In this episode of Pillars of Wealth Creation, Todd sits down with entrepreneur and author Elle George to talk about the real-world lessons behind her book Before You Shake Hands. Elle opens up about the highs and lows of her business partnerships — from hostile takeovers to fundamental challenges that ultimately fueled growth and change. She shares insights on building success while working remotely, backing yourself when you can’t rely on banks or loans, and reverse-engineering your day for greater productivity. Together, Todd and Elle break down the key questions every investor and entrepreneur should ask before forming a partnership — from understanding motives and roles to ensuring communication and alignment, much like a strong relationship or marriage. Favorite Book: The Women By Kristin Hannah 3 Pillars 1. Integrity 2. Authentic 3. Aligned Elle George has lived the cautionary tale most entrepreneurs hope to avoid. After surviving a hostile takeover, millions in legal battles, and nearly two decades in the business trenches, she turned her hard-won lessons into strategy. With over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, cofounder, investor, and business strategist, Elle has launched, led, and exited ventures across industries from hospitality and fashion to media and wellness. Her book, Before You Shake Hands, is the guide she wishes she’d had—no fluff, no BS—just the essential questions every founder should ask before partnering up. Because the wrong partner won’t just cost you money—it can cost you your peace, purpose, and reputation. If you would like to connect with Elle, visit https://www.beforeyoushakehands.com/ or connect on Instagram the.elle.george YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PillarsOfWealthCreation Interested in coaching? Schedule a call with Todd at www.coachwithdex.com Listen to the audio version on your favorite podcast host: SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-650270376 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../pillars-of.../id1296372835... Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/.../aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zb3VuZ... iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/.../pillars-of-wealth-creation.../ CastBox: https://castbox.fm/.../Pillars-Of-Wealth-Creation... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0FmGSJe9fzSOhQiFROc2O0 Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/YUP21NxF3kb Amazon/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../f6cf3e11-3ffa-450b-ac8c...