I’ve been on the receiving end of gifts that changed me. John Ruhlin , the founder of Giftology, has sent me gifts over the years that stopped me in my tracks. They weren’t random. They weren’t about him. They were about me. And that’s what made them unforgettable. Around the same time, I jumped into Gary Vee ’s VeeFriends NFT project. One of the tokens I bought was called the Gift Goat. For four years, I watched gift after gift arrive, which was creative, intentional, and always designed to build connection. Those experiences marked me. They showed me the power of gifting when it’s done with thought, with heart, and with purpose. It’s why gifting has become a leadership strategy for me. Why Gifting Matters Most leaders get gifting wrong. They send out swag with their logo stamped on it. They hand out cookie-cutter baskets at Christmas. They check the box. But real gifting isn’t about the object. It’s about the moment it creates. When you give someone a gift that’s personal, thoughtful, and useful, you’re telling them something powerful: I see you. And isn’t that what leadership is? Seeing people. Honoring them. Creating moments of dignity and connection that outlast the transaction. How I Practice It Sometimes it looks like gifting a set of Cutco knives engraved with a personal message. Sometimes it’s an Artifact mug designed to hold memories. Sometimes it’s a strong box filled with keepsakes and meaning. Other times, it’s simple: a blanket for someone who’s down, or a basket of soup and meals when someone’s not feeling well. It’s not about the price tag. It’s about the thought behind it. The best gifts make people feel seen, honored, and loved. That’s what sticks. That’s what lasts. The System Behind It Here’s the thing: generosity works best when it’s consistent. That’s why I’ve built systems into my life and business to make gifting part of the rhythm, not just a once-in-a-while gesture. And I don’t do it alone. I have a Giftologist! Kami , who makes the whole process simple. She helps me think creatively, manage logistics, and keep generosity flowing. If you’ve ever wanted to build a gifting system but didn’t know where to start, email me directly and I’ll make a personal connection to Kami. She’s been a game changer for me. The Legacy of Generosity Here’s the truth: strategies fade, markets shift, deals come and go. But generosity leaves a legacy. A well-chosen gift can echo for decades. A simple act of kindness can ripple through families, communities, even generations. That’s why I believe gifting isn’t just a leadership tactic. It’s a spiritual practice. It’s a way of multiplying presence, creating memory, and honoring people in a world that too often forgets them. Stop sending swag. Stop checking the box. Start creating moments that people will never forget. Because leadership isn’t about being remembered for your title. It’s about being remembered for the way you made people feel. That’s legacy.

When I launched The Big Fish Cares Podcast , I didn’t do it to chase charts or brag about numbers. I did it because stories matter more than strategies. Here’s the truth: entrepreneurs don’t need another five-step framework. They need hope. They need proof that the pain they’re walking through can actually turn into purpose. They need to hear from someone who’s been in the storm and found a way through. That’s what the podcast is all about. Why Story Matters Strategies tell you what to do . Stories remind you who you are . When you hear someone else talk about losing everything and then rebuilding, you realize you’re not alone. When you hear about resilience, faith, and transformation, it unlocks something inside you that a checklist never could. That’s why the podcast exists. Every episode is a megaphone for hope. It gives leaders permission to believe that change is possible, that their lowest moment might become the soil where their greatest work grows. What the Podcast Is Really About At its core, The Big Fish Cares Podcast is three things: A spotlight for people who’ve turned pain into presence. Founders, authors, builders, dreamers: each one with a story worth telling A bridge into community. Every guest connects with The Pond, with our Navigators, with a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs who refuse to do life alone. A storytelling engine for the movement. Clips, episodes, conversations: they flow into our retreats, our communities, and our Navigator work. It’s not just content. It’s culture. Where It’s Going Right now, we’re recording in-person conversations, long-form, unfiltered, heart-forward. And as the movement grows, the podcast will grow with it. One day, the stories won’t just connect listeners to me. They’ll connect ponds to ponds, Navigators to Navigators, communities to communities. Eventually, I believe this podcast will help fill stadiums with people who come not for me, but for the collective story we’re telling, the story of what it means to live with purpose, peace, and freedom. Why It Matters Community is built on trust. And trust is built on story. That’s why the podcast is not a side project for me. It’s the megaphone. It’s the part of the movement that shouts hope into the noise, gathers the right people, and weaves together something bigger than any one of us could create alone. And my favorite part is when the podcast isn’t just about the microphone at all. Especially when it’s in Pittsburgh, I love inviting people over, sharing dinner, introducing them to my wife and kids, spending time at my house. No phone, no rush... just being present with the soul on the other side of the table. That’s a lifetime connection. If my kids were the only ones who ever listened to an episode, I’d still be a happy man. Because that’s why I do it. Not for charts, not for downloads, but for the connections, the conversations, and the legacy of story that will outlive me. So here’s my ask: if you’ve found value in these stories, share them. Invite someone into the conversation. Or, if you know someone with a story that could inspire others, send them my way. Because together, through the power of story, we’re building something that can change the way leaders live and lead.

