golf
If you are Professional at Anything BUT Golf...this is for you.
Jason Hiland of Sub70 Golf joins Jesse and Wes to discuss what custom fitting looks in the Direct-to-Consumer market, how to determine what clubs work best for what players, and the just flat out have some fun talking about the game of golf.
If you are interested in where equipment is today and where is possibly might go in the future, saddle up and enjoy the ride!
Their own words...not mine - "Sub 70 Golf we strive to provide the highest qu...
Discover What Good Looks Like - David Ford of Clippd Enlightens Us
If you are Professional at Anything BUT Golf, this show is definitely for you...
You know that you need work on your game, but do you know where? Would you be willing to bet your life savings on it? David Ford, Head of Sports Marketing at Clippd, joins us to share not only how they identify your strengths and weaknesses as a golfer, but they also help crystalize the prescription to get better.
From their own words, Clippd is a technology business founded and staffed by passionate golfers. Their goal, since the company's inception is to w...
Welcome 2 Golf - Ted Eleftheriou Joins the Show from the National Golf Foundation
If you are professional at Anything BUT Golf...this show is for you!
This week I had the privilege of hosting Ted Eleftheriou from the National Golf Foundation. In the business of golf, NGF is regarded as the best research and business services. They know that for you to make informed decisions, the most accurate and timely data is needed. They pride themselves in providing actionable data and insights to help golf business professionals and executives like yourself, stay informed and provide winning growth strategies.
From Ted himself: "Be Good to People... Be Good for Peo...
From Greens to Gyms: How CrossFit Enhances Your Golf Game
If you are Professional at Anything BUT Golf, this episode is for you.
The most important piece of equipment you use on the golf course is your body. Justin Henderson, owner of CrossFit Jax Beach and CrossFit Duval, joins Jesse Stakes and Wes Altice to share how CrossFit and maintaining personal fitness in general can have significant impacts on your golf game and your enjoyment of it!
Justin joined the show for episode 25 where we talked about what CrossFit is and how it differs from just going to your local gym. CrossFit is truly functional fi...
Never Met a Putter I didn't Like - Putter Selection and Fitting
If you are Professional at Anything BUT Golf...this podcast is for you!
Mike Padron joins Wes Altice and Jesse Stakes to talk about putters, putting, and everything that goes into selecting our flatstick of choice on the greens!
Wes, Jesse, and Mike talk about how golf can be such a powerful way to connect with clients. Mike has been in sales for most of his career. How often do you get 4 hours of interrupted time with the people you want to do business with doing something that you both enjoy?
Putting is the...
Academy of Putting is in Session - Stan Moore, PGA is Holding Class!
If you are Professional at Anything BUT Golf, and you want to be a better putter - this episode is for you...
Stan Moore, PGA, is regarded as South Florida’s #1 Putting & Short Game Coach and he took some time out of his busy schedule of helping his students pile up trophies to join the show and help us out!
Since the beginning of golf, putting has not been taught to provide the golfer with a clear accurate picture. The golfer has actually been put into a position of not understanding. A place of guessing wh...
