Turtle on a Fencepost

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Richard Kenny

21 October 2025

26m 41s

From Ski Slopes to Cost Seg: Randall Franzen’s Path to Business Ownership

00:00

26:41

Turtle on a Fencepost – Show Notes

EP 002 — Randall Franzen: The Hidden Windfall & the Power of Showing Up

Keywords

Randal Franzen, cost segregation, leadership, business advice, entrepreneurship, mentorship, personal growth, The Hidden Windfall, communication, success strategies

Summary

In this episode of the Turtle on the Fence Post podcast, Randal Franzen shares his diverse career journey from skiing instructor to commercial real estate and finally to cost segregation expert. He discusses the motivation behind his book, 'The Hidden Windfall,' which aims to educate commercial real estate owners about tax-saving opportunities. Randal emphasizes the importance of leadership, communication, and the lessons learned from failures in business. He advocates for slowing down to think strategically and highlights the value of mentorship and small victories in achieving success.

Takeaways

Randal Franzen's diverse career spans skiing, real estate, and cost segregation.

His book, 'The Hidden Windfall,' educates on tax-saving strategies.

Leadership is about clarity, not just agreement.

Failures in business can lead to valuable lessons and independence.

Communication is key in business partnerships, especially with family.

Slowing down can lead to smarter, more effective business strategies.

Creating a structured routine helps in managing a home office.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth.

Small victories contribute to overall success and motivation.

The current business environment offers great opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Randal Franzen and His Journey

03:04 The Hidden Windfall: Insights on Cost Segregation

05:57 Leadership Lessons from Personal Experiences

09:03 Navigating Business Challenges and Failures

11:43 The Importance of Communication in Business Partnerships

14:37 Slowing Down for Success: A New Perspective

17:41 Creating Space for Reflection and Organization

20:28 Mentorship and the Power of Small Victories

23:43 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Leaders

📚 Resources Mentioned

  • The Hidden Windfall by Randall Franzen
  • Admiral William McRaven — "Make Your Bed" Commencement Speech (YouTube)
  • Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) — Lessons in Unity (Official Site)

👤 About the Guest

Randall Franzen is an entrepreneur, commercial pilot, real estate expert, and author specializing in cost segregation for commercial property owners. With experience running businesses through recession, flying drones in Afghanistan, and teaching skiing around the world, Randall brings unique insights on resilience, independence, and the everyday habits of successful leaders.

💬 Connect with Randall Franzen

💬 Connect with Richard & the Show

🌐 Website: https://turtleonafencepost.alitu.com

📱 Follow Richard on LinkedIn: Richard Kenny, MAI

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🐢 About the Podcast

Turtle on a Fencepost is a podcast about leadership, business, and the lessons we learn from the people who help us along the way. Because just like a turtle on a fencepost—you don’t get there by yourself. Host Richard Kenny talks with successful leaders about the pivotal moments, mentors, and mistakes that shaped their journeys, all with the goal of equipping the next generation to lead with more wisdom and less trial and error.

🪶 Credits

Host — Richard Kenny

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Thanks for listening to Turtle on a Fencepost!