I’ve been on the receiving end of gifts that changed me. John Ruhlin , the founder of Giftology, has sent me gifts over the years that stopped me in my tracks. They weren’t random. They weren’t about him. They were about me. And that’s what made them unforgettable. Around the same time, I jumped into Gary Vee ’s VeeFriends NFT project. One of the tokens I bought was called the Gift Goat. For four years, I watched gift after gift arrive, which was creative, intentional, and always designed to build connection. Those experiences marked me. They showed me the power of gifting when it’s done with thought, with heart, and with purpose. It’s why gifting has become a leadership strategy for me. Why Gifting Matters Most leaders get gifting wrong. They send out swag with their logo stamped on it. They hand out cookie-cutter baskets at Christmas. They check the box. But real gifting isn’t about the object. It’s about the moment it creates. When you give someone a gift that’s personal, thoughtful, and useful, you’re telling them something powerful: I see you. And isn’t that what leadership is? Seeing people. Honoring them. Creating moments of dignity and connection that outlast the transaction. How I Practice It Sometimes it looks like gifting a set of Cutco knives engraved with a personal message. Sometimes it’s an Artifact mug designed to hold memories. Sometimes it’s a strong box filled with keepsakes and meaning. Other times, it’s simple: a blanket for someone who’s down, or a basket of soup and meals when someone’s not feeling well. It’s not about the price tag. It’s about the thought behind it. The best gifts make people feel seen, honored, and loved. That’s what sticks. That’s what lasts. The System Behind It Here’s the thing: generosity works best when it’s consistent. That’s why I’ve built systems into my life and business to make gifting part of the rhythm, not just a once-in-a-while gesture. And I don’t do it alone. I have a Giftologist! Kami , who makes the whole process simple. She helps me think creatively, manage logistics, and keep generosity flowing. If you’ve ever wanted to build a gifting system but didn’t know where to start, email me directly and I’ll make a personal connection to Kami. She’s been a game changer for me. The Legacy of Generosity Here’s the truth: strategies fade, markets shift, deals come and go. But generosity leaves a legacy. A well-chosen gift can echo for decades. A simple act of kindness can ripple through families, communities, even generations. That’s why I believe gifting isn’t just a leadership tactic. It’s a spiritual practice. It’s a way of multiplying presence, creating memory, and honoring people in a world that too often forgets them. Stop sending swag. Stop checking the box. Start creating moments that people will never forget. Because leadership isn’t about being remembered for your title. It’s about being remembered for the way you made people feel. That’s legacy.

