Van Carlson - Risk, Wealth, and the Entrepreneur’s Edge: Protecting What You Build
Van Carlson - Risk, Wealth, and the Entrepreneur’s Edge: Protecting What You Build  
Podcast: From The Ground Up Show - Entrepreneur and Leadership Success Stories from Blue Collar, and Unconventional Career Paths
Published On: Tue Apr 14 2026
Description: Most entrepreneurs spend their time thinking about growth. Very few spend enough time thinking about risk. But the truth is—one unexpected event can threaten everything you’ve built. In this episode of From The Ground Up Show, I sit down with Van Carlsen, a nationally recognized expert in risk management and alternative insurance strategies. Raised on a farm and now working with thousands of business owners across the country, Van helps entrepreneurs understand how to protect their companies, their assets, and their long-term wealth. We dive into the hidden risks that many business owners overlook, why traditional insurance often falls short, and how strategies like 831(b) plans can help businesses create smarter protection. This conversation is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, ranchers, contractors, and anyone building something meaningful from the ground up. In this episode we discuss: The biggest risks most entrepreneurs don’t see coming • Why many businesses are under-protected • The real purpose behind 831(b) risk management strategies • How successful entrepreneurs think differently about protection • Lessons from working with thousands of business owners across the country If you're building a business, running a ranch, leading a team, or investing in your future, this episode will challenge the way you think about risk, protection, and long-term growth. Because building something great isn't just about scaling— it's about protecting what you've built. #FromTheGroundUpShow #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurPodcast #RiskManagement #SmallBusinessOwner #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #WealthBuilding #FinancialStrategy #Leadership #BlueCollarBusiness #Ranching #Agriculture #StartupLife #BusinessMindset #ProtectWhatYouBuild   https://shop.fromthegroundupshow.com/   Sponsor Links: https://www.macarthurco.com https://athletefresh.shop/fromthegroundupshow   Connect with From The Ground Up Show:  https://fromthegroundupshow.com https://www.youtube.com/@FromTheGroundUp-k9p https://www.facebook.com/fromthegroundupshow https://www.instagram.com/fromthegroundupshow/ https://www.tiktok.com/@fromthegroundupshow https://x.com/FTGUshow   Watch the video show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/O0WVfFDYYhw   Appear on the Show as an expert guest or ask a question of Erick and one of his guests:  https://fromthegroundupshow.com   Guest Links: https://www.831b.com/   Sponsor Links: https://www.macarthurco.com