Eric Joern

Author profile for Eric Joern of Kaizen CPAs + Advisors. On this page you can see all the blog posts that Eric Joern has written.

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Learn how to stand out, attract customers, and leverage social media to drive business for your restaurant.

How to Reach Out & Stand Out as a Restaurant

Do you own a restaurant? Struggling to attract customers in today's digital world? This episode is packed with tips to help you boost your...

Sara Fraser of Haas Performance Consulting next to podcast title

Hire Better. Keep People. Communicate Smarter in Your Shop

Sara Fraser knows the auto repair world inside and out—and she’s not afraid to call out what’s holding shops back. In this episode of Blood,...

Al Wright of John’s Automotive next to podcast title

From Pump to Profit: Al Wright’s Journey to Shop Ownership

Meet Al Wright, who owns John's Automotive in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Al shares his journey in the automotive industry, from starting out as a gas...

Cecil Bullard shares his evolution from a mechanic to an industry consultant, tackling profitability challenges in the automotive sector.

From Wrench to Strategy: Cecil Bullard on Profitable Auto Repair Shops

Cecil Bullard has worn every hat in the shop—from technician to teacher to trusted advisor. In this episode of Blood, Sweat and Business, he...

PJ Leslie of Tekmetric next to podcast title

The Numbers Behind Auto Repair Tech: PJ Leslie of Tekmetric

Fresh from the VISION Conference, PJ Leslie of Tekmetric joins Blood, Sweat & Business to talk about the data-driven future of auto repair. In...

Matt and Danny Carlson of Platinum Systems next to podcast title “First Tech, Now Crops,” highlighting topics like IT strategy, AI, cybersecurity, and vertical farming.

From IT to Indoor Farming: The Evolution of Platinum Systems

Technology is a game changer, and it is changing faster than ever. On this episode with chat with Matt (Founder) and Danny Carlson (CEO) of...

Discover the hidden value in your business with Andrew Parrish of Alternative Tax Solutions.

Riches in the Niches

In this episode of the Blood, Sweat, and Business podcast, business owners get to hear from Andrew Parrish of Alternative Tax Solutions. The...

Podcast title “Knowledge is NOT Power, Action IS” with boxing gloves visual, featuring guest Al Oramas discussing auto repair business growth strategy.

How Al Oramas Grew His Auto Repair Shop by Stepping Out of the Bay

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we sit down with Al Oramas to talk about one of the biggest mindset shifts an auto repair shop owner can...

Podcast title “Do It Because It Inspires You” with boxing gloves image, featuring guest Dimitri Kallianis of The Shanty Restaurant discussing cross-industry entrepreneurship.

From Restaurant Roots to Multi-Brand Success with Dimitri Kallianis

We’re joined by multifaceted entrepreneur Dimitri Kallianis of The Shanty Restaurant. What began as a love for food has grown into a collection...

Podcast title “Staying Relevant in Hospitality” with boxing gloves image, featuring guest Junior Martinez of O'Toole’s Pub Group on innovation and leadership.

How Junior Martinez Keeps His Hospitality Brand Relevant and Respected

n this spirited episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we pull up a stool with Junior Martinez, owner of O’Toole’s Pub Group. Junior opens up...

Podcast title “You Had Failure Written All Over You” with boxing gloves image, featuring Kris Schoenberger of BBQ’d Productions on restaurant business resilience.

From Underdog to BBQ Empire: Kris Schoenberger’s Bold Journey

In today's gripping episode, we sit down with the indomitable Kris Schoenberger, the owner of BBQ'd Productions and Station 51. Dive deep into...

Podcast title “Entrepreneurial Navigation: Where Style and Success Converge” with boxing gloves image, featuring Jose Vazquez of Match Kicks.

Jose Vazquez on Building Match Kicks and Investing in Yourself

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we sit down with Jose Vazquez, partner at Match Kicks—a brand that began as a sneaker-focused site and...

Meet Your Hosts

Eric Joern

Eric Joern

Eric is a graduate of Columbia College of Missouri with a degree in accounting and joined the firm in 2013. He is a licensed CPA and a key business advisor at Kaizen. Coming from generations of entrepreneurs, small business is in his blood.

He has spent his working career getting his hands dirty with concrete, increasing profits and efficiency, managing an automotive service department, and currently is a key resource for many small business owners. Eric is currently the lead on our Automotive concentration, with years of experience as an Automotive Service Advisor and connections in the industry to better serve his clients.

Eric enjoys live music, working with his hands, and spending time outdoors with his wife and their two pooches. A big fan of the Chicago Bears, Cubs, Bulls, and Blackhawks, he jumps at the chance to catch ‘em live and in person when he can.

John Chiappetta bw (1)

John Chiappetta

John is a graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, WI and the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul in Chicago, IL. In 2003, John purchased a small tax practice in Antioch IL. He continued his entrepreneurial adventure, purchasing and merging with multiple accounting firms, and in 2022, merged his firm with Kaizen CPAs + Advisors. John has predominantly focused on tax planning and compliance. He also has his CFP® and is a licensed financial representative. John enjoys helping clients plan for a healthy financial future.

John enjoys spending time with his family. His wife Helen also has the entrepreneurial spirit, running a family diner in Antioch, IL. John and Helen have two children, Nico and Gianna. On John’s days off, he likes playing pickleball, golf, and the occasional pickup game of football. John appreciates Kenosha’s lakefront and frequently takes long walks on the beach. (He takes some amazing pics of the sunrises over Kenosha’s HarborPark!)