Mastering Leverage, Cash Flow, and Debt (53)

Mastering Leverage, Cash Flow, and Debt (53)

Author: Chad Lingafelt, Tony Hokanson, Lars Johnston October 30, 2025 Duration: 1:08:37

Do you view debt as a four-letter word, or as a tool for accelerated growth? In this financially focused episode, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC, redefine debt and the crucial role of leverage in scaling a small business. They challenge the old-school mentality that "debt is bad" by clearly defining leverage and positive cash flow. The discussion moves from the abstract to the practical, using real-world scenarios: Should you pay cash or finance a $70,000 work vehicle? When does buying a building make financial sense?


The hosts break down the math for profitability, explaining why a 6% cost of borrowing is a "no-brainer" when your business is generating 11–14% returns. They emphasize that the secret to growth isn't a lack of business, but the ability to free up cash through intelligent financing for people, processes, and equipment. This episode also touches on the necessary discipline needed to manage debt, drawing on concepts from Profit First to reduce the chance of getting into "leverage problems".


Tune into Unlocked Podcast for a grounded, cross-border conversation about what it really takes to build a company meant to last. You’ll hear from three practicing business owners, each running their own operations from distinct locations-North Carolina, Minnesota, and Alberta, Canada. They don’t deal in abstract theory; instead, they draw directly from their own evolving playbooks, setbacks, and hard-won victories. The dialogue in this podcast revolves around practical strategies and philosophical shifts necessary for creating enterprises that can thrive beyond a single owner’s tenure. Episodes delve into the nuanced decisions around leadership transition, cultivating a resilient company culture, and implementing systems that ensure stability through market changes. It’s a candid exchange between peers who are in the trenches themselves, offering listeners a rare, ongoing case study from multiple industries and perspectives. If you’re steering a business and thinking about its legacy, this series provides a thoughtful, actionable companion for the long journey ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 76

Unlocked Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Processing the Process (55) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:22
Do your business processes feel more like a tangled web of handcuffs than a straight path to profit? In this episode, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe, Tony from Assured Security, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security dive into th…
Stop Solving Problems, Start Finding the 'Who' (54) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
Are you an entrepreneur stuck in the endless cycle of solving every problem in your business? This episode, recorded live in Austin, Texas, dives into the mindset shift needed to break the $3 Million Revenue Ceiling and…
Retention Strategies: Investing in Technicians (52) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:13
Are you an entrepreneur worried that investing in training only prepares your employees to become your next competitor? This episode dives deep into the high-stakes problem of technician turnover in the security and lock…
The Secrets to Being Sticky—Why Customers Keep Coming Back (51) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:21
It's the half-century mark! For Episode 50, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC, dive into the question every business owner…
Business Consulting: Workshop our Problems (49) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:57
In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe, Tony from Assured Security, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security do a deep dive into an "uncomfortable truths" workshop, tackling real-time business challenges. Movin…
5 KPIs We Use to Drive Our Business (48) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Are you a business owner who feels like you’re just guessing at what's working? In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Securi…
Strategic Planning: From Vision to Reality (47) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:07
Are you struggling to plan for the future of your business? In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC,…
Breaking the $3 Million Ceiling (46) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:36
Are you an entrepreneur stuck in the "messy middle" of growth, hovering around the $3 million revenue mark? In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota,…
Uncomfortable Truths of Entrepreneurship (45) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:40
In this episode of Unlocked, Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC, dive into some of the uncomfortable truths of entrepreneurs…