Shope + Associates, LLC

Helping retirees and near-retirees develop a well-thought-out plan that gives them the confidence to make work optional and live a life of freedom. We do this by helping you manage your assets according to your purpose and values, minimize your lifetime taxes, and generate consistent income. It doesn't end there, though. We continually monitor your plan and meet with you on a regular basis to ensure your needs are met. We keep the process simple and our pricing straightforward, just like it should be.

Managing Partner | Fee-Only Financial Advisor

Shope & Company, Inc.

Operated a private wealth management firm committed to working comprehensively with client's wealth management plans. Responsible for creating investment, financial and estate planning strategies that work together to expand, manage and distribute wealth. Maintained a strong reputation for portfolio management, designing tax and estate planning concepts and strategies to meet and exceed objectives and provide implementation so the family's goals are realized.

Financial Planner | Owner

Sigma Financial Corporation

Sigma Financial Corporation is a comprehensive financial services firm committed to helping clients improve their long-term financial success. Their customized programs are designed to help manage our clients’ wealth by delivering an unprecedented level of personalized service.

Independent Broker Dealer, No Proprietary Products, 9-Time Winner of Investment Advisor BD of the Year, 3-time Winner of REP. Magazines Broker Dealer Report Card

Certified Wealth Strategist® | Financial Planner

Hantz Financial Services, Inc.

At Hantz Financial, in addition to maintaining a financial planning practice, I served in numerous capacities in the growth of the organization.  My responsibilities included:

- Training and developing first-year advisors in the Greater Detroit Region.
- Assisted the Advanced Planning Team, which was focused on solving the issues of High-Net worth clients, in the development of case studies and comprehensive financial plans.
- Helped in the growth and transition of a group of recruited advisors in Northeastern Ohio.
- Worked with advisors between Mid-Michigan and Southern Ohio to reinforce the importance of integrating estate planning into the overall financial planning process for the firm’s clients.

Financial Consultant | Co-Founder

Lennington & Associates, PLLC

Responsible for the implementation of systems and strategies to ensure clients of Hantz Financial addressed their estate planning issues and concerns.  This involved developing a process by which each financial plan included a comprehensive review by an estate planning attorney from Lennington & Associates.

Director of Business Development

American Express Financial Advisors

Served as a paraplanner for a group of experienced financial advisors.  I was responsible for numerous administrative tasks and functions enabling the practice to operate efficiently and effectively.

Paraplanner

Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®) | Helping those 50+ learn how to retire confidently, reduce taxes, and generate consistent income to become financially independent.

If, after reading through the short description of who I typically serve and how I work, you find that we may work well together, feel free to contact me via phone or email for a complimentary, no-obligation initial consultation.

I have been fortunate to work with an outstanding group of committed clients for many years.  While each client holds their own values and visions unique to them, a few commonalities may help you determine if you would also benefit from my services.

- Most clients are either retired or within 10 years of retirement.

- My clients place a high value on financial planning and less emphasis on taking high risks trying to generate maximum return.

- My clients are long-term investors, comfortable with a custom asset management plan based on their risk tolerance, time horizon, goals, and income needs - not day-trading. 
 
- Most clients believe that their wealth is very important to them but no more important than family, faith, health, and community.

I am a Fee-Only financial advisor who takes great pride in acting on behalf of my clients. This means I have a responsibility to put my clients' interests well before my own in all recommendations.

At the core of our relationship is a custom financial plan geared toward life events such as retirement, wealth transfer, business succession, and asset protection.

Communication is key.  In addition to regular phone calls and emails, we will establish regular face-to-face meetings, typically 2-4 times per year.  Regular contact ensures a much higher probability of finding true meaning and success in your wealth.

If you have found you’d like to have a conversation about working together, I’d be happy to dedicate an hour to getting to know you better, discussing your intentions, and determining if I can provide value to you and your situation. 

To set up an initial meeting, contact me at pshope@shopeandassociates.com or by phone at (734) 479-1400.

Patrick Shope

Darren Mass

Brand Built

Where Founders Become Brand & Business Champions

This isn’t just another community, it’s a full-time commitment to elevating entrepreneurs from contenders to champions.

