Most small business owners spend almost all of their time working in the business, but not enough time working on the business.

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Slater, a former Google executive with over a decade of experience in design strategy, to talk about how entrepreneurs and solo-preneurs can get clear, identify the real problem, and create a plan for moving forward.

Sam helps small businesses turn chaos into a clear, linear process by asking the right questions: who, what, why, and how. Through his in-person workshops and Clarity Clinic, he helps business owners address challenges around growth, client communication, client retention, operations, and more.

We also talk about why business owners often struggle to step back, prioritize, and address problems head on, and how a 30, 60, 90 day roadmap can help create real momentum.

Learn more about Sam and his work:

Sam Slater Consulting samslaterconsulting.com

Instagram: @the_clarityclinicHosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

The stock market had a rough week, with all three major indexes finishing lower despite a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report. The economy added 172,000 jobs, unemployment remained steady at 4.3%, and investors immediately began reassessing the outlook for interest rates. Why would a strong jobs report hurt stocks?

In this video, James explains how stronger employment can keep inflation concerns alive and increase the likelihood that interest rates stay higher for longer. We also discuss the recent rise in the 10-year Treasury yield, why markets are now pricing in a greater chance of higher rates, and what that means for investors.

We also cover the latest developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict involving Iran, why the economy and the stock market are not the same thing, and how concerns about inflation and stagflation continue to impact investor sentiment.

Finally, we look ahead to what could become three of the biggest IPOs in history: SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic. If these companies join the Nasdaq, index funds may be forced to buy shares, potentially creating significant shifts in market flows and valuations.

Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

The stock market is back at all-time highs, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all closing at new records. The S&P 500 also posted its 9th straight week of gains, but as exciting as this moment feels, it is important to remember: this too shall pass.

In this Friday market recap, James breaks down why investors should avoid getting too emotional when markets are up or down, how the AI revolution is still driving this market cycle, and why this moment could be compared to major periods of innovation like the railroad, the internet, and other major technology shifts.

We also cover the big moves of the week, including Snowflake’s huge gains, Costco’s decline, weakness across most of the Magnificent 7 outside of Microsoft, crude oil moving lower, and the 10-year Treasury yield closing lowering to around 4.4% helping investors take a more risk on approach to the market.

James also discusses whether it may be time to take profits in major winners like Western Digital, SanDisk, and Micron, plus what massive potential IPOs like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic could mean for the market. If these companies go public, money has to come from somewhere, and that could create a major shift in where investors are allocating capital.The AI story is still the main driver of this market, but record highs can also bring new risks, new emotions, and the possibility of a pullback. The key is staying disciplined, investing in progress, and understanding that markets are always moving in cycles.

Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

The Dow closed at a record high today while the S&P 500 wrapped up its 8th straight week of gains, showing just how strong momentum has been despite constant concerns about inflation, interest rates, and global uncertainty. Nvidia once again crushed earnings, raised its dividend to $0.25 per share, and announced an $80 billion share buyback program. Even though the stock dipped after earnings, these moves are often viewed as bullish signs for long term investors and reinforce Nvidia’s critical role in powering the AI buildout.

At the same time, the 10 year U.S. Treasury yield nearly touched 4.7% earlier this week before falling back below 4.6% by Friday’s close. For investors looking for stability or less market exposure, earning close to 4.7% backed by the U.S. government is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Gold futures also moved lower as investors continue weighing inflation expectations, interest rates, and broader market sentiment.

We also discuss Michael Burry’s latest warning that the stock market has “jumped the shark,” what that phrase actually means, and why some investors are questioning his repeated bearish calls over the years. Plus, we cover Kevin Warsh stepping in as the new Fed Chair, what history tells us about markets testing new leadership, and why AI may reshape jobs and productivity over the next decade rather than simply replace workers.

As always, our goal is to help you cut through the headlines and focus on what actually matters for long term investing.

Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

“In the short run, the market is a voting machine. In the long run, it is a weighing machine.” – Benjamin Graham

Markets had a strong week but closed Friday in the red. Was it headlines, politics, or the Middle East? Maybe partly. But the bigger story may be interest rates and Treasury yields staying elevated, making lower-risk investments like Treasuries more attractive than stocks in the short term.

James breaks down the latest market news, China trade talks, oil prices, the Fed outlook, and why long-term investors may need to stay focused on the bigger picture. Volatility is normal, cash can create opportunity during dips, and AI could still be one of the biggest growth stories ahead.Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

The market just hit a new all time high, with the S&P 500 pushing toward 7400 and the Nasdaq closing its 5th straight week of gains.

So what happens next… are we heading for a melt up or a pullback? In this video, we break down:

Why the market feels great right now… and why that can change fast.

The latest jobs report and what it means for the economy.

How AI is driving massive spending and earnings growth.

Why the next 12 to 24 months could be one of the biggest investing opportunities we have seen.

The “risk off to risk on” shift and why cash on the sidelines could flood back into the market.

The truth is, nobody knows exactly what happens next. But staying even keeled and trusting the process matters more than trying to time every move.

If you are investing right now, this is a conversation you need to hear.

Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

James discusses news for the week, current conditions for the market, and an anecdote about emotional investing consequences.

In this conversation, Brandon sits down with Karen Calderon aka The Money Chica, a certified financial coach whose brand centers on helping people feel clear, confident, and in control with their money.

They talk about budgeting, behavioral finance, scarcity mindset, cultural differences in financial literacy, credit card debt, and why financial clarity has to come before trying to fix everything else. Karen’s approach emphasizes getting clear on what is really causing money stress, building a system that fits real life, and aligning spending with what actually matters.

They also discuss money in relationships, why couples often struggle to communicate about finances, and why sharing life often means sharing money too. The Money Chica site highlights that clarity, support, and realistic systems are the foundation for long-term financial peace.

The Money Chica, Karen Caldarone, Certified Financial Coach

M.A.https://themoneychica.com

Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.