Michael sits down with Christopher to unpack the power of combining CPA and legal expertise for small business owners. With dual credentials, Christopher explains how founders benefit from a single, trusted advisor who understands tax codes, legislation, acquisitions, and risk, reducing friction and costly missteps.

The conversation explores intentional business strategy and why due diligence matters before launching or scaling. Christopher shares the origin of his book 168 Hours, created to bridge the gap between theory and execution, and calls out common mistakes like prioritizing advertising before solid financial planning. Michael reinforces the importance of timing, surrounding yourself with experienced advisors early, and using professionals proactively, not reactively.

They also discuss proactive planning at key inflection points such as cash flow strain, rapid growth, and exit preparation. The episode closes with insights on doing things right the first time, recognizing trends early, and building infrastructure that supports long-term value creation. Christopher also shares details about his podcast Blabo and where to find his work.

Bio — Chris Papin

Chris Papin, owner of Papin CPA, where I bring a rare combination of legal and accounting expertise to help business owners navigate the complex intersection of finances, compliance, and growth strategy. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in accounting from University of Oklahoma, I became a Certified Public Accountant in 2007 and earned my Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2008.

Admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court in 2010, I’ve been recognized early in my career by the Oklahoma Bar Association Leadership Academy (2009‑10) and honored by the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants as a “Trailblazer” in 2010. (legendarypodcasts.com)

At Papin CPA we take a holistic advisory role — I’m not just your CPA or your attorney —I’m a strategic partner who understands both the numbers and the legal implications behind them. Our firm’s innovative approach was acknowledged in 2017 when we received the Thomson Reuters Innovation Award for client‑centric growth and in 2022 we were recognized among the “Top Emerging Firms of the Year” for our forward‑thinking impact and commitment to excellence.

Whether you’re a small business owner seeking clarity on tax strategy, regulatory risk or overall growth planning, I bring the dual lens of law and accounting to guide you toward actionable solutions. I’m deeply committed to forging lasting client relationships and helping companies move from reactive to proactive—so your time and resources serve your vision, not just your compliance needs.

Ready to dive into strategy, ethics and growth? Let’s turn complexity into clarity.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispapin/

https://www.papincpa.com/

https://papinspeaks.com