Most communities run as a side hustle. Not us.
At Brand Built, scaling businesses and building brands is an everyday pursuit, from the first round to the final bell. We’re in the ring with our members, equipping them with the strategies, coaching, and resources needed to win in today’s fast-paced business arena.

A No-Nonsense Community for Serious Founders

Co-founded by two seasoned entrepreneurs, Brand Built was created for those who want more than surface-level advice.
✅ Expand your brand.
✅ Build a powerful network.
✅ Earn unbreakable trust with clients and customers.

Our members don’t just walk away with ideas, they gain a support system that has their back every step of the way.

What You Get with Brand Built:

💡 Elite coaching from experienced founders.
🤝 A high-level network of business owners and visionaries.
📈 Resources and strategies designed for real, scalable growth.

This Isn’t for Everyone.

No shortcuts. No weekend hacks. Just real work, bold risks, and next-level thinking.

If you’re ready to step into the ring with a community that’s all-in, welcome to Brand Built.

🔗 Join us today: https://joinbrandbuilt.com

Co-Founder

PEF Community

What’s Next Starts Here

The Post-Exit Founders Community is a space for entrepreneurs who have successfully exited their businesses and are now focused on what’s next, whether it’s new ventures, investing, or redefining their purpose.

✅ Built on shared experiences – Connect with those who’ve walked the same path.
✅ High-level networking – Gain access to a trusted circle of elite founders.
✅ Real conversations – Navigate the opportunities and challenges that come after an exit.

More than just a network, this is a community of builders, investors, and visionaries committed to supporting each other’s next big moves.

Member

Business Therapy Group

Navigating the Emotional Side of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is tough, but you don’t have to face it alone.

Business Therapy Group was born from my passion to help small business owners overcome the intense, often overlooked emotional struggles that come with leadership. I’ve seen firsthand how challenges can strain relationships with partners, employees, and even yourself. My mission is to help you break through these roadblocks, move beyond setbacks, and regain a sense of purpose and control.

Addressing the Emotional Hurdles That Impact Success

💬 Tough conversations that bring awareness to underlying issues.
🎯 Accountability structures to keep you grounded and focused.
⚡ Fear, doubt, and frustration, tackled head-on.

Once the emotional roadblocks are cleared, we shift to practical, results-driven strategies to mitigate risks, streamline operations, and drive sustainable growth.

More Than Guidance, A Space for Transformation

✅ Empathy & understanding to help you navigate personal and business challenges.
✅ Actionable plans that propel you forward with clarity.
✅ Stronger accountability and goal-setting that align with your vision.

At Business Therapy Group, we focus not just on your business’s success, but on cultivating resilience and confidence in every leader.

If you’re ready to improve performance, address business risks, and create streamlined processes, we’re here to support you.

Founder - Business Therapy Group

YousicPlay

Empowering the Next Generation of Musicians with YousicPlay

As a Board Advisor for YousicPlay, I’m honored to support an innovative platform that’s redefining music education by connecting aspiring musicians with world-renowned artists.

Bridging the Gap Between Passion and Mastery

🎵 Direct access to techniques and strategies from top musicians.
🎸 World-class mentorship for aspiring artists at all levels.
📚 A revolutionary approach to learning and mastering music.

My Role: Shaping the Future of Music Education

✅ Guiding strategic decisions to drive sustainable growth.
✅ Advising on partnerships that expand our reach and impact.
✅ Enhancing the learning experience to make education inspiring and accessible.

At YousicPlay, we go beyond teaching technical skills, we cultivate a deep, lasting connection to the art of music. I’m proud to help shape a platform where every musician has the tools to grow, improve, and reach new heights.

💡 The mission is simple: Empower musicians everywhere to learn from the best and discover the artist within.

Board Member

Retail Advisory Board

Helping Local Businesses to Thrive

After exiting a successful company, I co-founded the Retail Advisory Board with one goal in mind: to give back to the small business community that supported my journey.