When I launched The Big Fish Cares Podcast , I didn’t do it to chase charts or brag about numbers. I did it because stories matter more than strategies. Here’s the truth: entrepreneurs don’t need another five-step framework. They need hope. They need proof that the pain they’re walking through can actually turn into purpose. They need to hear from someone who’s been in the storm and found a way through. That’s what the podcast is all about. Why Story Matters Strategies tell you what to do . Stories remind you who you are . When you hear someone else talk about losing everything and then rebuilding, you realize you’re not alone. When you hear about resilience, faith, and transformation, it unlocks something inside you that a checklist never could. That’s why the podcast exists. Every episode is a megaphone for hope. It gives leaders permission to believe that change is possible, that their lowest moment might become the soil where their greatest work grows. What the Podcast Is Really About At its core, The Big Fish Cares Podcast is three things: A spotlight for people who’ve turned pain into presence. Founders, authors, builders, dreamers: each one with a story worth telling A bridge into community. Every guest connects with The Pond, with our Navigators, with a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs who refuse to do life alone. A storytelling engine for the movement. Clips, episodes, conversations: they flow into our retreats, our communities, and our Navigator work. It’s not just content. It’s culture. Where It’s Going Right now, we’re recording in-person conversations, long-form, unfiltered, heart-forward. And as the movement grows, the podcast will grow with it. One day, the stories won’t just connect listeners to me. They’ll connect ponds to ponds, Navigators to Navigators, communities to communities. Eventually, I believe this podcast will help fill stadiums with people who come not for me, but for the collective story we’re telling, the story of what it means to live with purpose, peace, and freedom. Why It Matters Community is built on trust. And trust is built on story. That’s why the podcast is not a side project for me. It’s the megaphone. It’s the part of the movement that shouts hope into the noise, gathers the right people, and weaves together something bigger than any one of us could create alone. And my favorite part is when the podcast isn’t just about the microphone at all. Especially when it’s in Pittsburgh, I love inviting people over, sharing dinner, introducing them to my wife and kids, spending time at my house. No phone, no rush... just being present with the soul on the other side of the table. That’s a lifetime connection. If my kids were the only ones who ever listened to an episode, I’d still be a happy man. Because that’s why I do it. Not for charts, not for downloads, but for the connections, the conversations, and the legacy of story that will outlive me. So here’s my ask: if you’ve found value in these stories, share them. Invite someone into the conversation. Or, if you know someone with a story that could inspire others, send them my way. Because together, through the power of story, we’re building something that can change the way leaders live and lead.

I have carried a sense for years that there is a book inside of me. Not just a collection of words. Not just another business book, but a story that weaves together the pain, the lessons, the tragedies, the faith, and the victories that have shaped me. The Arc of a Story My life has not been neat. It has been marked by tough stories, tragedies, and lessons that cut deep. I have lived through drug felonies in my twenties , an overdose in 2017, the murder of my brother in 2021, and the loss of our daughter, Ellie Hope, in 2023. I have built businesses that thrived, and I have had partnerships that fractured. I have seen what happens when people stand by you, and I have seen what happens when they walk away. Those experiences are all my chapters. Each one carries pain, but also a lesson; each one reveals a truth I want to pass on. More Than One Book The first book I imagine might be called Pain in the Presence. A story about grief, redemption, and the God who meets us in the gutter. But I know there are others too. A book on Visionary Navigation, that talks about the clarity, peace, and presence leaders need to build lives they do not want to escape from; a book on community building, and the power of family, authenticity, and generosity to change the way we lead; and why not even a book on my years in roofing and construction: the industry that shaped me, stretched me, and gave me the foundation for everything I do now. Each of these books would stand on its own, but together they would tell the story of a life lived fully: the mistakes, the miracles, and the mission. Waiting for the Right Time I know this will be a big deal. Not because I am special, but because I believe these stories are meant to serve others. I do not want to rush it, I want the right timing and the right people to help me shape it. When the time comes, I know this will not just be a book, it will be part of the movement. A megaphone for the message of Visionary Navigator, a way to take what we are building in The Pond and bring it to leaders who may never sit across the table from me. Why It Matters A book can go where I cannot. It can travel into homes, offices, and hearts, it can sit on shelves and wait for the right moment, when someone needs it most, it can multiply the impact far beyond what I could ever do on my own. And that is why I believe so strongly that this book inside of me is not just for me, it is for every founder, every dreamer, every leader who feels stuck, broken, or alone. My Invitation I do not know when the first page will be written and I do not know who will help me shape it, but what I know is that t he book inside of me will come out. And when it does, it will be raw, it will be real, and it will be written to change lives.  If you have followed my story, you are already part of this journey. Thank you for walking with me. This is only the beginning.

