Ep 263 A Profitable Legal Strategy for Your Business with Jeff Holman

04/08/25 • 40 min

Profit Answer Man: Scaling with Profit First & Beyond

A Profitable Legal Strategy with Jeff Holman

Is your professional service firm just a glorified job? Are you stuck in the time-for-money trap, wondering where the profit is?

In this eye-opening episode of the Profit Answer Man, we sit down with Jeff Holman, a serial entrepreneur and attorney who cracked the code on building true profitability into a law firm—without working 80 hours a week or billing by the hour.

If you're running a service-based business, this episode is a masterclass in aligning cash flow, value creation, and scalable legal support. You’ll hear how Jeff transitioned from paycheck-chasing attorney to scalable business owner using a fractional legal team model—and how he implemented Profit First in an industry that often ignores profit altogether.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why most law firms (and professional services) operate at a financial loss—even when they look successful.
How to escape the “next client, next invoice” cycle and start building enterprise value.
The secret behind Jeff’s Fractional Legal Team model—and how you can apply the same thinking to your industry.
Why implementing Profit First was a game-changer for Jeff’s firm—and how you can do it too.
Why professional service providers MUST stop thinking like employees and start acting like business owners.

Key Takeaways:

Profit Isn’t Optional: Running a law firm—or any business—without a clear profit strategy is just self-employment in disguise. Jeff shares how he flipped the script and began designing profit into the business.
The Time-for-Money Trap is Real: Many lawyers, consultants, and service professionals stay broke by chasing billable hours. Jeff explains how he stepped out of the "lawyer job" mindset and into the role of a true business owner.
Build with the End in Mind: “If you’re going to run this business for 10–15 years, why not build something that’s actually worth something?” Jeff dives into how he intentionally built enterprise value instead of just cash flow.
Fractional Legal is the Future: Jeff’s team model puts the right attorney with the right client at the right time—maximizing value while minimizing overhead. It’s not just smart law—it’s smart business.
Profit First for Professionals: Learn how Jeff applied the Profit First system to create clarity, control, and cash flow in a notoriously chaotic industry—and why more professionals need to do the same.

About Jeff Holman:

Jeff Holman is the founder of Intellectual Strategies, a firm revolutionizing how startups and growth-stage businesses access legal help. His Fractional Legal Team approach gives companies the right legal expertise when they need it—without the cost of a full-time legal department.

With a background in engineering, law, and business, Jeff bridges the gap between technical teams and legal strategy. He’s admitted to practice in California, Utah, and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and brings over two decades of experience tackling complex business and legal problems.

Jeff’s mission is simple: help clients grow smarter, faster, and more profitably.

Conclusion:

You don’t need to be a lawyer to learn from this episode. Whether you're running a design agency, a coaching practice, or a consulting firm, Jeff Holman’s story is your wake-up call: your business should serve YOU—not the other way around.

Stop building a job. Start building a business that pays you now and has value when you’re ready to step away.

Links:

Website: https://www.intellectualstrategies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@intellectualstrategies9742

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intellectualstrategies/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61554259033445

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman

Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page

Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst

Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/grou...

A Profitable Legal Strategy with Jeff Holman

Is your professional service firm just a glorified job? Are you stuck in the time-for-money trap, wondering where the profit is?

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why most law firms (and professional services) operate at a financial loss—even when they look successful.
How to escape the “next client, next invoice” cycle and start building enterprise value.
The secret behind Jeff’s Fractional Legal Team model—and how you can apply the same thinking to your industry.
Why implementing Profit First was a game-changer for Jeff’s firm—and how you can do it too.
Why professional service providers MUST stop thinking like employees and start acting like business owners.

Key Takeaways:

Profit Isn’t Optional: Running a law firm—or any business—without a clear profit strategy is just self-employment in disguise. Jeff shares how he flipped the script and began designing profit into the business.
The Time-for-Money Trap is Real: Many lawyers, consultants, and service professionals stay broke by chasing billable hours. Jeff explains how he stepped out of the "lawyer job" mindset and into the role of a true business owner.
Build with the End in Mind: “If you’re going to run this business for 10–15 years, why not build something that’s actually worth something?” Jeff dives into how he intentionally built enterprise value instead of just cash flow.
Fractional Legal is the Future: Jeff’s team model puts the right attorney with the right client at the right time—maximizing value while minimizing overhead. It’s not just smart law—it’s smart business.
Profit First for Professionals: Learn how Jeff applied the Profit First system to create clarity, control, and cash flow in a notoriously chaotic industry—and why more professionals need to do the same.

About Jeff Holman:

Jeff’s mission is simple: help clients grow smarter, faster, and more profitably.

Conclusion:

Stop building a job. Start building a business that pays you now and has value when you’re ready to step away.

Links:

Website: https://www.intellectualstrategies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holman/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@intellectualstrategies9742

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intellectualstrategies/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61554259033445

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman

Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page

Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst

Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/grou...

Previous Episode

Ep 262 Turn Your Business into a Freedom Machine with Leslie Hassler

Turn Your Business into a Freedom Machine with Leslie Hassler

Scaling a business is the dream of many entrepreneurs, but for most, it turns into a nightmare filled with burnout, financial struggles, and inefficiencies. What if there was a way to grow and scale profitably without sacrificing your health, sanity, and freedom?