Our Mission: Strengthening Small Business Retailers

🚀 Free, volunteer-driven advice to help businesses grow and succeed.
💡 Expert guidance in retail sales, financial modeling, marketing, IT, and more.
📈 Actionable strategies to navigate market challenges and drive sustainable growth.

How We Make an Impact

✔️ One-on-one consultations to tackle unique business challenges.
✔️ Workshops and training sessions to refine operations and customer engagement.
✔️ A collaborative approach that fosters resilience and long-term success.

As co-founder and board member, I’m deeply committed to helping small businesses stay competitive and create a thriving local marketplace. Every success story reaffirms why we started this journey to uplift, empower, and drive real impact.

💙 Stronger retailers mean a stronger community, and we’re here to make that happen.

Board Member / Co-founder & Member Chair

I Took a Hike

Business, Leadership & Life Off the Beaten Path

Where the best conversations happen outside the boardroom.

“I Took a Hike” began as a way to blend my love for the outdoors with my fascination for the stories behind successful business leaders. Each episode, we step off the beaten path, literally and figuratively, heading into the wilderness to talk candidly about the stumbles, setbacks, and triumphs that have shaped my guests’ journeys.

Why the Trail?

🏔️ Raw, real conversations away from the daily hustle.
🌿 Candid insights you won’t hear in a traditional interview.
🛤️ Lessons in resilience, creativity, and leadership, told where the journey itself becomes part of the story.

There’s something about being on the trail that brings out a new side of people. As we trek through the wilderness, my guests open up in ways you won’t find in a boardroom, revealing the unexpected moments that shaped their success.

🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday!
Listen on Spotify, Apple, and Google Podcasts or visit itookahike.com 🌄 to join us on this adventure.

See you on the trail!

Host & Part-time Wilderness Philosopher

Windstream Enterprise

Driving Growth & Innovation

As President of Windstream Enterprise, following the acquisition of MASS Communications, I led a dynamic transformation across several business units, driving substantial growth and innovation. My focus was on:

✅ Defining and executing Windstream’s vision for the Enterprise division.
✅ Strengthening distribution channels and launching new partnership programs.
✅ Developing and empowering top talent within the organization.

Unifying Teams & Scaling Success

🔹 Integrated teams & cultures from MASS Communications, Windstream, and other acquisitions.
🔹 Scaled our channel strategy to expand market reach and enhance collaboration.
🔹 Launched innovative programs that accelerated revenue and strengthened our market presence.

Surpassing Revenue Targets & Expanding Market Reach

📈 Secured major Resale partnerships, driving over 100% revenue growth in the segment.
🚀 Expanded Windstream Enterprise’s footprint in the Resale market, unlocking new opportunities.
🌐 Delivered client-centered network solutions that redefined our industry impact.

At Windstream Enterprise, our mission extends beyond connectivity, we empower businesses to thrive in the digital age. As a $6 billion telecommunications leader, we provide scalable, cloud-driven solutions that drive growth, efficiency, and resilience in a rapidly evolving world.

President

MASS Communications (Acquired by Windstream Enterprise)

Building a Vision from the Ground Up - A Decade of Growth & Innovation

In 2008, I co-founded a company with a bold goal: to reshape the telecommunications industry. Fueled by passion and an entrepreneurial spirit, I was involved in every aspect:

💡 Funding & strategic sales
📢 Marketing & business development
⚡ 24/7 client support & service innovation

Our commitment to custom-engineered solutions and unmatched client service transformed us from a startup into an industry leader, generating $30M+ in revenue within a decade.

Cultivating a Team of Champions

🏆 Built a workforce driven by shared vision & excellence
🏢 Created a culture recognized as a “100 Best Places to Work in NYC” (Crain’s NY, 3 years running)
🔹 Fostered a family-like atmosphere that fueled our rapid growth

Achievements & Industry Recognition

🚀 Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies – 5 consecutive years
📈 1,000+ loyal customers across diverse industries
🔑 98% staff retention rate through the company’s sale

A Strategic & Rewarding Exit

In 2018, we achieved a major milestone, successfully selling the company to Windstream Holdings Inc. This marked not just the culmination of our growth, but a validation of the enduring value we built.