I believe ten years from now, community will matter more than money. Capital can be raised in a night. You can close a round, wire funds, or sell your company in a matter of weeks. But authentic connection, real trust, and real belonging take years to build. And they cannot be bought. I’ve sat with founders after exits, after eight-figure deals, after what most people would call success. And do you know what I’ve seen? Restlessness. A hunger for something more. Money met the financial need, but it could not touch the ache for meaning. Because at the end of the day, it is not the size of your exit that shapes your legacy. It is the strength of your relationships. Why Capital Isn’t Enough Money is powerful. It gives us options, freedom, and tools to scale. But money is also shallow. It solves problems in the moment but never satisfies the deeper longing for belonging, peace, or purpose. Community, on the other hand, carries you. When the storm hits, when betrayal cuts deep, when health fails, when business feels fragile, capital will not hold your hand. People will. That is why the work I am building through the Podcast, The Pond, and Visionary Navigator Services is not just about business growth. It is about people. It is about connection. A Different Kind of Investment When I created The Pond, I was not building a networking group. I was building a family. A place where founders could show up without their armor on. A place where kids run in the yard at BBQs, where dinners stretch late into the night, where retreats do more than sharpen business. They heal the soul. I want founders to experience what happens when they stop leading alone. When generosity and gifting become the rhythm. When vulnerability is not punished but honored. Because when leaders are surrounded by that kind of community, their impact multiplies. Their families flourish. Their teams feel it. Their legacy deepens. The Way of Jesus My faith anchors me here. Jesus did not gather 70 million. He gathered twelve. He poured into them, lived with them, and walked with them. Those twelve multiplied the message. That is the model I see for leadership today. Not just scaling companies, but pouring deeply into people. Not chasing capital alone, but choosing connection. Because capital will fade. But community will echo for generations. My Invitation You can chase money your whole life and still feel empty. Or you can build relationships that outlast you. That is why I am building this movement. Not because money does not matter, but because money without community is hollow. If you are a founder who is ready to invest in connection, to surround yourself with people who will walk with you through every season, then I invite you to step into The Pond. Because at the end of the day, it will not be the wire transfers or deal sheets that define your story. It will be the people who sat at your table, the family who knew you fully, and the community that carried you. Community over capital. Always.

The Right Fit Leader Podcast

A few years ago, I asked Gino Wickman what he calls the work he does when he mentors and guides people. He simply said, “I’m a navigator. I help people navigate. That’s what I have fun doing now.” That answer stuck with me. I realized that I like to do the same. I didn’t set out to be a coach. What I discovered is that I’m a navigator at heart. I see the whole picture, help clear the fog, and walk with leaders through uncertainty. And while some might say I’m doing this before I should be, I believe this is worth it. I’m choosing to live as my future self now. The work I’m building revolves around three integrated pillars: the Big Fish Cares Podcast, The Pond, and Visionary Navigator Services. Together, they form an ecosystem that creates not just success in business but freedom, purpose, and authentic connection.