On this episode of The Profit Answer Man, we sit down with Leslie Hassler, founder of Your Biz Rules, to discuss how entrepreneurs can create predictable profits, sustainable growth, and a thriving business—without the common pitfalls of burnout. Leslie shares her personal journey, key lessons from her Scaling RichTM framework, and how business owners can shift their mindset to unlock real financial success.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or overworked or wondered if scaling is really worth it, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to break free from the feast-and-famine cycle of business growth.
The biggest mistake business owners make when trying to scale (and how to avoid it).
Why most entrepreneurs get in their own way—and how to shift your mindset to unlock success.
The importance of implementing systems and processes before you scale.
How to build a business that supports your ideal lifestyle, not just revenue goals.
Practical steps to start creating predictable profits today.

Key Takeaways:

Scaling Isn’t Just About Growth—It’s About Predictable, Sustainable Profits. Many business owners push for aggressive growth without ensuring their business can handle it. Leslie emphasizes that scaling profitably requires a strong financial foundation, repeatable processes, and a business model that doesn’t solely depend on the owner.
Entrepreneurs Often Get in Their Own Way. Leslie explains that business owners tend to believe their business is “different” or “special,” which prevents them from learning proven strategies that work. The truth? Business growth follows predictable patterns, and entrepreneurs must be willing to adjust their approach.
Systems and Processes Are Key to Freedom. A common reason businesses struggle to scale is the lack of documented systems. Leslie shares how implementing structure allows entrepreneurs to step out of the daily grind and focus on growth.
Profit First: A Must-Have for Scaling. Without a clear cash management system, many businesses scale out of control—leading to financial chaos instead of success. Leslie highlights the importance of using Profit First principles to ensure that growth is both profitable and sustainable.
Burnout Is a Symptom of Poor Business Design. Leslie’s approach emphasizes designing a business that supports the owner's life, rather than one that consumes it. She shares strategies to ensure scaling doesn’t lead to exhaustion, but rather to more freedom and profitability.

About Leslie Hassler:

Leslie Hassler is the founder of Your Biz Rules, a business strategist, and author of First This, Then That and the upcoming book Scaling RichTM. With over 17 years of entrepreneurial experience, she specializes in helping small business owners scale without burnout by creating predictable profits and sustainable business models.

Her holistic approach blends financial strategy, leadership development, and systemization to help business owners reclaim their time, energy, and wealth.

Conclusion:

Scaling a business should lead to more profit, more freedom, and less stress—not the other way around. Leslie Hassler’s insights prove that with the right mindset, systems, and financial strategies in place, business owners can grow and scale without falling into the burnout trap.

Links:

Website: https://www.yourbizrules.com/PAM

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliehassler/

X: https://x.com/YourBizRules

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourBizRules

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslie.hassler/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeslieHassler

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman

Profit First Toolkit: https://lp....

Next Episode

Ep 264 Profitable Exits How to Build and Sell For Maximum Value with Cameron Bishop

Profitable Exits: How to Build and Sell For Maximum Value with Cameron Bishop

Are you sitting on the edge of explosive business growth—but don’t know how to scale profitably or exit wisely? Want to know how the pros turn $7 million companies into $400 million powerhouses while pocketing $100 million in profit?

In this episode of The Profit Answer Man, we sit down with Cameron Bishop, a serial acquirer, turnaround expert, and strategic advisor who’s bought, built, and exited dozens of businesses. From the front lines of private equity deals to the nitty-gritty of turnaround strategy, Cameron drops pure gold for any entrepreneur ready to grow smart, scale fast, and exit rich.

Whether you're thinking about your first acquisition or preparing to sell your life's work, this conversation is your shortcut to clarity.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why acquiring a business isn’t just for private equity players (and how YOU can do it).
How to assess if a business is worth buying—and what red flags to avoid.
Why most deals die in due diligence, not over price (hint: it's all about the details).
The biggest mistakes business owners make when trying to sell (and how to prepare YEARS in advance).
Why having clean books, clear systems, and competent leadership make your company far more valuable than just revenue.
How to de-risk your business before you scale—or sell.
What it really takes to grow from $7M to $400M in revenue (and $100M in EBITDA!).

Key Takeaways:

Acquisitions are a strategic growth lever, not a gamble—if you understand what to look for.
Culture and leadership matter more than you think when acquiring or exiting a business.
You must plan your exit 3–5 years before you're ready to sell. Otherwise, you're leaving millions on the table.
Profitability and simplicity beat growth for growth’s sake—especially in a sale.
Most sellers are unprepared. Buyers will see through the fluff, so get your house in order.

Who is Cameron Bishop?

Cameron Bishop is a battle-tested CEO, investor, and M&A expert who scaled Intertec Publishing from $7M to $400M and $100M in EBITDA through 35+ strategic acquisitions. He’s led turnarounds, advised billion-dollar firms, and now helps business owners maximize value through strategic exits. As a partner at Raincatcher, he specializes in helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of mergers, acquisitions, and business transitions.

Conclusion:

Don’t Wait to Build a Sellable Business

If you're serious about scaling or exiting, this episode is a masterclass. Whether you want to grow through acquisition, clean up your books, or understand what really drives value in a sale—Cameron brings decades of wisdom to help you get there faster and with less risk.

Links:

raincatcher.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-bishop-19b6804/

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman

Profit First Toolkit: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page

Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst

Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/

My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/

Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast

Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.

#profitfirst