A Legacy of Impact

Reflecting on this journey, I take immense pride in what we created, a thriving business, a top-tier team, and an industry-altering success story.

💡 My story is proof that vision, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence can transform industries.

Here’s to inspiring others to dream big, take bold risks, and build with heart.

Chief Executive Officer

PAETEC COMMUNICATIONS

A Career Built on Experience & Growth

Learning from the Ground Up

My journey began as an intern, where I quickly realized that hands-on experience and a willingness to learn were the keys to growth.
🔹 Started as a technician & engineer – mastering the technical foundations.
🔹 Faced real-world challenges – troubleshooting, problem-solving, and late nights refining my skills.
🔹 Gained insights beyond the classroom – understanding the core of the industry from the inside out.

Mastering Operations & Efficiency

Transitioning into operations roles taught me that success isn’t just about technology, it’s about precision and collaboration.
⚙️ Managed workflows & optimized efficiency across teams.
📊 Developed problem-solving strategies beyond technical fixes.
🤝 Built high-performance teams by fostering collaboration and setting high standards.

Stepping into Leadership

With each management role, my perspective expanded.
✅ Led diverse teams – empowering individuals to excel.
✅ Set a clear vision – driving results through shared goals.
✅ Honed executive leadership skills – mastering strategic planning & decision-making.

The Path to MASS Communications

Armed with deep expertise in both technology and leadership, I was ready to build something bigger. MASS Communications was born with a mission of:

🚀 Innovation – pushing boundaries in telecommunications.
🤝 Teamwork – creating a strong, people-first culture.
🎯 Client success – delivering exceptional, custom-engineered solutions.

Lessons That Shape Future Leaders

Every role, every challenge, every success was a stepping stone. My journey proves that growth comes from experience, adaptability, and a relentless drive to learn.

💡 No role is too small, every step forward is a lesson that shapes the leaders of tomorrow.

Early Career

Exited Founder, Now I Build Personal Brands That Make Founders Unf★ckingforgettable → Own Your Brand. → Grow Your Business. → Lead the Conversation. Get Your Brand Built.

I built my company from the ground up and successfully exited it.

The hard way. No shortcuts. No overnight wins. Just grit, clarity, and execution.

It took years, failures, pivots, and an unshakable belief in the vision.

Since that exit, one thing has become crystal clear:
Your personal brand is your most valuable business asset.

Not your logo.
Not your tagline.
You.

Your name, your story, your presence.

It’s what gets you in rooms, earns trust, and opens doors before a word is spoken.
And it’s especially true for founders.

We’re so often heads-down building the thing…
That we forget we are part of the product.

Today, I help other founders, particularly post-exit, growth-stage, or quietly crushing it, build personal brands that reflect who they really are. Brands that stand up, stand out, and do business at scale.

LinkedIn is the space where that brand lives.
It’s not just a platform; it’s where visibility, credibility, and opportunity converge.

I’m not here to make people “look good online.”

I’m here to help founders own their story, lead with clarity, and show up like they already belong at the top of the category.

Because when your personal brand hits, it doesn’t just change how people see you.
It changes what you attract.

★

Get Your Brand Built 🥊

🔗 Join the Brand Built Community @ https://joinbrandbuilt.com
🔗 Or meet with me to become seen @ https://darrenmass.com/connect-with-darren

Co-Founder of a business and social community centered around growing your brand, building your network, scaling your business, and establishing trust for your customers and clients.

Darren Mass 🥊

I’ve built before.
But this year, I built differently.

More clarity.
More leverage.
Less noise.

I didn’t need a holiday to feel grateful, but I’ll take the opportunity to say it out loud.

Because this year, I’m thankful for what actually made business feel better, not just bigger:

→ Our team
Sharp, reliable, and trusted.
They move with speed and care.
That’s earned, not expected.

→ Digital Magic CRM
Built it to solve the follow-up problem, now it powers every relationship behind the scenes.

→ Brand Built
Real founders.
Real conversations.
No fluff, just strategy, growth, and accountability.

→ This audience
Every message, share, or comment helped sharpen the brand and expand the impact.