As this year comes to a close, I find myself filled with gratitude and perspective. Not because it was easy, but because it was intentional. This year was full in the best way. It marked growth, alignment, celebration, and a deeper sense of freedom than I have ever experienced in my life. It was not about surviving something hard. It was about stepping into something true. I want to share a bit of what this year looked like, what it clarified for me, and how I am thinking about the work ahead. A Year That Changed the Shape of My Life At the beginning of this year, we welcomed a new baby into our family. That alone has a way of resetting your priorities and sharpening what matters. Shortly after that, I sold my business . That decision was not about walking away. It was about stepping forward. It gave me space, clarity, and freedom. I was fully removed from day to day operations and able to create margin in my life that I had been building toward for a long time. We moved into a new home. A place that has quickly become a hub for family, friends, and community. We hosted three epic parties at our house. Not networking events. Real gatherings. Food, laughter, kids running around, meaningful conversations, and genuine connection. Those nights reminded me that success without shared experience is empty. I worked with incredible one on one clients and leadership teams. I got to sit with founders who were building meaningful companies and meaningful lives at the same time. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, I lost the pump. Life still happens. You adapt. You move forward. When I look back, what stands out most is not any single achievement. It is the sense that my life finally feels integrated. Business, family, faith, community, and health moving in the same direction. Freedom Has Always Been the Goal If there is one theme that has followed me my entire life, it is freedom. Not financial freedom alone. Not time freedom in a shallow sense. Real freedom. Freedom to choose how I spend my energy. Freedom to be present with my family. Freedom to work on what matters. Freedom to say no without fear. Freedom to build without being owned by what I build. For a long time, I thought freedom was something you reached after success. What I have learned is that freedom is something you choose and then build around. And once you experience it, you realize something important. The fastest way to deepen your own freedom is to help other people find theirs. That is the work I have committed myself to. Perspective Is the Lever Most Founders Miss Every founder I work with is already capable. They already take action. They already work hard. They already know how to execute. What they often lack is not discipline or ambition. It is perspective. They are inside the bottle. Too close to see the label. Carrying weight they no longer need to carry. Solving problems that are no longer theirs to solve. Chasing goals that were never truly theirs in the first place. That is where I come in. I help founders and leadership teams slow down enough to see clearly again. To reconnect with what they actually want. To align their business with the life they are trying to build. Clarity is a gift. And once it is present, momentum follows naturally. What I Actually Help With While clarity is always the starting point, the work becomes very practical once direction is established. I regularly help founders and leadership teams with: Designing and strengthening their operating system so the business runs with less friction and more ownership Sales strategy, sales training, and packaging offers that are simple, ethical, and repeatable Marketing strategy that builds trust and long term brand equity Hiring, recruiting, and interviewing so the right people end up in the right seats Building leadership teams that actually function together instead of working in silos Advising founders through private equity conversations, partnerships, and deal structure The common thread is alignment. When the vision is clear, execution becomes cleaner. Teams move faster. Decisions feel lighter. Growth becomes intentional instead of reactive. How I Work With People The most effective place to start is a full day Deep Dive session. One full day, in person. We slow everything down. We ask better questions. We surface what is real, what is assumed, and what no longer fits. Then we build an action plan rooted in clarity, not pressure. Sometimes that day is enough. Sometimes it opens the door to deeper work. Either way, people leave lighter, clearer, and more confident about what comes next. Beyond one on one and team advisory work, I also host The Pond, a private community of high integrity founders who value perspective, trust, and long term relationships. It is not about tactics. It is about being in the room with people who are building meaningful lives alongside meaningful businesses. A Few Responsible End of Year Reminders Since today is December 31 , here are a few practical considerations if they apply to you. If you are on cash basis accounting, paying legitimate expenses before year end may make sense. If appropriate, holding deposits can be a smart move. If you truly need equipment or a vehicle for next year, purchasing before year end can create meaningful tax savings. If you do not already have one, consider working with a fractional CFO in the new year. Proactive planning beats reactive tax prep. I am happy to refer people I trust. Investing in yourself through coaching, consulting, or clarity work can also be a legitimate business expense when done for the right reasons. If you do not need it, do not do it. None of this should ever be forced. If You Want to Start 2026 With Clarity If any of this resonates and you want to start the new year with me in your corner, now is a clean moment. If you want to take immediate action today, email me back. I am reserving this afternoon to talk with a few founders and we can take action today if it makes sense. If you would rather get on my calendar and talk through what 2026 could look like, we can do that too. You can start with a Deep Dive day. You can join The Pond. Or we can simply have a conversation and see if there is alignment. You do not just get my thinking. You get perspective, pattern recognition, real world experience, and someone who cares deeply about the life you are building alongside the business.  Closing Thought I have gained far more in my life than I have ever lost. Perspective. Freedom. Peace. Community. Purpose. And the work I do now is a reflection of that truth. If I can help you get clear on what you want and steer you in the right direction with precision, the results will take care of themselves. If this resonates, reach out. Today is a good day to do that. Benny

Steve Heroux joins Benny Fisher to reveal how authentic, integrity-driven selling replaces outdated tactics and transforms the way leaders connect and close.

Bestselling author Mark C. Winters joins Benny Fisher to reveal what truly drives visionaries—and what secretly holds them back.