What happens when your safe career path disappears overnight?

In this episode, James Canole, co-founder of Root Financial, shares how a career setback forced him into the unknown, and ultimately became the launchpad for one of the most respected financial firms in the country. James opens up about the mindset shift that transformed him from a “non-entrepreneur” to the leader of a nearly $2B AUM firm with over 60 employees.

We dig into:

• The moment he realized Root had to exist.

• Why building inward-first creates lasting success.

• Root’s approach to culture, onboarding, and systems.

• What young entrepreneurs should really do with their money.

• The one skill that determines your growth as a founder.

Whether you're starting your first business or scaling your team, this episode is a masterclass in intentional leadership and values-driven growth.