→ Family and close friends
For giving me the space to go all-in, and knowing when to pull me out of the weeds.

There were years when Thanksgiving felt like catch-up day.

This year, it feels like confirmation.

That the way we’re building is actually working.

Not because I stepped back from the business, but because the business kept moving when I did.

If your business only works when you're working, it's not built.
It's borrowed time.

★

What changed for you this year that made the work feel right again?

Darren  Mass

Branding. Business. Biking. Boxing.✨Digital Magic gave me the time to enjoy my passions. Want yours back?

No alternative text description for this image

You can be the smartest person in your business, but if you’re surrounded by people playing smaller, you’ll start shrinking too.

→ Energy leaks.
→ Standards spread.
→ Comfort kills momentum.

That’s why Brand Built exists.

Not to hand out motivation, to create movement.

A place where average doesn’t survive.

Where friction is a feature, not a flaw.

Because growth doesn’t happen when you feel good.

It happens when the people around you make your comfort zone look embarrassing.

You can tell a lot about someone by the room they choose to sit in.

The right room stretches you.

The wrong one keeps you “busy” while your fire burns out.

You don’t need another course.

You need proximity, to the right voices, the right energy, the right standard.

That’s how you scale faster.
That’s how you get loud without losing focus.
That’s how you stop coasting and start compounding.

The wrong circle will talk about growth.

The right one will demand it.

★

When’s the last time the people around you made you uncomfortable, in a good way?

Steve Jobs didn’t build Apple by saying yes.

He built it by saying no, over and over again.

No to features that didn’t matter.
No to meetings that weren’t essential.
No to distractions pretending to be opportunities.

He wasn’t focused on doing more.
He was focused on building what actually mattered.

And as founders, we forget that.

We pile on new ideas.
Say yes out of obligation.

Fill our week with stuff that doesn’t serve the vision, then wonder why we’re exhausted and stuck.

I’ve been there.

But the moment everything started to shift?

When I stopped building from urgency.
And started building with clarity.

You don’t get time back by working harder.
You get it by choosing better.

Saying yes is easy.
Saying no is where the leverage lives.

★

What’s one thing you know you need to say no to this week?

Building a personal brand isn't complicated.
You just keep getting in your way.

You don’t need a 12-step strategy.
You don’t need a “content calendar.”

You need conviction, and the guts to show up with it every day.

→ People follow consistency.
→ They trust conviction.
→ They remember repetition that feels real.

That’s it.

That’s the game.

Stop trying to sound smarter.
Start trying to sound like you.

The reason your brand isn’t landing isn’t because people don’t get it, it’s because you keep diluting it every time you second-guess your voice.

I’ve seen founders with zero followers build massive trust, and founders with massive followings lose it all, because clarity always beats popularity.

Your brand doesn’t need to be perfect.

It needs to be predictable.

People should know exactly what they’ll get when they hear your name.

Consistency beats clever.

Every, single time.

★

What’s one message you’d be willing to repeat every day until it built your entire brand around it?

For years, pressure was the fuel.

Every day felt like a deadline.

Every problem felt like proof I was alive.

And then I sold.

The noise stopped.
The pressure disappeared.

And I realized I’d built my confidence around chaos.

→ I didn’t miss the business.
→ I missed the speed.
→ I missed having something that demanded everything from me.

At first, I thought I needed another company.

But what I really needed was a new kind of challenge, one that didn’t destroy my peace to prove my worth.

That’s what this next chapter became.

Not chasing scale.
Not chasing validation.

Just learning how to build without bleeding for it.

Because peace feels weird at first.

But once you learn to operate from clarity instead of chaos, you never want to go back.

I didn’t lose my edge.
I just sharpened it differently.

The goal isn’t to escape pressure.
It’s to stop needing it to feel alive.

★

If the chaos disappeared tomorrow, would you still know how to move, or would you freeze?

Your company isn’t your legacy.
Your name is.

You can sell the business.
You can pivot the offer.
You can reinvent the product.

But your name, that’s the one asset you’ll take into every room for the rest of your life.

