ASHEVILLE, N.C.--Bret Pacheco, a CPA known for his holistic approach to financial advising, will be a featured speaker at The Owner’s Edge, an event for entrepreneurs hosted by industry-recognized coach Steve Bendzak of Equity Catapult. Pacheco’s talk will introduce a counter-intuitive premise: that the most significant challenges in a business are often rooted in the owner’s unexamined life experiences.
Pacheco argues that every business leader is operating from a personal narrative, often composed in early life, that dictates their decisions. Citing research from studies like the “Gradient of Childhood Self-Control,” Pacheco will demonstrate how early development has a long-lasting impact on adult leadership. For example, children with lower self-control are three times more likely to face credit and money management problems as adults.
“Every business plays a song that its owner began writing as a child,” explains Pacheco. “Our approach to risk, trust, and planning often takes shape long before we realize it. When you understand your own story, you can build a business that truly reflects your purpose and your legacy.”
At the event, Pacheco will guide attendees through his proprietary “Story Expander” framework. The process helps owners gain clarity on their past formative environment and present patterns to intentionally design their future. By understanding their own journey, entrepreneurs can make disciplined, intentional decisions about their company’s structure, systems, and financial planning instead of reactive ones. The ultimate goal is to build a business that supports what Pacheco calls “The 4 Pillars of Purposeful Freedom”: Time, Money, Health and Relationships.
Steve Bendzak, host of The Owner’s Edge, added, “To achieve lasting growth, leaders need the right tools. Bret’s approach provides the most essential tool: an understanding of how your own story drives your business decisions and shapes your team.”
The Owner’s Edge event will be held at Riverside Country Club in Bozeman, Montana on October 23, 2025. Tickets are available at www.equitycatapult.com/the-owners-edge.