→ Products expire.
→ Markets shift.
→ Trends die.

But a strong personal brand compounds through every season.

The founders who win long term understand this: the logo is leverage, but the name behind it is the equity.

Your personal brand is your insurance policy.

It keeps you relevant when the market changes.

It keeps you credible when the product evolves.

It keeps you magnetic when everyone else is scrambling for the next thing.

When I sold my company, that truth hit hard.

The business was gone.
The title was gone.

But my brand, the way I showed up, built, led, and connected, that’s what opened every new door.

You can exit the company.
But you can’t exit your reputation.

★

If your logo disappeared tomorrow, would your name still carry weight?

Nobody trusts a ghost brand.

You can’t build authority if you only show up when it’s convenient.

Visibility isn’t vanity, it’s how trust compounds.

→ People don’t follow ghosts.
→ They follow patterns.
→ They follow consistency.

Everyone loves to say, “I’m working behind the scenes.”

Cool.

But behind the scenes doesn’t build connection.

People can’t trust what they can’t see.

If you want to lead, you have to show up when it’s boring.

When it’s uncomfortable.

When no one’s clapping.

Because that’s what makes people believe you’re real.

Not the wins, the repetition.

You don’t earn trust with a single post.

You earn it by showing up enough times that people stop questioning if you’re serious.

That’s how real personal brands are built, not in one viral moment, but in a hundred quiet ones that nobody sees coming.

You can’t build credibility in the dark.

★

If someone checked your page right now, would they trust you — or still be trying to figure out who you are?

You don’t have a growth problem.
You’re just operating on chaos.

Stop blaming “the market.”
Stop saying it’s a “slow quarter.”

Your business isn’t broken, your systems are.

You’re losing time to tasks that shouldn’t even need you.

You’re chasing follow-ups instead of closing deals.

You’re doing 20 things a day that automation could’ve done before breakfast.

That’s not entrepreneurship.
That’s self-inflicted burnout.

→ Every thriving business has one thing in common: a system that thinks faster than the founder.
→ That’s where Digital Magic CRM comes in.

It’s not a tool.
It’s your second brain.

The follow-ups, the reminders, the chaos, gone.
It’s like running your business on autopilot without losing control.

You don’t scale by working harder.
You scale by building systems that never sleep.

You’re not overworked, you’re under-automated.

★

How much of your day is spent building, and how much is spent cleaning up the mess?

The biggest risk to your business isn’t competition.
It’s confusion.

It’s showing up every day reactive instead of intentional.
It’s hiring out of panic.

→ Spending just to feel like you’re doing something.
→ Posting without knowing why.
→ Saying yes because “maybe it’ll lead to something.”

You can scale noise.
A lot of people do.

But clarity?
That’s harder to find.

Especially when you’re the only one in the room calling the shots.

That’s why we built Brand Built

So founders like us could stop guessing and start building with direction.

A place to pressure test your thinking, not just talk about goals.
A place to ask:

“Is this actually working, or am I just addicted to the chaos?”

The answer changes everything.

You don’t need more motivation.
You need better input.

★

What’s the hardest decision you’ve been putting off because you haven’t had space to think?

Freedom isn’t found in free time.
It’s found in structure.

Every founder thinks they want more time off.

What they actually want is space to think.

To create.
To breathe.

That doesn’t happen when you’re buried in the weeds chasing tasks your system should’ve handled hours ago.

Automation doesn’t make business colder, it makes it cleaner.

It clears the noise so you can focus on what only you can do: lead, decide, build.

That’s the beauty of Digital Magic CRM

It’s not another tool cluttering your tech stack.
It’s a quiet operator, the thing that keeps your world moving while you’re living your life.

Structure creates freedom.
Discipline builds space.

The founders who figure that out early don’t burn out, they scale peacefully.

The goal isn’t to work less.
It’s to work lighter.

★

If your systems ran smoother, what part of your life would you finally make room for

taplio

The Battle

Patrick Shope

Darren Mass 🥊

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The Battle

Patrick Shope

Darren Mass 🥊

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Darren Mass 🥊's LinkedIn Performance

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